Part 1: Quest of the Vampire Killer.

"This kind might only be driven out with prayer."

Mark:

Chapter 38: Don't wait until dawn.
The skull, Uta Lake. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.

Mae in stood atop the isle known as the skull. From here she had an excellent view of the lake. Or she would have if it hadn't been for the mist shrouding everything. The bow the warlock lord had given her hung across Mae Lin's shoulders. The quivers hug at her side. She could've hit Chistian Belmont from this location. Mae Lin's undead state made her see through the fog and right down upon the vampire hunter which approached. That wasn't in the cards dough. MaeLin wanted Christian to know who killed him. The mere thought of the last time they met sent a snarl across her face. She knew she'd underestimated the boy. That wasn't going to repeat itself. This time she would emerge victorious.

She watched the vampire from the shadows. How dared she trespass upon her domain!? The Dark Lord decreed that all who entered the isle was her legal pray. The vampire wished to kill the boy she'd seen coming. She snarled. She was going to reach him first.

The skull, Uta Lake. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
When Christian Belmont and Genya Arikado first sat foot upon the isle, the ferryman's boat vanished into the mist. Christian shrugged. The ferryman didn't really surprise him anymore. The shrouded figure seems to come and go as he pleased. "How do you think we shall return to Bodley?" Arikado asked in perfect Italian. Dough with a strong Japanese accent. "The Lord will guide us." Christian said. Just then the mist parted. The stars shone through and first now Christian discovered how cold it really was. It wasn't that which made him shiver slightly. In front and above them a single mountain climbed toward the sky. Centuries of hard weather had carved and moulded the cliff's face so that it really looked like a naked human skull. "I don't like this." Christian confessed his voice a mere whisper. "I do not like it either." Arikado said, affording a cold hearted bow. Christian put a hand on the Vampire Killer. Again he wished he and Thomas had held the ritual before they split. He gathered himself an began walking. Genya was behind him and slightly to the right. Christian made the sign of the cross. The isle stanched of evil powers. The beach was flat like a football station. The isle almost immediately started going upward. A few clusters of trees grew some distance away. Dough it looked like all pine trees which once grew in front of the giant skull face had been cleared away. The beach looked like it went on forever. Then Chistian noticed that it wasn't really sand. It was snow. At least this isle looked to be untouched by he curse cast on the lake. He opened his mouth to tell Genya. Then Christian noticed Arikado was all gone. Christian frowned. It looked like the mysterious man wanted to test him. From the snow around Christian a group of dead pirates appeared. Christian whipped at them. The corpses drew their hidden blades as Christian sprinkled them with holy water. Although the fight was nearly completely silent he'd scared up the birds. A flock of ravens lifted from the nearest trees and flew toward him. Christian gathered himself as the ravens flew at him. Christian could already feel their evil. They wanted him dead with such desire he could almost taste it. Christian threw is boomerang-cross and used his bloodline power to make it split into multiple crosses. Black feathers rained to the earth as the ravens met their fate. Before the corpses could land they burst into flames. Christian grimly nodded. The ravens had been infused with the evil which came from the demon castle. More dead pirates appeared from the snow. Christian drew the dagger. With his bloodline magic he made it split into three. All daggers buried themselves into the rotting flesh of his opponents. Christian whipped the remaining bats into oblivion. Another flock of ravens came from the wood. Five new pirates rise from the snow. Christian surrounded himself inside a shield of holy water. Christian wished he'd only had the DSS-cards. Then there would've been easier defeating these monsters. Christian reached for his crucifix. The light shining inside Christian's innermost soul lit up A storm of cross-shaped silver flames rained across the battlefield. Christian smiled. He hoped Richter Belmont would be proud of him. He jogged forward, approaching the wood ahead.

Genya Arikado watched the boy advance. The Lord knew the boy was a true vampire hunter. Even so. Night was falling upon Europe. The Belmont clan and the Christian churches was all which stood in Evil's way. He knew the elders and the other counties would help. This was no war they could win. If the Dark Lord had been the only enemy he knew what to expect. Now things where different. The bearers of the seeds of Chaos had to be defeated.

Mae Lin watched the boy. His red hair blowing around his face. His eyes filled with a determined faith which was seldom among his species. It almost was a pity she had to kill him. There was something about Christian Belmont which drew her toward him. Mae Lin licked her fangs. The boy was only 12 years old and not the kind she enjoyed. She would not fail dough. Christian Belmont should die.

