VAN HELSING AND MURADO: SECRETS AND ADVENTURES
Part one
The Lost Demon
He sat there in the tavern in Vaseria, Transylvania, quietly eating soup that the Tavern lady had kindly supplied him. She watched in amazement as he wolfed down his fourth bowl. He was a young man of twenty years with long black hair that was tied up and deep blue eyes. He had slender cheeks and sharp ears. His frame may have been thin but he seemed extremely strong. His clothes were well worn; his red silk shirt had several rips and tears, and his black leather pants had a large tear in the right shin area. Attached to his waist was a diamond encrusted sword that glistened in the light. As she was studying him, he was studying her. She was close to twenty year with long curly brown hair and soft brown eyes. Her face was soft and slender like the rest of her body. Her dress was simple and neat, made with fine red and gold silk.
“You’re going to make yourself sick if you keep eating," she said suddenly," you eat as though you haven't ate in years."
“I’m sorry." said the young man in a soft yet strong voice.
The Tavern lady only smiled and said," Do you have a place to stay for the night?"
“Just the outdoors M'lady."
“Oh no. Can't have you do that. Vampires prowl the night."
“Yes, but I can't take advantage of you or your tavern."
“Nonsense. I'd be honored if you stayed."
“Very well," he said reaching in a pocket he pulled out a pouch of coins," Please take this as my gratitude."
“You’re a stubborn one aren't you." she said taking the pouch," You can sleep on the couch by the fire so that you won't freeze."
“Thank you." he replied bowing his head.
“By the way, what is your name?" she asked looking at him with curiosity
He paused for awhile as if lost in thought," My name is Murando."
“That’s a lovely name."
Suddenly bells started to ring and there was a loud shrieking outside. The Tavern lady’s eyes were wide and were filled with horror. She quickly grabbed Murando by the arm and rushed down the hall and into the room that had no windows nor lanterns. She backed up into him and held her breath. From outside the door they heard footsteps and when they got closer he felt the Tavern lady press against him. He gripped his sword hilt tightly in his hands. He was ready for whatever came through the door.
“Listen Marishka. Two hearts are beating, one scared, and the other is surprisingly calm." Came a woman's voice.
“I hear it."
The Tavern lady pressed even harder against Murando almost causing him to fall. He gently moved her to his side so that he would be able to fight. He heard a rush of feet and knew that whoever was on the other side was about to knock down the door. He leapt out of the way as the door came flying off its hinges in a rush of debris. Murando landed on his back and in an instant he leapt to his feet. When the dust settled he saw three women holding the Tavern lady. One with red hair was about to bite into the Tavern lady with her overgrown canine teeth, while the other two, one with golden hair and one with black hair, was patiently waiting for their turn. Murando rushed at them with his sword drawn. He leapt at the nearest one, which was the golden haired one, and sent his sword into her side. She screamed and threw him off and pulled his sword out of her. They dropped the unconscious Tavern lady and slowly approached him.
“Brave boy. You risk your life for hers." said the red haired woman.
“Why wouldn't I." replied Murando backing up against the wall.
The black haired woman laughed saying, "Cause now we feed on you."
The three women leapt at him but he jumped out of the way and they crashed through the wall into the frozen world outside. Murando jumped out of the hole and was ready to find and defeat the vampires. He walked into the center of the town and looked around. His query was nowhere in site. All of a sudden a screech came from above. He looked up and saw three winged women coming at him.
“You have interrupted our meal. Now be ready to become one yourself." said the red haired woman.
"Aleera can I have first taste?" asked the golden haired woman.
“Only if you get to him first." Said the red haired woman now known as Aleera.
They all flew down at him in one swift motion. He only had time to dodge one before the black haired one pinned him down. She laughed in his ear as he tried to struggle free. The other two landed beside him laughing at him.
"Well down Varona." said Aleera circling around Murando.
“Now it is time to feed." said the golden haired one now known as Marishka.
Varona was about to sink her fangs into Murando's skin when a growl came from above them. The three vampires quickly leapt off of him in fear of this new being. He looked up to see a black haired man with deep icy dark eyes. He was dressed in black clothes from his cape to his pants. He stared angrily at the three women.
“I told you not to attack the stranger." said the man.
