OMG I'M BACK! So sorry for keeping you waiting at such a point, but I had a bad case of new project (which I've put on hiatus now because I want to finish this story) and in general not a whole lot of time.
I've been feeling like talking to myself for a while, but what do I expect, being so inactive. (Reviews, please?)
I'm not sure how regularly I'll be able to update, but when I'm back in the flow it shouldn't be a problem. So here you go. The final face-off between Mira and Alexander.
Chapter 26: Beloved enemy
St. Paul's cathedral, September 22nd, 2016, 3.50 am
Alexander hesitated. He didn't want to admit it, but he was not completely ready yet. His arm was healing faster now and the pain faded with the damage. But nevertheless, he had no choice.
"Alexander, I'm begging you-", Vladimira said.
"Stop wailing, thas ae disgrace, even fae ae vampire like yerself," Anderson growled.
The vampire was begging him? That got to be a joke. After all this, he had come so far, and now she was pleading for her life. Beating her would be child's play if she was already that afraid. Behind the big posture she seemed to be just the coward she had called herself. What a disappointment. Anderson snarled, but less disgusted than he had intended to. Mira seemed more pitiful than anything else now. Just a low creature he had to kill off, if the most powerful he had ever met.
He gripped the nail a bit tighter. He would become God's monster, alright, for however long he could bear this power. And after that... it didn't matter. He had to beat her. For the sake of their Church. This was his only chance. He would not back down again. This was his purpose. This was the reason he had gone through all the pain to become a regenerator. Kenzy would be proud.
"We have come tha' faur," he said to Vladimira. "And we'll end it today." Now. Just a pierce and he would fulfill his purpose. Pity, regret, it all didn't matter. He raised the nail a bit higher.
It shattered in his hand, splinters digging into his skin and then raining down, sparkling crimson. Silence fell after the gunshot. Time stopped, for one painfully long heartbeat. Then everybody spun, a collective gasp echoing in the street.
"What the heck...?", somebody murmured.
"I swear to God, if this backfires, you're going down with me," said another voice he knew perfectly well. Alexander turned around very slowly. Maybe he had not yet realized what had happened. The last splinters rained from his hand, the shards blinking beautifully in the dying lights. But he saw very clearly how nervous Heinkel looked as she lowered the gun, and the relieved smile that spread on the damned vampire's face.
Their strongest weapon had just been shattered to pieces. Maybe their only chance of beating this demon. Anderson turned to the girls. Both looked very pale. Heinkel looked horrible, to be exact, blood all over her, and an emptiness in her eyes he did not like. But it didn't excuse what she had just done. Everything he had fought for, destroyed by one foolish girl.
"It was my idea," Lisa blurted out. She wanted to take a step forward, but didn't dare to. "I- I- It would have been wrong. You can't-" She broke off, very pale. Anderson gritted his teeth. His whole body was trembling. His injured arm was forgotten.
How could they?! He had the irrational urge to spank them like little children. At least that was better than the sudden impulse to kill these little beasts. It were only the girls he knew since they were little. His family. That didn't stop you from killing Maxwell. He winced at the stab of guilt. Maybe he had been too spiteful. Too blind with anger. Either way, it was too late.
"Alexander!" Another loud rustle as everybody turned in another direction, gasps, and single phrases.
"But that is..."
"I thought he's..."
"Could it be..."
"He would never..."
"Enrico," Alexander said slowly. That could not be. What did I do wrong to be punished with this task twice? The paladin closed his eyes and prayed. Lord, forgive him. He's just the gutless weakling I always feared he'd become. But I never thought he would go this far in his cowardice.
Enrico stopped, panting. His ribs seemed to be dipped in molten lead. "Thank God, and I thought I was too late." He managed to shoot Lisa a shaky smile, then returned his attention to Alexander. The paladin was motionless, his eyes fixed on his former student. "You see, Kenzy gave us a few files on that thing, and we concluded that's really not a good idea." Enrico made a pause to catch his breath again. "But I see Lisa and Heinkel solved that problem already. Good." Pretty much everybody stared at him open-mouthed. Not even at Iscariot you saw someone come back from the dead. It felt weird, and uncomfortable, to be in the spotlight like that, especially now that he was virtually no help anymore. God bless Lisa. Enrico would have been too late, as usual.
He could read his sister's lips: "How are you alive?"
"Later", he signaled.
Anderson walked towards him. Enrico felt his smile vanish. That his teacher was angry came as no surprise. He just didn't understand what was going on yet. When Enrico had seen him hold this nail, everything had come back: Scotland, the reports about the regenerator process, about the Nail of Helena, Lisa's nightmare. Kenzy's burning blue eyes, still sharp despite the decay of her body, and her twisted hand almost crushing his wrist only minutes before her death.
There's yin problem wi' a' o' them. They're reckless. They'll dae anything if they think it's necessary. Ye have tae protect them fae themselves. Kenzy had been right in so many more things than he had ever thought. Just promise tae protect ma Alex. He had made a promise and he intended to keep it.
Anderson towered over him, trembling in rage. That was already scary enough, even without the notion that he really considered hurting anyone. And he did that now, Enrico knew, though he didn't understand why. Anderson seemed deeply disappointed, and Enrico was not sure what to make of that. He knew he had messed up bad, to make the biggest understatement of the century. Enrico took a step back, then another one. Anderson followed.
"Hou could ye?", he growled, so low only Enrico heard it. "Hou could ye fall so low, Enrico? Even efter a' tha' happened, Ah thought better o' ye. And Ah thought ye had come back on the path o' God."
