Castlevania: Darkness Never Dies

Fan Fiction

Continued...

Part 1: Gathering Darkness

"So little faith you have." He said to them. Then he rouse and threatened the storm. Then it suddenly all became silent, not even the slightest breeze blowing."

Mathew: 8. 26-27.

Chapter 22: Demon guest-house.
Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
John slowly stepped forward and quickly picked up one of the papers inside the abandoned gave-shop, laying a few chopper-coins on the desk before leaving. "What in the world do you need that for?" Thomas asked. Then he slightly gleefully added. "Need to check on the weather?" John shook his head and protected the paper from the falling snow as he made his way toward one of the overbuilt benches. "As a matter of fact," He said as he opened the paper. "I hoped to get some information out of it." He snickered. "Then Drac is likely to be thanfful for the changes you lay on that desk." John put down the paper. "Just because this place is abundant you should pay for the wares you take. Now, if you could please stay guard." He shrugged, but then again, he was a priest and most likely knew what he did. As he looked around on the old park construction he felt afraid. That was a new feeling for him and he didn't understood it. He'd bean angry so many times when he came here, but what he felt now was cold. He slightly shivered but forced himself to stop when he noticed it. For the first time in a very long time, he thought about his friends. Edward who where such a quiet man but determined and willing to fight when he found a reason for it. He remembered him the way he'd last seen him. Dressed in that hat and coat he claimed had belonged to Abraham Van Helsing and with that sword the kid had given him in hand, he smiled. Edward would take care of himself, he was used to that. Then it was Victor who could be annoying at times but was otherwise a good man. He hoped he was alright too. "This paper must be really old." John commented behind hom. "How so?" He asked as he turned around. "This paper have the election of a new king with rather great types." He showed him the front of the paper. "I see the decreasing cold also have a big part on the front." He reached for the paper and John gave it to him. "Warakiya news-giver." He gtrinned. "I read that paper until the ice came and it turned in." John nodded as he continued to read. "This dosen't look good." He said as he put the thing into a trash-can. "There was a third big chase in there. There have bean many chases of death in this park and it became closed in 2075, the same year Soma Cruz died." He shrugged. "If we ever get the chance, you must tell me the story of our forefathers." John nodded before he drew his blade. "May God and the Great Ones aid us in this dark place so we might complete the tasks the traitors placed upon us." He crossed himself and then they went forward.

Town of Aliba, Warakiya. The 20th of December 2098 A.D.
Ludwig stood at attention, with droid-commander Icarus was at his side as SS-captain Stern knelt a few metres before them. His attention was turned at Gilles De Reis, the messenger of Death, the closest servant of their Dark Lord Dracula. "What is the bidding of the Dark Lord?" Stern's question was directed to the holographic image of Death which loomed above them. "The time have come captain Stern. You and all your underlings are to return to the castle. Gilles is to resume the reign of your land and your mantle of power." Stern bowed his head. "As you wish my lord." He and Icarus left the room and Death vanished. Gilles stood looking at him and then smiled. He was now dressed in a simple brown and black SS-uniform of the type the felt-webels used. But this was a perm-uniform, the types SS-officers used in their free time. His short-cut white hear, beard and round golden glasses made him look like a grandfather of sort. Like a kind man. But he had sneeked into the computer-terminals and had such received access to some of the secret files on the most high-ranking servants in the Dark Lord Dracula's New Order. "Come with me." He swiftly saluted and joined up behind him. "Ich warden Waldemar Otto." One of the officers felt-webel De Reis had brought with him. "Ich warden boyar Ludwig Von Bork." He presented himself as they saluted each other. ""Hail deer Graf." The only woman among them greeted him. "Meine name warden Angela Baum. Ich warden deer erste felt-webel nach die gehemliche politzie-gerichte." He returned her salute and was proad he didn't shudder. The secret police of the Dark Lord was nearly as feard as the SS themselves. But at the same time he felt proad to be working together with such prominent vampires. Together with Baum, Otto and De Reis he stood watching as the last soldiers of the SS left the camp. Then De Reis turned to him. "You will stay here." He said. "The rank of captain Stern entrusted to you as captain of the town-guard is still you to hold." He saluted him and then turned and left. "Otto, Baum, you have your orders." "Hail deer Graf!" They saluted De Reis and then they turned into bats. He wondered which orders they'd got, but that was of no importance. He had his own orders and that was his responsibility.

