Chapter 9: Dark Knight

  Melody: You mean what you said? About us Demons?

  Al: Demons are as a plague upon the earth of Megalo. They miss the fundamentals of being a Human.

  Melody: We're better, though. Right?...

  Al: Perhaps I am wrong about us. However, all other Demons are not deserving of their souls.

  Melody: We'll just have to take their souls, then.

  Al: Becoming a Demon hunter keeps sounding more appealing.

  Melody: Partners it is?

  Al: So it would seem.

  They both smile as they reach the top of the steps. They're met with a round room with two sets of armor at the back and a door with a lock on it to the left. A man in a suit of armor sits next to his helmet and sword on a wood bench in the middle of the room.

  Henry: Ah. Welcome, prince of Demons.

  Al: There is a lock on that door. One would assume you have the key.

  He shows them a key that's on an iron necklace around his neck.

  Henry: You mean this one? It would appear that I would be thy last step to Dracula. Me name's Henrick, of the Dark Knights. Armor up, if you wish. I only ask you not use your artillery, for I have none.

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  Melody: Don't need no armor.

  Al: However, we shall comply with your wish.

  Henrick puts on his helmet and holds his sword in front of himself.

  Henry: Very well. May the best man win.

  A black phantom of Henrick walks out of his body.

  Melody: Heh. Nasty cheat. You, go for the right again!

  Al: Alright!

  Melody goes after the phantom as Alucard goes after the man. Neither of their attacks are effective. The phantom takes hold of Melody's sword and stabs it through her chest.

  Al: Melody!

  Alucard blocks Henrick's attack and they struggle against their swords.

  Henry: Allow my attack to go through. You have little chance of winning.

  Alucard sees Melody thrust the trident into the phantom and it disappears.

  Al: I wouldn't be too certain.

  Alucard back-steps, pulls out his spear, and attacks Henrick with it. It bounces off the armor, but also freezes it. Alucard then pulls out his sword and stabs through the ice and the man. Melody then stabs Henrick in the back with the trident.

  Henry: Agh!

  Henrick falls on his back, bleeding.

  Al: Blood? You are not a Demon?

  Henry: I hail from Norse. I came to this land to obtain Dracula's power. Me lord kept me in my youth and made me his personal knight these last thirty years... If your true wish is to kill the Demon Lord, I fear you face your own death. Join him. Rule this wretched world together.

  As Henrick dies, his body quickly becomes dust.

  Melody: Must've been pretty old to cremate that quick.

  Alucard touches Melody's chest.

  Al: Your wound has healed rather quickly.

  Melody: Uh. Yeah. They've always done that... Getting a bit handsy there?

  Al: Are you uncomfortable?

  Melody: Actually...

  Melody puts Alucard's hand on her left bosom.

  Melody: Heh. Feels weird.

  Al: Let's explore this odd feeling later this night.

  Melody: Fine by me.