The skull, Uta Lake. The 21st. Of December 2098 A.D.
Christian continued climbing the mountain side. The piled snow made it difficult judging the condition of the ground. A few ravens left the skull face above him. Christian threw holy water at them. It would be impossible to climb up the skull. But up he had to go. Christian felt the ice beckon him from somewhere inside the skull. On closer inspection Christian discovered that bellow the monstrous cliffs which looked like teeth where multiple openings. All felt wrong on this isle. Christian had no choice. Finally he reached the nearest opening. Almost unpenetrateable blackness shrouded the cave after only a few steps. Christian looked back. "Strange." It was like the snow outside looked duller than it should. He shrugged. Christian soon discovered that his eye sight soon regained their strength. It was like a faint blue glow lit the cave and made it barely visible. Christian noticed the light came from a certain moss growing on the cavern walls. Flapping of multiple wings made him snap back to reality. Multiple bats flew at him. Christian reached for his crucifix and sent flames forward. This time it was mere ordinary flames. The bats scattered. Christian cracked the Vampire Killer, whipping the bats into oblivion. The tunnel went on, worming like a snake through the mountain. He did the sign of the cross. There where candles around. Christian whipped at some. Picking up the food and crystals which fell out. A tunnel crossed the one in which Christian walked. Christian was unsure which way to go. He went down the new tunnel, only to enter into an abandoned dungeon. Bats suddenly came at him. Christian whipped at them and also threw his boomerang at them. Thick blue smoke filled the cave as he finished the final bats. He frowned. That evil sensation again seemed to fill the air. Then the dusty old bones inside the old cells suddenly began to move. Christian shuddered. Not with fear dough. The blue smoke grew colder by the second. It seemed to settle around the bones. They where blue bones Christian figured. The remains of people which died of cold temperatures. They could freeze through contact. Christian rew backward as the blue bones gathered around him. Christian summoned his courage and threw holy water abroad. The bones shattered. Still their splintered bones inflicted multiple smaller wounds as they flew all about. Christian drew even further back whipped at his enemies. Christian breathed heavily as the last blue bone collapsed into a heap. The tunnel continued deeper into the mountain. Christian didn't care. Defeating a few more bats he hurried back to where the tunnels met. Christian then stood before another problem. Which way should he really follow Each tunnel lead higher upward. Then Christian remembered an old fairy-tale. "Always go to the left." He reminded himself. Then he added. "Follow your heart." The left one happened to be the one he'd originally walked. Christian shrugged. He continued walking. Still the eerie cold grew stronger again. The tunnel entered into a small chamber; moulded out of the mountain itself it looked like. Three new tunnels opened from the chamber. A single torch burned at the centre of the chamber. Christian left the opening of the tunnel he came from. The ceiling domed itself high; high above him A faint blue glow seemed to burn somewhere up there. The glowing things drew closer. Christian almost jumped as the frost demons released their small rains of icicles. Christian shuddered as the freezing projectiles rained down upon him. Thank the Lord! Christian managed to dodge some of the ice as he summoned fire to his Vampire Killer whip. The frost demons fired at him again. Christian reached for his crucifix and made flames shoot forward. There where three of the elemental demons. Two demons were defeated. The final one made new icicles fall toward Christian. Christian felt blood run own his shoulders as the ice hit home. The attack hadn't been powerful enough to kill him. Christian flailed his whip at the demon's next round of frost. Then he sent the demon back to Hell by dousing it with holy water. Christian drank some of his healing potion. He thanked the Lord for not being cursed by the demons. Now then. Where should he go? Christian knew he wasn't closer to the ice then he'd been before. The one potion he'd found in the wood wouldn't last forever. That really was a problem. Neither Zoe nor Noriko had healing powers. Renon would give them anything they needed, for a price. Christian knew dough about Renon's ultimate goal. Standing at the blue torch Christian decided to continue leftward. If he'd only had one of those compasses legend said some of his ancestors used in their quests. Christian whipped at the candles. There where nothing interesting inside of them dough. Just a few more crystals. Christian made the sign of the cross. Deeper into the tunnel that eerie blue mist again began thickening. He was unsure on what to do. Christian knew that when hunting vampires as powerful as Dracul mend he couldn't avoid battle. There was no reason running into things. What if this way wasn't the correct one after all? Then Christian stepped forward. He'd decided to go leftward. He had then to remain true to that decision. The blue mist continued to shine with its mysterious luminous glow. The air grew colder by every step. Christian frowned. The tunnel merely continued forward. Only a few more bats flew and circled above him. Then a group of blue bones came walking out of the fog. Christian immediately threw holy water at the skeletons. Now the bats also began paying attention. "Mimic!" It was almost a curse. Christian knew well about these evil spirits which took on the shapes of bats. They imitated the elemental power strongest in their surroundings. Christian was hit by the shattered pieces of the bones. He hadn't time to inspect his condition. One bat flew right into his left shoulder. Christian screamed. It was like frozen icicles became drilled into his shoulder. He stamped the crucifix upon the mimic and watched it burn. There where more of them dough. Now more blue bones also appeared. Christian sent his throwing-cross towards the bone-men. He summoned his bloodline power and made it split into multiple crosses. More mimic landed upon him. Christian shivered with cold. He threw holy water upon the beasts and stamped the crucifix upon other. Finally the blue mist lifted. Christian leaned against the wall. He knew it was with God's and Michael the Arch Angel's aid he'd defeated the evil spirits. Gathering himself Christian prayed his gratitude "Amen." He ended the prayer with the sign of he cross. Then he continued forward.

She watched the boy. The vampire had aimed at him twice. Still she hadn't fired. Now she saw why. The boy was interesting. He had something few men possessed. Faith and certainty. So strong to be so young. "I will ram him with deaths which mention the word death." The lines where from a showcase she'd seen long ago. They really where suitable to describe the situation. She was going to give death to him who spelled death upon the Dark Lord's followers.

The skull, Uta Lake. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Christian Belmont stepped into another of those torch lit rooms. Still in here the domed ceiling seemed to reach forever into the shadows above him. The same eerie blue mist which'd filled other areas of the cave filled even this chamber. Christian was prepared dough. There where something different about this chamber. Rotting old boxes stood against the walls, beside each of the four exits. This was the first sign since he'd left the prison that, once upon a time, these caverns must have been inhabited. The scent of decaying flesh filled the air. Several dead boddies lay sprawled throughout the rubble. The dry and cold air preserved flesh but not forever. When Christian entered the room, multiple mimics flew at him. The flapping of leathery wings was the only warning. By now Christian knew how to handle the beasts. He threw the boomerang and through his bloodline powers Christian made it split into multiple crosses. Not before he'd finished them off, another danger presented itself. The dead corpses rised and began walking toward him with drawn blades. Christian made the sign of the cross. He should've known they where dead pirates. The remains of sailor's clothing should've told him that much. Christian cracked the Vampire Killer at them and threw holy water. He drew himself up against the wall. Whipping the pirates into flames Christian prayed the Lord would help him. The pirates where quick and agile. Although the evil spell which kept them alive wasn't that powerful in itself, it didn't mattered. Christian whipped another pirate into oblivion. The three remaining corpses seemed to withdraw a little. Christian threw back his red hair. Due to several weeks journey's dust and dirt it'd lost its lustrous red glow. The armour-plated tunic and military jacket he'd wore just as long didn't look any better. Christian gattered himself. He was dirty and unkept. Still he had his ancestor's whip and Christian also had his faith. With a sudden cry Christian threw himself forward, the Vampire Killer surrounded by bright flames. The first pirate was destroyed before it could even defend itself. The others stabbed at him. Christian dropped himself to the floor. He rolled out of reach and got back up. Christian drew his family dagger and threw it at them. Through bloodline power Christian made the sharp blade split into three. The second pirate collapsed into a heap of ashes. Then the final pirate kicked him. Christian landed hard upon the floor. All air gone from his lungs. Christian watched almost numbly how the last pirate moved for the kill. "Jesus!" Somewhere deep inside himself Christian found the strength to cry. The mentioning of the son of God made the corpse puzzle. Only for a second dough. That was all Christian needed. From a poket Christian brought out the envelope. Christian held the Host up in defence. "Holy by the Father, the Son and by the Holy Ghost!" Flames of silver lit up around the envelope and the dead pirate exploded. "Thank you God." Christian knelt, making the sign of the cross upon the envelope. The hunt might seem impossible. There still was something greater than Dracula and his darkness. The Lord would guide him. He would know when to lift the curse upon the land. Christian silently prayed a short moment inside the shabby old cave. Then he got to his feet, feeling refreshed and strengthened. Christian moved for the leftmost tunnel. The tunnel continued going upward. The ice beaconed him from atop the mountain. Christian continued forward. Flapping wings warned him there where enemies coming. There where no blue mist here dough. No need grewing careless. The bats could kill him and Christian knew it.

Genya Arikado smiled. It was all really impressive. The boy was not just another vampire hunting warrior. The boy carried the faith a true Belmont needed to fight the cursed one. He was like Sonia Belmont and Trevor Belmont. The war would continue. He knew the Belmont still had not passed the test. Arikado knew he had to be by his side when that happened. That was the reason why he was sent to meet the boy. For now Genya decided to continue watching over the boy. They would soon meet again.