Aliba amusment-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
Suddenly Marina was back, appearing from falling raindrops as she used to. John smiled, he had began to fear for her when she hadn't returned. She had gone to scout on the park as they'd stayed at the entrance. The dark powers shrouded this place like the clouds above his heads. "The street become the scater's yard." He shook his head. "I dosen't like anything about this place. But I think we don't have any choice. The… " He was cut of by a shout which made him gap. "Candy, bay candy, sweet candy." The man, or whatever it was, was dressed in the strange flat hats that circus-people liked, striped trousers and square-coloured jackets continued his shouts. "Thomas," Marina said as their friend moved toward the strange candy-boy or whatever it was. "I don't think you should… " The candy-boy exploded and a fuel stenck spread all over. Something which should have lay in the earth, draped and hooded in yellow cloth, stood before them. "Domini arde, actus arde." He chanted as he tore out his crucifix and drew his blade. "I don't get it." Thomas mumbled as he prepeared his spear. "It's a goul." Marina said as she made water-blue crystals appear in her hands. "For once you're wrong." He said as golden light shone around his holy emblem. "That's a lich, an undead warlock, my crucifix identify it." Just them the rottening wizard spread its hands and something which looked like glowing mist rouse out from the ground and seemed to harden into shapes. "Wind-demons coming in!" Marina warned as she tossed out her crystals out in threes and one of the demons flapped its wings so three howling disks became shot forward. He dashed forward and shattered the disks with his blade and then advanced on the demons and Thomas and Marina, who had summon forth a strange blue crystal-rod, was attacking together with him. He took out one of the candles and smiled as he found a strange Roman II-symbol and knew what it was. He tossed his axe and lightning bolts struck all over and the lich lifted its arms and created an acursed shield of the same colour as its cloak. Marina and Thomas continued to battle the demons as he stood face to face with the lich as the shield shattered. Then he noticed he'd bean the one to destroy the shield. "Scum of Belmonts." The lich spet at him. "I shall shatter you spirit." He smiled. His words seamed to form on his lips "Your Dark Lord will be you to now help. God is God, now, before and ever. Return back to the Pit and the fires, your dark powers will not aid you. The fate of my forefather, Clifford Graves, is not my fate. Nathan Graves defeated you and your kind in 1830 and proved humans might still defeat you." The blade which appeared in its hands shone with the same sickly yellow glow as all its powers made him step back, then the purplestone-coloured power of the crest of lightning flickered around his own blade. "Do you think the skill of a human might challenge the skill of a being who have bean alive for over 1.000 years?" He smiled even dough it didn't came from his hearth. "I'll do what the Lord have decided for my life." Its blade hit his and he nearly wasn't able to turn it away. Then he attacked but was forced to defend himself as the ugly enemy again moved in on him. Blue and yellow light sparked around them as they battled against each other. He managed to get his blade under the sword of his enemy's and missed as he himself had to jump backward as a long-bladed dagger appeared in its left hand and cut at him. He drew one of his own daggers and continued to fence against the lich. But he again had to withdraw as the lich continued to throw all its skills and hatred toward all life against him. Then he remembered something and a picture of a tree and smiled. "Why do you smile at me mortal fool? Do you not understand I might destroy you forever." He continued to turn away the blades as he summoned the crest of emarlds. "Death is the answer to life. And life allways find a way." His sword shone with green fire as did the gold-knife. "And my life is in the hands of God." As they again made ccontact, the lich's blades shattered and he withdrew backward. "Why did you not kill me?" He shook his head. "Why should I? You're a lich. And if the legend about you are true you'll just take a new body with possession." The lich eyes burned with anger before he lifted his hands, but before he could do anything, Marina appeared behind him and made it rain all about the lich and he and the wind-demons became shrouded in flames. "Why did you do that?" He asked her. "Did you think to turn him from the darkness? Wake up John, he was about to draw a dagger from his cloak." She kicked at the robe and from the skeletal hand and a slightly curved and mean-looking blade from it's grip. "Where is Thomas?" She suddenly asked. "I thought he was with you." He felt how his hearth sunk in his chest. Thomas was feeling a thired bitterness in his hearth, he'd seen it to many thimes to doubt it again, and was such open to great evil. And because of his bloodline the dark powers where drawn to him. A strange hissing sound brought him back from his thoughts as Marina cut the head of the snake who'd crawled all up his leg. "Attack them my children." A warm honny-sweet voice commanded as more snakes crawled toward them. "Snake-charmer." He hissed as he started tossing daggers at the snakes. It still amazed him how they looked to hone onto enemies. "Who is that?" She asked him as she looked wondering at the Egyptian vampire. "Don't you recognise the jewelries?" He said as he took out some more snakes. "She's a priestess of Seth, the ancient god who was the enemy in that time." As their enemy was charesing her own body with her slender arms he couldn't help to enjoy the voloptious near perfect features of the dark-skinned nosferatu. "God!" He chanted as he with his left hand brought out his crucifix. "Help us who wander under the shadows of the valley of Death!" He moved toward her as he focused his mind to God and prepared to behead her. "Stop." She suddenly shouted and he felt how he nearly froze in place. "My name is Sirikith. I know where your friend is." He turned his eyes down to the crucifix and the freezing sensation vanished like it had never existed. "Don't do that." Marina said. "Think how Anna might feel if Thomas dies." He turned away his eyes. He'd never told her about what Anna had told about her wish to have a group-sex with him, Ruth and Thomas all together. But now was not the time. And just because he didn't approve of her opinion about the matter, it was no reason to try part them. "Tell us quick and I promise you a quick death." He told the vampire. "The sword-eaters took him." Sirikith said. "The last time I saw them was inside the aaquarium at the other side of the fountain and the tower of Dolls." That meant nothing to him. And if she didn't posess any map he would have to force her to show them the way. "Lucky for you the sun is about to rise. That means you don't might use your abilities as a vampire. Show us the way and I mean now." "Sure." She said as she get up and moved in front of them. "Keep an eye on her Marina." He whispered. Marina smiled. "You didn't think I would do it if you hadn't asked me?" He smiled and shrugged.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 19th of December 2098 A.D.
She swung her axe with such fierce that the last of the dead worriers let go of their swords and shields and started running. Then Anna finished them off by tossing two daggers at them. "Nice work." She joked as they stepped deeper into the park. Anna smiled. Don't mind anything about it. But where do you think we should begin looking? This place is bigger than I thought." She shook her head as she slowly walked forward. Then before she could ask she nearly slipped on a banana-keep laying on the ground. "Trick or threath." Someone said before a mad laughter echoed down the narrow street. "A clown." She said as the one speaking appeared before her. And clowns it really was, with the samy large shoes, baggy trousers, long coats and giant lace-colards. Even their wigs and face-paint where all where it should be, but something was just about wrong. She couldn't put her finger on it, but still… "Call me mad," Anna began. "but they're zombies or so they look." She nodded. The circus-smells had hid the smell of rotten flesh but now she too felt it. "Jawe be merciful." She whispered. "Pie trick is allways funny." One of the dead clowns laughed. "Wanna see?" And they really did it. They brought pies right out of nowhere and tossed them right toward her. Anna drew her backward as one of the pies hit the ground and melted not only the snow, but the tiles underneath. "Acid." She shakily said. "You don't laught." One of them said, sounding sad. "Try the pumpkin. It's a classic." This time she ran to seek cower as a Jack o Lantern shaped object came flying through the air. The wall exploded in a sky of luminous dust as it hit home. "I too have some tricks in my sleeve." Anna suddenly stood right in the middle of the street. "Want to dance?" She gasped as she saw Anna began to dance one of her stripper's dances, but then closed her mout as her friend started tossing energy all about her just as she did so. When Anna finally dropped her clothing, all the dead clowns where gone. She went forward to look down the street as Anna redressed. "Nothing down there." She reported as she returned. "Didn't you like it?" Anna gleefully asked. "I didn't took the time to amuse myself in the maiden's house like you did." She dryly answered. Then they continued down the street. But now all was silent and first it just felt relaxing not having to fight each and every step, but soon the silence started gnawing on her nerves. Then the lamps started turn out and she felt like a trap was about to be closed about them. "Candy!" Someone then shouted. "Come and by candy." "Be mindful." Anna said as they turned around the corner and found a boy dressed in a T-shirt bearing the logo of the park. "Come and by some candy." He snarled just as he tossed himself toward them with his fangs extended. She swung her axe just as Anna tossed one of her daggers. The blade removed his head just as the knife pierced his hearth. "I just hate these vampires." Anna said as she moved to reclaim her dagger. She dried off the blood from her axe on his T-shirt before they started walking again. "Do you hear that?" She just asked as the sound of apes came toward them, the next thing she felt was the dreadful stench of junk and rotting flesh. Anna screamed wordlessly as a sickle cut into her shoulder and she too had to jump aside as the dead swinger threw another sickle at them. That wasn't the only enemy attacking. From the trash-cans bone-men rouse to toss bones at them. "If there only was a dog in this park." She mumbled before attacking the bones. Behind her Anna started fire energy at the dead swingers. Then she cried with joy as she shattered one of the candles standing on the wall and Anna's rod fell out. "Thank Go d." Anna prayed as she grasped the object. She smiled at her but was too bissy to show her more of her feeling.

