The Blood Queen 65 (Patreon)

Chapter 65:

– Alucard –

The ground beneath his boots was slick with blood, and the lifeless bodies of humans were piled haphazardly around him, some twisted into grotesque positions. The air reeked of smoke, ash, and scorched flesh.

He’d only been in the hotel for a few minutes, but already it burned spectacularly behind him, flames crackling and licking up the sides of the building. Screams echoed all around, a chorus of panic, agony, and fear blending together into a sweet symphony that stirred something dark and primal deep within him.

"Good times..." he chuckled.

"Good times indeed," growled the dragon residing within Alucard’s soul, its voice dripping with amusement as it enjoyed the chaos through Alucard’s senses.

Across the flickering glow of the burning hotel stood a member of Millennium, the Nazi vampire organization that seemed always eager to send their members to die at his hands.

This particular vampire stood tall, confident, with neatly combed hair. His gloved fingers deftly shuffled a deck of cards, their sharp edges stained red.

Tubalcain Alhambra, or "the Dandy Man" as he arrogantly called himself, had a theatrical flair if nothing else.

Alucard could appreciate a fellow showman.

"So you're the one who wrecked the plane I came in on," Alucard stated bluntly, eyes narrowing with mock irritation. "You destroyed my bed. I was rather fond of that coffin."

The Dandy Man inclined his head in an exaggerated bow, his lips twisted into a smug, self-satisfied smirk. "Indeed, that was my work," he admitted, voice dripping with playful mockery.

Some of the magic cards around Tubalcain rose into the smoky air. They spun lazily at first, almost hypnotic. 

Alucard noticed instantly they weren't simple paper playing cards. Each one was crafted from razor-sharp steel etched with faint, glowing runes. An interesting choice of weapon. He’d seen weirder though in his long undead life.

"Let’s see how you handle my hand, Alucard," the Dandy Man taunted.

Alucard’s lips curved into a dark, eager smile. "Show me your worst, magician."

The cards burst forward, slicing the air with a sharp whistle. Alucard stood firm. He welcomed the first sting as the blades sank into him, shredding effortlessly through his crimson trench coat. The enchanted steel bit deeply into his immortal flesh, tearing jagged wounds through muscle and skin. Blood sprayed freely, flecking the ground around him in bright, wet spatters.

Pain, vivid and exquisite, surged through Alucard’s nerves, igniting his senses like electricity. He chuckled low and dark, savoring the raw thrill that came from the ruthless assault.

Nearby, the remaining humans cried out, terrified by the sight. One woman pressed her palm to her mouth, eyes wide with shock. A man stumbled away, murmuring frantic prayers under his breath.

"Is that it?" Alucard asked, voice dripping mock disappointment as he casually plucked one of the embedded cards from his chest. Blood dripped steadily from the edges, pooling at his boots. "I'd hoped you were more creative than this."

The Dandy Man's smug smile tightened into a hard line at Alucard's taunting tone. His eyes narrowed, and the theatrical charm slipped from his face for a brief moment, replaced by cold annoyance.

"Come now," Alucard drawled lazily, flicking away another bloodied card with casual indifference. "Where’s your flair, Dandy Man? You're not living up to your name."

The Nazi vampire's gloved fingers flexed angrily around his enchanted deck. With a sharp flick of his wrist, more steel cards rose swiftly, slicing through the smoky air in rapid succession. Each one shimmered ominously, their rune-etched surfaces pulsing menacingly.

Alucard could easily have moved aside—his speed and reflexes more than enough to dodge. Yet, he merely shrugged his shoulders, sighing with exaggerated boredom.

"Too much effort," he muttered under his breath.

The sharp blades stabbed violently into Alucard's torso, each piercing strike tearing his flesh open anew. Blood spurted out, dripping heavily onto the pavement. Pain rippled through him, but he liked a bit of pain!

