Vampire Hunter D Fan Fiction ❯ God of Death ❯ Chapter 5: Lurking in the Darkness ( Chapter 5 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Queenhellfire 
D and Melissa search the ruins and find more than one unexpected surprise.
Anime/Manga: Vampire Hunter D Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Occult / Adventure / Action | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 05.30.2007 | Updated On: 01.27.2011 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 254 | Status: Completed
D and Melissa search the ruins and find more than one unexpected surprise.
Anime/Manga: Vampire Hunter D Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Occult / Adventure / Action | Type: Self Insertion | Uploaded On: 05.30.2007 | Updated On: 01.27.2011 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 254 | Status: Completed
Chapter 5: Lurking in the Darkness
Chill winds moaned as D and the Huntress delved deep into the ruined fortress. They had been walking for two hours but there seemed to be no end of the corridor in sight. Even though light was still streaming from the entrance, the way before them was pitch black. But the dhampir unerringly walked into the darkness, his gleaming eyes roving the shadows. He stopped at the end of the hall and glanced up the hidden ceiling. Melissa stopped a few paces behind him, a frown etching her brow.
‘Is there something wrong?’ she asked. D didn’t answer but put his hand into the shadows. A few moments later, the loud creaking of rusted hinges filled the hall as the Hunter pushed open a door that the blackness had concealed. The darkness vanished as the hall filled with light. D did not look at all surprised.
‘It seems you were right,’ he said. Melissa looked at him.
‘But that only means that some of the systems are still operational,’ she protested. ‘That doesn’t mean that the vampires are anywhere nearby. This could be a deliberate attempt to throw us off.’
D wordlessly swept through the door like a dark ghost, seemingly heedless of her protest.
‘Hey, what are you-?’ She suddenly stopped as the gorgeous youth pushed open a hidden door to their right and walked inside. She followed but froze in the doorway, staring in disbelief.
They were standing in the main control room of the fortress. A series of monitors were set into the walls at sporadic intervals, all of their screens shattered or cracked except for a large one in the middle of the room. Beneath was an enormous and highly advanced control panel system, which was flashing and humming with life, powering the systems they’d encountered as they entered the stronghold. D stood before the controls, completely motionless.
‘The main security surveillance system should be located here,’ said the dhampir. Melissa looked at him.
‘This will be of no use to us,’ she said, her voice edged with frustration as she took in the technology. ‘These systems are too advanced. Even if we managed to gain control of one of the systems, we still lack the knowledge to access it.’
She stared in shock as D’s slender fingers glided over the keys. After a moment or two, the large monitor displayed a virtual map of the stronghold. Every sector had its own surveillance, including the room they now occupied.
‘You work computers as well?’ she said. ‘I must say, I’m impressed. You keep on surprising me, Vampire Hunter.’
Naturally, D didn’t respond to her compliments. Instead he pressed a few keys on the panel, inputting a command that enlarged one of the individual surveillance windows for a better look. It showed a stone stairwell, which led into the lower catacombs of the stronghold.
‘That leads into one of the antechambers,’ said D, reading the screen. ‘The vampires that attacked you could be hiding there.’
‘Or standing right behind you.’
D and Melissa whirled around towards the source of the voice. Standing there, swathed in sheer grey silk, was the red-haired vampire from a few days ago.
‘Lizbeth.’ Melissa said the name like the curse it was. Lizbeth laughed.
‘I see my reputation precedes me,’ she cooed. ‘All good, I hope?’ She advanced on the pair, eyeing each of them in turn. ‘I also see that you brought your bodyguard with you. It truly astounds me that the product of a tryst between a lecherous Noble and a human slut could possess such beauty.’ Her grey eyes shifted to the Huntress. ‘You got off light last time we met. This time, you will not be so fortunate….even with your protector here.’
‘I am going to personally pay you back for what you did to me,’ snarled Melissa.
Lizbeth cackled insanely. ‘Not before I repay your friend for this.’ She removed one of the layers to expose a long thin scar across her belly. ‘It took three days for that wound to heal properly. That is some skill you have, Half-thing. But that is not going to save you this time.’
D stood next to Melissa, his cold demeanour unwavering. ‘Why did you attack her that night? What do you want with her?’
