A/N: Thank you all for the lovely favs/follows/and reviews! I love them all and you all so much!
And HOLY SHIT! I'm so sorry for the delay in updating! I was swamped in projects, studying, and personal problems!
But here is the next chapter! I hope you all enjoy it!
I welcome all new and returning readers!
Please enjoy this new chapter! :D
The bells from the old Szentendre tower boomed across the sky, and all was still as the foreboding melody blanketed the town.
But as the bells' song diminished, a new 'song' took its place: the whispers and screams of Alucard's familiars.
Black tendrils and sheets of red eyes swept through the entire town, wrapping themselves around every wall and slinking through every crevice. And, standing at the heart of it all in town square, was Baskerville and Alucard in his Level One Release Form.
His long, black hair floated around his face, resulting in his glowing eyes and furious expression to appear all the more frightening.
No mere human or run-of-the-mill vampire could've taken Olivia without his knowledge, so that meant whatever took her was strong enough to slip underneath his senses and block Olivia from his sight.
Normally, Alucard would be ecstatic to find something worth the fight and would've toyed around with them before unlocking one of his seals, but he wasn't in the mood for games.
No, the fearsome No Life King was out for blood.
"Find Olivia." Alucard ordered, glaring down at Baskerville who bared his teeth in acknowledgement. "And drag the piece of shit who took her back here. I intend to educate them on what happens when they take what is mine."
"What a ferocious dog you are!" A voice guffawed from behind him and Alucard whirled around to find a man whose body was crafted from silver and blood. "I still don't understand why My Lady thinks so fondly of you." Then he scoffed and shrugged. "Of course, I don't understand why she cares for any of you bloodthirsty heathens—."
The man was pinned against the ground by his neck in a matter of seconds with Alucard and his shadows hovering above him.
"And who the hell are you?" Alucard snarled, his fangs bared and his eyes neon red. "Are you the vermin who took Olivia? You're brave to show your face to me so casually."
"I have no reason to fear you, Alucard." The man chuckled, the silver side of his face cracking from Alucard's death grip. "And I have done nothing but follow Olivia's will. You of all monstrosities should know what it means to be a slave to its master's wishes."
Alucard's eyes widened a fraction of an inch as he realized who the man beneath him was.
"You're her bow."
"Yes, I am Sic Parvis Magna. Please to meet your acquaintance, Vampire King."
But the declaration only made Alucard's grip tightened, and he leaned in close, his fangs grazing Sic Parvis Magna's bloody neck.
"If you are her weapon, then you should know the duty of a servant to its master: to ensure their safety above all. You have failed your Master by not protect—!"
"She made a wish before the full moon—before God—to see her loved ones again!" Sic Parvis Magna interjected, all traces of humor wiped from his face. "A wish—a desire!—to have a chance to see her family without war or duty blocking her way. My Lady even gave her own blood as an offering, so, what else could I do but obey?"
"Get to the point!" Sic Parvis Magna's silver eye caved in when Alucard slammed him further into the cobblestone. "Where is Olivia?!"
"Where else?" He gave an airy laugh. "She has gone to see her family in the beyond. Yes, it seems God has finally granted My Lady mercy….or maybe something else did. There are far more sinister things lurking in the night, preying on those 'vulnerable humans'." Sic Parvis Magna shot Alucard an acrimonious glare before he continued on. "Of course, you would know all about that, wouldn't you, Vampire King?"
Then, before Alucard could even muster a response, the moon became crimson red and blood rained from the sky as the ground opened up beneath them and thick briars shot out of the crevices, engulfing all of Szentendre.
"What the—?!"
"And so it begins." Sic Parvis Magna chuckled, sticking his tongue out to catch the blood drops. "My Lady has finally made it to the other side."
This had to be a dream.
After all, only a dream could be this cruel to allow Olivia to stand before Martha, who was hovering above her with all the radiance and beauty she had in her mortal life.
"Martha?!" Olivia choked back a sob, her hands covering her mouth. "Is it really you?! Or is God playing another trick on me?!"
"No tricks, Olivia." Martha chuckled, clasping her hands together like she used to. "It's me. I've come to see you, just as you wished. And, look," She pointed behind Olivia. "I brought others with me."
