Chapter 14: Strange Ones
Vlad sat there silent and still for what seemed hours but could've been mere minutes, staring at the urn his eyes glowing an umber red in the shadows. The urn was burning, he could feel the radiating heat and with a bright light flooding the dark room with heat he saw a molten liquid spill around the rims of the urn, unlike the dark viscous ash which had first appeared when she had 'died'. There were quiet moans of voices, unintelligible words, and screeches of owls. Manifestations were forming upon the moving layers of lava, strange demons with maniacal smiles and shifting shadows dancing across the moving light. Snakes, spiders and owls were the main creatures which pulled themselves away from the depths of the muck of liquid. The snakes' beady eyes glowing a brilliant red but the owls' eyes were a contrast, a soft golden. The many legs of the spiders surfaced from the surface of the liquid, a distinctive cracking sound of bone accompanying the crawling of its legs.
The molten liquid continued to spill from the rimmed urn, thick viscous lava began to build up layer upon layer taking shape of a curvaceous female. The manifestations were slowly melding into with the form, chains dragging them into the female form. The features becoming clearer and clearer with each new layer of lava, more chains began bounding the female form tighter and tighter, digging into the crust of the lava as the wails of souls tried to escape but were soon dragged back down into the abyss of the urn. A mouth formed and two eye sockets, but they were hollow, opening and shutting with shrieking wails. Blood gushing forth from the eyes and mouth, dribbling down the black figure, coating the chains and sinful red and plaguing the room with a heavenly smell of flesh and blood.
"Seras", his voice rumbled lightly as he stood up, approaching the contorting figure, his boots making echoes across the stone room. He felt the urn shudder as one final surge of red hot liquid spilled over. The viscous liquid hardened, a black crust forming because of the coolness of the room. The form finally taking its final shape, Vlad took slow steps towards the form. He could hear his servants scrambling to get to their Master to protect him from this powerful ancient power which was vibrating from the soft stone. He let out a short feral growl which resounded through the half empty halls, a warning for all of his servants. They all stopped in their tracks immediately and reluctantly turned away, but their skin and hair were still prickling in fear and apprehension of this ancient rolling power. It was stagnant and the stench of ash and smoke was thick. But the smell of a heavenly fragrance kept them on their toes. There was smell which they had never smelt before, it was enticing and luring them into blood frenzy. But the scent was too far from them to be too affected.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
His eyes widened, the sound of a heartbeat. So utterly slow but this time he could hear it so clearly, it was loud enough that with each thump a small bit of crust broke off. Bit by bit, the chains soon began unwinding, the sound of the heart growing louder and louder. Shards of black shattered on the ground dropping from pale white skin. Piece by piece she emerged like a butterfly from chrysalis. Her mask began breaking apart revealing her pale complexion and face, her eyes fluttering open, a vibrant blue meeting startling red. She blinked owlishly as her gaze narrowed onto the tall looming figure. Vlad remained still from his position, he was enthralled by the process and yet mystified at the same time.
A wry smile cracking across her face as more of the black crust fell from her skin, she took a step from the shell. Her legs breaking free of the rock cocoon which now partially encased her body, the shards crumbling beneath her feet turning to soot. Her nude form breaking itself from the clutches of the silver chains, tearing the links apart with ferocious strength. And for a briefing second he saw a crow head pop out from her skin only to be sucked back in.
She stopped right front of Vlad staring up at him, her face plastered with a wide smile and large owlish eyes blinking inquisitively. She took a look around the room and sniffed, her tongue reaching out to taste the air.
"Good morrow to you little boy", her smile broadened even further. Her voice lilting and mellow, as she reached up to tap him on his forehead mischievously, laughing as she did so. "You were always a tall one, it still manages to peeve that I was once taller than you", she giggled as she flitted away from his reach. Her hair reaching the stone floor, as she went for the door. Her nude form glinting against the morning sun which managed to peek through the drawn curtains. She pulled them back slightly to witness the rising sun, her eyes softening at the view.
"Dress yourself appropriately Seras", Vlad chided softly, his eyes darkening, "Or I might do something beyond my control…" A disgruntled growl vibrated through his throat, it was feral and strange. Like a dog which had been restrained from it instincts, a dog in chains fighting to break free. She stiffened at the sound, as shadows began to dance around her skin, she pulled her body away from the swirling darkness. A mass of robes pulling onto her skin, draping around her torso and shoulders. Her roman robes. Her hair in unruly waves jutting out in uneven strands, as she walked up to Vlad and looping her arm around his.
"Come Vlad, let us talk, and tell me what you have been up to. It had been one hundred years since we last had a meaningful conversation", she tittered as she pulled the eternal man with her. He was cold and there was a thick smell of blood on him, it made her salivate but biting her own tongue she resisted the urge to sink her teeth into his skin. No she was not going to drink his blood, never ever in her life or his. That was his and no-one else's, it was his own rightful claim. She still had some respect for him when he was human and but it was strained.
