Part 11
Alucard marched behind the small group of priests, maintaining a respectful distance so as not to intimidate them, yet still staying a few feet behind. As they walked through town, Alucard couldn't help but notice that he had attracted the attention of many of the people. This was to be expected, as it was well known that the members of the Eternal Flame did not like nor believe they needed his help with the town's problem. The small group of priests did not speak to Alucard, nor did they even turn around to check if he was still following them. Perhaps they didn't really care if Alucard accepted the invitation, or maybe they thought he would decline and they wouldn't have to bother with him.
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows through the narrow alleys of the town. The crimson-robed priests led Alucard toward the heart of the settlement, where the grand structure of the Eternal Flame Church stood tall, its spire reaching towards the darkening sky.
As they entered the church, the air shifted. The sacred atmosphere inside was palpable, and the flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the high walls. Father Maxwell, the leader of the Eternal Flame, awaited Alucard at the altar.
Behind the great altar, there was a large stained glass window depicting what Alucard could only imagine was the Eternal Flame. The image itself was breathtaking; it showed a large tree growing from a river, a fire with yellow and original colours of flames blending within one another as if they were alive, wrapping itself around the tree, symbolising the destruction of life and the rebirth with fire.
Father Maxwell, a figure clad in crimson robes, stood with an air of authority. The flickering candles highlighted the lines on his face, etched with the wisdom and burden of leadership. His eyes bore a fervent conviction, and as he spoke, his words carried the weight of his beliefs. "Alucard," he said, his tone measured but with a subtle undertone of disdain, "you stand in the sanctum of the Eternal Flame. You will show me respect.”
Alucard laughed, showing no sign that he was going to respect Maxwell's wishes. “Respect is earned, Father, not given willingly.”
Alucard approached, his footsteps echoing in the sacred silence. The grandeur of the church contrasted sharply with the tension that hung in the air. Maxwell's request for assistance against the growing darkness was met with a measured nod from Alucard.
"I'm here to understand your motives, Father Maxwell. The town may be in danger, but I've felt the weight of unwelcoming gazes for too long. From the first day I saw you and your loyalists, I have been given a cold welcome.”
Maxwell, his gaze unwavering, responded with a hint of scorn, "You're not one of us, Alucard. Your presence brings shadows, not light. But in times like these, alliances are forged even with the unholy. Our town's survival depends on it."
“Your town’s survival,” said Alucard, raising his voice as he stepped closer to Maxwell. Maxwell, still standing by his altar, remained unfazed by anything Alucard just said, standing there like a statue. As the glow of the sun shone through the stained glass windows, Alucard continued, “You are not even from this town. You and your flock strolled in years after the town crisis started to unfold. You took advantage of the people of this town for your own selfish gain, pushing people to your belief, telling them their sinful ways brought this evil upon them.”
Father Maxwell's expression remained stoic, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. Alucard's words cut through the sacred space, challenging the very authority the priest had carefully built within the town.
"The ways of the Eternal Flame are beyond your understanding, Alucard," Maxwell replied with measured calmness, but there was a subtle tension in his tone. "We offer salvation, a path to redemption. It is not exploitation; it is guidance in times of darkness."
Alucard scoffed, the bitter edge of his laughter echoing in the hallowed halls. "Salvation? Redemption? Your church has whispered of sin and darkness far more than it has sung hymns of hope. I've seen your influence spread like a shadow over this town.”
“The Eternal Flame does not cast shadows onto this town. No, my boy, we are the ones who bring it all into the light. We cast away the sin and evil from all corners. We did not bring this evil to the town of Iron Harbor. No, this evil came and festered itself in its people because they lacked faith."
Alucard, annoyed more than anything, raised his voice once more. “You think the ghouls' attack on the mines and the evil that plagues the streets at night is because people were not religious enough?”
Father Maxwell's gaze bore into Alucard, unwavering. "I think that when faith falters, darkness finds a foothold. The ghouls are but a manifestation of the town's collective sins. Our church is the beacon that can guide them to redemption."
Alucard's eyes narrowed. "You paint yourself as a saviour, but I see a puppeteer pulling strings in the shadows. There's more to your game than salvation, Father."
A hint of a smile played on Maxwell's lips. "You're perceptive, Alucard. Survival demands unconventional measures. But mark my words, the true threat is not within these walls. It's an ancient evil, and the Eternal Flame seeks to shield this town from its malevolence."
“Shield this town, all you and your priests have done is drive a wedge into the heart of its people. You talk about peace and being the protector, but I see the way your so-called peace works. Your loyalists treat the people of this town with your ideology. Harassing the hardworking as they live their normal lives.”
“Hard Working people,” Maxwell scoffed. “Don’t tell me you're talking about the whores who walk the streets during the day and night selling their bodies for coins and the drunks who can't seem to put the bottle down. Wasting away in their little hovels. Don't even get me started on the dwarf, the mess of a man he is.”