"Oh God….." Olivia uttered, slowly turning around to find Julia, her little brothers, and her parents hovering above her. "Oh God….!" Tears poured down her awestruck face as she reached her quivering arms out towards them. "Th-This can't be real! This has to be a trick! After all these years, God wouldn't grant me mercy so easily!" Olivia's throat closed up when her family smiled at her, and she allowed her tears to blind her as she whispered, "Please tell me this is real."
In response, her parents nodded and held their arms out to her.
"We are here, lányom."
And that was all Olivia needed to breakdown completely.
Who gave a fuck if this was a dream or not?
They were here.
Her parents, her brothers, Martha, Julia, everyone she had loved and lost were all in reach and welcoming her with open arms.
They were here.
They were here…..!
"ANYA! APA!" Olivia frantically swam towards them through the darkness, her heart about to burst out of her chest. "AKOS! MARK! JULIA! MARTHA! YOU'RE HERE! YOU'RE HERE! OH GOD, YOU ARE HERE!"
She was almost there.
They were in arm's reach.
She could finally touch them.
She could finally ask for—.
"Oh, Olivia" Martha sighed in her ear, yanking her back by her hair just as her fingers grazed her mother's hand. "What makes you think you are worthy of forgiveness?"
"Wha—?" Blood flooded Olivia's mouth as Martha stabbed her hand through her chest, slicing clean through her ribs and to her heart.
Addled and petrified, Olivia craned her head back to find briars jutting from the hole in Martha's face, but she didn't have time to react as the arms of Julia, her brothers, and her parents sliced through her chest, neck, and abdomen.
"You left me to die." Martha's voice became distorted and she twisted her arm inside Olivia's chest, drawing more blood and screams from her mouth. "You let that man kill me and violate my corpse! Why weren't you there to protect me?!"
"Martha, I—!"
"We told you to stay inside the house!" Her mother screeched, briars and blood dripping from her eye sockets. "Why did you disobey us?! Why weren't you there?! Why did you turn your back on your family?!"
"Anya, plea—!"
"You should have died with us!" Briars tore out from her father's chest and blood leaked from his ears. "How dare you live while we rot in the dirt!"
"Apa, no, I—!"
"You said you would protect us, Big Sister!" Akos and Mark cried, their bodies drenched in blood with briars ensnaring their tiny limbs. "Why did you leave us behind?!"
"I didn't mean—!"
"You let me die and took my baby from me!" Julia's abdomen was saturated with blood and covered in briars. "I wanted to live with my baby and you took that from me! I trusted you with my life and you let me die!"
"I'm sorry! It's my fault! I—!"
Then, from up above, came a voice that was both foreign and familiar and their words hammered the final nail into Olivia's heart.
"You have nothing left! No evidence of a past and no promises of a future! All you ever will be is an inadequate soldier with the blood of the innocent on her hands! Why weren't you there to protect anyone?! Why did you let them die?! It's all your fault! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
And with those words, all of Olivia's loved ones faded to blood and ash, leaving her body to plummet into the growing sea of blood below.
Olivia felt nothing as her body plunged into the sea, and she didn't bother to struggle when briars wrapped around her limbs and dragged her deeper into the abyss.
There she was, drowning in the blood of all the people she had killed, and as blood filled her lungs and her vision faded out, these words spilled from her lips:
'Everything I did….everything I became….was for them…but….it was all for nothing …..I have nothing….I am nothing but a monster who killed the people I cherish…and monsters like me…..don't deserve to be forgiven.'
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Alucard stood tall and dangled Sic Parvis Magna by the throat, his body becoming a mass of black shadow as the briers consumed Szentendre like a monstrous parasite. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?! WHAT IS HAPPENING?! ANSWER ME!"
"My Lady wants forgiveness." Sic Parvis Magna declared, his fractured face beginning to reform. "But it won't be easy to obtain it. After all, the worst monsters haunt our hearts. If she wants to be free, she will have to finally confront her demons instead of suppressing them." Sic Parvis Magna pointed up to the sky. "Why do you think the moon is crying blood?! Why do you think there are briars consuming the town?! And why do you think no one has come running out of their house, screaming for their lives?! You really want to know where My Lady is?! Well, let me tell you." He spread his arms out wide and laughed. "She is right here, in the ground, the walls, and the air. You have been with her all along! Olivia was once in your subconscious right? Well, now you are in hers. Consider it the consequence of spilling blood in the No Life King's coffin."
