Disclaimer: The final few chapters are here. Only about four more before the story concludes. Again, so sorry this has taken me so long but alas, I am here and ready to continue on.
Our heroes find themselves locked in their deadliest battle as they take on Klaus and the dreaded Mannequin Army. 500,000 strong of the deadliest demon warriors, having been sired by Mundus long ago.
The fight unites everyone against Klaus, who is biding time until he can activate his plot to unite all beings under his rule. Big battles ahead, and familiar characters may make the ultimate sacrifice. Stay tuned!
Chapter Forty-Eight- Final Judgment Part I
Klaus stared ahead, the wind blowing his cloak in his wake as he swept a hand through his bronze colored hair.
"Hhm. So the vermin gather before" he said with contempt. Standing atop a large hill located dead center in the Arctic Circle, Klaus was backed by the legendary Mannequin Army, who were once commissioned by the long vanquished Mundus during his invasion of the human world long ago. Klaus now had them under his control, and was eager to set them free.
But there was resistance.
The Order of the Cross. The Hellsing Organization. The Iscariot. The Soldiers of the White Lotus. The Nightstalkers. These agencies have officially banded together to oppose and defeat Klaus and his minions. At the head, Vladimir stood calmly, joined by several of his best soldiers as well as his instructor Master Sato. He stared atop the hill directly at Klaus, preparing his mind and body for what was sure to be a terrible fight.
"Lord your servant comes before you at this hour. Strengthen us. Give us courage where we need it, cast aside all fear and doubt from us."
Vladimir was dressed in modified battle gear; wearing black pants and trench boots. He wore a black and gold top. Fastened by a V-shaped pin to his left shoulder was a long cloak, handed down in his family bloodline for generations. Adjoined at his hip was the ancestral Sokolov blade.
And he was not alone.
To his right, his own men of the Order of the Cross.
To his left, Hellsing.
The middle were the combination of Iscariot, Nightstalkers and the White Lotus. Vladimir considered his fortune in that they were also able to secure troops from the United States military including Marines, Air Force and Navy. Their total fighting numbers ranked some 350,000 strong.
They were outnumbered, but their spirits had never been stronger.
Vladimir tilted his head in the direction of the hill. The brisk and frigid Arctic wind picking up, drawing air from the coastal seas. It was nearing the end of summer, but already the sea ice was beginning to form again.
"There is still time to submit to my desires. Lay your weapons down, stand down, I will not kill anyone who submits to me"
Vladimir scoffed and shook his head, knowing Klaus could hear him.
"Not a chance Klaus! Your madness ends here!"
Vladimir's reply elicited cheers and victory shouts from the allied forces supporting him. He could hear footsteps, turning to see Rosette approaching from his right and Integra from the left.
"Does this clown really expect us to give up?" Rosette asked as she scoffed.
"To be honest, I'd be more offended if he didn't" Integra quipped, eliciting a light chuckle from Vladimir.
At the top of the hill, Klaus clenched his fist tightly. They were still going to oppose him? Very well then.
Behind him, the 500,000 strong of the Mannequin Army readied themselves.
"Our enemy has gathered before us. Show them no mercy"
The soldiers prepared, dressed in all black armor and wielding an assortment of weaponry. One tightened its grip on an axe like weapon.
"You do not know fear" Klaus praised.
The Mannequins gave a low rumble.
"You do not know pain. You will taste the blood of men and women. Do not make me walk down a path not stained crimson with the blood of my enemies. Now, my friends, begin!"
Instantly, the soldiers sprinted forward, leaving behind Klaus who stood at the top of the hill beaming down with satisfaction. The air was pierced with the cry of the Mannequins whom sprinted at full speed towards Vladimir and his forces.
Feeling the ground shake and tremble, Vladimir reached and pulled out his sword. Waving it once, he breathed in steadily through his nostrils and exhaled slowly.
"Everyone, charge!"
He raced forward, his cloak billowing behind as his army gave a strong shout. Both armies drawing closer and closer to one another with Vladimir at the head. He watched as one of the Mannequins raised a club, swinging right for his head. He leaned to one side, raised his sword and sliced down the middle, cutting the fiend in half. And the battle began; both armies colliding in a wave of swords and spears, guns and a hail of bullets. Iscariot soldiers firing from numerous rifles, dropping several of the Mannequin's with blessed rounds. A Paladin sprinted forward, tossing a Bible forward towards a large group of Mannequins. Clapping his hands together he recited a quick prayer: the Bible burst into a flurry of pages, wrapping and binding several of the Mannequins. The Paladin was then joined by others as they linked hands in prayer. The pages burst into flames, igniting the Mannequins on fire.