The skull, Uta lake. The 21st.of December 2098 A.D.
Christian climbed the final steps. He dusted off the remaining pieces of the blue bones. Before him a wide tunnel lead straight forward. Christian wasn't sure. But he was almost certain he got a glimpse of the misty sky at the end. Christian carefully began walking forward. Each step made clouds of dust wave around. A long time had passed since anyone using his feet did walk in here. A few candles stood about the area. A few bats also became disturbed by his exploring. Christian whipped at them but the bats soon scattered. Christian continued down the tunnel. Here and there rusty old rings where hammered into the stone. Most likely intended for torches. Christian began to understand the caves must've been some fortress long ago. If this was the old base for the multiple pirates upon the Warakiyan rivers, Christian found the answer to how they could've grown so powerful. It would take an army several years to overthrow this place. The tunnel ended and Christian entered into the largest room he'd seen inside the skull this far. The cave was at least 200 meters high and almost the same in length. Midway up the far end of the tunnel a giant crack in the wall looking like the remains of a human's nose lit the area. Not that the mist upon the fogy lake gave much light dough. Christian figured he'd climbed up 1/3 of the way up. Then his eyes noticed what was inside the huge cave. Christian made the sign of the cross. This was worse than what he'd seen inside the cave on Bodley. Treasure was stashed everywhere. It lay upon the floor like piles of shimmering gold. It wasn't that which horrified him. Among the gold lay what looked like entire crews of decaying corpses. If a captain, or a band of captains, had killed all these men to keep their treasure safe, they where no better than dragons. Not that all dragons collected treasures, but still… Christian dismissed the matter. Somehow he had to get past all these dead pirates. Then one thought hit him. It was nothing which supported the idea. Dough it was worth a try. Christian stepped forward. "Hear me!" He cried. "I'm on a crusade. I don't want any of this treasure! Nothing of it. I walk beneath the banner of the cross!" Nothing happened. The corpses didn't stare. Christian made a deep breath. He made the sign of the cross and then walked into the cave. Christian was afraid. Still he went onward. Several other tunnels went from this chamber. All of them leading in the general direction Christian wanted to go. Any which one could be the one leading upward. Christian settled for the seventh opening. If he remembered correctly seven was the Lord's number. Something moved, just outside the corner of his eye. Christian wasn't sure dough he halfway believed it to be one of the many swords laying around. Christian closed his eyes. Don't mind the treasure. Christian shook his head and continued forward. Then he felt it. The same evil which poisoned the air seemed to concentrate around him. The mist around him became once again that ugly blue colour. Christian couldn't help but shudder. There where no enemies around. Christian didn't understand. How were the evil intentions? Then several blades lifted into the air. Christian felt his hair stand on end. "Frozen blades." It was like a curse from his lips. The swords, surrounded by the same eerie blue glow as all evil inside this accursed place, flouted toward him. Christian ran. This wasn't the best place for a battle. When leaving the cave Christian was sure he heard a rusty old laugher. Let them laugh. Inside the tunnel, out of reach for the enchanting effect of the treasure, Christian turned to face the frozen swords. The blades flouted calmly through the air. Then they suddenly all slashed at him. Christian was prepared. He brandished the whip so quick that all blades fell to the ground. Christian knew it wasn't that easy. The evil of the poltergeist phenomenon was powerful. He threw holy water upon them. Some blades shattered. There where still half a dozen of them left. Christian shivered. 6 was a number he really disliked. Again the blades rise into the air. Christian whipped at them. He didn't know why but to defeat these enemies you had to knock them out. Then Christian could destroy them. He stamped the crucifix upon the closest and sprinkled the others with holy water. With the blades destroyed Christian could continue forward. At least this tunnel went upward. Christian gratefully whipped down the candles he found in here. A few bats were around. Christian whipped at them, making them scatter. It almost felt relaxing fighting these enemies. At least bats where nothing but mere beasts. Then Christian entered into another chamber. This one as cold and empty as the first he'd entered. A single torch burned at the centre of the room. A rain of icicles was the only warning. Two more ice demons scouted him from near the ceiling. Christian dusted off the ice which hit him. Thank the Lord for quick reflexes. Christian knew he would become frozen if the full brunt of the spell had hit him. Christian made the sign of the cross, gathering his bloodline power. The ice demons released another attack just as Christian made it rain with holy water. Water wasn't his true element. Still most vampires hunting Belmont's knew how to brandish the sacred liquid. Edward Morris, his cousin, could've easily created a much more powerful rainstorm. As it was the holy rain wounded the demons without killing them. Christian knew he was on the defensive. He was growing short on holy water. There where no water or snow inside the cave he could use to refill his vials. The elemental demons seemingly gathered themselves. Another onslaught of icicles was sent at him. Then a second and a third. Christian ran for cover. Not that it was any cover inside the room. There where only a matter of time before they would freeze him. Christian had no choice. He grasped into one purce. His hand settled around the crystal. One of his family's oldest and most powerful weapons, one which wasn't used careless. Christian concentrated all his force. A huge crack was heard inside the room. A circling wave of crystals fell from the ceiling and made the ice demons burn to ashes. Christian staggered. The crystal wasn't a weapon used easily. It drew upon your inner strength to fill its own power. It would bleed you dry if you wasn't carefully. This one outburst had almost been too much. This wasn't like the battle with Legion inside the old light house. Christian reached into his backpack, bringing out some of the rousted chicken he'd found inside one candle. The food filled him with new strength. Christian got to his feet. Determined he went through the leftmost tunnel. The ice had become closer. He knew he was running out of time. In a few hours it would be dawn. Christian couldn't wait until dawn. He had to lift the curse tonight or risk loosing 12 days stuck on Bodley.

Mae Lin watched the boy carefully as he continued climbing. He really had surprised her. She snarled. The ice demons should have killed or wounded him fatally. Still the Belmont continued. She could hear him downstairs. He already had begun climbing. With a wave of her hand she ended the spell and put the crystal ball she used to spy on him with back into a purse. She would withdraw. Not far dough. Maw Lin would have her revenge.

