Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Inside an undefined place, swallowed by absolute darkness within the confines of a small chamber, lies a man. He appears to be somewhere in his thirties, bearing a short beard and cropped hair in a wild, untamed mess, as though it had never once met a comb. His hair is pitch black, as if forged from the deepest void in the forgotten reaches of the universe; and yet its ends are a light blue almost turquoise shimmering faintly as though they emitted a soft glow when observed closely.

His skin is utterly pale, corpse-like, and he is clothed in a black toga which, despite being oversized and worn by time, radiates an air of sanctity and authority.

This merciless silence is broken when the man suddenly opens his eyes in shock and astonishment, as though waking from a terrible nightmare.

“Alive once more… or perhaps not,” he said, stopping halfway as he remembered that his body was dead, preserved in that state for centuries.

“Ah, fuck it,” he muttered under his breath, beginning to observe his surroundings.

Stone walls, no light, silence, and I’m not restrained. So, not a prison. Although with that old geezer you can never be sure, he thought with a trace of optimism.

Approaching one of the walls, he placed his hand upon it, gathering magical energy in search of something.

“A barrier but no curse, no seal. More of a subtle enchantment to dissuade ordinary people from coming near,” he said, pushing harder against the stone.

The wall could not withstand the pressure and cracked open, revealing channels beneath.

Strange construction. Looks like an aqueduct… but underground, he noted, comparing it to ancient structures he had once seen before falling into slumber.

After some time, he found a steel ladder and climbed it to the surface—where something unexpected awaited him.

Tall, towering buildings, wide black strips, he thought, before finally looking up and noticing something familiar.

Ah… at least the moon and stars remain the same.
A faint smile touched his lips, only to vanish as swiftly as it appeared.

“I must find a mortal. Through them I’ll acquire knowledge about these… different times,” he murmured while searching for a target.

After a moment of consideration about how to proceed, a strange metal object appeared before his eyes, moving along the long black path stretched between the buildings.

“Humans tend to be more willing to offer help when it’s a woman.”

No sooner had he spoken the words than the transformation began. Using his powers, he shifted his form into that of a woman. His primary features like hair color remained, the only changes being the feminine silhouette, the absence of a beard, and long flowing hair.

The steel construct rolled closer, and from it stepped a man whose speech she could not comprehend, thus she simply did what she had lured him for.

With a speed no mortal could ever hope to perceive, the woman seized him and sank her fangs into his neck, draining the precious blood. After a brief moment she withdrew, staring directly into his eyes in which her own inhuman gaze was reflected. The whites had been replaced by a darkness black as shadow, and her pupils seemed to glow with the same blue light as her hair.

Within a mere second the man stopped struggling and fell still, staring ahead with empty eyes.

I was worried about using hypnosis. There’s always a chance someone might detect it… but it seems there’s nothing to worry about, the being reassured itself.

The ability she had used would ensure that the man forgot everything that had happened and soon returned to his usual self.

Hm… poor-quality blood. Seems ordinary humans have grown weaker. Still, it’s enough, I’ve fed. Oh… so that’s how the human world and society work now. Interesting, she thought as she processed the memories she had taken along with the man’s blood.

Wanting to blend in better among humans, she used her magic to change her clothing, returning to her male form in the process. It was the form he preferred; he had been born a man and, out of habit, felt more comfortable that way.

“Ah, right,” he said, conjuring a pair of sunglasses to hide his eyes.

“Almost forgot about the eyes.”

Taking advantage of the moment, he climbed into the taxi the man had arrived in and drove off toward his next destination.

“I’ll need paperwork. An ID, a passport, documents of some sort if I’m to function properly,” he said, heading toward the office guided by the knowledge he had obtained from the unfortunate taxi driver.

On the way, a woman waved at him, clearly in need of a lift.

“Good evening, madam. How may I help you?” he asked, as the woman entered the back seat without even waiting for permission.

“Drive, for fuck’s sake! Faster! Just leg it!” she screamed at him.

Only now did he notice that the woman was running from the police after committing robbery and theft.

Well… I suppose I need to run anyway, seeing as I’m technically in this country illegally…
With a troubled expression, he sped forward. Fortunately, his victim had known the city like the back of his hand, and thanks to that knowledge, he managed to shake off the pursuit with ease.

Glancing at her through the rear-view mirror, he inspected her with curiosity.

Red skin, two horns on her head… a demon? But out in the open like this among humans? Odd, he commented inwardly.

Perhaps I should’ve drained that taxi driver completely. Or two more people. The knowledge I took from him is clearly incomplete.
Yet as soon as the thought appeared, he shook his head and dismissed it.

No. I promised Seth I wouldn’t slaughter his children without reason. I’ll keep my word.

After some time, when the chase had finally subsided, the woman stepped out of the car and placed a hundred-dollar note into his hand.

“Thanks for the help. You fucking saved my arse,” she said crudely before walking off.

Just an ordinary piece of paper, and yet one can buy so much with it…
Casting a final glance at the banknote, he drove on toward the government office.

Once there, he parked—only to realise he had overlooked one rather important detail.