Enrico stared at him, slowly taking another step backwards. The idea forming in his mind was ridiculous. Alexander could not really believe that, right? "A-Anderson, I think we have a misunderstanding here. I'd never- never-" He couldn't keep his voice from trembling. It jumped into falsetto for a second, when he stated (more like screamed): "I'm not- I'm not a vampire!" He flashed something that attempted to be a smile and turned into a grimace to show his teeth were still normal. Anderson didn't even seem to listen. A bayonet appeared in his hand. Enrico wondered what his chances were. Would he be able to deflect the first bayonet? No, that was ridiculous. The correct question was: Would he be able to draw his sword at all? Probably not. Nevertheless he crossed his arms in what hopefully seemed like a stern posture. His hand settled on the gemstone at the pommel of his only possible defense.
"Alexander-"
"Purge the unholy and unclean," he recited. "In yer filthiness is lewdness. Because Ah would have cleansed ye, yet ye are nae clean, ye will nae be cleansed fae yer filthiness again until Ah've spent Ma wrath on ye." Enrico was unsure if he should be disturbed by the fact that he knew from which chapter this quote was taken. Ezechiel, one of Alexander's most frequently quoted books of the Old Testament, a close second behind Revelations. "Fae it is impossible, in the case o' those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the guidness o' the word o' God and the powers o' the age tae come, and then have fallen awey, tae restore 'em again tae repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son o' God tae their own harm and holding him up tae contempt." The Book of Revelations. What a surprise.
"I'm alive and myself, let me explain-" Enrico tripped over something and he fell, his already tender rips crying out in pain. He gasped, unable to scream, although he really wanted to. His hand slipped off the sword hilt. Not that it mattered. It wouldn't do him any good against Anderson. Why was he so determined on getting out of here anyway? He would only end up in the Vatican's dungeons. But he couldn't die in front of Lisa's eyes. Not a second time. Anderson could not be that cruel.
"Oh, vhat a vonderful, unexpected twist!", the Major exclaimed happily. "Ze fallen leader ist returned, but for how long?"
The bayonet glistened in the zeppelin's spotlight as it struck down. Enrico closed his eyes. At least he could die like a man.
There was no pain, no flash followed by eternal darkness or the sights of Limbo – or, more likely, hell. There was nothing except the gravel biting into his skin, the hints of a headache and the deep, rhythmic aching in his chest. Enrico dared to open his eyes a tiny bit. Anderson was towering over him, his face concealed by the bright shimmer of the spotlight behind him. He looked like God's angel of revenge incarnate.
The blade had buried into the ground centimeters from Enrico's body. He blinked at it, but had not much time to comprehend before he was swiped up in a bone-crushing bear hug.
"Ye're ae fool. A great daft fool, ye know tha'?"
"Yeah," Enrico got out. "I know." His rips felt like they were on the point of cracking even more. Breathing was out of the question. "Alex-" The tree trunk-like arms around him loosened a bit and he was able to get air into his lungs. It didn't relieve the fire in his body. He coughed. "Thanks."
Lisa felt like she was pushed, but she didn't move. Her head was spinning and the glaring light from above didn't help. You bastard. We're coming for you, she thought vaguely. Enrico was alive, then almost seemed to be killed right there by Anderson, and now the paladin hugged him. Lisa had thought she had already seen enough weirdness for one night and now this happened. She didn't try to understand anything anymore. It was just too confusing. Her mind would probably break if she had to process all of this at once.
Enrico seemed so tiny in comparison to this powerful fighter. He said something, but it was too quiet to be heard. Anderson set him down and Enrico grimaced, rubbing his ribs.
"Go! He's your brother, you get to greet him first. Not every day someone comes back from the dead." Heinkel tried to played it easy, but even she seemed shaken, for the umpteenth time tonight. Dead, not dead, it was never that easy, but-
The paladin gave her a push and Lisa started to run. She didn't want to cry anymore. It was all such a mess. She stopped before him, taking in that he basically looked the same as he had when she had been carried away. The gemstones of the sword shimmered.
"Whose coat is that?", Lisa asked.
Enrico blinked at her. Then he burst out laughing, a second later clutching his ribs in pain. But the sparkle didn't leave his eyes. "I almost literally come back from the dead and your first question is 'Whose jacket is that?'" Lisa felt light, as if she would just leave the ground at any moment and float to the stars, without any fear of falling. Enrico shook her gently. "Hey, don't pass out okay? I need you here." She nodded. And suddenly she could wrap her arms around him and she knew it was going to be alright. Her brother had survived and despite what he had done, it was going to be alright. It had to be. He returned the hug, if a little stiffly. His hands were pleasantly warm, as always. "I told you I don't plan to die." Lisa pressed her face in his shoulder and smiled, feeling a kiss being planted on her head. She didn't reply.
"Master, I have-" Vladimira attempted something like a formal greeting, the countess bowing down before her master. Then Caitlyn slammed into her.
"Mira!" She hugged the taller woman with all her strength, ignoring the undoubtedly uncomfortable armor pricking her. Mira was frozen in her half-bowing position, red eyes wide in confusion. Why was she surprised about that at all? After five years she should know what to expect of the involuntary Lady Hellsing. Caitlyn made no move to let go, so Mira slowly straightened up and returned the hug. She had thought to have seen many different things and people in her five hundred years, but Caitlyn definitely counted as one of the most extraordinary. She could smell somebody else on her. After a second she recognized the scent and had to suppress a chuckle. So in the end the girl had gotten what she wanted. Foolish, delusional, fascinating humans. Emotional bonds only hurt you in the end.
