A.n I own nothing.
I'm not dead, but please do not ask why I haven't updated in a while...lots of personal s***t going on.
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Earlier, after the party...
Princess Audrey sat by her father's bedside, holding his hand tightly. She was a mess. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her makeup ruined by the endless stream of tears. When she was informed that her father had been found collapsed by the guards, she had rushed straight to his room to be by his side. There, she found the royal doctors tending to him and a handful of his advisers waiting anxiously outside for news, including her fiancé.
Though the doctors denied the advisers entry into the king's chambers, they dared not refuse Audrey. Even so, they had requested that she stand back while they completed their examination and set up the crucial life-support equipment. Once their work was done, the doctors informed her that her father had suffered a stroke. While they planned to run more tests, the initial diagnosis painted a grim picture: the stroke had left the king paralyzed and nearly unresponsive. The doctors assured her that the only reason he was still alive was the quick actions of the maid who had raised the alarm.
When the doctors finally stepped away to process the test results, Audrey was allowed to approach her father. She spent the next thirty minutes lying beside him, her face buried in the sheets as she wept openly, hoping—desperately—that he might respond, might squeeze her hand, or even scold her like he used to. But there was nothing. No response. No reassurance. After her tears subsided, she sat beside him, still clutching his hand as if holding on to him physically might keep him tethered to life.
The king's advisers, of course, had chided her behavior. They told her it was unbecoming and undignified for someone of her station, but Audrey didn't care. Her grief outweighed their criticisms. In a rare display of defiance, she had banished them from the room, demanding the space and time to grieve and process what had happened.
The guards, however, had shown her more sympathy. Understanding her need for solitude, they quickly ushered the protesting advisers out, ensuring the princess would not be disturbed.
After some time, a gentle knock came at the door.
"Audrey, it's me. May I come in?" Savage's voice called softly through the door.
"Yes," Audrey responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
The door opened, and Vandal Savage entered, closing it behind him. He crossed the room and, without hesitation, wrapped Audrey in a warm, comforting hug. She melted into his embrace, finding solace in his steady presence.
"I'm sorry, Vandal," she sniffled, her voice trembling. "I'm such a mess,"
"Not at all, Princess," Savage replied with a reassuring tone. "This is a trying time. I would be far more concerned if you weren't upset,"
"I just… I just want my father to say something—to scold me, or anything—to let me know he'll be alright," Audrey said, her voice breaking.
"We all must face our mortality at some point," Savage said, his tone calm and measured. "It's moments like these that remind us how precious life is. Your father is not gone yet, Princess, but even if he were, he would always be with you. As long as you keep his treasured memories and the lessons he taught you alive in your heart, he will never truly leave you,"
Audrey let out a shaky laugh. "That's so cliché, Vandal,"
"Perhaps," Savage admitted with a smile. "But does it make you feel better?"
Audrey nodded slightly. "It does. A little bit, yes,"
"Then I am glad to be of service, Princess," Savage said, gently brushing a strand of her hair out of her face.
Before either could say more, the door opened suddenly, and one of the royal doctors entered. He stopped abruptly when he realized he was intruding on an intimate moment between the princess and her fiancé.
"Ah, my apologies, Your Highness, Lord Savage, but I have an urgent update on the King's blood work that you need to hear," the doctor announced gravely.
"No apologies necessary. I'll leave," Vandal offered, giving Audrey a kiss on her hand before beginning to step away.
"No, stay, please," Audrey begged, grabbing Savage's arm. Vandal nodded, and Audrey turned back to the doctor. "What news do you have of my father?"
"It appears we may have misdiagnosed the King," the doctor admitted.
"You mean he didn't have a stroke?" Vandal asked, confused.
"Oh no, Lord Savage, his symptoms and paralysis are all consistent with a stroke. However, we do not believe it to be a natural one. We found a high amount of ethylene glycol in his bloodstream," the doctor explained gravely.
"What is that?" Audrey asked, concern etched into her face.
"It's an agent used in the manufacture of antifreeze," Savage interjected. "It's highly toxic,"
"Are you saying someone poisoned my father?" Audrey asked in shock.
"Regretfully, Your Highness, that appears to be the case. I cannot imagine the King ever ingesting antifreeze of his own free will," the doctor confirmed solemnly.
"But how could it have happened? We all ate and drank the same food and drink at the party earlier, and no one else has been reported ill," Vandal pondered aloud.