Too bad it was so fleeting as his wounds knitted closed instantly. His torn flesh sealed, leaving his pale skin unmarred beneath shredded clothing. His lovers could inflict longer lasting injuries in the bedroom than this guy could trying to kill him…

"Really now, are you even trying?" Alucard mocked, reaching casually inside his coat. His fingers curled around the heavy grip of his enormous handgun, pulling it smoothly from its holster. 

Ddraig’s voice growled irritably from deep within Alucard’s soul. "This is pathetic," the dragon muttered disdainfully. "I expected better from a member of Millennium. He's boring..."

"I share the sentiment," Alucard agreed quietly, lifting his firearm. He aimed with exaggerated care, savoring the brief flicker of alarm on the Dandy Man’s face.

Gunfire exploded loudly, drowning out the panicked screams of bystanders. Bullets tore toward Tubalcain, forcing the vampire to leap hastily behind a burning car. Steel cards clattered uselessly onto the street around Alucard, their sharp edges embedding in concrete, cars, and the walls of nearby buildings.

Hidden behind his cover, the Dandy Man’s voice called angrily through the smoke. "You’ll regret underestimating me, Alucard!"

Alucard laughed heartily. "Oh, I sincerely doubt that," he replied, firing another volley at the vampire's hiding spot. Shattered glass and sparks erupted from the damaged car, showering the street in bright fragments.

A nearby man crouched behind debris, eyes wide and terrified, clutching his trembling girlfriend protectively. "We’ve got to get out of here," he stammered, voice shaking.

"Run! Just run!" the woman urged, pulling him to his feet, both of them stumbling away through the wreckage and smoke.

Alucard squeezed the trigger again, savoring the powerful kick of the handgun against his palm. The deep boom shook his bones pleasantly, a familiar and thrilling sensation. His bullets tore into metal, punching through cars and splintering already dead bodies. Each shot sent chunks of debris flying.

Damn, he loved this fucking gun!

"Come on, Dandy Man!" he yelled. "Where’s all your swagger now?"

Tubalcain darted behind another vehicle, his eyes wide and frantic as Alucard’s bullets punched holes through it. Glass exploded in showers of glittering shards, raining onto the vampire’s once-neat hair and staining his jacket with flecks of dirt and ash.

“You’ll run out of bullets soon enough, monster!” Tubalcain spat angrily from his hiding spot.

Alucard laughed out loud, shoulders shaking with amusement. "Oh, you’d like to think so, wouldn't you?" Heh, too bad Alucard kept thousands of rounds of ammunition on him at all times. It would be disgraceful for the undead king to ever run out of ammo in the middle of a firefight.

Alucard felt another batch of sharp cards slam violently into him. He glanced down with casual curiosity as they pierced into his chest and arms. The enchanted steel cut deeply, each slash stinging sharply before healing almost instantly. Blood poured freely, staining his gloves and pooling thickly around his feet. 

Ddraig growled impatiently. "This one’s pathetic, Alucard. He's just throwing little toys at you. Can’t you find us a real challenge for once? Let’s go fight that fish-god Poseidon again. He was pretty fun."

Alucard smiled slightly, tilting his head in agreement. "Yes, he’s definitely lacking. I expected more from Millennium. They're usually a lot more fun than this… I actually enjoyed myself slaughtering that foolish swat team more…"

A volley of cards sailed toward Alucard's face. He didn't bother to move, allowing them to slice across his cheek, splitting open his pale skin. Blood dripped slowly down his chin, warm and thick. He reached up, wiping it away with a lazy flick of his thumb.

"You're just embarrassing yourself now," he called dryly.

"Shut up!" Tubalcain shouted furiously. More cards soared from his fingers, whistling sharply as they flew through the smoky air.

Alucard sighed dramatically and raised his handgun again, firing back repeatedly. Each loud report sent people around them scrambling faster, desperate to escape the chaos. Although, not everyone…

Across the street, there was a dumb teenager with his smartphone held out. "Dude, no one’s going to believe this!" he shouted to a friend, voice high with excitement and fear.

“Hi youtube! We’re gonna get so many freaking hits!”

Alucard smirked softly, imagining Integra’s irritated reaction when these videos inevitably surfaced online. 