“We didn't know it was him, Lord Dracula." replied Aleera with a tinge a fright in her voice.
Dracula quickly lifted Murando over his shoulder as though he was a child," No matter we take him with us."
From behind the Tavern lady ran at Dracula with a knife in her hand. She was about to stab him when he dropped Murando and turned to catch her hand. He smiled as he was about to bite her, when all of a sudden Murando kicked Dracula's legs causing him to let go of the Tavern lady and fall to the ground. Murando quickly got up and slammed himself on top of Dracula. The three women tried to pull Murando off but he would not yield. Dracula then turned into his demon form and threw Murando off. Seeing how it was useless to try and grab Murando he flew off with the women following closely behind.
The tavern lady went to where Murando lay unconscious. He had fainted from exhaustion and so the Tavern lady picked him up and carried him inside. Murando was woken by the Tavern lady in the morning. He looked out the window and guessed that it was near midday by the position of the sun. He got up and went over to the bar where the Tavern lady had a warm bowl of porridge waiting. He ate it silently and when he finished the Tavern lady came in.
“I never got your name." he called to her.
“Oh I'm sorry I guess with all that had happened I must have forgotten. My name is Rachel and I thank you for saving my life." she said.
Smiling Murando said," You're welcome."
“I’m sorry to have woken you up but we have two strangers that have come and they won't tell us their identity. I told the other villagers that you might know these men." explained Rachel
“I will try." was all that Murando could come up with as a reply.
Murando got up and followed Rachel outside. A crowd had formed around two figures; one was a friar, Murando could tell by his brown robe he was wearing, and the other was oddly familiar, he had a large hat on and a large cape that nearly covered his whole body.
“Good you've brought him." called Anna Valerious
Murando meet Anna when he came into Vaseria last night. She directed him to the tavern, though she asked for his identity first. Now he must identify these two travelers if he could. Rachel looked at him with questioning eyes.
“Do you know them?" She asked
“I might know him, but of his name I do not know." said Murando nodding towards the man with the hat.
“Like I said I'm only here to help." said the man.
“We don't need your help." Said Anna.
The stranger drew his crossbow up," Really?"
Anna ducked as the demon form of Marishka flew in for an attack. The stranger sent a volley of arrows at Marishka. Soon the other two were upon them. They dodged out of the way as the stranger shot arrows at them.
“EVERYONE INSIDE." yelled Anna
The villagers ran in a frenzy to nearby houses and shelters. Murando quickly pulled his sword free and ran towards Varona. He jumped up and grabbed one of her feet. She tried to kick him off but he held with all of his might. Aleera and Marishka soon came to help their sister. They pulled his arms off and held them tight so that he had no control over them. He started to swing his body back and forth then with a little more power he sent himself flipping free. When he started to fall back to the ground he landed on top of Marishka causing them both to take a deadly plunge to the earth.
" No we mustn't let him die." cried Aleera but suddenly she looked into the sky," No the sun is coming out.'
Suddenly the vampires disappeared in the blink of an eye leaving Murando to his deadly fate, but as he neared to the ground the stranger shot his grappling hook to a nearby rooftop and as he was flying in the air he caught Murando. They landed on top of the house and the stranger then rushed to wear Anna stood on the ground. They both walked towards the well and when they got to it the sun was blocked by a passing cloud and the vampire Aleera flew up grabbing Anna, leaving only Marishka to attack the stranger, the friar, and Murando. The Friar tried to toss the stranger a bottle of holy water but a passing Varona caught the bottle and threw it in the well.
“The Church." cried the friar.
As the stranger ran towards the church Marishka flew at him, but she flew right under Murando and he jumped on top of her giving the stranger some time to get to the church. Marishka threw him off and flew towards the stranger who had just dipped the tip of his crossbow into the holy water. Her eyes went wide as she realized she had just made a mistake. With a well aimed shot the crossbow bolt went into her heart. She tumbled up onto a church spire there she disintegrated as she screamed. The other two vampires let out cries of sorrow as they flew off, but Murando heard a cry of a different sort. When he looked up he saw that one of the vampires had Rachel.
“NO." he cried as he ran to the edge of the town. He watched silently as the figures grew smaller.