The skull, Uta Lake. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Christian threw himself backward. He knew it wasn't the best strategy, but better than becoming frozen all over. Christian dough managed to roll down the stair and land on his feet. The frost dragon released another glowing blue shot. Christian whipped the ice blast into oblivion. He threw the boomerang at it. The clever dragon dough flailed its long neck and avoided the throwing-cross. Christian summoned his bloodline power and made his boomerang turn into multiple crosses. The frost dragon was chained to the wall and couldn't escape. It wasn't over yet. The evil power which granted the bone dragons life was really powerful. After all, the Wyvern was distantly related to the dragons. Christian dodged another series of blue shots. He threw the dagger at it but again missed. Christian gathered himself and ran back up the stairs, whipping away the shots sent at him. The frost dragon ngrily flailed its long neck back and forth. Christian whipped it once, twice and a thrd time before he was forced back down the steps. The frost dragon couldn't change its facial expression but Christian couldn't help but feel the thing actually grinned at him. It was time to finish this. Christian roused the last vial of holy water and then made holy water rain down upon the unfortunate dragon. The frost dragon roared without a sound. Then it shattered. Only leaving behind several large crystals. Christan frowned. Then he smiled. He could use the crystals to fuse his weaponry with magic. It wasn't as powerful as true bloodline power but it would have to work. At least until Christian could refill the vials with real water thi would have to work. He picked up the gems and then climbed up the stairway. Christian came into a rather narrow corridor. A few candles were the only source of light. Christian whipped the few bats flapping around. Moving down the tunnel he noticed that a few small chambers carved out of the rock opened up. Christian held his whip at the ready while moving past these chambers. Nothing happened dough. Then a distant sound reached his ears. He frowned. Christian knew it was a sound he should recognise. Then he smiled. It waste dripping of water. He reminded himself to be careful dough. It could be a trap. The tunnel soon ended. Before Christian lay another huge cave. An opening in the wall let thick coils of mist into the room. Christian suddenly figured he'd reached the leftmost eye in the skull. Christian shook his head. He hadn't realized he'd climbed this high. The mist made it difficult to see. Still Christian figured that the dripping sound came from the drops of water falling from the icicles high above him. Christian felt a certain comfort by the wind blowing through the eye-like hole. It'd been hours since he last felt it. He gathered himself. There where no reason staying here. Te ice was close. Christian turned and went toward the only other exit. A cave in the same wall in which he'd come from. Christian hoped he wasn't moving in circles. This tunnel went slightly to the right. There where no other chambers inside this tunnel. The tunnel was even narrower then the one which lead him to the eye's chamber. Then the tunnel abruptly ended as Christian entered into another of those circular chambers. One of those eerie blue torches which spread no warmth burned at the centre. Dead corpses, broken weaponry and boxes containing treasure lay around. Flapping wings sounded as a pack of mimics came at him. Christian whipped at them, making them scatter. Then the dead got to their feet and came toward him. Christian threw his knife at one dead pirate. He whipped another pirate into oblivion and then made the dagger split into three. Two more dead pirates collapsed into heaps of ashes. Then one mimic settled upon his legg. Christian felt intense cold freeze him. He fell to one knee, dough he managed to stamp his crucifix upon the bat-like monster. Then he sent his throwing-cross, taking out the last dead pirates. Then suddenly the blue torch became dark. It fell aside as a chest roused out of the floor. Christian slowly walked toward it. He knew some mimics took the form of chests. He made the sign of the cross upon it. Nothing happened. Christian licked his lips nervously. Then he just opened he thing. Inside the old box lay something which looked like a morning-star. Christian smiled. He'd lost the one inside Brahms mansion. Now he'd gotten a new chance to upgrade the Vampire Killer whip. Christian bent into the chest, nearly falling into it. Dough he managed to bring out the powerful item. The morning-star combined with the whip. Christian's weapon didn't grow in length, but it transformed into a weapon of golden chains. Christian cracked the new chain-version of the Vampire Killer. When the Vampire Killer first accepted him it'd transformed into a length and size suitable for Christian. He thanked the Lord in his heart. Equipped with this new weapon Christian began investigating the chamber. Only three tunnels went out from it. Christian had himself come through the leftmost passage. The second one was at the other end and the third tunnel seemingly leads deeper into the back of the skull. Christian pondered the problem for some time. Then he decided to continue forward. After all, Christian decided. Going that way mend to continue left from the eye-chamber. He went for the opening across the room.

The skull, Uta Lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Christian whipped the Vampire Killer. The morning-star really helped him draw more power through the ancient weapon. The bats scattered. There where much more bats inside this tunnel than inside the one leading from that eye chamber. Christian Belmont again whipped at the bats. It was cold in here. Dough there where no blue mist. Something else also worried him. This tunnel was going slightly downward. Then the tunnel ended. At first Christian believed he was back inside the eye room. Dough this chamber was different. It was the lrightmost chamber, it had to be. Mimics flew at him. Christian slashed the Vampire Killer at them. They scattered, only to regroup. Christian threw holy water at them. He concentrated his fire magic and a wave of fire burst out of the vial and washed over the bat-like beasts. Then an array of frozen blades lifted themselves into the air. Christian's face grew pale. He grasped his crucifix and again concentrated his fire magic. A cross-shaped image of fire appeared behind him. Christian smiled as fire was spread around him. The pope Mathew told him the crucifix once belonged to Richter Belmont, the last true Belmont of his family. It really looked like it. The swords fell back on the floor. Christian ran toward the stair leading higher up into the mountain. With all the rubble and mist around it would be almost impossible to locate the swords. "Jesus!" Christian made the sign of the cross. Another frost dragon blocked the way forward. He knew he was trapped. With the mimics and the frozen blades around him and the frost dragon before him there where no retreat. Christian gathered himself. Somehow he would have to find a selution to all this. He had to find it quickly dough. The frost swords where already moving. Christian grasped around the throwing-cross, summoning his light powers. The boomerang became all silver. Two crosses released themselves and shot out, circling Christian. That made the swords fall. Christian wasn't finished dough. With much regret he brought out the crystal. Christian focused again and one giant crystal fell to the ground. Shards where spread everywhere. Christian sunk to his knees, breathing heavily. The battle wasn't over dough. The mimics where gathering. Christian brought the crystal back and then concentrated upon the vial of holy water. It rained all around him. Christian made the sign of the cross. Already he felt like Death was near. Christian fought back the negative feelings. Death comes to us all, Christian reminded himself. Somehow shakily Christian got to his feet. There still was that frost dragon to worry about. Strange it hadn't already killed him. Then he remembered that bone dragons defended a certain area. Outside that area nothing really mattered to these resurrected monsters. Christian carefully climbed a few steps. The frost dragon was back in battle by the very second. Christian whipped the frost shot at him into nothingness. The Vampire Killer was a divine tool of war. It could counter bough living evil as well as dark magic. Christian threw himself backward. No need getting careless. Christian threw his dagger, making it split into three. After the confrontation with the swords and mimics the magic was to weak. The dagger didn't split. Still it did hit the frost dragon. Christian whipped the frost away as he ran to retrive his knife. Without magic to back it up, the weapon didn't return. Christian picked up the old blade and then rolled down the stair. Then he threw the boomerang at it. It split the next array of frozen orbs dough it didn't hit home. Christian retrieved the weapon on its return. He knew he would regain his strength if he just ate something. Christian had no time left. The watch had told him there where only three hours left. He again ran up the steps. He whipped at the frost dragon and managed to score a few hits. The frost dragon flailed its long neck so wildly dough Christian was forced to retreat. The frost dragon released a few new shots. Christian threw himself to the side and then threw his boomerang again. This time he summoned his bloodline power. The throwing-cross didn't turn into multiple crosses. It did however turn into three boomerangs. Two of the cross-shaped boomerangs missed. The third however hit home. This time it really dealt the frost dragon real damage. Christian ran to retrieve the weapon. He whipped aside the dragon's freezing breath and managed to whip it into oblivion. Christian made the sign of the cross and then gratefully picked up the crystals left by the frost dragon. Christian climbed the stair. It ended inside another chamber. This time dough there where no torch at its heart. Instead there was an alter. Upon it stood a small statue of St. Mary, the mother of God. Christian knelt before the alter. Grateful Christian thanked the Lord for all the gifts and powers He had given the Belmont clan.

