Part 1: Quest of the Vampire Killer.

"Seek and you shall find."

Mathew: 7.7.

Chapter 40: Within These Castle Walls.
Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. of December 2098 A.D.
Drolta Tsuentez continued chanting. The words of the Necromonicon burned like red flame in her mind. The samples began to glow with yellow light. She could feel the power of the curse gather around her. Drolta could not do anything with it. She did not hold the power of dominance. Still she could feel the dark glory of the force burried deep into the very heart of the forest. "Exelent." Dimitri Blinov smiled, exposing his fangs. "I feel the force." Drolta licked her own fangs. "Do not dare to end the ritual." Dimitri snapped, his aura of laidback arrogance thrown off like clothing. "I kill you if you stop." It was like he read her mind. "Yes." She said. "Yes my lord." Somewhat shaky she resumed the chanting. What would lord Dracula do to her if he ever learned about her betrayal? Then she realized that was the least of her problems. The sample's light changed. from yellow into green. That was as it should be. But then they abruptly turned into a sick blue colour. Drolta shreeked. It was like sharp nails tore into her body. The samples had turned into deep crimson.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. of December 2098 A.D.
Dario Bosi moved the coils of his hood down over his face and then carefully moved to peek into the cave beyond. "We should not be here." Celia stated. It was not the first time she said so. Dario gestured for her to be silent. When lord Dracula gave an order you did as you where told. Dario Bosi knew how it was to fail in these kind of matters. All true power came from the Master. Had he not all to bitterly learned that lession? "Be quiet." He hissed. "Do you want him to take us?" Celia Fortner bowed her head. Dario turned his attention back to what was happening in the other cave. Lord Dracula's words rung in his mind. "Dimitri Blinov is a treatorous fool. But he is useful. In time he will learn that I am the master. And that he never will become powerful enough to claim what is mine." Dario knew it was true. Still. Dlinov should never be allowed this favour. "We have to do something." Celia said. "I know that." Dario said. That fool would release power older then he could ever imagine. They had to do something. If allowed that source of Chaos could very well wipe out the entire countryside. If only Death had been here. The devine angel knew how to deal with things like this. Uriel was absent dough. If something where to
about this potential holocaust Dario knew he and Celia had to do it. He gestured for her to come closer. Then something completly unexpected happened.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. Of December 2098 A.D.
Actrise threw Shaft a disturbed look. "It seems we are to late." The white wizard did not answer. "At least you could try to hide that white cloak of yours." She somewhat irrated commented. "They are to ocupied to even look this way." Shaft dryly pointed out. Actrise did not mind his argument. "We should take them now." Shaft shook his head. "It is to dangerous." Actrise snorted. "I do not fear the candidate or his pet witch." He continued. "If we act now the process mightget out of control. Only the Master knows what might happen then." Although she hated to agree Actrise knew the dark priest was right. Blinov could hardly understand what he was doing. Blinded by greed that idiot would dare to try harvest forbidden power. It was unsure if even Death or count Dracula himself could safely handle such amounts of raw energy. Surely Blinov sooner or later would become tore in pieces by the power he himself had summoned. Although Actrise did not know what was count Dracula's plot. She knew Blinov was to valuble to loose just yet. That was beside the point. It was the curse who was dangerous. "Look." Shaft suddenly said, pointing toward the cave before them. Actrise could not help but smile. "We let them bring him off ballance." She said. "Then we move in." The white wizard nodded aprovingly. "We have to stop Blinov before he might complete the ritual." Actrise knew. If the others failed in that objective, she had a few tricks of herself to add in the process.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
The tunnel continued going downward. Heinrich pulled away strings of messy gold hair from his face. Beside him his cousin Alicia threw him a look. Heinrich turned his attention back to where it belonged. Behind them Torah Fernandez and Patrick spoke silently. Rose was seated on the little sorceress's shoulder. It was the meaning the fairy should show them the way. Even dough Rose had told them she once lived down here, Heinrich wondered if she really knew the way. Unlike his cousin and most of his family, he didn't trust the elder species. They'd mixed up their family to often for him to like it. Alicia had told him about Alucard. Heinrich was grateful the half-breed had left the group. Legends told he was an allay of the Belmont clan. But he worried if his cousin would end up falling in love with him. The tunnel ended. Henrich slowly entered the new cave. Although they hadn't met much resistance this far, it was no need to become careless. Heinrich wondered what he should do if Alicia really wanted to live with a vampire.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 209

