Castlevania: Darkness Never Dies

Fan Fiction

Continued...

Part 1: Gathering darkness.

"Then the Lord said. "When you hear footsteps in the air, you shall go forth. The Lord has gone before you.""

1. book of chronicles:

Chapter 28: Wandering Ghost.
Riverdale forest, Warakiya. The 20th. Of December 2098 A.D.
Bronze waved her hands before her face, clearing away the smoke coming from her mouth. She made a grimace when she felt the scent of her own foul breath. She could not hypnotize herself to ignore the scent of rotting flesh drifting off of her. She had bean an undead for quite some time by now. "What is it?" Yukuri asked as she brought up her Raptor to her side. "Nothing." She mumbled. She still wondered if there was any importance in doing any of this. Ludwig was paranoid when it comes to the resistance-movement. Lady Malpheffa hadn't sent any information about back-shooters in the valley. "You're sure there isn't any… " Yukuri began, then arrows came flying through the air, taking down the two beast-riders riding in the front. "Ambush!" She shrieked in horror as Centaurs and elves dressed in brown and green came out of the forest. "Fire at will!" Yukuri shouted at the archers in their company. Arrows flew through the air from bought sides as dwarves and dryads came out of the forest, right behind them. Her were-foxes and vampires who'd got out of the dead Raptors drew their blades and went to defend their fallen comrades. An arrow hit her right side and although it became blocked by the armour-protected tunic she felt how pain surged through her ribs. Two more arrows hit her abdomen and knocked her out of the saddle, making snow wave about her. "Bronze!" Yukuri got down from her Raptor with her sword at the ready. "You must get away from here." She said as she drew out one of the arrows who'd fasten in her belly. "Ludwig Von Bork must be informed of this." Yukuri nodded as she make icicles drop out of the air and rain above the dryads who'd shot her. Bronze struggled to her feet to generate flames as two dwarves who attacked them with their axes. "Satan!" She summoned as she noticed who their leader was. "A Unicorn." Yukuri whispered as the milky-white horse who stood upon a pile of snow with the shining pearl of a horn rouse against the moon. She felt fear well up inside her at the mere sight of the powerful being. "Exodus beam!" First she though the powerful beam missed them. Then the tree behind them tumbled down. She just then turned to mist and drifted away.

Village of Aliba, Warakiya. The 19th. Of December 2098 A. D.
John Belmont, as he now though about himself, brought the cloak tighter around himself as he watched how the guards patrolled the gates. He had Hehr Von Michenbecker's pass-card as well as access-permission for three other workers. He shook his head. Thomas could get through as any werewolf of the New Order. But with her tattoos and cheep jewleries and dress like a prostitute, Anna could get some problems to get past without notice. Ruth, with her tunic, grey trousers, brown boots and green weapon-shirt might could be taken as any other red guard. "Thomas, Ruth, you go behind me. Anna, smile if any of the guards pay you any attenon tion." She gave him a challenging look as she on purpose twisted her body, making him notice her femininity. He shook his head. "Just keep your weapons ready." He mumbled as he went toward the gates. To his relief, the red and blue fured were-foxes merely looked at the pass with dull rutine. "Be sure to take the elevator all the way down. We've lost a few troopers in the caverns." A black-elf said warningly as he activated the controls who opened the heavily armoured doors. "Sure." He grunted as he made the others go forward. He then picked the pass back in his pocket and followed his friends inside.

Winter's woodland. The 20th. Of December 2098 A.D.
Celestin Morhedwen of the house of the golden leaves made a last look swipe across his fellows. The campaign of the village of Aliba had bean planned weeks ago and now the time was ripe. He was sure Tholin Rockhammer was doing his part in Riverdale. "Attack!" HE shouted. Dryads and other elves ran forward, unleashing a rain of arrows at all they could see upon the village wall. Just then, Ents marched forward as they simply as that began to break down the gates. In seconds the large doors was reduced to dust. The tree-shepherds withdrew and elves, dwarves, Centaurs, dryads and humans rushed forward. In the streets they where met by boar-men, lizard-men and bone-soldiers. "Head up!" Ephermelda, a fairy who took care of scouting, shouted. "Bone-archers and boar-snipers on the roofs!" Arrows fell down over the resistance-fighters. "Have shields roused high!" Celestin shouted at his men as he rouse his shield high up to deflect the enemy-fire. Snow whirled around them as the lines wavered back and forth. Even so he felt like it was summer again and the sun was burning hot. Even so, it was night and the ice was as cold as ever. He'd instructed that they should eat and drink before they went into battle. At his side Zarki Aginor fell, hitt in the eye by an arrow. A werewolf and two vampires, female ones, turned up before him. Elion who'd joined up by his side after Zarki's death felled one vampire just as he pierced the chest of the werewolf. Then the second vampire clawed at his belly. He screamed as they dug deep into him. Thrond, one of the dwarves, cut the feet under here and then just as calmly cut off her head. Leaflock, an ancient Ent, picked him up and carried him to safety. He knew it had to be like this. Radagast had appointed him as field-captain and he couldn't afford to be killed. Still, he wanted to continue defeating the lost souls who'd sized control over their land.

