Chapter 9 – post-script (I)

It was a fair day outside the Hellsing manor in the year of 2053. Integra was sitting on her bed, reading a book, and having a cup of tea as she was waiting for Seras and Gregory. She lets herself rest on her bed as she grows old and weaker. In the day, Seras would come and spend time with her so she wouldn't get bored as well as the both of them helping Gregory run what's left of the work that Integra handed to him. The Hellsing Organization was no more and during this time, Seras and Alucard were already a part of the 'special operations unit'. Gregory got used to his work and would usually have conversations with Integra and Seras when he has time. He learned more about what Alucard and Seras are about even though Alucard wouldn't even bother to acknowledge him, his presence, and his being.

A knock on her door was heard. It was Seras. She let her in with Gregory following behind her. When the two were sitting on each side of her bed, she ordered Seras to let Pip envelop her room, protecting it from outside senses.

"Seras, Gregory… I can feel my death. It is nearing. I summoned the two of you to know of my plan. Seras, I have talked to Gregory while you were busy with work. We have settled an agreement and a plan…." Integra breathes deeply before continuing. "I have decided to let Alucard turn me into a vampire."

Seras beamed due to her declaration. It seemed like she couldn't believe what she just heard. The expression on her face was one of the rarest thing Integra ever saw. Instead of having a grave feeling of her doubt regarding her own decision, she somewhat felt comfort and relief from Seras's indescribable smile. Integra didn't saw Seras's strong, yet gentle embrace around her frame which she allowed, patting the vampire's back then stroking it. What happened next surprised her: Seras was crying bloody tears as she pulled away from her. Integra frowns to see her crying. She never thought that her decision would make Seras so happy that she'd cry.

"Why are you crying, Seras?"

"I… I-I'm just so happy, Master Integra…! You always talk with me and Master about your death. You told us that no matter what, you'll die as a human. I just feel so very happy that you'll continue to stay with us…!" She sobs as she wipes her bloody tears. Integra couldn't help but smile. The two of them really love each other like family. And knowing Seras, Integra realized how she kept her humanity intact even though she's a true vampire. She also realized how the both of them have kindred spirits. Integra hums a chuckle.

"I won't ever leave you, Seras. Consider that as a reciprocity for staying with me unlike someone who made me hope and wait for thirty bloody years." Integra smiles. Seras wipes away her tears as she lets out a laugh and listens to what she has to say.

"Is your Master asleep?" Integra asks.

"Yes, he is. What will the plan be? And why is Master not part of this?" Seras asks.

"Because I know he'll ruin the mood and the plan. We need to be thorough in this to make the council believe that I die as a human. Moreover, I want a small revenge." Integra says a bit playfully. The years had made her travel the cycle of life. Seras giggled and Gregory wore a warm smile.

"What should we do, Sir Integra?" Gregory asks. With that, Integra revealed her plan to them, instructing how it'll be executed.

"Uhmm… Are you sure about this, Master Integra? Wouldn't Master get furious?" Seras asks nervously.

"Yes, Seras. If he ever pulls his gun on you, I'll make sure he'll see hell." Integra chuckles, giving her a winning smile.

One day, Integra woke up one morning, feeling her chest slightly tightening. She sensed that her death is at hand. She quickly called for Seras and Gregory to execute her plan. The plan was successfully executed. Soon, after two days, the burial was held as she asked. Even if she chose another type of death, she'd still choose to be reminded of the reasons why she reached her final decision. Integra hid from Alucard until her final hour arrives, with the help of Seras and Pip.

"All flesh is grass and all the comeliness thereof as, the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth but the word of our God abideth forever!"

Said the man as he drives a long wooden stake to the Nosferatu's chest. The Nosferatu coughs blood and as he opens his eyes, he sees a silhouette of a tall man, kneeling on one leg, looking down on him. His vision was a bit fuzzy. He looked at the man as his eyes adapt. He was defeated by the man in front of him. Despair was what he felt.