Tower of Dolls, Warakiya. The 19th of December 2098 A.D.
He looked up as the sound of marching boots stopped outside their chamber. He could not help to cum even as the soldiers stood outside. Monique was after all a very good mistress. He noticed she to experienced the climax before he was finished. He was not lady Malpheffa's first-consort for nothing. Then they teleported into their armours and he went over and opened the door. It was Martin, one of the werewolf guards of the village. "Sorry for disturbing you my lord. But lord De Reis are summoning you. There have come a message from Winter's woodland." He nodded and quickly bid Monique fear well as he followed Martin and the vampires and dead soldiers together with him.

Soon they came to the village square where De Reis and other of the village heads where gathered. He smiled and greeted his underlings before he went to De Reis and the messangers. The embassy consisted of three black-elves and a few vampires and different-coloured were-foxes. The elf-woman speaking with De Reis really caught his eyes. She was short and lean in built like all of her race, with four-fingers on each hand and with the near deathly-pale skin of the elves who turned away from the One when the humans first came to their part of the world. But it was her eyes who really made him stare. The pupils where like cold dark ditches down to the nothingness where the Lord of Chaos truelly existed. Then he noticed the medals on the left side of her crimson army-jacket and he nearly gasped. She had bought the knightstar and the nightcross. And even the royal dragon of the 2nd grade. "Is it my recommended you are so interested in?" Her silvery-toned clock-clear voice brought him out of his reverie. "Or is it my breasts that cought your interest." He lifted his hands in a defensive pose and she smiled a cold little smile which near made him step back. "She got those medals at the battles of Warakiya and Veros in 1496 and 1788." Hugo, another of the gathering said. "Who are you?" He asked somewhat intimidated. "My name is Faeldrin Eledwhen of the house of Eledhel." The icy tone in her voice for a short moment became proad as she moved for the blue gem hanging between her eyew from a golden chain from her raven hair who fell nearly all down her back. He knew that the black-elves signed their aristocratic ranking of their society. Then De Reis came over to them and cut off their rather uncomfortable conversation. "What is the bidding you are here with?" De Reis's knowledge of the dark-elvish language was scearse but with a cold near disgusted smile as she answered. "Marshal Goldin have resumed command of the forces of the New Order of the Dark Lord Dracula in Winter woodland." "Indeed." De Reis nearly as coldly as Fealdrin's own. "Priests are not the most military minded of people. But I will contact him personally." He left them and he again stood face to face with her once again. In Fealdrin's eyes there was a promise of a cruel death if he dared insult her again. "I have heard rumours you are to be recommended to the rank of second-in-command in the royal guard." He carefully said. "Nipoura have visited Winter's woodland sometimes." She agreed. "But if such a honour is true I will rather wait to hear them from the captain herself." "You have spoke with princess Nipoura herself?" He asked. He had never seen other members of the Dark Lord Dracula's inner circle than De Reis and Malus. And he had heard some strange rumours about the Dark Lord and the red were-fox princess. For the first time there was something who could be translated as warmth in her smile. "I have met her on several chases. But now there is some while since the last meeting." He licked his lips. He was eager to ask but was unsure if he should. Some people was shy when it came to transsexual relationships. She must have seen it in his eyes for once more she became a frozen statue of a person. "As a matter of fact," She said in the coldest tone he had so far heard from her. "my husband was killed by dwarves resistance-soldiers some week ago and I still mourn his death." She did not look any bit mournful but that he did not intend to tell her.But at least that could explain some of her cold attitude toward men. Again the conversation was broken as De Reis came over to them. "Fealdrin, Dyruahan have come for you." He began to follow but was stopped by De Reis. "I think this is something we should keep away from. He have summoned Icarus too. Just get back to whatever you was doing and be pleased she did not behead you." "Yes sir." He said before turning around to see if he could find Monique. If nothing else they could continue where they left it.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
Something was wrong here. John looked around from building to building like if he could feel the enemy watching them. Sirikith merely continued walking and didn't even look aside. At last she couldn't take it anymore. "What is this for a street?" She asked the snake-charmer who smiled without humour. "It is told that thieves once tried to rob this park. But they where disvowered and took visitors as hostages. The police tried to bargin with them but failed. They then tried to storm the building," She pointed toward a building where shot-holes still could be seen. "that house, but didn't came before the criminals had murdered their hostages." She smiled, a cruel vampiric one. "It was a near joke. Since this is the so-called "Western" area of the park and there was fake-duels and other turist-crap going on here. But now this place is haunted, just see." She pointed to where two men in wild-west costumes came from noewhere and started walking up the traditional ten steps. Then a womean in the dressing of the 2050s showed up only to get hit by the two bullets. They bought gasped as the lady fell bleeding to the ground before them. Just then Sirikith turned into a bat and vanished into the clear morning sky. "Damn it." She'd never heard John curse like that before. "I forgot this was a cursed place and that she could use her powers then." She moved to calm him as walking corpses dressed in the cowboy-costumes came running out from an ally with their guns drawn and ready. Some of them where even dead women, not that it meant anything. They where all marked with holes from other shotguns in them and they where still bleeding from them. She quickly summoned her powers and made a fall of water rain down right before them to slow down their bullets. "To God's honour!" John shouted as he dashed right forward, right through her waterfall, as he drew his blade to cut down the corpses before they could fire more bullets. He was such a faithful man. Just now they where facing shotguns who didn't need to be reloaded for each and every bullet. She should only hope she too had a close-range weapon too. Then she noticed Sirikith. She was trying to sneak in on John from the back. She didn't knew any better than to toss down the candles at the side of the street and then she fetched the crystals inside of them. But without any weapons to use them on she didn't know what to do with them. Then she smiled as she again summoned her powers. This time she grasped inside the water to create a stabbing-weapon of ice. She then gathered a handful and thosed it out in threes. Sirikith became entirely taken aback. But then she turned upon her as she again regained bat form. She made it rain, but this time it snowed instead of rained. The Sirikith-bat fell to the ground and shivered as she regained her human form. She tossed a single fireball at her, but she quickly turned it out. "Just give up." John had made quick work of the zombies and now came over to them. "Now I only ask once." John said as he drew his blade from his back and pressed it against her neck. "Show us to the aquarium."