"Are you saying," Alucard drew Sic Parvis Magna in close, his appearance becoming more animal-like by the second, "we are inside Olivia's mind?"
It was then he realized the briars and sea of blood were from Olivia's nightmares and, embedded within the madness, he could hear her crying.
"That is correct, Vampire King." Sic Parvis Magna stuck out his tongue again. "The human heart can defy even the mightiest of deities if pushed to the breaking point. Her agony and self-hatred is so great that it has consumed herself, the entire town and the great Vampire King himself." He laughed but was cut off by Alucard decking him in the face, sending him barreling through the wishing fountain and five concrete buildings.
"How dare you laugh while your master is in peril?!" Alucard seethed, sending Baskerville out to drag him back. "You are not worthy to stand beside her, let alone be her weapon!"
"I haven't been her weapon for a long time, Vampire King" Sic Parvis Magna chuckled humorlessly as Baskerville dumped his mangled form back in front of its master, half of his face completely disintegrated and his head snapped backwards. "My Lady hasn't used me since that night in the palace gardens, and what good is a weapon without a willing master to wield it?" He twisted his head back into place, and his bloody half began to repair his silver half. "Don't speak of what you don't understand, Vampire King. I love My Lady more than anything. That is why I have I to let her face her fears and hatred head on so she can finally have the peace she has been chasing for God knows how long." Then, he grabbed Alucard by the front of his leather suit and drew him in close, whispering in an irate tone. "You have told My Lady that you love her for her humanity and her strong will. But it is simpler than that, isn't it? You told your familiars you intended to punish Olivia's captor since they 'took what was yours'. Never have I heard you be so possessive about My Lady. Care to explain yourself?"
"I don't need to explain myself to the likes of you!" Alucard transformed his right hand into a massive claw and pinned Sic Parvis Magna against a wall of briars. "If you aren't going to save Olivia, then why are you here?! Is taunting me how you express your loyalty?!"
"I am trying to save My Lady, but I can only help if she allows it!" He fired back, his blood side boiling. "I am the weapon that brought about the death of thousands and a symbol of My Lady's servitude! There is nothing I can do for her, but you—you! You are a disgusting, vile monster, yet, for some reason, My Lady loves you! But you can't even see her with your third eye! How can I trust you with Lady Olivia's heart if you can't find her when she is most vulnerable?! How do I know your 'love' for My Lady is true? Heh, I guess your love must have limits since you can't—!"
Sic Parvis Magna's head exploded into ash and blood as Alucard shove the barrel of his pistol into his mouth and fired, his breathing and gaze like a crazed animal.
"You dare question my feelings?!" He hissed, watching his corpse crumble into the growing lake below. "You dare imply my feelings for Olivia are nothing but a passing fancy?!" Alucard bent down and hoisted Sic Parvis Magna up by the front of his hanbok. "And you dare keep her from me because you think I'm unworthy?! Olivia's bow or not, I'll tear you to fucking pieces for such an insult. Now, tell me, where is she?!"
"Heh, you really are like a vicious dog." Sic Parvis Magna's reforming head chuckled weakly. "Answer my question then, Vampire King, what does My Lady mean to you?"
Suddenly, memories from long ago invaded Alucard's senses and his grip loosened slightly.
"You are nothing but a disappointment, hiding behind your mother and crying over trivial things." His father eyed him from head to toe with a look of utter disgust. "Nothing but a disappointment."
"Your own father sold you to me." The Sultan laughed, ripping at Vlad's clothing and shoving his face against the mattress. "You are neither a prince nor an heir to a throne. Here, you are nothing."
"You are sentenced to death, Vlad Dracul!" The executioner bellowed, forcing Vlad onto his knees with an axe in hand. "In your legacy, you will be remembered as nothing more than a mad king who drove his country to ruin. A just end for a ruler of a kingdom of nothing."
"Your castles have plundered, your dominions in ruin, your servants destroyed, and the girl has fled this place forever more." Abraham Van Helsing hovered above him, a blessed stake in his hand and his boot on Alucard's bloodied chest. "She will never be yours, Count. You have nothing. You are nothing. Nothing!"
Then, like a light at the end of a tunnel, Olivia's face broke through the nightmares and Alucard's gaze softened—something Sic Parvis Magna noticed with reluctance.