"That's not entirely accurate," the doctor said cautiously. "The maid who raised the alarm brought King Gustav a goblet of wine before bed. We're having that tested as well, but we are fairly certain that's when he ingested the ethylene glycol,"
"But isn't antifreeze always colored—blue, pink, and other hues? Wouldn't it have been obvious if it was in my father's wine? If not from the color, then from the smell?" Audrey questioned.
"While antifreeze in its refined form is, as you say, colored and has a noticeable smell, ethylene glycol in its raw, unrefined state is odorless and mostly tasteless," the doctor explained.
"Mostly tasteless?" Audrey asked, her brow furrowing.
"There have been reports of it having a sweet taste when ingested, but that's all. I doubt anyone would detect it by taste, and it wouldn't discolor the wine," the doctor clarified.
"But... who would do this? Who would want to hurt my father?" Audrey asked, her voice trembling. "And will my father recover?"
"That... I cannot say. Ethylene glycol, as I've mentioned, is extremely toxic. While there have been rare cases of people surviving its ingestion, His Majesty consumed a large amount of the poison in its raw form. If we can prevent it from shutting down his key internal organs, then yes, he may recover. However, there's no guarantee he will ever walk or speak again," the doctor said solemnly.
"No…" Audrey whispered, burying herself in Savage's chest as tears streamed down her face once more.
"I am sorry, my love," Vandal said softly, wrapping his arms around her.
"Your Highness, please understand, we will do everything we can to help your father," the doctor assured.
Audrey nodded weakly.
"Until then, please try to get some rest," the doctor advised gently.
Audrey sniffled and stepped back. "I can't do that. There's too much to do,"
Vandal hesitated before speaking. "Audrey, as much as it pains me to say this, given the situation, I think it would be wise to call off the wedding—at least postpone it until your father is out of danger and can attend,"
"No, I can't do that," Audrey said firmly. She pushed herself away from Savage and walked to a stand where the royal scepter was on display. It was a replica of the one used for the coronation ceremony and had long been a tradition to be displayed in the King or Queen's quarters as a sign of authority.
She picked it up, holding it tightly in both hands, and turned to face Savage and the doctor.
"My father is ill. He may never recover. As princess, my duty is clear. I will assume the throne immediately," she declared. "Doctor, you will inform the council of my father's condition at once and of my decision," Her voice carried an undeniable tone of authority.
"At once, Your Highness," the doctor replied, bowing respectfully before quickly leaving the room.
Vandal lowered his head in a low, respectful bow to Audrey. "If you need anything, my queen, my counsel is at your service, as it was for your father," he promised.
"I do not require your counsel, Vandal," Audrey said in a tone harsher than usual.
"Excuse me?" Savage asked, clearly taken aback. He did not like that Audrey was beginning to defy his plans.
Audrey stepped closer, her gaze softening as she looked into his eyes.
"My father's poisoning will be a trying time for Kazna, and as the new queen, I must appear strong. The best way to reassure the people and prove that strength is to give them stability. What I need from you now is this: I must be crowned queen and marry immediately. The royal line must endure," Audrey said firmly.
Vandal smiled, regaining his composure. "If that is your wish, then it shall be," he said smoothly. "I will inform the council and the priest. I am only sorry your father cannot be there to see you become queen,"
"Me too," Audrey admitted, her voice tinged with sorrow. Then, trying to lighten the mood, she added, "But I'll make sure our guests take plenty of pictures to show him when he recovers,"
A playful smile danced across her face as she looked at Vandal. "Now, be gone from my sight! I need to get ready, and it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,"
Vandal chuckled, bowing low. "As you wish, my queen,"
With that, he turned and left the room, a small, triumphant smile curling at the corners of his lips.
Once he was outside, he passed by the royal guards and headed to an underground control room where Vox and various other Kaznians were working. He walked up to Vox and directed him to an office where they wouldn't be overheard.
"Good news, Vox. Everything is going according to plan. Audery wants to be crowned queen and wed immediately. Please wake our guests and inform them of the change in plans. Oh, and make sure you report that you found this in the Justice League's room. No need to actually plant it; just inform the guards and let them handle the rest," Savage said coldly, handing him a vial with a few drops of clear liquid in it. "We need our assassins to play their part, after all,"
"Wonder Woman has already left Kaznia," Vox pointed out. "It might be hard to blame her for this,"
"She came with someone, did she not? Besides, if we play our cards right, her early departure could be seen as an admission of guilt,"
"It will be done. It would also be wise to make a statement; otherwise, things might get out of control," Vox advised.
"Indeed. Tell the press that the king has had a stroke and that Princess Audery will be crowned queen at her wedding ceremony. That should keep the foolish populace distracted for a while," Savage said.
