THE HUNTER’S LOG – EPISODE 005 -“When the Seal Trembles”
Hunter’s Log, Entry 005.
We prepare to mend what was once unbreakable. Light has answered. Grey stands ready. Dark has agreed—for now. Yet Krampus spoke of a third condition, and I have learned that the most dangerous truths are the ones spoken almost as an afterthought.
If Dracula rises, it will not be because we lacked power.
It will be because we misunderstood the cost.
— Abraham Van Helsing
Part I — A Grave Kitchen Table Conversation
North Pole — Late Evening
The kitchen is warm.
But not comfortable.
The great hearth burns low, copper pots reflecting firelight like dim shields. Outside, wind moves across endless white. The North Pole wards hum faintly beneath the ice.
At the center stands a long oak table — scarred by maps, weapons, and centuries of impossible decisions.
No one sits.
Santa stands at the head.
Van Helsing opposite him.
Mulan at Van Helsing’s side — composed, unreadable.
And near the fire — Krampus.
Chains hang from his wrists, not binding — ornamental reminders of something older than judgment.
The air feels heavier than the storm outside.
Van Helsing
(cold, direct)
Why were you at Castle Dracula?
Krampus does not answer immediately. He watches the fire.
Krampus
The reason for me to be there is of no concern of yours.
A beat. He turns slowly toward them.
But know this — while I was there…
I felt something.
Ancient.
Not awake.
Not asleep.
Pressure.
Like a lung filling… before the scream.
Santa’s expression darkens.
Santa
You’re certain?
Krampus
I do not mistake pressure for imagination.
And that is not all.
The Vale trembles.
Not broken.
Not yet.
But thinned.
Van Helsing
The Vale’s binding cannot thin without interference.
Krampus
And that interference has begun.
Mulan
Explain.
Krampus’ gaze fixes on Van Helsing.
Krampus
The Wicked Witch has not breached the Vale.
She does not need to.
She harvested what she required.
Beowulf’s blood.
Silence.
He was one of the Eternals who anchored the outer ring of the Vale’s binding.
When he bled…
The Witch siphoned the resonance of that blood.
She did not shatter the ward.
She weakened it.
Santa
That’s why the Snow Globe worked.
Krampus
Correct.
The Snow Globe should not have functioned within the Vale.
It is a transit relic — not a breach key.
Yet I walked out.
Because the perimeter is no longer absolute.
Van Helsing
If the perimeter destabilizes fully, the Vale becomes porous.
Krampus
And the prison becomes vulnerable.
It was a mistake for you to send Beowulf and Carmilla into the Vale.
Van Helsing
To retrieve Garnett Hood.
He was ours.
He had to be extracted.
Krampus
Hood was a fool.
He entered sovereign territory driven by pride and vengeance.
He should have faced the consequences of his own foolish actions.
Van Helsing
We do not abandon our own.
Krampus
Then understand what that loyalty costs you.
You sent a Titan whose blood already anchors the Vale.
And an attendant of the Bride — a vampire tied to the old Houses — whose presence would be required to fully awaken the Eternal One.
Into a throne-state governed by contract and ancient will.
You are fortunate the response was restrained.
Mulan
But it was risk we had to take to save our friend.
What do you know of the binds that hold Dracula?
Krampus
Three conditions must align for the Impaler to rise fully.
Not stir.
Not whisper.
Rise.
First —
The Binding around the Vale must fall.
The Witch has begun thinning it through Eternal blood.
When Beowulf was wounded she was able to obtain that blood to begin the ritual. That was the magic I sensed from her when I was there.
If that perimeter collapses…
The outer seal fails.
Second —
The Crimson Bride must stand fully unrestrained.
Mina Harker.
And her attendants.
The Blood Hearts were safeguards.
They diffused Dracula’s influence across multiple vessels.
But Count Vlad Dragomir destroyed Harker’s Blood Heart.
Van Helsing
Yes.
He did.
But the attendants’ Blood Hearts hold strong.
Krampus
Then you understand.
One tether severed.
One restraint removed.
When the Bride and her attendants stand aligned…
The second lock weakens.
Santa
And the third?
Krampus
The third condition remains unmet.
For now.
Van Helsing
You are withholding something. What do you believe the third condition to be?
Krampus
I am reminding you.
I walked the realms before your Enclave drew its first breath.
Before the Scarlet Huntress ever took her oath.
Before your Codex had pages.
