Jean stared at Helsing amazed. Helsing is no ordinary enemy to fight against like in his last few cases. Helsing and Daniel or Dracula, they both have endured many hardships and that will count the same for the Phantom. Where is he as a matter of fact? Witnessing it all from some dark corner? Wondered Jean and began to look around.

„I have nothing against you. You are not evil or damned. Go while you can, lad." Remarked Helsing calm but his eyebrows remained narrow, giving a stern look and his ice-blue eyes almost pierced Jean's mind.

"What if I don't?" Wondered Jean angered.

"Then what you will see, will be branded into your mind unwillingly. An unforgettable memory, maybe even an unforgivable one too. Then last night was the last peaceful night you have slept and will know why you were afraid as a child of the dark. Knowing there are such things as monsters. Vampires are basically monsters under masks and cloaks to adjust well and lure victims."

Jean wanted to object Helsing's words but he was speechless. Knowing he knows nothing compared to Helsing and understands well why he should leave but he cannot. He just cannot. His body remained glued on the spot. "I won't leave although I see the reason clear but I can't. Daniel or Dracula, he saved my life!"

"Fine, have it your way!" Called Helsing furious and pushed Jean up against the wall.

Once Jean hit with his back against the cold stone wall, metal bars fell from above and prisoned Jean. "Non!" He called while trying to shake the bars out of his way. They were too solid and heavy although they appeared old and rusty.

"Now, I can finally have my peace to do this I that have waited for so long." Sighed Helsing contented and looked into the torturing chamber. Dracula was nowhere to be seen. "Huh? Wait, he can't cast a reflection and thus might be hiding right next to the door, now that he knows. Otherwise I would have heard a violent push of stones or shattering glass." As he looked closer into the chamber without opening door he noticed few stones lifted at one corner. "What? How is that possible?" Helsing grunted and paced to Jean and grabbed at his collar. "You helped him by distracting me, is it?" Jean remained silence and glared at Helsing angered. "I thought as much. I must say I admire your courage in your young age." Gave Helsing coldly while walking back to the mirror door. "I know you are in there." He chuckled and pushed down a lever built into the wall beside the mirror door. "I'll give you a close impression to hell that you are banned."

"Non!" Called Jean while struggling to free himself but it was no use behind the old metal bars.

Dracula did hide on the spot as Helsing suspected. Not very long he began to feel very warm under his feet. The stones gave rushing clouds of vapour like fog. "I did not see that coming." He noted under his breath and began to look around him. Searching for a suitable place to climb and stay until the heat has cooled down or at best the door would be open. At one mirror he noticed a piece of glass was missing at one corner. Without hesitation Dracula sprinted to that mirror and held on to the sharp corner. Black blood like ink began to drip over the smooth surface of the glass. With narrowed eyebrows in anger he watched the mirror door and hoped it would open soon. The sharp edge of the mirror he holds on to cuts into his flesh of his fingers and a pain begins through time to burn more and more. "If Helsing planned on torturing me so, then this can't be all. I have gone through a lot worse. This is nothing, no matter as a vampire now or if I would have been a human. I will hold on until the heat is over." Dracula muttered to himself. "Torture me all you want Helsing but you can't kill me! No one can and you know it!" He shouted.

There was silence. He expected to hear laughter or at least an answer but nothing came.

Suddenly the mirror door clicked open and cool air rolled into the room.

Dracula remained on the spot frozen. He was not sure if this is another trick from Helsing. He slowly climbed down and walked cautiously towards the door, his bloodied fingers healed within seconds without leaving any trace. As he stepped out his eyes wandered everywhere, searching for Jean or Helsing. Nothing. He scented in the air aside Helsing and Jean someone else. A familiar one that he has scented a few times and even had a close encounter. The Phantom! Then he knows I'm after him. He thought and walked on, following the scent. Jumping through few trapdoors that lead further and deeper and after a long time in the dark he halted at one door. It appeared old and reminded Dracula of his time. He heard voices from the other side.

"What are you planning to do with him and me?" Grunted Helsing.

There was a sniggering. "All in good time, monsieur. Once our last guest has arrived you will see. You may come in, Garçon or should I say Dracula?"

Dracula widened his eyes. He had not made a sound nor touched the door. He cautiously opened the door.

"Ah bienvenu mon ami! Welcome! I believe everyone is here as expected." Gave the Phantom with a broad grin. As their eyes met Dracula sensed strength, cunning, sorrow and pain from the Phantom. Although wearing a black mask representing a human skull.