He turned his focus back to the vampire hiding across from him. Tubalcain had shifted again, this time crouching behind a toppled streetlamp. He looked visibly frustrated, eyes darting about for any escape route.

Tubalcain finally seemed to find his courage, stepping boldly from his hiding spot behind the fallen streetlamp. His chest rose and fell rapidly, eyes burning with anger and frustration beneath his once-perfectly groomed hair, now tousled and dirty from debris and ash. “Witness my full power, Alucard!” he shouted. He spread his arms wide dramatically, fingers splayed as a swirling storm of enchanted cards materialized around him. 

At first dozens, then hundreds—each razor-sharp and pulsing fiercely with dark magic. They floated ominously, forming a deadly halo around the Dandy Man.

Alucard’s grin widened eagerly. Now this was more like it. 

Death by a thousand cuts! The thought sent a delighted shiver down his spine. Pain made immortality worth having.

“Oh, this looks promising,” he purred darkly, stepping forward to meet the threat head-on. His crimson eyes glowed in excitement beneath his yellow tinted glasses. He raised his handgun, preparing himself for the delightful chaos about to erupt.

Tubalcain’s lips twisted into a triumphant sneer. “You’ve challenged Millenium, and for that you’re going to finally die!”

But before Tubalcain could unleash his storm of cards, another deafening gunshot boomed from nearby. A heavy bullet smashed through the side of the vampire’s skull, blowing his head apart in a violent explosion of gore and shattered bone. Bits of skull and brain splattered everywhere, spraying across the pavement with a gruesome, wet splat.

The cards lost their magical hold instantly, fluttering lifelessly to the ground like dead leaves, their glow fading quickly.

For once, genuine surprise flickered across Alucard’s face. He quickly turned toward the source of the interference.

A battered police van rolled slowly into view, covered in bullet holes and scorched black marks from battle. The vehicle stopped abruptly, tires squealing. The door swung open sharply, and out hopped his beautiful daughter Valerie, her long blonde hair flowing behind her, with her smoking silver revolver in her right hand.

“Hi, Daddy!” Valerie called out to him. “You wouldn’t believe the traffic and the maniacs on the road today!”

“We made it… That was close,” Captain Pip stumbled out of the driver's side of the van. “Holy fuck—its only been like a half hour but I officially hate this mission…”

Alucard noticed the Captain had a large hole in his jacket where his heart should be, but the skin there was perfectly healed. Alucard could also sense that the Captain had recently ingested some of Valerie’s blood to heal himself.

They obviously had an interesting journey getting to the hotel. It was about time they got here.

Valerie's boots squelched loudly through the blood-slicked pavement, she stepped on shattered glass and scattered rubble. Stopping a few steps away, Valerie studied Alucard closely, noting his ruined trench coat and the deep bloodstains spreading over the fabric and his pale skin. She sighed dramatically, lips curving into an affectionate yet mildly exasperated smile.

"Honestly, Dad, you're always making such a mess," she scolded gently. Raising her hand, she snapped her fingers crisply. Instantly, a wave of silvery magical energy rippled over Alucard’s body, lifting away the sticky blood in a soft rush of warmth. Torn fabric rapidly stitched itself back together, mending seamlessly until the coat looked brand new.

Alucard glanced down briefly, appreciating the quick fix. Valerie didn't give him time to speak before she closed the remaining distance between them, wrapping her slender yet deceptively strong arms around his torso in a firm hug. 

He chuckled quietly, returning her embrace with a soft squeeze.

Drawing back just enough to look up at him, Valerie’s eyes darkened with irritation. She brushed a few strands of long blonde hair away from her face, her expression becoming serious again. “You wouldn't believe the drive we had, Dad!” Valerie said, her voice dropping into a frustrated growl. “Some psycho woman with magic bullets chased us all the way here! She was gleefully murdering anyone and everyone in her path—drivers, passengers, even the pedestrians trying to flee. I wanted to kill her the whole time but there were way too many hostages and witnesses for her to use!”