“It’s the middle of the night. Of course it’s closed!”

He decided to wait until morning. However, he abandoned the car, knowing the police might trace it back once the taxi driver regained consciousness and reported the theft.

What he did not know, however, was that his awakening had already caused panic among many circles…

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In a dark basement, a man wearing Lennon-style glasses and a hat sat watching television on a fifty-inch screen, sipping a drink.
Suddenly, in shock, he set the glass aside and switched off the TV, breathing heavily.

“Ah… ah… what the—” he muttered, trying to make sense of the strange sensation that had washed over him. After a moment, however, he realized what it was and quickly reached for his phone.

But before he could dial the number, the very person he intended to call rang him first.

“Erm… Police girl said that something’s happened. She says she feels tingling as if like something’s calling to her,” said a woman’s voice.

“Yes, I know. Keep her where she is. She mustn’t go anywhere,” he replied. He then heard hurried instructions being given to someone else on the other side of the line.

“All right, what’s going on? From your voice I’m guessing it’s serious,” the woman said, now sounding sharply focused.

“Erm… Remember those old notes and the emergency codes I came up with long ago with your predecessors, yes?”

“Yes. One of them?” she asked, her curiosity rising.

“Exactly. Code—”
After he said the code wat remained was the sound of pages frantically turning on her end. After a brief pause, she responded:

“Oh, fuck all kinds of duck!”

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In a strip club, a man in a suit with black hair and a yellow streak in his fringe was enjoying a rather high-quality service when suddenly his phone began to ring.
The ringtone, a remixed techno version of a religious hymn. It immediately told him who was trying to reach him.

Must be something important, he thought, and answered.

“What’s up, Mike?” he said mockingly, trying to lighten what he assumed was a tense situation.

“He’s awakened.”
That was all he heard before the call was abruptly cut short.

It was enough. The smirk on his face vanished, replaced by a look of utter seriousness.

“Oh, bloody hell.”

He raised his voice and shouted:

“Everyone, quiet!”
The music stopped instantly, and everyone, from dancers to customers stared at him in confusion.

“Fun’s over. There’s something you need to check. Immediately!”

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A blonde superheroine delivered a final punch to the last of the criminals. She looked around the bridge where the chase had led her, noting the traffic jam that had formed.

Before she could begin helping the civilians, she heard a message in her earpiece from someone of higher rank.

“Return to SDN. You’re needed.”

‘Sounds like trouble’

“What’s going on?” she asked, still trying to assist the stranded drivers.

“We’ve received intel that there will be increased vampiric activity. Your abilities might be crucial if some of the older ones appear,” the voice explained.

“All right, I’m on my way,” she replied, then took off, soaring toward headquarters with the help of her powers.

Chapter Text

Behind closed doors inside the city hall in the very center of town a man sat on a chair while several other people hurried around filling out documents.
To a typical visitor everything would seem utterly normal, but the entire staff was under the influence of mass hypnosis cast by this overwhelmingly powerful individual.

Mass domination of the mind has far less strength than the standard version, yet it allows me to affect many people within an area at once. In situations like this it is incredibly useful he concluded while ignoring the sounds of clacking keyboards and pens scraping across paper.

His attention was suddenly pulled away.

"...what is the reason behind the sudden request for the public to stay indoors"
The television caught his eye and more specifically a part of an ongoing press conference.

On the screen stood a woman in a strange costume he did not recognise.
Fortunately the caption Blonde Blazer gave him a hint.

A superhero. Humans with strange mutations and powers
It intrigued him but a sudden thought struck him.

Wait. Does this mean humans are regaining a divine spark

Long ago when God created Adam and Eve humans possessed a spark of His power within them granting slight supernatural abilities. Thanks to it Adam and Eve lived for thousands of years and Lilith was able to give birth to Devils. But just like with vampires every new generation loses a small amount of that spark and becomes weaker.

The difference is that vampires due to their long lives lose it far more slowly because generations do not replace each other as quickly.

Judging by the current year the generation should be the nineteenth or the twentieth he thought with mild embarrassment that young vampires were so weak while humans were growing stronger.

It did not mean his race was doomed. For example if a fifth generation vampire turned someone the new one would be the sixth generation rather than the twentieth.

Come to think of it Dracula is still alive and well. I was worried I would have to create new ones to preserve the race but I guess I do not need to he noted with a faint smile remembering the cruel ruler.

"Recently a rise in Hemovore activity has been recorded. The problem is global"
His attention returned to the broadcast.

"Do you know why vampires are more active now And should the population be afraid" a reporter asked the blonde heroine.

"Eh. No. Not necessarily. How do I put this. They are more active but not immediately dangerous. Many of them have either woken up from hibernation or gained some new drive to act. Vampires are still normal members of society though just like with humans there are some more radical and unstable individuals appearing" she explained with slight discomfort.

She is not telling everything. She is choosing her words very carefully
Her body language and the small slip at the beginning made it obvious.

"Last question. Where do you get this information"

"We were contacted by the Hellsing Organization which specialises in dealing with threats of this type. Unfortunately I cannot say anything more"
That was all she said before the broadcast ended.

