A/N: Just a quick note. When i say "Filted" i mean Vampire Super Speed.
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Vlad and Robin are sat upright on their beds. Backs against the wall watching a movie from the decently sized TV positioned on the draws in front of them. They are watching "World before the Dawn" a horror movie where hoards of vampires would come out at night and drain the innocent populace of their blood spreading the curse of Vamperism. Robin was loving the movie and was chewing away at some popcorn, some of which had spilled onto the bed during the jump scares scenes. While Vlad just laid there blank faced, paying hardly any attention to how obviously fake the movie was as it dragged on.
Vlad felt a sudden power surge rise within him. A vampires power weakens during the daytime, but the moment the sun sets. Their power returns in a intoxicating surge which bursts through their body. This is what would normally wake Vampires from their nocturnal slumber. A short flash of lightning and a loud crack of thunder sounds outside and Vlad leaps to his feet in a flash.
Robin is startled by this. He had grown use to Vlad lying there silently. His popcorn slashes up from his bowl and landed around him, adding to the prior mess from the jump scares. Robin froze, his face in obvious sign of surprise before muttering. "V.. - Vlad?"
Vlad turned around to look his friend in the eye. Vlad spoke in a serious and authoritative tone. "Its time." Vlad grabbed his blood bag and stands near the door ready to leave.
Robin looks at him confused still lying under his covers. "Time for what?" Robin asked curiously.
"The sun is down and my coronation is in 5 days time. I don't have time to waste. You coming with me or not?" Robin had never thought he would hear such authority come from Vladimir's voice. In his mind he was still the Vampire who couldn't stand the sight of blood and was always backing out from conflict and anything vampire related. When Robin had seen Vlad declared the chosen one all those years ago, he never expect Vlad to live up to the role. Vlad has changed that part was now obvious, but to what extend Robin did not know.
"I - er - sure. " Robin places whats left of his popcorn on the side table and slowly creeps out of bed with a short obvious sigh. "Let's find this thing you need so desperately then." Robin sarcastically comments knowing whatever they are need to find is a lot more then just a flimsy relic. Vlad scowled in response as they head out of the room and down the stairs.
~SB~
A half moon lights up the burnt remains of Stokey Castle. Robin and Vlad stand by the ashes of what was once the main entrance to the castle. All that's left standing is the twisted iron perimeter fence and remarkably the main tower that was once Vlad bedroom.
(Vlad's POV)
I know I've seen this place once before. But its heart breaking to see the place I once called home, the place where I lived a somewhat normal life lay in nothing but ash and rubble. I can still see those double wooden doors as I stand here, my father's throne in the hall and the smell of Renfields disgusting attempts at cooking.
"Vlad I've been meaning to ask, why have you brought your blood bag with you?"
"Because of what you said earlier, perhaps I do need blood to enter this passage farther talks of... Let's split up. If you think you found the tunnel. Call for me. Under no circumstances enter it without me, never know what kind of traps may be in place here."
For the love of Garlic we've been searching for hours now. If we don't find anything soon we wont have enough time to make it back before dawn. Look at this place, its just stacks upon stacks of ancient stone and ash, how am i meant to find this bloody-
"Vlad! I think I've found something!"
I swear if Robin thinks another one of the damaged east wings doors is the entrance to the passage I will kill him.
Vlad rushes around the corner to see Robin on the floor sweeping the ash away from a stone slab with his own hands. The slab was surrounded by mountains of rubble, as the ash cleared the two boys could start to see some sort of ancient script engraved into the stone. In the center was a engraving of what appeared to be a full moon.
"What kind of language is that?" Robin asked confused, he twisted his head around thinking it might be easier to make it out at a different angle.
"Its Aramaic." Vlad was now also confused. The young vampire knew his farther couldn't read Aramaic. He had been hopeless at translating the Praedictum Impaver, so why is here?
"Can you read it?"
"I only learnt the basics, but i guess i can give it a go."
If what you seek lies within, then at the light of a werewolves moon shall the entrance be revealed. Unless a Blood token is paid by the hands of a Dracula.
Vlad rummages through his bag and takes out the single bottle of 'French Aristocrat 1798'. He uncorks the bottle, immediately the intoxicating smell of the divine blood fills his nose. His throat suddenly dry and raw, screams out in expectation of the blood to be swished around in his mouth and swallowed. Its been a long time since Vlad last drank blood. He can remember the taste and the sheer pleasure that he had felt and how powerful it had made him feel.