The stranger came up beside him and put a comforting arm on his shoulder," I'm sorry my friend."
“I will find her."
“First we must go to Anna Valerious."
Murando shrugged of the stranger's hand and turned to look at him," No you go to her. I'm going to save Rachel."
The stranger sighed and said," Very well go. By the way my name is Van Helsing and if you need my help you will know where to look."
“My name is Murando."
Murando turned away to leave the quiet village and Van Helsing walked back to the steps of the church and sat down. His friend Carl picked up his hat and walked back to him. Soon the angry mob was surrounding them again.
“Isn’t it a good thing that we killed a vampire." asked Carl
“Vampires only kill what they need to survive, one or two people a month. Now they will kill for revenge." said the Undertaker who had a large top hat on.
“Are you always this popular?" asked Carl
“Pretty much." replied Van Helsing
“And what name do I put on your tombstone?" smiled the Undertaker
“His name is Van Helsing." Called out Anna as she walked towards Van Helsing," and he is the first person to kill a vampire in a hundred years."
As the three of them were walking to the Valerious house Van Helsing told Anna what Murando was doing and her only reply was," I will go tonight and look for him and Dracula."
Murando quietly marched out of the village gates. His eyes were ablaze with the fires of vengeance. He was soon passing a burned down windmill and almost to the forest when the sound of laughter soon caught his attention. He turned to see the Undertaker walk from behind the windmill.
“I’m surprised at you. No one would ever dare pursue a vampire and yet here you are." said the Undertaker.
“They took Rachel and I must save her, and neither you nor anyone else will stop me.' said Murando.
“Such courage, but I'm just wondering what do the vampires want with you?"
“What do you mean?"
“Is it just a coincidence that the vampires try to capture you twice, is it just a possibility that they try not to harm you, and why is it they took Rachel as their prisoner?"
“I’m not sure."
“You must have some memory that would explain why they would want you."
“No my memory has been broken and I only have pieces of it."
" I see." said the Undertaker, then he started to turn and walk away," Well I best not hold you back. Good luck sir."
Murando continued on with the conversation that he had with the Undertaker still swirling around his head. What was it that Dracula wanted with him? As he was thinking he barely noticed that his road had brought him to a large castle mounted on a high hill. When he reached it he studied the surroundings. The front door could be dangerous so he decided to enter through the back, but as he was walking towards it a werewolf jumped down at him. It tackled him to the ground but he found enough power to throw the beast off of him. It landed on the ground close to him and as it got up Murando freed his sword and was running at the thing, but it ran off knowing it was in danger. Murando would have pursued it but he knew that he must save Rachel first. When he arrived at the back gates he entered cautiously entered. The room he entered was filled with rows of vampire eggs. Disgusted Murando turned his head away and when he did he stared right into the eyes of Dracula.
“Amazing isn't it." Said Dracula
“Where’s Rachel?" Yelled Murando
Dracula pointed up to the floating form of Rachel," Right there. She is safe for now, unless you don't co-operate."
“What do you want from me?' asked Murando harshly
“You are not the human you disguise yourself to be. You weren't born a human, you were born a demon. I want you to be rid of your pathetic human disguise."
“What are you talking about?"
“You don't remember do you?"
“No"
“Then maybe this will refresh your memory." said Dracula as he sent Rachel out of a window.
“NO." cried Murando
A growl emerged from deep within Murando and all life spun around him as he fell to the ground. The anger was spreading through his body; twisting and turning through every corner. His eyes glowed, his body hurt, and his heart pounded wildly. His human body was being torn apart as his true form emerged. Fiery fur covered his body, his hands became three long sharp claws, and his feet became two sharp talons. His head grew into a shape close to that of a werewolf with long horns that curled over his head. He was no longer a six foot man, but a twenty foot fire demon. He opened his golden eyes and peered angrily at the smiling Dracula.
“Are you happy now? Cause no matter if you are or not it won't matter I'm going to rip you from limb to limb." said Murando in a deep rough voice while grabbing Dracula and lifting him in the air.
“Calm yourself." said Dracula.
“Never you killed her." said Murando
“Did I?"
“What trickery is this?"
“What if I never killed her? What if she never was captured?"
