(Day of judgment, 1999)
“Okay… we do this together.” He said as she smiled.
The two started walking into the woods as Nathan stopped in his snowy tracks. Turning to look at her he said. “And Kimberly… I love you.”
“…”
Kimberly didn’t know what to say. It’s certainly been quite a journey since she met Nathan over a week ago. But at the same time it had only been a week. And it was a pretty rough start to their relationship to say the least. How do I think about him… She thought. Does he really feel this way about me? Or… is the loneliness just getting to him.
It was amidst the silence and awkwardness that Nathan interrupted her. “It’s okay… you don’t have to say anything.” He pulled his swung open the cylinder of his Python and checked his ammo. “For now… we have a job a to do.”
Kimberly followed Nathan who was using his throbbing as a compass to find the Seeker. Moving through the woods as the growing snow slowed the progress more and more by the minute as it piled up. Their tracks being slowly covered the further they got from them. They knew they were going the right way as they began to hear strange and bizarre sounds in the woods. Likely creatures that had been humans, converted by the offspring by the seeker of old. The ”Survivor.”
“Sounds like trouble!”
“Be on the ready… I have a sense that this is the grand finale!”
The two readied their weapons as they found themselves wedged between two cliffs, roughly ten feet on either side of them. Suddenly they slowed their progress. Nathan’s cautious side taking over. He stopped about halfway through this snow chasm as eyes lit up all over the cliffs above. One, two, three, five, nine, now twelve. All red lights, like the glowing bulbs on a Christmas tree… And then—a pair of eyes directly ahead of them.
Nathan sighed… “Well. It was never going to be easy.”
Kimberly trained her Double-Barrel shotgun on the enemies above as Nathan did the same for the one ahead. The one in front stepped forward into the moonlight. Revealing itself to the pair. One of it eyes were bulging forth and oozing red liquid, its cheeks slit from ear to ear, teeth exposed and lips missing. It hissed through its teeth as it supported itself on a pair of sickly, Caucasian legs shape like that of a grasshoppers.
Without hesitation a shot rang out! Nathan, the young Hellsing descendant blowing the monster away with one swift shot to it’s bulging, disgusting eyeball. Monsters descended, partially covered by the shadows of the cliffs as Kimberly blasted one and then the other. Both Nathan and herself taking to their sidearms to finish the job…
*Bang!-bang!—Bang!*
Nathan hurried her along as creatures twitched on the ground. Waving in and out of death like a high tide between this world and the next. He grabbed her by the hand to hasten her as she wondered what this action really meant beneath the surface.
Moving along Nathan felt his mind going crazy. As if he were hearing the voices clearly through the night. Come forth. Hurry. I’m waiting… it said as Nathan gritted his teeth and rushed through the piling snow. Veins pooping from his head.
“Just… a little bit—further.” Nathan said as his breathing heavied.
“Nathan…”
Kimberly didn’t like this. She couldn’t shake this feeling that they weren’t ready for what lay ahead. Whether mentally or physically it didn’t matter. Perhaps both? But Nathan wasn’t having it. He was clearly a man on a mission. He just had to GO, GO, GO! And all Kimberly really wanted was to take a breather and talk over their next move. It almost felt like a trap. And then. Kimberly started hearing the voices too.
“Kimberly…” A disembodied voice only she could hear.
“Father..?” She whispered.
Nathan stopped, turning to face her. “What is it?” He asked.
She waved it away. “It’s nothing.”
The voice spoke once more. As officer McKnight indulged its presence in absolute silence… “Kimberly please. Help me…”
Both her and Nathan’s inner monologues represented different aspects of their realities. One was destiny while the other was a shattered dream. Which will prevail? Will one manifest itself making the other moot? They could easily cancel themselves out making this world ripe for the taking… making way for Anzul… my master. The “Survivor” pondered. Peering through an opening in a cave at the northern lights as they now flickered sporadically, like a light. Surrounded by hooded figures chanting its name. Anzul… Anzul… Anzul!
“What is that? Why… are the lights doing that?”
The two stopped. Observing the unusual behavior of the northern lights. Watching as they glowed and on and off. As if they were coming to life and being born into the world/ They were stunned watching a phenomenon within a phenomenon take place… But Nathan didn’t have time to dwell.
“I don’t know. And believe me, we don’t want to find out. Let’s move. We don’t have a moment to waste.” He said as they ran into the night.
