It hurt….everything hurt, everything was a dull pulsing pain from behind her eyes to her lower back; a stiff and tolerable pain that was only further provoked by the damp cold stones of the basement floor. The exception of this tolerance was her hands, for the tops of her hands screamed with a harsh burning sensation. A burning that went far beyond that of a human or even supernatural threshold, as though hellfire itself was searing away her flesh and muscle with each line being etched deeply into her being.
The sounds of the world were muffled, covered in a thick layer of delirium as Seras lost herself to the cruel cutting agony that wrecked through her. Though she could make out a loud snarl like hiss that seemed to waver on the edges of a primal scream, fearful and threatening yet unable to escape as the enchanted crimson chains bound her to the floor of the infamous Hellsing Manor. The screams were as frequent as the tide as her body thrashed in a feral fury, yet her own singular call sounded as though it were accompanied by many. One such accompaniment being a lower, much more furious and threatening version of her own; that had what little bit of coherency she maintained in her own mental safe haven fluttering and tearful, a desire to run to it as it called for her.
Seras' world was blurred as ,what semblance of tears when it came to her kin stained her cheeks. Another voice broke through the haze, just as commanding and confident yet lacking the anger and fury from the first. Words flying from her lips in a language far from Seras' understanding yet somehow knew, perhaps through an instinct not her own, that these words held a deep occult magic. Binding and constricting, each word sent even more pain through the young Vampiress, writhing and pushing against her restraints as the pulse of old magic continued it's work on her.
The chains rattled and shrieked in retaliation as the pristine reflection of their magic reflected in the well maintained glass of Sir Integra's spectacles as the now well aged woman continued her weaving of the deep enchantment. The Iron maiden herself was notable for her strong and impenetrable will however with years spent in the presence of the rather bubbly and often time rambunctious former fledgling of her pet, a bond seemed to have unwillingly formed. Similar to a young sibling in her affections and the binding respect that had woven it's way between the two women, growth of the young vampires' acceptance of herself and her needs only increased her powerful development. Fuelling the head of the organisation's further dependence on her during the period of time that her original trump card had gone MIA. The added bonus of her manners and pranks being more charming than heart stoppingly terrifying to her staff in comparison to Alucard's only pushed her to establish a fondness and favouritism towards the blonde.
That being said, the new relationship only added fuel to the fires of guilt and betrayal nestling deep within the Hellsing's heart. If it weren't for the doubt and fear that pushed the new members of the round table to unmovingly press for the destruction of any Vampire not bound, to be destroyed no matter their loyalty. Integra would have never subjected one of her most loyal servants to this; however it was a necessary cruelty to keep Seras protected from an even more cruel death...a necessity that Alucard had strongly protested against opting to fake such a thing or find an alternative.
This was why he was forbidden from entering the room, ordered to remain within his own domain with added barriers to make certain he would not interfere. His roars of rage and sorrow echoing through the halls sending many of the staff above ground avoiding the area completely out of fear. His cries swirled and wove with Seras' own, colliding in a melancholy melody that only served to add more weight upon the Knight's shoulders.
It'll be over soon...forgive me but there was no other option* A mental prayer to whomever was listening as the violent ritual slowly began to wind down and Arthur, the new addition to the Hellsing staff who, while efficient and tactile could never fill the void Walter had left, prepared himself for whatever may happen when the bindings lifted.
The harsh winds slowly began to die down and with them the violent crimson glow faded into a dim pulse, a heavy silence now lay settled over the room. Seras cries having long since silenced by the sweet embrace of darkness as it consumed her consciousness leaving her a bound victim to the harsh punishment of human fears. Ever so slowly the chains began snapping loose with sharp clicks and clangs, sliding from their prisoner to nestle on the floor by her side.
"Arthur...if you' be so kind...and be careful with her, she'll be rather 'off' I would imagine" voice hushed as though not wishing to wake a sleeping child while Arthur nodded with a quiet yet obedient 'Yes mu'm'. Lifting the limp form of the draculina into his arms as well balanced as he could. Following the tall form of his employer the new retainer took note of how silent the halls were….leaking from the room they had begun to leave it seemed to stretch never endingly despite the distance they were making. It was heavy, sorrowful and all surrounding; though if it rattled the two humans they made no show of it instead continuing their delicate descent with their charge to her room.
Integra was first to enter, gesturing to the open coffin awaiting its occupant with an invitation Arthur swiftly took, placing her down gently on the soft silk of its interior before adjusting her hands to place them delicately on her abdomen. There the Hellsing insignia sat, angry and flaming red from the freshness of its embrandment with harsh burns surrounding its surface. It was without words that the two occupants knew what this meant….A leash.
The freedom of choice now brutally yanked from her merely because those who wished this refused to believe in Integras control of her cards.
