40 Chapter 40 - Immortality

Combining the physical and the soul aspect of fighting was a test of trial and error. I felt like I was trying to discover a new element yet to be found on Earth. My first thought was to use the veil and the dark spheres combined with my swordfighting.

*In theory it'll increase my offensive power.* I thought.

Swordfighting using the veil was first. The main problem was focus. At first, I couldn't concentrate on maintaining the veil while practicing the movements Alucard taught me but if there was one thing I understood, it took patience and perseverance to create something out of nothing. For one thing, I didn't expect to actually enjoy it, knowing that there's so much more that I could do only served as a motivation. I had no goal but to learn and understand what was before me. Bringing forth the apocalypse, removing God was far from my mind. The thought of becoming powerful was intoxicating.

Alucard watched me from a distance, perhaps wary of my newfound happiness. Perhaps he was aware of how I felt because one day he sat me down and told me about the essence of the soul and what it was meant for.

"Each creature possesses a soul. It is the truth hidden inside layers of flesh. Memories and experience feed it. And each of us has their own unique way of harnessing that power."

"Even humans?"

"Humans have a different way of using it." Alucard smiled, a genuine smile. It softened the features on his face, highlighting the eternal youth bestowed upon it. "And if you ask me, they have it way better than us."

"I haven't seen a human move as fast and hit as hard as you." I joked. "If such a power exists, why haven't we heard of it yet?"

He gave me a look as if telling me how illogical the question is. "Oh, you've heard of it, you're just blind to it. Works of art that transcends all meaning, music that touches the soul, verses of poetry, stories of love and woe that even to this day are passed down to generations. I may be immortal but the art and the artists of the past have become immortal in their own way without having to shed a single drop of blood. All because they pour their very soul into their works. "

I was quiet for a while. "Do you ever wish that you were human?"

It was now his turn for silence. I thought he wasn't going to answer, or that I had offended him but he replied.

"I've asked that question a thousand times. Wondered if I'd be who I am if I was born a human. If I did not thirst for blood, if I did not envy the living, if I could look at the sun without getting scorched, would I perhaps reach contentment and happiness?" His voice sounded so alive, then the lively tone in it faded. "But no, I am born as Alucard and I will die as Alucard, there is nothing to it. These are all just dreams and fancies and a vampire is not allowed to have them. I was born without hope and without life, I was blessed with a curse and it is my burden to carry."

And I had an epiphany then, would the living envy the life of an immortal? Would they prefer to live off the blood and the soul of another, if that meant living forever? And I remembered Mephisto and Lucifer, and the indulgence of mankind to evil and how the quest for power recognizes no one but the conqueror.

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Lucifer was seated in his office in the library as usual. It's like he never went anywhere. When he saw me approach, he looked up.

"What brings you here Dante?" He sounded amused.

"Just wanted to let you know that Alucard has been teaching me well." The conversation already sounded strained but I had to let it off my chest. "And fuck you."

He laughed. "So you still feel angry towards me for what I did?"

"Yeah. That's why I came here. Alucard told me it wouldn't do me any good to repress my anger."

"No, it wouldn't." Lucifer agreed. "Don't expect any apology from me neither."

I laughed. "No, I don't expect such a thing from you."

"Now tell me what you're really here for." His tone became more serious and formal. "You just didn't come here to tell me "fuck you" to my face."

"My brothers. Where are they? The other horsemen?" It was the question that has been gnawing at the back of my mind.

"Why do you want to know where they are?" Lucifer asked, his eyes glinting.

"You want to bring the end of the world and you need us." I said carefully choosing my words. "It's only logical that I should know them, isn't it?"

He merely smiled. "Yes, that's true but now's not the time. All of you are in a state of preparation."

"You're saying we're not ready?"

"No. I'm saying that unlike you, your siblings are in constant danger from above."

"What?"

"Ask no more of me." It was clear from his tone that the conversation is over and that I should leave.

"Don't you trust me?" I asked him. I was frustrated not knowing what was happening.

"Until you prove yourself, until you committ to the cause, your words and promises are nothing more than dust in the wind."

I left without looking back, fearing my anger would betray me.