VAN HELSING 3: SOUL HUNTERS

(disclaimers on pages 1-6. For those who skipped the last chapter, Furie was freed from her curse, but Sabrina's soul was placed within her in exchange Here's the next chapter.)

Chapter 17: A father has his secrets

Van Helsing watched as he was surrounded by a bright light. He didn't know where he was or how he got there, but something about this place seemed so familiar, as though everything was the way it should be. It wasn't long until he heard a voice coming from behind him. He turned around to see no one, but the voice was still speaking.

"Gabriel..." it whispered. He finally pinpointed the source of the voice when he turned to his right. It was his father, standing there with his arms folded across his chest, seeming to be pondering his offspring.

"How..but...you're..." Gabriel stammered.

His father chuckled. "You seem surprised." he said. "I hope that you're keeping my hat in good condition." he added.

"That was yours?" Van Helsing asked.

"Yes, and my father's before me. It was the original sign of the hunters."

"What do you mean?"

"Our family for generations has taught themselves to be strong and courageous hunters of all things evil. Some of us, like you, worked for the Holy Order. We taught ours sons how to fight, so they could soon protect humanity. Your sister was one of the very few daughters of the bloodline. She was taught to fight as well, but it wasn't enough and she was taken prisoner by those foul demons. The reason that she lived was her blood inside her, her inner angel seemed to create a kind of barrier around her. As does yours, seing as you're-"

"An archangel?" Van Helsing finished.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"Your mother was scared that if you knew, our enemies would know. I happened to agree with her. So your identity was kept secret from you and Victoria. Where is she, anyway? I was hoping to see her."

Gabriel took a deep breath. "She was taken. She gave her life for us. And now I don't where she is or how to reach her."

"She has strong feelings for you. She cares for very few things in this world. I don't blame her for staying hidden within herself. She was always afraid of others, to open herself up to the world. Her whole life was meant to be one full of joy and life, but it has become one of darkness and shadow, and she has frozen most of her heart over."

"Why is she like this? She won't ever try to let anyone in, and...I'm scared for her." Gabriel said. He had never said he felt a small amount of pressure when she had decided to join him on his adventures. It was almost like he wasn't her brother at all, but more like her father.

"If you're trying to become her parent, you should cease that attempt. She's a wild one, and not even I could tame her." he said with a smile. "She is like this because she's frightened to let anyone in. She doesn't think they'll understand her mind and the darkness she believes is inside it. She was only a stranger to the world when she was brought into a new, cruel, and violent one. It had an effect on her to remain in isolation to keep her loved ones safe."

"I was never trying to become her father, but after just three months, with no other family, I suppose I just became it. I was hoping that if I was this way, she would talk to me more, and allow me to help her, but she's just the same. The only time she'll ever try to explain herself is when she's broken down." Gabriel confessed. He had no idea if he was like a father to her, but she sure acted like a daughter to him. He cared for her more than anything except Anna.

"Victoria would want enjoy you as a brother, not for a father. She knows you too well to see you as her guardian." his father said. He placed his hand upon his son's shoulder.

"She'll speak when she's ready, and you will find her. But for now, wake up."

Gabriel opened his eyes blearily. He turned to Anna, who was asleep beside him. He watched her chest rise and fall and sighed. He had lost his sister already, he couldn't bear to lose his love, too. Just thinking about the two things he cared about most pained him. He had no idea what Victoria was going through and didn't want to. He had promised her that she'd be safe with him, and he had failed her. An image flashed through his mind of Victoria, pale and lifeless on the ground. He shook away the thought and looked up to the sky. Just looking at the night reminded him of his sister and how she loved to stay up late to watch the stars.

"I'll get you back soon, Victoria. I promise." he whispered, unaware that she had heard him.

Victoria sat up, unaware of how she got where she was. It was dark, and clouds were rolling through the sky. Yet she was upon a hard floor, and not an outside surface. She looked down at her hand, only to have her eyes widen.

There was no dark blood to be seen. She felt an instant pang of joy run through her. She lay flat upon her back, daydreaming for a moment, until something went click inside her. She got up to her feet, only to be met by a figure.

She looked exactly like her! Almost, anyways. Her eyes were darker, and she was a lot paler than Victoria, who was already quite pale. The girl also looked a little taller. She looked at Victoria with pure anger in her eyes.

"Sabrina..." Victoria breathed.

"Yes." Sabrina said. Her voice was also different. From Victoria's rough, yet gentle tones, Sabrina's was strong, hard, and showed no emotion.

Victoria was taken aback when Sabrina struck her hard upon her face. She fell to the ground and clutched her cheek. "Look, I know you have a grudge against my brother-"

"A grudge ? You believe this can be easily settled? It was your brother who struck me down! It was your brother who tied me to the post! It was your brother that set me ablaze! Now Vladimir and I shall have our revenge with your death!" she shouted. She then began a relentless assault upon the huntress. Every attack burned upon her skin and she yelled in pain. Sabrina was amused by this and cackled aloud.

"That happened decades ago! It was a past life of my brother, not himself!" Victoria tried to reason. Sabrina didn't seem to listen. She backed away though to see her work. Victoria was covered in bruises and cuts.

She shut her eyes, trying to make the pain go away. It was of no avail. Every injury seemed to burn even harder. A single voice came inside her, causing all of her suffering to come to an abrupt halt.

"I'll get you back soon, Victoria. I promise." it whispered.

"Gabriel...he's alive!" Victoria cried happily. She wanted to hear him again so badly, to know that he was coming for her, but the opportunity never came as a new series of attacks were cast upon her. She let out a wild scream, hoping that her brother would hear her somehow.

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Gabriel opened his eyes and immediately sat up. He heard her! She was screaming loudly, as though she was in pain. Just the thought of seeing her in a state made him feel sick. He opened up the map she had left and noticed that they were the closest to the caves. Maybe the hunters were there.

"Vladimir, here we come. Whatever your doing to Victoria, you'll soon regret." he said, hoping it would reassure him that he would find his sister.

It didn't make him feel much better.

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