"My name is Olivia Emese Song. What is yours?"/"You have really pretty eyes, Mr. Alucard."/"I just don't want you locked away by yourself. You are my family, Mr. Alucard…."/"How could they do that to you? You were just a little boy...and they….they…! I'm sorry, Vlad! I'm so sorry!"/"You may have been a prince, a tyrant, and a count, but to me, you are just Alucard and despite everything, I still love you all the same."/"This time….I won't let go of your hand. So, please, don't let go of mine."/"You are here, not there. You are herewith me, in my arms. As long as you are in my arms, you are free."/"You are free, Vlad.I'm not letting go of you. I'm staying right here."/"What kind of wife would I be if I kicked my husband out of bed?"/"Humans cannot fly, but if you will let me, I can be your wings like how you are mine."/"Have I told you today how much I love you?"/"That is how you kiss someone, old man."
"I love you."
"My king."
"My husband."
"My Alucard."
"I love you."
"You ask me what Olivia means to me," He mumbled under his breath, a smile gracing his face. "The correct question is 'what doesn't she mean to me?'. She chose me…she wanted me…and I will never let her go." The fire returned to Alucard's eyes, and Sic Parvis Magna noticed the flames were stronger than before. "I will never let anyone take her away from me. Olivia is mine, and I am hers. And not even God, the Devil, or you will keep me from finding her."
*Ba-bump*
*Ba-bump*
Alucard gasped as he heard the faint thump of a heartbeat in the distance, his death grip slacking with every beat.
'Could it be….?'
"You finally hear it," Sic Parvis Magna whispered, his face worn and ragged. "My Lady's heart."
Looking a starving man before an oasis, Alucard silently tossed him to the side and charged forward, retracting Baskerville and his shadows back into his form and ripping briars out of his path like a mad man.
"Dammit, he really loves her after all," Sic Parvis Magna stared up at the blood moon and smiled weakly, resignation etched across his face. "I guess…I have no choice but to leave My Lady's heart in your hands, Vlad Dracul."
The blood had risen up to his knees and the briars attempted to ensnare him into their web, but Alucard fought them off, never losing sight of his destination.
The location of Olivia's happiest memories—The Szentendre Opera House.
"Olivia…!" He tore at a handful of briars only for more to take their place, each batch thicker and sharper than the previous. "OLIVIA!" The briars swirled around him and embedded their thorns into his skin yet he never relented, ripping the briars from their roots and screaming her name.
"OLIVIA!"
The darkness swirled around her, and Olivia's lungs were almost filled with blood.
Perhaps this was a fitting end for her.
Perhaps this was for the best.
Perhaps—.
Olivia's eyes shot open when a hand flung out of the darkness and smacked her hard across the face, leaving an angry red handprint on her cheek.
"What the—?!"
"So, this is it?" The owner of the hand taunted. "All of that big talk about 'not letting your past cloud your future' and this is what you do? C'mon, Olivia, you are better than that!"
'What do you know?' Olivia winced, her cheek singing. 'I have tried to be hopeful but no matter what I do, the cycle keeps repeating. So what is the point anymore?'
"What did you think was going to happen when you became a soldier? Why did you become one in the first place if it only causes you pain?'
'I wanted to avenge my family and pay for my sins. And…I wanted to protect others from the same fate.' Olivia's vison began to cloud over again. 'But, I failed. I murdered innocent people out of anger and I couldn't protect those placed in my care. I am not wort—."
The unseen hand smacked her again.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself. People die every day, Olivia." Their voice grew louder, as if the unseen person was drawing closer. "When you boarded that train in London, you knew of the ruins of war yet you still came. So, tell me, why did you come back to Hungary despite knowing it was affected by the war?
"…..I wanted to be forgiven. More than anything."
"From whom? Your parents, your brothers, Martha, Julia? Or….maybe yourself?"
"What? Myself?"
"You started this because you wanted forgiveness from your family, then you wanted forgiveness from Martha, and now you want forgiveness from Julia. That's a lot of forgiving, especially from the dead. So why don't you give it a rest and forgive yourself instead?"
"You don't understand!" The briars yanked her down further. "I have come home to nothing. My entire past has been erased and I cannot move forward until I can beg for forgiveness. Don't you get it? I have tried to move forward, but my past won't let me!"
"Then die."
"W-What?"