The longer they ran it seemed the thicker the trees became. Pine needles brushing against cold, numb, exposed skin as they squeezed between a maze of oak and pine trees. Light reflecting off the snowy crystals that formed a wavy almost mountainous shape along the ground. This peculiar light reflecting and blinking in the sky creating colors unseen when mixed with the reflective nature of the ever forming tundra.
“Keep moving… Keep moving. Grandfather rest easy we’re doing it. It’ll all be over soon. We’re almost there grandfather… Keep moving. Keep moving.” Kimberly observed Nathan as he breathed heavily and rambled through a jumbled mess of words that seemed to mean everything to him.
“Nathan… we gotta stop.”
“Keep moving… Keep moving. Grandfather rest easy we’re doing it. It’ll all be over soon. We’re almost there grandfather… Keep moving. Keep moving.” He repeated…
Kimberly then grabbed him by the hand and stopped him dead in his tracks. “Enough Nathan! Wait a damn minute!” She said as he silently stopped and stared at her. His eyes were sunken and bloodshot with large bags beneath them. His breathing had been even more anxious than she initially realized. His breath now visible to her. Watching as his breathing almost seemed inhuman it was so fast.
“Nathan? Are you okay?” She said with worry in his voice.
Nathan jerked his arm away from her… “Keep moving… Keep moving. Grandfather rest easy we’re doing it. It’ll all be over soon. We’re almost there grandfather… Keep moving. Keep moving.” Nathan almost chanting it at this point before walking along further. Leaving Kimberly behind as she could do little more than stand in the snow. Staring at the northern lights.
It was then she mad decision. “I have to bring him back somehow. He’s losing it…” She stood her ground. Swallowed her thoughts. And though she didn’t believe it… “Nathan. I love you too…” She said as he stopped. His back still facing her.
“Really?”
Kimberly was certain her answer was in fact No. But as she stood there staring at this troubled man she thought. Perhaps one day, but… Regardless as of now. In this moment. All she know was she needed Nathan here with her. Not off in his own world. Mentally present to face whatever was ahead of them. She reaffirmed.
“Yes Nathan! Now please…”
Nathan collected himself before confronting her. He then gave a soft smile as she gave one back to him. He turned to face the road ahead once more before saying “Thank you… we still have to go though. But… I’m back. I swear it.”
Kimberly extended her pinky out to Nathan asking “Pinky swear?”
Nathan turned to her yet again. Walking over as he extended his pinky, wrapping it around hers. “Pinky swear!”
The two got moving. Reaffirmed in their conviction.
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After walking for an amount of time that felt like and eternity, they found themselves in a snowy clearing. A dark cave opening before them, in the form of a shark’s tooth. Creating a sinister ere about it. Seeing this, Nathan’s headaches ceased. Grabbing his weapon he knew…
“They’re here…”
As the two began walking to the entrance the started to hear a low grumbling and growl. The shadow began to take shape as a large monstrous mass began to stretch forth from the darkness. Kimberly and Nathan stopped in their tracks as a tall, sickeningly anemic looking man stepped forth. It was as bald as a naked mole rat and its eyes were missing from its skull… long arms dragging through the snow as a Seeker rest within it jaws. Staring at them as tentacles writhed just outside the bounds of the moist cave known as its mouth.
Out heroes prepared to fight as the monster covered its mouth to protect its “guest” that was resting within its jowls. The monster ran along the ground, leaving massive prints in the snow as they prepared to fight for their lives. Pistols drawn, they began shooting its kneecaps as it seemingly absorbed the damage. As it grew nearer it swiped its other massive hand through the snow as it drug it furiously across the ground. Kimberly dodging left as Nathan went right. Its hand smashing against a tree as its knuckles bloodied and splattered against the hard oak tree it had connected with.
“Too close!”
“Keep your head up!” Nathan yelled. “Prepare to take the seeker!” He yelled as he drew his Bowie Knife. Running towards the monster as it attempted to recover from its fumble. It roared through the night as his knife slit the tendons on the back of its feet. Bringing it to its knees as it’s fall shook the earth. He started shooting until his .38 was empty!
“Take this you freak!”
As the creature was preoccupied with Nathan, Kimberly got into position. Shotgun at the ready! Nathan threw his Bowie knife into where they’d been shooting prior. Enough damage having been done for him to penetrate its knees with this throw. The picked it out with two fingers and flung it back! Nathan dodged. Sliding in the snow he then pulled out his flask, uncapped it and flung it toward the beasts mouth as alcohol spilled forth.
