Eden, Stella, and pilot03 (am I correct?), this is for you...and for damned caeli as well.
Chapter XV: ?Only the Heart Can Feel, Part 1
Like silk flowing with the wind, Walter deftly evaded Adrian as he leapt towards him. He whipped out his wires, managing to give Adrian's arm several long gaping cuts and shredding the sleeve of the vampire's shirt. Dark red spots of the vampire's blood bloomed like red flowers on the vampire's shirt.
Grimacing slightly, Adrian waved his hand, and the next thing Walter knew, he was hurtling in the air like a limp rag doll. Then he slammed rear first into the ground.
Walter's breath came in short, rapid gasps. He felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his back, but he ignored it. He got up to his feet and glared at Adrian. "Is that the best you can do, vampire?"
Adrian smiled at him. "I haven't even begun yet, butler," he replied in his oddly musical voice. With another wave of his hand and a quiet command of 'Rise!' several former dead members of the Royal Protestant Knights sprung up, and headed for Walter, moaning horribly, reaching for him, with their faces twisted almost beyond recognition.
Without any expression on his face, Walter merely swept his wires to them, and soon the ghouls were reduced into heaps of dust.
"Excellent," Adrian remarked with a dry smile, clapping his hands softly. "I see you're as good as ever, old man. However," Adrian was suddenly infused with a reddish aura, "it is time for things to come to an end." The air around them grew hotter and swirled violently, filling the air with the scent of dust, decay, and death.
Walter tightened his grip on his wires again, the wires cutting into his flesh, drawing blood. "You will not win," he said flatly, crouching slightly. "You will be stopped."
Adrian laughed mockingly. A globe of magical energy, red as blood, hovered on his hand. "We'll see, God of Death. You are no match for me. You cannot stop me."
"I wasn't talking about myself." Smiling at the confused expression on the vampire's face, this time it was Walter who leapt, a silent prayer on his lips.
*******
It was already night when the Hellsing women arrived at the Greystone estate. As they got out of their vehicle, their escorts turned on a high-powered spotlight to serve as their light, since there was no moon or star this night to illuminate the earth.
Shrouded in darkness, the light seemed like an explosion when it was turned on.
Christina Elizabeth Hellsing felt a sudden, inexplicable chill as she gazed at the huge rusty, broken-down iron gate in front of her. Her gaze shifted towards the tall, dark castle with its towers reaching up to the blue-black night sky. She then glanced at her mother, who stood behind her in her knightly garb, just a few feet from the car. "Is this the place?" she asked. A cold breeze passed her, making her shiver slightly.
Integral Wingates Hellsing nodded, her eyes not quite meeting her daughter's. Her attention was focused on the sight before her. Nothing seemed to have changed. The place looked the same as about fifteen or so years ago when she last came here, back when she was still pregnant with Christina.
Integra never came back here and did not want to be here. However, she had no choice. A local town official had called her lawyer about strange noises coming from the place. The official also noted that the old eccentric caretaker, Miles Carrington, was nowhere to be seen.
Her hands curled into tight fists, her lips drawn into a tight thin line. What the bloody hell was happening? First, the Harker mansion was attacked under suspicious circumstances, then she found out Adrian might still be around and causing havoc in the realm. Then there was the possibility that Christopher and Joseph Harker knew each other and now, strange things were happening at Greystone Estate. Could there possibly a connecting factor to all these events?
Moreover, I am back in this foul, cursed place. God, this is a bad week.
Meanwhile, Christina hesitantly approached the gates and peered inside. Tall grasses almost as tall as her, thick, untrimmed bushes, and other forms of vegetation that almost filled the place indicated that it hadn't been lived in for a long time. Only the gravel road leading to the huge castle remained free of plants. "Isn't anyone taking care of this place? It's so quiet."
Snapping out of her reverie, Integra approached the gates, looking inside. She was listening as well. She noted the grasses and the eerie silence surrounding the place. She could not hear a single insect's chirping or a bird's cawing. "There was a caretaker, Miles Carrington. However, according to the local official, he's nowhere to be seen. He usually goes to town once a week for a drink or two."
"Maybe he's being hidden by the grass," a Hellsing soldier, one of their escorts, remarked, pointing at the clumps of grass whose large, tall blades were swaying softly to the wind. "Bloody hell, but those have to be the tallest grasses on earth."
"Actually, the tallest grass is the bamboo plant," Christina said almost absently. "What are we waiting for? Shouldn't we go inside?" She glanced inquiringly at her mother, who was staring at the gates with a stunned expression. Christina followed her gaze. An ancient but tough-looking lock was twisted into the rough shape of the number eight. A part of the lock had snapped off, thus rendering the lock useless.
Mother and daughter traded knowing looks. "Ready your night vision goggles. Arm yourselves," Integra said curtly to her soldiers. "Alucard, come here."