"Have I been… bested…? Sir…?" He weakly asks. A bloody tear fell on the side of his eye, dropping down on the side of his face. The man in front of him became more vivid in his vison.

"Yes, you are bested. This is not a nightmare you will be awaking from; your castles are plundered, your dominions in ruin, your servants, destroyed. And the girl has fled this place forevermore!" The man looks at him with loathe in his eyes. "She will never be yours, Count!"

The Nosferatu couldn't do anything but stare at him as he knew that this was his punishment. A punishment for all the things he did… The man gathered his strength and raised his hand into a fist, hollering as he did so. He took all the strength he had to thrust the wooden stake deeper in the Nosferatu's chest. The Nosferatu bellowed in pain, falling to his back when the man caught his collar, shaking him.

"You are judged! And found wanting, Vampire King!" The man's sky-blue eyes glared at him with anger. "You have nothing. You ARE nothing." The man's blue eyes gave the Nosferatu the painful realization. The Nosferatu gave his last breath as a defeated sigh as the reflection of the man mirrored in the blaze of his eye.

"Nothing!"

His vision blurred as his eyes closed, the man who defeated him being the last figure he saw.

I want to see her once more… I want to see her right now… I only wished I could've served her better.

You're right, Professor Van Helsing… I have nothing… I am nothing… Your great granddaughter has fled from this world forevermore. She never became mine… Even if I had a greater chance to make her mine… I wanted her… I'm, again, judged and this time, the punishment is for all eternity.

Once again, I am defeated… But not from my enemies… But from the master… But from the woman I cared about.

Alucard wakes up from the same nightmare he had before. He woke up with bloody tears running down his face. He bites his teeth in trying to stop his tears from pouring more. His eyes were blurred from his tears. He thought of how ironic things are in the present. Heh, defeated by my own game. And defeated by the only woman I ever looked up to. He thought. He was looking down, with his hair covering his face, feeling the same despair he suffered in his past when there was something warm on each side of his face…

"Why are you crying, my dear Count?" The voice said.

He couldn't believe what's happening. He knew this was only a dream. This can never be true… This is impossible because I witnessed everything that had happened. This is another illusion… But illusion or not, I'd like to see her… at least for the last time. He thought. He held those warm hands pressing against each side of his face, still looking down on the dirty grunge flooring.

"Because I've lost, once again…" He chuckles sadly. "I have to admit that your bloodline is the only thing that can ever imprison me in this eternal punishment… This eternal retribution… You… It was the best serving you unlike your ancestors. You were the most different of them all… I thought I could've done something so I could spend all my immortal life with you; having someone who can destroy all my boredom, someone who can play with me without getting used to me, my equal… This is just a dream… But I'd like to say thank you, my Countess. I will fulfill your last wish if that's what you want…" He closes his eyes, trying to cherish the final moments he believes to be an illusion.

The voice chuckles and the next thing he knew was that his head was being tilted. He saw her wrinkled and aged face in the darkness of his chamber. He looked at her eye… Oh, her eyes! He would've killed the fiend who shot her left eye over and over again because her eyes showed him many things; told him unspoken words. Her eyes were as frost as ice but never did they show him hatred and odium towards him, unlike her great grandfather whose eyes were blue as the sky; eyes like the sky that could bring all the weight of the world on him and showed him all the rage that he held towards him… She's ever so beautiful. He fancied the old age of humans maybe because he never had the chance to age like them; or maybe the ages gave the humans more wisdom, understanding, and experience that he possibly couldn't comprehend.

"Integra..." Alucard says in an audible whisper as he was stunned by what's before him. She smiles.

"Did I hurt you, Alucard? Did I hurt my vampire? It's difficult for me to believe that you're actually crying over my death. But now is not the time for sentiments." Integra says. Alucard was slowly dawning the situation. His eyes widened as he realized that he wasn't dreaming anymore… His senses were null due to his grief but now, they were coming back. He felt Integra shaking, her heartbeat beating– pounding even, and her body temperature was colder than normal, beads of sweat were obvious in her feature…

"Integra!" He stood and held her, putting her in his arms as he gently knelt to the ground to let her body rest. She was weak and yet she forced herself to reach him.