But what should she care? Feelings were for humans, those petty creatures so dependent on feelings. She shot a glance to Alexandru. He was still busy with the return of his master, who he had thought to be dead. Mira had sensed anger and grief, and now he looked relieved, although he had not been innocent in this. It was all highly confusing and she didn't really want to immerse in it. She had left it behind a long time ago and that was right.
"Sentimentality aside, shall we go on?", she asked. Caitlyn shot her a reproachful glance and whispered something in her ear. Mira listened and nodded.
"Of course, master." Caitlyn was shaking slightly, but the presence of her servant seemed to be enough reassurance. Mira set her down and Caitlyn straightened her leather jacket. Mira had never seen it on her. It was new and the smell had been strong, but Mira had been able to make out another familiar smell: Walter somehow was pulling the figurative strings here as well.
Where are you? She send a telepathic impulse strong enough even the Captain should have been able to read it. Walter didn't reply. She knew he had gotten the message, but the link was immediately cut. She stifled a growl. Fine then, be childish like that.
Mira turned back to Alexandru, but thought again and knelt down before Caitlyn. "Lady Caitlyn Olivier Morris Hellsing. Give me your orders."
Caitlyn sighed, but then raised her voice. Despite her bloodstained face and her shaking hands she managed to give her voice some kind of authority. "I can not allow anyone to attack us like this. Mira, carry this out now. Monster against human, vampire against paladin." She hesitated. "Catholic versus Protestant. Go ahead."
Mira nodded and flashed a bright smile. This would be fun. She turned back to the paladin, who had stepped forward, away from his proteges. She could hear them before he faced her.
"Don't die on us," the blonde girl joked.
"Ah'll be damned, lassie." He turned away, a slight smile on his face. Such a good-hearted man. So brave.
Mira spread her arms. "Now then, paladin, are you ready to face me? On your own and without your trump card?" His demeanor had changed. The anger had subsided. Even if he would have had the nail now, Mira doubted he would have used it. That silly little man with his fake arrogance and big words had actually been useful for once. Caitlyn glared at her as if she had read her servant's thoughts. Mira smiled a bit wider.
"Ah've never been mair ready," Alexander announced. "Enjoy yer last minutes, night walker. Some day, ye midians will be extinct. And Ah'm starting with nae other than yerself." Mira smiled at her opponent. That was what she wanted to hear. The last big fight. She drew her sword and leaped at him. The blow was quick and perfectly aimed, but a lot less powerful than she could have made it. Alexandru saw that and deflected the blow instead of dodging it. Her sword clashed with his bayonet and he tackled her, slicing through the tiny space between her armor plates. Mira felt her blood leak through the metal and made a move she had never thought she would make: She snapped for Alexander's exposed neck. Her teeth closed with a loud clack centimeters from his artery. Then she was thrown back by a hard blow that would have shattered a human's ribs. She grinned at Alexander's somewhat confused face.
"What's the matter, paladin? Never heard of a vampire drinking the blood of his opponent?", she asked with a smirk. "Let me ask you, would I be able to turn you if I wanted? When I beat you, that is."
He growled and lunged. Mira shattered the bayonets with the Jackal's bullets, but let Anderson come so close his blades bumped off her armor. "Well? Could I?" She grabbed his throat with one hand and lifted him off his feet. To her surprise he didn't slice off her arm, but kicked her in the throat and landed on his feet to charge anew. The Casull's bullet didn't do considerable damage. Mira brought the Jackal out, but he slapped her hand aside the moment she shot and the bullet went astray. The bayonet buried into her body up to its hilt. Alexander didn't let go. They were barely centimeters from each other. "Tha' is none o' yer damned business, missy." He pushed her away and swiped at her head. The blow missed by an inch. Mira pulled the bayonet out, grimacing a little for effect. The Major wanted a good show, he got a good show. Caitlyn would be pleased. Mira took a second to look around. The Iscariots had dissolved, probably to take care of the rest of Millennium and some of the familiars.
A blade buried into her neck and she stumbled back. An arm like a steel beam wrapped around her. "Ready tae die, vampire?" Mira suppressed a giggle. She hadn't had that much fun in years – at least without killing anyone. She raised the Casull and blew a hole in his forehead. Alexander stumbled back and Mira changed her shape again. They faced each other. He was panting, blood all over his clothes, the bullet wound in his forehead smoking.
The princess smiled. Alexandru was right there. He didn't need to know. She knew, that was enough. They were dancing again, after so many years. She had almost lost him again, but his friends had acted in her interest for once.
"Ye said ae monster can only be defeated by ae human. Wonder hou that Helsing lass did it if she was nae regenerator. Or did ye make it extra simple fae him?", Alexander asked.
Mira laughed. "Oh no, that was more of a... spiritual thing. Should I show you? You just need to come a bit closer." She beckoned with a coquettish wave. He glared at her and drew new bayonets. Mira sighed and tried not to look at the zeppelin or her master. Alexander made a step forward and she aimed the Jackal at his head.
