Chapter 03
It was well past midnight, and Van Arkride was deep in sleep. His usual spiky, swept-back hair, with its long fringe, was now tousled against his pillow. Mouth slightly open, he lay on his back, utterly at peace. But something in his mind stirred, and despite the lingering signs of sleep on his face, his eyes slowly opened. He yawned, rubbing his eyes with his left hand, then turned onto his side before sitting up at the edge of the bed, pushing the hair out of his face.
"Damn... I'm still sleepy..."
He sat there for a moment, stretching before getting up and wandering around the room. Eventually, he made his way to the small kitchen, where he opened the refrigerator and pulled out a jar of black cherry chocolate ice cream.
Suddenly, the phone at Arkride Solutions Office rang.
Van froze, ice cream jar in hand. After a moment, he picked up the phone, wedging it between his shoulder and ear.
"This is Arkride Solutions. How can I help you?"
The voice on the other end was familiar. It was Feri Al-Fayed. The sound of her voice instantly cleared the fog of sleep from his mind. He sat down at the table, still holding the jar, and leaned his elbow on the table.
"Feri? What's going on? Something happen?"
There was a pause before Feri spoke again. "Yes, it's me. I... I need to talk to you. It's urgent."
Van sat up straighter, Feri's serious tone putting him on edge. He set the jar down, his other hand idly toying with the spoon in it.
"Urgent? At this hour? What's going on?"
Feri took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. How could she explain this? How could she make him believe her?
"It's... it's hard to explain. Can we meet somewhere? I need to tell you something, but not over the phone."
Van considered that for a moment. If it was too complicated to discuss over the phone, it had to be important. He closed his eyes, resting his chin on his hand. Despite his disheveled state, he reluctantly agreed.
"Yeah, I can do that. But at this time, there aren't many places open."
Feri felt a wave of relief. He was willing to meet her. That was a good sign.
"There's a café near my place. It's open late. Can we meet there in half an hour?"
Van ran a hand down his face. He had been half-asleep a moment ago, and now he was gearing up for an emergency meeting. What a pain...
"Yeah, half an hour is fine. I'll be there."
...
Half an hour later, Van arrived at the café to meet Feri.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside, glancing around until his eyes landed on Feri. She was sitting alone in a booth, arms crossed, staring at the table in front of her. With a sigh, he made his way over, taking a second to scan the room before sitting across from her, hands resting on his lap.
"So... what's so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"
Feri looked up at Van, clearly agitated. She sighed. "Well... where should I begin? I think I need to tell you a story from my past... so you understand the context."
Van leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. He stared at her for a moment before sighing and slowly closing his eyes. If he was already in this deep, he might as well hear her out.
"Alright... go ahead."
Feri began. "In 1207, a year before I met you guys, I took part in a skirmish between my Jaeger Corps, the Warriors of Kruga, and Nidhoggr. The battle took place on Nemeth Island. Back then, it wasn't a tourist destination. The island is home to ruins from the Dark Ages—stone pillars, arches, an ancient shrine, several caves, and a desecrated old church."
Van listened patiently. The name Nemeth Island rang a bell, though he couldn't quite place it. It wasn't until she mentioned the stone arches and the ancient church that it clicked.
"You don't mean the Nemeth ruins, right? The old stone arches and that church on the hill?"
Feri nodded. "That's the one. During the skirmish, I got separated from my unit and continued the mission alone. The client back then was Heiyue, and they hired us to find a hidden treasure on the island. On my way, I stumbled upon a young Jaeger from Nidhoggr named Robert. We agreed to a ceasefire and decided to search for the treasure together. We made it to the abandoned chapel."
A young Jaeger from Nidhoggr? Van was starting to sense that this "story" might be relevant to the present. He nodded for her to continue, his eyes fixed on her.
Feri continued, "Robert and I found a secret passage in the chapel that led to a hidden room. We assumed it was the gateway to the treasure, so we followed it. But what we found wasn't silver or gold. Not even historical documents or valuable objects."
Van's interest was piqued. He leaned forward, one arm resting on the table, waiting for her to continue. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing his dark locks back.
"So then... what did you find?"
Feri hesitated, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Before I tell you, please promise not to laugh, okay?"
Van could see she was terrified. He leaned back in his seat, raising his hands in a calming gesture. His expression remained neutral.
"Hey, you have my word. I won't laugh."