Alucard's eyes flashed with anger at Maxwell's disdainful remarks. "You judge these people without understanding their struggles. There's more to this town than your narrow view perceives. The so-called mess of a dwarf you speak of is one of the most loyal and courageous men I've known. Your ideals may have a place, but you're blind to the reality of Iron Harbour."
Maxwell's gaze remained cold and unyielding. "Reality is often a harsh teacher, Alucard. The Eternal Flame seeks to cleanse this town, to prepare it for the battle against the ancient evil that looms. Sacrifices are necessary for the greater good."
"Sacrifices?" Alucard retorted. "Your sacrifices have torn families apart, sown discord, and created a town on the brink of collapse. Your vision of salvation is a path paved with broken lives."
Maxwell's smile widened, revealing a glint of something darker. "Sometimes, to rebuild, you must first tear down. This town is at a crossroads, Alucard. Choose your side wisely, for the true battle is yet to come."
Alucard studied Maxwell's face, searching for any signs of deception. The air hung heavy with unspoken tension. “What exactly do you mean? The true battle is yet to come? Planning on starting a war?”
“The so-called Lord of this Town, Davos, has let this town down for far too long. The Church of the Eternal Flame is here to set it back on its rightful path. That is my duty as one of the high priests of my beloved order. I do its bidding without question, why you may ask because I have faith.”
Maxwell walked away from his altar, holding a very large book close to his chest. Alucard couldn't make out what he was holding; it was a large black leather book with scale-like patterns on its back, and a large golden rim covering all sides of the book. He did not know what it was, perhaps a book about his religion or something else.
Alucard couldn't shake off the feeling that Maxwell's words concealed something more profound. As the high priest moved away with the mysterious book, Alucard's curiosity grew. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be scattered, and he was missing the crucial ones to complete the picture.
"If you truly seek to save this town, Father, there are other paths than those of discord and division. Your approach may lead to more ruin than redemption," Alucard stated, a hint of warning in his tone.
Maxwell turned back, the dim light of the church reflecting off his unreadable expression. "You speak of redemption, Alucard, but redemption often requires sacrifice. Remember, in the darkest hour, true purpose is revealed. You may yet see the path we tread is the only one that can lead to salvation."
“And you believe you are the one to usher these people into a new and glorious purpose? Don't make me laugh.”
“What I believe in, Alucard, is not your concern. But yes, it is true I may not have come from this town. I was sent here for a reason. You may not know me, Alucard, but I surely know of you and your kind.”
“My kind?” Alucard replied with an angry tone. “Don't you mean my family? House Morgraine stood for thousands of years, protecting people from the monsters of this world. But in all of my life, the greatest monster is man, and those who blindly follow a religious idea over all else. You have no idea how many religions I have seen over my lifetime and how many don't even have an Echo anymore, all lost to the sands of time.”
Maxwell's eyes glinted with a mix of defiance and conviction. "Your house may have stood for thousands of years, but Iron Harbour is not your ancestral castle. The Eternal Flame seeks to bring about a new order, a new era of salvation. Your kind, your family, they are relics of the past."
Alucard's jaw clenched, a surge of anger welling within him. "Relics or not, we protected the innocent. I've seen the darkness that lies in the hearts of men, and your church is not exempt from that. Your kind of salvation brings only chains and division."
Maxwell's smile remained unyielding. "You see chains; I see discipline. You see division; I see purification. The town will soon understand the true cost of salvation. We will not be deterred by the doubts of a lone hunter."
“The people of this town will never just accept you as its ruler. Nor do they want you. You underestimate their loyalty to Lord Davos and his family.”
“It is true that the people of this town share an unwavering loyalty to the Lord, but nothing lasts forever, Alucard. This is not the first town I have saved from itself. Nor will it be the last, I can assure you of that.” Maxwell walked a bit closer to Alucard but still kept his distance from him. “I was born in a small village far from the eyes of the world. In the country of Skeistan.”
Alucard's attention was piqued, though he didn't let Maxwell see this. Skeistan was not a large country nor was it very memorable for anything remotely worthy. But what Alucard did remember about Skeistan is what it lacked in fighting power or political power on the world stage, they made up for in creating some of the world's most deadly poisons that could go undetected.
Maxwell continued, seemingly unaware of Alucard's internal musings. "Skeistan was a place of humble beginnings, a simple village in the shadows. Our people lived without the guidance of the Eternal Flame. Chaos and despair thrived. That is until one of our own, a visionary, brought the light of the Flame to us."
Alucard's scepticism deepened. "Visionary or opportunist? What did your church gain from saving a small village?"
Maxwell's eyes gleamed with fervent belief. "We gained purpose, Alucard. We brought orders where there was none. We saved them from themselves. I was but a child when the Flame arrived in Skeistan, but I witnessed the transformation. From a desolate village to a bastion of righteousness."
“And what was the true price of this transformation, Father?” Alucard asked, his voice carrying a weight of suspicion.
“The price was a small village lost, forgotten in the annals of history. But from its ashes rose a beacon of salvation. Sacrifices were made for the greater good. Skeistan was but a stepping stone to a grander purpose."