"Keep at it! We can subdue them!"
The Paladin's cries were snuffed out as a hand reached and wrapped around his throat. He was hoisted in the air as he squirmed and tried freeing himself.
"Priests…we have not seen priests since the day the Darkness Mundus was defeated. Priest, now you die"
The Mannequin was joined by his partners who proceeded to viciously rip apart the Iscariot priests limb by limb. Amidst their screams and cries, the Mannequins picked up their weapons, turning the tide as they began hacking and slashing through the division. They sliced soldier after soldier apart, staining the earth crimson with blood. A squad of Marine tuckered down, opening fire on them. Their bullets riddling the bodies of the Mannequins whom barely flinched. One stopped, peering down at its bullet laden torso as blood flowed. Taking its hand and examining the wound it seemed almost perplexed.
"What…are these weapons?" it questioned looking at the now terrified soldiers.
"We hear they are called, 'guns'. They fire, 'bullets'"
"When we fought with the Darkness Mundus, we did not see such weapons"
The Mannequins continued cutting through the squad, one pinning a Marine down and prepared to deliver the final strike when it was stopped in its tracks. Three arrows planted in its back as it staggered forward and slowly turned.
Rosette stood there, reloading an arrow from her quiver as she took aim. Firing, the shot struck the Mannequin right in his throat. Moments later it exploded in a gory mess.
Sucking her teeth Rosette tapped her ear piece. "These things are extremely durable. We're already losing a lot of troops to them and we've barely dented their numbers. Use maximum load out; only use your most lethal ammunition and go for vitals"
A Mannequin sprinted forward, preparing to attack as she whipped around. It was knocked aside by a powerful attack. Rosette looked to see Seth, joined by Seras and Nero leap into the fray. Seth removed his sword and shield, remaining tense and ready to pounce. He nodded at Rosette and watched as Seras removed the massive Harkonnen cannon.
"Alright, time to end all this free will crap. I've been waiting to cut loose for a while now" Nero said taking a couple of steps forward. His Red Queen sword had been repaired and modified by his group, making it stronger and better than ever before.
Nero shouted, his Devil Bringer arm rising in height as he launched it forward, smashing the Mannequins as Seth charged, slashing and parrying blows with his shield while cutting through them. Seras likewise leaped into the fray, more soldiers firing, managing to kill some of the Mannequins.
Integra fired from her pistol, emptying the clip into the head of one of the Mannequins. She was charged by a group of six of the soldiers. They were likewise engulfed in a mass of shadows. Several dozen eyes sprout forth, swirling the Mannequins in a vortex. Erupting from the center the toothy open maw of a vicious hellhound emerged, reaching high into the sky and swallowing in several more of the Mannequins, eviscerating them to shreds as their blood and bits rained down back to the ground. Laughter could be heard as the shadows took the shape and form of Alucard, emerging from the center and wielding his trademark pistols.
"This is fun! This is SO much fun! I can't wait to destroy them all!" he cried out loudly. He fired from the Jackal and Casull; blowing off the heads of several of the Mannequins as he continued in his carnage.
Vladimir slashed twice, cutting through more of the Mannequins before pausing. A deep howl pierced the air as he smirked. 10 fast blurry shapes sped past him, towards the center of the battle ground amidst the hail of bullets. Michael led his pack at the front, slashing through several of the Mannequins with his claws. Kathy was beside him, firing from her twin Revolvers; Hiro and Raul slashing with their swords, Hiro working in tandem with his pack mate mixing in perfect swordplay. Hanya howled, firing from his assault rifle as he was joined by the wise cracking twins Sergei and Alex. The duo dashed through the ranks, firing from their weapons and dropping many of the Mannequins. Alex dashed in a blur, avoiding the attack of two of the demonic soldiers as he sliced the head off one while his brother finished the second. The rest of the pack fanned out, forming a phalanx with Michael at the head. Looking up, the alpha wolf watched as a ball of red light began streaking across the sky in a zig zag pattern. It fired like a speeding bullet, cutting off the heads of some of the Mannequins before taking shape beside Michael.
Lucian cracked his neck, tossing his twin tailed scarf off as he rotated his shoulders. "I plan on really cutting loose, do not get in my way" he said to Michael whom chuckled.
"I was going to say the same to you, old man"
Lucian smirked in response, then watched as his brothers approached. Jacob licked his lips, tossing his baseball cap off and flexed his claws; Ramone had his hands placed behind his back while Jason removed the Manji Blade from its scabbard.