Robin was watching Vlad as he zoned out and closed his eyes as if he was dreaming of letting himself go and drinking the bottle of blood. But soon enough his eyes opened again and slowly his hand stretched out and the blood poured out onto the center of the slab. The blood didn't splash on the surface. The moment the blood had touched the slab, it was absorbed as if it was being sucked in. When the bottle stopped pouring, much to the surprise to Robin. Vlad had lowered his fangs pricked his thumb against them. A drop of Vlad's blood landed onto the center of the slab, this time it was not absorbed. It splashed against the stone and suddenly the stone floor shook, crack and then it started to slowly slide open. Both boys had to move fast to get off the slab before they fell in.
"Well... I was not expecting that.." Robin said in obvious surprise at what he had just seen. To Robin this was all just awesome and felt like some weird Vampire Adventure Game. But in reality it was far from that. Vlad knew it was so, nothing this important to his bloodline wouldn't be left unguarded.
Vlad and Robin briefly looked at each other as if they were telling one another they are ready to enter the passage. Before them the stone slab had disappeared and in its place a dimly light tunnel of stairs that lead further underground appeared. The stone walls were green with age and moss, cobwebs covered every crack and crevasse in the stone and the floor was covered in nothing but dust. This was a part of the castle Vladimir had never seen or heard of. He knew the slab that was here previous was part of the crypts floor, but he never knew that this is what laid beneath it.
The two boys anxiously stepped into the passage, as if they were expecting something else to happen. Step by step they descended lower into the passage. The sounds of stones shifting made the two quickly look back to see the stone slab slowly closing behind them. And with a loud thud, as they shut. The air became stale and all became silent as the only thing that was now making a noise was Robin. Breathing.
Turning back around Vlad could hear Robins breathing and how his heart beat had increased, as if he had finally realized this was no game and that they could possibly be in danger. In a effort to keep them moving Vlad looked at Robin and mutters: "Come on, lets keep going..."
The two boys kept on walking down the stairs for what had seemed like miles, but the stairs abruptly came to a halt and the narrow passage had now opened up into a massive dark chamber. Pillars of black stone lined the walls and blood red tiles were laid out on the floor.
Across the hall Vlad could see a a singular double door just like the one that once stood at the entrance of the castle. Above it a ragged old sheet of cloth was proudly on display, it was a crest of some sort. It was his crest. The Dracula Coat of Arms. Looking up to the ceiling Vlad could see 3 stone knights carved into the stone which were surrounded by gothic lines and patterns for decoration. This was it, he knew that beyond those doors is where he would find what he has come for.
"Jeez this place is dark, wheres the light switch?" Robin joked.
Vlad had forgotten that he could see as clear in the dark as Robin could in the light. So with a single snap of his fingers the chamber suddenly came to light. Giant torches that were embedded on the sides of the pillars suddenly came to light revealing the hall to Robin. Robin gasped in awe as he took a step forward onto one of the Red tiles.
"NO WAIT!" Vlad yelled grabbing Robins arm and pulling him back with so much force Robin fell backwards onto his backside.
But it was too late, Robin had activated something. The rumbling sound of stones moving broke the silence they had once enjoyed and the tile robin had stepped on light up with a devilish-green light coming from the seems and cracks within it. Before anything could be said 3 figures dropped from the ceiling and were now standing motionless in the center of the hall. As Vlad helped Robin back up onto his feet the two boys stared at the 3 figures that now stand between them and the door.
The figures were Knights of Stone. Their heads were down facing the floor, hands grasped the handles of their swords that were still sheathed in their belts. They had no noticeable features apart from the helmets they wore. They sported the shape of what could only be bat wings that stretched out from where their ears would be and had the Dracula crest embedded on their breastplate.
Vlad looked at them curiously, he did not know if they would recognize him as a Dracula. He stepped forward onto the red tiles. A grinding noise started to emulate from the knights as their heads slowly moved upwards to face the Young Vampire. When their heads were fully upright two small red lights appeared from inside their helmets, like eyes.
Vlad started to walk closer to the knights, his steps echoing in the emptiness of the chamber. With a worried yet quiet voice Robin questioned his friends actions, he himself thought this was madness. "Vlad! What are you doing?!"
"If they're in here guarding it. Then my farther must have placed them here, theirs no way they'd attack a Dracula..." Vlad spoke too soon and suddenly the 3 knights unsheathed their swords and started to move around the Young Vampire. Surrounding him and cutting him off from Robin who still stood at the entrance of the chamber beyond the red tiles.
