Chapter 08
Half an hour had passed, and Van, Bergard, and Kevin had finished their preparations. As they emerged, Mark Miller's eyes flickered over them, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"All set?" he asked, his tone calm but his gaze piercing.
The three men nodded, their faces set in grim determination.
"Yeah," Van replied, his voice firm. "We're ready."
Mark nodded, his smile fading as he turned serious. "Good. Then go ahead, gentlemen. The future of Edith—perhaps even all of Zemuria—rests in your hands. I'll head to the Aramis School."
Van blinked, caught off guard by Mark's sudden announcement. "The Aramis School?" he repeated, curiosity creeping into his voice. "Why there?"
Mark's expression softened briefly, but there was a shadow in his eyes. "To protect the young ladies, of course. Renne and Agnès, right?"
Van nodded, understanding dawning. The idea of Mark watching over the girls brought a small measure of relief, but it was fleeting.
"Yeah, that's them," Van said, a faint smile touching his lips. "You're going to keep an eye on them?"
Mark's demeanor darkened once more. "Yes. I'm troubled that Kain bit them but hasn't turned them. Normally, he'd either rip their throats out or make them his slaves. It worries me. If you fail to kill Kain in the Vantaille District, or if he slips through your fingers, I fear he'll come to Aramis to finish what he started."
Van's eyes widened in alarm. The thought of Kain returning for Agnès and Renne sent a cold shiver down his spine.
"Then we can't afford to fail," Van said, his voice laced with determination. "We have to take him down before he has another chance to go after them."
Mark nodded solemnly. "Indeed. But if you can't, contact me immediately. I'll get the girls to safety and examine the bite wounds Kain inflicted on them."
"Understood," Van replied, his resolve hardening. "We'll do everything we can to bring him down. But if things go south, I'll contact you right away."
Kevin and Bergard, both with stern expressions, nodded in agreement.
"We won't let him escape," Kevin said with quiet intensity.
"He'll pay for what he's done," Bergard added, his voice low and resolute.
Van took a deep breath, his mind sharpening as he looked around at his companions, each one ready for the fight ahead.
"Alright," he said, his voice clear and steady. "Let's do this."
...
With that, the group left the Arkride office, heading towards the Vantaille District, 66. They met Feri a few blocks away, her silhouette sharp against the dimly lit street.
As they approached, Van greeted her with a small wave. "Feri, good to see you. Ready for this?"
Feri nodded, her expression serious. "As ready as I'll ever be," she said with determination. "I'm not letting that monster slip away again."
Van smiled, glad to have her on their side. "That's the spirit. We're counting on you to create a distraction, keep Kain occupied while we try to take him down."
Feri smirked, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You can count on me," she replied confidently. "I'll keep that bastard busy."
Van clapped a hand on her shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. Just be careful, okay? We can't afford to lose you in the process."
Feri grinned, cocky as ever. "Me? Get hurt? Please, Van, don't worry about me. I've got this."
Van chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But seriously, stay sharp. We need you at your best if we're going to take Kain down."
Feri's grin softened, and she nodded, her tone becoming more serious. "I'll be careful. I know what's at stake. I won't let you down."
Kevin cracked a grin. "Alright, folks, time to drive a stake through that bloodsucker's heart."
The group echoed Kevin's sentiment, steeling themselves for the confrontation ahead. Van took another deep breath, his pulse quickening as he scanned the faces of his comrades.
"Alright," he said, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest. "Let's get this show on the road. Everyone ready?"
The others nodded, determination etched into their features. Bergard spoke up, his voice firm. "Ready as we'll ever be."
Kevin's eyes gleamed with eagerness. "Let's do this."
Feri bounced on her toes, her excitement palpable. "Hell yeah, let's get this bastard."
Despite the mix of nerves and adrenaline churning within him, Van felt a surge of resolve. He took a final deep breath, trying to steady his pounding heart.
"Alright then," he said, his voice wavering just slightly. "Let's move."
With that, the group advanced into the Vantaille District, 66, their weapons drawn, senses heightened. The shadows seemed to stretch and twist around them as they moved stealthily through the dimly lit alleys, every step bringing them closer to the danger that awaited.
