"Alright," Jasen said, clearing his throat. "Let's start with introductions."
Silence.
Dante scoffed. "I'm Dante. Devil hunter. Strawberry sundae enthusiast. Professional bad influence."
Jasen cracked a faint grin.
Saya tilted her head, her eyes narrowing.
Mary didn't speak.
"Fine," Jasen sighed. "If no one wants to go, I'll go first. Name's Jasen. I work in the shadows. I find people. I stop monsters. I help prepare the world for what's coming. That's what this is. A new beginning."
Mary scoffed, her fists tightening.
"Mary," Jasen said gently. "Your father, Arkham. He's alive. And yes… he's the one who killed your mother. He's coming."
Mary stood quickly, her chair screeching back. Her eyes were wild with rage and disbelief. "You think I don't know that?!"
"No," Jasen said. "I think you've been trying to survive it. Alone. But you don't have to anymore."
It was Dante who leaned in next. "He's building toward something big. The Temen-ni-gru."
Jasen nodded. "Exactly. That's why we're here. And why I need help from each of you. Saya... I need you. I need your instincts."
Saya looked at him flatly. "A vampire... hunting vampires? That's rich."
"I didn't say you had to kill them. Just find them. There are people out there trying to resurrect Dracula. To rebuild his throne. We need the Belmonts. They were born to end his line."
Saya leaned forward. "And what do I get out of it?"
Jasen didn't hesitate. "What do you want?"
Saya stared at him. Her answer came cold, calculated. "Blood. Stability. Somewhere to hibernate without waking up starving."
"Done," came a new voice.
Annette Birkin entered, dressed in a lab coat with a datapad in one hand. Sherry clung to her other arm but lit up as soon as she saw Jasen.
"Jasen!" Sherry squealed.
He knelt, arms open. She barreled into him, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.
"Hey, kiddo," he said, lifting her and spinning her once before setting her down.
Annette approached Saya directly. "We've synthesized stabilized human plasma. Nutrient-rich and viable for long-term sustainment. You won't have to feed traditionally anymore. And if your body starts its hibernation cycle, we can keep your vitals sustained."
Saya blinked, clearly surprised by the offer.
Jasen smiled. "So?"
Saya nodded slowly. "I'm in."
Mary crossed her arms. "If I see Arkham first, I'm putting two rounds in his skull."
"I'll hold him down for you," Dante offered.
Jasen clapped his hands together. "Then we leave tonight. Prep time is over."
As the others began to gather their things, Annette placed a hand on Jasen's arm.
"Jasen. A word?"
He nodded, letting the others move out ahead.
Once they were alone, Annette looked up at him. Her eyes, tired but sharp, studied his posture, his glow, the faint hum of his aura.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For saving Sherry. For all of this."
Jasen nodded. "I just did what was right. I'm sorry about William."
Her face fell slightly, but she didn't cry. "He made his choices. I warned him, but..."
"I know."
Annette took a breath. "But there's something else. About you. You might not be... fully human anymore."
Jasen froze.
Annette continued. "The V-Sparda strain didn't just enhance you. It awakened something dormant. Your blood, your cells, they're not behaving like normal hybridized virus hosts."
"So what does that make me?"
Annette looked up into his eyes. "Something new. And we don't know what happens next."
Jasen turned to the doorway, watching Saya and Mary talk for the first time without swinging punches.
"Whatever I become," Jasen said. "I'll become it for them. For all of us."