"Different question, human. Are you ready to die?" He didn't answer and Mira felt a grin creep on her face. "So?" He dodged the bullet, but only by less than half a centimeter. The guns were ripped from her hands, then bayonets buried into her. Mira felt blood splash on the ground, tasting it in her mouth when she coughed. He held her upright, not bothering to remove the blades. Her arms were draped over his shoulders. Mira grinned at him. All she had to do was bury her teeth in his neck. She could hold him in place long enough for that. And Alexander knew it. The question was what that would do to him.
"So, dragostea? What now?" They were arch-enemies, his hate for the demonic making him do what he did. The young princess didn't care. She was happy. Mira ignored everything around them. It was their last dance, paladin and vampire, Alexander and Vladimira. She could end it now, but where was the fun in that?
"What do you say, beloved enemy?" He didn't answer, but a twang of pain shot through her when the bayonet slashed sideways. No, she had not been mistaken. He was smiling.
Deus Ex Machina, over the Thames, September 22nd, 4 am
The Major narrowed his eyes. He didn't look happy and that made Avondale Napyeer, better known as the Doctor, very nervous. This was the big night, the Last Battalion's grand battle, so why did the Major look that... strange? The Doctor had no fitting description. Suspicious? Worried?
"Is somezing ze matter, Herr Major?", he asked, barely keeping himself from biting down on his finger again, a dreadful habit he had tried to drop for decades.
The Major folded his hands in his lap. His dinner was still untouched beside him. That was a bad sign. "I'm surprised, zat ist all, Herr Doktor. Of course, any other person aside from ze good Father Anderson is of no great concern to us, but ze fact zat Enrico Maxwell survived makes me zink."
"About what?", Schrödinger asked. He sat on the floor, stretching without any sense of decency. Sometimes the Doctor thought a cat had not been the best idea. A dog would have been better. He shot a glance at the Captain. The man hadn't moved in the slightest as far as the Doctor could tell. This line of experiments had ended years ago. And without a subject like him it would be next to impossible to pick it up again. A shame.
The Major of course didn't care about Schrödinger's behavior. He never did. That was part of the reason why the boy had turned out like this. Max patted the cat boy between the ears and the child purred. "Vell, it seems to me zat Lady Hellsing and ze newly appointed archbishop have made a bargain of some sort. Wery interesting for sure."
"Maybe he can-" Schrödinger was cut short by the Major's gesture. The boy shut up. If only he would do that every time the Doctor told him to.
"No, Schrödinger. Zat won't happen. Ve have everyzing ve need. Enrico Maxvell vill try to minimize ze damage to save his life. Do you know vhat avaits him back in Rome? Torture and death if he fails his mission." The Major smiled, as if the thought amused him. Schrödinger's ears twitched and he grinned. "Having been saved here vill not help him zere, you see," the Major continued. "His performance vas very interesting, to say ze least, but now I almost had ze impression he..." The Major didn't finish the sentence. He just smiled. "It doesn't matter. Zose silly kids interfering with ze Nail of Helena vas very unfortunate, but does not change anyzing."
Schrödinger turned around, rested his head on the Major's knee and looked up at him with big eyes. "You don't look happy," he stated. The Major looked at him, then at the screen. Lady Hellsing was watching her vampire and Anderson fight. She was pale, tired, worried, terrified, but there was something else. No, the Major did not look happy. The Doctor had a vague idea why. Why were they not killing each other? Surely they enjoyed the fight, but they had gotten several chances to destroy each other for good by now. It seemed like they were just playing around. The Doctor shook his head lightly. He was being ridiculous. Feelings were unnecessary and hard to formulate. The one thing he could never really grasp. How should he know?
"Major! Graf Zeppelin II is on fire!", a scared-looking officer announced way too loudly. So far, the Doctor had gladly managed to shut out their babbling. It was about time the Major took care of them. "Vhat ze hell is happening down zere?!"
The Major waved a hand. "Hush. Zis is ze big climax. Enjoy it."
"But- But Major!" The man broke off when the Major glared at him. This was getting worse by the second, the Doctor thought nervously. He would like to go to his lab now. There was a lot to do.
"Distribute firearms and ammunition to all soldiers left. For ze others, take hand grenades."
The ship captain made the mistake of continuing his wailing. "But... ve don't have enough left."
The Major had stood up and walked towards the screen wall. "Vhatever," he said. Schrödinger's ears shot upright. Things were not going as they were planned. "Steel pipes, supplies, it doesn't matter. Soldiers are an armed group. Once zat is finished, launch an assault. It vill be fun. Let's all sing ze Horst-Wessel-Lied." And to everyone's confusion he actually began to sing: "Zum letzten Mal wird nun Appell geblasen. Zum Kampfe stehen wir alle schon bereit. Vhat's wrong? Vhy are you not singing?"
The ship captain – the Doctor had never bothered to learn all names – was trembling.
"I've had enough!", he barked. "Ve're not the Waffen-SS! Ve're ze Deutsche Marine! Ve came here to beat zese English dogs! I von't allow any more of my men to die." Such nobility in such a place, the Doctor thought. What a pity.
The Major smiled. "So, you've came zat far and have not yet grasped ze essence of conflict."
He didn't need to give the signal. The Doctor pressed a button on his remote and the Luger, invaluable partner for more than seventy years, repaired more often than he wanted to count, was popped into the Major's hand. The ship captain stumbled back, but it would not have been necessary. The bullet missed. Just as bullet number two, three, and every other, until the gun was shot empty. The Major frowned. "It's no use, I don't hit him." he shrugged his shoulders, unconcerned. The Doctor suppressed a sigh. Sometimes he wondered how somebody like that had made it into the Waffen-SS in the first place.