As they neared the estate where Van and Bergard had first encountered Kain, the air grew heavier, laden with an ominous energy that prickled at their nerves.
Van glanced at Feri, who walked beside him, her expression set with determination. "Are you ready to start the distraction once we find Kain?" he whispered.
Feri nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yeah, I'm ready," she whispered back. "Just give me the word, and I'll start the show."
Van nodded in return, grateful for her readiness. He knew that her role as a distraction could be the key to keeping Kain off balance while they executed their attack.
Finally, they arrived at the front of the estate. The building loomed before them, shrouded in darkness, its presence suffocating. Van and Bergard couldn't help but recall their last harrowing encounter with Kain here, and a cold shiver ran down Van's spine. The atmosphere was thick with foreboding, the air itself seeming to hold its breath as they prepared to face the nightmare once more.
Kevin's eyes darted around, his gaze wary as he took in the surroundings. The silence was oppressive, pressing down on them like a weight.
"This place gives me the creeps," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Feri nodded, her expression tense, her fingers gripping her weapon a little tighter. "No kidding," she muttered, her voice tinged with unease. "But we need to stay focused. We're here to take down Kain, not get spooked."
Van drew a deep breath, forcing the anxiety clawing at him into submission. They couldn't afford to lose focus now, not when every shadow seemed to whisper danger.
"Right," he said, his voice firmer now, determined. "We move cautiously. Everyone, keep your eyes peeled for any sign of Kain."
The others nodded, the tension palpable as they cautiously stepped into the estate. Their footsteps were soundless, absorbed by the heavy air that seemed to thicken with every step. The darkened halls closed in around them, every creak and groan of the old building echoing ominously in their ears.
Inside, the estate was unnervingly quiet, the silence gnawing at their nerves. The only sound was their own breathing, shallow and controlled, as they moved deeper into the heart of the house.
"It's too quiet," Van whispered, his voice a mere breath against the oppressive stillness.
Feri shivered, her eyes darting nervously around the room, straining to catch any hint of movement, any sound that might betray Kain's presence. "I have a bad feeling about this," she muttered under her breath. "Where the hell is he?"
Bergard, ever the stoic, moved towards the left door in the foyer, the one that led to the room where they suspected Kain's coffin lay. The others followed, their nerves wound tight as a bowstring. The anticipation was suffocating as Bergard's hand hovered over the door, every second stretching out like an eternity.
Weapons at the ready, Bergard slowly pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges slicing through the silence like a knife. The dim light from the stairway beyond cast long, sinister shadows on the walls, and Van's heart hammered in his chest as he glanced at the others.
"Be ready for anything," he warned, his voice low and edged with tension.
Feri nodded, her grip on her weapon so tight her knuckles whitened. The adrenaline coursing through her veins made her heart pound in her ears, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
The group descended the stairs, every creak and groan of the old wood beneath their feet amplifying the tension. They moved as one, every sense attuned to the slightest hint of danger, until they reached the room where they expected to find Kain's coffin.
But the room was empty.
Kevin cursed under his breath, frustration lacing his voice. "What the hell? Where is that bastard?"
As they scanned the room, Feri's sharp eyes caught sight of something on the floor. "Hey," she called out, her voice tight with urgency. "I found something."
The group converged around her as she picked up a small piece of paper, its edges frayed. Van's heart sank as he saw the dried, dark red stain on the note—a twisted smiley face drawn in what looked like blood.
"What is it?" Van asked, a note of wariness creeping into his voice.
Feri unfolded the note, her eyes narrowing as she read aloud. "'Upper floor. Last room on the right. —D.'"
Van felt a cold chill creep up his spine at the words. "The last room on the right… That has to be where he's hiding."
Kevin gritted his teeth, his frustration morphing into determination. "Then let's not keep him waiting."
The others agreed, their resolve solidifying into something cold and unyielding. Van nodded, the mix of anxiety and determination tightening his voice. "Stay sharp. We're heading to the last room on the right."