Feri took a deep breath. "What we found was a large box... no, thinking back, it was more like a sarcophagus. It had a strange symbol engraved on it. Roger and I opened it. Inside... was a dead body. A mummy. But this wasn't like any mummy you'd find in a museum. It was pale, slender, and its teeth were incredibly well-preserved. A huge stake was driven through its chest."
Under normal circumstances, Van might have responded with sarcasm or skepticism, but Feri's distress made it impossible to doubt her. He rested his chin on his hand, staring at her for a few moments before speaking.
"Okay... a mummy then. What happened after that?"
Feri sighed. "After that, Roger betrayed me. His men showed up, put me out of commission, and took the box with them. When I woke up, they were gone. I took the loss and decided to become a better Jaeger. I never heard from Roger again... until today."
Van's eyes widened. So this guy from Nidhoggr had betrayed Feri and beaten her? A bad feeling began to settle in his gut. He sat up straight, his gaze intense.
"Wait, you saw him today?"
Feri nodded. "In a news broadcast. The reporter said he went mad and assaulted police officers. He was taken into custody and brought to the police station. I went to see him a few hours ago. When I saw him... he was like a completely different person. Completely deranged. He laughed and giggled like he'd lost his mind. But when I asked why, he told me something... something that sounds completely unbelievable. But if it's true, we might all be in great danger."
Van's expression grew serious. The story about the mummy was clearly just the beginning. He looked Feri in the eye, his gaze unwavering.
"And what exactly did he say?"
Feri gulped, hugging herself slightly. "He said... the box, the mummy they took... the treasure... The room we found wasn't a chamber of riches. It was a cage. To keep whatever was in that sarcophagus imprisoned."
Van frowned. So, this mummy was some kind of prisoner? He sat quietly for a moment before speaking again.
"So, what... you're saying this mummy is breaking free of its prison? And it's driving this guy insane?"
Feri shivered. "Even worse... from Roger's ramblings, it sounds like they woke it up. It's some kind of monster that feeds on human blood... And the worst part? He kept chanting 'He will come,' like a rabid prayer. Roger even gave this monster a name. He called it Nosferatu..."
Nosferatu... the name had a menacing, ominous ring to it. Van sat there, a million scenarios running through his mind. Feri seemed to genuinely believe this story, to the point of shaking, but Van remained somewhat skeptical.
"This... Nosferatu... Did Roger say anything else about it? Strengths, weaknesses?"
Feri shook her head. "No... he just laughed and kept chanting 'He will come' and 'Blood is life.' Over and over again."
Van rested his chin on his hand, considering his options. If this story was real, he had two choices: believe Feri and hope she was right, or dismiss it as nonsense and walk away. He studied her expression for a long moment. She didn't seem to be lying—or at least, she believed what she was saying.
"And... how do you know all of this is true? You said yourself he was acting nuts. You didn't think he was just talking out of his ass?"
Feri looked down. "I... don't know what to believe. But one thing I can say for sure... When I opened that sarcophagus and saw the mummy, I felt an indescribable dread. It was like being in a room with a deranged serial killer who could attack at any moment."
Van let out a short sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. Feri's story sounded crazy, but there was a glimmer of truth buried somewhere in it. He looked back up at her, crossing his arms.
"So if this Nosferatu... monster... is real and it's coming for you, why tell me? Why not go to your Jaeger unit... or the police?"
Feri met his gaze. "Because it's not just coming for me. It's coming for all of us. Us humans. To feed on our blood. That's what Roger said. Nosferatu needs blood. He craves it."
Van sat silently, staring at her, his thoughts tangled. He rubbed his temples, fingers digging into his hair in frustration. With a heavy exhale, he gave her a hard stare.
"Alright, assuming there really is some kind of bloodthirsty monster out there, what the hell do you expect me to do?"
Feri sighed. "I don't know... I just needed to talk to you and warn you. Just in case."
A part of him appreciated her trust, but another part was frustrated. Did she really think he could handle this on his own? He let out a loud sigh before speaking again.
"So, how long do you think we have until this thing comes after us? A day? Two days? A month?"
Feri shivered. "I don't know. Worst-case scenario, it might already be here, roaming the streets looking for victims."
Van didn't want to admit it, but the fear in her eyes was unsettling. He had never seen her so shaken. He sighed and leaned against his desk.
"You realize how unbelievable this sounds, right? Like something out of a horror movie..."
Feri nodded. "Yes... but we just fought a mafia boss who belonged to a cult experimenting with demons..."
Van groaned, resting his face in his hands. Why did any of this make sense? He still wasn't sure if Feri was telling the truth, but he had to consider it. Finally, he looked at her again, still leaning against the desk.