The vampire was a step away from falling to his knees, trembling in terror, but he used his last bit of courage to make his death a quick one: He launched himself at the Major with a desperate, furious roar. His blood and the remains of his body splashed to the floor. The Doctor frowned. How was the chip supposed to work if the incendiary couldn't reach every part?
The footsteps were as quiet as a cat's. The Doctor winced. The Captain didn't move, but there seemed to be the hint of a glare in his eyes too. Only the Major smiled.
"Ah, our guest." He looked at the screen. Vladimira had her arms around Alexander Anderson's neck. One bite and she would have won. But they stopped for a second. "You see, she has found a very interesting opponent. Or should I say acquaintance? It vould be interesting to see if Father Anderson is really able to beat her after all, isn't zat right?"
The voice was as quiet as its owner's steps, but that didn't hide the cold rage vibrating in it. "He should have used the nail."
"Indeed, indeed." The Major unwrapped the burger. The Doctor relaxed a bit. "I suppose I have to zank you for zis deed." He indicated the smoking, bloody mess on the floor. With a wave of his hand he ordered someone to clean it up and bit into the burger. The guest wrinkled his nose in disgust for a second, but didn't say anything. The Doctor wished he could have run a few tests. But his research was irrelevant to them now. It was too late for the Last Battalion.
"I won't allow him to kill her."
The Major swallowed the bite and giggled. "Ah, yes, of course. Only you can do zat, am I right? You vere ze chosen vone."
"Don't make me kill you. I don't need you."
The Doctor tensed and the Captain was close to attacking, just like all the vampires around. Only the Major did not seem offended, not even bothered. Schrödinger was the first to pick up that attitude and grinned, but was clever enough to keep his mouth shut.
"Of course not," the Major said, as if it didn't concern him in particular. "But it has been a vhile since I talked to a voman, you see. Vhat is it like to be discarded like zat?"
If they were waiting for a snarl or an attack in response to this provocation, they were surprised. The answer was only a lifeless smile. "Stop lying, fatty." A gasp went through the crew and the Doctor felt himself become ashen. The Major frowned.
"Vhy vould I vant to lie, my friend?"
"There. I'm not your friend. I'm a tool to you." A giggle. The Doctor was used to everything society would call evil. He rejected these standards. They were just an unnecessary invention. But he still had a sense for the more primal intuitions. He shivered. The guest went on: "Except I'm not obeying your command, of course. She'll pay. You have other things to worry about."
The Major raised his eyebrows. "Do I?"
Another smile, a bit more menacing this time. "The moment I'm done with her, I'll fulfill my duty. Until then you might want to watch out for this Italian twit and his friends."
Ludgate Hill, London, September 22nd, 3.45 am
After everything that happened in the last six hours, the dome of St. Paul's cathedral was more black and gray than white. It could be seen from almost everywhere now, after Millennium's attack had knocked over most of the taller buildings, skyscrapers, monuments, everything in their way. The cathedral stood tall over a city that had been reduced to anarchy and blood in a war only few saw coming, and nobody tried to prevent. The street they walked along was almost free of rubble and whatever was lurking in the streets. The familiars had no interest whatsoever in the small group, neither had the ghouls. There was easier prey to catch. It was a miracle there were still civilians alive, but somewhere, somebody was always stirring. Strange times in which a twitching would end your life.
Heinkel and Yumie looked back. The shots and screams from far away had become a part of the background by now, but the fight behind them was very close.
"It looks like they're dancing," Yumie said, unsure what to make of it. "Is Anderson holding back?"
Heinkel shrugged her shoulders, although she had about the same thought. Enrico had already walked on, oblivious to, or simply ignoring their conversation. Lisa had her arm linked with his and didn't want to risk letting go for joining in. The Chaos Girls hurried to catch up. The airship had changed course and now drifted along directly over their heads.
"There will be a ton of enemies up there," Heinkel said. Enrico looked at her and raised an eyebrow. The paladin shrugged her shoulders. "Just saying." She overtook them and headed for a house that had not yet crumbled, though its neighbors were scarcely more than simmering piles of wood, stone and metal. Yumie drew her katana and beheaded a ghoul that wanted to jump at them. They climbed up the stairs. It was a house with various flats on four levels. On the second floor, a pale, frightened face peeked out of a door, but the man shut it quickly when he saw them. They ignored him. There were ghouls in some flats and they could hear a fight, but they walked on. Nobody got in their way. Eventually, they reached a window that would bring them on the steep roof.
Heinkel went first. The tiles were crusted with grime, moss and smoke. Even she had trouble finding a secure footing at first. She waited for Yumie and together they helped Lisa to the gable, then Enrico. Both were wavering on the scrap of even ground it provided. No amateur would have come up here if he was sane. Yumie told them to sit down. They obeyed. The zeppelin was hovering over them, the gondola barely two meters away. Its windows were illuminated, without showing anything distinct. Heinkel drew her Desert Eagle and shot at the giant complex of steel. Enrico and Lisa winced. The chief attempted to say something, but didn't. Heinkel steadied her stand on the gable. On the gondola, a hatch was opened. Heinkel formed a ladder with her fingers and catapulted Yumie at the curious vampire poking his head out. Her blade cut through him without giving him a chance to cry out. Blood splashed down. The three remaining Iscariots avoided it absently. Yumie vanished in the zeppelin. There was not as much as screaming, no shots, just the splashing of liquid, like someone had poured a bucket out. Then any noise from this part of the zeppelin stopped, as far as they could tell.