Ludwig Bon Bork stood wathing the battle from one of the roof-tops. "Thing is not going well, my lady." He told lady Malpheffa who looked on him from the holographic ring. "Ludwig." She said in a demanding tone. "I need you. Get out of there and return to Laruba at once." He shooked his head. "I strongly disagree, my lady. Lord De Reis gave me command of the village of Aliba." The undead dame looked like she wanted to say something and he quickly shut down the ring. "Sir!" Reinholdt Meizel came running up the stairs leading down into the house. "The rebels are attacking from Riverdale too. The forest-angels has destroyed the gate and the eastern part of the village is already somewhat overrun." The vampire looked like he'd seen something terrible and Ludwig could understand him. "Concentrate the troopers around the village square." He commanded. "Plase archers along the roof-tops of all the houses and in the top-floor of the mayor's house. I want them to fill the square with corpses if need be. I will defend the village as long as I can. Inform "Maw" to close its gates and retreat." Meizel nodded and saluted before he run back down. "Prepare my horse." He snapped at Glob, a chieftain of the goat-men. The beast nodded and then to ran down the ladder. "Are you sure of this?" Rippin, a black elf, asked him. "Stay at your post." He snearled before he again turned his attention to the on-going battle downstairs. He would protect this place as long as he could. Then he would try to break through with as many of his men he could possibly gather. But he could still win. "Concentrate on the elves." He ordered the archer's leader. "They most likely is the commanding-forces." "Yes sir." He said before returning to his rangers. Ludwig again began walking back and forth. If there only had bean some warlocks in the village. But there wasn't any, of course. It never was a spell-caster around when you needed him. No matter. He would knock the rebel-scum to pieces anyway.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 19th. Of December 2098 A.D.
Thomas Lecarde felt chills go down her spine as he dug the spear through the undead hearth of the Nazi-zombie. Just then Marina made it rain with icicles. The way the naiad had managed to camouflage herself as a little cloud as they got past the guards patrolling the entrance. The problems had begun as they'd went past the elevators. That bastard of a Nazi-zombies and his squad of dead soldiers had approached them, asking them why they didn't used those blasted things. John did an impressive swing with the slightly curved blade as he cut the head off of one of the dead soldiers who'd stabs its battle-knife at his friend's chest. Ruth snarled as wild as any vampire as she cut off the the corpse's hand. Anna stood like an old Egyptian goddess, the likeness promoted by the cheep jewelleries, as she tossed accurate daggers at the hearths of three dead soldiers. It didin't stop them dough. And he ripped out his gun and shot their heads off. Smiling grimly as the rotting carcasses burst into fire. Clang! Another dead soldier's combat-knife collided with his chest-plate and he felt how his lungs become emptied of oxygen. He staggered backward and again the dead soldier slashes against his mail. He triggered the firing-mechanism of the shotgun and just as Anna's daggers went through its neck. Holes opened in its chest and belly and then the zombie exploded. Breathing heavily he leaned against his lance as he looked around. Anna was cleaning her daggers on the uniform of their slained enemies as Ruth did the same for her axe. John however was busy inspecting the fallen enemy's weapons. "Then it was as we suspected." He mumbled more to himself than to any of the others. "What?" He asked as he went over to where John stood. "It's the trademark of the products Dracula's dummies use." He went over to inspect the instruments to control the elevators. "See for yourself." John said as he pointed at the industrial insignia upon the control's installation-plate. "It's a dragon." He said, not quite knowing what his friend was going at. "The steel-dragon with the B-corp in its claws is the mark of the industrial corporation called Brendt corporation." John smiled without humour as he noticed the puzzled look upon his face. "We don't have much time, but I'll try explain. In 1897 when Dracula tried to move his operations to England, he gave economical support to the German weapon-producers with the name of Brent wafe-gesefvshaft zyndikate. The Vatican have reason to believe that Harvey Brent was a Satanist. We're not quite sure, but we read it this way that Dracula in 1917 instructed the members of the general-board under his control to invest heavily in businesses in the US. In 1934 when Adolf Hitler made rid of his enemies in the SA and their supporters, the German portion of the industry became part of the companies under direct national control. What is important is that, in 1957 Brent entered the technological industry and was one of the undertakers of NASA. In the year 2000 we tried to consolidate the corporation. But thank to its far-reaching influence on American politics it managed to remain a threat. It gave economic support to the sect "White light" in 2036, but that is of little importance right now. What is important is that Brent now have more power than ever before. Since the infra-structure in the American society it has risen to become a political entity as well as an mercantile power. If we ever survive this I now have proofs that they're loyal to Dracula and is supplying Frankenstein with the technology needed to built the industrial and scientistic foes we've faced." "You there!" A hollow inhuman voice suddenly shouted. "Stay where you are!" The possessed armours armed with heavy machine-guns came toward them. "Curse it." John mumbled. "We forgot to think about the guards outside." Ruth awkwardly comfessed. This would not be easy. "Fire in the hall!" John shouted as he tossed something at the machine-gun guards. He'd just enough time to turn and run like Hell before an explosion shook the room. If the installation guards didn't noticed this, Thomas figured, then they had to be deaf or something.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
All was silent. That was what beginning to gnaw upon her nerves. She cleared her voice, before saying. "Anna, isn't your last name really Westenra?" Anna gave her a look, clearly taken somewhat about by her question. But she quickly balanced herself, glad that the silence was broken. "I think so." Anna then said, somewhat defensive. Ruth smilled. "I thought it might be that way. Even dough I frankly don't know why you told your name was Trantoil. I read the prison-list where your name was." Anna blushed heavily. "Because, I feel proud of my Trantoil roots. By using the old family surname I got some respect from the guards and the prisoners in my cell. The name Westenra is related to shame and betrayal. If I'd admitted my name was Westenra I would've bean sent directly to the demon castle." "You're wrong." For the first time John broke into the conversation. "Lucy Wesenra was a good woman who is with the Lord. Her death gave brave men the strength to fight evil. It made Quincey Morris believe in the family legends and it also stopped Dracula from re-rising with his full power. My forfathers Maxim Kishine and Clifford Graves fell for Dracula's lies, but that doesn't mean the other members of my family bad." Thomas nodded. "My Oldrey kin-father serve Dracula. Or he did so in 1844 and 1852. But that don't make the deeds of Henry Oldrey to be in vane." Anna looked away. Ruth felt somewhat ashamed. She hadn't thought Anna was so disappointed about her family. She felt how her own cheeks became red. After all, she'd once bean in love with a vampire once. Even dough it meant nothing by now, she could understand her. "What is that?" Thomas suddenly said. From a cavern going inward from the corridor they went in came the sound of a singing woman.