“You mean she is safe?" asked Murando putting Dracula down and changing back to his human form.
“Yes. She is at her tavern asleep as we speak. I had my brides put her to sleep and make an illusion so that you would follow. Here we are now and now you know what you truly are."
Rachel awoke in the middle of the night and looked around. Where was Murando? She got up and walked out of the tavern. Maybe Anna might know. She went to the Valerious home and pounded on the door. Anna opened it with a surprised look on her face.
“Anna where is Murando?" asked Rachel.
“He went looking for you." said Anna letting Rachel in.
“What do you mean?"
“He saw you get captured by the vampires... unless, oh no the vampires tricked him into following them."
Rachel gasped and fell into tears," Dear God let him be safe."
From the upper chambers Van Helsing listened to the women's conversation. He got up and went over to where Carl sat.
“Carl, have you ever read anything about a person named Murando?" asked Van Helsing.
“Once or twice, why?” replied Carl
“Do you remember what you read?"
“Why yes I do. Murando was a lone noble who became a nomad after having his memory wiped away, much like yourself, but it was the Holy Order itself that erased his memory, twice! Once because of an evil he had done, and twice because he left the Order."
“How old is he?"
“He is over five hundred and twenty years old. Possibly even older. He was around when the Order attacked the Pure Demons."
“Pure Demons?"
“Demons that are born and not created."
“So I want to know is what does Dracula want with him?
“Who knows."
Dracula had Murando backed up against a wall. For every step Dracula took forward, Murando took two steps back.
“All I want is to show you what your past hides." said Dracula.
“Why should I trust you?" asked Murando
“Because I do not wish you harm."
Murando thought hard before saying," Very well tell me."
“Long ago there was a war between the Holy Order and the Pure Demons. The Pure Demons were peaceful, but the Order wanted them dead because they were still monsters that needed to be destroyed. The battle waged on for many days, neither side rested, but the Order had an advantage, they knew the only way to kill the demons. When the Demon lord saw that his people were dieing he had to save his son. He told his child that he must change to his human form and flee. The leader of the Order saw the child change with amazement. He could use this child to his advantage, he captured the young one and erased his memory. He told the boy that he was part of and order that destroyed monsters and that when he was older he would hunt monsters himself. From then on the boy was the last of the Pure Demons, but not knowing that he was one himself. When he grew to be twenty years of age he stopped aging and then grew tired of the Order and left. That boy is you Murando."
Murando had tears in his eyes. As Dracula told the story he got some of his memories back. He saw his kind fall and him being carried away by the Order. He saw the last Demon fall, his father.
“If you want, I can train you how to harness your true power." said Dracula
“Never," replied Murando with venom in his voice.
Anna and Van Helsing entered the egg filled room. Unknown to them was the events that happened in that very room.
“You ever see these things before?" asked Van Helsing
“What do you think they are?" asked Anna
“Offspring." said Van Helsing.
“What?"
“A man living with three gorgeous women all his life."
“Vampires are the living dead which means their children are born dead."
Van Helsing pointed to the wires on the eggs." He's obviously trying to give them life."
Murando hung pitifully from chains that bounded him to a wall on a balcony in the egg filled room, his punishment for not going with Dracula's offer. Indeed he could have killed Dracula easily, if he knew how to harness his Demon form. From below he could hear voices, he honed in on them and deciphered them to be Van Helsing's and Anna's. An electric wave was sent through the wires that were connected to the eggs. Soon Dracula's children would be alive. Another wave was sent through the wires and soon the room was filled with Dracula's children. Dracula and his two brides came running to the balcony.
“They need to feed. Teach the well." said Dracula sending off his brides," And beg the devil that this time they stay alive."
“I hope they die along with you and your brides." said Murando struggling with the chains.
“You’re not in the best position to be saying such things Demon." said Dracula turning to face Murando
“Go ahead and drink my blood vampire."
“I wish I could but your blood would kill me."
A shotgun was heard from below and Dracula turned to see a lone figure killing his young. Brimming with anger he changed to his demon form and started to cause havoc in the room. Once he calmed down he landed on the floor to look for the stranger.