More and more Werewolves began appearing on the battlefield; mixing into the fray. A pack of wolves roared, morphing into their transformed states as they slashed and tore at several more of the Mannequins.
Vladimir, joined by his old partners from the White Lotus clan weaved through the ranks. Vladimir took note of the way the enemy fought; despite having the advantage of numbers their tactics appeared sloppy, clumsy even. Was this really the famed Mannequin Army that legend spoke of?
Rosette paused as she ducked down, sharing the same sentiments Vladimir did.
"Something's not right here. The way these things are fighting. It's like they're not concerned with losing any of their ranks. They have us outnumbered but it seems we're the ones pushing them back. What gives? And another thing; the way they speak, always using 'we'. Why is that?"
Deciding to prove her suspicions, Rosette sprinted forward. She removed three arrows from her quiver, firing at one of the Mannequins. She struck it in its throat eye and chest. The Mannequin buckled from the brunt of the force, staggering back as it stared down at the arrow in its chest.
"Arrows?" it said. A counterpart walking beside it and holding a large mace likewise seemed perplexed.
"Not since the days of Sparda have we seen such weapons."
"Indeed, to think humans still use such weaponry"
The Mannequin promptly removed the arrow from its chest and eye; this in turn caused several of the others to briefly flinch before resuming their fighting.
Rosette's eyes widened; she figured it out. She knew their secret.
Suddenly, four of the Mannequins appears overhead, preparing to reign down on her with their weapons. Bracing for impact Rosette instead watched as they were kicked aside by Seth, who promptly sliced off several of their heads. A moment later Seras and Nero landed beside him.
"Stay sharp, can't always swoop in to rescue you" Nero said eying her out the corner of his eyes.
"Guys, I've figured out what makes these things tick. We have to spread the word to the other units" Rosette said standing to her feet.
The group then turned to see more Mannequins approaching, one waving a large mace and flail. Preparing themselves, they instead watched as bats swarmed the area. Alucard took shape, laughing as he removed his pistols, his crimson eyes glowing ominously.
"Now this guy, coming to steal all the fun" Nero said frowning. Alucard's arrival also brought with him another arrival; a familiar face likewise clad in red clothing and wielding a large sword across his back.
"Dante!"
The devil hunter smirked, taking Rebellion and cutting through much of the Mannequins, working in teamwork with Alucard who blew off several of their heads with the Jackal.
Rosette then looked up to see several choppers pass by overhead, raining down gunfire and missiles in the center of the battlefield, causing several large explosions. The door to the chopper opened, Dexter and Dutch both repelled down to the ground below, cocking their rifles and beginning to open fire.
From the hill top, Klaus could oversee all of the destruction as the battle waged on. Explosions rocked the earth as fires raged; soldier after soldier screaming in agony as they were sliced and broken, his Mannequin soldiers pressing the advantage with their numbers.
Closing his eyes and slowly reopening them, a cold smirk formed on his face as the wind again rustled his deep bronze hair.
"Finally time, let's put an end to this"
Reaching into his cloak he removed a large talisman. Waving it once he raised it to the sky as it began floating. The talisman began glowing bright red as it began pulsing. After giving three pulses a bright beam of energy peaked to the sky continuing to reach higher and higher as it broke the formation of clouds over the battle field.
Looking up, Vladimir paused from his fight, wondering what this new development meant.
Klaus cast his gaze down below. "The Mannequin Army upon being resurrected require considerable time before they can reach their full power. Now that the wait period is over, they can really unleash Hell" Klaus said smirking.
Down below, one of the Mannequins paused, its body's already thick muscle mass increasing, growing denser as its eyes darkened and veins sprouted all over.
"This is…our power" it spoke.
"Yes it is now time"
"At last we can fight at full capacity"
What began next was a veritable bloodbath: The Mannequins quickly began turning the tides on their opposition. Cutting a deep and bloody swath across the allied forces.
"What the hell is wrong with these things?! Our bullets aren't working anymore" a soldier cried to his comrades only to have his head removed in gory fashion as his comrades were then set on as well.
Vladimir frowned; raising his Sokolov blade as it glowed deep crimson. The holy and sacred ancestral sword was proving effective against the Mannequins. Each time he waved it the demonic soldiers would retreat back, afraid to be cleansed by the holy weapon.
