Chapter 15 – It Has Begun
"Henry, Section XIII had already taken the bones in my grave. They're on the move. I want you to be prepared… It wouldn't be too long… And as I promised, I will guarantee the safety of your family."
"But what does your second fake death mean?"
"It means that the mistake I did in the past has been compensated. I have not left the manor for a year, and the order of the council that you search for the vampire-in-red is accomplished… Let the silver crucifix be a warning… Section XIII is on its way to wage the 10th crusade; they already took the bones which I do not own from my grave. And as I committed, I will protect the crown, my country, and my people. Henry... It's about time you let your son know what's happening. You shouldn't keep him in the dark."
"No, Integra. My son and my daughter will not know of this."
"Why?"
Her tone was raised.
"We agreed to this, Henry. All your ancestors have."
"They had, Integra. It ends with me. You allowed me to have my own decisions and this is what I decide. We can't always guarantee total security. We already had an intruder in this building… And I can't let myself be assured by the promise of your protection."
"You know what you're saying and getting into, right, Henry? If your son betrays me, I can't guarantee his life nor his sister's."
"I know that. But what shall happen shall happen. You have no authority to bend me. I have my reasons and you follow them as we agreed."
He was right. In order for her to walk the path which she chose to stride almost a century ago, she had to let her pride go. She bit her lip. She knew she'd regret but she also knew she had to focus on the situation at hand… She needed to prepare. Without saying a word, she made her dismissal and headed back to the sub-levels.
She stared at the open book in her hand. She pondered. She realized that sooner or later, people would eventually change. And there she was, still the same. But she fought the idea… the ideas of regrets. She chose this path for a reason and she will fulfill it until the end. She will never go back on her decision.
"Integra." Alucard bothered her thoughts. He sighed before continuing. "I thought that I'd never get to read your mind; even just a glimpse of it."
Integra put her book down then looked at him.
"When will you tell me?" He glared back.
"Specifically, what?"
"Your regrets. It's still not clear. I ignored it at first but now… Integra, just what in the world are you up to? This isn't you!" He almost stood.
Integra sighed and stood, wanting dismissal. "I need to go somewhere."
But Alucard, with his ability, pinned her to the wall with both her hands above her head.
"I've waited long enough. Time to time, there'll always be a null gap when you put your defenses down. I get to see what's on your mind. But you're still good, not letting your mind drift further down… You never let your thoughts run deep even when you're about to. I won't let you go until you tell me, Integra. So tell me." His voice was dangerously low.
Integra tried to squirm but his hold on her was strong.
What more, Integra? What more do you want?! How can I extinguish the fire that you're burning me with? It's unfair! I told you my secrets so tell me yours!
She can't walk herself out of this. She only stayed quiet and stared at him blankly.
"Do you even know how crazy you drive me?" He leaned to her side so he could taunt her, letting his breath touch her ear.
She kept still, not giving anything away, her eyes following the side of his head. She will not allow him to have a piece of her thoughts. She's still his master, therefore, he must tame himself before her.
"My Countess… shall I show you how impatient I am because of what you do to me?" He slid his knee in between her legs.
She gasped quietly, still didn't do anything, and kept her façade. She would endure this because she felt guilty for making him like this.
When Alucard had enough, he pressed his knee on her crotch which made her gasp louder than before. Alucard heard it which made him pleased yet still unsatisfied… He ran the tip of his nose from her ear, passing on her jaw line, to her chin.
"Oh, Integra… Put yourself in my shoes for once… Do you even know what happens to a monster when he can't take it anymore? Do you even know how much you make me more like the devil than the monster I am? Do enlighten me again, Integra… You've been torturing me ever since I came back after killing myself three million four hundred twenty four thousand eight hundred and sixty seven times… You didn't want me to turn you… You held on to your humanity until you felt your death come… And when you became this magnificent creature before me, everything changed. I waited again but you should know how impatient I am now because you don't explain yourself to me. Give me a piece of your thoughts, Integra, because if you don't, I don't know what I can do to you…" He held her small wrists with one of his large hands and cupped her chin, rubbing a gloved thumb on her lower lip.
"Stop it, Alucard." She said like it was nothing to her.
But he didn't…
"I order you to stop, Servant." She said with the same blank tone again, looking at him.
He unwillingly stopped and let her go. She held his face and forced him to look at her.