Alucard’s eyebrows lifted in amused surprise, his grin widening slightly as he glanced toward the headless remains of Tubalcain sprawled nearby.

“Funny coincidence,” he said dryly. “Because you just finished dealing with a similar kind of vampire—this one preferred magic playing cards. He was carving up innocent civilians for the sheer fun of it.”

Of course, Alucard didn’t care about the collateral damage. But he’d never judge his lovely daughter as being too soft. She was half human compared to him. She was a monster, but only half a monster. 

And he couldn’t be prouder.

Valerie let out a disgusted noise, turning briefly to glare at the vampire’s corpse. “Fucking Nazis,” she growled for the second time that day.

“Fucking Nazis…” indeed he chuckled.

– Valerie –

I watched Pip stepping heavily over bits of rubble and shattered glass. His heavy boots kicked debris aside noisily. Pip was scanning the area carefully before rounding sharply on a group of teens lingering nearby.

“Get the fuck out of here!” he shouted. “You idiots are gonna die if you stick around!”

One boy, clearly a wannabe tough guy, tried stepping forward. “You can’t—”

Pip whipped out his pistol, pointing it squarely at the kid’s chest. The teen’s face paled instantly, mouth snapping shut mid-sentence. “I’m not kidding, kids. Move.”

The group scrambled immediately, their feet crunching frantically over broken pavement as they fled. Pip sighed, lowering his weapon and shaking his head wearily.

I turned back to my father, guilt prickling in my chest. He stood nearby, red eyes glinting mischievously beneath those stupidly stylish yellow glasses. “Dad,” I began hesitantly, stepping closer, “I'm really sorry for stealing your kill back there…”

He tilted his head slightly. A teasing smile spread slowly across his lips. “Oh? Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

“Yeah,” I huffed, crossing my arms defensively. “It's just—look, I was really pissed off, okay? That psychotic bitch with her magic musket had us running and fleeing all the way here!” I could sense the red glow flickering in my eyes, my vision sharpening slightly from the fury. It was embarrassing—running from an opponent that I should be killing and feasting on their blood!

Dad chuckled softly. “Well,” he said slyly, stepping closer with a mock-serious tone, “since you stole my kill, Valerie, it's only fair that I steal yours.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief, and then quickly shifted into a pout. “Oh come on, Dad! That’s not even fair!” I protested indignantly. “All I did was fire one little bullet at that guy! It's not my fault he didn't bother to dodge!”

Since when do supernatural fights ever end that fast anyway? Why didn’t the bad guy dodge?

“He was too distracted preparing to destroy me with his edgy ultimate attack,” Alucard pointed out to me. “Somthing about his full power. That guy watched too much anime…”

Before I could respond to that weird statement, a ringtone beeped from his pocket. 

“...Uh oh…” All three of us froze, the atmosphere shifting instantly. 

Dad suddenly looked a little pale. He pulled out the phone slowly, and when I saw the name “Integra” flash across the caller ID, my blood ran cold.

“Oh,” he murmured softly, eyes widening in exaggerated dread. He quickly looked back at me, suddenly very serious. “Valerie, my darling daughter, it seems you must bravely face this difficult trial alone while I heroically go have fun—I mean, risk my life!—to hunt down and destroy your musket-wielding maniac vampire. Good luck, daughter!”

“Wait—Dad, don’t you dare—” I began sharply. Too late. Shadows enveloped him instantly, wrapping around his tall form and swallowing him up until he disappeared entirely. He’d escaped, leaving me standing alone with Integra’s call still buzzing insistently in my hand. “Oh, shit,” I groaned helplessly, turning toward Pip for help. But the coward was already halfway across the street, pretending to closely inspect the Dandy Man’s mangled corpse.

With a defeated sigh, I clicked answer, raising the phone gingerly to my sensitive vampire ear. “H-hello, Integra,” I stammered weakly.