"It sounds like you've given up. If you are going to drown in a sea of regrets and 'what ifs' for the rest of your life, you might as well end it. How about becoming a vampire instead?"
"Are you insane?!" Olivia shot up, an air bubble escaping her lips. "I refuse to forsake my humanity and become a vampire!"
"Then I suggest you think long and hard before answering my next question, Olivia Emese Song." The voice retorted in a firm tone before continuing. "Why did your parents flee Hungary all those years ago? They were at the peak of their popularity, so why discard all that well-earned fame and live in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country?"
"…It was to give my brothers and me a better life."
"And what have you done with your life, Olivia?"
"…I've become a soldier….a soldier who has—."
"Saved thousands." The voice interrupted. "You have killed ghouls, creatures of the night, and personally contributed to the end of a world war. That is pretty damn impressive."
"But I still caused the death of—."
"And you will continue to do so." The voice confirmed. "But, should that stop you from protecting others? If you want peace, you have to prepare for war. That little girl from ten years ago knew that yet she still took up her bow and fought. She never gave up, so why should you?"
"Who are you to talk to me like this?" Olivia sneered, her restraints becoming tighter. "You don't know anything about me!"
"Well, I did raise you for the first eight years of your life." The voice chuckled. "I think, as your mother, I'm well within my rights to give you a much needed scolding."
"…..W-What?" Olivia slowly raised her head and found an older version of her mother standing in front of her, her body encased in a white light.
This had to be another trick—another manifestation of her sorrow and self-hatred.
But then…..her mother placed her hand on her cheek and Olivia gasped at the familiar sensation.
Olivia could feel her touch—her warmth!
She could actually feel her!
This was real.
And the woman standing before her was Zsofia Song, the way she is supposed to be.
"A-Anya?" Olivia whimpered, and Zsofia nodded before wrapping her arms around her daughter for the first time in ten years.
"You stupid girl, why do you need our forgiveness when you've done nothing wrong?"
"But…I let you die." Olivia sobbed, burying her face into her mother's neck. "I broke my promise to always be there for my family…."
"But you survived, Olivia." A new voice interjected, placing a comforting hand on her head and Olivia inhaled sharply at the sight of her aged father. "You lived and grew up into a beautiful young woman. That is all that matters to us."
"A-! Apa!" Olivia wailed, leaning into his touch as more air bubbles escaped her mouth. "Apa! Apa!"
"We are here too, Big Sister!" Akos and Mark cheered, throwing their arms around her neck and nuzzling their cheeks against hers. "We've missed you so much! Look, we are the same height now!"
"A-A-Akos! M-Mark!" Olivia could no longer tell if her tears were from sorrow or joy as her family held her close. "I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for letting you die and being weak! I'm so sorry for everything! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Tsk, you are such a crybaby like your father." Zsofia sighed, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Like I said, there is nothing to forgive, Olivia."
"But I—!"
"You protected me until the very end." Martha butted in, that shy, girlish smile on her face. "And you carried on in my place and took care of Sir Hellsing, despite how he lashed out at you." She cupped Olivia's cursed hand in her hers. "What happened to me wasn't your fault. You came back for me, that's all the matters."
"Martha…." Olivia breathed out. "I'm sor—."
"Not another word." Martha shook her head and kissed her knuckles. "I never blamed you. Not once. So don't blame yourself."
"And all you did was obey my wishes." Julia placed her hand on Olivia's back, her body devoid of all injury. "You delivered my baby, and she will grow up in a peaceful world. That is all I wanted, and you did that for me. Thank you, Olivia."
It was too much for her to comprehend, so all Olivia could do was lean into their embraces and cry ten years' worth of tears.
"I….I missed you all so much…." She gasped, the sea of blood becoming diluted with air bubbles and tears. "I missed you all so fucking much….."
"We missed you too, sweetheart." Zsofia hummed. "But don't fret. We will be reunited soon enough. So, don't linger in the past anymore and live for the future." She cupped the back of Olivia's head and swept her fingers through her hair, the strands long and wavy once more. "Live for yourself and know that we will always be watching over you."
"Anya, everyone, I—." Olivia was cut off by the sound of someone desperately screaming her name.
"Olivia!"
"Huh?" Olivia squinted into the distance, spying a stream of light breaking through the darkness. "Who is that? Who is calling my name?"