"I'll have a statement written up and sent to the press," Vox promised.
"Excellent. Now I must get ready. I'll leave the rest to you," Savage said as he turned toward the door, but he stopped. "Oh, and one more thing. Make sure the ones who find that vial report it to the princess immediately, and put our armed forces on standby. We can't have uninvited guests storming the castle,"
Vox smiled. He was going to have fun tonight.
Present Time
Alucard floated up by the castle wall, peeking into every window and every balcony, looking for the king's chambers. He needed to see the king for himself. Perhaps he could help. Wonder Woman had reported the king having a stroke, and then the royal guards had burst into his room. It was only thanks to his acute vampire hearing that he had forewarning of their arrival.
After listening to the guards, he knew he was on borrowed time. He had to find the king, make his own assessment, and then get to Audery. He didn't think it would be too hard to stop the wedding—especially if he had proof the king wasn't dead as the guards claimed. If it came to it, he could swoop the princess off her feet and carry her out into the night… literally. A royal kidnapping would definitely put any matrimonial plans on hold, especially if the bride wasn't there.
He passed a few more windows and landed on a larger balcony that overlooked the garden where the party had been held. Pressing his ear to the glass, he heard the sounds of beeping and some kind of machine. Curious, Alucard used a little magic to open the balcony doors and stepped inside.
The chamber was dark, with the only light coming from the life support and monitoring machine. However, it didn't bother Alucard at all. He walked closer to the bed and saw King Gustave lying on it, hooked up to the machines and lying still. His eyes conveyed fear as they stared ahead, unmoving.
Alucard stepped closer and looked over the man. He moved into the king's line of sight and gave a low bow.
"My sincerest apologies for the intrusion at this late hour, Your Majesty. However, I must examine you," he spoke respectfully, and when the king didn't react, Alucard walked up to his bedside.
He took off one of his gloves and put his hand on the king's forehead to feel his temperature. He focused his hearing on the king's heart and took several deep breaths. He frowned.
The king's temperature was under control, but his heart rate was slowing, and his internal blood flow was incredibly slow. Additionally, he smelled like he was dying slowly from the inside. And there was something else—something foul in his blood that Alucard couldn't identify.
Alucard reached down and picked up the king's hand in his still-gloved hand. He turned it over and raised a finger. Using a finger from his ungloved hand, a nail grew out, changing into a claw. "Again, you have my sincerest apologies, Your Majesty… I will face whatever punishment you deem necessary after," he said, pressing his clawed finger into the king's skin, allowing a small amount of blood to leak out.
Alucard stared at it. He really didn't like doing this—at all. However, time was of the essence, and he needed to know what was truly wrong with the king, and blood was the best way to do so. While he preferred to determine human health without this method, sometimes it was much more difficult.
"I'm not drinking it, it's just a test… I'm not drinking it, it's just a test," Alucard repeated to himself.
He immediately bent down and licked the blood off his finger. The second it touched his tongue, Alucard dropped the king's hand and recoiled, coughing and gagging. It wasn't the taste of human blood that repelled him. It was what was in it.
The blood contained a heavy dose of toxins and an insane amount of Vitamin K. No wonder the king's blood flow was slow. With the amount of toxins coursing through and the Vitamin K thickening it, it was preventing the toxins from being flushed out of his body. Any medicine he might have been given wasn't circulating. Without circulation, Alucard knew it was only a matter of time before all of the king's organs failed.
As the king was now, he wouldn't live through the night.
Alucard looked at the king with worry. He wondered if his doctors had done this on purpose or if this was yet another ploy. Either way, the king needed help—real help. Alucard glanced at the machines. Maybe if the king were in one of the medical tubes, he'd have a chance at surviving. However, Alucard had no way to get him to the Watchtower. Wonder Woman's protective charm was with her armor, and it was gone when he had gotten back to the room, so going via Castlevania was out. The League could send a Javelin or Green Lantern to pick the king up, but without express permission, it could be seen as an abduction by the League, and the guards—and potentially Audery—already saw them as the guilty party.
Alucard didn't know Kaznia personally—this was his first visit—but the princess had welcomed him and Wonder Woman into their home. He felt it was his duty to help the king.
Alucard remembered when he was in his younger teen years. His father, Dracula, had taught him about court etiquette—both human and vampire courts. When invited to another domain or court, if there was a crisis, he was to offer his aid. As a guest, it was the least he could do after being welcomed into another's home; this was especially true if he was invited personally by someone of equal or higher standing.