Murando struggled with the chains that bound him, but they would not yield. Finally he decided to try an idea that he had. He built up his rage letting it flow threw his veins. The chains broke as his true form broke out. He leapt off the balcony onto the ground near Van Helsing.
“Now Dracula it is time for you to pay." said Murando
“How did you.." started Dracula
“Break free of my human form," finished Murando," easily by harnessing my anger."
“How am I your enemy when Van Helsing is part of the Holy Order the same Order that killed your kind?"
“He maybe of the Order but he is a friend. Unlike you who would only use me for evil."
Murando leapt at Dracula but Dracula moved out of the way and Murando crashed into a wall and fell to the ground. From above he could hear the cries of Dracula's brides. Van Helsing used this time to escape and so did Murando. Van Helsing used an elevator and Murando busted open the doors. Murando ran up a flight of stairs to the roof of the tower where Van Helsing and Anna were.
“Van Helsing!" Cried Anna when she saw Murando emerge.
“It’s ok he's a friend." said Van Helsing
“Go I'll hold the werewolf back." said Murando when he saw that Velkan was breaking free.
Van Helsing shot his grappling hook across the crevice, then he hooked the gun on a beam. He grabbed Anna and then slid down the rope. At that moment the werewolf was in full form and came running at Murando. It jumped over him and onto the rope. Murando leapt at the werewolf and caught its foot. The weight of both of them caused the rope to break. They both fell to the river below. Murando hit the water in a rush of steam and was knocked unconscious. Van Helsing watched as both Velkan and the fire being fell. Steam rose from the river when the fire being hit the water.
“Do you think he survived?" asked Anna.
“Velkan did, but our fiery friend may not." replied Van Helsing
“Who was he?"
“I don't know."
Murando woke on the soft bank of the river, still in his true form. He got up and ran off to Vaseria where Rachel would be. He traveled like lighting in this form and arrived at the gates of the village in moments. He turned to his human form and entered. He went into the tavern only to find it empty. He went back out and caught a passing villager.
“Where’s Rachel?" he asked the man.
“She went to the Valerious home last night to seek aid from Anna but she hasn't come back." said the man.
“Thank you."
Murando went to the Valerious home and entered quickly. Rachel was in a large room filled with lovely furniture and a fireplace. When he entered she turned to look at him. She got up, walked over to him, and hugged him.
“Thank god your alive." she said quietly.
“Miss Rachel... oh am I interrupting something." said Carl walking in
“Not at all." smiled Murando
“Y-You’re Murando." said Carl surprised.
“Indeed I am."
“Great Scotts you look young for your age. Anyways, Miss Rachel it is safe to go back to your Tavern now."
“Thank you." said Rachel walking out
Murando sat on the couch and stared at the fire. Carl was about to join him when the sound of horse neighs came and Van Helsing came in. When Van Helsing saw Murando he was temporarily stunned, then collecting himself he remembered what he was doing.
“Come we must go to Rome, Hurry." he cried
They all rushed out to where the horses and carriages were. Carl and Murando were to go with Anna and the Frankenstein monster. While the carriage was bumping along the road Frankenstein was yelling at Carl and Murando.
“Let me go." growled the monster
“Where are you going to go I don't know if you looked in a mirror lately but you kind of stand out in a crowd." said Carl nervously.
“What about you," said the monster looking at Murando," aren't you going to insult me?"
“Why would I?" was the only reply Murando could give.
“Well why not? You low life scum. Your kind will fall."
Murando let out a growl and said," You know nothing of my kind."
Suddenly the roof caught fire as the werewolf attacked. Murando opened his door and went to the back. The werewolf was hanging to the side. Murando attacked it but it knocked him off. He tumbled in the snow and watched as the carriage rode off. He turned into his real form and ran to catch it. When he arrived at it all that remained was burning. He saw footprints and followed them to a cliff where three figures were standing. He turned to his human form before standing next to them.
“What I miss?" he asked
“Dracula’s last bride captured Anna." said Van Helsing
“How did you get to us so fast?" asked Carl before they turned to leave.
“I er ran." said Murando quickly
“Tell the truth you said I didn't know anything about your kind." said Frankenstein.
“I can't." said Murando
Frankenstein shoved Murando saying," tell us."