The cave still shook. It was like the earth-quake started by the white witch had become a real disaster. Edward didn't like it what so ever. Beside him Saria released arrows at the bats. At least she'd come around. Edward had worried about her. Rose, who'd been seated on his hat again took to the air. After that Al had appeared to pick up Pixie, she was the only source of light. He shrugged. Edward knew he could've summoned the Salamander to lit the cave. But of course. That would make all magicians this side of Barnsdall jump high with surprise. Not for the first time, Edward wished he had a lamp. Like the one they'd used when exploring the Ravenberg power-plant. The earth shook again. "Watch out!" He dragged Saria out of the way as spiked rocks fell from the ceiling. "I really don't like this." The dryad mummbled. Edward shrugged. "I know. But there isn't anything we can do about it." Perhaps Golem or Mandragora could've helped. But Edward didn't want to summon them either. Saria smiled, like she knew about his dilema. She then hung up her bow. "We just have to watch out for ourself." Edward nodded. Saria smiled again and blew him a kiss. He pulled back his hat. "Let's go then." He said. Edward unwrapped his chain-whip as Saria prepared her bow and arrows. The tunnel continued going downward. Edward unbuttoned his coat. Inside the white witch's domain it'd been freezing. Inside this cave things where diferent. Not that it was anything near warm, but the temprature felt more normal. "Damn it!" Edward wasn't the man which usually cursed. This however was some reason. The tunnel ended as three new caves branched off in diferent locations. "If we'd only had a compas." Edward muttered. Saria shook her head. "I'm not sure it would've given any help. With the ore and such." Edward nodded. Stripes in the rock suggested there where still some ore left in the mine. "Beside." Saria added. "They all looks like they go in the same direction." Edward thugged his beard. It looked like the dryad was ccorrect. Which way should he take? Edward recoiled the whip. If only there was a way to find out. He thoughtfully began walking up and down between the tunnels, again thugging his beard. Saria threw him repeated looks. Then she shrugged. Edward didn't mind. His girlfriend sat down, leaning her back against the wall. Edward threw her a look of his own. Then he abruptly came to a halt. There where something about that wall. If he could only remember.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Saria sat watching as Edward went back and forth. She smiled slightly. Her beloved human was unsure where to go. He'd changed since she first met him. Edward had developed a seriousness which he hadn't showed before. Not that he'd ever rushed into things. But that readiness to go get them, where gone. If she could only find a way to cheer him up a little. Saria brought out her ocarina. How long had it been since she last played it? Saria shook her head. She'd loved to play it. It was like those days she'd learned to play was a long time ago. By moving her fingers while blowing into it, Saria could preduce several tones. Her gaze returned to Edward. Without really thinking about it, Saria began to play the small lyric she'd composed when first learning this instrument. She'd called it "Saria's song". It was a simple littlemelody . Edward knelt beside her. "That song… " His voice drifted away. Their eyes met. "I love you." Edward said. Saria smiled. "I love you to." Edward put a hand on the wall behind her. "Master?" Rose asked, shining a bright pink. "Should I leave? I can go if you want to." Edward pressed his hand against the wall, preparing to rise. Then his eyes grew wide. "I remember." He almost shouted. "Get out of the way." Saria got to her feet. What was he doing? Edward went over to the other end of the cave. "I only hope it'll work." Edward toutched the pocket where Saria knew he had those cards. Then Edward slashed his whip. And a single fireball was released. Then he threw himself to the ground. What was going on? Then the fireball hit the wall. The ball exploded. Saria became thrown against the floor upon the blast. The air became pressed out of her lungs. It lasted a few seconds before she could finally see what Edward had done. Her boyfriend had used his magic to blow a hole in the wall. She frowned. There where something about that which she couldn't quite figure. No matter. "How did you know it was a false wall?" She asked. Edward shrugged. "I was thinking about Ravenberg." He explained. "It made me remember about the false walls in there." Rose appeared fluttering before his face. "Should I go in first master?" Saria prepared her weaponry. "Allow me." She said as she moved forward. "Watch yourself." Edward said. "I know." "The chamber inside wasn't very large. A chest stood upon an elevated platform, a torch at either side. The other end of the room was blocked by a pair of metal bars. "It seems like we're back where we began." Saria started to say. "There must be someway to remove those bars." Edward said as he entered, Rose in close presuit. Then another set of bars fell down to block the other way. Then flames lit up all around their location. "Come over here." Edward said. Saria nodded. She knew waht was comming. "Show yourself!" Edward challenged. "I'm not afraid of you." Saria did still see sweath run down his brow. She knew his concearn. Adrian had trained fencing for more than 500 years. Edward didn't even have his own sword. Surely Alicia had better use for it since her boyfriend held Alicia's whip. "Rose." Edward whispered. "Go and tell our friends wath's going on." "Yes master." The tiny figure chirped before disappearing. "We knew about you human." An eerie voice boomed. "It is you who should fear yourself." Another voice said. Saria somehow knew it was talking to her. "We'll see." Edward said, cracking his whip. The voices laughed. "Then prepare yourself to die." Except for the torches the flames withdraw, forming into two armoured figures. "Shall we dance?" One Buer taunted. Swords appeared in their hands. "So be it." Edward said, making the sign of the cross. The Buer snarled. The battle was on. Saria knelt as she prepared her bow. She wouldn't even give them the slightest chance to surrender. By now she knew them all to well to do so.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Edward knew it wouldn't be easy. To counter their twin swords he held out his whip in one hand. With the other he brought out St. Nicolus's sword. Saria had gathered herself into one corner. Her bow at the ready. Edward was grateful for the torches still burning. The Buer moved in. Edward knew at once they where testing him. They didn't pressed as hard or as fast he knew they could. He didn't mind. Defence would give Saria time to get an aim on them. This was no duel. If they'd fought one-on-one he wouldn't do this. But they didn't faught with volour. They would stab him in the back if they got the chance. With his back against the wall he didn't have to worry. They moved closer in on him. Edward felt sweat drip from his brow. He had to use more energy on keeping them at some distance. At least they weren't using magic. As if the thought had passed from his mind to theirs, one Buer withdrew. She opened her mouth, no doubt to speak one of their deathly spells. Saria's arrow cut her short. The Buer was dead before reaching the floor. "Thanks." Edward shouted toward his girlfriend. "I take it from here." He hadn't time to look if she gave any responce. The remaining Buer was giving him a hard time. The chain-whip didn't have the same power as the Vampire Killer. It could however withstand the metal of mer mondaine blades. Somehow the magic he'd channeled through his own sword had made it into a more powerful weapon. Not that it could challenge the craft of a true magician. But it could easily withstand the sword of his enemy. Even so, not even these weapons could make him go on forever. Only his mail stopped the Buer from delivering a fatal blow. And even so he could feel blood run from smaller damages the monster had inflicted. Then another blade stabbed at the enemy. Saria had sneeked up on the lioness to stab her down with her short blade. "You shouldn't really have done that." Edward said, gasping for his breath. Still he was grateful. "This is no gentleman's duel." Saria somewhat sharply commented. "I know that." He silently said. "But I don't want to become like them." "Don't be a fool." Saria said. "They would've tortured you to death." Edward nodded. "I see your point." Saria slightly giggled, a rather childish habit. Still Edward had grown to love it. He bent down to kiss her. She put her petite arms around him. "Make out with me Edward." She said. "I'm so tiered with battle and war." She unbuckled her belt. "I need to feel some warmth."

