Hellsing: Volume 8

Hellsing: Volume 8 is the eight volume in the Hellsing manga series. It was originally released in Japan on July 26, 2006 and released in English on July 4, 2007.

This volume is the last volume included in the second Hellsing Deluxe Edition Hardcover released by Dark Horse Comics. The Hellsing manga was written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. The Hellsing: Ultimate OVA adapted some of the volume in its seventh installment, but later finishes it in its eighth installment.

Plot Synopsis
As the armies of the Vatican (led by Alexander Anderson) and Millennium (led by the Captain) meet in the center of London, Alucard unexpectedly appears between the Captain and Anderson. When asked for orders, Integra Hellsing commands Alucard to destroy both armies, approving the release of Control Art Restriction System Level Zero. As Alucard gleefully begins the incantation, the Captain and Anderson try to stop him, leading their armies in an attack on the transforming vampire. Their efforts are in vain, as Alucard releases all of the souls he had absorbed over his lifetime: his own Wallachian army, ancient English peasantry, Turkish Janissaries, war horses, Rip Van Winkle, Tubalcain Alhambra, and hundreds more.

Alucard's familiars easily overpower and destroy both Millennium and the Papal Knights. Enrico Maxwell's helicopter is shot down by Rip, and Anderson - believing Enrico to be "drunk with power" - shatters Enrico's protective glass case, allowing Alucard's familiars to kill him. With only the Millennium members on the Deus Ex Machina still alive and all of the Papal Knights killed, the remaining members of Iscariot attempt to take down Alucard alone. At first, Anderson personally attempts to kill Alucard, but eventually becomes surrounded by Alucard's Turkish cavalry. However before Anderson is impaled by spears, the remaining members of Iscariot come to his rescue. Headed by Heinkel Wolfe and Yumiko Takagi, the Iscariot soldiers use suicide bomber-like tactics to fend off the familiars.

Anderson finally arrives before Alucard and reveals the weapon that Matthew (Vatican Section III) had provided him with: Helena's Nail. Realizing his foe's intent, Alucard begs Anderson to not become a monster like himself, but Anderson declares that he wants nothing more than to become a mere tool of God, unburdened by human fallibility. After impaling himself with the Nail and transforming into a monstrous plant creature, Anderson and Alucard do battle, with Anderson gaining the upper-hand with his newly acquired powers. Anderson eventually impales Alucard through the neck with a bayonet, starting a fire which begins to envelop all of London. As Alucard remembers his old life as Vlad Ţepeş, he sees Seras rushing to battle Anderson.

Characters (In Order of Appearance)

 * Alucard
 * Alexander Anderson
 * The Captain
 * Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing
 * The Major
 * Enrico Maxwell
 * Walter C. Dornez
 * The Doctor
 * Schrödinger
 * Seras Victoria
 * Tubalcain Alhambra
 * Rip Van Winkle
 * Renaldo
 * Heinkel Wolfe
 * Yumiko Takagi
 * Luke Valentine
 * Jan Valentine
 * Pip Bernadotte