"Seras", he murmured. She stopped to look up at him with wide inquisitive eyes, blinking owlishly as she waited for him to speak. His hand reached out and for a moment it hovered above her head and bed of unruly blonde hair. "…You haven't changed one single bit", his hand patting her head in the most gentle manner. She leaned into his touch and beamed up at him with a smile. But her smile darkened for a moment as looked away.
"Let's go for a scroll while we talk", she mumbled absentmindedly, as she tightened her grip on Vlad's arm. Vlad felt her skin go colder and her eyes turning icy blue, a clear sign of anger and self-loathing.
His servants kept their eyes on the female who strolled with their Master leisurely through the halls of the mansion, not only did she chatter on what seemed like nonsense but their Master was seemingly pleased to listen to her as she tittered on. Every now and then he would intervene and ask questions or answer questions. It was so strange to see these two beings walk around in full daylight with no mind of the sun. The servants could barely keep themselves awake but they were curious about their little houseguest they had received over these last couple of days. But they couldn't keep themselves in the sun and fatigue was stretching their ability to keep awake. Within several hours the entire mansion was quiet with only two beings awake as they walked among the dead silence of the mansion.
She pulled herself a chair ignoring Vlad's gesture to help, shooing him away as he helped himself into his own chair. He offered a drink of aged blood but politely declined rather taking the bottle of wine instead. They exchanged little tales of their adventures around the world, of course Seras's was always far more interesting and fantastic but Vlad's was equally was entertaining.
"No not really", waving her hand unbiasedly, "I have never actually killed children with my own two hands. But I have indirectly or in some other means. Not something I am particularly proud of", she grumbled.
"Hmph, then what is your most terrible deed then? You know mine because there is nothing you don't know which involves this world", Vlad's baritone voice piercing through her daydream. He leaned back against his chair, clasping his hands on his knees while balancing the cup of blood on the armrest of his chair. His sharp jagged rows of teeth baring as he smile slyly.
She was silent for a moment before letting out a sigh, "Alright, there is one thing that I can claim as mine and no-one else's. But I ask of you to not tell tales to others", she said looking at him with pleading eyes. This piqued his interest as he nodded, forgetting about the blood and the blaring sun. His entire attention on her.
"I was tired of living, and I was getting sick of humans in general. Their filth dirtying the beauty of the one capable to become something beyond who they were. They were plaguing the earth like cockroaches and I was just so tired of everything", her eyes flashing into a red as she tried to recall memories which she wanted to keep hidden. "I gave them a test, not a test from God. But one from a demon".
"I forget which specific year but it remember it was in the 13th century, I was creating a disease that could spread faster than anything than man had seen before. I nurtured the sickness into a strong curse and spread it across some parts of Asia. It spread so wonderfully and the environment was perfect for the disease to spread further and further".
"It was the ultimate test, to see if mankind would fall or rise from the dead, to become stronger and more powerful. I was proud of those who managed to rise from the weeping and grieving to continue to believe in some sort of hope. It gave me a newer height of respect for humans, but I also saw the true side of humans. It was an interesting test, which humans managed to pass. Barely might I add. But death numbers were great, not something I am guilty of to be honest".
"I never gave the disease a name, but the humans came up with some well thought out ones. 'The Black Death'", she smiled. "I loved the sound of the name, there were others but I simple loved the name of this one. It was my finest creation, nurtured from my hate and disgust", her gaze fell to her hands as she recalled the dying and the fools who tried to find shelter and protection underneath the lord.
"Y-You were the one who caused that?" Vlad's voice in utter disbelief and in shock, as his cup of blood fell from the armrest and shattered on the ground. Staining the carpet a dark red, as he rose from his chair. "You are the origin of the great death which swept across Europe for decades?" His voice wavering and loud. He couldn't believe it, but the more he thought about it the more it seemed likely. It was for sure he was a terrifying monster with no emotion who consumed all with no thought. There were hundreds of souls which he had trapped within himself, some for the purpose of keeping him immortal but most was for the pleasure of eating humans. Drinking the finest of bloods of aristocrats was something he had become addicted to, but seeing the contorted expression of pain and realisation of their imminent death gave him a supreme joy. Second to the joy of fighting a strong opponent, but there hasn't been one in decades.
But this was beyond him, he always killed for his own pleasure or personal gain. But this woman killed millions just to test mankind, for her own research, not caring how far it spread and whether it would kill her own food source. It was on a scale he couldn't even imagine and he more than proud for her to have been his teacher and mentor during his human life. He felt that there was no greater honour than being in her presence and he would hail her very feet. His very own goddess.
Was he upset or angry for her killing millions; of course no! He was more than pleased and utterly delighted to even hear his dear little Seras did even something like that in her lifetime. He took her in his arms and twirled around her robes flapping around in the rush of wind. He was laughing, "To think you were this devious! Seras Victoria, the Witch of Golden Eyed Strix!" His laugh deepening and falling deeper into the chasms of insanity.