"WHAT THE FUCK, VALERIE!" Integra’s voice roared through the phone, painfully sharp against my sensitive hearing. I winced, instinctively pulling the phone slightly away from my ear. "The entire world is watching this catastrophe unfold on international news right now! They're calling it the worst terrorist attack in Brazilian history! Explain yourself immediately!" she demanded.

I squeezed my eyes shut briefly, feeling the headache already forming between my temples. Good thing I healed fast. 

"...Things spiraled out of control really fast. Our plane got shot down and crashed. The local police misunderstood everything, started saying we were terrorists and tried to arrest us at us first—then the Nazis showed up and started killing everyone—”

I trailed off helplessly, glancing around at the carnage. Blood pooled thickly across the pavement. My boots squelched unpleasantly in the sticky liquid beneath me as I shifted nervously from foot to foot.

Yeah, I don't think we're gonna be welcome in this country after all this...

“Is Captain Pip still alive?” Integra asked, I could hear her taking a deep breath.

That was good.

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding myself. “He’s ok—His heart was completely destroyed,” I admitted softly, my voice quivering slightly as I remembered the horrifying sight—Pip sprawled on the van's seat, chest blown open, blood everywhere. I swallowed hard, forcing back the vivid memory. “But I managed to heal him. He's alright now.”

Integra paused, the silence on the other end thick enough that I felt my heartbeat quicken anxiously. When she finally spoke, there was a rare trace of genuine admiration in her voice. “Your healing abilities are impressive as always, Valerie.” Relief and pride mingled warmly inside me, easing the tight knot in my stomach. Integra’s praise was rare and precious, it always hit me harder than I liked to admit. But her next words quickly shifted my mood back to tense urgency. “Listen carefully. I want you to heal as many civilians as possible—if any are still alive. But do it discreetly. We can't afford any footage of you using your... magic.”

I glanced around nervously, my eyes darting over the chaos surrounding me. Broken, lifeless bodies lay sprawled across the wrecked street amidst pools of dark blood. Well, if nothing else, I had plenty of magical fuel at my disposal. 

“Understood,” I murmured quickly, gripping the phone tighter, my knuckles whitening. “No evidence. Got it.”

Integra’s voice softened just slightly, carrying a note of grim resignation. “We have the Queen’s backing, fortunately, but this is still an international catastrophe. I have no illusions—you and Alucard aren't finished causing destruction tonight. Try to limit the damage, Valerie. Please. Everyone hear is worried right now.”

“Yes, Integra,” I whispered...

Captain Pip sauntered over casually. I shot him the playful glare. “You abandoned me in my time of need, Pip. I will remember that.” 

Pip raised his hands defensively. "Sorry, cherie," he drawled with a cheeky wink. "But I've only been part of this whole Helsing thing for a few weeks, and even I know better than to mess with the terrifying Lady Integra when she’s pissed!"

"Oh, and she just loves being called 'Lady Integra,'” I said sarcastically.

His cocky expression faltered instantly, color draining from his face. "Did I say lady??? I definitely meant 'sir,' of course," Pip hurriedly corrected, giving an exaggerated bow. "SIR Integra, greatest knight in all the land of Britain, naturally!"

I couldn’t hold back the chuckle that escaped me, shaking my head slightly. "Relax, Pip," I said with an amused sigh. "I already hung up. You don't have to lay it on so thick."

Pip released a relieved breath, tension visibly leaving his broad shoulders as his easy grin returned. "Thank God," he muttered. “That woman could freeze hell itself.”

My amusement faded quickly as reality set back in. I looked around us, I knew I had to do next.

"Integra wants me to heal as many people as possible," I explained grimly. "But I don't have nearly enough blood to do that right now."

Pip grabbed my shoulder gently before I could lower myself to the corpse at my feet. The touch startled me, making me pause with my mouth open, ready to feed.

“Valerie, no,” Pip said firmly. He looked down at me. “You're not some ghoulish scavenger. Don't drink from these corpses, they’re already starting to rot. It’ll make you sick.”