“Get a taste of that…” He whispered as some of the alcoholic liquid poured through its fingertips and touched the seeker. A separate squeal coming from within as the whole mass wriggled in pain. The creature removed its hand from its mouth to strike Nathan where he laid. Kimberly knowing that this was the moment Nathan was speaking of.
Now! She thought as she squeezed the triggers, sending pellets flying its way. A decent amount of them piercing the Seeker as viscous, gel-like fluid squishing squeezing outward! The whole mass thumping over, laying dead in the snow. Ooze dripping from its maw.
Kimberly threw the shotgun, having run out of shells, and grabbed her 9mm in place of it… Walking forward she observed an enormously large seeker piloting the piloting from ‘cockpit’ so to speak of this nightmarish humanoid giant. “Is this the one we were looking for?” She asked.
Nathan observed the color of its retinas. “No. Perhaps his righthand “man” though… We’ve got him against the ropes now.” Nathan stared deeply into the cave. I’m here… he heard now more clearly than ever. “This is the last stretch now…”
Kimberly walked over, placing her hand on his head as he knelt. “Then let’s bring it home…” She told him as he nodded in agreement.
The two entered the cave, weapons drawn expecting a fight, but instead… “They’re chanting…” She said as the two observed as hooded figures chanted. On their knees before a stone platform.
Anzul… Anzul… Anzul!” They chanted in unison.
“Anzul?” Nathan whispered in confusion. “What the hell are they on about?”
Kimberly looked at him in shock. “Yo—you mean you don’t know?”
Nathan shook his head. “No. But it won’t matter for long.”
How nice of you to join us…
A disembodied voice swept over them as Kimberly and Nathan faltered for a moment. Training their weapons into the crowd of hooded figures. “Reveal yourself!” Kimberly yelled as she frantically looked through the crowd.
As you wish…
Out of a sea of samey looking cloaks, one arose. It removed its hood and suddenly Kimberly and Nathan were floored at the sight. Dani… Dani Gomez! She thought as the form of her friend from home opened its oral cavity. Revealing the Seeker designated “Survivor” within in her gaping mouth.
That’s right. She lives on through me. Through the power of our lord. Anzul.
Kimberly’s mind raced. You can read my mind!?
Why of course… now stare deeply into my eye!
“Kimberly don’t!” Nathan roared but it was too late.
The air around Kimberly became thick. The darkness of the cave grew darker as if a black and white filter clouded her vision. She found it hard to breath. Standing alongside Nathan in a trancelike state. Speaking to her… and her alone.
“Let her go!” Nathan yelled as he went to fire up the Seeker. Kimberly’s hand reflexively grabbing his gun. “Kimberly no… that’s not your friend anymore. Can’t you see? It has to be stopped!” But his words went unheard.
What do you want!?
The Seeker laughed. It’s intangible voice chiming in once more. It’s not about what I want… it’s about what YOU want. Look to your right, and then your left. It’s a simple choice. You’ll understand what you must do soon…
Kimberly did as she said as on her right was Nathan. She couldn’t hear him. But she could see his mouth moving. She could feel his voice pleading with her. But then she looked to her left. And it was if she was staring into purgatory itself. The whole world around her was filled with a bright light. Like a flashbang of emotion. She gripped her chest tightly and began to tear up as she saw it. It was her father. The abusive father she’d always wished she had a chance to speak to… one last time. All the while the Seeker whispering to her what all others couldn’t hear. A blueprint of sorts.
Now do what you will…
Nathan stared desperately at Kimberly as her other hand was still wound tightly around his .38 revolver. He looked her in the eyes as he could see the tears in her eyes. She gripped his weapon more tightly before ripping it from his hand. “I’m sorry…” She said fearfully as she squeezed the trigger of her 9mm. Nathan screamed out in pain as he fell to his knee. The other having been blown away by Kimberly as smoke lifted from the barrel of her pistol…
Blood poured forth from his appendage as he screamed “Kim… Kimberly why!?” The Seeker infested Dani laughing with the Seeker’s disembodied laugh behind hers. A group of hoods calmly stood and approached Nathan. Detective Drew’s body being one of them. They dragged him towards the stone platform as he kicked and screamed. “No! Let go of me, No!” he yelled. The figure pulled daggers as he resisted and jammed them into every limb! “Ahhh!! God no!!” He yelled as he was run along the cave floor.
