Team Seven of Heroes III Chapter 17 & 18

17.

Van Helsing stood there on the sandy dune looking into the sunset on the horizon. He was still in the dried land but his journey will soon come to an end. He could feel the call of living civilisation and from there he may soon be complete his task. He shuffled his legs on the dry sands and then looked to his make shift camp. It was not much but it served its purpose. Dracula had visited him in his dreams but their words were becoming scarce and there was just quiet sharing in a dimension he had thought resting could be reached but he was wrong. The silence made him wary of the other.

“We made it.” Van Helsing turned to look at the source of the voice. It was his nemesis “My last home.”

Dracula stepped forth to stand beside Van Helsing. He was dressed in the dark cloak with the darker suit beneath but the pale facial expression stood out like the sunset on the horizon.

“This was my last home. I was pursued by the enemies, and among them your ancestors.” Dracula looked at Van Helsing. 

“I guess you needed a new bedtime tale. Do you have any schnapps? I like one now. Red please.”

Van Helsing was to take into a tale that spanned years ago.

“I am not Vlad Tepes nor was he ever me but we did share a time together. My name is for reasons won’t be disclosed but Dracula will suffice. I was here before most of us even knew that blood was a nutrient meal. I was here with the first descents with the likes of Lucifer, and his other fallen brothers. Vlad was one of the few friends I have helped. The young Prince then was deprived of his inheritance but like most courageous royalty, he fought back to regain it. He was relentless and with a swarm of enemies around him, he had to create an image that they will fear him. I was there and soon told him of the elixir of life. It’s in us and without it we are dead. He was unsure of it but I told him that warriors have been known to feed on their enemy blood. The Babylonians and the Sumerians mark themselves with their enemy blood. The Spartan fed on a dark viscous concoction as their diet and blood was one of the ingredients. In the Old World, the dragon blood was favoured to mark the killing swords and spears. Vlad tried it and be honest he disliked it but he induced me. Soon the words went out that he drank blood which was partially true but the real devourer was myself. I was his General and bodyguard.”

“I fought with him, raised an army, quashed another to be defeated by another. Soon the end was to come when he knew defeat was his. He cared for his people; the ones that followed him through the reign. He told me to find them a place of rest and peace. I agreed to it on the condition he was there with us but he declined. Vlad was a true warrior and decided to fight on. I had no choice but to give his legacy a new beginning. I took the handful to the East, for there were vast lands unexplored. The journey was long and the trail soon the death took to our heels. I was immortal; devoid of any needs but those were the descendants of Man. They needed food and drinks, with rest. I saw most of them fall, and in the end, I did the needed.”

“I revived them with the elixir of life. They recovered and their feel satiated by the ever flow in them. It was fine until some decided to turn back to help their leader, Vlad. I wanted to tear their hearts out but, in the end, I gave them the choice. Thereon, I took the others to the hidden land where we built our new home.”

“Out here, we were at peace. We rested during the day and explore in the dark. We were the dwellers of the Death City.”

“And your returning warriors spawned a reign of terror that took generations to hunt and kill. Why did you return to our land?” Van Helsing found himself asking. “Was not your city big enough?”

“It was until the strangers arrived. We hid in the dark corners and even pretend to be dead. They desecrated our homes and when they saw our affinity, they killed us with impunity. They took the wooden stakes to our heart like when they did to those who were in their cities. We were called the Vampires. The Blood suckers. The …”

“The killers. I know. So why tell me that tale now?” Van Helsing asked of the other.

“You sought the elusive in the mountains. You thought the evil of the world was kept there. You thought I was there, ranked with the others. I was for a time but the Guardians later discovered that I may not be the one they need to keep there. Maybe it’s you who kill in my namesake.”

Van Helsing reached for the gyaling and aimed it at Dracula.

“A killer with the merciful tool to end my existence. Yes, it may but does that make you complete? Maybe it may, for you are a killer. I am not but a warrior. Was one then in the battle with the other brethren for the role as the guardian of Man but my role had been regarded now as the destroyer. I wondered sometimes if we are right to be here.”

“So, pray tell me can I now kill you.” Van Helsing asked with the sarcastic tone. “It’s getting cold.”

