THE HUNTER’S LOG – EPISODE 003 -“Weight of Blood and Oaths”
Hunter’s Log, Entry 003.
Grief sharpens the blade—but it also clouds the eye.
Bloodlines fracture, trust rots, and the dead leave warnings the living are slow to hear.
As hunters mourn, enemies maneuver, and old allies reveal new faces, the cost of distraction becomes clear.
Tonight, the hunt pauses—but the war does not.
— Abraham Van Helsing
Previously on The Rise — Episode 002
The Vale of Shadows stirred as old paths opened and older lies were revealed.
Garnett Hood, the White Wolf, charged headlong into destiny—and did not return.
Jonathan Harker was unmasked as something far more dangerous than an ally, while Mina Harker completed a turn that shattered what little certainty remained.
At Castle Dracula, blood was spilled, lines were crossed, and the Watchers proved vulnerable.
The hunt did not end. It only changed its shape.
Scene 1 — Hunter’s Lodge, Van Helsing’s Office
The lodge is quieter than usual—no banter, no laughter, only the low crackle of the fire and the weight of what has been lost.
Abraham Van Helsing stands behind his desk as Jaspar Fang and Crimson Vane face him. Mulan and Beowulf stand off to the side, watchful.
Van Helsing removes his glasses, his voice steady but heavy.
Van Helsing:
“I should have been faster. I should have been there. Garnett Hood was one of ours… and his loss will not be forgotten.”
Jaspar’s jaw tightens. Crimson lowers her eyes, then speaks—measured, controlled.
Crimson Vane:
“Before he went… Father said something. Something he’d never say lightly. He warned us about Jonathan Harker. Said his loyalty was a lie—said the man was already compromised.”
That lands hard.
Van Helsing’s expression darkens immediately.
Van Helsing:
“Harker…”
He exhales slowly, as if recalculating years of trust in an instant.
Van Helsing:
“If that’s true, it explains far more than I care to admit.”
He steps closer.
Van Helsing:
“The Hunter’s Enclave will stand with you. With your family. Whatever comes next—you won’t face it alone.”
Jaspar finally explodes.
Jaspar Fang:
“I don’t need protection. I need revenge.”
Mulan turns sharply toward him.
Mulan:
“Reckless revenge is what killed your father.”
Silence. Sharp. Cutting.
Jaspar whirls on her, fury flashing—but Crimson steps between them, placing a hand on his chest.
Crimson Vane:
“She’s right. Father rushed in without a plan. We honor him by being smarter… not louder.”
Jaspar breathes hard, then nods—barely.
Jaspar Fang:
“We’re going to meet Scarlett and Ruby. They deserve the truth.”
Van Helsing inclines his head.
Van Helsing:
“Go. And know this—my door does not close on the Hood family.”
Jaspar and Crimson leave together, anger and grief walking side by side.
Scene 2 — Van Helsing’s Office, Moments Later
Only Van Helsing, Mulan, and Beowulf remain.
Van Helsing watches the door a moment too long.
Van Helsing:
“I’m worried they’ll do something foolish.”
Beowulf folds his massive arms.
Beowulf:
“Then I’ll keep watch. Wolves in mourning are still wolves—but they don’t hunt alone.”
Mulan turns on Van Helsing, frustration barely contained.
Mulan:
“You sent him to Castle Dracula.”
She gestures at Beowulf.
Mulan:
“That was reckless, Abraham. He was cut. If Dracula’s court got his blood—”
Van Helsing snaps his attention to Beowulf.
Van Helsing:
“Did they?”
Beowulf shakes his head.
Beowulf:
“I don’t believe so. The wound was shallow. Cleaned and sealed before they could press the advantage.”
Mulan doesn’t look relieved.
Mulan:
“This keeps happening because you’re distracted. Titles. Arenas. Crowds. You’re fighting monsters at night and chasing glory by day.”
Van Helsing stiffens.
Van Helsing:
“Wrestling is not glory. It’s leverage. Visibility. A shield.”
Mulan:
“It’s a distraction.”
The tension is thick enough to cut.
Beowulf steps in, voice calm.
Beowulf:
“We can argue later. Right now, the Enclave needs direction.”
Van Helsing exhales, nodding.
Van Helsing:
“We consolidate. We verify Harker. We reinforce the Watchers—quietly. And we prepare for the possibility that Dracula’s influence runs deeper than we feared.”
Mulan folds her arms but doesn’t argue further.
Mulan:
“Just don’t lose sight of why the Enclave exists.”
Van Helsing meets her eyes.
Van Helsing:
“I won’t.”
But the doubt lingers.
Scene 3 — Hunter’s Lodge, Outer Hall
Scarlett Howl and Ruby Howl arrive, urgency written on their faces.
They barely have time to ask questions before Crimson gently pulls them aside. Jaspar stands nearby, rigid, silent.
Crimson speaks softly.
Crimson Vane:
“It’s Father.”
Scarlett’s breath catches immediately.
Scarlett Howl:
“No… no, you’re lying.”
Crimson shakes her head.
Ruby covers her mouth, tears already falling.
The truth spills out—Castle Dracula, the Vale, the ambush, the cost.
Scarlett’s hands clench into fists.
Scarlett Howl:
“When do we go back?”
Crimson grips her shoulders.
Crimson Vane:
“Not yet. We’re giving Abraham time to plan. We don’t rush this.”
Scarlett’s voice breaks.
Scarlett Howl:
“He taught us not to wait.”
Jaspar finally speaks.
Jaspar Fang:
“He also taught us to survive.”
The four siblings stand together—fractured, furious, bound by blood and loss.
No vows are spoken. None are needed.
Scene 4 — Van Helsing’s Office, Night
The lodge has gone quiet.
Van Helsing sits alone, staring into the fire.
Mina’s betrayal.
Jonathan’s deception.
Garnett Hood’s death.
The weight presses down.
He picks up the phone.
Van Helsing:
“Kris… we have a problem.”
The conversation is brief but heavy. Harker. Garnett. The Watchers.
Kris Kringle (voice):
“If they’re compromised, I’ll find where the rot starts. I promise.”
The line goes dead.
Van Helsing crosses the room to the mantle. The Convergent Title rests there—polished, powerful, symbolic.
He places a hand on it.
Van Helsing (quietly):
“Maybe… I need to focus on Enclave business.”
The door opens.
Hansel and Gretel step in.
Hansel:
“We’re heading to Camelot.”
Van Helsing straightens, resolve returning to his eyes.
Van Helsing:
“Then the hunt continues.”
Fade out.
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