"Watch out," Yumie called. A rope ladder fell down and landed down on the tiles with a heavy thump. Heinkel nodded at the ladder. Lisa went first, her brother following, shaking a bit more than he liked. Heinkel was the last. They pulled the ladder in again. Nobody spoke. They didn't need to. Everybody knew the plan.
Yumie went first, katana drawn. They would eliminate everyone on this zeppelin, every last vampire and whatever other creatures Millennium had in store. The Major had to be protected by his were-pet, so they had to leave him to the end. Heinkel received two knifes from Lisa, so they could be more quiet.
The hatch was roughly in the middle of the gondola, according to a plan attached to the wall of the main corridor, including directions like "Kommandozentrale" and "Telegraf". Heinkel translated the plan for them. They would avoid the command center in the front for the time being. Millennium should be out of most weapons by now. How many vampires were here? How many had been destroyed by Lady Dracula's flood of familiars? The four stood in front of the plan, taking in all the details, anything that might be useful. The zeppelin was even more gigantic from within if that was even possible.
"Surrender," a rough voice said. Gun safeties were flicked off. Heinkel and Yumie looked at their leader. Enrico ignored them and continued to study the plan.
The voice continued. "Ze Major vill be happy to question you."
"Question me?", Enrico asked softly. Cabins, storage, weapons... the laboratory. Various connected rooms, right behind a large room labeled "Rechenzentrum".
"If you don't surrender, ve can... inconvenience you in a few... delicate places and bring you zere as vell," threatened the vampire.
"First you have to get past us," Yumie spat, getting in a fighting position. Enrico held up a hand and she froze. The air was vibrating with tension. The vampires – almost a dozen, their faces hidden by scarfs, except the leader's, all armed with automatic rifles – laughed.
"How fearful," somebody mocked them.
Yumie was close to snarling. Her hands were closed tightly around sheath and hilt of her katana. "Heinkel, Yumie," Enrico said sharply. Both stepped back, but obviously uncomfortable.
"How did you know we were here?", Enrico asked the vampires, without even bothering to look at them. From the tone of his voice, he could have been talking about the weather. The zeppelin had so many levels and sublevels, it was impossible to check everything. Even if they had all of Iscariot, it would take too long. They had to concentrate on the major players. "That is highly inconvenient." He turned around and looked the group over. The leader was a man of average height, which had been tall back in the forties. He had shaggy blond hair, coated with blood, and a face cut in sharp angles. A scar ran over his eyebrow down to the bridge of his nose.
The vampires were getting restless. It was almost inconceivable under their uniforms and trained stillness, but some twitched. "Heinkel and Yumie?", somebody asked almost inaudibly. More stirring. Murmurs ran through the group.
The leader grinned at them. Blood was shimmering on his teeth in the color of red wine.
"Come vith us and find out. But you von't, right? Fine. Zen ve'll haf a delicious meal first. Who should ve take?" His eyes focused on Lisa, whose hand Enrico had been holding since they entered. "Interesting choice to bring a few girls as protection." He clacked his teeth in a mocking gesture. "I vant ze girl in ze middle. Ze good archbishop seems to be wery fond of her. Hold ze others. I want to kill zem one by one."
The vampires looked at each other. Nothing happened for several second, until the leader spun to gape at them. "Vhat is wrong with you?!", he snapped. "Zey're just human."
Another silence reigned for several moments. "Zose are ze Chaos Girls," somebody eventually mumbled. "Zey're Iscariot's best fighters, just after ze bayonet priest. Shouldn't ve be more careful?"
The leader – Yumie had decided to call him Fritz – gaped at his minion for a moment. "VHAT?!"
"Nothing against being famous, but I wish it would have been a better name," Heinkel said. That brought a smile even on Lisa's worried face. Her fingers felt the cool metal of her daggers, ready to strike at any moment. But Enrico seemed to have other plans. He held her hand tightly, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. They wouldn't attack yet.
He had his gaze fixed firmly on the vampires. "You should know Iscariot does not back down."
Fritz shot him an annoyed glance. "Ze same arrogant idiot as before. Looks like ze Major might be wrong for once. Zere are almost one hundred and fifty vampires on zis zeppelin, and you're four humans. One of vhich I heard can't even fight." He took in the sword hilt peeking out under the jacket and smiled unpleasantly. "Maybe ze Doctor vants zat fancy zing zere for his collection?"
"One hundred and fifty, huh? That's pretty lame for a battalion of a thousand after barely six hours. Less than four, if you count our arrival as start of the actual battle."
Fritz snarled. He was only a step away from lunging at them and tear this ridiculous, holier-than-thou bastard's throat out. It would be worth the punishment. It was their last night, nobody would remember any specific names, who cared? But no, he had a better plan. They were all full from the battle, they didn't care about the blood. It would be a lot more fun to see him suffer. And they would start with that pale little girl in the middle.
"I say GET ZEM! Ve are ze-" He was interrupted by someone clearing his throat. Fritz turned around and ground his teeth at the newcomers. "Provost Lieutenant Bertholt Lauch!" He tried to be friendly. "Ve vere just about to call ze Major."
"Ze Major is busy otherwise," this idiot of a bureaucrat said with a wide, fake smile. His hands were behind his back, pretending to be relaxed. He had brought almost twenty other vampires. "Ve vill receive our prisoner."
"Vhy does ze Major vant him anyvay? He has no-"
"Are you questioning ze Major's orders?"