She watched the boy in the pond. He had come far. No further dough. She was waiting for him. The vampire would learn how foolish it was to trespass upon her ground. The Dark Lord would reward her for obliterating his enemy. That was not the reason dough. This was her land, hers! She was not going to permit this any longer. The boy was going to die.

The skull, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Christian got back up from his kneeling position. The prayer had given him new strength. Moving as far away from the alter he could, Christian brought out some food from his backpack. He wouldn't commit heresy eating profane food in front of an alter. Another set of steps lead higher into the mountain. Christian carefully began climbing, prepared for another frost dragon. Nothing happened dough. All looked silent and peaceful. The steps ended. Christian entered into another chamber, this one filled with the eerie blue mist Christian had seen before. A pond of clear blue water filled the center of the chamber. Frozen icicles hang from the ceiling. Three torches stood inside the chamber, around the pond. All lit with the same cold blue flame. The mysterious fog cleared. Nowhere the ice where to be seen. Christian could feel it was close. Where was it dough? No other way lead out from this room. Then suddenly the way down became frozen all over. Christian found himself trapped behind a thick block of solid ice. He made the sign of the cross. When Christian turned a tall figure shrouded in a hooded black robe stood at the pond. "Welcome young vampire hunter." Slender pale arms rise to remove the hood. A pale-faced young woman looked back at him with eerie yellow eyes. Her brown hair hung down her shoulders, framing the face with a brown wave. There where something about this woman. Christian didn't know why but he couldn't help but slightly shudder. "I have waited for you." The woman smiled. Christian noticed she was no vampire. "Who are you?" Christian asked. "How do you know about me?" "This is the mirror of sorcery." The strange female pointed at the pond. "It shows many things. To different persons it shows different things." Again the smile crossed her lips. "For the most part it only shows worthless rubbish. Sometimes it dough shows what a person wants. Other times it shows what is destiny. I wanted to see who entered my domain. The mirror shoved me you. It gave images of your and your family's history." Now all humour had left her face. "I have watched you all since you came. I know why you are here." Christian drew himself slightly backward, away from the strange woman. Somehow she didn't feel right. Christian saw at her, using his ability to see beyond the obvious. Still he could only see the woman. "Look" This time she pointed at the wall behind her. The rocks began to glow. Then another blue block of ice appeared. "What you search is behind the ice." The lady explained. "How do you know?" Christian said, unsure if he could trust anything this woman told him. The smile reappeared upon her face. "I know many things Christian Belmont." Then she became serious. "This I know since Damien Frost showed it to me. Dough it was I who froze the entrance." Christian nodded. This woman was yet another witch of the Dark Lord's New Order. "That is not why I have chosen to appear." The witch continued. She opened the cloak at the neck and let it fall to the ground. "I will kill you." Beneath the cloak she was dressed only in a single waist-cloth. "You entered my land. That is why." The moon shone through a hole in the ceiling. "You might call me Alexandra Luminara." Christian threw himself sideward just as the she wolf threw itself forward. The flying kick missed fattaly. Christian threw out his cross, summoning his bloodline forces. Two circling crosses shot outward. The she wolf jumped high to avoid the projectiles. Christian dropped himself to the floor and rolled aside as she delivered another jumping kick. Alex curled into a ball and rolled at him. She got to her feet and delivered a sliding kick right into Christian's chest. He was sent flying. Christian thanked the Lord for his breast plate. Without it she'd most likely broken all his ribs. Gasping for breath Christian got back up. The she wolf again came rolling toward him. Christian sent his knives at her, making it split into three. He couldn't help but gasp as the knives where repelled by the rolling werewolf. He gathered himself in time to avoid another sliding kick. Christian concentrated on his crucifix and made a burning cross image throw flames all around. The attack sat the she wolf's white fur on fire. She rolled into a ball and drowned the flames in the snow piled upon the floor. Christian frowned. Where had the snow come from? The she wolf got back up. She howled at him. A howl which made Christian shiver. The cry sent shock waves through the chamber and made multiple icicles fall down. Christian summoned another burning cross image. Christian thanked Michael the Arch angel for gifting him with bough fire and ice powers. The she wolf was at him again. Christian brought out his cross and made multiple crosses fly around. Then Christian ran to the pond. Kneeling he filled his vials with new water. "Blessed it be by the Father, the Son and by the Holy Ghost!" He made the sign of the cross. Christian knew some Orthodoxy churches didn't believe in the three due it wasn't mentioned in the Bible. They said it was a human construction. Christian believed that, as long the Lord didn't forbid it, it most likely where true. The she wolf howled and icicles fell from the ceiling. Christian brandished the Vampire Killer whip, taking out most of the pointed projectiles. Then the she wolf came rolling toward him. Christian threw holy water at her. This time the rolling didn't protect her. Holy fire lit as the blessed liquid came into contact with her accursed flesh. Christian's heart became cold dough as the werewolf again drowned the flames in the mysterious snow. She got to her feet and came at him with repeated claw-swipes. Christian knew that one scratch and he would become cursed. He drew himself backward as he whipped repeatedly. Alexandra snarled at him. In her eyes Christian read promises of his own death. Cursing him wouldn't be enough for her. Christian sprinkled holy water upon the Vampire Killer. The ancient whip immediately started burning with holy flame. Now it was the she wolf who retreated. Then she suddenly curled into a ball and rolled out of reach. Christian cracked the Vampire Killer, a vial of holy water in his other hand, prepared for her next move. Then the werewolf jumped high into the ceiling. Christian was taken aback and thus nearly fell victim to her flying kick. She did however hit him with another sliding kick when landing. She threw herself forward and sent Christian flying. Even so, Christian managed to hit her with the full brunt of his whip. He lost hold of the vial but, getting back up, brought out another vial. Christian's ribs aced like they where burning. She grinned at him as Christian toutched the place in which she'd hit him. Christian made the sign of the cross. She jumped high and for a moment she'd disappeared among the shadows. Then she came flying from a completely other direction. Clearly this lycanthrope could crawl along the ceiling. Christian just barely managed to roll aside. She made a failed bite attack before sending a sliding kick at him. She rolled into a ball and thus avoided his whip-slashes. Getting back up she howled, making icicles fall from the ceiling. Christian cried with pain as several icicles hit him. Luckily it wasn't the largest ones. Those would've knocked him out cold. Christian returned the favour with a quickly tossed throving-cross. The boomerang missed but Christian made the cross split into multiple crosses which actually drew blood from her. The she wolf snarled. Then she leaped into the air. This time Christian didn't move in time. Again she collided with her feet against his silver-painted armoured chest-plate. Christian was sent flying. This time he did actually collide with the wall. Had Christian knocked into it head first the battle would've been over. As it was dough all air became pressed out of his lungs. His back aced just as much as his ribs. It looked like Alex had wounded her foot. Christian smiled. His chest-plate was decorated with insignias of the cross, like his shoulder-plates where. For a moment they exchanged glances. The white fure of the she wolf was stained with blood. Christian's body was consumed with pain after the multiple encounters with her kicks. Christian brought out a final weapon from his backpack. The silver stakes where meant for battling the most powerful of the Dark Lord's followers. Christian decided the she wolf fit well inside that term. Alex howled by the sight of the silver stake. Then she threw herself forward. She attacked with a series of claw and biting attacks which where so quick Christian was nearly overwhelmed. Christian summoned the wind magic and let it flew through his weapon. Wind was no danger for this creature, dough it gave Christian the speed needed to counter her offence. Christian's back touched the wall. The she wolf grinned. She'd pressed him up against a corner and Christian knew it. With nothing else to do, Christian let go of the Vampire Killer. Her biting and claws burned like fire, Christian screamed out his pain. He knew he was cursed. But he knew when to surrender. He only hoped the whip and other Belmont weapons would end up in Alicia's hands. She hadn't come to aid him, but it was the cousin he loved the most. With his last remaining strength Christian Belmont dug the silver stake into the she wolf's heart. The werewolf howled and spat blood. Christian felt it washed over him. He didn't care. He only hoped he'd cleared the way for Genya Arikado. He would have to take care of things. Christian couldn't. He fell to the floor, darkness all around him.