Lizbeth snorted. ‘I want nothing but her death. Titus, however, has other plans.’
‘What plans?’
‘How should I know?’ she purred. ‘I am merely his servant.’ She eyed him lustfully. ‘I wonder what a dhampir’s blood tastes like. Humans are merely everyday food for us…..so blood like yours must be quite the delicacy.’
D’s hand strayed to his sword, but strong, steely fingers clamped down on his wrist. The dhampir Hunter turned to see the young Huntress had a firm grip on his arm. Her beautiful face was hard with fury and resolution.
‘No, D,’ said Melissa, her voice cold as ice. ‘This battle is between her and I.’ She brushed past him and turned her gaze upon Lizbeth.
‘I do not know what game Titus is playing, but I refuse to be a pawn to his messianic delusions.’ Her eyes were jewels of viridian ice as they narrowed to slits of colour in her rage. ‘Unlike your kind, I rever whatever shreds of humanity I manage to preserve. I am not about to let you take me so easily.’
‘Huh? Humanity?’ Lizbeth threw her head back in a fit of deranged laughter. ‘How can you possess humanity when you are nothing to mortals? You were damned by your people because you were a girl indulging in the darkest taboo your city has in place. You’re nothing but an abomination to them. Is this what you called humanity?’ She sneered, displaying her long fangs. ‘You no more human than the rest of your hated profession.’
Melissa’s grip on the sword tightened. ‘Let us test that theory.’
Lizbeth smiled, entirely too smug. ‘Fine by me, Bitch of Death.’ The vampire rushed her, her fangs bared in a snarl as she attacked. Melissa whirled away from her attack and leaped over her, landing lightly on her feet behind the deranged demon. Lizbeth swiped at her again only to have her attack blocked as the Huntress raised her sword and turned it until the flat of the blade was pressing hard against the vampire’s arm.
‘How dare you?!’ Lizbeth shrieked. Melissa did not answer. Instead she ducked under Lizbeth’s next swipe and whirled around until she was behind the vampire. Lizbeth shrieked as the young woman cut her so deeply that she felt the blade graze her spine.
D watched silently, his sword still loose in its sheath.
‘Damn!’ The grating voice came from D’s hand. ‘I gotta hand it to the babe, D. She’s good! Not surprising with that body of hers. I bet her blood’ll knock you on the head.’
‘Quiet.’ D’s voice held an undercurrent of warning. The parasite fell silent. D watched the battle intently, waiting patiently.
The female vampire leaped back in rage and her hand flashed out. Melissa snarled and leaped back, clutching the deep wound running the length of her shoulder. Ignoring the pain, she twirled her sword and lunged at her. Lizbeth laughed as she danced out of the way, swiftly avoiding her attack. The vampire swiped at Melissa’s back and whipped her leg in a vicious arc, kicking the Huntress in the back so hard that she dropped her sword and fell to her hands and knees. Lizbeth was immediately on her, her taloned fingers tangling in the Huntress’s raven hair and pulling her head back to expose her pale neck.
‘Not so tough without your weapon, are you, my pretty?’ she purred. Her other hand roamed over the young mortal’s body, caressing her like a lover. ‘I will drain every drop in your body, and then paint the walls with the blood of your bodyguard. Titus can always find another to be his.’
‘What?’ Melissa’s voice was strained due to the angle of her head. ‘What the hell are you talking about? You said you didn’t know what he was planning!’
‘I lied,’ whispered Lizbeth, licking the blood from her wounds. Melissa shivered with revulsion. ‘Titus wants you to join his cause. He wants to turn you and make you one of his Purifiers. With you out of the way, he can then take control of Verna and drain the city dry.’
‘I will never join him or his vile breed,’ the Huntress snarled, reaching under her cloak. ‘I would rather die than live as a filthy, corpse-fucking vampire!’
Lizbeth’s eyes blazed with unholy rage. ‘Why you insolent bitch! Very well, when you get to the next world, tell them how humiliated you were!’ She bared her fangs and dipped her head to strike.
A flash of light and Lizbeth shrieked as she doubled over, clutching at the wound in her chest.