In a split-second, Alucard was there beside them, all clad in red and black. "Yes, Master?"
Integra eyed Alucard with a glimmer of steal in her blue eyes. "Let's go in. We have to find something. I need you to do that. Christina, stay close to Alucard and me. Don't wander off."
Christina's eyes widened slightly. Her mother, Sir Integral Wingates Hellsing, wanted her, Christina Elizabeth Hellsing, to stay close to Alucard?the very person her mother had repeatedly told her in the past to stay away from. Christina would have laugh out loud if they weren?t in a serious situation.
They entered the estate cautiously, with Alucard leading them down the gravel road that lead to the imposing castle since he could see better in the dark than any of them. "What are we looking for, Master?" Alucard asked. Christina noticed he sounded a trifle injured. The vampire clearly disliked being treated in his opinion some kind of a search dog.
"The caretaker and anything suspicious." She turned to the head of the soldiers. "I want the whole grounds searched. Leave no stone unturned. Send out the men."
The man opened his mouth to say something, but after flicking a quick glance at Alucard and at Integra's hard blue eyes, he closed his mouth and nodded. He faced to his fellow soldiers and shouted, "You heard Lord Hellsing! Let's move out!"
"Aren't you overreacting, Master?" Alucard asked silkily as the soldiers spread around, wearing night vision goggles or holding powerful flashlights to help them see in the dark. Soon, spots of light illuminated the grassy grounds of Greystone Estate.
"I don't like what's been happening, Alucard. Moreover, it is not your place to question my orders." Integra's eyes blazed with anger as she spoke, glaring at Alucard all the while. She clearly did not like her orders to be questioned in front of her men.
"Indeed, my Master?"
Meanwhile, Christina was about to take step closer to her mother when she saw something at the corner of her eye, something fluttering in one of the tree trunks a few meters or so. Casting the two a furtive look, she headed for the trees, seeing quite easily in the dark.
When she reached the place, she felt another chill in her body. Taking a deep breath, she looked around and found it. It appeared like an ordinary piece of parchment pinned to the wall, until she saw what pinned the parchment to the wall. It looked like a long, flattened garden trowel, but had razor-sharp edges. She looked at the writing on the parchment. She studied enough to know that the words written there were in Latin. She turned to where her mother and Alucard were. "Mother!" she shouted. Her mother and Alucard turned to her. She pointed at the tree trunk. "I think you should take look a this. It looks like someone was here."
*******
"Father Alexander Anderson," Integral spat out. Her blue eyes were bright with anger as she tightly clutched the piece of parchment. Around her, the soldiers were looking out for signs the Iscariot priest was still there. "So he was here. He was probably the cause of the strange noises coming from this place." She crumpled the parchment and hurled it to the ground. "How dare he! This is Protestant property?our jurisdiction!"
"Lord Hellsing!" a soldier a few feet behind them shouted. "We found more of the blades and parchment over here! Looks like some kind of battle happened here not too long ago. We did find a dilapidated shack not far from here though. Nobody seems to live there for a while. We also found something else." In one hand, he held up what looked like a shotgun. He rushed to Integra to show it.
"The Judas Priest uses a shotgun now?" Alucard remarked as he eyed the gun, amused.
"No." Integra was staring hard at the shotgun. "This gun belongs to the caretaker." She looked up sharply. "Did you find any bodies?"
The soldier shook his head. "Another strange thing, my Lord?is the smell?."
"The smell? What about it?"
The soldier sniffed. "The place smells of decay and?something evil?similar to the smell coming from the undead, especially the ghouls."
Integral felt a chill rush up her spine. Ghouls in the Greystone Estate? Was that why Anderson was here? Nevertheless, what were ghouls doing here in the first place? Integra turned to Alucard. "What do you think?"
Alucard gave an indecipherable smile. "There were ghouls here, Master."
"Maybe that's why this Vatican priest was here, Lord Hellsing," the head of the soldiers suggested. "He heard about the ghouls here and decided to finish them off."
No, Integral thought. That couldn't be it. Anderson's presence here in the Greystone Estate was too suspicious to be a mere coincidence. The estate wasn't exactly well-known. It was isolated from the town and the townspeople stayed away from it because it had an 'unsavory' reputation. The Iscariot presence here was deliberate. He was here for something, but what?
"I met your daughter last night. Such a beautiful creature," Anderson remarked with a gleam in his eye. "Tell me, how is she?"
Christina, she thought with a chill as she remembered. Anderson seemed so interested with her daughter. She glanced at her daughter, who was talking to Alucard, a frown on her face. Alucard's tone was teasing and for a moment Integra was reminded of the times Alucard talked to her with that same tone. Mentally shaking herself, she focused on the matter at hand.