While no vampire or other creature of the night held more authority than Dracula, the vampire king had, on at least four occasions, offered his personal aid and counsel to those who had invited him and his family into their homes—regardless of whether they were lowly human peasants or vampire lords. The principle remained the same.
Alucard straightened, glancing back at the king's body on the bed. What had happened here wasn't simply a matter of bad medicine or neglect; it was deliberate. Someone wanted King Gustave dead and went to great lengths to make it look like natural causes. This wasn't some random attempt on the king's life. Whoever was behind this had planned it meticulously, likely for a long time.
Alucard brought his hand to his chin, trying to think of possible culprits. Only one name sprang to mind—Vandal Savage. However, he didn't have proof that this was the same Vandal Savage the League had faced during World War II in an alternate timeline. This Savage had claimed to be the great-grandson of the infamous tyrant, and Alucard himself had confirmed that the man was completely human. While Savage's engagement to the princess provided a potential motive for wanting the king dead, Alucard had no definitive reason to believe him guilty.
After all, the king was getting on in years. During the tour, Audery herself had said her father planned to step down in a few years, after she had children of her own. He wanted her to become queen to bring more modern ideas to the kingdom, so he could spend time with his grandchildren and enjoy a peaceful retirement.
If Savage were behind this simply for the power of being the queen's consort, there would be no need to kill Gustave. The king would willingly hand him and Audery the throne in a few years. Which begged the question—if Savage was the mastermind, why poison a man who would give him everything willingly? And if Savage wasn't responsible, then who was the mastermind, and why target the royal family?
Alucard didn't have an answer to any of these questions. However, he did have three priorities.
First, the king needed to survive. His testimony could later expose whoever was behind this plot. Even if the king himself didn't know the perpetrator's identity, merely being alive would foil the scheme and possibly draw out the mastermind to try again. This was easier said than done, given the king's current condition.
Second, Alucard had to gather evidence to prove that he and Wonder Woman were not involved. Wonder Woman had left long before the king had been poisoned, and he himself hadn't gone near the king except for a passing conversation at the party. Yet, judging by how the guards had reacted, Alucard suspected that some kind of incriminating evidence had conveniently turned up to frame them both.
This could be rectified if the king survived to give his side of the story. There was also the odd smell Alucard had thought he imagined when passing a maid carrying a goblet of wine earlier. It was worth investigating further.
Finally, the third and most pressing priority was to figure out how to get to Princess Audery before the wedding ceremony. This would be the most difficult task. Due to the king's condition, the princess had advanced her wedding, which would also serve as her coronation. The castle was now swarming with guards—loyal to either Audery or whoever had orchestrated this coup. They would not hesitate to raise the alarm at the sight of him.
While Alucard could dispatch the guards if needed and had no trouble moving unseen, it was clear that whoever was behind this coup might have already spun a story to turn the princess against him and Wonder Woman. There was also no guarantee that Audery herself wasn't a target. She was the only heir to Gustave. If the king were out of the way, and if Savage wasn't the mastermind, then would the real conspirator take her life as well once she became queen? Or did they want her to be queen precisely because she could be manipulated—a puppet ruler?
Neither option was ideal, but the latter seemed more likely. Audery was young, headstrong, and viewed her royal duties as little more than a chore. A queen like that would be easy to manipulate. Still, Alucard struggled to see why anyone would want control of Kaznia. It was a closed-off country until the last decade, with its primary strength being its space program dedicated to studying and mining passing meteors. Hardly a kingdom worth taking over when the rest of the world was more advanced in space exploration, and alien beings openly engaged with humanity.
Which brought Alucard back to the question: Why Kaznia?
Alucard looked back at the king, his golden eyes narrowing. The foul toxin in his blood wasn't something that could be purged with a simple antidote. Perhaps more modern technology could save him, but removing him from life support would not guarantee he'd survive the trip to another hospital or the Watchtower.
Alucard wished he could use healing magic, but that was biologically impossible for him. The king didn't have time for him to study the poison in hopes of creating an antidote, even with the spirit of Dracula guiding him.
Alucard knew that if he did nothing, the king's life would slip away before the night was over. But at the same time, no option currently available to him seemed viable. Calling the League was out—it would be a major crime if they took the king away without permission. It would also leave Audery unprotected. Taking the king to the Watchtower via Castlevania was impossible, without a protective charm the castle itself would kill him instantly.