“Fuuuuuccckkk!!!” He yelled in pain. Incapable of mustering any other thought as Kimberly tried her best to look away. Covering her mouth, feeling as though she was about to throw up.
“I knew it… I knew…” She whispered as her tears flowed more freely. Choking up thinking about how she KNEW that she wasn’t ready for this. That they weren’t ready for this… She tried her best to justify it in her mind. I told you! I tried to warn you…
Excellent job McKnight… I needed the Hellsing blood here. At this time. All is as it was foretold. Even though… I never imagined a piece like you existed on the board. The Seeker thought. I suppose first… you’re reward. Do it. He told his subordinates.
The hooded Seeker housed within the body of our dear detective stood over Nathan as he thrashed and cried out. Knife flung behind its head. It was suddenly thrust into Nathan’s gut! He screamed and kicked like a defenseless child as the blade had begun to be pulled vertically along his stomach. The “Survivor” stretched out his arms. Palms facing the sky. He lifted his arms as Nathan’s guts and intestine began lifting from within. Flying slowly from his body as Nathan’s voice broke. It all went numb as he could no longer register what was happening to him. Light fell in through a hole in the ceiling. Nathan looking through it as his back rest on the sacrificial table. The last thing he saw being the blinking light in the sky in the form of the northern lights.
Anzul..? was his last thought.
Kimberly sat in a feeble manner. Her arms wrapped and hugged around her knees as she rocked back and forth. The Seeker then began to manipulate the innards of Nathan as he brought off the platform and presented them to Kimberly. A bodily form took shape. First the bones seeped forth. Then its vital organs. Muscles, skin, hair, until… her father stood before her. Kimberly sobered up in the face of her father.
“Dad?” She asked.
The figure, naked and unmistakably him stepped toward her. The fat of his stomach folding and spilling over his sides. There was no mistaking it. Kimberly knew right away that this disgusting creature was in fact… her father.
“My baby girl…” He said as he held out his arms.
Kimberly stood firm. All the other fears and feelings of guilt washing away in the sight of this man. “Father it is you…” She said as she began walking to meet him. The joy in his face uncanny. His daughter going through hell to get him here. Sacrificing it all. He was elated. Over the moon in the presence of his baby girl. Her brown curly hair and dark eyes indistinguishable. Like the face of her mother, his wife.
“I love you!” Her dad yelled as he prepared for her embrace.
Then suddenly… her smile faded into an angry scowl. So to did his into confusion as he looked at her. He had truly come back to life, but… not for the reasons the Seeker had promised. Not for the reasons Kimberly told Nathan. “Kimmy?” He asked in fear.
“Go back to hell pig!”
*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang bang!*
Kimberly emptied her magazine into her father’s face and chest. Sending him back after their brief reunion. She had done it. Done what she secretly always wanted to do. As her father was presented to her… just as she remembered him. She got to be the one to put him in the ground. The smile across her face almost sinister at the sight. But then. Beyond the body of her father… was Nathan. She was hit with an intense melancholy at the sight.
The form of Dani soon blocked her view. You may have your leave now… it said victoriously… Signaling to the others to finish the job with Nathan. Kimberly turned and began walking slowly out of the cave. Feeling emptier than whence she entered alongside Nathan. The hoods now dissecting Nathan’s head for the source of his mind and his Hellsing lineage…
“I’m sorry Nathan…” She said once more as she walked out into the wilderness.
The further she got from the cave the more the northern lights erupted into a furious splendor in the sky. She looked up and over her shoulder as this eruption boomed into a thunderous roar. A voice descending from the sky upon the entire world. Indecipherable. Her eyes widened in fear. In the face of Anzul she finally realized the grievous world ending consequences of her selfish actions. The light wrapped and coiled in the sky like a serpent. It’s ethereal presence coiling as it began to take an indescribable, physical shape!
Human language couldn’t describe it’s ghastly figure! It’s indecipherable voice judging the world below. The light covered over the land and consumed her vision. Her eyes wide and unwavering as her mind raced. Wh—what it, it can’t… what the—h.. no! NO!
This cosmic terror floated above. As humanities time came to an end. The only thing Kimberly could do to cope. Walk. Walk with eyes closed into a future of certain destruction that she had allowed for… Thoughts of her mother, of Frank and his family, Nathan… all soon to be less than a memory…
END