Hmm. Only elders would know why their blood suddenly awakened. Which means either the descendants of Hellsing hunted the elders down and interrogated them which I doubt or one of the elders works for them. I will check eventually.It’s also possible I am overthinking and they don’t know shit.

"Your full name" he heard from one of the employees.

Domination worked in an interesting way. It did not give him complete control. It acted more like a suggestion that the order should be carried out and that it felt natural and correct. In this case everyone believed that illegally issuing documents was a perfectly standard procedure. Even after he lifted the hypnosis they would simply forget and assume they had done their jobs normally.

"I am C... Karl. Karl. Arnur" he improvised quickly.

Better not use the real one. I do not know if someone might recognise me. Everything would be so much easier if I knew exactly how powerful modern supernatural beings are. I might not need to hide at all.

"Place of birth"

He froze. Should he give the place where his mother gave birth or where he transformed But remembering his deeds...

"Nod"

One of the clerks interrupted his thoughts.

"All done. May I have your phone number We will inform you when your ID is ready for pickup" the man said. Karl reacted with mild embarrassment.

"...I do not have one at the moment" he replied. The clerk raised a brow in surprise but thanks to domination did not question it and accepted it as normal.

"I understand. Then please return in a week for collection."
Karl nodded and stepped outside. Once he left the building he released the hypnosis leaving the staff in peace and ignorance.

He then decided to find himself a place to stay, but due to a lack of money he could not rent anything. He did not require sleep but having a place to spend time in was useful and it kept appearances.

I could simply rob them but I promised Seth that I would not harm humans without reason. I do not want to become the monster they believe me to be. I keep my word.
He grumbled inwardly irritated that the oath he had made to his brother centuries ago still limited him to this day.

That same ideology he had passed down resulted in vampires hiding among humans and attempting to coexist. A large organisation had even been created to enforce this.

At least until Dracula fucked everything up with his little impalement fetish. Since then some follow the rules and some do not.
He reminisced while staring straight at the sun.

His plan for the moment was simple. Acquire money then a temporary shelter and return for the documents. After that he would see what came next.

Maybe I will find an abandoned building and stay there
He stopped that thought because he realised he did not know where such places were in this city.

I guess I need to search he decided and began walking.
He left the stolen car behind because the police were surely looking for it after last night.

As he walked by he heard an explosion inside a nearby building. Fortunately it did not catch fire. Only shattered furniture and glass burst outward.

What the... Karl thought as he pulled a shard of glass out of his eye which instantly regenerated.

Curious he stepped inside and was greeted by a scene straight out of a crime thriller. A gang of thugs. One vampire. A few individuals with superpowers. And a middle aged man held hostage in the back.

"And who the fuck are you" one of them barked.
He did not notice that the vampire among them had already fled.

He probably realised I am older than him
Karl ignored the weakling and drifted into thought.

"I asked you a fucking question" the thug with the knife yelled.

Karl only held his forehead and shook his head. Then he pointed at him and at the others holding knives and machetes.

"You. You. And you. Kill yourselves."

Their hands trembled as they slit their own throats. The look on their faces made it clear that they were not in control of their own bodies.

The rest either ran or collapsed in terror.

Maybe I should leave one or two for appearances. No. Supernatural investigators could easily extract information from them and find me. And superheroes would definitely take interest.
He pointed at the rest. They tried to flee but far too late.

Their bodies lifted into the air and pulsed violently. Their screams filled the building as they died in agony. The moment was short but enough for nearby pedestrians to call for help in panic.

Karl had used thaumaturgy also known as blood magic to boil the blood inside their bodies. They were still alive during the process feeling pain few could ever imagine.

Without wasting further time he helped the hostage who looked grateful but terrified.

"T Thank you. I will not tell anyone so..."
He avoided eye contact.

"Calm down. I have to go. Stay safe."
Karl began to walk away.

"Ah. P please come tomorrow. It will be closed but I would like to repay you" the man added but Karl was already gone.

The vampire however heard it from the rooftop and left before reinforcements arrived.

He did not kill the innocent man because that would break his oath. It was easier to use domination and erase his own image from the hostage’s memory. A privilege the criminals did not deserve.

Dropping down behind the building and stepping over the corpses of fleeing robbers he slipped into the darkness of the alley where he spotted the young vampire. He could not escape because he was missing limbs.

"Greetings. Young one" Karl said calmly.

"You are an elder. Why are you here" the vampire asked while trying to hide his fear.

Karl smiled gently.

"And why are you here"

"Easy money you know. I need to live. Blood is expensive if you do not want to end up in prison or on a stake."

"Mhm. And which generation are you The twentieth or nineteenth"

"What are you talking about"

Karl sighed.
He realized the young vampire knew absolutely nothing not only about the situation but about how vampires truly functioned.

He reached out and touched the young vampire’s head. He did the same as he had with the man in the bar and walked away.

"Your limbs will grow back before evening. If I see you pulling stupid shit again I will personally drag  you out into the sun."

With that he continued exploring the city.