“You want to know?" growled Murando
“It would be nice." said Van Helsing
“Very well." sighed Murando
Murando changed into his true form and watched as the three watchers eyes grew wide.
“You were the one who helped Anna and me in the castle." gasped Van Helsing
“A Pure Demon the last of his kind." gasped Carl
“I had no idea." said Frankenstein quietly
“Well travel might go faster now." said Murando
“Uh how?" asked Carl afraid that he might already know the answer.
“Easily. You three can climb onto my back and hold on tight." said Murando kneeling down so that they could hop on.
With fur flashing and clothes whipping they were off on the road. Everything passed by quickly and soon they were at the gates of a Budapest. Van Helsing, Carl, and Frankenstein jumped off of Murando's back and Murando changed to his human form.
“Well remind me not to travel like that again." said Carl as they walked down the street
“Don’t worry I don't think we'll have to anytime soon." laughed Murando
Suddenly Aleera landed right next to the group
“What do you want now?" asked Van Helsing
“My master commands a trade the monster for the princess." said Aleera
“Somewhere public, where your master isn't afraid to show his other side."
“Tonight is All Hallow's Eve ball. Here in Budapest there is a grand masquerade ball." Said Aleera flying off
“Are you alright?" asked Carl when he saw Van Helsing clutch his chest
Frankenstein shoved Van Helsing reveling the bite marks and said," He's been bitten, bitten by a werewolf. Now you will become what you have hunted so passionately."
“I’m sorry." said Van Helsing as he drew his dart pipe.
“May others be as passionate in the hunting of you." said Frankenstein before the darts came.
“Hey where are you going?" Shouted Carl to Murando
“I’m going ahead. Meet you there." Called back Murando
Murando arrived at the ball two hours ahead of time. He entered quietly, there were many beings getting themselves ready. Musicians readied their instruments, women and men looked for proper garbs, and the others readied their equipment for their acts. After awhile he saw Dracula walk out with Anna. He sat her down and walked off. Murando quietly walked up behind her and pulled her away.
“It’s a trap. You shouldn't be here." She said quietly
“What do you mean?" asked Murando
“She means I was planning on you coming early." came Dracula's voice
Murando whipped around to look at Dracula while whispering to Anna," Stay behind me."
“Welcome to my summer palace." said Dracula.
“It’s a shame that I'll have to leave soon. Of course after I kill you." said Murando
Murando shifted to his demon for and attacked Dracula, but his vampire friends came to help him. It took several of them to pull him off of Dracula and pin him to a wall. They bound his arms and legs and dragged him to the center of the room and chained him to a pillar. He growled and roared and tried to break free but the chains were too strong.
“Don’t think about trying to change to your human form. The chains bound to you are enforced with magic to keep you from changing." said Dracula.
“I’ll kill you Dracula! I'll kill alll of you!" yelled Murando
“Ignore him and get going." shouted Dracula to his guests.
Van Helsing looked about for either Anna or Murando. He saw Murando right away bound to a pillar. Carl pointed to Anna and Dracula When an acrobat came by Van Helsing, he knocked him off the swing and took over. Carl went below and knocked into a Flame eater causing him to catch Dracula on fire. Van Helsing grabbed Anna and Carl was working on getting Murando free. Then everything went quiet as Dracula went to the center of the crowd.
“Gabriel welcome to my summer palace." said Dracula smiling up at Van Helsing
“Master, Master look," shouted someone
Dracula turned to see Igor and a few dwergie carry in the Frankenstein monster. Frankenstein yelled and cursed as the crowd watched, but Van Helsing and Murando watched horrified. When they were gone Dracula turned to face Van Helsing.
“Now ladies and gentlemen I give you VAN HELSING!" yelled Dracula and the vampires snarled and attacked.
“Carl go and help Van Helsing, I'll be fine." said Murando
Carl ran off and Murando struggled with the chains while Dracula walked over laughing. He stood in front of Murando smiling.
“You rather have your friends safe and not you." he sneered.
“They are more important than me." growled Murando
“Too bad," said Dracula unchaining Murando from the pillar," cause now you come with me."
Dracula changed to his demon form and lifted Murando. He thrust off the ground and flew out of the house with Aleera following. From below Murando could hear Van Helsing yell, but he couldn't turn to see him.