"I promise you, Alucard. I will tell you. You told me that you will trust me no matter what because I still hold your leash and that trust will break depending on what I do or will do. Remember that." Her tone was still the same but her actions betrayed her words…
When Alucard started to step back, she held him close. She hugged him with her head resting on his chest. Alucard stood still, immobilized.
"Wait for me." She held him tighter. "Just… wait until everything is done. I want to take my time with handling myself."
Alucard gently pushed her away then looked into her eyes, searching for sincerity. She wasn't lying yet she held so many secrets.
He leaned closer, looking at her lips. He wanted to…
Their lips almost touched.
He wanted to… But he stopped himself. He knew she didn't want to…
"Then… your wish is my command." His lips feather lightly brushed against hers.
They stayed like that for a few moments.
Integra looked down. "Let's prepare." She softly said as she took his hand. "I will be busy. I will prepare what needs to be prepared. I want you to gather maps and celestial cartographies. I'll go now."
She faded in her shadows, leaving her touch to linger on his hand. He obliged; he didn't have a choice but to follow her.
He stood there, facing the wall, with his head left in the issue. She kept on dodging his interrogations. Even though he didn't want to, he started to have doubts on her.
Seras came and found him like that.
"Master? Are you alright?" She asked worriedly as she came closer. "Where's Master Integra?"
"Seras. Did Integra tell you something? Did she tell you about her regrets?" He demanded.
Seras jolted as she felt his frustrations. "Sh-she didn't clarify… B-but I felt her regrets and content at the same time…"
"What do you mean you felt her regrets and content…?" His tone was dark.
"Everytime I fetch her before dawn, she would wear a content smile after her work but at the same time, I feel her fighting herself. Which is why I took the feeling as regret... Did something happen, Master?"
"Always keep an eye out for her. Integra… She's hiding something. I know it. Seras, if she tells you anything, inform me. I've been holding myself not to harm her but from the way she's avoiding me, I don't know how long I'll be patient with her."
Seras felt afraid. Her masters were fighting. "Y-yes… master."
She left the chamber and had Pip comfort her…
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Sixteen years had passed, and the year of 2151 was ending. It was arranged that his son, Sheldon, would take over the work that he left. Though Sheldon started working with his father when he was around twenty, he still found it difficult– shifting from the communication headquarters to the Hellsing manor at dusk. He still persevered, believing that he was doing his best in his given duty.
Regularly, he'd take over the communication headquarters then retire for the night, leaving his father to work the rest. But because he knew that he would sooner be the one to replace his father's line of work, he reviewed various papers before going to bed. He made it a habit so that he would always be informed of the news his father was facing. He sighed, knowing that this was something new coming his way. He needed to prepare himself for insults, criticisms, and reprimands from the senior members of the council because it was always like that when a newcomer would step up to the position. He knew this because when he got to meet some of the members, he felt their eyes burning his skin.
It was a typical night for him, until he heard a racket downstairs. There was something new, indeed. He stood from his chair and went downstairs. He heard the voice of his father in pure wrath… He also heard sobbing… Sobbing of his mother and his sister. He hid behind the wall and listened to what was happening.
"How could you, Caroline?! You are a Penwood! And yet, what did you do?! How could you dishonor our family?! What did I do to make you sin like this?! Was I not a good father to you?! Didn't I teach you well?! Is your mother at fault?! Where did I go wrong?!" Henry shouted.
His sister whimpered into sobs. She cried so hard that it almost broke his heart. But he still hid and listened. His mother also sobbed. He heard her because she was in the opposite side of the wall. Another thing he heard was his father huffing breaths. It only meant that he was very angry.
There was a pause and all he heard were those sounds… Until…
"Who's the father?" His father spoke.
It shocked him… Caroline, his sister, was pregnant. His hands tightened into fists and he trembled in the same anger as his father but he didn't want to make the situation much worse.
"I… I don't know…" Caroline sobbed.
"What happened, Caroline?! I always told you to never to leave this house at night! And yet, you disobeyed me! And now, look at you!"
"I'm sorry, Father! I didn't know what happened!" She wept. "Father, please!"
She begged but her father got even more infuriated.
"Lies! Tell me the truth!" Henry glared at her.
Sheldon's mother intercepted, standing in between his father and his sister. Though he didn't see it, he heard what his mother said.