"Sing a song of ancient times.
Of Death, Glory and Valour. Night is day and day is night. Wander under the glory of the Shadow. Maiden in the river and warrior in the grave. Aria of Sorrow last forever. I see you, can you see me?"

The voice became silent as Thomas lead the track into the cave. "Wait! Wait your idiot!" John shouted. Anna was already in close presuit. Marina rolled her eyes as John rouse his arms into the air. "Just come on." He then grunted. She nodded and then she followed the naiad and the Belmont into the branching off into the mountain. Again the voice had began to sing.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
The cavern soon ended in a plain circle-shaped grotto. John noticed it was decorated with plain furniture. The only light came from a torch at the centre of the room. The electric lamps who spread their calm light in the main corridor was absent here and some bitter smoke rouse out of the torch. Sitting upon the stone floor sat an ancient-old woman drapped and hooded in some mouldy shroud. "Who are you?" Thomas demanced to know as he stopped before the woman. Marina put down the lantern she'd brought with her from the head tunnel and he gasped as he saw the soft yellow light become reflected in the yellowish reptile eyes. He held up his hand and did the protective sign against the evil eye. "What meaning do it have who I am? What I was and who I will be is insignificant next to what is." She smiled and he shuddered as saw the few yellowish rotten teeth who was left. "Who are you? He merely whispered. "You might call me the oracle." She then said. He didn't liked any of this. He still wondered why Thomas had bean so bent on going down here. "Tell me, oracle," Thomas asked. "how am I to control my man-beast powers?" He again shuddered as the old hag smiled and again showed her rotting teeth. "Yes." The oracle said in an expecting voice who made him feel uncomfortable. "You must let go of your fear. You are a man-beast. And you must learn to master your anger and calm your mind of everything else than then your goal." He shook his head. He'd studied the papers left by his ancestors, but the tale of what had transpired in 1844 had bean told by Henry Oldrey and his wife, Ada. And thus he didn't knew much about the man-beasts. The lycanthrope was one thing, but the ancient order of the man-wolves was almost unknown to him. IT was strongly believed by those who studied the occult that Coronel and Ortega had bean the last ones. But who could be sure. "I purchased this from Renon." The oracle said to Thomas. "It is a key to the ancient seal of the man-beast's powers. But be mindful. These things are very rare, very expensive and are known to have its backfire if used too lightly." Then she turned to Marina. "The lights will soon go out. A great darkness lay over this caves. Give me your lantern." The naiad gave him a look, unsure on what to do. He nodded and she gave the lamp to the mysterious old woman. "Now," She said as she turned out the flame inside it and then re-lit it with flames from her torch. "no black magic or demon arts might turn it out. Now, go. Your time is over." A flash of red light blinded him.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
John blinked. They where back in the head tunnel again. Rocks and rubble had fallen down to block the cave who lead into the oracle's cave. He shook his head. He didn't understood any of this. He knew she was an enemy. He had felt it when they first entered the old woman's domain. Then he noticed it. The only light in the tunnel was the plain calm glow who came from the lamp Marina was carrying. He absently discovered she'd found a rod to carry the lantern so that her other hand was free. "If that was all," He said to all in particular. "I suggest we go on." "I thought you never would say so." Ruth said sarcastically. He shrugged, then smiled. As they began walking forward, he really began to understood how gloomy the cave really was. He actually felt relieved when he heard the sounds of flapping of wings. The bats circled around them and managed to draw blood with their sharp claws. He knew they would be cursed with sickness if they where bitten. He summoned the power of his bloodline and made flames burn around his blade slice through the air. Ruth made sushi of some other bats by slashing them with her axe. Thomas fired booms from his shot-gun and made some more bats burst into flames. Again all became silent again. Without any words, they continued walking. Again he felt how the silence began to gnaw at his nerves. He summoned the Lord in his hearth and felt relaxed. As they continued walking, Marina's light showed him corridors, tunnels, stairs or galleries who branched off in all and any direction. Some in the same level as they where on, some going up and other going up. "Who could believe the New Order could work out all this in three short years." He heard Thomas whisper right behind him. It was Marina who answered. "It wasn't the dark lord who carved out Wargenholhegebirde. This underground city was carved out by the man-beasts 5.000 years ago when they where many in the land." John shook his head. This reminded him of an old book he'd found among Julius Belmont's left belongings. He shook his head. "They called it on their own language, wolf home. Or in, Karhack Warn." Marina continued. "I once heard that Dracula ordered 1.000 boar-men and just as many goat-men to rebuild the city to its former glory. Those portions they didn't ravage themselves." Their conversation ended as they came to the top of an enormous stair. The shadows laying across the cave made the stairs seem even larger. But that wasn't the biggest problem. A stair just as large as the one they where facing was going upward and even another tunnel was leading forward. "Do you know anything about this?" He asked her. He felt how his hope shattered. "What're we going to do?" Thomas said, clearly irritated by this problem. "I'm not sure." Marina said. "Where did you put those papers?" He asked the other girls. He remembered that Anna, or had it bean Ruth?, who'd shown him the map of the installation. "Here." He quickly grabbed the plance of the caverns. "Here, let me help." Marina came closer so more light became shed upon it. "The city of Karhak Warn is aboce us." He said is he read the map. "The ancient areas lay below us and I think that will be the best way to go." "Why don't go upward?" Thomas asked. "It'll be quicker to just go the short rout through." John smiled without humour. "I don't think so." He merely said. "According to this thing all the upper gates has bean closed. But that don't mean anything, for us I mean. Those gates only lead into farming areas upon the mountain's face. To get out into Riverdale we'll have to go downward." Thomas cursed. "What's wrong?" Anna asked him with a worried look upon her face. Thomas looked away. "Nothing really. It's just that this reminds me about how I laboured in the New Order's prison-camp." Anna tried to put a hand on his shoulder, but Thomas moved away from Her. John shook his head. He felt a little uncomfortable about Anna's fantasies himself. There was no reason to be mean against her. "Then lead the way father Belmont." Thomas sarcastically said as he prepared his weapons. John prepared his own blade. "Come Marina," He said. "lit the way for us." She nodded and came up to him. They then began walking.