"You stupid woman! You're…!" Alucard says in a panic. Integra chuckles very weakly.

"I'll explain later, my dear Count. For now, I'm dying. But I will not let that happen…" She pants. "I order you, Alucard, to drink my blood and turn me into a vampire… Hurry… For I feel death by my side."

"You… idiot…! I am by your side…" Alucard gently jokes as he loosens her top white shirt, undoing the top buttons so that he can expose more of her neck. "I'm not going to apologize for my informality because you deserve it." With that, he slowly sank his fangs into the flesh of her neck, letting her blood flow into his mouth. Her blood was like the rarest wine in the world. He savored it, relished it, and treasured the taste of her sweet blood. With every gulp, the feeling of his despair, sorrow, and pain were washed away because all he wanted was here in front of him, in his grasp.

Integra felt the sting of his fangs and the decrease of her energy, her life. She slowly closed her eye, falling into a death-like sleep. When Alucard finished, he carried his master's body into his coffin for it was the only place where he can let her sleep. He puts his coffin by the other side of his throne and waits for her awakening. He didn't know what to feel. He felt her blood inside of him. His seals grew more intact, getting severe… He wondered if it'll loosen or if it'll grow tenser. So this is what Abraham Van Helsing can truly do… He thought as he got amused by what he found out. He chuckles because he got what he wanted and that Integra actually got back at him. He also thought how fun it would be to have her around, especially now that she's a vampire. He gets thrilled about the picture of her as a vampire: She will not hold back. He smirks.

His thoughts were soon disturbed by Seras, knocking on his door and entering his chamber. She looked nervous at some point which made him curious. She looked like the shy, timid vampire herself when she was a newborn vampire. This time, it's him who's going to greet her first and ask her the questions. He figured that she came to him to explain some things. He won't let her get away from telling him what happened.

"Seras, tell me why and how did this happen?" He said, sitting on his throne, crossing his arms and legs. His face is stern, still anticipating her reply. He knows he'd either be amused or be worried. Seras walks closer in front of him, kicks the ground, playing with her foot, trying to escape her nervousness.

"Care to explain to me at least how you hid Integra from me and how all of you faked her death?" He was frustrated; it's obvious. He was, in fact, pranked– real good.

"A-alright… I'll explain but the rest is for Master Integra to expound. This is her order: to help her fake her death, and to keep it a total secret from you. She knew if we told you her plan, you'd deny it and the plan wouldn't be executed perfectly. That's what Master Integra said, alright?" Seras says.

"I'll have to interrogate Integra later about that. Now, for my main question, I'm waiting for answers." Alucard says without giving any emotion. Seras breathes deeply, to ready herself to explain.

"Ok. Master Integra felt her death coming so she asked us– me and Sir Gregory, to help her carry her plan of her fake death. She will call us then when she feels her time. And so, we all had to act that she will die as a human. That morning, she called for us, telling us that her chest was tightening and it was time to execute her plan. We called her doctor and paid him a good amount to keep him quiet. But… Well… The doctor didn't fully agree so I hypnotized him that he will do as we asked and so he did. Next, I hid Master Integra somewhere where you can't find and feel her presence. There's a small chapel in the far end of the west wing in the mansion. It was weird, I know but I felt something strange in there too. Maybe because it's where the blessed silver relics used to create our ammunitions are kept. With the help of Pip, we fully obfuscated her presence. Then… As for Master Integra's room, we were in place. When we were ready, I called you from your sleep. And that's how it all happened." Seras says but her physical demeanor was guarded. She was, in fact, in a defending stance.

"If Integra was hidden, then who was the Integra in the room? Why didn't I notice that she was a fake?" Alucard asks. His tone was calm but suspicious.

"It was Pip. I summoned him and disguised him into looking and sounding like Master Integra. I shape-shifted him…" She says nervously. "And as for her aura of death… It was my presence that you felt. I didn't know how I did it but it was a success… Something tells me it was because we spent a lot of time together…" Seras was now preparing for the end of the world.