At first it was a stand off, Vladimir staring down the knights and the knights not moving a muscle. Waiting for the Vampire to make the first move. Vlad knew this and so looked around to see if there was anything he had missed when he first looked around. There was nothing else apart from a break in the ceiling which had the moon light shining through it. Must be another way out. But before Vlad could think of what to do he heard Robin scream.
"Vlad!" Vlad turned around to see the knight who had previously stood behind him throw Robin against a wall and started to move to strike him with his sword. Vlad did not hesitate and filted over and placed himself between Robin (who was once again on the floor with his back pushed against the wall) and the stone knight. The knight attempted to slash Vladimir by swinging his sword down from his head. But Vladimir was quick to dodge the attack and used a fire ball which impacted the knights left shoulder causing the stone arm to crumble and fall off. Unhindered by the Young Vampires attack the stone knight attempted again this time the blade grazed Vladimir cheek when he attempted to dodge the knights attack. Blood of a very dark red shade started to slowly ooze its way out of the wound. Vlad didn't realize the cut due to the adrenaline that was now surging its way through his body. Vlad saw he had another chance, he knew that fire balls could damage it but he needed to find a way to more easily destroy the knight. Vlad stretched out both his hands and two bolts of lightning came out. They were like white twisted lasers that glowed blue. Arching between Vladimir and the Knight, which started to slowly melt. Robin meanwhile who was still sat on the floor in the corner was watching in awe at how powerful Vlad had become. Hes never seen such power before and he never knew Vampires could could use lightning as a weapon. But then his eyes darted away from Vladimir and to the 2 knights that have started to run over. "Vlad! LOOK OUT!-"
Thud- Thum- Thud
Vlad's eyes widen as he remembers there was more then just 1 knight. He stops using his lightning powers and quickly tries to dodge a left side stab from one of the knights who were now very close and behind him. He tried, but the sword had found its mark and had penetrated Vlad's left shoulder. Vlad yelped, the pain was immense, he could feel his cold blood slowly soaking his clothes and moving down his arm. When the knight pulled out his sword from the wound a even more intense pain shot through Vladimir's body. The Young Vampire dropped to the floor on his knees and his head facing down. His left arm now limp to his side, but his right arm shot up in defiance. Suddenly the knights froze and slowly started to rise into the air.
Robin had finally gotten to his feet and looked at his friend who at first seemed to have given up, but now he was pulling out the big guns it would seem. In a instant all 3 knights were frozen and floating in the air. Vladimir's head rose back up, his eyes now fully black and fangs on full display. He slowly got back onto feet and threw the the stone knights across the room, smashing into a wall causing the entrance they had entered from to collapse blocking them off from going back up that way.
The Young Vampire had obviously had enough, he had given into his darker side of himself to survive the situation and was not in the mood to be delayed any further.
"I AM THE SON AND HEIR OF COUNT DRACULA, I DEMAND TO BE ALLOWED PASSED!" Vlad's voice was dark, it was so powerful it shook the chamber. At the completion of his statement the double doors slowly opened.
Exhausted by the fight the young vampire collapsed to the floor. His thoughts were now empty and all he could now think of was the pain that was coming from his shoulder, but mysteriously his face as well. Vlad had not noticed the cut to his cheek during the fight. Robin run over and held Vlad up in his arms.
"Took your time..." Vlad joked with a faint smile on his face.
"Vlad... I'm sorry-" Vlad cut him off "No its okay. You didn't have anything to fight them with, if anything i'm glad you didn't. Last thing I need is to explain to your mum why I've returned you in pieces."
"Can you walk?"
"Yeah just help me up will ya?" With that Robin dragged Vlad back up to his feet and with Robin as a support the two limped over to the double doors. Inside was a singular small room with a small alter in the center. On-top of the alter was the very thing Vlad has been searching for. The Amulet of Count Dracula, its main feature was the extremely rare red blood diamond at its center which had the Dracula crest engraved in its core which was outlined by gold. Its chain was of black steel and it twisted around the diamond in a gothic and stylish fashion which kept it secure. It was created almost a thousand years ago when the Dracula Clan had first become the powerful clan it is today. The Amulet represented the power and wealth of the Dracula clan, it also serves as a mark of officiality that he who wore this was indeed either the head of the clan or the heir. It was very famous in the vampire community even thought it has not been seen in public since his farther coronation over 200 years ago.
"All of this. For a necklace?" Robin was amazed at the sight of the amulet but was confused why his friend had been willing to almost die for such a thing.
"This Robin..." Vlad started to stroke the diamond gently with his blood soaked fingers. "Is the most valuable item in the world. Its my farther Amulet, a sign of the Dracula's immense power and wealth."
