ESMERALDA

Chapter 1

A dark blue Nissan Nv300 pulled up right across the house where a few hours ago, reports of strange activity had reached the Hunter's desk. The team stepped out of the van
" Jade, what do you see," Mike their team leader asked. Jade turned on his glasses, fitted with a modified E.M.F meter. His vision turned green as he looked around
"All clear," he said as he turned them off. Mike signalled them to move towards the house, which looked like a train wreck. Smashed windows, broken front door , furniture strewn all over their front porch.
" Something definitely was here, Estelle and Diane go check if there's anyone inside, Marcus plant the defences. A few minutes Estelle and Diane were out of the house, between them was a frightened woman, clutching a baby in her arms.
" We'll need to use her as bait to lure that thing again," Mike said. The women nodded as they went back to comforting her. A few minutes she was back in the house, four silver poles surrounding her and the baby. Everything was set. Suddenly a gust of wind from nowhere came upon them and they saw the shields start to flicker on, once it was in there was no getting out. The remaining piece of the broken door rattled as a black mist poured into the house, taking form of a woman, her dark hair covering her face , on her she wore a blood stained night gown, her skin glowed faint. She walked over to mother and child, lightning illuminating her features to the two of them. As she approached, the top of the poles popped open like a flower, shooting out blinding blue light spheres. The thing screamed as it covered its face and backed away from mother and child
" Hey ugly come get some," Jade said, unholstering his double barrel revolvers,loaded with uranium bullets . For the first time she seemed to notice them, turning towards them to show her hedious face. Where her eyes were there were only empty sockets, her face splattered with blood , screaming, she came at Jade, claws outstretched, Mike fired up the flame thrower, spitting out red angry flames catching her full on the face , throwing her back
" Great , now you've made her even more angry," Marcus said as he dodged three kitchen knives coming his way. Shards of broken glass flew at Mike and Jade embedding themselves on the wall behind them as they ducked.
" She's strong," Jade said panting. A plan formed in Mike's head and he told the others
" You are crazy you know," Diane said.
" We really don't have much of a choice right now so let's move," Estelle said as she threw a flash grenade at the thing. It screeched again.taking advantage of her temporary discomfort, Mike and Jade ran from their cover, silver rope in hand. The rope landed on her twirling around her waist, Mike and Jade pulling on either side
" Anytime from now Marcus," Mike said as he strained to keep the rope tied round her. The rope broke and the two men fell backwards. It raised its hands and tightened its fists. The two men started chocking, clawing at their necks as invisible forces strangled them. The two now hang in the air their feet thrashing wildly. Suddenly a sharpened crucifix jutted out from her chest, her hold on them broke and they fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. It screamed as it tried to claw at the crucifix, wisps of black smoke escaping the hole in her chest. She burst into flames and smoke and was carried away by the wind.
" That was close," Jade said
" Remember Egypt," Mike laughed

******.
Hades sat on his throne deep in the underworld, overseeing his vast domain, his hounds by his side. His peace was broken by the opening of the throne room doors. His wife stood there, seething with rage.
" Here we go again," He sighed as she stomped to the throne. The two hounds growled at her but Hades kept them at bay.
" What do you want this time?" He asked.
" I want their souls. The souls of the Hunters who banished my sister to the Fields of damnation."
" You do understand I cannot take souls which are not ready to depart,"
" You are useless! I don't even know why you are King anyway if you cannot do one simple thing," she scoffed. A sound slap rung across the room, Persephone was on the ground , her cheek red from the slap. She tried to get up but the hounds growled, baring their teeth
"We have nothing to discuss here. Now leave before I set them on you," Hades said patting their heads. Persephone got out, her rage worse than before. Quickly she went to her room, bolting the doors she then sat on the floor.
" If he won't give me their souls I will find someone who can," she said to herself. She closed her eyes and started to envision Bran Castle. Energy flowed from her body, veins running the length of her arm and more climbing her neck
Her face became gaunt as though air was being sucked out of her lungs. When she opened her eyes they were no longer soft brown but were pitch dark. Purple wisps of smoke shot out of her mouth and out the open window. Her eyes immediately turned back soft brown and she crumbled onto the floor, unable to move
" You shall be avenged sister," she whispered

******

A man named Count Jean Van Arsling, was the original founder of the order of the Hunter and ruler of Romania. He founded his special force to take down the Vampires who had terrorised his country for a very long time. His blade, coated with silver was said to have taken down the prince of darkness but not before he himself being mortally wounded. He died a few hours later and his force disbanded.in 1818, the Pope Pius VII, brought back the Hunters, a special group of people who had the blood of the children of the night in them. Their mission, to keep the earth safe from Evil. the team made of Marcus, Jade, Mike, Diane and Estelle stood in front of the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. As usual many tourists flocked the church,all wanting to get a glimpse of the historic building. They walked into the beautiful church, a silent echo all around them. The wall was decorated with beautiful paintings and statues. The Archpriest came over and greeted them. An old man in purple chasubles and a golden crucifix ardoned on his neck
" I believe you had a wonderful hunt," the Archpriest said and they nodded. He then took them up to his office where the entrance of the order's headquarters was. The office was well furnished with sacred paintings and a marble statue of St Peters right behind his desk. He went over and turned the small toe on the statue's right foot and the statue moved out of place revealing a door. On the door was a knocker in the shape of a lion's head. A small blade lay in the inside of the knocker ring . Only ones with the blood of the Hunters was able to get in. A little bit of blood was drawn into the ring which under pressure would make the blood travel up towards the lion's head where a green light appeared in the eyes showing they were clear to go.
The door opened to a spiral stone staircase , on the side torches lit up, guiding them down they finally got to the bottom of the stairs and to the entrance of the Hunter headquarters. On the gates stood two guards. It was like a city down there. A tram was already waiting for them at the gates. High above the city stood the Councillors palace , made of marble. Most of the Hunters lived in the city with their families, protected from vengeful demons and the powers of evil.
The director was already outside waiting for them .
" Finally you have arrived. The council has news for you," the director said then led them to the council room. A tall bench surrounded the room with the floor dug out so that they would have to look upwards when speaking. Twelve seats had been placed and all had been taken by priests except from one where the director sat
" First I would like to congratulate you for another mission accomplished. Secondly, we seem to have a big problem. A night ago, our portal in Romania to the demon world emitted a strong energy, necromancer energy. Someone from the other side must be trying to raise the dead or a powerful child of the night. We are worried that maybe it is the Prince of Darkness they are trying to awaken and if so, we are in big trouble. We need you to find out what is going on down there are if he really is awake.
" Sirs, requesting permission to take him out if he is alive," Mike said
" Denied! You find out if he is alive and come back here. You will not engage,"
" If I may ask, what is so scary about this vampire. Drive a silver stake in his heart and he is dead," Jade said.
" You'll be dead before that silver gets anywhere near him. Count Arsling died, defeating this evil and he was much more better than any of you. I am not going to put your lives in harm's way yet," one of the Councillors said" Council dismissed."
The team left the room, the director following them
" What was that about?" Jade screamed at the director
" The council is agitated. This is not any normal vampire. He is the father of vampires, they call him prince of Darkness for a reason. His story is a dark and twisted one and even I myself don't know it well. In Transylvania you will find someone who will be able to help you. His name is Sam Wilson, the Jack- O- Lantern. He has been around a long time and will be able to tell you the true story. Meanwhile your jet to Romaina leaves in 2 hours so I suggest you make preparations early,"