“Tell me, Father, what did your family do before the church came to your village?” Maxwell was surprised to be asked such a question; it was not what he was expecting, but thinking nothing of it, he answered without any resistance.
"If you must know, my family was known for their hubris and poisons. They were an unholy lot, creating substances that could heal illnesses while also crafting some of the most deadly poisons to harm those they desired," Maxwell confessed.
Alucard emitted a low growl, hidden within the shadows cast by the flickering candlelight around the room. "Tell me, have you ever heard of one called 'The Endless Night'?"
Maxwell appeared annoyed, as if Alucard had spat in his face, yet he maintained his composure and chose to ignore the question entirely.
"I know not of any poison by that name," Maxwell replied, his tone defensive. "Such unholy arts have no place in the light of the Eternal Flame. We purged Skeistan of its sinful practices, embracing the righteous path."
Alucard's eyes narrowed, the conversation revealing more about Maxwell than he had anticipated. "Purged, you say? What happened to those who resisted your righteous path?"
Maxwell's expression shifted, a momentary flicker of discomfort crossing his face. "Not all embraced the light, and they were dealt with accordingly. The price of salvation is not always paid willingly."
“So, your family was among those who did not see the light, I assume,” Alucard's voice dripped with scepticism.
Maxwell hesitated before answering, “The details of the past are not essential to our current mission. Skeistan is but a distant memory. What matters is the present and the salvation we offer to Iron Harbour.”
“I think it matters greatly, Father, for it shows the lengths you are willing to go for what you believe is right. If you would so easily erase a village from existence, how far would you go with a town?”
Maxwell's eyes hardened, and for a moment, the air seemed to crackle with unspoken tension. "I will not let your insinuations tarnish the mission of the Eternal Flame. Skeistan was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. Our mission in Iron Harbour is to protect its people from the encroaching darkness, not to repeat the mistakes of the past."
“I can see that we are completely different people, and no matter how long we talk or debate, we will not see eye to eye, and we will not agree on anything.”
“That is the only thing I agree on with you, Mr. Alucard.”
“You had your priests bring me here to talk to you, surely after all this, this was not the only reason you wanted me to come here?”
Maxwell walked back over to his altar and placed the book he had been holding closely to his chest down. “I had you come here so that I may offer you a gift.”
“A gift?” replied Alucard, confused at the offer. What could he be offering him?
“Your Life, the gist is your life. I want you to leave this town and don’t ever look back. Davos and his loyalists will soon be at their end, and the mantle of leadership will change. The people will look for such leadership and flock to me, as we will bring the shadows into the light and cleanse and rid this town of the monsters and the killings will stop.”
Alucard's expression remained stoic, but the weight of Maxwell's words hung in the air. "You're offering me my life in exchange for leaving this town. That's quite the generous gift."
Maxwell's eyes bore into Alucard's, unyielding. "I see potential in you, Alucard. You have skills that could be invaluable, but your presence here threatens the delicate balance we're trying to establish. The town must be purged of its shadows, and you, Alucard, are a lingering spectre."
Alucard's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his whip. "You think I'll just walk away from this town? You're more of an arrogant ass than I thought you were.”
“Leave this town by sundown, or you may not survive the night.”
“Are you threatening me, priest?”
“No, I am but a humble man on a mission. You have free will; you may do whatever you like. This is just a warning. It would be a shame for someone as talented as you to fall in such a place.”
“I think I've heard enough,” said Alucard as he turned around, leaving the church. “I've wasted too much of my time here. Next time, I will not be so kind. I've met men like you before, and I still stand to this day, while they're nothing but dust in the wind.”
As Alucard strode out of the church, the heavy door creaked shut behind him, and the echoes of his conversation with Father Maxwell lingered in the sacred space. The townspeople, unaware of the clandestine exchange, went about their daily lives as Iron Harbour teetered on the precipice of uncertainty.
Emerging into the fading daylight, Alucard found the sun casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. The air held a sense of tension, as if the town itself were holding its breath. The choice he faced was not just about a town or its people; it was a crossroads that could redefine his own purpose.
As Maxwell stood at his altar, he turned around and bent down, beginning to mutter a prayer under his breath. After a few moments, he rose and walked over to his altar, where the large book rested. Its cover was black, adorned with scale-like designs, and the golden rim held unholy symbols. In the centre of the book lay a small green crystal-like gem.
Maxwell ran his fingers along the book's edge, slowly moving toward the gem. Once he touched it, a large smile spread across his face, and a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, drawing closer. Maxwell halted his movements, his expression betraying a moment of uncertainty.
He exchanged a silent glance with the shadowy figure, a brief moment passing between them. Maxwell then grasped the book and turned, heading towards one of the back rooms of the church. "It seems the Morgraine boy does not share our vision," he remarked, a note of disappointment in his tone. Opening the door to his personal chamber, he issued a command without hesitation: "Kill him." The shadowy figure nodded before vanishing as swiftly as it had appeared.
The next chapter of Luke's book is now available on the Bayside Radio website. Read part 12 by clicking here.