"Henry... Please, Henry, dear…" She sobbed in between each word, finding strength to protect her daughter from the wrath of her father. "Please, Henry… It's not what you think… Caroline… She… She…"
It wasn't difficult to figure it out. Henry's wrath turned into something softer. Instead of being angry towards his daughter, he was angry for what happened…
"Then tell me…" Henry said softer.
"Father, I was drugged… And I just found out that I'm pregnant this day…" Caroline sobbed.
Henry's emotions overflowed again. "That's why I always told you never stay out too late!"
"Father." Sheldon butted in. He just had enough. "I think you should give her some time alone. Don't we agree?" He looked at his parents before looking at Caroline.
Henry looked at him and sighed heavily. "Fine. You talk to your sister. Dear…" He looked at his wife and she complied.
Their parents left them alone. Sheldon sat next to his sister. "Caroline."
She sobbed more. His temper rose but he also felt pity. He wrapped an arm over her and held her close.
"To tell the truth, I'm angry… at you, at what happened, at the monster who…" He heaved.
"I'm sorry, brother. I shouldn't…"
"Shh…" He stroked her arm. "For now, you must take care of yourself. Father and I are busy. I hope mother isn't as angry as Father is…"
"She isn't… But I know she's disappointed… I never knew… I never thought that I'd be violated like this…!" She broke into sobs and incoherent moans.
Sheldon stayed calm and composed. "You should have listened to what Father always told you. You should've been careful…" He paused before continuing. "Are you going to be alright? Do you have enough strength to stand on your own? Tell me if you can face what the future will bring…"
She cried some more before calming herself. "I have to, right? I must face the consequences of my disobedience and recklessness…"
"Do you… despise it?" Sheldon looked at her with pity.
"I don't know…" She looked down.
"Then, from now on, you must take good care of yourself. It's for the best." He stroked her head.
He sighed. "My dear, dear, sister, promise me you'll do your best from now on because I'm also doing the same. I promised father that I will protect you and Mom just like he does. So help me, alright?" He looked at her with a soft expression and a gentle smile.
She cried again because of her kind brother. She felt guilty for receiving so much kindness from him everytime but she didn't have anyone else to rely on. That's why she decided to do everything in her might to become a better daughter and sister to her family.
Sheldon comforted her until she calmed. His night became quiet again when his sister rested, falling asleep on his chest. He carried her to her room and tuck her in. He sighed. He had to be strong for his family. He was, in fact, tired because his duty was quite demanding, and the problem of his sister added up his list of stress. He found himself flopped on his bed and drifted off into slumber. The papers he needed to review had to wait until he had enough energy for them.
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Clashing of blades were heard somewhere in the deep locations of a forest somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains. Flashes of silver, fiery sparks, and dashes of red could be seen from a close distance. Sounds of stomps and breaking of wood soon followed. A number of trees were falling down after another. It was then that the two figures of red stopped and faced each other to anticipate the next move. None of them even huffed for breath.
Suddenly, there came a thick smoke of dust blowing against the taller figure in red. It blew his hat as well, leaving him with his orange glasses.
"Gotcha!" She shouted as if no one would hear her.
But as soon as she leaped forward to tackle her Master, he disappeared and reappeared behind her, kicking her on the back, and sending her to grind against the slightly muddy and rocky ground. She regenerated her wounds and got up fast. But her Master got to her left side and punched her. But he didn't hit her… He hit her thick shadow that she manipulated into a barrier. He had no time to retract his arm back when her shadows held him into a lock, constricting his arm, then his leg.
"Not gonna let you escape, Master…!" She punched his stomach which made him cough blood and smirk, then she threw him to the air with all her might.
Her other Master got to where he was heading and kicked him back to the same ground where he hit his servant. She landed ever so lightly on the ground. The sight of him was very morbid but because of his power, he willed himself back to his normal form. He chuckled with delight. He was really having fun having two sparring adversaries.
"Very good, Police girl. But can you beat Integra?" He took out a medical blood pack from his packet, willed himself to sit on a tree branch, and watched his master and his servant spar.
"I thought we were done with that nickname?!" She complained, puffing her cheeks at him.
Integra chuckled and whispered to her. "He's quite sentimental at times, just let him be." She smiled to her.
Seras chuckled back.
He frowned and tried to read their thoughts but Integra blocked him out. He glared at her in which she glared back with a smirk.
