Chapter 6: A Wing And A Prayer

  Alucard grabs Poseidon's trident and his weapons and swiftly runs up the stairs. He finds himself in a round plaza that would overlook the land if not for Dracula's castle being in the way. There's a four foot tall pillar in the center of the plaza without anything on it.

  Al: GRIFFIN! I AM HERE TO BEST THEE!

  A Griffin, nearly twice the height of Alucard, flies down from its perch above the drawn bridge in the castle and faces the hunter. Its voice booms over the mountain.

  Griffin: What brings a mortal such as thee to a Demon Lord's castle?

  Al: I am the son of Dracula! I am here to end his Existence!

  Griffin: Son of Dracula? Which one? Leave, weakling mortal. We are awaiting the true creation of Dracula.

  Alucard shoots the Griffin in the face.

  Al: Flock Off, Feather Face! Your Heart Is Mine!

  Griffin: Foolish Mortal! You shall pay for this Insolence!

  Alucard shoots it again.

  Al: Enough Talk! Have At You!

  The Griffin flies in the air and shoots lightning at Alucard while he dodges and shoots toward the beast.

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  Griffin: Worthless Pellets!

  Al: How About This!

  Alucard puts his weapons away and pulls out the trident. He then throws the trident through the lightning and into one of the Griffin's wings. The other three wings struggle to keep it in the air. Alucard holds his hand out and the trident flies back to it. He then throws it into another one of the wings and the Griffin falls to the ground, injuring its front left leg in the process. Alucard pulls his sword out as he approaches the injured Demon.

  Griffin: Impossible! No mere mortal can kill me.

  Al: I am no mere mortal.

  The Griffin tries one last attack on Alucard as he sinks his blade into its neck. The Griffin then lays down on the ground as Alucard takes his blade out.

  Griffin: Dracula... This one is strong. Make no mistake...

  As the Griffin dies, Alucard cuts open its chest and pulls out its heart.

  Al: May this Demon's souls be free, and may Melody survive.

  Alucard takes the heart to Sindri.

  Sindri: That really was short. Now I can make some purging stones.

  Sindri takes the ingredients and starts making something.

  Al: What is a “Purging stone?”

  Sindri: Well, the way Medusa's curse works makes it impossible to cure. The only way to get rid of the curse is to give it to someone else, and a purging stone acts like another person. Just, be glad we're not using the old method of making them.

  Al: That would be?

  Sindri: Athena used to have Brok make people into purging stones.

  Al: … You have been in this world a long time. Tell me, have you heard of a man named “Mimir?”

  Sindri: The name rings a bell... Let me think on that one a while... Done!

  Sindri hands Alucard a stone with a skull engraved into it. He walks over to Melody and hovers the stone around her as it takes in the curse. Once the color returns to her body, Alucard drops the stone on the ground. As she stumbles and drops her weapons, Alucard holds her up.

  Melody: A-Ah... Sorry. That Demon was a bit strong.

  Alucard smiles and hugs Melody. She then hugs him back.

  Melody: I... I won't lose again.

  Al: Neither will I.