Was it possible Anderson knew Christina's connection with the Christopher Greystone? Was that why he was here? To know more about Christopher and Christina?
Integral whirled around to face her men. "Continue searching." She turned to Alucard and Christina. "We're going to the castle. I want to find out if Anderson managed to get there."
*******
It was dark and cold inside Castle Greystone.
Christopher had always hated this place. Integra remembered how he avoided staying in the castle longer than necessary. He preferred staying in his London flat and leaving the care of the estate with the tenants.
Integra asked him once why he didn?t like the place although the castle was his legacy.
Christopher closed his eyes, and a bitter smile touched his lips. ?I never liked being there. It?s so cold in that place. It was as if no warmth could ever touch it. It wasn't just because it was made of stone. There was?something in that place. When I was growing up, I used to see ghosts hiding in every corner of that castle.?
?Is that so? I heard the tales as well.?
He laughed mirthlessly. ?Oh, the story about the devil living in the dungeon? I?m not sure about that, but there was something strange about that castle.? He frowned, his reddish brown eyes suddenly bright with anger. 'I hate that place. I try to stay away from it as much as possible. If my ancestors hadn?t forbidden me to sell that estate, I would have sold it long ago."
Thinking about it now, Integra wondered if Christopher had been telling the truth, or had he been lying so that she would stay away from the place and would not discover his traitorous activities? Shaking her head, she turned on the light. The huge hall was suddenly bathed in the bright light of huge crystal chandeliers that hung from a large buttressed ceiling that had colorful murals painted on it.
The hall of the castle was huge. Integra calculated it was about twice as big as the hall in Hellsing mansion. A gilded white marble double staircase facing the door led to the second floor of the castle. On both ends of the staircases' banister was a statue of a white kneeling angel with outstretched wings gilded with gold. Scattered around the hall were sets of priceless antique furniture covered with white sheets. Above a huge fireplace was an equally huge painting of a dignified man dressed in seventeenth century clothing. On the walls of the hall were other paintings of the former lords of the castle.
The hall smelled of dust and of lost time. Integra felt the hair at the nape of her neck stand on its end as she stepped further into the castle. It looked the same as she had left it several years ago.
?So, this is Greystone Castle,? Christina remarked, breaking the sudden silence that descended upon the group. She surveyed the room with a calm look on her face.
"Yes, this is Greystone Castle," her mother replied. She drew her coat closer to her, feeling a sudden chill. Beside her, she could feel Alucard's body stiffen with sudden tension. That was unexpected. She turned to the soldiers. "Search the place. I want to find out if anyone's been here recently."
The soldiers did as they were bided to do. As the soldiers searched the castle, Christina asked her mother, "Where is the study? I want to go there."
For a moment, Integra wanted to refuse her daughter, but one look at the firm resolve in Christina's scarlet eyes stopped her. "If you wish," Integral said coolly.
The study was huge, filled with huge shelves overflowing with books. A massive oak desk lay near the far end of the room. There were no windows, which gave the room an oppressive feel. Integra felt a chill rush up her spine and goosebumps appeared on her skin.
Integra let her eyes wander around the place until it settled on Christopher's portrait on the wall. Christopher, handsome in a dark gray suit, was smiling in the portrait. What secrets did you carry to your grave, Christopher? she asked the silent portrait. I want to know, because everything seems to be leading back to you.
She was engrossed in her own thoughts that she did not hear Christina move to stand beside her. "Is that him? My father, I mean?" she asked Integra in a voice as soft as a gentle breeze.
"Yes. That is him. That is Christopher Henry Greystone."
"He's handsome," Christina remarked in the same soft voice. She was staring at her father's eyes. "We have the same eyes." Integral chose not reply. "It's so cold here," Christina said abruptly, wrapping her arms around her chest. "It's as if no warmth could ever touch this place."
"I?" Integra's voice was suddenly cut off when a loud scream echoed throughout the castle, followed by the thunderous burst of gunfire. Both guns drawn out, Alucard swiftly moved in front of the two Hellsing women who had also drawn out their respective guns in response to the gunfire.
"Alucard?"
The vampire narrowed his red eyes for a moment, a frown on his lips. Then a smile of pleasure replaced the frown. "It seems we have company, My Master. Two of my kind, I believe, one of them with a dark presence."
Integral turned to her daughter. Christina was looking back at her with a calm expression on her eyes. She too, knew whom Alucard was talking about.
Then everything went black.
"Christina!" Integral cried out, blue eyes searching for her daughter in the sudden darkness. She felt fingers clamp protectively over her waist, and she found herself leaning against a solid wall of flesh that brought a sudden warmth to her cheeks and her whole body. She thanked God it was dark so Alucard could not see the faint flush on her cheeks. Alucard?
Stay close, Master. Alucard's deep voice resounded in Integral's mind, calming her a little. He felt his grip tighten almost protectively about her.