Alucard moved back to the king's bedside, lowering himself beside the bed with a sigh. He had to make a choice.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I cannot help you," he murmured. "I will speak to your daughter. If she allows, I will take you somewhere you can be healed,"
He stood and moved towards the door, he didn't hear anyone on the other side. There was no time to waste. If he was to stop this madness, Audery was the only one in a position to do so. He glanced over his shoulder at the king one final time before rushing out the door.
Alucard dashed through the royal palace. He didn't care if anyone saw him—he needed to find Audery. He had an idea of where her chambers were, as she had led both him and Wonder Woman to them during the tour earlier. However, navigating there from the king's quarters proved difficult. He was only moving through the interior of the palace because he wasn't sure he'd be able to find Audery by flying outside. Hopefully, he could reach her before she left for the ceremony.
As he ran through the halls, groups of guards predictably reacted to his presence. However, tapping into his vampire powers made bypassing them easy. Whether by moving faster than they could see, maneuvering past them, or flying overhead to avoid a blockade, Alucard ensured he stayed ahead of them. He didn't want to hurt anyone if he could avoid it, and so far, he had. Of course, the guards chased him and opened fire, but he was too quick.
He prayed Audery would listen to him. Otherwise, the king would not live to see sunrise.
Soon, he found a familiar path he had been shown earlier and followed it down more recognizable hallways. He rounded one final corner, and at the end of the hall were the familiar doors that led to Audery's chambers. He burst through them.
"Audery!" he cried out, only to be met with a room filled with guards, their weapons raised and pointed directly at him. Alucard narrowed his eyes. There was no sign of the princess. A sound behind him made him glance over his shoulder. The guards he had bypassed earlier had finally caught up, drawing their own weapons.
Alucard turned his attention back to the room in front of him as a man stepped forward. Judging by his uniform, Alucard assumed he was the captain of the royal guard.
"Tell your men to lower their weapons, walk away, and none of you will get hurt," Alucard said calmly.
"You are under arrest for the attempted murder of King Gustave," the captain declared. "You will surrender and be taken into custody, where you will be tried and held accountable for your crimes. If you do not comply, you will be executed immediately. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"Last chance," Alucard responded.
The captain narrowed his eyes and stepped closer until he stood face-to-face with Alucard.
"You think you can take us all out? You're just like all the rest—looking down on us because Kaznia is a small country. You think you can kill our king and get away with it because the rest of the world sees you as a hero? Well, you can't. You're in Kaznia now, and our laws apply even to freaks like you,"
The captain turned back to his troops. "On my command, open fire. Kill this outsider in the name of Kaznia,"
"Sir," a female guard interjected. Both Alucard and the captain turned to look at her. "Kaznia law states that only a member of the royal family can order an execution unless it is wartime and executive power has been granted,"
"Your point?" the captain asked.
"We are not at war, and this is not only a personal guest of Her Royal Highness Princess Audery, but also a member of the Justice League. We cannot carry out this execution without direct orders from the royal family," the guard explained.
"You are correct," the captain replied, his tone dripping with disdain. "However, my orders come directly from King Savage the First,"
Alucard narrowed his eyes. Those four words told him everything he needed to know.
"As such, the order to execute this criminal is lawful and legal. Now take aim and—"
"But Lord Savage can't—"
Alucard leaped into the air, and every gun in the room instantly trained on him.
"Fire!" the captain bellowed.
The sound of gunfire echoed throughout the hall. Lights shattered, and shards of glass rained down as bullets riddled the ceiling. When the shooting ceased, there was no trace of Alucard. Countless bullet holes marred the ceiling, but their target was nowhere to be found.
"What the… where'd he…" the captain stammered in bewilderment.
"You missed," Alucard voice came from behind.
The captain barely had time to react as Alucard surged forward, a blur of motion as he slammed the man against the wall. The captain's eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching as Alucard held him in place with one hand wrapped around his throat.
"You should have walked away," Alucard said, his voice low, calm, and carrying the weight of a predator toying with his prey. Without hesitation, he hurled the captain aside with effortless strength, sending him crashing into a nearby table, which exploded into splinters under the impact.
"Take him down!" the captain managed to shout through his groans of pain, and chaos erupted.
Bullets tore through the air, but Alucard moved faster than the guards could react. His form darted through the gunfire like a phantom, weaving between shots as though he could predict their trajectories. He closed the distance to one guard in an instant, a single blow to the chest sending the man hurtling backward into the crowd, toppling several others like dominos.
Realizing the futility of their firearms, the guards discarded their rifles in favor of melee weapons—knives, clubs, and fists. They surged toward Alucard en masse, hoping that sheer numbers would tip the scales.