"Wicked.." Robin did not attempt to touch the amulet but rested his hand on the alter. But a overly protective Vlad suddenly grabbed it as soon as he came near. Vlad looked into robins eyes briefly as he slowly started to put the amulet over his head and onto his chest. The moment it had touched Vladimir's chest, it light up with a red glow. And Vlad felt a odd surge of power flow through him. Its nothing like hes felt before. But then he remembered what his farther told him in the letter before going on this mission.
==
Remember Vlad, only you and i may put this Amulet on. It was enchanted with Dark Magic by my grandfather. It intensifies the powers of the one who wears it. But if he who wears the amulet is not of Dracula blood, the magic is broken and that power is lost. Protect this Amulet with your life, it is our duty.
P.S = We may of left Zoltan in Bali. Ill arrange him to be posted back to Garside and he may return before we even do since Renfield has much to pack. See you soon.
Count Dracula
==
Vlad tucked the amulet under his shirt and then looked at the door. "We should probably start heading back, sun will be up soon." Vlad slowly limped out of the room on his own. Robin followed suit. "Vlad we should really get that arm of yours check out. Mam use to be a nurse she could probably fix you up."
"Ah yes, while shes at it mind telling her why i have no pulse."
"How would she know? Its not like shes going to have to check your pulse when dealing with a stab wound to your shoulder."
"Guess your right. I... I just don't want her to freak out or think different of me if she found out."
"Even if she did find out, or even remember. I'm sure she'd still look at you the same, can't say the same for dad though..."
Vlad suddenly came to a abrupt halt and Robin looked up to see a hole in the ceiling from which he could see the sky above. It had started to become a dark blue as a obvious sign the sun was close to coming up. When Robin looked at the entrance he noticed it was blocked by rubble as it had collapsed during the fight. And when he looked back at Vlad, he was starting to sport a smirk.
"Robin, you ever flown before?"
Robin was slightly confused but as he looked up at the sky again, he realized what Vlad meant. Robin hated heights, even though he had climbed into Vlads bedroom when he was 12, he still hated heights.
"No... But VladSince when were you afraid of heights? This is the same Robin who rudely climbed through my window when i was younger right?" Vlad joked helping Robin back onto his feet with his one good arm.
"Well if you hated that you're going to definitely hate this..." Vlad Smirked looking at robin, once again grabbing his arm firmly.
Robin looked in shock at Vlad's smirk. "Hate what..." Vlad filted his way back to the front door of Robin house. Robin looked almost green, Vlad couldn't help but let a small laugh out. "If you do that ever again...(pant) I'm going to kill you"
Vlad smirked and Robin reached out, opening the door and slumply walked into the house expecting Vlad to follow him in behind. As robin entered the kitchen he still noticed that he hadn't heard the door shut behind him. So he walked back into the hall way to still see Vlad at the door.
"What are you doing?" Robin stared at Vlad awkwardly.
"You have to invite me in, i cant enter someone else's home without being invited in. Its Vampiric code, i don't know why it just is."
"Right... Vlad. Please come in." Vlad enters and shuts the door silently behind him.
And with that awkward moment behind them the two boys entered the kitchen. As Robin grabbed a glass out of the cabinet and filled it under the tap to see in the corner of his eye Vlad collapsing onto one of the kitchen table chairs. Vlad seemed drained of energy, his wound still slightly bleeding and his entire arm was soaked in blood. The cut on Vlad's cheek had stopped bleeding at this point but the overall view was horrible. Vlad was still clearly in immense pain but was hiding it well.
After downing a glass of water Robin knew Vlad's wound needed to get attention. "I'm going to go wake up mam, that wound of yours needs to be fixed straight away."
Vlad nodded in response, but before he walked out the kitchen he turned back around and looked at Vlad. "How are we going to explain it to her, without obviously telling her?"
"Err = we'll just say we ran into some rather unsavory kind of people on our way back from the... club? Is there a club around here?"
"Yeah. Prism, its on the edge of town." Vlad nodded in response and lent back into the chair.
Robin left and headed up stairs. Leaving Vlad on his own with nothing but his thoughts. Vlad knew he wasn't hurt too badly. Vampire could take a lot of damage before they enter the danger zone. Unlike breathers Vampires didn't have to rely on their body much in order to survive, since they were un-dead. But, they could still feel pain and by golly did Vlad feel it. A vampire could heal extremely quickly, if they had a regular diet of blood. But Vlad hasn't drank the stuff for at least 2 years. And with his Coronation so close, he couldn't afford to wait and heal normally. He needed blood, and fast. Even though Vlad hated the stuff and would usually refused it at all costs. He couldn't be seen as weak in front of the entire Vampire world during his Coronation.