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
It was madness, cold and clear madness. But that didn't make the bone-men dressed like Conquistadores to disappear. Rather they again tried to slice her with their swords. Luckily they died just as easy as ordinary bone-men, not that it gave any comfort. "Do you ever thing we're going to find them Ruth?" She asked as she used her rod to destroy the last bone-men. "Hope is all we can do." She said. She shrugged and they again began walking. Now there was at least no more enemies. "Long time no see." She gasped as Ruth pulled her to the ground. Something crashed into the wall behind them and she heard a strange hissing noice. "Acid." She nearly gasped as she saw the hole in the wall. "Do you like it?" The ghost-clowns was back. They where already prepearing a second round of acidic pies. She did an elegant dance, not as elegant as her old "friend" would've done it, as she brought them down with her daggers. The clowns didn't frighten her anymore. She picked up her knives as the bone-men, regular bone-men, came out from the street behind them. If it had only bean some cute boys or something. She tossed it aside and instead began attacking them with her rod. This wasn't what she'd expected facing inside an amusement park. Then something else happened. She heard the sound of rolling waves as they came into a street open to a pool at the left side. Dead palm threes stuck up from the snow and barrels with fake skulls and cags of rom or brandy upon them. From the bar inside they heard the sound of singing voices. "It's another attraction." Ruth said. "Sure it is sweetie." She whirled around to see a man dressed in ruf seaman clothing looking on her. No, as she looked clouser. It was their priveties who interested him. She felt bought proad and angry. Even dough they where still dressed like prostitutes, they wheren't that anymore. And the proad feelings came from that even dough Thomas didn't touch her anymore, men still found her attractive. Then she noticed the the bleeding wounds a shotgun had left in his belly. She felt sick, but quickly removed his head by dashing at it and beheading it with her rod. "A dead pirate." Ruth said as she inspected the burning corpse. No sooner had she said so before at least three more dead pirates came running out of the tavern. With drawn blades they jumped high into the air and came toward them with an overhead dive. She managed to take two of them down as Ruth killed the last one. "We should get away from here as quick as possible." Ruth said. "I've heard legends about the dead pirates and don't want to stay around to see if they're true." She nodded and they started running. Then they came to a dead end. The only way was to go further down the pool until they came to the fountain at the other side of the square. "This is not going to be good." Ruth said. She began to speak her own meaning, then some motocycles came roaring down the street. Just as another pack of dead pirates came out of the inn. "Fight against the wall." Ruth said as she waightened her axe in her hands. Then it looked like her eyes caught fire. Before she knew anymore, Ruth had put her hands around her and then she just jumped clear across the dead-end wall.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
He shut the door close as the dead pirates tried to open it. "A little help here Marina." He grunted as he struggled to keep the damned thing shut. She did something, that was clear. As the door became so cold that he couldn't hold it. He stepped back and the door became shut. "Thanks." He said as he leaned against the desk, breathing heavily. The last "attraction" had nearly killed him, but now at least they could get some peace and quiet. Think again. As he looked around he became clear they where in some sort of video-store. The shelves where filled with DVDs of all kinds. "It look like there's a lot of Dracula films in here." He began, but felt quiet as he got glimpse of the ones behind the desk, not to mention the other costumers. They where all attractive teenage girls dressed like the teens did in 2001. He couldn't help but be somewhat exited by them. In his hearth he felt a greedy desire to be kissed by their full red lips. To touch their luxurious teen bodies. He wanted to… "Dominia rde. Actus arde." He did the sign of the cross. "To this place I sacred it to the Name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Ghost. One true God, everlasting, amen." He felt calmed and refreshed and now saw beyond their sexual appeal. An Italian vampire, with long raven hair and a broad thick-liped mouth, smiled as she slightly licked her lips. "We know your desire, good father." A blonde American vampire said. Her breasts, pressing against her black T-shirt nearly made him loose control. "We have waited so long for you." A cute little Spaniard giggled as she stepped a few feet closer. "If you look for your cute little naiad," A Korean vampire said as she was massaging her own body in a meaningful way. "I am afraid our girlfriends have taken her to the back." The Austrian vampire who'd stood behind the desk came walking, no, waving, toward him. "Why resist us?" She whispered in a hoarse voice which made him want to just push her against himself. "Dear Father, You who are in Heaven. Let Your name be glorified, let Your will be done in Heaven and on Earth. Give us our daily bread. Forgive our trey-passes as we forgive our treypassers. Do not lead us to temptation, but free us from all evil. The kingdom is Yours, and the power and glory everlasting, amen." He did the sign of the cross and the Ustrian went a few steps backward. "It is not going to save you forever." The Indian vampire, the other who'd stood behind the desk, calmly said as she stepped forward to stand beside her "friend". The three other vampires did close in on him again. But this time he was at peace with himself. He didn't feel tempted. He knew what he had to do. "God forgive you of your sins and may He take you into His Heaven." He drew his blade from the sheet on his back. He bowed to them as he took a twin-handed grip on the blade, then he swung at them. They jumped away and vanished in the ceiling of the store. Then the Spanish and the Korean vampires dropped down and attacked from two different sides. He swung the blade and cut the head of the Korean one just as he tossed a dagger at the Spanish one. Just then the Austrian and the Americkan vampires tried to dash him with their claws at the ready. He pierced the hearth of the Austrian one and she burst into fire. But then the Spanish vampire managed to tackle him to the floor. The Americkan vampire tore her claws into his arm so he had to let go of the sword. But he managed to bring out another dagger which he dug into the neck of the Spanish vampire just as she tried to bite him. He stamped his crucifix upon her hearth and she to burst into fire. Then the American vampire landed ontop of him. The feel of her massive breasts made him lost the concentration. He pressed his lips against hers and that most likely saved his life. She didn't got the chance to bite him. He put his arms around her and pressed her hard against him. She screamed and burst into fire as she came close to his crucifix. For inside it, he had a splint of the sacred cross. A family hairloom which was said to once have belonged to Leon Belmont himself. It should have bean Christian's, but he'd laughed and told him to keep it. "You are a priest while I'm a warrior. You should keep it." And so it was that it now saved his life. And thank to the holy relic he didn't even get burned by the flames. He got to his feet, only to stand face to face with the Indian and Italian vampires. He didn't know if they where the circle's leaders. But they where indeed the most attractive of them. "We are no match for you." The Italian vampire said. "You could have sex with us before you kill us." She was so beautiful. So perfect desirable that he wanted to do it with her. Then the Indian vampire dashed at him and tried to penetrate his tunic with her claws alone. "God forgive your sins." He cried as he removed her head with one of the gold-knives. "Where is she?" He asked as he went to retrive his daggers and sword. "Where is Sirikith?" He cleaned the blades on the fallen vampires clothing. If that slut of Lucifer had done her anything… "In the backroom." The Italian vampire said. "Thank's vampire." He said as he re-sheeted his weapons. "Renata De Valichi." She said. "God forgive your sins, Renata." He did a blessing motion before he went at the backroom with his blade again at the ready. He knew it was dangerous leaving a live undead behind. But it wasn't his way attacking someone with cold blood. He knew he was a fool, but so be it.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