"Olivia!"
"That voice….it sounds familiar…."
"OLIVIA!"
"Wait, I know that voice….!'
"OLIVIA!"
"Alucard!" She gasped before struggling against the briar restraints. "He is calling for me! I have to go to him! I promised to never leave him!"
"And he promised to never leave you." Martha reminded her, a knowing smile on her face. "I never would've thought Alucard could love someone, but there he is, fighting his way through your nightmare to reach you."
"Go to him, Olivia." Jwa-jin kissed her on the forehead. "Go to him and close the door on this chapter of your life. It is time you looked towards the future without the past holding you prisoner."
"Just know that we love you, Olivia." Zsofia sniffed, cupping her daughter's face and kissing her forehead repeatedly. "And we are so proud of the woman you've become."
"Now, go." Julia nodded before she and the rest of them placed the shards of Olivia's heart back into her chest. "You'll need these."
"I will carry all of you with me for the rest of my life." Olivia wept, noticing they were starting to fade from sight. "I love all of you so much. I promise to make you proud."
"You already have," Zsofia was the last one to retract her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Live happily, my little girl. Until we meet again…in the next life."
Then, they were gone.
"Goodbye," Olivia whispered, feeling her heart beat strongly against her chest before gazing up at the beam of light, tears and a smile staining her face. "I'm coming back to you, regele meu. Wait for me."
The first loop of briars disintegrated in a flash of light, and Olivia began to float back up.
"I am Olivia Emese Song, First Class Hellsing Soldier."
*Snap*
"Daughter of Jwa-jin and Zsofia Song."
*Snap*
"Sister to Akos and Mark Song."
*Snap*
"Friend of Elonis Martha Lyons and Julia Untaru."
*Snap*
"Partner and best friend of Walter C. Dornez."
*Snap*
"And wife of Alucard, the No Life King."
The briar restraints dissolved completely and Olivia swam ferociously towards the growing light.
'Keep calling my name. Keep reaching out to me so I can find my way back. I won't let go of your hand.' Olivia whipped her cursed arm out towards the light. 'So don't let go of mine.'
"SIC PARVIS MAGNA!" Olivia bellowed, her palm spread outwards. "As your master and wielder, I beckon you to my hand."
"With pleasure, My Lady." Sic Parvis Magna grasped her hand tightly and transformed into his material form.
'The show must go on….' She thought before firing a blood arrow, parting the sea in half and thrusting her hand out.
"ALUCARD!" Olivia screamed, feeling his hand wrap tightly around hers as he lifted her out of the briar patch and into his arms.
Surrounded in a beam of light in an empty space, Olivia knelt before her eight year old self and embraced her.
"It's alright now." She whispered, soothing the child's tearful sobs. "You've worked hard and suffered greatly. But, it's okay now. It's time to let go and breathe for you have a family on Earth and a family in Heaven. It's time to start anew, Olivia." She pulled away and wiped her tears. "So, let's go and live for the future."
Alucard gingerly cradled Olivia's unconscious form to his chest, inspecting her for any wounds or trauma.
Her body was bare like a newborn's, her hair was long once more, and her skin was warmer than it had been in years.
It was as if she had been reborn.
Silently, he brushed the hair away from her face and bent down, placing his lips against hers.
'Open your eyes and look upon me.' He pressed harder. 'Open your mouth and call my name. Let me hear my name from your lips once more.'
Then, Alucard felt a tiny breath escape her lips, and he pulled back to see Olivia slowly open her eyes, six teardrops leaking over and sliding down her face.
"Olivia?"
"I heard you calling my name." She reached out and cupped her hand against his cheek, a heartfelt smile gracing her lips. "It led me back to you."
"Did you find what you were searching for?" He breathed out, closing his eyes and placing his hand over hers, savoring her touch.
"Yes," She held Sic Parvis Magna to her chest and peered up at the sky. "I did."
All at once, the moon stopped raining blood and the briars shattered into pieces as the illusion ended and the true Szentendre was revealed.
A new day had dawned on the town, and for the first time in years, Olivia awoke to complete tranquility.
Her past couldn't be erased and there would be times when she would think about those she lost, but now, Olivia could move forward.
Because she had finally forgiven herself and made peace with her past.