Do not mistake your knowledge for completeness.
Tell me.
Is the Star Heart of Hope secure?
Van Helsing
How do you know of the Star Heart?
Krampus
Age.
Santa
It is safe.
Hidden.
Protected beyond ordinary wards.
Do you think Dracula’s allies will make a play for it?
Krampus
Possibly.
Because if the Star Heart falls…
The unraveling accelerates.
Van Helsing
Who else was present in the Castle?
Krampus
Velkan Thorne.
And Vlad Tepes Corvinus.
And perhaps the Witch herself.
Just sovereign architects of shadow.
You are maneuvering around contracts and bloodlines older than your organization.
Dracula is not one to trifle with.
If you miscalculate…
You will not survive the correction.
Santa
Thank you.
For telling us.
Krampus studies him. The hostility softens — slightly.
Krampus
Ensure you know what you are doing.
Because when the Impaler rises —
And he will, eventually —
The North will burn with the rest.
He turns. The fire flares violently as he passes. The kitchen door opens on its own. Snow wind whispers in. Krampus disappears into the night.
The door shuts.
Warmth returns.
Only three remain.
Santa.
Van Helsing.
Mulan.
The fire crackles softly.
Part II — Plans in the Firelight
For a long moment, none of them speak.
The absence Krampus leaves behind feels almost physical.
Van Helsing
I do not trust him.
Santa
You never have.
Van Helsing
And I am not convinced we should begin now.
The fact that he knows of the Star Heart of Hope troubles me more than anything else he said tonight.
Mulan
Krampus has always known more than he says.
Van Helsing
Knowing is one thing.
Watching is another.
If word of the Star Heart spreads beyond controlled circles —
Santa
It won’t.
Krampus will do what is best for himself.
And another dark force wreaking havoc at the North Pole is not in his interest.
He understands balance.
Destroying the Star Heart would create too great an imbalance.
Van Helsing
Balance has never prevented ambition.
Santa
No.
But it restrains chaos.
Have you spoken with Natanis lately?
Van Helsing
I have.
The citadel is secured.
The Star Heart remains safe.
Layered wards.
Elemental sentinels.
Nothing breaches it without my knowledge.
Mulan
You should never have sent Beowulf.
He is an anchor of the Vale.
You risked the foundation itself.
Van Helsing
Garnett Hood would have died for certain.
Mulan
Yet that was the outcome anyway.
And what if Beowulf had fallen as well?
Santa
The past is the past.
We cannot undo what has already been risked.
We must concentrate on the present… to protect the future.
Van Helsing
The original Binding was not simple warding.
It was a Ritual of Triune Convergence.
Blood of the remaining founding Eternals.
Three masters of magic.
Light.
Grey.
Dark.
The three did not merely bind Dracula to the Castle.
They forced him into slumber.
Then the spell manifested the Vale of Shadows — an encapsulation field built around the throne-state.
A prison within a prison.
Santa
Then how does one Witch begin to unravel it?
Van Helsing
Because she was the Dark master of that ritual.
She is undoing her own thread.
Carefully.
Deliberately.
Santa
Then we find a new master of Dark magic.
Replace her influence.
Mulan
No.
We would need all three again.
Light.
Grey.
Dark.
To rebuild and reinforce the spell.
Van Helsing
The original master of Light has passed on.
Which means we require two new mages.
One of Light.
One of Dark.
The Grey master remains.
Merlin is still active.
Mulan
Then I will go to Camelot.
If Merlin understands the threat, he will assist.
Santa
Do so.
He trusts you.
I have an idea for the master of Light.
Van Helsing
As for the master of Dark magic…
I have someone in mind.
I will handle that.
Santa
Someone we can trust?
Van Helsing
Trust is relative.
Power is required.
Krampus mentioned a third condition.
We are unaware of one.
That concerns me.
Mulan
Jonathan Harker would know.
Van Helsing
He has been compromised.
He is an agent of Thorne’s now.
Mulan
What of Batran Simion?
The bell keeper of Vesnicel.
He has watched the Vale longer than most.
Van Helsing
Yes.
He may know something older than our records.
I will send the Wrenchesters.
Mulan
They are currently engaged with Moreau and his affiliates.
Pulling them now would leave that hunt exposed.
But I have another idea.
Van Helsing
Who?
Mulan
Leave that with me.
Van Helsing
Very well.
It is time to consolidate.
The North must become the center again.
I will begin efforts to bring the Howl sisters back from HCW.