She gasped as the sleek dazzling creature leaped down from the ceiling. "Were-panthers." Ruth calmly said as she prepared her axe. Anna closed her mouth as she too prepared for battle. The three jet-black feline creature stalked them calmly. Then they dashed toward them, with a grace and elegance which nearly made her stare. She however managed to do a back-flip before she gathered herself just as the were-panthers jumped into the air and came toward them with speedy jump-kicks. She dropped to the snow and managed to get a clean shot on the were-cat, chopping it in half was more the truth. But she didn't have time to feel ashamed as the second were-panther's foot hit her in the chest and sent her flying backward. Luckily for her the snow lay deep in the ally and she managed to keep conscious as she noticed she'd knocked down some of those strange candles. She smiled as she retrieved the throwing-axe. Then the were-cat was on her again. But before it could shatter her ribs to pices with its hard knocks, she cut its arms of. Then she finished it of with one quick slash to the head. "Are you alright?" Anna stood cleaning her daggers with some snow not far away. She felt sour in her chest and head, but she thought she could outlive it. "I think so. But I hope there is no more were-panthers along the way." Anna giggled. "That I hope too." She cleaned of her own blades in the snow and then they where of again. "I think we should get out on the square somewhere over there." She said as they came close to a curve in the road. She began walking, but stopped as she heard a scream coming from the house beside them. "Thomas." Anna nearly growled as she lifted her foot and tried kick in the door. Of course she wasn't strong enough. But somehow she knew she would get it. She pushed Anna aside and then kicked at the door, who shattered into pieces. "Come on." She said before she stormed in. Only to stand face to face with John. The Belmont blinked, but then waved for her to follow him inside the left-side door.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
How in the world could se do all those things? Just jump across walls and kick in solid doors? As she followed John and Ruth inside the corridor, the questions slipped out of her mind. CD, MP3-players, load-speekers, computers, TV-sets and DVD-players where stoked all around the rom. Like some giant techno-museum or something. She shook her head just in time to catch glimpse of the first beast. It looked like a pile of sawn-together eyeballs with a giant mouth in the middle. With bat-wings and tentacles growing out of it. "Watch it!" John shouted as the thing shot a heavy beam at them. She dropped to the floor and then she and John killed it with a set of their throwing-daggers. "Nice shot." He said, smiling at her. She felt how she grew all warm inside. But she was quick to regain composure as there came more beasts at them. "Don't look the beholders in their eyes." John warned as he sliced one of them with his sword. "Then they'll turn you to stone. Or so I've heard they can." She noticed as she danced and tossed daggers at all the beholders who came in her way. Then she ran out of daggers. Then it was her turn to smile as she remembered her magic. With all the grace and sensuality she could muster she generated bursts of energy into her hands and just about blasted them out of oblivion. "I've never bean a fan of strip-tease," Jhon dryly said as he gathered her cloths. "but I think I might withstand it." She slightly blushed as she redressed. After all she'd bean through, she'd thought she would never blush again. But it just was the way the Belmont looked on her and… She shook her head and tried focus on the task ahead. Ruth was already gathering strength as she kicked at the door at the other side of the corridor. "She's no Belmont." She thought she heard Jhon mumble. But then they got other things to think about. In a long square-shaped room, with a circle-shaped one at each short-end, Marina lay upon an alter-like block. "Bevare of blood-suckers." John said as he with one hand did the sign of the cross over all three of them. "Sure." She said before going to retrive her daggers from the dead beholders.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
"God's death!" It wasn't often he cursed. But the look of all the snakes crawling across Marina's body made him go cold. "One more step the One's pet and she'll go crimson." Sirikith's smile was so cold that it could've cooled wine. Five other vampires stood behind her 6 in all. And even be the four three-armed candelabras made it 6, 6 and 6. 666 in total. He felt how he began to shiver. "Domini arde. Actus arde." He did the sign of the cross and the vampires stepped backward. "Your master cannot help you now." A humourless smile crept over his face. That voice he'd heard before. It was her, the Italian vampire. But even so, he felt a little better that there now was 7 vampires in the room. "Give her free." Ruth calmly demanded. "Force me." Sirikith said with the same cold smile. "Look!" Anna suddenly cried. He gasped as he noticed Marina was freezing the snakes into oblivion. "In the Master's… " Sirikith said. Then she fell silent as a dagger flowed right between her breasts. Then another nearly cut her head off. He finished off the snake-charmer off with his own blade and then continued on to behead the Italian vampire. Anna and Ruth took on the fout vampires to his left and right as he suddenly stood face to face with a half Thailander. Heavy locks of light-brown hair, blue eyes and foremost the shape of the very eyes. But before he could attack she did a quick back-flip and then did a quick forward trust with her claws at his hearth. The attack was stopped by his breast-plate but he was never the less knocked to the ground. Opening her simple red kimono she landed on top of him. "Are they natmagnificent?" She asked as she with one hand held him down. He'd heard the story about the vampires having the strength of 20 men in their hands, but never felt it like this before. "I don't think so." He grunted as he tried to touch her with his blade. She wasn't nearly as large as the American vampire, but that didn't matter. "Get used to them." She said gleefully as she began stroking the front of his pants. "I'm a little conservative." She said as she licked her lips. "I like to take blood at the moment of climax." "You're no lamia." He remarked as he at last managed to get hold of his shuriken. She jumped right upward as he tossed them and such avoided the sharp blades. "Help me God!" He cried as he threw the shuriken and smiled as they split into many. But as they cut her into many pieces, he just wanted to throw up. The shuriken returned to him and after drying them off on the vampires black trousers, he put them back into his tunic. He turned as Anna screamed. First he didn't got it, then he noticed the new tatooes on her arms and legs. "I just," She shivered from head to foot. "I just took them." She pointed at the vampires who looked just as shocked as she was. "They tossed snakes at me and I just… " He put a hand on her shoulder as he tossed the throwing-axe at them. "You're a spell-dancer." Marina who'd got free of the alter said as she made it rain heavily over the vampires. "A what?" Anna asked. "That's an enchantress who use dancing to execute spells." Marina slightly smiled as she pointed at Anna's many tattoos. "The dancers training you must've known since they marked you like one." Then the naiad giggled. A sound he'd never heard from her before. "But they must've disrespected your talents since they didn't gave you any of the jewelleries they usually wears." She knelt to pick up the tiara, necklace and other gems from Sirikith's corpse. Anna slightly shivered but after Marina whased them in her water and he'd constituted them she brought them on. "You really look nice in those things." Ruth said as she came over from where she'd finished of the other vampires. "What're we to do with… " She began as the last two vampires dashed at Marina. She was just to be tore to pieces, or so he feared since she didn't carry any armour, as he tossed his shuriken at them. But Marina was ahead of him as she tossed a little rain of frozen spikes at them. They turned ablaze as they where cut to pieces by the icicles. And then it suddenly was all over.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
All looked clear as they came out on the square again. The dead pirates where at least gone or so it looked. "Where do you think the Aquarium is?" Marina said as she just in security's sake let a tiny rain fall all about them. It wasn't that big since she wasn't all that powerful on her own. And the cold saw to that it quickly turned to snow. "There." John said as he pinted for a building who had big windows turned out to the pond and fountain. "Sirikith at least said it lay on the far side of the fountain." "There is the tower of dolls if I read the sign correct." Ruth dryly commented as she nodded for the tower-like building at the other side of the pond. The sign was big and catchy so that was no surprise. "I don't see any sign on that one." She said as she let her eyes go across the building they thought where the aquarium. "Let's at least have a look." John said as he walked across the square and opened the doors. She shrugged as she followed him inside.