The first to engage lunged with his blade, but Alucard sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his hand snapping out to seize the man's wrist. A sharp twist forced the weapon to clatter to the ground, and a brutal kick to the chest sent the guard sprawling. Another came from behind, attempting to tackle Alucard, but the vampire turned fluidly, gripping the attacker by his collar and using the man's own momentum to hurl him overhead. The guard landed hard on the ground, gasping for air as Alucard spun to meet the next threat.
A trio of guards rushed him from the left, desperation driving their charge. Alucard ducked under a wide swing, driving his elbow into one man's ribs with bone-crushing force. The guard crumpled with a wheeze. The second swung a club, but Alucard caught it mid-strike, yanking it free and tossing it aside. A sharp uppercut to the man's jaw followed, dropping him instantly. The third hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes, but Alucard was merciless—he swept the guard's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the floor.
Reinforcements began to arrive, their boots echoing down the corridor. One guard thrust a spear at Alucard, the weapon's tip coming dangerously close to his chest, but he pivoted at the last second. Grabbing the spear's shaft, he yanked it from the man's grip and broke it in half over his knee. The soldier barely had time to comprehend his loss before Alucard's fist drove into his stomach, folding him like a rag doll.
The guards' attacks grew increasingly frantic, their desperation palpable. A few tried to form a perimeter, hoping to corner him, but Alucard's inhuman agility rendered their efforts futile. He leaped over one man's outstretched arms, landing behind him and delivering a devastating roundhouse kick that sent the guard crashing into two others. Another guard tried to grab him from behind, but Alucard threw his head back in a brutal headbutt, the impact sending the would-be attacker reeling.
Despite his ferocity, Alucard showed restraint. His strikes incapacitated but did not kill, his control as precise as a scalpel. Every groan, every unconscious body littering the floor was a testament to his mastery of combat.
One trembling guard managed to lift his rifle and fire. The bullet grazed Alucard's cheek, leaving a faint streak of blood. The vampire stopped, turning his gaze on the shooter. His golden eyes glowed with predatory intensity as the graze healed over almost instantly. The guard froze, his breath catching in his throat. Paralyzed by fear, the man dropped his weapon and fell to his knees as Alucard stalked toward him.
"Please… please don't kill me," the guard begged, his voice trembling.
Alucard said nothing. He delivered a sharp blow to the back of the man's neck, and the guard collapsed like a sack of flour. With the room now filled with groaning or unconscious guards, Alucard turned his attention back to the captain, who was struggling to rise from the wreckage of the shattered table.
The captain barely had time to react as Alucard surged forward, his movements a blur. With unrelenting force, Alucard slammed the man's head against the remnants of the table, knocking him unconscious. Standing upright, Alucard brushed the dust off his coat, his ears pricking at the soft click of a gun being cocked behind him.
"Freeze. Don't move," came a trembling voice.
Alucard turned slowly to face the female guard who had spoken up earlier. She was the only one left standing, her weapon shakily aimed at him. Fear was evident in her wide eyes, but her stance showed she was determined not to back down.
"I just brought down an entire room full of your comrades," Alucard said, his tone calm and cutting. "And yet, you still point that at me. What makes you think I'll spare you?"
The woman swallowed hard but didn't lower her weapon. "I… I don't," she admitted, her voice quivering. "But you didn't attack me. Not once. Even with all your power, you didn't lay a hand on me. I know I can't beat you, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Justice League. So… so just surrender, and I'll do everything I can to speak on your behalf,"
Alucard studied her intently, his golden eyes narrowing. Then, he smirked, his sharp fangs glinting faintly in the dim light. "Tell me your name,"
"Private Elara Draymond," she said after a moment's hesitation.
"Elara," Alucard repeated, as though testing the sound of it on his tongue. The smirk faded, replaced by an expression of cold calculation. "You have courage. Foolish, but admirable,"
"I'm just doing my duty," she replied, her voice firming slightly. "You think I'm afraid to die? I swore an oath to protect Kazina and its people. If standing here against you means keeping that oath, then so be it,"
Alucard tilted his head, intrigued. "And why do you believe you'll die, Elara?"
Her grip on the gun tightened. "You took out all of my comrades,"
Alucard glanced around at the unconscious guards scattered across the room. "They're not dead," he assured her. "A few fractures, maybe a broken jaw or nose. The worst of it will be a concussion for your captain when he wakes. Nothing that proper medical care and time won't heal,"
He returned his gaze to her, his tone growing colder. "If I wanted any of you dead, you would be. Understand that,"
Somehow, Elara believed him. Her throat tightened as she forced herself to steady her breathing. "I… I still have to take you in," she said, her voice wavering but no longer breaking.