"Let go Vlad! I'm getting dizzy", Seras cried out as she clutched onto his shoulders, tears threatening to come out of her eyes, not tears of sadness but tears of laughter. They were horrid beings were they not, they killed whoever they please with no care and they laughed in the joy of another's misery. But they were also such sad creatures, so they would stay with another licking at each other's wound, because in the world they only had each other.
But the Strix was not of that character, she was fly away again far from the dead king's reach and once again he would try to find a way to cage her. He was desperate enough for her company that he doomed himself in the process.
1893
"So it is my loss", the throbbing pain of the stake through his heart kept him starkly awake but the loss of blood kept in him bay of passing out. It was a marvellous battle and a well thought out one. He couldn't be more pleased in his worthy and well-loved arch-nemesis. But for what, he was tired and he hadn't even caught up to her.
"That's right. It's your loss, this isn't some bad dream from which you won't awaken".
Ah his voice, it was so clear to him, so startling clear. Even in his clouded vision he could hear everything, but he could still not see her. Her, the one which he called his beloved and chased after for two centuries. But she still managed to delude him.
"Your castle and territory are gone. The servants of your followers are dead".
They were indeed, they were gone and for some reason he didn't have the feeling of parting sadness for them. He had lost his energy to move and it was a struggle to keep his heart beating. His enemy was truly worth fighting with, he had finally met his match. A true human worthy of defeating him, there was no shame in losing to another stronger.
"Your blood in her is also gone, she will not become yours".
She? Who was she? Who was he chasing all these months, the one who so desperately tried to avenge her friend Lucy? The one he bit who had a sweet fragrant blood but was the same as hers. Who? WHO? A flashing image came to his mind, a female of short auburn hair with startling blue eyes. Mina Harker. Yes, it was that girl. He had chased for fervently because of her connection with his beloved Seras, he bit her for her information but it was all for nought. She relented nothing and it was his downfall.
His Seras would be laughing at him right now at his stupidity but yet all he could picture was her blood drenched face with a sad and sombre expression. She was crying and he couldn't even wipe her tears away.
"You are mistaken Abraham Van Helsing, it wasn't her that I was chasing", he breathed out. His voice cracking.
His dark brown eyes narrowing at the revelation, "What do you mean monster?"
"I was chasing after a bird. A beautiful blue eyed bird, but when she was angry her blue eyes would turn to red. My dear bird which often flew from my reach".
Abraham's eyes widened, another monster?! He dug the stake deeper into his chest cavity, "You pitiful creature, that bird has left you and shall no longer reach you!"
"No I shall reach her, Seras Victoria, the beginning of me", he gasped out, "My queen".
Abraham narrowed his gaze, he had heard of the name before from old textbooks of lore. An infamous witch of curse and death, the Strix. But to think this creature actually existed, but no matter what; he would hunt them all down.
He grabbed the monsters collar, wrenching the dying monster from his fading consciousness. "You have nothing left, count! You poor 'No Life King', you have nothing left!"
Indeed he had nothing left, but in the beginning he had nothing. It would make no difference now. He would start from zero once again, history would repeat as many times as it would. The final battle was yet to come. He fell into a deep slumber, coming in and out of consciousness not knowing when he would reawaken. And when he did he was only subjugated to in intense torture and pain, one which he soon become accustomed to.
And finally he met his revelation, this man who called himself Abraham Van Helsing who used the power of science and the mixture of sorcery to bind him to his family line was someone he knew. Not personally but by blood, the same blood which had been shed so many centuries ago. The blood had been diluted over the hundreds of years but it was the same.
The descendant of Seras Victoria's child.
That was Abraham Van Helsing, her human blood had been passed through time managing to stay pure to some extent and the art of sorcery and magic had been passed on. He had been defeated by blood of the one he desired, but in the beginning he would've never been able to defeat her.
"Awake dear Vlad, our chase is not over yet. There is a war and you are to participate in it, after all is that not your speciality?" She laughed. "Times are changing, and so are you Alucard".
"The game is not yet finished", he mumbled in agreement his eyes cracking open. He would stay true to his word, no matter how many things have changed, he would find her, he would wage wars, he would serve and he would kill for his Master. He would eternally blood drenched.
Did you miss me? Well I missed you guys, the only thing I got to say is that I was lazy and I got school. And I've got a job so yeah...( I hate my teachers, I'm guessing most of my readers are also in school or uni or something like that so let's suffer together. -_-)
I'll try to update the next chapter as soon as I can or when I can but for now just sit tight and wait.
Fave, follow, review. I want to thank those has done those three while I was on a slight hiatus, i got messages from my gmail showing that some people still followed and faved my story even though I hadn't updated in ages. SO thanks!
Peace out.