They came into a giant circle-shaped room with boomerang-shaped pools at each side of the doors. "It looks like the top of tanks stored in the basement." Anna remarked after a closer look upon them. "On this one it says eels." Ruth informed from the other tank. "I don't like this." John said. "I don't know why. But there is something wrong in here." She knew what he meant. It was a cold unpleasant feeling which nearly made her shiver. "Watch it!" John suddenly cried just as a giant shelly slimy creature rouse out of the water-tank. "Anaconda!" She screamed just as the giant worm snaped at Ruth. "Curse it!" Anna's daggers just fell off of the Anaconda's shells. Just as it was about to cut Ruth in two, she swung her axe and just cut it in two. But just then twenty or more Anacondas rouse out of each tank. "Run for it!" John cried as he grabed her shoulder and dragged her along the way. As Ruth cut Anacondas to pieces she, John and Anna opened the door at the other side and ran inside. She too wanted to curse as a simple square-shaped room with one giant round pool in the middle lay before them. "Set Willy free!" She nearly sat dead down on the floor as a blonde little teenaged vampire in bath-suit appeared upon the platform at the centre of the pond. But she quickly got to her feet as sharks started jumping right up from the water and crashed into the feances on the side of the pond. They shattered like wax and water started flowing in. Soon they all stood with water to their knees. "I don't like this." John said as he looked at the doors further away. "Don't use any lightning-magic." He warned them as he drew his blade. "Keep close to the walls and be on guard. I don't know that much about sharks. But one thing is for sure. They're dangerous as Hell." Slowly they started splashing across the room.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
Thomas snarled as the first slash hit him. The dead pirate grinned at him from between the rotten remains of its lips. He would kill them if he only got loose of the chains tying him to the wall. The sword-swollowers stood looking on as they giggeld with sadistic glee. "Why not surrender?" Sin, the little Chinese who commanded the others asked. "Surrender to the dark powers and you might tore the chains out and kill us all." She laughed as she let her hands go through her long raven hair who was flowing down her back. He spat at her and she began to dance. A sensual dance, a wail-dance he'd heard the Ottoman vampires talk about. "No, no." Halima, another sword-swolloer said. Her luxurious dark skin and black hair made him think she was Turkish or perhaps from Irak or Iran. "We don't use the frase "Ottoman" any more." They continued laughing at him and now even the other dead pirate started to whip him. Where was Jhon's and Christian's God now? He wondered. Why didn't he come to free him? There was only one answer. There was no God. At least not the type John and Christian allways babbled about. He would have to save himself this time. Filled with anger and despear he tried with all his force to break free. And the chains popped out of the wall and he crashed them into the two pirates. They shattered to pieces and then he went on the sword-swollowers. Filled with the blinding rage he'd once before felt he tore them to shreds with his bear hands. "Yes." Sin appeared before him. "Your anger have made you powerful. Now, kill me and take my place in the Dark Lord's army." He laughed at her. "I'll kill you. And I'll kill him." Bone-men rouse out of the floor and he continued to tear them to shreds. She could not help but smile. The boy's anger had opened up for bought the power of his Lecarde-side and his Oldrey-side. As she watched on he was transforming into a grizzly blue-fured werewolf. His man-beast power was impressing. She had heard the stories about how Coronel had forced his way to the Dark Lord only by his man-beast abilities. She had never believed in the legend, but now she did. He would be a powerful servant of lord Dracula. General Lupine would learn him to master his power and then… She was cut short as Jalindra came running. "There have bean a preak-in at the shark's tank." She informed her. "Mathilda is doing as best as she can but she needs help." She nodded and then activated the sleep spell to calm down Lecarde. "I will send reinforcement." She said. "As soon I am finished with one other little task."