"As a prisoner," Alucard mused. "Not for execution?"
Elara nodded firmly. "As I said earlier, executions can only be carried out on the direct orders of Kazina's ruler—unless we're at war. Please, if you resist any further, it could spark a major diplomatic incident,"
Alucard's gaze flicked back to the captain sprawled amidst the wreckage, then to the other unconscious guards. He weighed his options for a moment, his expression unreadable. Elara thought for a fleeting second that he might actually consider surrendering.
"Three questions," Alucard said abruptly.
Elara blinked. "What?"
"Answer me three questions," Alucard repeated, "and I will comply,"
Caught off guard, Elara hesitated before nodding. "Fine. Ask your questions,"
Alucard stepped closer, his imposing figure looming over her, though he made no hostile movements. "First," he began, "who told you I was the assassin?"
"The captain said Commander Vox found evidence of the poison in your possession… and Wonder Woman's," Elara answered hesitantly, lowering her weapon slightly.
"I see," Alucard muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Second question. Did Audery order my detainment or execution?"
"She didn't," Elara replied firmly. "It was Lord Savage who issued the execution order… if what the captain said is true,"
"Savage," Alucard echoed, his lips curling in disdain. "And yet you stand here, choosing detainment over his order to kill. Interesting," He paused before asking his final question. "Last question, where does your loyalty truly lie?"
Elara frowned, confused. "I don't understand,"
"In my experience," Alucard said, his voice low and deliberate, "should a king be absent or unfit to rule, their full authority falls to their successor—those of the royal bloodline. Yet you follow the orders of Vandal Savage, who is no kin to the throne. So, I ask again: where does your loyalty lie?"
Her expression hardened. "It has always been with Kazina and its royal family,"
Alucard studied her, then nodded approvingly. "You may yet prove useful," he remarked. Taking a deliberate step forward, he saw her raise the gun again, her finger hovering near the trigger. He didn't flinch.
"Very well," Alucard said at last, raising his hands. "I surrender,"
Elara blinked, stunned. "Wait… what?"
"You heard me. I surrender," Alucard said, his tone almost amused. ""I'll comply. You win. I confess to my crimes and submit myself to Princess Audery's mercy,"
"Um…" Elara hesitated, her thoughts racing. "Actually, it's Queen Audery now,"
Alucard's expression shifted to one of sharp alarm. "Queen? Has she been coronated already?"
"Yes," Elara confirmed, her tone uneasy. "The coronation was thirty minutes ago. She's at the chapel now… getting married as we speak,"
Alucard's golden eyes flared with urgency. "Then we have no time to waste," He turned and strode toward the door with purpose.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Elara demanded, stepping forward to block his path. "You can't just surrender and then leave!"
Alucard stopped mid-stride, he looked at her with a faintly amused glint in his eyes. "Leave?" he echoed, his tone light, almost teasing. "I am not leaving. After all, you are escorting me to the Queen to face judgment for my crimes are you not?
Elara blinked, caught off guard by his sudden change in demeanour. "That's not…" she started, but her words faltered as Alucard continued, his voice laced with mock innocence.
"Unless…you believe that the assassin who allegedly poisoned King Gustave and single-handedly dismantled what I assume to be most of the royal guard is not worth the Queen's immediate attention?" he added smoothly.
Her lips pressed together tightly. He was right—this wasn't a situation she could delay, not with what was at stake. Yet the way he framed it made it impossible to argue without undermining her own duty.
Alucard frowned at the Elara's hesitation. "If you need more of a reason to bring me to the Queen, I could commit a bit of vandalism…or perhaps I could commit theft?" he added "I am sure the royal treasury will be unguarded now. Could you point me in the direction of the palaces vaults,"
"Are…are you serious?" Elara asked. She honestly couldn't tell if he was mocking her or not.
"Don't worry, I won't take anything too valuable…Just enough to strengthen my case for being brought before Her Majesty without delay," Alucard promised.
Elara glared at him for a moment, her resolve hardening and she let out a frustrated sigh.
"Fine," she said, her voice sharp and she raised her rifle. "But don't think for a moment I'm taking my weapon off you, you try something and I'll fill your back with holes,"
"I would expect nothing less," Alucard said. However from his tone Elara got the feeling he wasn't phased by the threat at all.
Elara tightened her grip on her rifle, her gaze steady and unyielding. "Move ahead of me, slowly," she ordered, motioning for Alucard to take the lead.