"Okay... let's say this whole thing is real. Then what? Are we just supposed to sit and wait, hoping it doesn't come after us?"
Feri shook her head. "I was thinking... if such a monster exists, maybe the church could help us."
"The church?" Van chuckled, more out of skepticism than anything. He raised an eyebrow and let out a short scoff. "The church? Really?"
She nodded. "Yes... the Septian Church probably has records on demons, heretics, and whatever... and the Gralsritter."
Van had to admit, she had a point. If anyone could investigate this, it was the church. His skepticism faded as realization set in. He folded his arms, still leaning against his desk.
"The church... and the Gralsritter, huh? That might actually work. But do you really think they'll help or even believe this?"
"It's better than just hoping it's not true and getting a nasty surprise if it is... You're Bergard Zeman's student. Maybe you could ask him to put in a word for us?" Feri suggested.
He was reluctant at first, but then it hit him. He did know someone with connections. A small smile crept onto his face as the idea grew more plausible. He nodded at Feri.
"Yeah... yeah, sure. I'll see what I can do. Bergard can be a bit of a pain, though..."
...
The next day, with nothing else to do, Van headed to the Septian Church. The church was located just north of the entertainment district, surrounded by skyscrapers and city buildings.
He made his way inside, glancing around. It had been a while since he'd last been there. He noticed several people in the building—some praying, others speaking to priests. Van knew exactly where to go.
He walked through the grand halls, passing priests and nuns until he reached the end of the corridor. Before him stood a large, black iron door.
Van placed his hand on the handle and slowly pushed the door open. The room beyond was large, lined with rows of pews and stained-glass windows. A lone figure stood among the pews, their back to Van.
He approached, his footsteps echoing and causing the figure to turn around. It was exactly who he was looking for. The man had grayish hair and a stern look. He gave Van a once-over before speaking, his voice both quiet and strict.
"Van. I wasn't expecting you today..."
Van shrugged, hands in his pockets, a small smirk on his face. "Yeah? What's that supposed to mean? You don't miss me anymore, Bergard? You're breaking my heart."
Bergard didn't even crack a smile. Instead, he scoffed and folded his arms. "Don't give me that act, boy. I know why you're here. Go on, then. What do you need?"
Van chuckled, leaning back slightly to hide his nerves. Bergard could see right through him, as usual. Van rubbed the back of his neck nervously before speaking again.
"Yeah... you got me. I do need a favor this time. It's a big one..."
Bergard raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. He waited a moment before speaking again, eyes fixed on Van.
"A big favor? Go on, out with it. What is it?"
Van sighed, leaning against one of the pews. He knew Bergard would have a hard time believing him, so he chose his words carefully.
"You're not gonna like this. But I need you to investigate something for me. Just some information. I'd do it myself, but this one's out of my league..."
Bergard remained silent, a thoughtful expression on his face. He knew Van wouldn't ask for a favor unless it was absolutely necessary. He let out a small sigh and gave Van a suspicious look.
"And what, exactly, is this thing you want me to look into? I'm assuming it's not just some regular person who owes you money."
Van chuckled, but it was half-hearted. He rubbed the back of his neck again. "No, not exactly. It's a bit more... complicated. You'll probably think I'm insane when I tell you, but... trust me on this one, alright?"
Bergard said nothing, continuing to watch Van. This kind of vagueness was unusual for him. After a longer, louder sigh, Bergard spoke again.
"Just go on, then. I'm listening."
Van sighed. There was no avoiding it now. He took a deep breath and spoke.
"I want you to look into a monster... A monster called Nosferatu."
A heavy silence followed as Bergard stared at Van, dumbfounded. He had expected something strange, but not this. After a moment, Bergard scoffed and shook his head in disbelief.
"You... want me to look into a monster called Nosferatu?"
Van rolled his eyes at the obvious mockery in Bergard's tone. He knew the man would be skeptical, but he hadn't expected this reaction.
"Come on, don't give me that. I know it sounds insane, but you know I wouldn't come to you unless it was serious. This isn't a joke, Bergard..."
Bergard studied Van more carefully this time. His tone made it clear he was serious. But still, the whole concept was absurd. Bergard sighed, folding his arms.
"So, let me get this straight... You want me to investigate this Nosferatu creature. Do you even have any proof it exists?"
Van groaned, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. He knew Bergard wouldn't believe him, and it annoyed him.
"I don't have physical proof, no. It's not like someone would have a picture of a monster lying around. But trust me, it's real. I've seen it myself."