Across the field, Dante and Alucard continued working in tandem. Dante fired from his twin pistols, joined by Alucard whom fired from his. At one point Alucard paused to reload, only to be slashed in half by one of the Mannequins. Grinning, the vampire count morphed his body into a swarm of bats, spreading across the field as he attacked the Mannequin soldiers. Dante removed Rebellion, slashing and hacking his way. At one point he was nearly ambushed, only to be saved by Nero.
"Trying to look all cool and shit huh?" Dante taunted.
Nero smirked, "You're one to talk"
"No one is cooler than me!"
Both men looked to see a massively imposing figure leap high into the air, smashing in the center of the field and causing a sizable quake, sinking several of the Mannequins.
Dante and a few of the others looked shock.
"Raskos?"
The massive brute ripped his shirt off, his pants tattered and ripped as he bellowed and beat his chest. Beginning to smash and bat around several more of the Mannequins.
Dexter and Dutch both paused to reload. "This ain't good cuz. These motherfuckers are barely being dropped by our rounds and we're just expending ammo"
Dexter sucked his teeth, staring up at the hill at the figure of Klaus.
"Just what is he waiting for? Something's still not right here"
From across the battlefield several Iscariot men were joined by Soldiers of the White Lotus. The Iscariot using their blessed blades to subdue the Mannequins while the White Lotus used their rifles.
"Keep pushing them back!" one soldier shouted. He reloaded his rifle and prepared to fire again. Sensing movement behind him he turned, preparing to meet one of the Mannequins only to find someone much worse standing there. He was suddenly hoisted in the air, gripped tightly by the throat as he struggled. His comrades, seeing the commotion turned to assist, only tremble in fear.
"Oh God no! It's…it's…it's…THEOKOLES!"
The Shadow of Hell made his appearance on the battlefield known. Gripping the soldier tightly, he smirked, ripping his head off and tossing it away. Wasting no time, he began attacking, summoning powerful magic as he unleashed a blazing torrent of fire across the field, incinerating any in his path.
Vladimir and Integra looked up, to see several pillars of fire rushing toward their group. Fretting they instead watched as Michael and Lucian jumped to the front. Both alpha wolves nodding and gripping their swords.
"Now Lucian, together!"
Michael removed his blade Fenrir, while Lucian unleashed Wolf's Bane, swinging their swords in a cross shaped arc as the two energies combined, forming a massive sized wolf. The wolf howled, increasing in size and energy as it collided with the magical assault of Theokoles, canceling out his attack and causing a massive explosion, upheaving the earth and sending rippling trembles throughout the field.
Several soldiers watched in awe.
"This…this is beyond us" one said in awe, dropping his rifle.
"So this is how monsters fight…" his partner said in reverence.
Theokoles slowly walked forward, his hate filled eyes scanning the crowd of soldiers, but showing no interest.
"Where is he? That bastard's seed…where is…Dante?!"
Theokoles didn't have to wait long; Dante sped forward with Rebellion, clashing with Theokoles as they locked blades.
"Miss me?" Dante asked sarcastically and blowing Theokoles a kiss. Instantly they began fighting. Slashing and parrying with their might blades. Hearing several howls, Theokoles scoffed as he saw the wolf pack locking in. Michael and Lucian again at the head, attacking Theokoles and joining with Dante.
Theokoles managed to knock all the men back as he jumped back. Spinning his blade Ares overhead he laughed wildly. "This time I won't take my time. Klaus wants me to wipe the floor with you lot, fine then. So be it!"
Theokoles fired a massive energy ball towards the group. Lucian jumped in front, raising his own blade.
"Protect and sanctify them, Wolf's Bane!"
A massive dome shielded the group as Theokoles' attack collided, soon fizzing out. But once the dust settled he was nowhere to be seen. Theokoles having joined Klaus back at the top of the hill.
"You're going use…that?" Klaus questioned.
Theokoles chuckled, 'Afraid I'll kill off all your precious dolls?" he said referring to the Mannequins.
Theokoles transformed into his Devil state; the ghostly spectral form of a horned devil floating overhead, reaching greater and greater heights. Four arms appeared on the spectral form as Theokoles clapped both his hands together.
"These fuckers tangled with the Shadow of Hell, time they are punished for that"
Continuing to tangle with the Mannequins, they were suddenly halted when Integra pointed to the sky.
"What in Christ's name?" she said. Everyone stared up, the cloud over looking began dissipating. A dark spherical shape soon cast a massive shadow which covered half of the battle field. There was a deep rumbling; the wind picking speed blowing a steady torrent through the field and causing some to shield their eyes.
Rosette's eyes widened, "Dear Jesus" she whispered.