And before Vlad could dive deeper into his thoughts the sudden thud of footsteps from the distance staircase dragged him out. Mrs Branagh walked into the kitchen, as soon as her eyes fixed on Vlad's bloody state her face froze with shock before moving in closely to look at him closer "Oh my dear boy... Look at what they've done to you." Mrs Branagh started to examine Vladimir's wound, first she started with his cheek cut. "Just a flesh wound, should be fine, not deep enough for stitched i'd say. But if u want me to take care of that shoulder of yours, your gonna have to take off your shirt." If Vlad still had the ability to blush, he would definitely be blushing right now.
As Vlad took his shirt off, his left arm was completely doused in his dark red blood. Mrs Branagh obviously disgusted by the amount of blood and only imagining the pain Vlad was feeling right now tried to crack a joke to try and lift his spirits. "Well, i can see your not a big fan of the sun." Referring to Vladimir's paleness, earning her a smirk and a short laugh from the Young Vampire.
"Thats a rather nice necklace you got there Vlad" Vlad's eyes widen, he forgot he had that on. Nervously, Vlad muttered: "Er- yeah thanks, farther got it for me." And with that Mrs Branagh started to examine the shoulder wound.
"Oh you're freezing... Ill patch you up, get you a nice cup of tea and then get you a extra blanket for the night." Mrs Branagh got up and walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a first aid kit. Bringing it over to Vladimir she started to clean the blood off his arm with a disinfecting wipe and started to clean out the wound. While she was doing so she tried to find out more of what had occurred.
"So Robin, where were you when Vlad was being attacked?" She asked in a accusing but also worried tone.
Vlad answered the question for him rather sharply. "Robin got pinned down against a wall by some of the other boys stopping him from helping me." Vlad winked at Robin suggesting he should go along with it.
"Thew me against the wall more like." The two boys let out a slight laugh recalling how Robin was more-less rag dolled against the wall by the stone knight. Mrs Branagh wasn't impress and they stopped laughing as she sighed slightly.
"Ow, ah. Damn." Vlad burst out in surprise as the disinfectant wipe started to clean out the stab wound. It stinged like hell when the wipe came in-contact with the open wound.
"Oh yes, i should have warned you about that. The wipes tend to sting a bit." Mrs Branagh smirked as she continued to wipe our some strange stone like dust that had some how gotten into Vladimir's wound.
Once finished Mrs Branagh started to wrap a pressure bandage around Vladimir's shoulder to stop the bleeding and help it heal.
"There you can pop your shirt back on now, though i'd put a different one on when you can. You boys head up stairs, ill bring a cup o'tea up along with an extra blanket for you Vlad."
Mrs Branagh had always been like a mother to Vlad. He sometimes wondered if this is what his real mother would have been like if he had accepted their invitation to live with them for a while and had he not mind wiped them. "Thank you, Mrs Branagh. Your very kind."
"Nonsense Vlad, your basically Family to us." A massive smile came across Vlad's face as he and Robin started to head out of the kitchen and to the staircase.
The moment Robin and Vlad had reached the bedroom, and a new shirt later, they both collapsed onto their beds and went limp with exhaustion.
"Vlad, wheres your blood bag gone?"
"Oh, bats... It kind got crushed when the entrance collapsed..."
"What you going to do?"
"Well. If i'm going to heal in time for my Coronation im gonna have to speed up my Vampire Healing. Which means i cant rely on Soy Blood. But now i don't have any Soy, i don't have any food..."
"So...?"
"So. I'm going to have to get... human blood. And i cant fly to Garside to get a bottle with a damaged wing. Its too far."
Robin slowly turned to look at Vlad who was lying flat down in his bed and looking straight up into the ceiling. "Your going to have to bite someone then... I don't see anyway around it."
Vlad slowly turned his head to meet Robins gaze, worry and doubt filled Vladimir's face. Before it was only about the Coronation. But now it had also turned into a food problem. Vlad could only realistically go without blood or a blood alternative for two days before going berserk. Before his 18th he could have gone longer, but now his Vampire side had become dominant and the power of the chosen one demanded more blood to feed its energy he couldn't risk it. Vlad's mind was on fire.
What was he going to do...
To be continued...
I see this Fic is starting to get a few reads now so i'm hoping to speed up Chapter releases. Hope you all enjoy the chapter and as always i'm always open to hear your comments and ideas on the story.
FYI: Sorry for any spelling / grammar mistakes.