"As you wish," Alucard replied smoothly, his tone calm as he turned and walked out the door.
Elara followed close behind, keeping the barrel of her rifle pressed firmly against his back. Every step felt measured, as if the air between them was weighed down by her wariness and his unnerving composure.
"I trust you will guide me," Alucard said, breaking the silence as they walked down the ornate palace corridor. "After all, I do not know where I'm going,"
"I will," Elara replied curtly, her voice clipped. "We'll have to go down a few levels to get there,"
"Is there a faster way?" Alucard asked, glancing over his shoulder with a faint, amused smile.
"Not from this floor," Elara claimed without hesitation.
"I see…" Alucard's gaze lingered ahead, his tone casual. After a beat of silence, he asked, "Tell me, Elara, how long have you been a guard?"
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring. "Why do you care?" she shot back, her voice sharp and guarded.
"I am simply curious," Alucard said, his tone light and conversational. If her hostility fazed him, he gave no sign of it.
Elara hesitated, debating whether she should even entertain his questions. "Two years," she eventually answered, her voice tinged with reluctance. "I joined the Queen's Guard when I was old enough,"
"Did you always want to be a soldier?"
"No," she said bluntly, her jaw tightening. "But what we want out of life and what we get are different,"
"Then why become a guard?" Alucard asked, keeping his eyes forward.
"Why all the questions?" Elara retorted, her tone sharper this time, irritation seeping through.
"You intrigue me," Alucard replied smoothly, his words gliding through the air like a blade. "Few would question orders the way you did back there. Fewer still would dare to detain an alleged assassin instead of following a direct execution order,"
Elara's grip on her rifle tightened, her jaw clenching. "I'm just following the law, that's all," she said, her tone firm but defensive.
"And your admiration for the Justice League had no influence on your decision?" Alucard pressed, his golden eyes glinting with amusement.
Her stance stiffened, and she jabbed the rifle harder into his back. "No more talking. Just walk," she ordered coldly.
Alucard smirked faintly but complied, falling silent as they continued down the long hallway. The tension between them simmered, but for the moment, it seemed contained. However, as they passed by a grand window overlooking the palace grounds, Alucard's steps faltered. His gaze snapped toward the glass, his eyes widening.
"What are you doing? Keep moving!" Elara barked.
But before she could say more, Alucard whirled around, his expression grim. "Get down!" he warned sharply, and before Elara could process his words, he tackled her to the ground, covering her with his body.
"What the—!" she began to protest, but her words were drowned out by the deafening sound of shattering glass. Bullets tore through the windows above them, spraying shards across the hallway. The barrage lasted mere seconds, but the destruction it left behind was overwhelming.
When the chaos subsided, Elara shoved him off her, scrambling to her feet. "What the hell was that?" she demanded, her breath coming in quick, sharp bursts.
Both she and Alucard turned their attention to the window, peering outside. Her heart stopped for a moment as she took in the scene: several jets were engaged in a furious dogfight with the Batwing and—of all people—Wonder Woman. The Amazon warrior was wielding a tank as though it weighed nothing, swinging it around, swatting jets out of the sky like flies.
"Is that Wonder Woman? What's she doing with that tank?" Elara shouted, incredulous.
She got her answer as Wonder Woman hurled the tank with terrifying force, sending it crashing through the base of the palace. The walls shuddered violently under the impact, and debris rained down as a deafening rumble filled the air. Elara's footing wavered as she steadied herself against the tremors.
"She… She just threw a tank through the wall!" Elara shouted, her voice rising with disbelief. "What the hell are they thinking?!"
Alucard's gaze didn't leave the scene outside. His sharp eyes caught the Batwing launching a pair of missiles, one of which struck a jet, blowing its wing clean off. The crippled aircraft spiralled out of control, plummeting directly toward the palace.
"Move!" Alucard barked, grabbing Elara and carrying her bridal style. Before she could protest, he sped across the hallway in a crimson blur, taking her with him to the far end. The sound of the crash was deafening, the impact shaking the ground beneath their feet as the jet slammed into the palace, embedding itself in the wall.
Elara stared at the spot they had just been in, and the wreckage, staring in stunned silence at the burning remains of the jet that now protruded from the palace wall. Flames licked at the edges of the broken stone, smoke curling into the air.
"What the hell is going on?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alucard remained silent, his gaze fixed on the wreckage, his eyes turned to the chaos unfolding outside following the Batwing. He had no answer for her but knew who to ask.