Town of Aliba, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
Arrows flew through the air from hidden archers. Elves, dwarves and Centaurs screamed and fell as the deathly projectiles hitt them. The lost souls of Dracula cheered and advanced forward. St. Germain undid the wounds of those he could reach before he pressed onward. He unleashed boom after boom from his shotgun He knew where his adversary was and he knew he was near. Ludwig Von Bork. If he was allowed to get away he would someday defeat Alucard. The Belmont clan needed him too much for that to happen. He shot the lock of the building to pieces and then stepped inside. He used his power to freeze the guards in place as he went through the house to find the steps leading up to the rooftop. He calmly smiled as he found the steps to the first floor. Then he did the same to the dark soldiers here as he'd done with those downstairs. Then he climbed the ladder leading up to where he wanted to go. He heard the sounds of fired arrows just as he arrived upon the roof. He froze them in time and the arrows fell to the ground. The boar-snipers gasped as they gazed upon what he'd done with the arrows. "Ludwig Von Bork." He said chillingly. "I have come for you." The vampire had already his sword and shield at the ready. He drew his own blade and then moved into a ready-position. "Ready?" He asked the enemy. Von Bork removed his cloak and then nodded. "Ready." He smiled, Germain bowed and Von Bork moved at him. A bolt of crimson lightning struck down from the clear night sky and he removed it from time. "Good." Von Bork's smile became even larger. "Sword-familiar, bat-familiar and demon-familiar! Come to my aid!" The three familiars appeared just as steel struck steel. Von Bork was an exelent fencer, he understood how the future could be a possible threat. He slightly withdrew and had to concentrate upon defensive sword-play. The demon-familiar shot balls of flames at him and he undid them. He knew he had to be careful when doing so. He had his mandate, like all of his kind. He teleported away and then fired a boom with his shotgun. The demon-familiar burst into flames as it perished. He screamed as the sword-familiar stabbed at him. The body-armour he carried under his robes blocked the stab. But it sent him sprawling against the roof. Von Bork came at him as bats and reformed before him. He again teleported and was again ready to face him. "Balls of destruction!" The vampire made the same motion as if he'd spread his cloak and two blue bat-inhabited fireballs flew at him. He froze them in time and destroyed them with two well-placed buttlets. Then he just barely managed to bring out his blade as Von Bork attacked. He kicked the vampire in the chest and even dough he was protected by his armour he was sent flying across the ceiling. He dashed toward him and although Von Bork managed to struggle to his feet and meat him with his blade, it now was the undead nobleman who was forced to defend himself. The bat-familiar spat flames at him and he was forced to abolish it with another bullet. He'd emptied the pistol by now, but that was a problem he would have to deal with later. That short pause was all Von Bork needed. Again it was the vampire who was on the offensive. Although he'd managed to deliver a few blows upon his undead foe, but it didn't look like they where slowing him. His own damages burned like Hellfire and although he mostly managed to ignore it, it was slowing him somewhat. The sword-familiar attacked him at any time it saw an opportunity and thus splintered his concentration. He then managed to freeze the last familiar in time and then sent it crashing to the streets far below. The spell would not last forever, but it would serve him right. "Crimson lightning! Balls of destruction!" Von Bork made bolts of crimson lightning strike at him just as he made two blue bat-inhabited fireballs fly at him. He teleported again and bought himself time to reload his shotgun. "Time's up." He calmly said. "Not yet!" Von Bork snarled, exposing his fangs. "Balls of destruction!" The twin fireballs flew at him and he froze them in time and then crushed them with two well-aimed shots. The third shot pierced the vampires dead hearth. "You think that will be enough to stop me?" Von Bork began. He teleported right before him and then cut the head off. Then he gave the hearth the same treatment. Then he jumped backward as the dying vampire exploded into eerie blue flames. But he felt joy as he saw the look upon his face before the last decaying. It had bean worth it. The look of peace and celestial happiness upon his face was a sign of that he had bean forgiven. His soul was set free and the future was again secured for what had to be.