"Ready, Master Integra?" Seras put her game face on.
"As I'll ever be…" She said and positioned herself in a distance, facing Seras.
Integra gave Seras one of her knightly swords for them to spar. Every once in a while, they would go someplace desolated and spar with each other. Integra taught Seras how to use a sword of any kind and she was impressed at how quickly Seras learned and adapted in using a sword. Once again, blades clashed, sparks flew, and flashes of red, dark red, and silver can be seen from a distance. It took a while before Seras threw her sword to her. Integra let it pass to her side before catching it by the grip. She knew Seras grew bored of the blade and started to attack using her fists. Their spar soon turned into punches, kicks, dodges, and blocks.
Alucard mused himself by watching the two, amazed at how powerful they've become. It was interesting to see them spar, having different techniques, and fighting style. Integra was used in fencing while Seras was used in close combat and long-ranged weapon-wielding, far different from Integra's practice. But Integra got used to fighting with close combat because he would usually sneak up on her and engage her in their small spars back in the manor. Both he and Integra were impressed at Seras' creativity in manipulating her shadows even if Pip was still back in the manor, securing the whole place.
Seras focused her arm for a punch and Integra did the same. Both their fists crashed and exploded in bloody smithereens but they regenerated fast. Integra took the opening and performed a reverse round-house kick to Seras's head, sending her to crash from tree to tree, creating a domino effect. Though Seras is strong, Integra had faster reflexes and was quite flexible.
"Between you and Seras, I admit that Seras is harder to defeat in our spars." She looked at Alucard.
Alucard tried to decipher whether she was mocking him or telling the truth. He figured that she was stating a fact which made him confused... Would he feel proud of his servant or would he worry because Seras was catching up to them? He jumped off the branch and came close to her.
"Knowing you, you should be getting worried because you don't want your servant to become better than you." Integra nonchalantly stated.
He growled lowly for the intrusion of his thoughts. She hit the bull's eye. "You still have a promise to keep, Integra."
"I know. We talked about it." She snatched the medical blood pack out of his hand and sipped from it.
"Shall I take that as an indirect kiss?" Alucard cooed to her ear.
Integra sighed. "Do what you want but keep your fantasies to yourself." She squirted the blood pack to his face, giving him a bloody wash on the face, some blood dripping off his glasses.
She almost giggled which he didn't fail to see. He took his glasses off, still not used with her being so carefree at times. He couldn't tell whether it was just a mask she wears so that he would forget their argument/s. Integra noticed that and in turn she read his mind.
"I promised you, right? I'll tell you when it's time." She wore a gentle smile, trying to reassure him but he was hardheaded.
"Why do I feel like you won't? Why do I feel like… like I can't trust you…? But what I said is what I will do… Just… a piece of your mind… Just tell me… Now. Please?"
He said 'please' and it sounded like he was begging…
Integra couldn't help but give in. There would be times when he would do things very uncharacteristically in the same manner that he would complain about her doing the same.
"Just a piece…" She sighed and thought that Seras might come any minute. She took a deep breath…
"I'm just worried… You two are all the only ones I have left…" She didn't elaborate.
It was enough for Alucard to understand. He always knew that she couldn't bear the loss of her men… Those who fought under her authority would suffer their own righteousness and she was the one who held their names. What more if he and Seras, the last of the ones that she holds dear, would someday vanish from her un-life? It was more difficult for her now because she knew that a crusade would engulf her country and it might cost her the ones she have left.
"Is that the reason why you distanced yourself from me? I'm sorry. You probably knew that I'd always mock you. And here I am, stupid."
She wanted to reverse their roles: her to be the one to accuse him of being the one who changed. But she didn't want to ruin Alucard's current state but she smiled...
"Yes, you are." She chuckled, unable to contain the desire to tease him.
"M-master Integra…?" Seras came in, wobbling. "Please don't kick me again… I feel dizzy." She held her head, unaware of a Barn Owl on her other shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Seras. I won't do it again." She stepped closer to Seras and stroked her head.
Her touch quickly removed her dizziness. She was amazed.
"How did you do that? I suddenly feel fine." Seras looked at her with wide eyes.
Integra found it cute and just smiled at her while taking the Barn Owl off her shoulder. She petted it while saying: "It's part of my ability, I guess. Just like now, I can see what this creature saw on its way here… It's time for us to return." Integra said as she freed the owl to hover away. At the same time, howling of wolves were heard. Integra looked at Alucard.