They moved quickly, adrenaline fueling their steps as they climbed the stairs to the upper floor. The air grew colder, more oppressive with each step, as if the house itself was aware of what they were about to face.
At the top of the stairs, the hallway stretched before them, eerily silent and bathed in shadows.
"This is it," Van said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "The last room on the right is just ahead."
The others tightened their grips on their weapons, their expressions hardened into masks of grim determination. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, each step bringing them closer to whatever awaited behind that final door.
At last, they stood before it. The door was closed, but an ominous aura seeped out from beneath it, a palpable sense of dread that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.
"He's definitely in there," Bergard said, his voice grim.
Van took a deep breath, steadying himself for the confrontation that lay ahead. "Everyone ready?" he asked, his voice calm, despite the storm of unease churning inside him.
The others nodded, their gazes fixed on the door, their faces set in steely resolve. Feri was the first to speak, her voice unwavering. "I'm ready when you are."
Kevin's eyes blazed with determination. "Let's end this."
With that, Van reached out, his hand gripping the cold, worn doorknob. He twisted it slowly, the door creaking open with agonizing slowness. A wave of icy air washed over them, sending a shiver down their spines. The room beyond was dimly lit, shadows dancing in the flickering light. The tension in the air was almost tangible as Van stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room, searching for any sign of Kain.
Van's breath caught in his throat as his eyes settled on the horrific sight before him. Across the room, chained to the wall like broken dolls, were Elaine Auclair and René Kincaid—his friends, his childhood companions. Their bodies were battered, covered in bruises and bite marks that made Van's stomach twist with a mix of rage and despair.
"No… No, no, no…" The words tumbled out of him, shaky and disbelieving, as he stumbled forward, the world narrowing to the brutalized forms of his friends.
The others followed, their expressions a mirror of Van's horror. Feri gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she took in the sight. "Oh my God… what did he do to them?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Kevin's eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of the vampire responsible. Bergard's fists clenched, his voice a low, seething growl. "That bastard… he fed on them."
Van's anger flared, burning through the shock and horror. His jaw clenched as he took in the scene, the thought of Kain feeding on his friends making his blood boil. "That monster…" he muttered, his voice thick with fury.
"We need to get them out of here. Now." Bergard's words were calm, but the quiet fury in his tone was unmistakable.
Elaine stirred, her eyelids fluttering weakly as she fought to regain consciousness. "Van…" she whispered, her voice so faint it was almost lost in the tension-choked air.
Van's heart twisted as he heard his name, the sound both a relief and a dagger to his heart. He knelt beside her, his voice gentle, filled with concern. "Elaine, I'm here. Are you alright? Can you hear me?"
She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat, her strength failing her. Suddenly, René's hand shot out, gripping Van's arm with a surprising strength. "Van…" he croaked, his voice raspy and strained.
Van's heart nearly stopped at the sight of his friend, still clinging to life despite the torment he'd endured. "René…?" he breathed, his voice barely more than a whisper.
René coughed, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "You… must get out of here… the owner… of this house… Lord… Kain… he's… a vampire."
The name sent a chill down Van's spine, but he forced himself to remain calm. "We know, René. We came to stop him," he said, his voice firm with resolve. "And we're not leaving without you and Elaine."
René's head bobbed in a weak nod, his eyes filled with pain. "The… last time… he took our… blood… he left… a note… on the wall… behind you…" He pointed feebly toward the far wall.
Van followed René's trembling finger and saw it: a note, stabbed into the wall with a kitchen knife, the plaster cracked from the force of the impact.
"A note…?" Van mumbled, his curiosity piqued as he rose and approached the wall. The closer he got, the more his heart pounded in his chest, dread curling around him like a cold, clammy hand.
As he reached the note, he could see the details more clearly. The paper was smeared with dried blood, the words scrawled in a dark, mocking script that sent a shiver down his spine. With a deep breath, Van read the note aloud:
"My dear little Hunters,
How lovely of you to drop by!
I must say, uninvited guests are usually a bore, but sometimes… they're just too much fun.Had you shown up after sunset, I'd have greeted you in person—what a party that would've been! But I see you prefer to play it safe, arriving in daylight. So, I took the liberty of stepping out.