Command tower, Maw installation. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
Gilles knew they where coming as soon as the doors slid open. He rouse out of his seat and went to meet them. "It is an unexpected pleasure to finally meet you in person." He said as he slightly bowed. After all, he was merely a possible successor. He was not the Dark Lord yet. "I know that, De Reis." Rudolf Malus, the avatar of lord Dracula smiled. He was truly a charming little boy. The short blue hear was combed so well that it shone and his blue eyes looked you right in the eyes. He was dressed, like he liked it, from the Rococo-period of queen Ann. With a simple green jacket of velvet and grey silk trousers. The lace-work at the neck and sleeves was really nothing compared to the Barock and his black shoes shone like gemstones. The belt shone with leafed gold as an reflect of the leaves and wyrms embroidered upon his jacket. His next words however killed the smile. "SS-captain Stern and supreme warlord Spare are dead." The soft low voice of Malus made the words sound less important. "Lord Bosi is the new leader of the SS and Pied Hellstrom is the new supreme warlord." Gilles thoughtfully nodded. The appointments where no real surprises. The two vampires Malus had mentioned where individual who's loyalty was unquestionable. "Doctor Frankenstein and his crew are preparing the commando-units and I am to resume command of the "Maw" installation. You, De Reis, is free to leave your post and return to the Laruba mansion." The last words had a demanding tone who cleary advised no nay-sayings. He again bowed and then vanished.

Malus slowly walked toward the administrator's seat and then climbed into it. This body was 8 years old and the chair was all too large for him to fitt inside. That was of no importance. "Abbadon." He snapped and his servant came closer. "I want all defence-potsts at stand-by alert." "Yes, my lord." The embodiment of pestilence went over to the main communication-consol to execute his will. If the situation in the town of Aliba should expand, he would be prepared to face them. Then there was this other case of the Belmont infiltration. He had spoken with the gate's soldiers before he came here. Even dough he had lost track of their current whereabouts he would sooner or later receive them here. He had seen to that. And he had also seen to that the souls needed would be ready to great them. He cradled into the stool like a child as he calmly awaited his enemies arrival. If he could bring down his master's enemies he would surely become the new Dark Lord. That he was sure of.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
Water dripped down from the pointed stalagmites above them and for the first time in a long while Marina could resist the urge to reach out to manipulate the water. It was something wrong about it. She couldn't explain it more clearly. It tasted bitter. That was it."Is there anything wrong, Marina?" John suddenly asked her. "I don't like this place." Thomas nodded. It was an absent look on the man-beast's face. "The water smell bad. I don't mean to be rude Marina. But it just feel bad." They began to climb down a new set of stairs and her light made them see the beautiful patterns carved into the walls. "Don't look." John advised. "The elves and man-beasts are masters of pattern magic. Following them might activate the spells." She nodded and tore her eyes off of the decorative patterns.

Thomas looked around. It felt strange being here. It was like coming home. But on the other hand, he didn't wat to be here. The air was becoming foul and fouler still. He sniffed the air, his scents was becoming more and more accurate as he got better control of his powers. "It is the ceremonial ground." John calmly said as he moved his hand about. Thomas nodded. He was likely right. The large domed chambers and the walls where painted with pictures of combating man-beasts. "I don't like this place." Anna suddenly said. "I'm not afraid to say so." John looked around on them all. "I think it is time we shall have a roundup of what we thinks." He nodded. "It's a bad smell here and I don't like it. It make me think of burning cols." Marina nodded. "The water here is polluted by heavy metals or some chemicals or garbage I don't recognise." John nodded, a humourless smile crossed his face. "That conclude to my ideas that Brentcorp is behind this. The wildlife and environment organisations have bean after them sine 1969." Now it was he who smiled without happiness. The more information he got about this Brentcorp the more he disliked them. "I hope the are here." He closed his fists around his lance. Then he heard it. The sound of a heavy chain who became dragged along the floor.