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
John let his hand go through his hair. Not careing his ice-blonde hair became just as wet as the rest of him. He tossed his shuriken and the shark who jumped at him was cut to mere shreds. "Someone wants sushi?" He sarcastically asked Ruth and the others as they where also defending against sharks. Anna had to stick to her rod and daggers since the water slowed down her movements. Only Marina looked like she enjoyed the swim, using her marine magic to toss the sharks sky-high. He shook his head. How that little creature, she was only 1, 40 high, could toss about a more than 200-kilo shark around. Then again. If the legend where true, the naiads had the very power of their rivers to their disposal. Then Marina dropped right down into the water as now some dead pirates had entered the room. "Be very, very careful." He advised the girls. "Dead pirates are among the most powerful water-dwellers the dark lord has in his army." The dead pirate ad weight to his words as they brought out whips and curved swords as they jumped into the air and dashed down where Marina had vanished into the water. He blocked one of them with a two-handed grip on the sword and then had to jump backward as the pirate tried to slash him with its hook. He slashed back and drew his axe and now used it as a left-hand weapon. The pirate became taken aback by the turn of events and was such cut into pieces. But no sooner had he disposed of it before two new pirates came flying at him. He did a rather clumsy dive and swam out on the deep water. He reappeared somewhere else and nearly put his head into the mouth of a shark. Marina appeared beside him, blue-skinned and with crystalline fins in her natural form, and sent the shark into the ceiling. "Sharks are the way they are from the hands of God." Marina said. "It's no need killing them like we destroy the Dark Lord's servants." He nodded as he walked back up on the gallery. Anna and Ruth had some problems with the dead pirates. He opened the doors and then started throwing the axe at the pirates. Making it and his shuriken split into many as he tried to take out as many pirates as he could. Then the girls came swimming toward him before he banged the doors shut behind them.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
A red haze narrowed his gaze as he howled. He should kill them, kill them all! With his powerful claws he tore the bone-men and sword-swollowers to shreds. He generated a burning dish and made some dead pirates shatter into pieces. He smiled as he entered the chamber where the vampires had tore off his clothing and armour. Quickly he brought them back on, the gun and throwing daggers still hung on his belt. He rouse his lance into the air and howled with triumph as he continued onward. He should destroy them and pile them upon Dracula's corpse. Then he heard the sound of battle and eagerly went toward it.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
Ruth swung her axe. The double-sided blade managed to turn aside the sword the strange vampires continued to throw at them. The remaining dead pirates was falling back and so did the sword-swollowers. But they didn't gave them anything as the pathway was littered with the remains of the dark servants. John had brought on that strange head-band again and was fiercely swinging his blade to take down the vampires who did their best to counter his strokes. Then Anna gasped. "Continue on!" Marina shouted. Then she too noticed it. Marina gaped and she closed her own mouth as a sleek blue werewolf hammered into the vampires from the behind. As it tore the vampires and dead pirates to shreds she just felt sick. But that she didn't have enough time to. The grizzly were-beast howled at them and picked up a lance it'd send right through one of the dead pirates and prepared to attack them. "Yes, yes!" A Chinese vampire encouraged the werewolf. "Kill them. Four new corpses to your pile." "What have you done with Thomas?" Jhon asked as he closely watched the werewolf. "John." It was like the werewolf shimmered and then Thomas stood there. "I don't believe it." She said. John smiled without humour. "It is unclear from where the Oldrey family got its man-beast bloodlines. It is said that Ada Oldrey was the sister of of Coronel, the man-beast who defeated Dracula in 1844." She shook her head. By the letters from Abraham Van Helsing's uncle, Charles Wincent, she'd heard something about just that. But she would have to think further about that later. Thomas shook his head like he didn't knew what to think. "You laied to me. The strange aura started flashing around him again. "You said God would help me. There is no God. Only the power exist. And thouse strong enough to grasp it." Thomas again turned into his werewolf form. "I'll destroy Dracula. And I'll kill you for laying to me." John shook his head. "God is with all people. Only when man in his brief authority have bared Him out. The dark One is the father of all lies. When you believe in his lies you have taken the first step in surrendering your soul to Him. I will not permit you to fall into darkness. I cannot. Don't you remember our conversations as we travelled to the fogy lake?" "Don't lissen to him!" The Chinese sword-swollowers said. "Don't lissen to her." Marina said. "You are a good man Thomas. All may see it. Remember Salmissra? She was a snake-woman but stayed with you and died for you." Anna nodded "It it wasn't for you and the friendship you've awaken in John's hearth we would all have rotten in the prison-camps." She nodded. "It was because of you I was able to free myself of the Dark Lord's control just because of the friendship you inspire your friends with." John presented his hand to Thomas. "We are your friends. We're not perfect, but we like you for who you are." Then Anna stepped forward to stand beside John. "I don't care if you're a werewolf or whatever. I love you Thomas. And even if I'm attracted to others you are the one I love with my hearth." Just then she went forward, her axe beheading the vampire. The counter-srike pierced her hearth and she burned away in green flames. But just before she turned to dust, a look of peace and eternal joy spread across her face. "She was about to stab you from the back." She told them. "May God forgive her of her sins." "I think He did." Surprisingly it was Thomas who spoke. "I saw her expression just before she went into her final decay. She was at peace and thus free of Dracula's curse." Then he grasped John's hand. "Thank you father," She blinked. It was the first time Thomas used his clerical title. "you was right. You are my friend and I never should have doubted you or your… No," He corrected himself. "I should never have doubted our God." "You don't have to be ashamed." John said. "God know of your perils and sent me to tell about it." The two friends shook hands and then he suddenly embraced Anna. "I forgive you." He just said. She wasn't sure what it was all about but Anna put her arms around him in turn as she silently weeped and thanked him. "Sorry for interrupting." Marina pointed at the aquariums who lined the walls. "The pressure is rising. If we don't get out fast we'll get a few tons of water on us." They where all brought out of their reveries and she wasn't the first in line as they started running back up.

