Note: As January is slowly coming to its end, it felt necessary to post a new chapter of this story. In fact, I almost put off updating it until now. However, you can expect a new story next month, let alone more chapters of the stories that are currently running. For now, let's get on with this one. Before we begin, I'd like to say something to a reviewer.
Big Bossk Man 92: That all depends on what happens next. I hate to be mysterious about certain things, but I cannot spoil anything. Also, I apologize if the chapter spoils who the enemy is, which would be due to me not being sure what to title the chapter. Regardless, I hope you're ready for what happens.
Now that I've said that, it's time for chapter twenty-three.
Chapter 23: Power of the Helsings
Now that they were out in the main corridor of the castle, Fara, Orlando and Owen found themselves conversing with Fox and Krystal.
"So, do you think it's the right key for the dungeon?" Fara asked.
"There is a possibility that it is." Fox spoke. "Of course, there is a possibility that it is not. In either case, we will not know unless the others use it."
"Regardless of the outcome," Krystal said, "my telepathy will signal me."
"But how will anyone contact you?" Owen asked. "Aren't you the only telepath among us?"
"I'll just scan the thoughts of everyone in the dungeon." The cobalt vixen said.
"Just to be safe, we should look for another key." Orlando spoke. "As for Lucy Hare, we will search for her later on."
"Where should we look?" Fara asked.
"This castle should have a basement." The coyote said. "Fara, you, Owen and I will look there. Fox, you and Krystal should go to the second floor and look for a key. Is that understood?"
"Yes." Fox said.
"If we don't find one, I'll let you know." Krystal said, tapping on her forehead.
Agreeing to split up, Fox and Krystal left Fara and the Helsings alone in the main corridor. With their supernatural allies gone, the vampire hunters began to look for a passage that would take them downstairs. At first glance, there didn't appear to be one, so they had to look. They went from room to room, searching for a stairway or a hatch on the floor. However, there weren't any, as if Volk's army believed that having an extra room downstairs was unnecessary. With no passages, Orlando signaled for Owen and Fara to stop looking, their next step being to meet Fox and Krystal upstairs.
Before he walked out of the room he was in, Owen noticed that there was something behind a bookcase. He called Orlando and Fara over, saying that he found something. At first, the coyote and the fennec couldn't see it, until their younger ally pointed it out to them. Orlando pulled the bookcase forward, revealing that there was an open doorway behind it. It lead to stone steps that led down, with only a torch illuminating the passageway. Telling Fara and Owen to stay behind him, Orlando took them down with him, having a stake out in case of an attack.
The moment they got to the bottom of the steps, Fara and the Helsings saw that the area ahead was almost completely empty, save for crates, varying in size. By looking at each one, they could tell that Volk and his army needed them. The smaller crates contained small weapons, from daggers to blackjacks. As for the larger crates, they were full of larger weapons and armor. The middle crates were refrigerated, presumably filled with blood bags so that Volk could sate the thirst of his army. Once they looked at each one, Orlando, Owen and Fara knew that the crates had to be destroyed.
"Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Fara asked.
"Yeah, let's destroy everything in here!" Orlando said.
"But how?" Owen asked. "Wouldn't blowing up the crates launch the weapons all over the place?"
"I'll set up a timer for each explosive." Fara said. "Once each one is put on a crate, we can get out of here."
Taking out a few time bombs, Fara set the time on each for three minutes. After that, she put them on the crates, eager to get rid of Volk's army's supplies as fast as possible. When that was out of the way, the fennec used a remote to start each timer, giving her and the Helsings enough time to leave the room. However, before any of them could step on the stone stairs, they heard a clanking noise. It sounded like it was coming from an old machine. Along with the clanking, there was the sound of something being dragged.
A footstep approached towards Fara and the Helsings, being big enough to shake the area. They looked ahead, seeing only a massive suit of armor, one that would take multiple people to wear. It moved towards the vampire hunters, with each step strong enough to knock anyone off their feet. However, Orlando, Owen, and Fara stood their ground, having weapons out. The living armor had a weapon as well, having a massive sword in a sheath on its back. Seeing that, it was clear that the incoming battle would not be easy.
Grabbing its sword, the living armor swung it towards Fara and the Helsings. Thinking quickly, Orlando got Owen and Fara out of the way. After that, he threw some holy water at the enemy, which seemed to cause it some harm. With that in mind, the coyote knew that he couldn't use all of it on a single monster. In addition to that, there wasn't much time to waste, given the timers Fara placed on the crates. Orlando had to finish the fight before they exploded, but it would involve using something he rarely used, even during an investigation.
After getting in a defensive stance, Orlando glared at the living armor. It only kicked him, throwing him at a wall. The coyote got back on his feet, doing his best to ignore the pain he had received. He limped forward, his body sore and his mind focused on his enemy. Once he was near it again, the canine felt something surging through his body. Getting into an offensive stance, he felt the surge grow stronger.