Santa
They will not all come willingly.
Van Helsing
They will come.
The future of their bloodline demands it.
Mulan moves toward the door.
Mulan
I leave for Camelot before dawn.
Van Helsing
I will depart shortly after.
There is much to arrange.
They exit together.
The kitchen grows quiet.
Santa remains alone.
He stares into the hearth for a long moment.
Then he turns.
The red velvet coat does not return.
Instead, he dons traveling leathers.
Heavy boots.
Fur-lined cloak.
The look of an old warrior stepping back into motion.
He pauses only once — glancing toward the northern horizon.
Santa
(softly)
Time to see an old friend.
He extinguishes the fire with a single sweep of his hand.
The kitchen falls dark.
Outside, the storm swallows him whole.
Part III — The Master of Light Magic
Snow crunches beneath Santa’s boots as he steps onto the main thoroughfare of the North Pole.
The storm has softened to a drifting curtain of white.
He passes the glowing façade of the North Pole Arena, its lights dim but never fully dark.
Further down, the cold gleam of Scrooge’s Glacier Plex reflects across the snow — commerce frozen in ambition.
Santa does not slow.
He turns down a quieter side street.
At the end stands a modest gym — brick, steel doors, faint light bleeding from frosted windows.
He pauses outside.
A breath.
Then he enters.
Inside, the ring lights burn bright.
Two figures move within the ropes.
Dorothy and Alice circle each other, trading holds and counters with practiced precision.
Dorothy notices him first.
She breaks contact, stepping back toward the ropes.
Dorothy
Santa?
She wipes sweat from her brow.
Why are you here?
Alice glances between them, curious but silent.
Santa steps closer to the ring.
Santa
I need your help.
Dorothy studies him carefully. The tone tells her everything.
She steps through the ropes.
Dorothy
What’s happened?
Santa explains — the Vale weakening, the Witch unravelling her thread, the Blood Hearts, the need to rebuild the binding ritual.
He finishes with quiet gravity.
Santa
We need a Master of Light Magic.
I believe Glinda the Witch of the North may be the one we seek.
But I need a way back to Oz.
Dorothy is silent for a moment.
The weight of it settles in her eyes.
Then she nods.
She walks to her locker.
From within, she pulls a small velvet pouch.
Inside — a pair of red slippers.
She slips them on.
The air shifts faintly.
She returns to Santa and takes his arm.
Dorothy
Hold on.
She clicks her heels together.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
A swirl of green mist rises like a forming tornado, spiraling upward around them.
Wind howls within the gym though nothing else moves.
And then —
They are gone.
The Yellow Brick Road stretches before them.
They stand in Oz.
It has been some time since Dorothy last walked here — since she and the Wizard’s Warriors left to pursue the Wicked Witch into NPCW.
Everything looks the same.
The golden bricks.
The emerald horizon.
Yet something feels… altered.
The air hums differently.
Dorothy frowns.
Dorothy
Glinda’s tower is a few miles north.
They begin walking.
Then —
Boots on cobblestone.
Measured.
Rhythmic.
A column of soldiers approaches.
They are dressed as playing cards — red, white, and black armor.
Wonderland soldiers.
They part slightly to pass, offering no challenge, no recognition.
They march on.
Dorothy slows.
Dorothy
Why are Wonderland soldiers in Oz?
She quickens her pace.
They reach Glinda’s tower.
Smooth.
Impossibly tall.
No door visible.
Dorothy smiles faintly.
She taps her ruby slippers.
An archway ripples into existence.
They step through.
Inside, the chamber is vast beyond its exterior proportions.
Books line every wall from floor to ceiling.
Pages float gently in midair.
Near the far end, seated within a halo of hovering script, is Glinda.
She reads intently.
Dorothy steps forward.
Dorothy
Glinda?
The floating pages still.
Glinda looks up.
Her face brightens.
Glinda
Dorothy!
She rises and embraces her warmly.
Then she notices Santa.
Her expression shifts to curiosity.
Glinda
Santa Claus… what brings you to Oz?
Dorothy and Santa explain everything.
The Vale.
The Witch.
Dracula’s weakening prison.
The need for Light Magic to rebuild what is fraying.
Glinda listens, thoughtful.
Glinda
So… the Wicked Witch is unravelling her thread of the binding.
Santa
Yes.
Glinda
Then it is only a matter of time before the tapestry tears.
She closes her book.
