ACT III
CHAPTER 61:
I WILL AVENGE MY FATHER
1500, GALLOWWAY.
In the distant lands that stretched from the entrance to the north of Elijah's gate to Gallowway where many creatures dwelled, some in harmony and others in peril.
The rule from Gallowway hills was stiff and hard on those beneath, the citizens of Gallowway loved their peaceful lives but dreaded the tyranny of their ruler. They would have preferred to be left to their devices but the love of power is an evil that is hard to extinguish.
It would only be in the next 300 years before the twins would kill the ruler and take the hills for themselves, leaving the people of Gallowway to do as they pleased as long as they stayed clear of the hills.
But till then they lived in fear and tried to enjoy whatever peace they had.
The rulers tyranny stood clear of the Gallowway streams that divided Gallowway from lands that were occupied by more powerful beings.
At the edge of Gallowway to the east, beyond the streams stood The Dark Tower, it was only known as that. No one knew how long the tower had been around or who ruled over it, only that the lands around it were guarded.
By day full grown werewolves patrolled and sometimes reached the streams. By night they were tales of vampires that walked the lands and soared the skies.
The tower stood 1000feet high and from the top one could see over the lands at the border and with keener eyes even Pike market came to view. The trees and the dark corners could be seen, the long tail of the stream could be seen and the livestock that the people raised could been seen.
But Alucard only enjoyed the view because it made him feel close to the heavens and far away from fires below as were his fears.
On this night, he sat at the top of the tower with one leg hanging low. His eyes were fixed on the little lights that moved around in Gallowway. It seemed like the people had grown tired of their ruler and banded together to force a revolution.
Of course, these parts of Gallowway were always left out of the commotion, even the ruler dared not cross the streams to exercise whatever powers he thought he had.
Alucard closed his eyes as the wind blew soft tunes at his ears and his golden hair dazzled in the moonlight. It was a full moon and he could hear the howls of the werewolves at the bottom of the tower.
But they were of no interests to him.
He stood up and pulled out a sheathed sword, he began swinging and jumping, sharpening his skills of the sword and keeping his mind away from a pain he wished he never knew.
He closed his eyes and let his body do the dance of the sword while he tried to stay on his feet, dashing from side to side at inhuman speeds as he swung gracefully.
His heart began to pound hard and his swings got heavier, cutting through the air with all his might until his blade was met with another. The heavy sound of metal against metal made him open his green eyes and they laid on a taller man who stood with a hand behind his back.
His dark eyes held Alucard's gaze and a smile brightened his face, his black hair was tied in a half bun and stubble beards surrounded his jaw.
"Father," Alucard said and returned his sword into its sheath at his waist. "Son," Dracula said and stabbed his sword into the roof, he walked and embraced Alurcard.
"It is good to see you boy. It looks like you have been well," Dracula said as he released him, "As well as I can be," Alucard said, "Azazel tells me you have found pleasure in the sword," "As did you when you were my age," "Why don't you show me some moves, maybe this old man can learn a thing or two from the younger generation," Dracula said and backed away toward his sword.
Alucard drew his blade, "You better be ready old man. I won't go easy on you," he said with a smile, "Oh don't," Dracula said and pulled his sword from the roof. The two men charged at each other, painting the dark with sparks from the unity of their blades.
Swinging and disappearing into the dark only to reappear with a heavy swings. They countered each other but as for who was the better swordsman it was clear that Dracula was not putting as much effort as his son.
He overpowered him a few times and used his shoulder to push Alucard to one side and sometimes he would throw him to the ground and let him try again.
After a few more rounds they stopped and sat together at the edge of the roof, admiring the full beauty and aura of the moon.
"How has your journey been? Have you found a way to bring mother yet?" Alucard asked, taking away the smile from Dracula's face.
"Not yet but as long as I live I won't stop searching," he said, "Why do you even try? You and I know that she is gone. I think the best we can do is avenge her and destroy the people that killed her," Alucard said.
Dracula could hear the anger in his voice and it resonated with him, "You should not worry about that. She wouldn't want that," "But she isn't here, is she? We are the ones that have to live with the pain forever," he said and pressed his hand against his chest.
"Mortals envy us for our power, for our immortality but what does it mean when the ones you love are gone," Alucard said.
Dracula placed a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes, "I am not gone Alucard. You are not going to lose me," he said.
"You remind me of your mother but I think your heart is more like mine," Dracula said and laughed softly, "I heard the creator came to you. I assume that means he has given you a treasure," Dracula said, "Yes. It is as you told me when I was younger. When we reach maturity the creator comes and bestows a treasure on us as per the treaty with the heavens.
But I never knew the bond between a sphinx and the treasure would be this strong," Alucard said.
Dracula chuckled and sighed, "I want to tell you something. You know Azazel is ascending the seat of the Lantern. He will be the new boss. He may try to get close to you, be weary of him.
He was your grandfather's ally once, don't trust him" Dracula said.
"Wait, isn't he a fallen angel? How does he even exist in this realm?" "The fallen angels were thrown across the realm in weaker forms, unable to tap into the kind of powers they once had but there are some who know secrets and tricks to help them endure.
Azazel is one of those, he is a master of charms. Sometimes I wonder why the creator made such a being as an angel in the first place then I remember he also made demons and all the other wicked things that crawl on this plane," he said.
"The creator did not seem that bad when he came to me," Alucard said, "That is because I prepared you for it. There are many bastard sphinxes out there that will never know why they have been bestowed a treasure but I made sure that you knew and you were prepared.
I want you to be strong," Dracula said.
"I am," Alucard said and Dracula smiled at him. "Master," a voice said from behind them and they turned to see McAllister standing in a black robe, "We have gained audience with Azazel," he said and Dracula nodded.
"See you soon son,".
NOW.
Alucard stands at the top of the castle looking down at the grounds as he reminisces, he looks forward to the thick veil of ash and dust at the distances that separates them from the underworld.
His father and his grandfather are dwellers in that dark realm, souls to be tortured for all of eternity.
"Don't worry father. I will send the twins to you, you will be avenged,".