"Mr. Helsing, wait!" Fara said.
"Do not worry, Fara." Orlando spoke. "I can beat this monster!"
"How?" The fennec asked.
"Remember when I told you about the power of the Helsing family?" The coyote said. "The power flows through the veins of every member of the Helsing bloodline, even when they're still in the womb! It is the power to defeat any monster, no matter how powerful they are!"
"Does it flow through my veins, grandpa?" Owen asked.
"Of course it does, Owen!" The canine said. "Perhaps you'll get a chance to show it later! For now, I will use it to defeat this armored beast!"
When the living armor got ready to attack again, Orlando jumped out of the way. He then jumped up and punched it in the face, nearly knocking it down. After that, the coyote kicked it in its chest plate, being quick enough for the monster to not see him. Landing on his feet, the canine got out a metal stake and his gilded cross. He then faced the living armor, just as it was about to strike him with its sword. The blade came towards him, but he did not budge.
Before the blade could hit him, Orlando held up his gilded cross. The energy flowing through it caused the sword to break, shattering it from the blade to the handle. After that, the living armor threw a punch towards Orlando. However, the coyote leapt up, kicking the monster in its head. With his stake still in hand, he aimed for its chest, driving it into the chest plate. Using all the strength he could, he managed to make a dent in the armor.
Thrusting forward again, Orlando was able to bury his stake in the living armor. As such, it fell to the floor, struggling to shake its enemy off of it. However, the coyote held on, wanting to make sure the monster was destroyed. As that happened, the gilded cross began to glow, being fueled by the energy from its owner. By the time the living armor stopped struggling, the glow became a blinding light. Closing his eyes, Orlando slammed the gilded cross onto where he buried his stake, the light soon engulfing the armor.
Once the light died down, Orlando looked down and saw that the living armor was gone. He had managed to destroy it with the power that had surged through his veins. The coyote smiled, knowing that the Helsing family spirit did not fail him. Not only was he able to counter the living armor's attacks, but he was able to destroy it. His pride soon turned to disbelief when he saw an ethereal green essence floating nearby.
"Is that a soul?" Orlando asked.
"Do suits of armor have souls now?" Fara asked. "Did Wolf sacrifice a virgin to make it?!"
"Hopefully not." The coyote said.
The soul floated upwards, phasing through the roof of the room. However, Fara and Orlando knew that Fox would get it. Krystal was with him, meaning that they would know if he ate it or not. Being turned into a creature of the undead meant that the orange-turned-maroon tod had gained multiple new abilities. Luckily, he was still on the side of good, even if he had an opportunity to turn against his allies. That likely would've happened if Wolf/Volk was the one to turn him instead of the Grim Reaper.
"Uh, guys?" Owen spoke.
"What is it, Owen?" Fara asked.
"There's forty-five minutes left on the timers!" The young coyote said. "We gotta get out of here!"
Before they could leave, Orlando checked the ground around him, checking for a key. Upon finding none, he led Fara and Owen out of the room as quickly as possible. As soon as the vampire hunters were out of the basement, there was an explosion, causing the room they were in to shake. They were quick to grab onto something, keeping them from falling. Once the explosion died down, Fara got out a stake, signaling that she would be the next one to fight a monster. However, that was when she heard a familiar voice in her head.
That explosion better have been good news. Krystal's voice echoed in her head.
Don't worry, Krystal, we only destroyed the supplies Volk's army needed. Fara thought to herself. Have you found a key yet?
No. The cobalt vixen transmitted.
We haven't found one, either. The fennec replied. Keep looking for one, then send it to the dungeon when you find it. We'll catch up, okay?
Just be careful. The Cerinian vampire mentally warned. This castle is crawling with dangerous creatures!
After that brief telepathic conversation, Fara walked out of the room. Orlando and Owen followed her, looking around to see if anything was coming towards them. The coast was clear, so the vampire hunters were able to move on. Knowing that Fox and Krystal had likely gone through the second floor by now, they decided to go through it as well, so that they could check and see if their supernatural allies had missed anything. It seemed unlikely, but castles could contain hidden secrets and compartments that not even a telepath could detect. Nonetheless, they needed to rescue their friends, take on the monsters hidden in the castle and slay Wolf/Volk before he brought chaos to the entire universe.
Note: Living sets of armor are hardly a rare enemy in video games involving the supernatural, and there have been some in the Castlevania series. As such, Fara and the Helsings wound up fighting one. What other creatures will our heroes encounter? Can they overcome them and save their loved ones? What other powers does Fox have now? Will he be able to use them on more enemies?
Until next time, guys, this is Newcomer24, signing off. Peace!