Melissa lashed out, shattering a small vial of clear liquid on Lizbeth’s face. Lizbeth screamed, releasing the Huntress as she clutched at her burning face. The young woman rolled to her feet and turned to face the vampire for another round. She found only D standing before her, gazing at the door to the control room with his sword unsheathed. Lizbeth was nowhere in sight.
‘Where is she?’ Melissa demanded.
‘She’s gone,’ replied the dhampir. ‘But I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of her.’ He sheathed his sword and turned to her. ‘Are you all right?’
‘A bit worse for the wear, but I’ll survive.’ Melissa snarled softly as she rose to her feet. She glared at him. ‘I thought I told you not to interfere.’
‘You looked like you needed a hand,’ said D. He handed her her sword. Melissa took it, relieved to have its comforting weight back in her hand.
‘Well, thanks.’ She sheathed her sword. ‘So, now what do we do?’
D glanced back out the door. ‘The vampires will most likely be in the lower catacombs. But now that they know we’re here, they will probably try to seal the entrance.’
‘So we’re back where we started.’ Melissa sighed, dejected. ‘Some Vampire Hunter I am. I track them here only to lose them again. Will this nightmare never end?’
D looked at her. ‘You’re forgetting who you’re with.’
Melissa stared at him. Was she imagining it or was his face softer than before? The dhampir Hunter looked at her.
‘We should head back,’ he said. ‘I need to see to those wounds of yours.’
‘What? Going to douse me with your holy antiseptic again?’ Melissa joked. She snarled in pain and her legs buckled beneath her. If anything, the pain was worse than what she still felt from the wounds of her torture the day before. Could a vampire’s rage be channelled through the damage they inflict? ‘I suppose we can leave the tracking until tomorrow.’ She made to rise, but it was surprisingly difficult.
‘Damn bitch,’ she growled. ‘She must have laced poison on her talons this time.’
D silently walked over and knelt in front of the injured Huntress. Melissa looked at him.
‘What are you-?’
The question died on her lips as the dhampir lifted her up into his arms and rose to his feet.
‘Hey! Wait a minute!’ she protested. ‘I-‘ She snarled again, pain jolting her body. D stopped.
‘What is it?’
The Huntress wouldn’t look at him. ‘Could you- could you please be gentle? They hurt like Hell.’
D glanced at her briefly before walking out of the fortress, careful not to jolt the young woman as he carried her home.
Converting /tmp/php5L9iPU to /dev/stdout
Chill winds moaned as D and the Huntress delved deep into the ruined fortress. They had been walking for two hours but there seemed to be no end of the corridor in sight. Even though light was still streaming from the entrance, the way before them was pitch black. But the dhampir unerringly walked into the darkness, his gleaming eyes roving the shadows. He stopped at the end of the hall and glanced up the hidden ceiling. Melissa stopped a few paces behind him, a frown etching her brow.
‘Is there something wrong?’ she asked. D didn’t answer but put his hand into the shadows. A few moments later, the loud creaking of rusted hinges filled the hall as the Hunter pushed open a door that the blackness had concealed. The darkness vanished as the hall filled with light. D did not look at all surprised.
‘It seems you were right,’ he said. Melissa looked at him.
‘But that only means that some of the systems are still operational,’ she protested. ‘That doesn’t mean that the vampires are anywhere nearby. This could be a deliberate attempt to throw us off.’
D wordlessly swept through the door like a dark ghost, seemingly heedless of her protest.
‘Hey, what are you-?’ She suddenly stopped as the gorgeous youth pushed open a hidden door to their right and walked inside. She followed but froze in the doorway, staring in disbelief.
They were standing in the main control room of the fortress. A series of monitors were set into the walls at sporadic intervals, all of their screens shattered or cracked except for a large one in the middle of the room. Beneath was an enormous and highly advanced control panel system, which was flashing and humming with life, powering the systems they’d encountered as they entered the stronghold. D stood before the controls, completely motionless.
‘The main security surveillance system should be located here,’ said the dhampir. Melissa looked at him.
‘This will be of no use to us,’ she said, her voice edged with frustration as she took in the technology. ‘These systems are too advanced. Even if we managed to gain control of one of the systems, we still lack the knowledge to access it.’