Where is Christina? Is she all right? she demanded, peering into the unfathomable darkness.
Just then, the lights came back on. Integra's heart began to pound when she saw Christina wasn't where she stood before. She looked around the room, searching for her daughter. A sudden sharp hiss from Alucard caught her attention and she turned to where Alucard was looking.
She felt her whole body grew cold when she saw a handsome long-haired blonde man with scarlet eyes standing beside the doorway, a small, satisfied smile on his face. His white shirt was heavily streaked with blood. In one hand he was holding by the spill of its grayish hair what appeared to be a freshly severed head that dripped blood on the floor like an open faucet. Adrian's hands were red and dripping. Once again, the air was filled with the rusty, acrid scent of spilled blood.
"Adrian," Integral whispered, watching with sick fascination as Adrian lifted his free, dripping hand, and leisurely licked the blood off it, similar to the way a cat lapped milk. As soon as he was finished, he licked his lips, coating them red. Then he smiled at them, his red eyes glittering. Alucard?s gun automatically came up and pointed squarely at Adrian?s blonde head.
?Well, isn?t it nice to see you again, Lord Integral Wingates of Hellsing,? Adrian purred in his musical voice, ignoring the gun. Then the smile became a smirk. ?Or should I say Countess Integral Wingates Hellsing-Greystone? After all, you married the Earl of Greystone, didn?t you? A traitor?s bitch, that?s what you are.?
Integral did not say a word. Alucard fired a round, his scarlet eyes blazing with anger. "Don't insult my Master, bastard."
Like silk flowing against the wind, Adrian dodged the bullet, and now stood behind the bookshelves. The severed head bumped against the shelves, jiggling it slightly. He wagged a finger at them. ?Now, now, you shouldn?t do that,? he said in a honeyed voice. ?I?ve brought a present for you. I'm sure you'd like it." Then, casually, as if he were tossing a soccer ball to her, Adrian threw to Integra the severed head in his hand.
Though startled, Integra deftly caught the head in her arms.
And found herself staring at Walter's wide, staring eyes.
It took all of Integra's control not to drop the head to the floor. Her stomach heaved, her eyes burned with unshed tears as she continued to stare at head of the man whom she had grown to think and love as her second father. She could hear Adrian laughing mockingly and Alucard cursing, but she paid no attention to them. "Walter," she whispered, her voice hoarse. Then her head snapped up, her blue eyes blazing with fierce hatred as she glared at Adrian. "You heartless monster," she said in a quiet, deadly voice.
Another mocking smile. "Did you like your present, Lord Integral? I saved it just for you. Walter fought most valiantly, I must say. His blood was very delicious."
Alucard snarled, and without another word, he launched himself towards the vampire. Adrian swiftly dodged the attack, and turned into a ghostly mist.
?I?d like to chat with you, but unfortunately, I have pressing business elsewhere,? Adrian?s musical voice said. As soon as he spoke, a horde of ghouls broke through the door and poured inside the room like raging flood waters bursting from a dam.
Snarling a curse, Alucard lifted his guns, aimed at the ghouls, and fired.
~T.B.C.~
Freetalk, part 2: So hate me. I couldn't care less?^____^; At least I'm not like J.K. Rowling. Sob! How could she kill that character! I absolutely loved that character! Thank God for fanfics.
Gods, I'm sorry if this is such a boring chapter, so much about the damned castle. I'm really going to miss Christina when I end this in?uh?five chapters?I guess?then I'll be working on Legacy. Hehehehe.
Chibi Celes: Anou, why were you saying 'Hehehehe' at every possible moment?
Chibi Melrose: Because I can. I'm the author here.
Chibi Celes: You're imitating my Master.
Chibi Melrose: I. AM. NOT. *whips out pen and paper* Do you want to be written wearing a pink tutu?
WALTER-SAMAAAA!!!! *sobs*: I know. I'm mean. I really didn't want to kill him, but I had to. The Hellsing-gumi (huh? Where the Hell did that come from?) needed to be jolted to action. T__T
Greystone Castle: If you're having a hard time visualizing the castle's interior, just think of the mansion in the movie The House on Haunted Hill, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lily Tomlin, Liam Neeson, and Owen Wilson. The place is sort of like that.
Next chapter: What the Hell happened to Christina? Where?s Anna? What?s going on? Hehehe?read next chapter?
). Thank you for the attention I didn't get growing up. Hehehehe. I will be your Alucard if you will be my Interga. Don't worry about people giving you a hard time about making this chapter a 2 part episode. I will make them fear the night if so much as an insult is utter towards you!! Ok, I will at least tell them to back off, hehehe 
) And so this standard statement perhaps dosn't need to be said, but I don't care! I loved the description of the castle and the absentminded comment made by Cristina about the tallest grass being Bamboo, very cute.