Another soldier stepped up to them, shifting nervously on his feet. "Uh... Provost Lieutenant..."
"Don't interrupt!", both barked.
The vampire soldier hesitated. "But..."
Bertholt ignored him. "As I said, ze Major vants him captured alive. As to ze rest of his group-"
"Are you done?", Heinkel interrupted. She had to stifle laughter. Lauch. Seriously? That was a one hell of a name for a vampire Nazi. The vampires redirected their attention to them. If vampires could have grown pale, they would have. Heinkel and Yumie had their weapons drawn, but were leaning against the wall as if they were just waiting for an old friend at the cinema. Now both straightened up, stretching in fake relaxation.
"Where-" The Major would kill him, and not swiftly. No, a long-drawn death without honor -
"Don't worry," Yumie said with a smile. "The chief got bored listening to your bickering, but you won't have to report that to your boss. Actually, you won't have to do anything anymore."
"Vho do you zink you are?!", Bertholt barked. "Shoot zem!"
Thirty against two. That was really unfair. Heinkel and Yumie looked at each other and shrugged.
"We're the Chaos Girls."
Deus Ex Machina, central corridor, rear of the ship, September 22nd, 4.25 am
"You think they're okay? And Alexander?", Lisa asked quietly. Vampires marched past, but nobody noticed them, in the entrance to a now empty weapon storage.
"Of course they are. And Alex will defeat that monster. Just wait and see." Enrico managed an enthusiastic smile. Adrenaline was holding off the sleepiness for now, but he was exhausted and had trouble ignoring the pain flaring in his body. The good news: Sunrise would begin in barely twenty minutes. Then this would finally end. The bad news: It wouldn't have any effect for at least another hour and there was still a lot to do.
Everything in him protested against his plan. It had never done them any good to separate. That was just what the group of stupid teenagers in every horror movie did. "Lisa, you have to check out the command center for me." She looked at him and already drew breath to protest. He grabbed her shoulders and looked intently into her tired and from crying reddened eyes. "I know," he said softly. "I know, Lisa. But we don't have a choice. I need your help. Just do it, please."
"There are about one hundred and fifty vampires. How do you think we will get through this?" Lisa was the optimistic one. She was the strong one. She couldn't give up. If she did, it was all over.
"Together. Like always." Enrico stroked her matted hair. "I'll take care of them." Lisa didn't reply. He dreaded the answer, but he had to ask. "Do you trust me?"
After all that happened, Enrico wouldn't have been surprised if the answer would have been No. Not even from her. It would hurt, more than anything the Vatican prosecutors would do to him, but it would not be a surprise. He deserved it, after all he had done.
Lisa shook her head, her lips a pale line. Righteous punishment. Why should someone like him find any help or even affection? Still, his heart sank like the Titanic after it hit the iceberg.
"Of course I do, you idiot," Lisa said. She was too tired to give her voice a sharp edge. "You're my brother. If I can't trust you, I can quit right now. What do you want to do?" He quickly summarized his plan. She frowned, but didn't protest.
"Then we better get going." She kissed him on the cheek and left, not much louder than a shadow. Enrico looked after her. Just like back then, the night before they got her home from the orphanage. This could not end good. Not anymore. They were done for, even if his plan succeeded. He was done for. At least I'll go down with guns blazing, I suppose. Enrico shrugged his shoulders and went on his way.
St. Paul's cathedral, September 22nd, 4.20 am
Anderson was thrown back when Mira hit him right in the chest. He fell to his knees and coughed, blood dripping to the ground. Mira could have killed him by now, easily. The other way around would be possible as well. The paladin got to his feet and wiped his mouth. The pain in his chest disappeared and left only a sore feeling he could easily ignore.
"Tha' a' ye can do, vampire?" Mira giggled and didn't dodge his attack. She rather grabbed his neck and held him there. The gesture was less violent than one would expect. Mira smiled happily. This was not about a clean fight, about kill or be killed. Anderson freed himself and her fingers brushed over his neck before a bayonet cut through them. Mira giggled and put distance between them while she healed herself.
Caitlyn wrapped her arms around her body. The jacket held off the autumn cold, but she shivered anyway. They looked like they were dancing. Mira seemed strangely happy. Since all of this had begun a few weeks ago – God, had it really been such a short time?-, Caitlyn didn't know what to think anymore. She had expected Mira to be angry at the command.
Don't kill him. You and Anderson are the big finale. The Major wants to see a good show. Distract him as long as you can, buy us some time. Instead, she seemed happy. Caitlyn didn't understand it and didn't attempt to anymore. She could only hope their joke of a plan would actually work. She looked up at the zeppelin, the lit windows directed at the battle.
Blood will have blood. Enrico was up there somewhere, with his sister and his two best friends. Fighting the last battle of this night. Caitlyn had sworn revenge on the Major so often, after every hit they had taken. September 3rd, when their mansion was attacked, Brazil, the Eagle, and now this. Now the second-biggest villain of this whole scheme would become the hero slaying the dragon? Caitlyn felt a flutter in her stomach when she remembered kissing him. She had acted without thinking, just out of need for comfort like a wild animal. She was already an idiot for forgiving him after this slaughter. Which he was not entirely responsible for. Just because he was a damn good kisser didn't mean he was a good person. And just because he was handsome, and smart, and had a cute smile... It only meant she was silly. Nothing more. This would never end well. She rubbed her hands against each other to warm them. His skin had been so warm it had almost burned, but it had been a pleasant heat.