She stared in shock as D’s slender fingers glided over the keys. After a moment or two, the large monitor displayed a virtual map of the stronghold. Every sector had its own surveillance, including the room they now occupied.
‘You work computers as well?’ she said. ‘I must say, I’m impressed. You keep on surprising me, Vampire Hunter.’
Naturally, D didn’t respond to her compliments. Instead he pressed a few keys on the panel, inputting a command that enlarged one of the individual surveillance windows for a better look. It showed a stone stairwell, which led into the lower catacombs of the stronghold.
‘That leads into one of the antechambers,’ said D, reading the screen. ‘The vampires that attacked you could be hiding there.’
‘Or standing right behind you.’
D and Melissa whirled around towards the source of the voice. Standing there, swathed in sheer grey silk, was the red-haired vampire from a few days ago.
‘Lizbeth.’ Melissa said the name like the curse it was. Lizbeth laughed.
‘I see my reputation precedes me,’ she cooed. ‘All good, I hope?’ She advanced on the pair, eyeing each of them in turn. ‘I also see that you brought your bodyguard with you. It truly astounds me that the product of a tryst between a lecherous Noble and a human slut could possess such beauty.’ Her grey eyes shifted to the Huntress. ‘You got off light last time we met. This time, you will not be so fortunate….even with your protector here.’
‘I am going to personally pay you back for what you did to me,’ snarled Melissa.
Lizbeth cackled insanely. ‘Not before I repay your friend for this.’ She removed one of the layers to expose a long thin scar across her belly. ‘It took three days for that wound to heal properly. That is some skill you have, Half-thing. But that is not going to save you this time.’
D stood next to Melissa, his cold demeanour unwavering. ‘Why did you attack her that night? What do you want with her?’
Lizbeth snorted. ‘I want nothing but her death. Titus, however, has other plans.’
‘What plans?’
‘How should I know?’ she purred. ‘I am merely his servant.’ She eyed him lustfully. ‘I wonder what a dhampir’s blood tastes like. Humans are merely everyday food for us…..so blood like yours must be quite the delicacy.’
D’s hand strayed to his sword, but strong, steely fingers clamped down on his wrist. The dhampir Hunter turned to see the young Huntress had a firm grip on his arm. Her beautiful face was hard with fury and resolution.
‘No, D,’ said Melissa, her voice cold as ice. ‘This battle is between her and I.’ She brushed past him and turned her gaze upon Lizbeth.
‘I do not know what game Titus is playing, but I refuse to be a pawn to his messianic delusions.’ Her eyes were jewels of viridian ice as they narrowed to slits of colour in her rage. ‘Unlike your kind, I rever whatever shreds of humanity I manage to preserve. I am not about to let you take me so easily.’
‘Huh? Humanity?’ Lizbeth threw her head back in a fit of deranged laughter. ‘How can you possess humanity when you are nothing to mortals? You were damned by your people because you were a girl indulging in the darkest taboo your city has in place. You’re nothing but an abomination to them. Is this what you called humanity?’ She sneered, displaying her long fangs. ‘You no more human than the rest of your hated profession.’
Melissa’s grip on the sword tightened. ‘Let us test that theory.’
Lizbeth smiled, entirely too smug. ‘Fine by me, Bitch of Death.’ The vampire rushed her, her fangs bared in a snarl as she attacked. Melissa whirled away from her attack and leaped over her, landing lightly on her feet behind the deranged demon. Lizbeth swiped at her again only to have her attack blocked as the Huntress raised her sword and turned it until the flat of the blade was pressing hard against the vampire’s arm.
‘How dare you?!’ Lizbeth shrieked. Melissa did not answer. Instead she ducked under Lizbeth’s next swipe and whirled around until she was behind the vampire. Lizbeth shrieked as the young woman cut her so deeply that she felt the blade graze her spine.
D watched silently, his sword still loose in its sheath.
‘Damn!’ The grating voice came from D’s hand. ‘I gotta hand it to the babe, D. She’s good! Not surprising with that body of hers. I bet her blood’ll knock you on the head.’