“VAN HELSING!" he yelled before Dracula knocked him unconscious.
Murando woke in a moist cell. His fiery fur was causing a lot of steam so he changed into his human form. He tried to touch the cell bars but he was electrocuted. He sat down in a dark corner until Dracula appeared.
“Tonight you will be under my control. I have put a simple potion into you that will weaken your defense against mind control. When I wake tonight you will be under my control." he said.
“That’s if you wake tonight." growled Murando
Dracula walked away laughing. From behind he could hear the angry roars and the unresentful sound of electricity.
Van Helsing walked through the frozen portal, followed by Anna and Carl. When they reached the gate Van Helsing picked them up and jumped over the door. When they were inside they heard the complaining Igor. When he spotted them he was about to run off until Van Helsing threw a tojo blade at him. Before they could do anything else they heard Dracula's voice and the sound of chains being pulled. They went to a barred door and looked inside to see Frankenstein being pulled up. Van Helsing tried to break the bars but they were too strong.
“Dracula has a cure." said Frankenstein before being pulled all the way up
“Why does Dracula have a cure?" asked Van Helsing
“In case a werewolf should attack him." said Carl
“You will take them to the antidote." said Van Helsing releasing Igor
They all went their ways; Carl and Anna to the antidote and Van Helsing to Frankenstein. As Van Helsing was rushing up the stairs he was stopped by the Pure Demon, Murando.
“Run Dracula has co-con..." struggled Murando
He ran at Van Helsing, but he stopped and struggled against Dracula's control.
“Hurry before he ta-ta..." cried Murando
Van Helsing was halfway to the top when Murando leapt at him. Van Helsing leapt out of the way and watched as Murando skidded over the edge of the stairs. He ran over and saw Murando holding on by a claw.
“Go. Save Frankenstein." said Murando
“No I can save you." said Van Helsing
“Good-bye my friend." said Murando relaxing his grip
“Don’t you let go." yelled Van Helsing
“Tell Rachel I'm sorry." said Murando letting go
“NO!" Cried Van Helsing
Murando fell to his doom. He saw it coming, he saw the large sharp cliff. He had flashes of his past; his father dieing; the order using him to kill evil; and Rachel sweet Rachel. He hit the point of the cliff, it was sent through his chest, through his heart. His last breath was released and his eyes closed.
Van Helsing stood on the cliffside over the sea for sometime. So many things had happened. Anna was dead and Murando was dead. Maybe when he gets back to the Order all will be normal or then again... Him and Carl rode off to Rome. When they arrived the Cardinal greeted them.
“Well done." he said when they entered the armory he turned to face them," We have an unexpected visitor waiting for you in the hospital room.
They went through many rooms and hallways before they got to the right one. When they went through the door Van Helsing's and Carl's eyes went wide. The human form of Murando lay on a bed. His chest was wrapped in a bloodstained bandage. The cardinal walked over to him and spoke softly in his ear. Murando opened his eyes and looked at them.
“Hey." he said weakly
“I didn't think you made it." said Van Helsing surprised
“Pure Demons are amazing creatures. There is only one way to kill them and that knowledge has been lost since the war." said the Cardinal
“What happened when you fell?" asked Carl
“I was impaled on a cliff. When I realized that I wasn't dieing I pulled myself free. I came here knowing that the cardinal would help me." said Murando
“The wound won't heal for sometime. Until then he must stay bed rested." said the cardinal
“Well I guess I'll see you around Van Helsing." said Murando
“Until next time." said Van Helsing
Murando watched the group walk out. So many things had happened. Would the world accept him? The last of his kind. He laid back and closed his eyes. Maybe the world was ready. The Cardinal watched Murando rest, the wound on his chest was already halfway healed, he would be able to roam. Five hundred and twenty years ago the Cardinal Richard took in the demon child as his own. Now five hundred and twenty years to the date the child will be hunted by evil, but hopefully he will resist the evil. The cardinal quietly closed the door and walked out into the church prayer booth.
“Father of the Roman Vatican church I have come for the Pure Demon." Came a voice from the other side.
The cardinal looked into the other booth with wide eyes....
To be continued in Part Two
Back Home Van Helsing Main Page Next