"So you did all of that so I would act as you all wanted me to? You wanted me to show to those sniveling lumps of meats my strong emotions so you could fool them with her fake death?!" Alucard was in the verge of his anger.

"Y-yes…!" She steps back when Alucard suddenly stands, slamming his palms on the armrest of his chair.

"AND I KISSED THE FEET OF THAT BLOODY FRENCHMAN?!" Alucard roars. "I WILL KILL THAT FUCKING MERCENARY!" He brings out his Casull and prepares to shoot when Seras screams on the top of her lungs.

"RUN AWAY, PIP!" She screeched as she fled his chambers in rapid speed. Alucard shoots every corner of the walls of his chamber in pure rage, knowing that Pip who he calls Frenchman was enveloping the whole mansion. After his anger lessened, he looked to his side where his coffin was resting; where Integra was resting. He knew that the rest of the explanation he needed to hear was because Integra intended to do that to him. He could imagine her laughing at him because of her victory. Ever since she became an old woman, she would play with him and get back at him. But this was crossing the line… He contemplated whether should he let it pass or play naughty with her once she wakes up from her slumber. He sighed and sat back on his throne, watching his coffin. He has a lot to think about…

Meanwhile, Seras reached her room and summoned Pip with her, panting from her speedy sprint away from the rage of her ancient master. She locked the door even though she knew her master could walk through walls and worse, appear and disappear wherever and whenever he wants. Well, no matter. She will definitely protect Pip from him and besides! It was Integra's orders. She was only following what she wanted her to do. She stayed there, leaning against the wall, rationalizing with herself when Pip stares at her in his solid form, wearing an amused smirk on his face.

"Ma Cherie, do not worry. I'm sure he just didn't like the fact that he actually kissed my feet. He'll have revenge not on us but to Integra when she wakes up. I'll just stay away from him for the time being." He laughs heartily.

"Are you hurt? Master did shoot his walls…" Seras asks him.

"I'm fine. I wasn't there ever since Integra went to him. I was only outside his door when you came to explain to him, listening to what you had to say to him. I'm sure he'll get over his rage soon enough. He should be happy that Integra finally allowed him to turn her. I'm sure he'll be fine after some time." He laughs more.

Seras smiles in relief. "For now, avoid wrapping the walls of his chamber. He won't need our protection… I'm just glad you're fine."

"Ma Cherie, don't you think you need more blood except my own? I mean, wouldn't it make you stronger? And you wouldn't have to worry about me." Pip asks the question she's not ready to answer. Their carefree atmosphere changed into something heavy.

"I don't want to, Pip. Haven't we talked about this?"

"Yes… But you know that I get worried when you get worried. I just like to suggest another solution."

"I'd like to decline on what you're suggesting."

Pip sighs. Seras could be hard-headed sometimes but he gets the reason why. "Alright, Ma Cherie. Just promise me that you'll go out on a date with me." He winks and she blushes. She smiles warmly.

"Yes, I promise. One day when we find time."

A/N: To be continued. The continuation is on the next chapter. The title of this chapter is from the song: 'post-script' by The Hoshizora Project (feat. YOHIOloid). It also has a Japanese version, sung by GUMI if you guys are interested. It's one of my favorite songs and it's also from Deemo. The song made me cry, actually. If you guys wanna listen to it too, go ahead. It's very nice. :)

So! Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you guys like this chapter! Sorry for the (a bit) late update. I was so tired from work. I'm a bit sick now, having a cold and cough but I can manage. Anyways, I'm sorry for the confusion last chapter. I had a tough time deciding whether it should either go first or should I put it near the actual event. I guess it was my mistake so I'm very sorry. I hope these upcoming chapters would answer your questions. But I still want to hear some questions and suggestions from the viewers! I'd absolutely appreciate them! :D

I'm having a case of writer's block so I might be updating later than usual.

Happy Holidays everyone! Tschüß und Auf Wiedersehen!