Town of Aliba, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
Bronze cursed as she saw the town was under attack. "The town is burning." Yukuri said with shock upon her face. She nodded as her face became grim. "What are we going to do?" She asked her mistress. Bronze shook her head, trying to get hold of herself. "We're going to gather as many of the stray servants as we can and then retreat back to Laruba mansion. Lady Malpheffa will know what to do." "I hope you know what you do." Yukuri said. She hoped her face didn't revealed how unsure she was. Lord Dracula had his eyes concentrated elsewhere, for what reason she didn't know. But that was not important. He would see to that this did not went on unpunished. She kicked the Raptor in the side and the little dinosaur went forward.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
The small ponds of water upon the cave floor now had grown to large ponds and the polluted water began to ¾ up their legs. Because Marina felt sick by just touching it. John had went back and forth before the ponds. They couldn't afford to carry her across the water and they couldn't know how far the water want. He was brought out of his thoughts as Thomas put a hand on his shoulder. "Not to intrude old man, but I don't like those flowers over there." He looked where Thomas pointed and nodded. "Corpse-weeds." Marina said as she moved even further away from the ponds. "I think you're right." John said as he inspected them more closely. "Then what the heck are we going to do?" Ruth said as she caressed the blade of her axe. "Wait a moment." He again brought out the map. "John!" He rouse his eyes and dropped the map and sliced the green trunk of the corpse-weed who reached for him. "Watch out!" Marina stuck the lamp to a cramp in the wall and then pressed the poisonous green chlorophyll with a solid burst of ice. "Bevare of the thorn-weeds!" Marina shouted as she shattered another and even larger flower to oblivion. Ruth snarled as she fiercely swung the axe like some 16th. century butcher as she cut down the flowers standing in her path. And even dough the acidic chlorophyll of the corpse-weeds and thorn-weeds tore through her trousers and jacket she continued to hack through the "plant-life". John knelt down and just barely managed to rip the map into his pocket as he stamped the envelope containing the Host upon the nearest corpse-weeds. It was not much yet of the price-less Host but he had to do what he had to do. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed how Anna was stripping as she threw flames about like the perfect combo of a hore and a sorceress. "Come on!" He shouted, grabbing her cloth and her arm. The others where already on the move and Marina and Anna covered up the retreat.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
They where walking back through the chambers they'd grown to know when Thomas suddenly spoke. "Anna," He slowly began. "I don't like you stripping. So could you please stop doing so?" Bough John and Marina looked at him. Ruth however was inspecting the burned remains of her clothings. Anna looked gaze with him. "Don't you like it?" She gave him a humourless smile. "The customers at the maiden's house all thought I was beautiful." He snorted. "I understand why your predecessors so easily fell wictim to Dracula." She looked away and then suddenly slapped him. "Don't mock my family!" She nearly screamed. "I know what you think of me. I know you think I'm some loose individual who only seek sex. And all because I love more than one man. Lucy Westenra was a good woman and her death gave other strength to good men and a good woman to fight evil. And for the stripping, I have part in magic and dancing is the way I unleash it." He felt how shame made his cheek turned red. But not just shame. Anger. He felt anger. How could this slut of a woman dared to lecture him? He opened his mouth to counter the oral challenge. Then they again heard it. The dragging of heavy chains across the rocky floor. And this time the sound was followed by other sounds. Running feet and shouts from a distant location resounded throughout the area. "I don't like this." John said in a low voice. "Tell me about it." Ruth held the axe in her hands and Anna was ready with daggers in her hands. But it wasn't the owners of the distant voices who challenged them first. They came out into the large domed cave with the battle-scenes painted upon the walls. But now there was somebody else there. The doors became closed by something who looked like woven silver. Even so, that Ruth discovered when slashing her axe at it, they where strong as steel or diamonds. "Watch out!" Marina screamed. Then she dropped the light upon the floor and hid her face in her hands. "What's wrong?" John knelt down beside her. "It is Ruto's bane." She whispered. Just then a large massive body fell down. Six enormous hairy bones rouse like massive men and six green eyes as large as tablets looked upon them with a merciless intelligence which shouldn't really be there. The body was as large as an entire automobile and Thomas felt how his voice resounded among the walls with fear and disgust.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2+09 A.D.
John Belmont knew they would have to win or die. The giant spider was a monster who should have died out some millennia ago. He made flames burn around his blade and cut through the woven webs spun at them. Just then the distant voices and footsteps came out into the battle-arena. Boar-men, lizard-men and goat-men came running out of the crossing tunnels, roaring and waving with lit torches and drawn weapons. It was so many that they could possibly overwhelmed them. But it was the giant spider who had his whole attention. The spectators would remain out of the way until the spider had killed them he figured. If they should turn out as the victorious, then perhaps they would attack, but not now. The spider's six green eyes burned at him with a merciless intelligence he could almost taste. He saw his own death there. He knew it as if the spider had shouted it directly at him. He knew the armour-like shells would resist even a flame-powered sword. The eyes and soft belly, on the other hand, wouldn't even secure against his throwing-daggers. Then he remembered it. The throwing-dagger was a weapon found by the great Leon Belmont and brandished by the near legendary Sonia Belmont. He smiled, doing the sign of the cross. "God lives!" He shouted and then went forward. He threw the throwing-axe at it and whitish-gold light exploded and the giant spider fell down. It rouse upon its four backside legs and weaved poisonous webs at him. He threw himself to the side and threw the gold-knives at it. It curled together and the kvines returned to him. He dashed at it with orange flames blazing around his slightly-curved blade. It unrolled and spat acid at him and then quickly withdrew, climbing. He rouse his crucifix and the cobwebs spone at him. "John!" Marina, having tore loose from her horror, came running toward him as she generated a shield of ice before him. The frozen shield shattered upon impact and he threw the throwing-daggers. They split into a seemingly never-ending wave of daggers. The giant spider fell to the ground and it didn't rouse this time. "You possess time-magic?" The short naiad said almost shock. Before he could answer, the giant spider rouse anew. "How it is possible?" Ruth came up on his other side, pale-faced and trembling. But he could see she was bent on defeating their enemy. "What I know about the giant spiders descends from an ancient Greek text found in the Roman catacombs where the first Christians hid themselves." He slashed through the new spines sent at them and they then had to run to avoid the acid spat by their large opponent. "It was merely a fragment. But it is spoken about large spiders the Dvil sent to kill leading members among the original JerusalemJew-Christians. They where demons harvested by the hollowness of the void surrounding the concrete bore into Satan's prison. Mere magic has little effect upon them. They must be killed. Cut to pieces and burned to oblivion." John ran to cut down the webs surrounding the other exit. "Marina, your magic can't help me now. Take Thomas and Anna back to the large staircase. Wait for us there. If God will we'll meat up with you there." She wanted to protest, but he pushed her against the exit. She finally nodded and he moved for Ruth to cover their retreat. He noticed the spectators began follow his friends but that he'd expected. "Take this your blody Satanitsts!" He picked out his envelope containing the Host and tosses it at the floor. The envelope hindered the lost souls from entering the main-tunnel. They instead went toward the other exits. Hopefully it would take some time for thos freaks to keep up with them. "John! Watch out!" He did a back-flip on mere instinct and a glob of acid made smoke rise out of the place he'd bean. "Attack the legs." He told her. "They and the belly are the weakest spots!" He did a side-dash as the giant spider again spat acid at him. "God with us!" He threw the gold-knives at the large demon and blood splashed upon the floor as the spider collided against the floor. "For the house of David!" Ruth cried her own war-cry as she swung her heavy axe at the nearest leg. It shattered but even so the wounded spider managed to limp away. "Clean of the blood." He advised. "The blood will melt the steel if you don't make it." She used the cape a boar-man had left behind and then screamed as the spider trapped her within its web. "Not in Heaven or Hell!" He snarled as he cut through the sticky cobweb and even unlit one of the sick green eyes. It tried poison him with its monstrous beak but became blocked by his armour-protected tunic. He however felt how burns erupted upon his skin and that he screamed as the heavy attack made one of his robs became shattered. Gasping for breath he saw how the spider towered above him. "Jawhe!" Ruth came dashing in, still with webs hanging around her, and dux her axe deep into the face of the spider. Acidic blood splattered all about and he wasn't the only one who screamed as he felt the burning liquid hit him. Ruth continued driving the axe deeper into the brain of that bastard and then collapsed to the floor. Only her tunic and boots where left, pluss her belt. Their heavy fabric was the only who'd protected against the malicious blood. He summoned the element of life, which was one of his spiritual properties. He noticed how his crucifix turned into a eerie blue. "Cross of the blue moon." He mumbled, not knowing exactly why, and then lay the cross upon her hearth. A soft whitish-gold glow began surgeing through her. "Make it." He whispered. "Wi can't make it without you. Your knowledge will be essential when searching to defeat Dracula. You have suffered enough to die like this." He stroke through her long light-blonde hair and felt more helpless than he'd done ever before. "God, please," He prayed. "give me strength." His hand continued to comb her silky soft hair. The solft whitish gold glow slowly subsided and slowly she opened her eyes. "Is it dead?" She asked. "It is finished?" He smiled. The giant spider was dead as a doornail and had already begun decaying. "See for yourself." He said as he helped her stand. She used some of he own shattered cloudings. Then she re-sheeted the axe. John picked up the Host. Then they began running down the tunnel which he'd sent his friends. If nothing else he hoped they would come fast enough to save them from the back of beast-men.