Glinda
Very well.
I will help you.
Dorothy exhales in relief.
Then her brow furrows again.
Dorothy
Why are Wonderland soldiers in Oz?
Glinda’s expression dims.
Glinda
They are here to help protect us.
With you and the Wizard’s Warriors gone, Oz was left vulnerable.
Dorothy’s face tightens.
Dorothy
Vulnerable to what?
Glinda steps toward a window overlooking the emerald skyline.
Glinda
The High Realms are in danger.
Oz.
Wonderland.
Neverland.
Others beyond even those.
An unknown force presses against our borders.
Not the Witch.
Something else.
So we have formed an alliance.
To stand together.
For now, it keeps the threat at bay.
She turns to Santa.
Glinda
The North Pole should be wary.
If this force turns its gaze toward you, the cold will not protect you.
Santa absorbs this quietly.
Glinda gathers several small crystalline vials and a slender staff humming faintly with light.
She turns back to them.
Glinda
Let us not waste time.
Dorothy takes Santa’s arm once more.
Glinda steps between them.
The slippers click.
Green mist rises again.
The tower dissolves.
The Yellow Brick Road vanishes.
Snow greets them once more.
The North Pole stands before them.
The Master of Light has answered.
The balance shifts.
And far beyond the ice… something watches.
Part IV — The Master of Grey Magic
Camelot rises from the morning mist like memory carved in stone.
Banners ripple along high walls.
Steel glints in disciplined rhythm.
Hua Mulan steps through the outer courtyard with purpose, her stride measured, her presence recognized.
Before she reaches Merlin’s tower, a figure detaches from the shadow of an archway.
Cloaked.
Hood drawn low.
Still as midnight.
Mulan stops.
She does not reach for a weapon.
Mulan
Night Watcher.
Thank you for meeting me.
The hood tilts slightly.
Night Watcher
If Hua Mulan asks, one does not say no.
His voice is quiet — controlled — edged with something older than Camelot itself.
Mulan steps closer.
Mulan
I need you to travel to Vesnicel.
Find Batran Simion.
Ask him what he knows of the binding spell that holds Dracula.
And the conditions required to awaken him.
The Night Watcher does not hesitate.
Night Watcher
You suspect something is missing from your records.
Mulan
I know something is.
Krampus implied a third condition.
We were not aware of one.
The Night Watcher nods once.
Night Watcher
Then I will learn what the bell keeper knows.
Transylvania is not unfamiliar to me.
He steps backward into shadow.
And is gone.
Mulan watches the empty space a moment longer.
Then she turns toward Merlin’s tower.
Merlin’s study smells faintly of parchment and ozone.
Shelves spiral upward into unseen heights.
Arcane instruments hum softly along curved stone walls.
Before Mulan can announce herself —
Merlin
You are late by three minutes, Hua Mulan.
She steps fully into the chamber.
The Grey Mage stands near a wide table scattered with charts of constellations and ley lines.
His eyes are bright with awareness.
Mulan
You knew I was coming.
Merlin
Of course.
And I assume you are here about the Vale of Shadows.
That gives her pause.
Mulan
You are already aware?
Merlin smiles faintly and walks to a crystal sphere resting in a cradle of silver branches.
He passes his hand slowly over its surface.
Clouded mist within shifts — forming faint images of mountains, shadowed spires, and a sleeping throne.
Merlin
When one is in tune with magic as I am, it is not easy to conceal such disturbances.
The Vale is thinning.
The Witch has begun unmaking her thread.
The balance trembles.
Mulan folds her hands behind her back.
Mulan
We intend to rebuild the binding.
But we will require the three faces once more.
Light.
Grey.
Dark.
Merlin turns toward her fully now.
Merlin
And you have secured the Light?
Mulan
Santa seeks Glinda.
Merlin nods approvingly.
Merlin
A wise choice.
Her magic is structured, disciplined.
She understands containment.
He moves back to the crystal sphere.
The image of Castle Dracula flickers within it.
Merlin
Dracula is not merely bound by force.
He is contained by equilibrium.
Disrupt one pillar and the others strain.
Rebuild one and the structure stabilizes.
But you must move quickly.
The Witch will not pause her unraveling.
Mulan meets his gaze evenly.
Mulan
Will you stand with us again?
Merlin studies her for a long moment.
Then he extinguishes the image within the crystal with a simple closing of his hand.
Merlin
Camelot does not ignore tremors that shake the realms.