Before I could protest, Pip tugged up his sleeve, exposing his forearm. His tan skin was marked with old scars, a history of violence that somehow suited him. “You saved my life earlier,” he said gruffly, holding his arm closer. “Drink from me. My blood is fresh.”

I blinked at him, momentarily speechless. “Are you sure?” I asked quietly, my voice trembling slightly. "It might hurt a little."

He let out a shaky laugh, the bravado slipping slightly. "Honestly? I'm terrified," Pip admitted, his lips quirking into a crooked smile. His eyes held mine, the sincerity raw and unmistakable. "But do it quick before I change my mind, alright?"

I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me, tension easing just a bit. Pip turned his head away, jaw set firmly as he braced himself. I gently grasped his arm, feeling the pulse beneath his skin quicken in anticipation.

My senses sharpened instinctively, my breath coming out in a soft exhale. "I'll make it quick," I promised quietly. I leaned forward, sinking my fangs gently but firmly into his forearm.

He jerked slightly, a sharp intake of breath escaping him. Warm blood flooded my mouth, rich and vibrant. But I only took a couple gulps before pulling away and licking my lips.

Surprisingly, Pip’s arm started healing almost immediately, the puncture wounds closing swiftly before my eyes. That was definitely new. My brows furrowed in surprise, and I reached out instinctively, gently tracing my fingertips over the smooth, freshly healed skin. It was warm and flawless beneath my touch, as if he'd never been bitten at all.

"That's unusual," I murmured softly, glancing up at Pip. He looked equally astonished, his green eyes wide with disbelief.

"Yeah," he breathed, flexing his arm experimentally. 

Was that an effect of my Balance Breaker I never noticed til now?

Could my blood linger longer in someone's system after healing them, giving them temporary regenerative abilities? It made sense. If true, it could mean I didn't always need to be nearby to keep someone safe. The possibility intrigued me, but I quickly pushed the thought aside. There wasn't time to explore the idea right now.

I turned my focus outward, sharpening my senses carefully. Yet, beneath it all, I strained to listen and sniff for any faint heartbeat or shallow breath—any indication someone still lived.

A faint, trembling moan caught my attention, drifting weakly through the smoky haze from several feet away. I rushed toward the sound, carefully stepping over twisted wreckage and shattered glass that crunched sharply beneath my boots.

"Hang on! I'm coming!" I called reassuringly.

A young woman lay trapped beneath the twisted metal of a crushed car door, her pale face streaked with soot and blood, dark hair tangled and matted. Her breath came in shallow, painful rasps...

In the background, violent explosions suddenly thundered, shaking the ground beneath me. My heart sank slightly with disappointment as I recognized the familiar chaos.

"Sounds like Dad finally found our musket-wielding psycho," I sighed wistfully, helping the woman sit up carefully. "Wish I could've dealt with her myself..."

…It was only hours later that I found out that while I was healing everyone I could—across the ocean—terrible things were happening in my home.

– Seras –

Seras Victoria was sitting on the couch, cuddling with Valerie's other girlfriends, Rose Potter and Narcissa Black, as they watched the international news. 

Walter, Integra, and Persephone were also in the room.

It seemed chaos was still ongoing in Brazil.

Any news helicopter that got close ended up violently shot down, but Integra had at least assured them that Valerie was alright.

Of course she was. 

Seras's beautiful, sexy dhampir girlfriend was amazing, after all. Oh, and she was glad Pip was ok too…

Integra's phone suddenly rang loudly. Her hand snapped up sharply, gripping the device tightly as she answered. Within seconds, her face went stark white, her demeanor cracking with visible fury.

"Bloody hell!" Integra spat sharply, nearly throwing her phone across the room. Seras stiffened instantly. Narcissa and Rose sat up sharply, their faces tight with worry. Seras rubbed soothing circles into their backs, feeling their muscles tense beneath her fingertips.

"What's happened now?" Walter asked calmly. Very little ever fazed this guy.

Integra took a deep, steadying breath before replying, "An aircraft carrier has just been hijacked off the British coast. All communication channels have gone completely silent."