Laruba mansion, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
Gilles De Reis stepped forward, walking across the Laruba family crest embedded withing the floor. Malpheffa De Laruba was a pleasant surprise. The warg in copper and red was rather fitting. Inded since lady Malpheffa herself was a short young woman with small features, burning red hair and light-copper skin. The dress in brown and blue was an elegant masterpiece of the Renesance-period. Abbadon however was no individual he would want to become properly introduced with. Her very presence made him notice the scent of rotting flesh and bitter blood radiating off of hi. That was the only unpleasant objective around his new command. Assisting young Malus as military advisor was a task better suited for a vampire with his qualities. He suspected the embodiment of pestilence was the Dark Lord Dracula's watcher who should keep track of Malus's accomplishments. While he awaited the young vampires aravial was a time of recovering. The musicians ended their tune and he ended the dance with young mistress Laruba. Being back in his suit of armour was a boon in itself. "I have a surprise for you, ly lord." She whispered in her soft although hoarse little voice. "What is that, my lady?" She smiled up at him. Her lips was a perfect little red rose, petite like the rest of her features, with natural red lips formed into a mysterious little smile. Her large green eyes shone with near childish glee. "I have two young gentlemen waiting for you downstairs." Now it was he who smiled. She knew well his taste and he was really grateful for that she took this care of him. They was about to leave the dance hall when one of the undead butlers came running over to them. "Boyar De Laruba," He said in a somewhat hurried tone. "Two soldiers of the New Order has arrived with some other servants from the Millits in the town of Aliba." Gilles De Reis and Malpheffa looked at each other, then she, being the lady of the manor, took control of the situation. "Bring them to me at once." The butler bowed and then left them. Soon he came back with two female vampires. One African one and the other was a Chinese vampire of some note he believed. They knelt before them. The butler left them and Abbadon came closer. It was the African vampire who did the talking. The news they came with made rage well up within him. He noticed lady Malpheffa's eyes began glowing red with flames. "The resistance movement has sled the town of Aliba and shut it to pieces. The bastion at Karack Warn sent us a a message that the prisoners made a revolt." They noticed a somewhat mystified look upon her face. The Chinese servant put a hand on her cheek. "He said they had activated the crystal Lord Dracula sent them." It had bean a waste of power and investement to send that thing to Frankenstein. That however would have to wait for another time. "Continue to the village of Ondol." Malpheffa commanded. They had not many soldiers here, this was an administrative installation and no fortress. "I have wounded men and souls with me." She said defensively. "I know you have a medical-wing here. I'm responsible for their wellfear since it was me, us, who got them out of that acursed death-trap." Deciding by their uniforms Gilles De Reis suspected they where beast-riders, scout-troopers of the New Order military. "What is your names?" Lady Malpheffa asked. "My name is Bronze Laban, my lady." The African vampire said, bowing slightly. "Countess, you might call me Yukuri Wong." The Chinese one said. De Laruba smiled at him as she slightly shook her head. "You must exuse me, but this is more disturbing than I first expected." He bowed in turn and she and Abbadon left the dance hall togheter with Labanga and Wong. He turned to mist. He needed blood and he was going to receive it. That lady Malpheffa had remedied for him and he was not intending to spoil her efforts.