Yes.
I will reinforce the binding.
But understand this —
If the third condition is truly in motion…
Rebinding the Vale may not be enough.
Mulan’s expression hardens slightly.
Mulan
Then we will prepare for more than rebinding.
Merlin inclines his head.
Merlin
See that you do.
Outside, the bells of Camelot toll once.
The Grey Mage returns to his charts, already calculating.
And somewhere far to the east —
A hooded figure moves swiftly toward Transylvania.
Part V — The Master of Dark Magic
The southern air feels different.
Less clean.
Less honest.
Van Helsing walks the dim corridor of the HCW Arena, boots echoing softly against concrete.
Posters line the walls.
Spotlights hum overhead.
He moves with steady purpose — a man carrying the weight of decision.
He stops before a dressing room door marked in curling script.
He knocks once.
A pause.
A voice from within — smooth, amused.
"Enter."
Van Helsing opens the door.
Inside stands Grizelda, the Witch of Sweets, dressed in rich purple gear that glimmers faintly under the lights. Candy-colored charms dangle from braided strands at her wrists, though the aura around her is anything but sweet.
She smiles knowingly.
Grizelda
Abraham.
What brings you to my door?
Van Helsing steps inside, closing the door behind him.
Van Helsing
I have a request.
Her eyebrow arches.
Grizelda
A request?
From the great Abraham Van Helsing?
How indulgent.
He does not react.
Van Helsing
I require a witch powerful in Dark magic.
A master of the dark arts.
For a binding spell.
Grizelda’s smile widens slightly.
Grizelda
You thought of me.
How flattering.
She circles him slowly.
Grizelda (CONT’D)
But why not the Wicked Witch?
The Alpha Witch.
Surely she would relish such a ritual.
Van Helsing’s jaw tightens.
Van Helsing
Because she is the one unravelling it.
Grizelda stops.
Her eyes darken.
Grizelda
You would ask me to go against my Alpha?
Against the leader of my coven?
There is fire now beneath the sweetness.
Van Helsing
Why did she send you south from the North Pole?
Grizelda’s chin lifts.
Grizelda
To learn.
From Count Vlad Dragomir.
Van Helsing’s gaze sharpens.
Van Helsing
No.
She sent you away because she fears what you might become.
Only you possess the power to challenge her.
Only you have the potential to lead.
The words land.
For a flicker of a second, doubt passes across Grizelda’s expression.
The door opens without a knock.
A slow clap echoes softly.
Count Vlad Dragomir enters — immaculate, composed, aristocratic arrogance radiating from him like perfume.
Van Helsing bristles instantly.
Van Helsing
You.
Dragomir
Abraham.
Such tension in your shoulders. It will age you terribly.
He glides further into the room.
Dragomir (CONT’D)
I could not help but overhear.
The Vale of Shadows is weakening?
Van Helsing answers reluctantly.
Van Helsing
Yes.
Dragomir nods thoughtfully.
He turns to Grizelda.
Dragomir
He is correct about one thing.
You are… exceptional.
And the weakening of the Vale is dangerous.
Dracula’s premature return would create instability.
That serves no one.
Van Helsing’s eyes narrow.
Van Helsing
Since when do you concern yourself with instability?
Dragomir smiles thinly.
Dragomir
I prefer to control inevitabilities.
Not be surprised by them.
He faces Grizelda again.
Dragomir (CONT’D)
Assist him.
Strengthen the binding.
Ensure the Impaler remains contained… for now.
Both Van Helsing and Grizelda are momentarily stunned.
Grizelda studies Vlad carefully.
Then she looks back to Van Helsing.
Grizelda
Very well.
If the ritual requires Dark mastery… I will stand in that place.
But I will not kneel.
Van Helsing inclines his head slightly.
Van Helsing
I would not expect you to.
I will inform you when and where.
He turns and exits without another word.
The door closes.
Silence lingers.
Grizelda folds her arms.
Grizelda
Why?
Why would you support this?
Dragomir moves toward the mirror, adjusting his cuffs.
Dragomir
Velkan Thorne is ambitious.
Ambition without timing is foolishness.
Dracula’s return now would complicate certain… arrangements.
He smiles at her reflection.
Dragomir (CONT’D)
When the Impaler rises, it will be because I allow it.
Not because Thorne loses patience.
Grizelda watches him carefully.
The game is deeper than she thought.
And somewhere far to the north —
The ritual pieces begin to align.
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