"That's the signal. We have to return. It's probably evening back in the manor." Alucard looked at the bright sky yet dark clouds were moving to cover it.
Alucard summoned his shadows and slowly covered the other two figures. They all faded and returned back to the Hellsing manor to rest and wait for orders but upon their arrival, Alucard noticed a long strip of paper on the sofa where Integra usually sat. He took and tried to check it out when Integra immediately snatched it from him and turned away. It was obvious that she panicked and was hiding something.
"It's a receipt. What did you buy that made you agitatedly take that piece of paper away from me?" Alucard looked at her with a raising brow.
He tried to get it from her, in which she didn't allow him. Seras stood there, marveling at the game her two masters were playing. Alucard was holding Integra's waist to keep her from moving away while he tried to reach the piece of paper of her hand. Seras found it cute and she figured she had to give them some privacy. She quietly went out of the chamber when Pip came, barging in the silence and welcoming her back…
"MA CHERIE! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?!" He squeezed her tight.
The other two vampires inside the chamber heard Pip's loud complaint which made them stop what they were doing.
"So Master, what do you plan on doing with me?"
Integra shrugged out of his grasp. "A bit of fun and some planning…"
"I like the sound of that." Alucard sat across her and laid the maps and celestial cartographies. Integra took out a chess board and took all of its pieces then set them across the maps.
They devised a strategy while playing a game of wits much to Alucard's favor.
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The year soon turned to 2152 after two months. Sheldon was ready to face the responsibility of his soon-to-be stature while his father's illness worsened and was prescribed to bedrest. Henry was diagnosed with a disease that demanded him to rest, leaving Sheldon to continue his legacy. And after three months, a meeting was scheduled to officially welcome Sheldon as the Vice Admiral of the Military Communication's Unit.
But while they focused on the development caused by natural metamorphose, Section XIII was doing the same. They already acquired the autopsy results from Integra's fake bones taken from her grave. It had been 17 years of DNA testing and finalizing the confirmation of Integra's false corpse. It was with the help of highly advanced bio-technology that the results were one hundred percent precise and veracious in spite of the insufficient samples acquired.
In the Bishop's office in the Vatican, Makube received the results and gestured to Heinkel.
"Time has come, Heinkel. Prepare the first few regenerators, take Dante with you, and ambush the manors. Annihilate the Protestant Council and search for the traitor who concealed Integra Hellsing's existence in their midst. Afterwards, we will seize the day in the name of our God." Makube smirked.
"But Chief! Vhat about ze vampires?" Heinkel looked at him.
"Ah… I've caged some vampires underground. They've been in the process of exorcism but enough not to kill them. Set them free somewhere far from London. I'm sure they're hungry after years of not feeding. Understood, Heinkel?" He leaned on his chair and wore a hubris of a smile.
"Yes, sir!" Heinkel slightly bowed and made her way.
"Dante, kindly accompany her. I will prepare the rest for the 10th crusade to wage." He chuckled.
Dante followed suit and followed Heinkel, leaving Makube in excitement. He murmured darkly.
"Carpe Diem, Royal Order of Protestant Knights. Carpe Diem, Hellsing. Enjoy your time while you still can and give little thoughts for what's to come… Have fun before we crush you…"
"Seize the day… and end your impure existences."
A/N: Sorry for the late update and thank you for reading this. I'm always grateful! Forgive me because I'm having a case of writer's block. Writing action scenes is difficult so please inform me if I wrote some mistakes and forgive me for them. Hopefully, my pace of writing has come back and I'm estimating that Chapter 18 or Chapter 19 would be my other favorite chapters. As for the reason, you will all know why in the near future. Haha.
The title comes from Starset's song: "It Has Begun" and yes, I'm a huge fan. If you like rock music, their songs are cool and awesome. (Breaking Benjamin as well. I love them.) I also have a lot of ideas for other stories but I don't know. Should I write them while writing this or not? What'd you guys think? I have a lot of ideas for one-shots. And I will edit the earlier chapters of this fic for grammatical errors... So many of them. Thank you for bearing it.
As always, questions, suggestions, comments are always welcome. PM me or review, tell me what you think. lol.
Stay tuned for the next chapter! Tschüß und Auf Wiedersehen!