"You have been expecting me?" Wondered Dracula curiously, questioning Phantom's words while looking at Jean, Helsing and Christine. Jean and Helsing were tied up against each other's backs and Christine looked pale with fright at the other side of the room. Dracula was not sure whether she was afraid of him, the Phantom or both. He stepped into the room and his grey eyes wandered to notice the environment, the Phantom's lair. The cavern like walls of stone were sand coloured and the floor completely covered with thick carpets from the orient. He was amazed of the number of candles used in this lair, almost in every nook and cranny stood a candle providing the lair a warm soft light. Presumably a human has difficulties to see in this dim light as for him it's not a problem and maybe for the Phantom the same.

"Since the moment you stepped through the first trap door. I knew then that you were after me and to think you've come this far. You must be a special person, how you handled the divers at the lake whilst saving your friend's life and as you clung tightly to the broken mirror in the torturing chamber against the heat." He paused. "I'm intrigued to know who you really are? For instance, as you held tightly to the rim of the broken glass no man can withstand the pain for so long and especially ooze black blood like ink."

"Apparently I misjudged you; you are more observant than I anticipated. I will answer your question if you let them go first, especially Mademoiselle Daaé." Spoke Dracula in a calm tone and gestured to trembling Christine who was leaning against the wall to support herself from fainting.

"That's out of the question. She is my bride to be and from her I hide no secrets so she has the right to know too." Sniggered the Phantom amused.

Dracula sighed. "What I will say, believe me; you wish it were not the truth." He paused. "I am no human as I appear; it is a disguise to hide my true self. You know my name but that is only the tip of the iceberg."

"Then like me you hide from others?" The Phantom wondered confused. "What exactly do you hide?"

"My true nature and my past." Phantom stared at Dracula wide-eyed and speechless. "I know you are a man with a strong sense of justice. It will be fair if you let at least Mademoiselle Daaé and Monsieur Jean go for their sake." Spoke Dracula calmly.

Phantom squinted his eyes. "If you had a similar past like mine then it is understandable but don't you forget, I have the upper hand here."

Dracula grinned. "I have no intention of manipulating you but to give a fair warning of what is to come. If you let the other two go then you still have Mr. Helsing and me to have the upper hand and I will tell you why I made it so far."

The Phantom grinned. "And what happens if I refuse?"

"That is up to you."

"What!" Gasped Helsing shocked.

"Very well, I shall let Mademoiselle. Daaé and Monsieur Jean go." Answered the Phantom with a heavy sigh and walked over to Jean to untie the ropes. "Over there is the exit, it will lead you directly up to the surface." He pointed to a bare stone wall. "Mademoiselle Daaé knows how to open it."

Jean staggered to his feet and helped Christine towards the wall, within moments the wall opened a door and they were out of sight.

Dracula watched in silence as they walked out but kept an eye on the Phantom. Dracula has a feeling that it is still a part of his scheme but he has no proof to be assured that it isn't or is.

Soon Helsing was released too and stood up while massaging his wrists.

"I've held my part of the bargain, now comes yours." Phantom turned to Dracula with an excited grin.

"You noted before that I bled black blood, it is because I am no human. Wounds heal within seconds without a trace, able to see in complete darkness and having sharper senses than any man."

"I've figured that much as I found one of my divers dead in the water, bloodless. You intrigue me greatly, a murderous creature with the perfect disguise of a human." Grinned the Phantom.

"Don't let his words and calm appearance fool you. He is more capable of than you think." Hissed Helsing sceptical.

Dracula sighed to Helsing's words. "No need to warn him, Abraham. He knows but he wants to hear it from me."

"Oh, and mind-reading is including to your abilities?" Phantom smiled.

"No but in order to build traps you take strategic steps and I'm a strategist myself."

Helsing looked at Dracula bewildered and confused.

"Speaking as if you and I are alike, what gives you the impression?" Asked Phantom sceptically.

"What do you think it is? A dark past? Painful memories?" Wondered Dracula. Phantom stared at him speechless. "You are not the only one who had such a past. I know how it feels to be consumed in hatred, in solitude and believing your soul is cursed to the core."

"How dare you think you know me!" Hissed Phantom angered. "You have no idea what I've suffered!"

"Nor do you of my past and suffering." Dracula remarked calmly. "Tell me, what did you suffer of that I could never understand?"

"The reason that I wear a mask, my abhorred face, my true self."

"I hide my true nature by day and night for over 400 years. I wear a mask in my mind to hide from others and well as myself."

"400 years?" Phantom blinked. "Who or what are you?"

"I'm a vampire." Dracula answered.

"I thought they only existed in myths and rumours."

Dracula grinned. "Same could be said of phantoms and ghosts."