Free Vampire Hunter D: Pale Fallen Angel Parts Three and Four

do.
    â€œHow good of you to come!” a voice called down to him.
    This was the shape the father and son’s reunion took.
    â€œOr perhaps I should say, ‘How good of you to come back’? What’s become of the Hunter guarding you?”
    â€œGood question.”
    That was the first thing he said to the lord of the land.
    â€œI don’t know,” he continued. “We parted company on the way here. After he performed his part splendidly.”
    â€œWhat a pity. At present, I’m more interested in him than I am in you.”
    There was no sign of his father. The dreary hall was devoid of so much as a single insect. And yet, the baron was gravely aware of the presence of the lord of the castle.
    â€œState your business—though I know what it is without asking.”
    â€œAs I promised twenty years ago, I’ve come to take your life,” the baron said, a smile and murderous intent spreading across his beautiful countenance for the first time. The smile grew because he’d finally been able to say what he’d been thinking for so long.
    â€œYou still remember that? Oh, by the look on your face, it would appear you’ve gone through quite intensive preparation. I’m sure Yona and Frazetta would be overjoyed to see you.”
    Those were the names of two loyal subjects who’d wept as they watched the baron’s departure two decades earlier.
    â€œLord Vlad,” he called out to his father, “you made a promise to me not to lay a hand on them when I left the castle. Don’t tell me you weren’t true to your word.”
    â€œOf course I was. Oh, don’t look at me that way. That look in your eye is the very reason I would have you killed!”
    â€œThat’s right—and you, my own father, at that. Father, now it’s my turn.”
    â€œI know. No need to get excited. Don’t hate me just yet. I shall show you I’m a man who keeps his word. Come out, Yona! Frazetta!”
    His cry ushered in a pair of presences. The figures who appeared in the baron’s field of view seemed to suddenly materialize in midair. They were indeed the same old vassals whom he’d trusted more than anyone in the past, and who had loved him in return. However, as the baron gazed at the approaching pair, it was a tinge of grief that spread through his eyes.
    When the pair stopped about six feet in front of him, the baron said nothing, but extended one hand. The pair reached out as well. And then, the instant their fingertips were about to touch, their heads fell off in a bloody mist, and in the span of mere seconds they were reduced to ashes in the pile of clothing they left behind.
    As the baron quietly shut his eyes and bowed his head, mocking laughter exploded above him.
    â€œI’ll have you know I haven’t breached our agreement. Those loyal to you were to remain safe until the day you returned to this castle with your head filled with nasty notions about killing me. Or was I a day early? Ha, ha, you’ll have to restrain yourself and pardon such a tiny error.”
    â€œVery well. I shall do just as you say. I will restrain myself,” said the baron. “But only until Lord Vlad shows himself before me. And let that be soon.”
    Before the baron had even finished speaking, a flash of white light shot from the interior of his cape.
    The streak of light that D’s left hand had judged as faster than even the Hunter mowed around the perimeter of the hall, slashing through each and every one of the marble pillars and splitting all the intricate sculptures on the walls in half before they dropped to the floor. The rumblings and great crashes that followed were further adorned by shattering fragments of carved arms and legs.
    Amidst the fray, the baron alone stood bathed in a blue light. Solitary and sad as a god of destruction.
    When the rumbling in the heavens and earth quickly subsided, the baron then inquired,