The skull, Uta Lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Genya Arikado helped the boy into a sitting position. He had recovered the holy water and the silver stake. With a gloved hand he now put the crystal the she wolf left behind into his left hand. The vampire hunter's soul immediately absorbed the power of the crystal. Arikado put his hand behind his chest-plate. The ribs and hit marks on his back seemed to be healing. The claw marks dough still had an irritated red to colour. Arikado put on the Belladonna he had found in the young Belmont's backpack. It was a little dry but it would do. He nodded approvingly as the wounds lost the inflammation. Then they closed all together. "Will he live?" Genya Arikado rise to face the other person present. He had felt her presence several times. Dough always to faintly for him to uncover anything else. It was a vampire. "Who are you?" He asked in Japanese. The vampire did not seem to understand. Arikado changed to Warakiyan German and asked again. "Ich weren Wilhelmina Brahms." She presented herself. "In my Chinese bloodline you might call me Mae Lin." Arikado arched an eye brow. He returned the bow dough. The arrow aimed at him was not removed. He considered several possible strategies. Then he answered her question. "The boy will live." What was the boy's life to her anyway? Now she had become visible Arikado felt evil radial from her. "Mae Lin." Christian penned his eyes. Genya spun around, then threw himself in front of the boy. "You're dead." Arikado had not time to remark the Belmont's comment. Clearly they had met before. He raw the arrow she had shot out from his side. It hurt terrible. "Drink this." Christian Belmont gave him a small bottle. "Thank you." He drank the strange liquid. The wound closed. As he drank the boy had retrieve his whip. Arikado had not dared to touch it. The ancient relic was in the boy's position. The Vampire Killer would not allow anyone else to handle it before he died. The vampire and vampire hunter exchanged glances. "Nice outfit." Christian commented. "You're not as Chinese as the last time we met." Arikado again arched an eye brow. Mae Lin's dull black tunic did look much like the boy's own; of course the boy's was green and not black. Beside that the vampire had the same armoured shells fasten to the heavy cloth. She even boosted the same chest and shoulder lates. She even had a whip. Dough it was just as black as the boy and arose she now aimed at the boy. "Go away Mae Lin." The boy said. There was a certain authority in his voice which impressed even Genya Arikado. "This isn't our time." The vampire shook her had so her ponytail landed in front of her armoured chest. Beside it was black as her boots it reminded him somewhat of the pictures he had seen of Sonia Belmont. "You aren't to get away this time." She feared. Christian whipped it into oblivion. The Belmont brought out an envelope from his pocket. "You know what this is?" He asked. Even from where Arikado stood he could feel the power from what was inside the paper envelope. "It is the Host." Christian Belmont said in a humble tone, making the sign of the cross. "Go away Mae Lin. I will destroy you if I have to." Ma Lin shrieked. "I will get my revenge!" Christian stepped forward. The vampire drew backward, and then she became mist. "Come on." He gestured to Arikado. The boy placed his whip on his belt and also put back the envelope. "We don't have much time." The blue doors where now gone. Genya followed the boy up a final set of steps. Cold mist blew in their faces. Then they finally stood atop the skull. Even this high the mist of the lake shrouded their sight. "Damien Frost did this." The boy said. He had that somewhat inward turned look in his face. Genya Arikado remembered it was the way Julius Belmont used to look when seeing beyond the obvious. "He created unbalance on purpose. To see its effect." Genya nodded. "It seems you where right in following the ferryman's leads to lift the curse." The boy didn't answer. He went to the alter and picked up the blue orb. Then he nearly dropped it. "It's freezing." Arikado spread his hands in a defensive gesture. "What did you expect?" He dryly remarked. "After all it is the ice." The boy did actually laugh. "That's just to true." He picked it up again and placed it into his backpack. "Now." He suddenly asked. "Even dough I've claimed this thing I'll never get back in time." "You will." Genya Arikado assured him. "Take my hand." Christian Belmont give him a look. Then he took Genya's larger hand. Genya gathered his magical power around them. Then he cast the spell.