If Bergard was skeptical before, he was even more so now. What Van said sounded so outlandish, it was hard to take seriously. He continued to stare at Van, an eyebrow raised.
"You've seen it yourself? Where? What do you even mean?"
Van's frustration grew, but he stayed calm. He sighed heavily and folded his arms, his expression serious.
"It's... hard to explain. But someone has seen it. Feri described it to me. I thought it was nonsense at first, but she insists she came face to face with it during a job. I believe her, Bergard."
Bergard was taken aback by Van's serious, almost defensive tone. The young Spriggan was clearly struggling to keep his composure. Bergard sighed again and spoke more seriously.
"I see... You're completely serious about this. You really believe this Nosferatu creature is real?"
Van nodded, his eyes unwavering. He wasn't going to back down, no matter how ridiculous it sounded. With firm resolve, he spoke again.
"Damn right I do. This thing is real, and it's dangerous. I've dealt with dangerous people and things before, but this is on another level. You don't have to believe me, but at least look into it, alright? Please..."
Bergard looked at Van, more contemplative now. It was clear Van was utterly convinced of this creature's existence. Despite the absurdity, Bergard began to see Van's point. After a moment, he finally spoke again.
"Alright... I'll look into it. Given how serious you are, I'll at least do some research. But I'm warning you, boy, if this is some sort of joke..."
Suddenly, a voice chimed in. "You can spare yourself the research, Mister Zeman..."
Van and Bergard spun around at the unexpected voice. Bergard's usually calm demeanor shifted to one of surprise, while Van's hand hovered near his gun, his eyes widening before narrowing in confusion.
"And who in Aidios' name are you?" Van demanded.
An elderly man emerged from the shadows, his gait unsteady as he leaned on a walking stick. His short gray hair and mustache framed a face with piercing blue eyes that studied the two men. He wore a simple gray jacket, light brown trousers, and brown slippers. With a warm smile, he introduced himself.
"My name is Mark Miller. I've lived in Calvard for nearly ten years, though I traveled here from a distant land."
Van's hand dropped from his weapon, though he remained wary. Both he and Bergard relaxed slightly, but Van couldn't shake his skepticism. The old man's sudden appearance and mysterious origin left him on edge.
"A foreigner, huh? You sure you're in the right place, old man?" Van asked, still suspicious.
Mark chuckled softly. "Indeed, I don't see a more peaceful place for an old man like me to spend his twilight years."
Van and Bergard exchanged puzzled glances. How had this man entered without either of them noticing? Van had been entirely focused on Bergard.
"You sure snuck in quietly for an old man. Who the hell let you in here?" Van pressed.
"I often come to this chapel to pray," Mark explained. "I overheard your conversation about Nosferatu and thought it best to intervene."
Van's confusion deepened. This old man had been listening the entire time? He hadn't realized how loud they'd been.
"You've been eavesdropping? Can't you see we're having a private conversation?" Van's tone was sharp.
"Yes, and I wouldn't have intervened if I didn't think you were about to waste precious time," Mark replied calmly.
Van's eyes narrowed, his irritation growing. "What's that supposed to mean? Do you know something we don't?"
Mark nodded. "Indeed. Mr. Zeman will find no information on Nosferatu because the term doesn't exist in Zemuria."
Both men were taken aback. They had been chasing something that didn't even exist? Van's skepticism quickly morphed into annoyance.
"Hold on... Are you telling me this Nosferatu thing is just a load of crap? It doesn't exist?" Van demanded.
The old man laughed. "Oh, no, young man. Nosferatu exists... but it's not called that in this realm."
Van's confusion deepened. The creature existed, but it wasn't called Nosferatu? He took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Alright then, old man. If it exists, what's it called?" Van asked.
Mark snickered. "Tell me, young man, what do you know about Nosferatu?"
Van recounted what he had learned. "It's a monster that takes human form, feeds on human blood, can hypnotize, and is hard to kill. That's all I've got."
Mark smiled. "Exactly. Now think again—what do we usually call bloodsucking monsters?"
Van's eyes widened as the realization hit him. It was so obvious he felt foolish for not seeing it sooner.
"A vampire... It's a damn vampire..." he muttered.
Mark nodded, his smile growing. "Precisely. Nosferatu is derived from the Romanian word 'nesuferat,' meaning 'the unbearable one,' often used to refer to a demon or the devil. Over time, it became synonymous with a vampire."
Van slapped his forehead with a groan. He had been chasing a phantom, something with a much simpler explanation.
