The villagers stepped back, fear gripping their hearts. Vlad stepped forward, trying to reason with the figure. "We mean no harm. We seek refuge from the King's army. Please, we need your help."
The protector's eyes narrowed. "I am Alucard, guardian of this sanctuary. Your reasons do not concern me. You have trespassed, and for that, you must leave or die."
Vlad's heart pounded. He knew they couldn't leave, not with the King's army on their heels. "We can't leave. Our lives depend on this sanctuary. Please, hear us out."
Alucard raised his hand, summoning a blade of pure energy. "Your pleas fall on deaf ears. Prepare to defend yourselves."
The Desperate Battle
Vlad had no choice but to fight. He drew his sword, facing Alucard with determination. The battle was swift and brutal. Alucard moved with incredible speed and precision; his attacks relentless. Vlad struggled to keep up, his every move countered by the guardian's superior skills.
Elara joined the fray, her combat skills honed from years of training. But even together, they were no match for Alucard's might. The villagers watched in horror as their leaders were pushed to their limits.
Just as Alucard was about to deliver a finishing blow, his eyes caught sight of the amulet hanging around Vlad's neck. He froze, his blade hovering inches from Vlad's throat. Slowly, he lowered his weapon and fell to his knees.
"The amulet…" Alucard murmured; his voice filled with reverence. "You are the chosen one."
Vlad, panting and bruised, looked at the guardian in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Alucard stood; his demeanour transformed from hostility to respect. "The amulet you wear is a symbol of great power. It was entrusted to the protector of this land, a beacon of hope in times of darkness. You are its bearer, and thus, I am bound to serve you."
A New Ally
The villagers sighed in relief as Alucard sheathed his weapon. Vlad helped him to his feet, still trying to process the sudden change. "Will you help us defend this sanctuary?" Vlad asked.
Alucard nodded solemnly. "I will. The sanctuary will be your stronghold, and I will fight by your side to protect it."
Vlad turned to his people, a newfound sense of hope in his heart. "We have a new ally," he announced. "With Alucard's help, we will stand strong. This sanctuary will be our fortress, and we will defend it against all who seek to harm us."
Alucard's Story
As the villagers settled in and explored the sanctuary, Alucard began to share his story with Vlad and the council.
"This sanctuary," Alucard began, his voice echoing in the grand hall, "was once the heart of a great civilization, a place of unmatched knowledge and power. We harnessed the forces of magic and science to achieve wonders beyond imagination. I am a creation of that era, born through the genius of genetic engineering and brought to life by the amulet's power."
The villagers listened in awe as Alucard continued. "I was designed to be the perfect soldier—a being that does not tire does not age, and possesses immense strength and skill. Dracul, the brilliant scientist and supreme mage, was my creator. He foresaw the potential for our work to be used for evil, and so he guarded our secrets closely."
Alucard' s gaze hardened as he recounted the darker part of his tale. "But greed and ambition know no bounds. A greedy king coveted our knowledge and power. When Dracul refused to submit, he was chased out and branded a traitor. Dracul took the amulet with him, intending to protect it and our legacy."
The villagers were spellbound by Alucard's words. "Dracul fought valiantly but was eventually captured. They judged him a traitor and attempted to kill him. When they found they could not even scratch him, they were forced to incapacitate him and imprison him. As Dracul recovered over a week, one night he vanished. The king searched the whole kingdom, but there was no trace of him or the amulet. Surprisingly, all amulets in the kingdom also stopped working."
"Over time, our great civilization decayed," Alucard continued, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I am now the only one left—a haunting ghost of a supreme civilization. I have searched for my creator ever since but found no trace of him. Dracul was a supreme mage, and if he wished to hide, he would be nearly impossible to find."
Alucard's eyes fixed on the amulet around Vlad's neck. "But the amulet brings hope. It was created by Dracul to help the people, and only those who hold his blood can use it. If you can wield its power, Vlad, then it means you possess the blood of Dracul. You are the chosen one."
An Heirloom Revealed
Vlad took a deep breath and began to share his own story. "This amulet has been in my family for generations. It was always treated as a precious heirloom, passed down from one generation to the next. My father told me it had great power and that it would protect us in times of need. I never fully understood its significance until now."
Alucard listened intently. "And now, that power will serve its true purpose. Tell me, Vlad, what troubles do your people face?"
The Village's Plight
Vlad's expression grew sombre as he recounted the hardships faced by his village. "We have been under constant threat from the King's army. They seek to crush any resistance, and our village is no exception. The King's soldiers come and conscript all the young able men and women, leaving the old and injured to fend for themselves. They impose heavy taxes on the village, demanding more than we can afford to give."
Alucard listened patiently as Vlad continued, "We fought valiantly to protect our home, but their numbers are overwhelming. The soldiers have no mercy, taking everything, we have and leaving us with nothing. We sought refuge here, hoping to find a way to protect our people."
Vlad looked around at his weary and wounded people. "Many are injured, some gravely. We need all the help we can get."
The Healing Device
Alucard nodded. "There is a device within this sanctuary that can heal injuries, but it stopped working when the amulet was taken. Now that the amulet has returned, we can activate it and heal the injured."
He led Vlad to the core area of the sanctuary, a chamber filled with ancient technology and magical artifacts. In the center was a healing bed-type device, dormant for ages.
"Place the amulet here," Alucard instructed, pointing to a slot in the device. Vlad did as he was told, and immediately, the device lit up, causing the entire chamber to glow with a warm, healing light.
The villagers were awestruck as the device hummed to life. One by one, the injured were placed on the healing bed, their wounds mending rapidly as the device worked its magic. Once all major injuries were taken care of, everyone retired for the night.
Alucard's Vigil
Vlad noticed Alucard standing in the shadows, waiting for something. He approached him, curiosity and concern in his eyes. "Alucard, what are you doing?"
Alucard gave a vague answer. "Don't worry, My Lord. I am going to hunt. I will be back before dawn." With that, he vanished into the darkness.
Wary of any potential threats, Vlad called upon his scouts and positioned them strategically to ensure they were informed in case of any emergency. There was no harm in being careful.
A Disturbing Report
But the news he received from the scouts in the village made his nightmares come true.....