But now Thor and Forseti were eagerly searching for the source of the eternal flame- the Chaotic Flames. They wanted to know where the origin artefact of chaos slept. Unlike the gods, the one they wanted to gift the devilstone artefact to was young, and he wouldn't be able to wait patiently for a hundred years. The young lord needed the weapon now. The only way to do that was to throw devilstone into the chaotic flames. Unfortunately, they had found neither the stone nor the flames. And Thor was hoping that the seemingly knowledgeable Dracula would have truly valuable information. As for the specifics of the story, he didn't think it was necessary to disclose them. And he also didn't bother to tell Dracula that Ananse was a she- not a he.
Dracula realised that there was more to the story than he knew, but he didn't choose to question the thunder god or his nephew. He coughed lightly and resumed his story.
"The scholar who found the devilstone kept wondering the realms. Over his many travels, he came across more devilstone. He wasn't strong enough to take it for himself, nor did he want to. He wasn't interested in the mineral, only in knowledge. But his lack of interest in the mineral he had studied several years back and understood didn't cause him to grow pompous. For he knew that even if he didn't want it, there were many who did. He mapped out the coordinates of all the locations that held this precious mineral, and preserved this knowledge so that those who did need it, would get it. And that is what I wish to share with you today. The knowledge of the devilstone. I know where you would find some."
Thor stood up from the rock on which he sat. His figure flashed and in the very next second he was right in front of Dracula. He didn't give the one who ruled the night enough time to register what had just happened. He grabbed his collar and hoisted him up. His countenance was stern and his expression rigid. The aura around him was cold and unfeeling. So frigid was his bearing that the two minions of the Vampire Lord who wanted to rush to their master's aid couldn't even move. They could only grit their teeth in anger as they helplessly watched Thor take their honoured master captive. As for Alucard, he didn't seem to share in their anxiety. The blood prince looked carefree and unbothered. He acted as though it was a stranger who was being held, and not his father. Definitely, no one watching this would assume that the two were related in any way. The small smirk on Alucard's face showed that he didn't mind what was happening. He was rather eager to see how it will all unfold.
"Are you certain that the information is true?" Thor asked. His smiling expression just a few minutes prior was no longer present. He didn't even care that he had inadvertently kicked the unconscious Asgardians aside in his brief march to Dracula. Forseti didn't stop the thunder god. He wanted to know, just like his uncle, whether the vampire lord's words were true. What the vampire was implying was very valuable. But just as it was valuable, it was also unbelievable. The unbelief came from the simple fact that the two gods had been alive so long, and yet knew nothing about where to find devilstone. And this wasn't for the luck of trying. After the long war for the devilstone, the gods and warriors of Asgard had roamed the realms seeking to find this mineral. They weren't alone in their search. All other high races with sufficient strength and the belief that they had the power to keep whatever they found, were involved in this search. The results of the universe wide search was the same for all- nothing. No one found any trace of devilstone. Even the world in which it was previously found was scoured, with some careless gods choosing to raze it to nothing but dust. All this was done in the hope of acquiring devilstone, yet their efforts proved futile. The devilstone remained hidden, keeping true to its title as one of the seven great mysteries of the cosmos, and mocked those who searched in vain with its continued silence.
Even Thor, when he had begun his search, had asked that he be given three years. If he failed to find anything worthwhile after three years, the search will be called off. But now here they were, before a race that was on its last legs, being told that although the vampires were not as old, neither did they have as rich a history as the others, they had the knowledge that all had failed to grasp. Initially, Thor had assumed that the information concerned the Chaotic Flames. That was why he patiently listened. Unlike devilstone, the search for the Chaotic Flames wasn't as thorough, neither was it was expansive. After all, it was only the gods of Asgard who knew the origins of the eternal flame. It would be more believable to receive information on the origin artefact, than to believe that someone knew where to find devilstone. And from Dracula's words, he didn't just know where to find a piece of this precious mineral, he knew where to find pieces of it.
Dracula didn't mind Thor's reaction, neither did he mind the massive hands that had latched themselves securely to his shirt collar. Just like Alucard, he only smiled and nodded his head. His expression was calm, very much unlike one deeply soaked in the killing intent of the thunder god. It was marvellous that he even found the strength to nod. But from his lack of words, it was clear that was all the overwhelming pressure that had been dropped on him will allow.
"Good. Where is your proof?" Thor dropped the vampire lord back onto his seat. The killing intent that weighed heavily upon the vampires disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. Accompanying its departure were the dark clouds that had gathered in the few seconds that it had appeared. And Mjolnir who lay on the ground headfirst, ceased its excited tremble at the prospect of spilling vampire blood.
Dracula reached into his cloak and took out a scroll. The scroll was made out of goatskin. Its dark leather glittered brightly under the now revealed sunlight. Thor's expression changed upon seeing the scroll- and so did Forseti. The god of justice stood up with a start. He quickly joined Thor to examine the scroll. Yet even in their amazement, neither opened it to check its contents.
"Who gave this to you?" Thor asked. His voice trembled lightly. Yet it wasn't in excitement, but joy. It was almost as if he knew the answer to his question. He only asked to be certain.
"He said he was an old friend of yours. He left this here and asked that we give it to you in exchange for a favour. He told us the story of the devilstone. Told us what to say. And when we expressed our reluctance to meet the gods of Asgard because we are wanted by them, he said that wouldn't be a problem, for you will seek us out. He said you would pass by here, and that you would lay our home to waste. We didn't want to believe him, but it turns out he was right. As he was about everything else. He wouldn't leave his name behind. Only saying that we should give you the scroll, along with everything else I have said, and you would know who he is. Rest assured, we didn't open the scroll. We couldn't even if we wanted to. It is sealed, and we cannot open it with our current abilities. But I reckon that isn't the same for you." Dracula answered.
Thor laughed loudly at the vampire's words. His laughter was as boisterous and loud as it was genuine. He had a happy smile on his face as he exclaimed, "Old friend, even after all these years, you still watch over us. Hahaha. Thank you old friend!"
Forseti smiled happily as well. He looked at Thor, then Mjolnir. He smiled and said to the sentient hammer, "She lives Mjolnir. Your designer lives!"