Bodley, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Zoe watched as their Roc flew through the air. She hoped they would find their way back to the elves. "What the… Get down!" Owen took hold of her and forced her to the ground. Zoe gave him an angry look. "I'm not kidding." Owen said. "Ok." Zoe saw where she pointed. She felt her mouth becoming dry with fear. A dragon was nearing the isle. It shone like the sun, all golden and large. Gold? No gold dragon would ever join Dracula. Still, it could be a trap. Zoe and Owen carefully hid behind the trees. Zoe noticed it was the same trees she'd hid behind earlier. The dragon soon landed upon the beach. A figure clad in black robes climbed down from its back. Zoe loosens her blade. Dough the figure where to small to be a black wanderer there where no reason becoming careless. A flash of golden light momentarily blinded them. When she could see again Koji stood where the dragon had been. Zoe smiled. It really shouldn't have surprise her that Koji had rise in the dragon's hierarchy. The shrouded figure threw back her hood. It was Noriko. Their little miss Darkness looked more like a true Dark Lord candidate than ever. Not that Zoe would ever tell the Japanese girl about it. "I know you are there." A burning web appeared between Noriko's hands. No, not her hands. Zoe discovered with a slight shock that Noriko's left hand was gone. It didn't look good. "It's us." Owen said, stepping out into the free. "We have the lightning. Show them Zoe." Zoe climbed out of the bushes, dusting off her robes. Then she brought out that strange purple orb they'd found on Rocnest. "Excellent." Koji smiled, bringing out another orb, this one a bright orange. For a moment the little ball of crystal shone like the sun itself, reacting with the lightning in Zoe's hand. Another bright flash followed. Zoe's blade was out and ready before she'd gotten half-way around. Owen dropped to one knee with his shotgun at the ready. Koji changed into dragon mode as Noriko's remaining hand began burning. An old man in black suit, gloves and trenchcoat appeared, offering a cortious bow. Zoe didn't relax dough. Once she'd seen an old an, a grandfather nice as father Christmas himself, kill his family due to his fealty to Dracula. "Don't worry." Zoe hadn't seen Christian appear. Now he stood before them. "By Jesus our Lord and Father I really am Christian Belmont." Zoe nodded, reaching for her own star of David. She didn't share his religion. Dough Zoe knew the followers of Chaos couldn't speak the name of God. When they couldn't mention the Lord the way she knew him, why shouldn't it be the same in the way Christian knew Him? "I have the ice with me." Christian opened his small hand. A perfect ball of blue crystal lay in his palm. As Zoe watched the orb lit up and shone with a clear blue light. She could feel the coldness spread from it. "The balance is disturbed." Christian explained. "Dario Bosi, Jhenrya Oikawa and Damien Frost created imbalance on purpose. Why I still don't know." Noriko grimly nodded. "The pixies told us the same." Zoe shok her head as the little girl told about her's and Koji's adventure. Against this Zoe's own experiences paled with comparison. She said so, Owen agreed as he filled in with his story. Christian made the sign of the cross, something Zoe almost considered as a bad habit. "We'll soon restore order." He said in a low voice. Then he and the man he called Genya Arikado told about their tale. "So it seems like we've gathered again just in time." Christian finished. "We can't afford to wait. Dawn is approaching." "What are we going to do?" Noriko asked. "You, Owen and Genya must go up the hill." Christian pointed toward the Stonehenge crowning the top of the isle. "Secure the shrine." He told them. "We'll join you before dawn." Noriko opened her mouth to ask why, Zoe was sure of it. Christian cut her short. "We must enter the heart and place the tokens of the elements. You remember the shielded area beyond where we met the witch?" Zoe didn't know what they where talking about. Still Christian's words explained the drawing sensation in her heart. Zoe frowned. She should've figured as much. Koji calmly nodded to himself. "Good luck," Owen said. The former soldier of fortune never seem to doubt his actions. "I can agree on that," Koji mumbled. Christian actually smiled. Zoe nodded, the boy was right. Don't wait until dawn. She, Koji and Christian soon left the others behind. The stairs leading up the hill lay before them. Neither Zoe nor Koji knew where to go. Still Christian lead them past the ruins and into a tunnel. A swarm of bats where disturbed as the trio entered. Zoe brought out her sword, making bolts of lightning strike. "Dragon's breath!" Koji shot fireballs as Christian whipped the final bats into oblivion. The few remaining bats scattered. Koji stepped forward, Zoe was just behind him with Christian at their side. They actually formed some sort of arrow. Zoe couldn't set her finger on it. Still it was as it should be. A small chamber lay before them. "This was where I first met St. Germain." Christian said, making the sign of the cross. Zoe was a Jew and was unsure if saints really existed. But she where sure Germain was a heavenly messenger. "He gave me the ocarina." The boy shoved them his instrument. "You're sure you can actually play that thing?" Zoe asked. "No." Christian said in a low voice. "No!?" Koji almost shouted. "Relax." Zoe told them. "I'll play the song." Christian threw her a disturbed look. "Can you really play it?" He asked. Zoe smiled. "I'm actually quite good at it." The dryads would've killed her if she hadn't learned to play their favorite instrument. "Thank the Lord." Again Christian made the sign of the cross. "Come on." He went forward, leading them deeper into the island.

Bodley, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Koji couldn't help but be impressed by the stashed treasure hidden inside this cave. He knew it was the dark side of his dragon linage which made him feel like that. Still Koji knelt to pick up a few gems. "I don't know if you should do that." Christian said. Zoe threw them a glance. "Are you afraid of the dead pirates?" She asked. Christian shook his head. "It's not the pirates which worry me." "Then what's it all about?" Koji somewhat anoied asked. "Those, for instance." Koji's eyes grew large as skeletons dressed in light armour rised before them. "Blade-skeletons." Christian said, cracking his whip. The bone-men drew two long daggers. What where they waiting for? Then one jumped into the air and threw itself toward them. The others where in close presuit. "Dragon's breath!" Koji summoned his dragon magic. His fireballs missed. The blade-skeletons dodged and quicly began circling him. It stabbed at him several times. The others where to busy to lend any help. How where he to defeat these bags of bones? Then Koji again summoned his powers. "Dragon's tail!" He flailed his golden tail around and knocked the blade-skeleton to pieces. Another skeleton jumped at him. "Dragon's breath!" Koji breathed a heavy flame this time and managed to crush it. "Give them the gems!" Christian shouted. A new band of blade-skeletons where already rising. Koji opened his mouth to refuse. "Do as he tells you!" Zoe shouted. "Forget about your dragon dreams of a bed of gold!" Koji actually blushed. How did she know? He threw himself to the floor as a bone-man flew straight above him. "Werry well then." He threw away the gems. No soner did he do so, the blade-skeletons collapsed into heaps of bone and rusty armour. Christian threw Koji a look. "Dragons." Christian said. "Men." Zoe said. It nearly came out in unison. Koji couldn't help but blush. With his head hung low he continued forward. Koji was glad they didn't mention it anymore. Even so Koji promised himself he would one day collect himself a treasure of his own. They entered into another room. At the other end a corridor lead deeper into the mountain. A glowing forcefield blocked the way. "Continue." Christian said. "We have the tokens. If we're worthy the shield will break." Koji licked his lips. He struggled to not ask what would happen if they wheren't worthy. "It'll be alright." Zoe said. She sounded worried dough. "The Lord will guide us." Christian said, making the sign of the cross. Koji saw Zoe reach for her Star of David, mumbling something. Then she stepped forward. Koji had to admire her courage. Christian stepped forward, Koji came just beside him. Side by side they walked toward the forcefield. Their orbs lit up in orange, purple and blue and then almost blinded them, grewing even brighter. "In the name of Jesus!" Christian shouted. "Be Your will!" A beam of light shot from each robe, meeting into one powerful blast. "God!" Zoe screamed, again in unison with Christian. Koji felt almost ashamed he couldn't pray with them. Still he prayed in his heart. "The One." He whispered. "Let it be." The blast shot forward and shattered the forcefield into nothingness. "It has begun." Christian said. He stepped forward. This time it was Koji who took up the lead. Desteny was calling.