"This…this is unreal" Vladimir said dropping his sword.
"How…how did my father beat this clown?" Dante said, even he showing apprehension at the coming sight.
A single flaming meteorite began hurdling down towards the earth, picking up seed and threatening to destroy all below it.
Sprinting forward, Seth shouted, 'Nero!". The young knight looked up as Seth ran forward.
"Listen just do what I say, but I'm going to need that arm of yours" he said gesturing to the Devil Bringer. Nero simply stared, thinking he understood.
"You're insane, but I like the way you think" he smirked. Seth quickly turned to Seras. He took her, kissed her lips tenderly.
"Stay alive for me, sweet cheeks" he grinned.
Seth stared up as the meteor continued descending, building and building. He hoped to God this would work.
Nero shouted, activating his Devil trigger as the spectral form of the Devil Bringer arm began growing, reaching colossal sizes.
"Now, go Seth!"
Seth hopped into the open palm of the Devil Bringer. Nero shouted at the top of his voice and proceeded to fling Seth at top speed straight for the plummeting meteor. Everyone below watched in astonishment as Seth continued hailing straight for it.
"Seth?! What the hell does he think he's doing?" Rosette shouted.
Dexter cheered his pal on, "Seth!" he shouted.
Alucard laughed, clapping his hands as Dante whistled. "Good play kid, might just be crazier then me"
Seth watched as the meteor drew closer; he could feel the gravity of it drawing him in as well as the intense heat it gave off. Bracing himself, Seth collided head on, gripping it tightly with his hands and struggling as he tried slowing its descent. His muscles strained, veins popping around his arms as he growled and continued trying to slow it down.
"Come on you bastard. Slow…down…"
Exerting more power, Seth saw it was beginning to slow down. His hands began cracking, blood pouring from open gashes as he grit his teeth. His forest green eyes turned amber, his body contorting as he began transforming. With a mighty roar, he shifted to his Wereshifter form just as the meteor collided with the earth, sending a massive shockwave that rocked the battle field. Vladimir and others joined hands, interlocking and forming a massive human chain as they brace themselves. Dante, Nero, Michael and Lucian jammed their swords into the ground, using themselves as an anchor as they held on steady to their comrades.
When the dust and wind settled, Seth had landed to his feet, holding the meteor overhead and full transformed. Growling he struggled to his feet, roared once and proceeded to rip apart the meteor into two halve sending one flying across the field and in the process destroying much of the Mannequins.
Panting, Seth struggled to his feet. He was weakened, but alive and managed to avoid a catastrophe for his friends. Rosette and Dexter and a few other rushed to him. He gave a weak nod and winked, exposing his massive fangs in a goofy grin.
Vladimir, regaining his confidence pointed up the hill at Klaus.
"Klaus, do you see now!? You will NEVER crush our spirit! Even if you rain down hellfire, we will NEVER give up!"
This was followed by massive cheering and shouting as the allied forces had regained their confidence.
"Everyone, let's take the fight to him, press forward to Klaus!"
The group joined as one, racing towards Klaus and Theokoles whom still stood at the head overlooking the army below. Everything was interrupted when they felt another massive shockwave, knocking several to the ground.
"What? Don't tell me he can summon another one of those things?!" Integra shouted.
Vladimir looked up, above Klaus and Theokoles. His eyes widened and his face turned pale. "No, it's not another meteror"
The sky above the two ripped apart, opening up a massive dimensional portal which tore apart the boundary between the worlds. An endless black void swirled inside, finally, a deep unsettling roar shook the calm of the air, causing many to cover their ears. Two massive deep red eyes appeared, blinking twice before pausing.
Theokoles laughed wildly, "Come on and join the fun" he said gesturing to this new arrival.
"Come, my child"
Another ear splitting and horrible roar and a massive shape which completely dwarfed the mountainside emerged from the vortex. One massive hand slamming down, destroying much of the hill side. The entity continued crawling forward, wailing like a dying woman in labor.
"Dear Christ in Heaven. He did it. The legend is true. He…he resurrected it from beyond the Demon World. It's really happening." Rosette said dropping to her knees.
The entity raised its massive head, howling and crying to the sky as its multi legged body collapsed on the mountain side as Theokoles jumped to its head.
"The Steed of Theokoles, has arrived" Integra said removing her glasses, listening to the terrible laughter of Theokoles.
End Chapter
Stay tuned! Coming next; how will the arrival of the fabled Steed of Theokoles affect the battle for freedom now that he has managed to resurrect the deadly beast? Stick around, the battle wages on.