"I shall prepare the blood packs for when she wakes, hopefully it will take the brunt of the edge off." Straightening himself only to bow to his employer Arthur took note of her grim and surly expression, to some extent the new retainer sympathised with her plight as he broke the momentary silence with a firm yet almost whispered sigh.
" If you'll pardon my say so mu'm….There was nothing you or anyone else could have done. This was the best option even for someone with your high influence…..fear is a cage and a most difficult one to break. Even for a Hellsing" his voice hushed and solemn as he passed; deathly silent with the grace of a phantom as he moved into the darkened hall … soon vanishing to prepare the packs.
Integra stood, silent, contemplating his words as her frigid cold gaze stayed focused on her charge for the moment. The pale skin looking almost transparent that it concerned the leader of the house of Hellsing further,
"I wonder if he'll see it that way" her lips tightening into a tight grimace before sighing through her nose with the bitterness of a spurned noble "Rest well Seras….." a soft mutter as the door closed with a soft *clank*
Silence…..that's all there was as Seras drifted listlessly within the sweet abyss, tightly curled in on herself as the hushed yet sweet whispers of her familiar kept her grounded as best he could given the circumstances, or as grounded as one could be when one couldn't see a ground on which to stay. She could hear soft footfalls but with a delirious mind the draculina was really unable to place a being to them. It was the sound of a chair being drawn close that Seras had taken an unnecessary breath, forcefully pushing herself back into the world of the conscious, blinking away the still blurred vision that clouded her; the gaze of her former master was the first to greet her.
A soft chuff escaped her as she began raising a hand to reach out fondly in his direction, wishing to console and perhaps place it against his cheek; however the effort of merely raising it caused a sharp searing pain to shoot through her entire arm causing her to flinch back with a hiss like cry.
"It will hurt for a while, rest. You've withstood some of the worst magic this accursed family seemed to have mastered." a bitter sneer on his face contradicted the soft brushing of his fingers as they gently pushed the bangs away from her face. Fingers lingering briefly upon her skin as her confused crimson gaze locked with his own, a burning pool of fury as they slowly drifted from her face to the newest branding .
"Rest assured….I am not furious with you, quite the opposite. Proud that my tiny little wife has come through with something of this magnitude with such wounds and still lives. Not surprising but quite impressive considering your inexperience" His words carried a firm yet gentle truth, a reassurance and calm that despite his body language screamed the opposite. A self restraint that seemed to be well practiced as he continued his gentle petting in response to her sparse purrs.
Seras shifted slightly to get a better view, the sharp movement causing her to cry out for a moment before biting it down to raise her hands letting the cold air cool the burning ache.
"Please don't be angry with Integra either….She had no choice, there was no other option" her voice tired and drained from the effort it took to even bring herself back, although her words only served to bring a low growl from the man by her side. His hands reaching out to let her smaller ones use his for a resting spot for the moment.
"There were….options that she refused to listen to and disregarded." The anger was woven thickly through his words, almost drowning out her attempts to ease them " This was never what I had imagined for you and had hoped this would be avoided. For you to keep your freedom as a ruler of the night" That infernal gaze glancing upwards for a moment before turning to the noises of his mate as she hissed softly in pain, yet pushing herself through to make room for him to share her space.
Without words he accepted, carefully adjusting them both so that the wounds would not be heavily pressed to cause her more agony than what she already stewed within. It was indeed awkward but her soft demeanour eased his fury, although not completely as his demons craved vengeance for his wife. It was with a heavy sigh that he allowed himself to indulge, placing his chin at the top of her head the still lingering smell of burning and remnants of the binding smell only resulted in a deep growl.
"Life never goes to plan…." a soft laugh shaking her weakened frame as she nuzzled into his protective embrace. "It's something we have to live with I guess….either alive or dead it doesn't matter. We just have to adapt…" a soft murmur that widened into a yawn, fangs bared in her tiredness that only served to amuse him.
Time passed in silence as the two vampires merely lay there content in the silence with no one but themselves, one exhausted and wishing for rest while her mate boiled in rage and betrayal. The night was slowly drawing to a close and Alucard's hand continued to slowly thread through the soft blond locks, silently plotting as he watched her, already lost to the sweet embrace of sleep.
He placed a firm kiss to the top of his sleeping wife's head before taking a final glance to the room above, a viscous grin spreading across his face as ideas formed within his head. Plans for freedom, plans for taking advantage of even a sliver of weakness shown within the restraints, plans…..for after they are free.
Reaching up he was careful not to wake his partner, sliding the lid of the roof closed before nestling down next to her tiny form.
"Sleep well Seras...the time is coming where these shackles will mean nothing….and you, my sweet….will taste freedom again. As will I"
And with that….darkness embraced them both.