As the morning bells rang and the town began to wake up, Olivia and Alucard stood on a cliff overlooking the town and watched the sun rise over the horizon, hand in hand.
Alucard had given Olivia his coat, and she wrapped it tight around herself with a smile as radiant as the sunrise.
Olivia wouldn't linger on the past anymore.
She had her future ahead of her and the knowledge that she would see her family again. She would greet them as an old woman who had lived her life and ensured their deaths weren't in vain.
"I love you, Alucard." Olivia embraced him and buried her face into his chest. "I love you so much."
"And I love you, Olivia." He brushed that stubborn lock of hair behind her ear before bending down and kissing her.
Even after the kiss ended, neither of them pulled away from each other.
Instead, they just stared into the other's eyes, noticing a twinkle and hue of light that wasn't there before.
"There is still a week until we have to return to London." Olivia pointed out, rubbing her nose against his. "What do you say we have a little vacation, just the two of us?"
"Where do you want to go?" Alucard closed his eyes as she began to run her fingers through his hair. "Just name it and I will take you there."
"Anywhere." She muttered, feeling like she was walking on a cloud after years of walking on hot coals. "As long as it's with you, I will be happy anywhere."
"Anywhere it is then." He confirmed before sweeping her up into his arms and reconnecting their lips once more.
A/N: Alright! Olivia is finally going to get a break! YAY! So, about Sic Parvis Magna, his appearance stems from the events of Martha's death and how the bow became dyed in the blood of Olivia's victims, hence the half-silver/half-blood appearance. And he is not completely of sound mind either, but he does love Olivia and wanted to judge Alucard to see if he really did love Olivia and was worthy to be next to her.
And, to basically explain what happened in a nutshell, Olivia's regret/agony/self-hatred, combined with her cutting her hand in Alucard's possessed coffin, and divine intervention from the other side brought Olivia's nightmares to life, sucking Alucard in with her. And, by spilling blood on Sic Parvis Magna, he became sentient, if only for this moment.
And I realized Alucard has never had something that was his alone and if it was his, it was taken from him. Then, here comes along Olivia who actively showers him with affection, reaches out to him, loves him, and chose him as her one and only. Like I said before, Alucard is one of-if not the most strongest character in Hellsing, but I also believe he is the weakest emotionally and a part of him will always be that crying child that clings to Olivia's love and is fiercely protective of it.
And Olivia finally got to see her family again! However, learning to forgive herself and letting go doesn't erase her trauma. It is an on-going battle, but Olivia has learned to make peace with herself. That is why this chapter is also titled "The end of Adolescence" since I was always told as a child that we only truly become adults when we learn to forgive. So Olivia has become an adult who has made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes, but knows how to forgive herself and move forward instead of letting it fester in her heart until it tears her apart. That is one of Olivia's faults-her inability to let go, but this chapter marks a turning point in her mindset. But it is an on-going process, but rest assured, Olivia will have happier days ahead of her now. Also, in the dream sequence, I tried to make it obvious something was off about Martha and everyone else. First hint was Martha was acting very cool and composed when she was very giggly and softhearted in her life. The second hint is the fact that everyone was above Olivia instead of on equal grounds with her. Also, recall Olivia's dream from Chapter 25 where she was in a sea of blood and lifted into a briar patch. This chapter builds off of that by having Olivia going from a sea of blood AND a briar patch into Alucard's arms. It shows the progression of their relationship and of Olivia's sense of security. And, if some of Olivia's dialogue sounded like a familiar FF7 character, that is because Olivia was roughly based off of him. LOL. Now *ahem* to the main part of this A/N:
*Carnival Barker voice* STEP RIGHT UP! STEP RIGHT UP AND CHOOSE WHERE YOU WANT OLIVA AND ALUCARD TO GO ON THEIR 'DEATH-FREE' HONEYMOON WHERE THE AUTHOR PROMISES TO GIVE OLIVIA REST! ALL RESTRICTIONS ARE OFF! SEND IN YOUR REQUESTS AND THE AUTHOR WILL SEE WHAT SHE CAN DO! GO NUTS! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT! THE AUTHOR WILL HEAR ALL YOUR REQUESTS! SHE LOVES YOU GUYS! STEP RIGHT UP FOR THIS LONG OVERDUE HAPPINESS CHAPTER!
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter! Please leave a review! I love them so much~!
Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!
See you in the next chapter! :D