Seras swallowed hard. "That's definitely not good," Seras muttered. Narcissa squeezed her hand gently, offering silent support.

"Is it a nuclear aircraft carrier..." Rose asked the question on everyone's minds.

Integra grimaced and that was more than enough of an answer for everyone.

'Well fuck,' Seras thought.

Integra spun around sharply to face Persephone. "Persephone, daughter of Poseidon, I need you and Seras to handle this immediately. This is a ship problem and you’re our water girl. Get on board, retake control of that bloody ship, and neutralize whoever is behind this. And don't die in the process..."

“Water girl…?” Persephone mouthed, before shaking her head. “Ok.”

"Understood," Seras nodded firmly, rising quickly from the sofa. She felt adrenaline surge through her veins, sharpening her senses instantly. "Do we know who's responsible?"

"No, communications are down. But whoever they are, they clearly intend to bring that ship close enough to attack London. Make sure that doesn't happen!" Integra ordered them.

Seras exchanged a determined glance with Persephone.

…

Seras strode briskly toward the garage, her heavy combat boots echoing sharply off the polished floor. Persephone hurried to keep up. Seras glanced sideways at the younger olive skinned woman, noting the tension in her shoulders and the tight clench of her jaw.

"Once we hit the water," Seras began firmly, "you'll be in charge of any underwater engagements. You've got an advantage there. But for anything else, you follow my lead. Understood? Do not get on that carrier."

Persephone shot her a slightly wounded look, pouting dramatically as they stepped into the brightly lit garage. "You know, I'm not totally helpless," she grumbled, folding her arms stubbornly beneath her chest. "I can handle myself."

"Yeah, sure, until you're lying face-down bleeding out," Seras retorted bluntly, shooting Persephone a stern, no-nonsense stare. "This isn't a training exercise, Persephone! This is real and Valerie is on the other side of the ocean. You're not bulletproof quite yet and only the water will keep you safe. This is probably Millennium we're dealing with."

Persephone huffed but didn't argue further, clearly recognizing the brutal truth in Seras's words. Seras scanned the garage, her eyes landing quickly on the black sports car Integra never drove. It was very nice and probably very fast.

"Come on," she snapped, sliding into the driver's seat and gripping the steering wheel firmly. "We don't have time to waste."

Persephone quickly hopped into the passenger seat. Seras turned the key sharply, the powerful engine roaring to life beneath them, vibrating deliciously through her fingertips. She shifted the car into gear, flooring the accelerator and sending them hurtling out of the garage and into the city towards the coast.

– The Major –

The Major sat in a plush leather chair positioned at the heart of the zeppelin's dimly lit control room. His thick fingers, clad in pristine white gloves, steepled under his chin thoughtfully, the flickering light from the screen casting eerie reflections across his round spectacles. 

His cold, calculating gaze fixed intently on the glowing monitor, displaying Alucard in a gruesome confrontation with Rip Van Winkle. Alucard was winning brutally, of course. "Ah, such a waste," the Major sighed dramatically, shaking his head slowly. "She was a particularly exquisite specimen, but in the end, she lacked the critical resolve."

"That's cruel, Major," Schrödinger remarked casually from nearby, leaning nonchalantly against a metal panel. "Would you toss me aside as readily if I were to fail?"

The Major chuckled. "Absolutely," he confirmed easily, waving a dismissive hand. "All of us, myself included, are mere instruments. Disposable. The sole significance in this impending conflict is absolute victory and the delicious devastation we shall wreak upon our enemies!" He leaned forward eagerly. "Our distractions with the aircraft carrier have been set into motion. If I understand Hellsing as well as I believe I do, they will undoubtedly send Seras Victoria to intervene. That’s one less vampire they will have on their side for our initial attack."

Schrödinger tilted his head curiously, ears twitching slightly as he asked, "And what of the girly boy or Alucard's mistress? Aren’t they risks as well?"