Aliba amusement-park, Warakiya. The 19th of December 2098 A.D.
The pipes transporting the water was leeking. He could see it as they nearly had to swim across the entrance hall. "Blast it." He cursed as he noticed the dours where shut. "There must be some securety-lock who close it when the water reach a sertain level." Marina said as she too tried to open them. "Permit me." Thomas grinned as he turned back into his wolfish form and just hammered into the doors, crushing the glass into pieces. He rolled his eyes and then generated green fire around his blade as he shot away the remaining glass. Just as they came out, an explosion sounded from the inside and the house began to collapse. "The water must've reached some electronics." Marina suggested as they took some steps back to avoid the still static water leaking up here and there. Or from the burning stones the fire was tossing about. But with the water and the snow falling down the fire was soon over and the ruines was all who was left. John shook his head. They had searched nearly the entire park and still hadn't found Pazuzu. The only area they hadn't searched was… Yes, of course. The house of wax. Or, as it stood on the sign above the door, the tower of dolls. "John, Thomas, look!" Again it was Marina who'd noticed it first. But this time it was something so spectacular that it nearly screamed at them to be seen. The fountain had begun to spill out blood in stead of water. Bones who lay in the pool became drawned in the crimson liquid and began to rise out of the water. Other bones who didn't became crimson also began to rise from the pool and started walking toward them. "At least the battle will warm us a little." He dryly commented. Thomas laughed as he too prepared to fight. "I have read that Sypha Belnades could destroy the crimson-bones with ice-magic." He told them. "It you could try the same Marina I would like it very much." He knew his Rumanian language became rather stiff sometimes, but that was not important. Marina made it rain and then generated icicles which she tossed at the bones. "I don't like this." Ruth said as the crimson-bones just collapsed to the ground and then started rebuilding again. "How many of the crimson-bones?" He asked Anna who was scouting the area from the steops of the tower of Dolls. "I count eight so far." Then he got an idea. "Marina! Try freeze the fountain!" The naiad nodded and then the streams of blood stopped. But twelve of the bone-men had got the blood on them and was such closing them in on the steps. "I think they want us inside." Anna said. After a quick look he nodded. "Move it!" Thomas shouted as he opened the door in the same fassion he'd used on the aquarium. It had to be a trap. But Anna was right. They had no choice. This was clearly where they where meant to go.

Town of Aliba, Warakiya. The 18th of December 2098 A.D.
She could not understand why Dyruahan had meant for them to meet here. But he was in command and that was that. She just hated these types of houses. Where men and women of all races could come and bay themselves females of other races. She felt proud that noen of them where dark elves. "This is where none would expect to find our sort of assortment.s." She nearly blinked. "Doctor, I did not expect to fin you here." The cloaked and hooded vampire to the right of the headless knight smiled. "That is my argument." The head of Dyruahan which it had placed on the table rolled its eyes. She could quite agree with it. "Victor… " The vampire to the left began. "Quiet Henry." She could not help but nearly smile. James Henry Oldrey had used many names and disguises, but his true identity was not as secret as he thought. "What is the mission parameters?" Icarus asked in his near monotone voice. "This is the will of the Dark Lord Dracula… " The head of Dyruahan began. The continuation really made her blink.

(A.N: This have bean a long chapter. That I know. But I hope you liked it. Have a nice time.)

Chapter 23: The Story Continues | Back to Chapter 21