Bodley, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
The isle shock. There where no other way Noriko could describe it. "Zoe!" Owen turned to go. Genya Arikado took him by the shoulder. "Do not be an idiot." He said. "This time she must meet it alone." Noriko bit her lip. She was concearned about Koji. He was a powerful dragon of the house of gold. Still, something great was about to happen. She could feel it. When she turned around a group of dead pirates blocked their way. A swarm of ravens had gattered above the living corpses. Noriko gathered her souls and released a burning web. Owen drew his shotgun, firing bullets at the birds. "Magic flame!" Genya gestured and flames shot from his hand, setting the pirates on fire. Noriko spread her cloak and sent three lances outward. Noriko didn't knew when she'd decided to use that gesture. The power of dominance sometimes moved on itself to show her what power it possessed. The remaining pirates attacked with their swords ready. "Get behind us!" Owen commanded, bringing out a short sword. Genya brought out a sword of his own. It was impressive how this elderly gentleman moved and fought like a professional fencer. Noriko cursed herself. Why had she ever believed this short-cut through the forest would get them closer to the shrine? Christian which'd continued through the forest hadn't been attacked. At least not ash's seen. "Where to?" Owen asked as he cleaned away the blood on his sword, using the jacket of a dead pirate. The scent of rotting flesh almost made her throw up. "This way." She instructed. At least they weren't forced to climb all the stairs when going this way. Sooner or later they would have to climb them dough. Then a new group of pirates rise out of the earth. Noriko summoned her harvested souls. Things where really not going as she'd wished it. Things never did she'd begun learning. Even so, this was just not fair.

Bodley, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Christian walked down the tunnel. Down here the candles where the only true source of light. It remembered him about Christopher Belmont's experiences in 1592. Perhaps Koji could've lit up things. Koji wouldn't doubt he would try if he asked. Still there where some strange light down here. Small spots, almost like stars, shining high above them. "Something is wrong." Zoe suddenly said. "Mimic!" Koji shouted. "I should've known." Christian cracked this whip. The small bat-like creatures shone in all three colours of their orbs. "Dragon breath!" Not surprisingly the blue ones went toward their dragon-related friend. Christian had his own problems dough. The purple mimics where already all around him. Their electrical attacks really hurt. Christian spread holy water around himself. Then he threw the boomerang at them, making it split into multiple crosses. Christian screamed as one mimic flew right into him. A blue bolt of lightning threw Christian hard against the wall. Shakily he got to his feet. Reaching for his cross Christian made freezing flames spread. It was difficult combining magic with his mystic weapons. Not all Belmont warriors had knew how to do it. Christian dough had grown used to it. Zoe threw bolts of electricity to keep the orange mimics away. Then she threw icicles at them. He smiled approvingly. Zoe was growing into a powerful sorceress. She seemed to have change since the battle with Akmodan. Christian cracked the Vampire Killer. The chain-version of the ancient weapon really gave more power to his attacks. The final mimics scattered, leaving them alone. Somewhere Zoe had found herself a Warakiyan staff. "Don't make it an over kill." He told her as serious he could. "You already look like Sypha Belnades." Koji laughed. Zoe sent him a dirty look, then she too laughed. Humour helped them to cheer up a little and not going crazy. The corridor ended abruptly. All smiles faded from his face. Christian knew this was it. He stepped through the entrance and into a large square chamber. At the far end stood three pillars of different coloured stone. Koji stepped forward. Atop the rightmost pillar a dragon stood, perfectly carved of red stone. Christian gasped as he noticed it was one large ruby carved into a figure. Koji placed the red orb inside the statues mouth which then closed. Zoe then put the lightning into the beak of a Roc statue carved of purple gemstone. Christian then put the ice into the mouth of a blue sapphire wolf. Then the pillars began to glow. It wasn't only Christian who gasped this time as the pillars rised into openings in the rock. "The shrine must be right above us." Zoe speculated. "We must go." Christian put back his digital watch. They only had one and a half hour left. "Here." He gave Zoe the notes he'd found aboard the ghost ship. "Play this when dawn arrive." The sorceress nodded. "With the elements restored." Koji wondered. "I wonder if they already might have any effect on the lake." Christian frowned. "Perhaps." He finally concluded. "The balance might be restored." Zoe pointed out. "But the curse isn't broken." "Come on." Christian went toward the door. "There are still things we need to do."

Bodley, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Genya Arikado and Owen Hammer fought back to back. He reached out. Noriko where somewhere. Thank the Lord she was still alive. Genya's mind cought an image of Noriko fighting the flame and frost swords. Buer and Bael had been waiting for them. To stop Noriko from interfering they'd summoned the phantom swords to keep her busy. These elementalists where not the lower class lionesses which served the witches as body guards. These creatures where the elite of their kind. Their suits of armour in red and blue colours seem to glow with its own form of magic. One came past his defence and cut into his flesh. Then Buer suddenly withdraw. Genya blinked. He did not get it. Why retreat now when they had him up against the wall? He knew only one reason. Arikado turned cold by the mere posibilety they knew about him. "It's not possible." Arikado nodded. He could not have put it better. The mist was clearing. A cold wind, like one he could experience during the fall blew the mist away. Down the slopes the trees where changing colour. The lake was turning a cold grey. Still not everything had returned to normal. The ice di not come. The lake did not freeze. Three pillars of shining gemstone appeared at either three sides. The followers of Dracula was on the retreat. Genya made the sign of the cross. Christian Belmont had half way succeeded in his goal to lift the spell. Noriko sunk down upon the once polished stone floor of the shrine. The shrine must have been beautiful once. Although the ceiling was gone and several pillars ended abruptly it was still a marvellous example of Greek architecture. "Did we reach it?" The Belmont, the dragon and the sorceress came running up the stairs. "Get down!" The Buer and Bael had hid among the ruins on the level above the vampire hunters. Owen and Noriko already was on their way down. Genya reached the shattered remains of the entrance first. Zoe Belnades had generated a magical shield to protect her and the other two from the repeated attack. Arikado drew his blade through one Buer. Half the group turned to retain the battle. "Magic flame!" Genya sent a Bael flying with a smoking hole where her heart should have been. The confusion lasted long enough for Christian and the dragon to join in the fight. The boy whipped Buer into oblivion as Zoe defended herself with her cane, releasing ice magic as often she could. "Magic force." Arikado made another gesture, making another Buer explode. Noriko was busy harvesting souls. Finally it was over. Genya drew sweath from his brow. Why was it that battle was so hot? The few surviving enemies where on the run. Arikado had no doubt the Dark Lord candidates soon would get rumours about this victory.

Bodley, Uta lake. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Christian climbed the stairs. He went to the furthest end of the shrine. From here Christian could see the alteration of the isle as well the effects upon the lake. Zoe where already testing out the ocarina. Then it happened. Noriko, who'd sat upon the huge stone coffin testing her new souls, where thrown aside. Christian cracked his whip as the heavy stone lid cracked open. A eerie yellow light shone upward. Dough this was the darkest hour before dawn the mysterious glow gave no real light. "How dare thy disturbe my resting place!?" "Genya! Owen! Take Zoe with you downstairs. Protect her at all costs!" They didn't doubt his orders. Zoe gave him a dirty look but even she did as he told. "We take it together." Christian instructed. "I'm in the front. You pick a side." Koji brought forth his sword and shield. Noriko threw back her hood and cloak. First now Christian noticed that one hand where gone. No matter. Then their enemy rised from his grave. Their voices all had part in the scream which then followed.

(A.N: I hope you all liked this chapter. It's one of the last chapters in this tale. Soon we'll follow the group in their final battle against the lake's curse. Have a nice time.)