Cold was something Watson disliked after having spent some time at the New Frontier. He actually enjoyed the heat there, and the assuring black tea was soothing. He looked over at the sleuth who was coated head to toe but left his fingers free to feel the etchings on the stones. He was comparing them to what he had understood from the scrolls. Watson knew that Sherlock was not studying the scrolls for antiquity values, he was looking for clues to find the elusive Emperor. The sleuth was like the blood hound on the trail; relentless and needed the leash to pull him back or the distraction.

Watson knew the right distraction.

“Holmes, do you need your medication?” Sherlock looked up and over to the doctor. For a while he was tempted but he had told himself to control his addiction. He shook his head at the doctor.

“The petroglyphs did not tell much.” Sherlock approached the Doctor. “It did however draw the elixir of life was some flow, liquid flow to be exact. The Chinese have linked the elixir; the reference was always fluid. The reference to mercury and gold however it had proven to ruin some notable rulers. Even Alexander the Great was tempted. It was in the Alexander Romance under the Eastern versions. It was not stop there; the Spanish searched for Bimini in the Southern America. The Healing Pool it was called; its water laden with minerals including magnesium known to enhance longevity.”

“Thank you for the history subjects. Now tell me if are we on the task? Or do I pack home?”

“Yes, we are. The Emperor was here. He had seen the signs and probably went back. There is nothing new for him to discover here. He is back to be the Emperor.” Sherlock smiled. “Old Fox that one.”

Watson was to reply but he kept his peace. It was Sherlock who renew the war.

“Watson, tell me why did we work together? You are a genius yourself, and your practice would had sustained your living, why work with me? Rushing off at ….”

“I guess I liked it then but now I am having doubts.” Watson replied.

“Then leave me. I don’t need a partner who hold doubts.” Sherlock replied. “Or better still, join the Emperor or Moriarty. They are in need of geniuses like you.”

“Maybe I will. Goodbye.” Watson left the sleuth standing there. He took himself back to the hotel they were putting up. She did not look back to see if the sleuth was following. He was upset at Holmes, and the rage then went out uncontrollable. He reached his room before stopping to think his decision.

“Why did Holmes dismiss me?” Watson thought hard. It was him then who was doing the dismissal but never Holmes. 

Then it hit him.

Holmes does not want him there. He wanted Watson be safe.

“Damn!”

19.

Sean Mercer looked into the black tea in his cup as if expecting to read the leaves. He had a series of misfortune ever since the attack on the enemies of the Princess he was paid to serve. He was also upset that the final payment did not come through leaving him stranded. He had paid his mercenaries but there were unhappy ones. He had them dealt in the normal mode; killing their leader but not all were discouraged.

Sean sensed the danger with his back to the far wall and seated at the corner. He was dressed in the casual tunic and pants with his boots which he refused to trade. He told himself that but he will die with it on his feet. His right hand snaked to his waist belt till it felt the assured comfort of his gun holstered there. He recalled he have five bullets left with the one more in his tunic pocket for the final coup. He was not looking forward to be slashed like some prey. He looked to his surrounding; not his first since he stepped in an hour ago. The tea house was alike the many that ringed the city seaside; attracting the local and the curious tourists to the shadier leafy roof and the wooden walls, with the windows to ventilate the air. The tea house held four tables with the counter where the owner prepares the tea and other assorted delicacies. He counted two other tables occupied with two patrons each. They were the local patrons; enjoying their drinks while their conversation was on the local gossip. He felt no threat from them but the owner was suspicious in nature. The man was slim tall with the tattooed arms seems to be adept with the business but he had been sneaking in glimpses at Sean.

Maybe it’s my looks; the snarly thought went by Sean’s mind. He was an odd one in the teahouse.

It was then Sean saw his previous employer. She was dressed in the khaki two piece that left her knees exposed but her face was half covered by the wide brimmed hat. She had on the walking shoes that matched her dressing with the sizeable bag on the left arm.

“Hello, Mr Mercer.” Sean looked at the lady standing before him. “I believed we have unresolved issues.”

The lady placed the bag of guinea coins on the table. Sean looked at it and then back to the lady. He did not speak but reached for the bag. He held it in his right hand and weighed the coins. It was heavier than expected and that drove up his curiosity then. He pushed the bag towards the lady

“I will take only what I am entitled to. And no more than that. I am after all, an Irish lad.” Sean voiced out. “Mrs Hudson, I am doing anymore works for you. And for your King no more. No too to his cousin from Germany. I am staying on here to live my life quietly.”