But don't worry, I left you a little something to remember me by. A parting gift, if you will. Especially for you, Van Arkride. Your dear friends, Elaine and René… such delightful company, truly. Though, I must admit, they were quite the mouthful.I've no further use for them, so I thought you might enjoy a little… appetizer before the main course.
Feri Al-Fayed, your discovery of my coffin was a real treat—thanks to you, I've had the chance to savor life here in Zemuria. So many deliciously naive souls, it's almost too tempting to resist. I'll be sure to express my gratitude… personally. Maybe tonight, or tomorrow night… who knows? You, my dear, will join my harem, just like that sweet little Agnès Claudel.
As for the church dogs, Graham and Zeman… I've had my eye on you since I arrived in Edith. Watching your every move. The Septian Church may be relentless, but compared to the Catholic Church that's hunted me since I was sired by the Serpent of Akasha, you're hardly worth the effort. Still, I'll enjoy watching you fail. Just as I've outlasted the church of my realm, I'll outlast you.
And Mark Miller… I haven't forgotten our little spat in New York. I'm still miffed about that stake you drove into me. But soon, I'll turn Calvard into a graveyard, just like Chapelwaite. This time, you won't stop me. In Edith, there's no flood to drown my children, no dam to blow up. You've lost, Mark. And when I catch you, your skin will make a fine decoration for my throne.
My foolish little hunters—Van Arkride, Kevin Graham, Feri Al-Fayed, Bergard Zeman, Mark Miller—my conquest has only just begun. Soon, all of Zemuria will be mine. And Agnès, the girl you love, Van, will be my queen, waltzing with me over your corpses. Through her, your friends, your family—they'll all join this dance. My children, my pack of wolves, will hunt at my side.
We'll meet again, face to face, and I'll savor each one of you. Personally. Until then, au revoir,
Lord Kain
P.S. Don't keep me waiting too long. I'm dying to see how you taste."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Van's hands trembled as he let the note fall to his side, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and fury. Kain's mocking tone, his arrogance, had turned this hunt into something far more personal.
"Bastard…" Van breathed, his voice shaking with barely controlled rage. The vampire had played with them, toyed with his friends like they were nothing more than pawns in his twisted game.
Kevin's voice broke through the heavy silence. "We need to get them out of here. Now."
Van nodded, his resolve hardening like steel. "And then… we're going to find that monster. And we're going to end him."
Feri's voice broke the tense silence, her tone low and urgent. "What do we do now? He knows exactly who we are."
Kevin's eyes narrowed in thought as he answered. "We have to find him before he carries out his plans. We can't let him turn us into his creatures or take Agnès."
The others nodded, their resolve hardening. Bergard's voice was firm as he spoke. "We won't let that happen. We'll stop him and save Agnès."
Van met Bergard's gaze, fierce determination blazing in his eyes. "We need to find his coffin. That's where he'll be most vulnerable during the day. If we destroy it, he'll be weakened."
Kevin added, his voice tinged with anger, "And we have to find Mark. We can't let Kain get to him either."
Determined, the group quickly went to work, freeing Elaine and René from their binds. They moved carefully, trying not to aggravate their injuries. Once free, they helped the pair to their feet, supporting them as best they could.
"Can you walk?" Van asked, concern etched on his face.
Elaine and René tried to take a few steps, wincing in pain, but their determination shone through. "We can manage," Elaine said, her voice weak but resolute.
Van nodded, relief mingled with worry. "Alright. Take it easy. We're here to support you."
The group made their way out of the house, their senses on high alert for any sign of Kain or his followers. As they moved through the darkening city streets, Van's mind raced with possibilities. They had to find Kain's coffin and destroy it before nightfall.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Kevin broke the silence. "We need to contact Mark and Renne. Kain's after Agnès."
Van nodded in agreement. "You're right. We need to warn them as soon as possible." He pulled out his ARCUS and dialed Mark's number. The phone barely rang before it was answered, but the voice on the other end wasn't Mark's.