‘Quiet.’ D’s voice held an undercurrent of warning. The parasite fell silent. D watched the battle intently, waiting patiently.
The female vampire leaped back in rage and her hand flashed out. Melissa snarled and leaped back, clutching the deep wound running the length of her shoulder. Ignoring the pain, she twirled her sword and lunged at her. Lizbeth laughed as she danced out of the way, swiftly avoiding her attack. The vampire swiped at Melissa’s back and whipped her leg in a vicious arc, kicking the Huntress in the back so hard that she dropped her sword and fell to her hands and knees. Lizbeth was immediately on her, her taloned fingers tangling in the Huntress’s raven hair and pulling her head back to expose her pale neck.
‘Not so tough without your weapon, are you, my pretty?’ she purred. Her other hand roamed over the young mortal’s body, caressing her like a lover. ‘I will drain every drop in your body, and then paint the walls with the blood of your bodyguard. Titus can always find another to be his.’
‘What?’ Melissa’s voice was strained due to the angle of her head. ‘What the hell are you talking about? You said you didn’t know what he was planning!’
‘I lied,’ whispered Lizbeth, licking the blood from her wounds. Melissa shivered with revulsion. ‘Titus wants you to join his cause. He wants to turn you and make you one of his Purifiers. With you out of the way, he can then take control of Verna and drain the city dry.’
‘I will never join him or his vile breed,’ the Huntress snarled, reaching under her cloak. ‘I would rather die than live as a filthy, corpse-fucking vampire!’
Lizbeth’s eyes blazed with unholy rage. ‘Why you insolent bitch! Very well, when you get to the next world, tell them how humiliated you were!’ She bared her fangs and dipped her head to strike.
A flash of light and Lizbeth shrieked as she doubled over, clutching at the wound in her chest.
Melissa lashed out, shattering a small vial of clear liquid on Lizbeth’s face. Lizbeth screamed, releasing the Huntress as she clutched at her burning face. The young woman rolled to her feet and turned to face the vampire for another round. She found only D standing before her, gazing at the door to the control room with his sword unsheathed. Lizbeth was nowhere in sight.
‘Where is she?’ Melissa demanded.
‘She’s gone,’ replied the dhampir. ‘But I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of her.’ He sheathed his sword and turned to her. ‘Are you all right?’
‘A bit worse for the wear, but I’ll survive.’ Melissa snarled softly as she rose to her feet. She glared at him. ‘I thought I told you not to interfere.’
‘You looked like you needed a hand,’ said D. He handed her her sword. Melissa took it, relieved to have its comforting weight back in her hand.
‘Well, thanks.’ She sheathed her sword. ‘So, now what do we do?’
D glanced back out the door. ‘The vampires will most likely be in the lower catacombs. But now that they know we’re here, they will probably try to seal the entrance.’
‘So we’re back where we started.’ Melissa sighed, dejected. ‘Some Vampire Hunter I am. I track them here only to lose them again. Will this nightmare never end?’
D looked at her. ‘You’re forgetting who you’re with.’
Melissa stared at him. Was she imagining it or was his face softer than before? The dhampir Hunter looked at her.
‘We should head back,’ he said. ‘I need to see to those wounds of yours.’
‘What? Going to douse me with your holy antiseptic again?’ Melissa joked. She snarled in pain and her legs buckled beneath her. If anything, the pain was worse than what she still felt from the wounds of her torture the day before. Could a vampire’s rage be channelled through the damage they inflict? ‘I suppose we can leave the tracking until tomorrow.’ She made to rise, but it was surprisingly difficult.
‘Damn bitch,’ she growled. ‘She must have laced poison on her talons this time.’
D silently walked over and knelt in front of the injured Huntress. Melissa looked at him.
‘What are you-?’
The question died on her lips as the dhampir lifted her up into his arms and rose to his feet.
‘Hey! Wait a minute!’ she protested. ‘I-‘ She snarled again, pain jolting her body. D stopped.
‘What is it?’
The Huntress wouldn’t look at him. ‘Could you- could you please be gentle? They hurt like Hell.’
D glanced at her briefly before walking out of the fortress, careful not to jolt the young woman as he carried her home.
Converting /tmp/php5L9iPU to /dev/stdout