“Brave words, Mr Mercer. I can assure you that we won’t be needing your service anymore. Your recruitment by the Germans were part of our effort then to intercept on the dispute then on findings. We if you chose to believe are unbiased in our approach.” Mrs Hudson explained. “For Lord Greystoke, he was a beast; untamed most times, and you were to do it but you failed. We lengthen the leash on you to take down the others given…”

“The findings that you felt justified to terminate their existence. I do wonder if you do have any others now to take upon me.” Sean snapped back. “I am after all, just another pawn in the game to you.”

“You are remaining pawn in the last set that needed to be sacrifice although we are late in moving for your demise.” Mrs Hudson smiled. “The bag of coins was not only for you. It was also to pay for your immediate silence.”

The four other patrons then stood up and displayed the guns hidden beneath their tunic. Three fired at Mercer, while the fourth took down the owner. Mrs Hudson then took to her heels while the assassins took the bag but he stepped out and saw Mycroft standing there by the coconut tree.

“I thought I was good but you are better. How much you may had heard will remain with you. Your oath as the servant of the King cannot be breached.” Mrs Hudson reminded Mycroft. The other was getting upset but the lady assured him.

“We are all the King’s trusted servant. We cannot be drawn to the petty issues while the world needs us to govern it.” Mrs Hudson told him. “Like our once kindred feeling, we made the sacrifice to part.”

“You are a bitch….” Mycroft snapped out.

“I was then and now but tell me was I not a racy one then when we fucked.” Mrs Hudson replied. “We are living in trying times, Mycroft. Be done with it and move on. For now, I have two ladies to take care.”

Watson realised then that he was duped by the sleuth when he discovered by the hotel staff that Sherlock had his belongings forwarded to the train station last night. He cursed himself for not anticipating it but knew that he was never the equal of Sherlock. For the last few weeks, he had been a recluse living his rage at the one man he should had consulted on. He was withdrawn to his shell, letting the raging parasite inside him taking over his senses. He knew that the incidents in India was no different to the many that he had encountered with Sherlock but he let down his professional approach.

Watson knew that he had to find Sherlock. They were a pair.

Unlike the above, Van Helsing was happier to be back with the population. Well, it was not many to crow about but he felt elated to be there. He stood on the lonely section of the wall that was part of the Jiayu Pass; the first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China. It was built between two hills, one which was the Jiayuguan Pass and the other side was an oasis. The pass held a perimeter of over two thousand feet with the height of just over thirty feet There are two gates; one on the eastern side and the western side. On the eastern side was a building with the inscription ‘Jiayuguan’. The wall was strengthened during the fear of the invasion by Timor of the Mongol Empire.

“You are a brave warrior.” Van Helsing thought he was alone but found himself with a company. It was the master of the Wolves; Daeng No Pra, the Head Priest.

“You are standing by the inner boundary of the one that was to be hunted. Are you ready?” The priest asked and did not wait for the reply. “The new Emperor have been advised of your presence. He has sent his best to kill you.”

“Prepare to defend, warrior.” Van Helsing turned to look and saw the four warriors that he had met at the mountain but they looked different.

The four Wolves warriors have been turned to Vampires.

They were named Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. They did not disappoint their Masters.

Van Helsing jumped the wall when the warrior named Earth had delivered a furious kick which broke off a section of the wall. The warrior held a devastating kick which had left their marks there. Van Helsing landed on the ground and was whisked off his feet by the other named Wind. The later was swift in the movements and with it came the multiple blows landing on Van Helsing chest. The multiple blow was the cause of Van Helsing falling backwards and he was hit by the third warrior; Fire which lived up to his name. The warrior was armed with the pyro substances that was emitting the flames from the hands. The flames singed Van Helsing on the legs and he rolled to snuff the fire there. He rolled on and then crouched up. He looked at the one who had not attack him yet.

“You going to gloat or be part of the audience.” Van Helsing glared at the warrior. The next blow came from the warrior named Earth with a hard kick at the back of Van Helsing. The later fell on his face and was seated himself upon by the warrior named Water. The warrior clamped hard on Van Helsing while another warrior named Wind grabbed hold of Van Helsing’s metal arm. He yanked the arm off the other shoulder causing Van Helsing to scream in pain. The arm came off and was tossed to the last warrior named Water while Van Helsing struggled in pain. The other warrior had stepped off Van Helsing watching the one-armed warrior in pain. It was equally painful to watch but the pain was soon not being felt.

Van Helsing slipped into unconsciousness then.

It was the way the mind responding to pain.