"Good evening, Mister Arkride. I trust you've found your friends...and my note."
Van froze, his blood turning to ice as he recognized the voice. "K-Kain," he spat through gritted teeth.
Kain's mocking laughter echoed through the phone. "I'm afraid Mark Miller is no longer in play. He had a long history with me, and I decided it was time to end it. You Zemurians, though...you're much more entertaining."
Van's blood boiled, his grip on the ARCUS tightening. "You bastard... What did you do to Mark?!"
"I merely fulfilled my promise," Kain replied with a sinister glee. "I found him, and I took my revenge. It's a shame, really... He would've been much tastier as a 12-year-old boy."
Van's fury exploded. He slammed his fist into a nearby wall, the impact startling passersby who quickly fled. "You monster... You'll pay for this!"
Kain's voice dripped with mockery. "Oh, I'm not finished with you yet. While relocating my coffin, I paid a visit to the police station...where I found the young Roger. Such a good boy, I couldn't resist rewarding him with immortality. He's probably having quite the fun with the Intelligence Division right now."
Van's heart sank as dread washed over him. "You turned Roger into a vampire..." he whispered, horror filling his voice.
"Indeed," Kain chuckled darkly. "Children are always the best, don't you think?"
Van's anger surged again, his jaw clenching painfully. "You sick bastard... You'll pay for everything you've done!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... My dear Van," Kain sneered. "The choice is yours. Until the sun sets, I'm stuck at Aramis with Renne and Agnès. Either you come to me, or you leave the police in the cold embrace of my new underling. The clock is ticking."
Van's knuckles turned white as he gripped the ARCUS, frustration and fury battling within him. "You think I have a choice?" he growled.
Kain's laugh was cold and mocking. "Oh, but you always have a choice, my dear Van. It's what you do with it that counts. So...what will it be?"
Van's gaze flicked to his companions, their faces filled with worry. He knew what he had to do, even if he hated it. "Fine. I'll come alone. Just don't hurt them."
"Excellent," Kain purred. "Do hurry, won't you? I'm starting to get hungry, and I'd hate to have to sink my teeth into the necks of those lovely Aramis schoolgirls I've so carefully lined up."
Van's heart twisted with fear, the thought of those innocent girls in Kain's grasp making him sick. "I'll be there soon. Don't touch them!"
Kain's voice was a venomous whisper. "I simply can't wait to see you again. Come alone, or you'll regret it." And with that, the line went dead.
Van put away the ARCUS, his face a mask of anger and resolve. The others looked at him, tension thick in the air.
"What did he want?" Bergard asked, concern lacing his voice.
Van sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "He wants me to come alone. He's holding Agnès and Renne hostage at Aramis."
Gasps of shock filled them as the group's worst fears were confirmed.
"What?!" Feri and Kevin exclaimed in unison, horror etched on their faces.
Van's expression darkened. "He said if I don't go alone, he'll harm the girls. We don't have a choice." His voice wavered as he continued, "And he's turned Roger into a vampire... He's causing havoc at the police station right now."
The group fell into a stunned silence, the weight of Kain's words sinking in. Feri's face turned pale, her voice trembling. "Roger... a vampire? No... it can't be..."
Kevin's fists clenched, rage burning in his eyes. "First, he takes our friends hostage, and now this... That bastard is going to pay for everything!"
Bergard placed a reassuring hand on Feri's shoulder. "We'll find a way to reverse what he's done. But right now, we need to focus on saving Agnès and Renne."
Feri nodded, determination hardening her features. "You're right. We can't let him hurt them."
Kevin turned to Van, worry and anger warring in his gaze. "So what's the plan? Are you really going to go alone?"
Van looked at his friends, his mind racing. He hated the idea of going alone, but he saw no other choice. "I have to. If I don't, he'll hurt them. But I won't go without a backup plan. You guys need to be ready in case things go wrong."
The group exchanged tense glances but knew Van was right. They had to be prepared for anything.
Bergard's voice was firm, his concern evident. "We'll be ready. Just... be careful, Van."
Van nodded, appreciating their support. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation that awaited him. "I will. Wish me luck."