Dreary cavern, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
John knew it was a mistake as soon he heard it move behind him. The scroll had strongly advised against this. "How it is possible?!" Ruth screamed with dread painted all across her face. The giant spider came lumping toward them with black blood and brain leaking out of the gash in its head. "Nothing is impossible for the Lord and very little is out of the Devil's reach. Look." He pointed with his blade. "It is resurrecting itself." As they watched, the leg grew back out and the gash began closing. The eye they'd destroyed lit up with new flames and he again felt the dread who'd haunted him before. "Ruth." He said in a stern tone. "you don't need to do it this time." The young woman grasped tightly around the axe. Now it was she who was focused on the challenge ahead. She cut through the webs their enemy weaved at them. Then she did a super-jump all across the spider. It turned at her but he was already on the move. He threw the throwing-dagger at its back, again making that wave of knives fly at it. But this time he hit the shell-protected backside of the monsters and all his daggers became repelled. He was beginning to run out of crystals and there was very little candles left around them. If he'd only had some holy water. Ruth swung the axe right at the spider's face but the diabolical beast did a quick jump backward and then stabbed its beak at her. She did a clever back-flip and then kicked the spider right in its face. The spider spat acid mixed with blood and then slung a cobwed around her. John was making axes rain over the spider as he moced to cut her free. He had to drop himself to the floor and then rolled to the side as the monstrous demon stabbed one of its giant claws right at him. Blood oozed from the wounds in the spider's large body and the rock began emiting smoke. He rouse his crucifix and a he rouse slightly into the air. He felt how something great burn behind him and then a wave of flames shot forward. "God is with us." Ruth said as she came running up to him. The spider then hit him with its acid and only by rolling along the ground he managed to turn of the heath who'd surged through him. The broken ribs had become healed when his crucifix had turned blue. Ruth slashed the axe directly upward and another of their enemy's large legs became chopped off. The spider retreated by climbing up the ceiling and out of their reach. A strange shattering sound followed and soon small spiders where crawling about. He used the power of the crucifix as Ruth ran around crashing spiders under her feet. John noticed, by the look on her face, that he wasn't the only one a little grossed out. He threw his axe and prayed God to aid him. The strange eerie sounds of bells again sounded as the spider became froze in time. It fell down and deciding by the crashing sound it has snapped some other of its large claws. He attacked and quickly cut off its head. But what was he then to do? He had no holy water and he wasn't sure the Host would suffice on something this big. Then he smiled. God was with him. He picked out a bag of water and then placed his crucifix over the water and spoke a prayer. He was a priest himself and this would work, at least for this. The giant spider shouldn't really be in this world and the balance of nature would be on his side. Already had the large monsters began moving. "Now it is your turn your monstrous bastard." He mumbled between gnarling teeth. He poured the entire bag across the spider and flames exploded as the demon became shot to pieces. "It is over." Ruth said. John nodded and to his own surprise smiled. "At least for now." Then his voice rouse wit excitement. "This time we actually made it Ruth! God with us!" He saw tears in her eyes and almost on instinct he put his arms around her. They moved apart and she drew her eyes. "Jawhe really is with us." They began gathering their belongings and then began walking. By now the beasts must have kept up with Marina and the others. HE only hoped their could hold their own until he and Ruth kept up with them.

Karack Warn, Warakiya. The 20th. of December 2098 A.D.
Scolpia Gnargson, Fobu Sinor and Silko Thongu gathered around the ancient urn lord Dracula had sent them. They knew what they had to do. The two boar-lords and the lizard-shamans cut themselves in their left wrist and as blood became spilled over the ancient object they threw it hard against the floor just as they drew their blades deep into their own hearts.

She rose out of the ashes. She had bean given life anew and she was free to rule again. She could feel his presence, the new representative of chaos. She smiled. Darkness was truly the true perspective of life. She had passed that doctrine down through time and now finally she had returned. She let her hands glide down her body. She wandered which form they had given her? But that was of less concearn. She began dressing herself and then picked up the mirror they had bean kind enough to suply her. She smiled and then sat up her hair like horns. The rest of the flowing black locks she let fall loose down her shoulders. Pale black eyes looked back from the mirrors under heavy eyelids and her red lips curved into a cold malicious smile. She put on the small ring and a small figure rouse up. She knew who he was, dough not who he was. But she knew what was demanded of her. "I salute thee my lord." She said. She noticed her voice was clear and cold, like frozen bells of crystal. "Who is your lord?" He asked her. She knew the answer. "The Dark Enemy of the worlds." She could not see his face but she could feel his satisfaction. "The spirit control body and mind. But the body effect upon the mind too. I gave you the body of a black elf, Morhedwen Iglarien was her name. But the world shall knew you as the netherwitch, Ashera." She bowed her head. She picked up the wand with the dark pale orb upon its top. "I thank thee, Dark Lord Dracula." Again she felt his satisfaction. "This is what you shall do." He said. She acknowledged his instructions.

(A.N: This chapter is perhaps a little fragmented. It is as you might know a chapter made to honour Tolkien. It is also a text intended to give right to the Old Testament. Mery Christmas.")

Chapter 29: The Story Continues | Back to Chapter 27