Chapter Three

Marcus and Victor sat in silence as they drove with their new arsenal to the GPS coordinates given by the leader of the Nocturnales. Geared up and ready to walk into what was likely a trap they sat stoically listening to a certain franky classic song about life.

“So what is going on? What’s with vampires? And does that mean the boogie man and all that is real too?” Marcus asks causing Victor to nod without looking up from the map he was studying.

“You don’t talk much do you?” Marcus asked sarcastically before smirking and chuckling at the absurdity of the past 24 hours causing him to respond with another rhetorical question. “I thought Vampires were just a myth derived from Nocturales, I guess you learn something every day?”

The abandoned hospital loomed in front of them, its decaying façade telling tales of a forgotten era. Marcus and Victor approached cautiously, the air thick with an ominous stillness that sent shivers down their spines.

"So, what do you think the chances are of this thing hiding in the blood bank in the basement?" Marcus asked, eyeing the darkened windows and half-collapsed corridors.

Victor, now fully in his element, just looked at Marcus with a smirk.

"You’re right stereotypes are there for a reason. You think they would just be slightly original every once in a while though,” Marcus sighed after answering his own question before getting serious. “Remember our priority is to retrieve my wife and put an end to this beast scourge before it escalates further."

Victor just nodded with look of nostalgia on his face. They soon ventured deeper into the dilapidated building, the stench of decay intensified, echoing the unsettling atmosphere. Flickering lights cast eerie shadows on the peeling walls, adding to the sense of foreboding that permeated the abandoned hospital.

Marcus gripped his weapon tighter, his senses heightened as they navigated the dimly lit hallways toward the basement. Victor, completely unfazed by the grim surroundings, led the way with purpose, following the blood soaked trail left by the Ancient vampire.

As they reached a dimly lit chamber, the air became charged with an otherworldly energy. Marcus felt a chill down his spine, and Victor signaled for him to stay quiet. Peering into the room, they saw the Ancient vampire, an ethereal figure draped in shadows, with Marcus's wife restrained in straight jacket beside it.

The vampire, sensing their presence, turned to face them. Its eyes, cold and predatory, locked onto Marcus with a malevolent gleam. "Ah, Marcus, I've been expecting you. You've caused quite the disturbance to the plans."

Victor stepped forward, a stoic expression on his face. "Release the woman, and we’ll make your end painless."

The Ancient vampire chuckled, its voice echoing through the desolate chamber. "Bold words, but you're too late. The ritual will soon begin, and soon, my master’s power will be unparalleled. Your wife was quite the convenient pawn in this grand design."

Marcus, fueled by a mix of fear and determination, raised his weapon and prepared to fire. "Sandra! Stop, Drop, and roll."

As Marcus's voice echoed through the chamber, Sandra's eyes widened in recognition, her gaze flickering with hope amidst the despair. With a defiant cry, she struggled against her restraints, desperate to break free throws herself to the floor trying to roll over to the exit where Marcus stood.

Stolen story; please report.

Seeing Sandra's action, Marcus's resolve hardened, his grip on his weapon tightening as he prepared to unleash a barrage of gunfire but, before he could take action, the Ancient vampire moved with lightning speed, launching itself toward them with a ferocity that sent shockwaves through the air.

Victor intercepted the creature, his movements fluid and precise as he engaged in a deadly dance with the vampire. Each blow landed with bone-crushing force, the sound of metal against flesh reverberating through the chamber as they clashed in a battle of wills.

Meanwhile, Marcus darted forward, his senses sharp as he scanned the room for any sign of weakness. Spotting a loose beam hanging precariously from the ceiling, he seized the opportunity and yanked it free, sending it crashing down toward the vampire with a deafening roar.

The vampire, caught off guard by the unexpected attack, stumbled backward, its movements momentarily slowed as it struggled to regain its footing. Seizing the opportunity, Marcus unleashed a volley of silver-tipped bullets, each shot finding its mark with deadly accuracy.

But the Ancient vampire was relentless, its regenerative abilities allowing it to heal around the bullets with ease. With a snarl of defiance, it lunged forward once more, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision.

Victor, ever the stalwart defender, met the creature head-on, his own blows striking with the force of a thunderbolt. As the battle reached its fevered pitch, Marcus and Victor continued to press the Ancient vampire, their movements coordinated and precise as they sought to exploit any weakness they could find. But despite their best efforts, the creature seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment, its regenerative abilities rendering their attacks almost futile.

Amidst the chaos, Marcus's mind raced, searching for any opportunity to gain an advantage. And then, like a bolt of lightning, an idea struck him. With a glance at Victor, he nodded, silently conveying his plan. Separating from the beast Marcus and Victor started to back it into a corner near the door of the refrigerator that used to contain the blood supply.

"Tell me, ancient one," Marcus called out, his voice laced with an edge of defiance. "What is this grand design you speak of? What is the purpose of this ritual?"

The Ancient vampire slowed it’s approach, its gaze narrowing as it considered Marcus's question. "You seek to know the secrets of my master's plan? Foolish mortal. You could never hope to comprehend the magnitude of his power."

But Marcus persisted, his determination unwavering. "Humor me," he said, his voice steady despite the situation "I want to understand. I want to know why my wife was dragged into your twisted scheme."

The Ancient vampire hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing its face. And then, with a sly smile, it began to speak, its voice dripping with malice.

"You see, mortal, my master seeks to harness the power of the ancients, to ascend to a level of godhood that has never been achieved before. And your wife, she is-"

As the creature spoke, Marcus and Victor exchanged a knowing glance. They had heard enough. With a swift nod, they sprang into action, their movements synchronized as they launched a coordinated assault against the Ancient vampire.

Victor thrusted a vial of holy water at the being while Marcus dived in with a wooden stake hoping to catch the vampire off guard only to get caught by the beast himself coming to a dead stop on its unnaturally strong limbs but it continued its rant.

“- just a means to an end. We wouldn’t the guest of honor to miss the show after all.” The Vampire lifted Marcus by the strap of his bulletproof vest before throwing him at Victor cursing them both to go flying to the other side of the room.

“You have no idea of the greatness to come. Soon the uprising will be-” The ancient vampires monologue was forcibly ended with a stake through the heart which combined with the silver bullets to the neck and holy water caused the vampire to begin to turn to ash only getting a glance at his murderer before the end. “Master?”

“What a pitiful beast he was. He never could learn when to shut up.” The new personage spoke calmly from the shadows where he hid prior.