"Damn... It was right in front of me the whole time. Why didn't my contact just say it was a vampire?"
Bergard, who had been silently observing, couldn't help but chuckle at Van's frustration. "Looks like you've been running in circles, eh? All that time wasted looking for something under a different name."
Van shot Bergard a glare, clearly annoyed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I don't need an 'I told you so' from you."
Bergard smiled, enjoying Van's discomfort. "Come on, boy, cheer up. At least you know what you're dealing with now. Better late than never."
Van sighed, realizing Bergard was right. "Fine. I get it. I wasted my time, but at least now I know what I'm looking for. Maybe I won't end up chasing another dead end."
"Good boy," Bergard said, satisfied with Van's response. "Just try using that brain of yours next time, alright?"
Van rolled his eyes, feeling like he was being lectured. "Yeah, yeah, I'll use my brain next time. And I'll try not to make a fool of myself, just for your sake. Happy now?"
Bergard chuckled again, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, I'm very satisfied, boy. You're always good for a laugh. Always getting into some kind of trouble. You're like a magnet for it."
Van groaned in frustration. Bergard was having far too much fun at his expense. "Alright, alright, can we drop the 'you're an idiot' routine? I don't need it from you, old man."
Bergard raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is that any way to talk to your elder? I'm just giving you a bit of friendly ribbing, and this is the thanks I get?"
"Tch, friendly ribbing, my ass. You're just enjoying watching me squirm," Van retorted.
Bergard laughed heartily. "Haha, maybe so. But can you blame me? You make it so easy."
Mark cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "Now that you know what you're dealing with, gentlemen... What will you do about it?"
Both men turned their focus back to Mark. The reminder of their mission brought a serious tone back to their discussion.
Van sighed, his expression growing more determined. "Now that I know it's a vampire, I've got a better idea of what to do..."
Mark then turned to Bergard. "If I may, Mister Bergard, could you contact an old acquaintance of mine? He works for the Gralsritter as well."
Bergard looked at Mark with a curious expression. "An acquaintance of yours? Who is this person, and what do they have to do with the Gralsritter?"
Mark smiled. "His name is Kevin Graham. When you reach him, tell him 'he has escaped his coffin.' And that he should bring 'it' with him."
Bergard's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Kevin Graham. He hadn't expected that. He turned to Van, who was equally surprised.
"Kevin Graham... The Enforcer of Steel? You want us to contact him?"
Mark nodded. "Yes. He knows what you're dealing with... and who you're dealing with."
Bergard's curiosity was piqued, mixed with a hint of unease. Kevin Graham was a powerful and mysterious figure, his reputation well-known. "Alright, I'll contact him. But I hope you know what you're doing. Involving the Enforcer isn't something to take lightly."
Van, too, was surprised. He had heard stories about Kevin Graham and knew him to be a formidable force. If the old man was right, and Graham had experience with vampires, they needed his help.
"Yeah, I'm with Bergard on this one. Bringing Graham into this is a big deal. But if you say he can help, we'll take the chance."
Mark smiled. "To defeat this Nosferatu, you'll need all the help you can get."
Bergard nodded in agreement. "He's right, boy. If this vampire is as dangerous as you say, we'll need Graham's experience and abilities."
Van sighed, accepting the plan. "Alright, I'll trust your judgment on this. But I hope you know what you're doing. Bringing Graham in could come with its own set of problems."
The old man nodded, turning away as he spoke. "I know... But this creature cannot be allowed to roam free. It could mean the end of Calvard—and eventually, all of Zemuria."
Van and Bergard exchanged a worried glance. The gravity of the situation settled over them like a heavy cloud. If this vampire was truly that dangerous, they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
"The end of Calvard? The whole continent? Damn, we can't screw this up," Van muttered.
Bergard nodded grimly. "You're right, boy. We'll contact Graham and fill him in. Hopefully, he can help us take this thing down before it causes any more damage."
As Van and Bergard discussed their next steps, Mark stepped away, gazing up at the sky. He mumbled to himself, "I knew hell would spit you out again, Kain... Whatever happens, I won't let you harm mankind any further."
His words went unnoticed as Van and Bergard continued planning, too focused on the looming threat to hear the old man's cryptic murmurs.
Van's mind raced with possibilities. "We can't afford to mess this up, Bergard. If Graham can help us take down this vampire, we need him on our side as soon as possible."
Bergard's expression was just as serious. "You're right, boy. We'll reach out to Graham immediately. Hopefully, he can get here quickly and provide the help we need."