Caitlyn. She winced and saw Mira shooting her a grin just before she was knocked down by her opponent. Of course, Mira had probably heard all of that. Caitlyn felt her face flush. She had to think about more important things right now. Like Mira and Anderson. They were just playing around for now, buying Enrico and her time so they could bring down Millennium.
And then we settle this age-old conflict once and for all. But how should they? Anderson and Mira would fight to the death. One won, one died. Caitlyn had a vague feeling it would be Mira who would die. After so many years, the vampire queen craved it, she had never made a secret of that. And Anderson was the only one strong enough to match her. Her relationship to the regenerator had been weird from the beginning. Caitlyn wondered what she saw in him.
And after that? Catholic Britannia? If England won, it would continue, until the Vatican finally accepted that this would go nowhere. Which was probably... never. They would just from ancient grudge break to new the Vatican won... what would happen then? A religious dictatorship, begun by an inquisition? Right in the middle of Europe? This was not the middle ages anymore. Or what else? She had no idea. Maybe she didn't want to know.
The Vatican would never allow any vampire. Walter could take care of himself, she was more than sure of that, but... Would Enrico betray her again? After this?
Oh, don't be stupid. He kissed a lot of girls, for sure. He's attractive, a charmer, and obviously not feeling too bound by the rules of his church. It doesn't mean anything to him. Even if it does now, in a few days, when this is over and I'm a prisoner or dead or whatever, he won't care.
Caitlyn knew she was blinded by her feelings. The bond she felt was irrational and dangerous, but that didn't make it less powerful. This is the very ecstasy of love, she thought and had to smile. Ecstasy, as Shakespeare had described it, was nothing less than sheer madness. But what did it matter? She had nothing, what could she possibly lose? At the moment she had kissed him, had felt his warm lips and sweet taste, she had known she might end up being executed, either by him or with him. And she didn't care. Why should she always be responsible for things she could hardly grasp? She was not made to rule. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. If he was with her, she would welcome the reaper and smile when she took death's hand.
The way Mira was smiling now. Caitlyn looked around. The man she had seen in Brazil, Alhambra, the Dandy Man, vanished, along with the woman with the rifle. They seemed startled, but then a kind of peace softened their features as they dissolved. They turned into a shining dark red matter that dissolved into the ground. Caitlyn winced when a familiar grabbed her arm. She recognized the face immediately, although it had been more than five years. The man that had kidnapped her and forced to open Mira's prison. She had never asked what happened to him, or who he was. Now she had an answer to the first question. She could have expected it. She should have, knowing her friends. After such a long sleep Mira must have been very hungry.
The man stared at her, his eyes wide with fear. He didn't possess the glowing holes of the other familiars. For some reason, he was special. She ripped her arm out of his grasp and stumbled back. He dissolved and was gone. One after the other, the remaining familiars disappeared. They made no sound. They didn't scream or put up a fight. They just disappeared like phantoms, going to where ever souls went after being freed from their vampiric mistress. It left the streets empty except for the corpses of civilians and crusaders. There was no difference between them now. Death was the big equalizer.
Caitlyn felt tears in her eyes, but she knew she could not interfere. This was what Mira wanted. The giant paladin had blocked the view so far, but now he turned around to adjust his footing on the gravel. Mira lay limp in his arms, in the form of a young Wallachian girl, a form Caitlyn had never seen before. Her black hair was flowing almost to the ground, the armor was shining brightly, even in the dark. She looked much younger, more... human. Her red eyes were half-closed, their usual glow fading to a natural brown color. Anderson held her, one arm around her waist, almost carrying her bridal style. He was torn, bloodied and out of breath. And more, he looked flustered. Maybe he hadn't expected to win after all.
A bayonet protruded from Mira's chest. Blood slowly fell from her lips in small, crimson droplets. It was a lethal wound. The paladin only needed to push the blade through and the battle was over. Vladimira Tepes Draculea, the vampire queen, Countess Dracula, Princess of Walachia, was finally defeated.
She said something Caitlyn couldn't hear. Anderson seemed even more confused, but clenched his teeth and nodded. He grabbed the hilt of the bayonet. Mira smiled at him like a sleepy child.
The blade fell to pieces and Mira crashed to the ground as Anderson was thrown back. Smoke concealed the battlefield, making Caitlyn's eyes water. What the heck?
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to kill her," a voice said. It was a voice Caitlyn should be happy about. So she wasn't alone after all. But on the contrary, she only felt cold, very cold, and helpless. The smoke drifted apart, revealing the slender figure she had been in love with once.
"You have no part in this, Anderson," Walter said. "If anyone kills Alucard, it will be me."
Sorry not sorry. I love cliffhangers. Feedback? I looked forward to see your reaction to this chapter. (*cough* All chapters, actually.)
Zum letzten Mal wird nun Appell geblasen. Zum Kampfe stehen wir alle schon bereit. - For the last time the call will now be blown. (I took that from the Dark Horse version... No idea how to properly translate it.) For the fight we all already stand ready. (Literal translation. Sounds better in German.)
Did anyone ever notice that no matter what, Alucard never attempted to bite Anderson? The other vampires make good use of their teeth (Alucard too, in Brazil for example), but between them it's strictly... professional? I just figure that it would not be dignified. Anderson is not an easy prey for Alucard like the other humans.
Also: Lauch = leek. He appeared in a few FFs I wrote for my best friend and he totally annoyed her / her character. So he gets a ridiculous name.