The Major’s grin widened slightly, his eyes narrowing with contemptuous amusement. "The Gasper child? Our surveillance indicates he's frail and meek—hardly worth our attention. As for Alucard’s lovely little love puppet, Selene," he sneered darkly, relishing the cruelty of his words, "she’s nothing more than a pathetic toy. Neither will present any true threat. And even if I am wrong, we still have plenty of ALLIES that will be joining us in this glorious WAR!"

The Major leaned forward slightly, the plush leather of his chair creaking beneath his weight as he reached out, gloved fingers closing firmly around the polished silver microphone. He exhaled slowly, savoring the moment, the delicate balance just before chaos erupted—a balance he was about to delightfully shatter!

He cast a quick glance at Schrödinger, whose feline ears perked with curiosity, the boyish vampire watching him attentively. 

Pressing the transmission button, the Major felt a soft click reverberate through his fingertips. His lips curled into an indulgent, sinister smile as he imagined the eager faces of his loyal soldiers listening keenly, awaiting their orders. “My lovely, faithful soldiers,” he began, voice resonant, clear, and dripping with charismatic enthusiasm. “The hour is finally upon us! The culmination of all our meticulous decades of preparations, our painstaking patience, and our noble sacrifices!”

He paused theatrically, allowing the tension to stretch deliciously, picturing vividly in his mind his soldiers leaning in closer, breathless with anticipation. He had an active imagination…

“Tonight,” he continued, voice rising to an impassioned crescendo, “we unleash a symphony—a glorious anthem composed of chaos, bloodshed, and absolute devastation! Tonight, we paint the city of London with flames brighter and more magnificent than any seen since the closing days of the last great war!”

The Major’s mechanical heartbeat quickened with delight at the thought. He imagined the chaos below. The panicked screams, the frantic attempts at escape, the beautiful terror spreading rapidly through the streets. He could almost taste the smoke, hear the cacophony of explosions mingling with cries of helplessness and confusion, the sounds of warfare.

Schrödinger stepped closer cautiously, his red eyes flickering uncertainly as he looked out the large reinforced observation window. He peered down at the glittering lights of London, so innocent and peaceful from high above.

“You really think Hellsing’s protectors won’t make it back in time, Major?” Schrödinger asked. The boy’s tail twitched nervously.

The Major merely chuckled softly. “Oh, they’ll return eventually, Schrödinger. Perhaps too late to prevent our initial strike, though. The damage will be catastrophic, the morale crushing. Victory does not always come from immediate triumph, my boy, but rather from inflicting wounds too grievous to heal quickly!”

Schrödinger tilted his head thoughtfully. “And if Alucard and his daughter return angry? They might—”

“Let them!” the Major cut him off sharply, eyes glinting behind his round spectacles. “I welcome their rage! I long for it! For without worthy foes, there is no meaning in our magnificent conflict!”

With another dark chuckle, he turned back to the microphone. “Soldiers!” he called again, passion and excitement burning in his tone. “Now is the time! Bombs away! Unleash our fury upon London! Let them feel our strength!”

His thumb pressed firmly down upon another button. The zeppelin shuddered gently beneath his feet as the massive bomb-bay doors slid smoothly open. A low rumble vibrated through the floor and up through his chair as the payloads began dropping, hurtling downward toward the unsuspecting city below.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOOOOOOM!

The Major rose slowly from his seat, stepping closer to the observation window. He stood with his hands clasped elegantly behind his back, gazing downward, watching eagerly as the first explosions bloomed vividly across the city.

The beauty of destruction, the symphony of chaos—there was nothing sweeter in all the world. 

“Magnificent,” he whispered softly, reverently. “Absolutely magnificent.” He turned slightly, addressing Schrödinger once more, his voice low and contemplative, his smile cruelly indulgent. “This is only the beginning, my dear Schrödinger. Before this war is done, the entire world will tremble beneath our boots.”

Schrödinger blinked. “You really love war, Major. Don’t you?”

The Major’s smile widened further, his eyes alight with a passionate madness. “Love it? No, Schrödinger. I worship it. I hope our ALLIES do as well. Because they are in for a real treat…”

XXX