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Saria took hold of her tunic and moved it over her head. For a moment she stood exposed in the torch light. She smiled. Saria felt Edward's gaze on her. She lay the tunic down beside her weapons before removing her boots. She liked doing it nude while Edward only removed his pants. The big strong human put his arms around her as he pashonately kissed her. He kissed her lower down. Saria moaned slithly as he reached her nipples. Edward carefully toutched her small breasts as he bent backward. "I love you." She said with a naughty look in her eyes as she removed his trousers. She again giggled as she noticed his enlarged manhood. "I love you to little dryad." Edward said as she began to toutch him. Saria felt that strange rainbow seed in her heart blosom. This time it was diferent dough. It felt deeper and more powerful. She couldn't help but gasp as she came down over him. She loved him with all the pashion she had in her body. Edward held her back with one hand as he with the other toutched her privaties. Her body grew rigid as she experienced climax. They moaned in unison as it happened. "I really needed that." She said as she got up from him. Edward nodded. "Here." He pulled on his trousers before reaching into his backpack. "I think we'll bought need something to eat." Saria smiled. She'd heard humans get lazy after making out. Edward didn't exactly grew tiered. But he always needed some food after his "work". Saria didn't get the least lazy. Dryads could make out any numbers of times before getting tiered. She'd never had an entire night together with him. But she hoped she would get one. That would be Saria's reward for fighting the lost souls. Saria shook her head. She finished the slice of meat Edward had given her as she went to pick up her clothing. "Now I almost regret sending Rose to pick up our friends." Edward said as he drank some water. "I'm not so sure." Saria said. "It gave us some time together." Edward snorted. Although it sounded more like a laugh. "Be the will of God." He said, making the sign of the cross. "But it shouldn't surprise me we will have to pay for it." Saria shrugged. "Shall we continue?" She asked in an effort to change the subject. "The bars are gone." Edward got to his feet. "Let me just do one last thing." He told her. Saria spread her arms in a gesture of surrender. She had a prity good idea what he was about to do. Her boyfriend stepped toward the chest upon the platform. "Be mindful." She heard him mummble. Saria carefully watched him as Edward opened the chest by using his Bowie-knife. She half-expected pointed blades to appear or that a sleeping monster should attack. Nothing happened. Edward bent forward as he picked up the object stored inside the ancient wooden box. "Thank You Lord." Edward said. From the chest's interiour he brought forth a mysterious object. "What is it?" She asked. Edward smiled. "This, my cute little friend." Edward said. "Is a morning-star object." Saria rolled her eyes.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Edward couldn't help but laugh. Sometimes Saria really acted like a child. Now she threw him a warning look. He lifted his hands in a defensive gesture. Saria shook her head. Then she blew him a kiss. "Never mind." Edward cracked his weapon at the mystic symbol. He staggered somewhat. Edward felt new power fill the chain-whip as it grew slithly longer. Its colour changed into that of bright white gold. "Thank the Lord." Edward said. "Just wait until those bastards meet this little beauty." Saria giggled. Edward threw her a look. She hid her mouth behind her hand. "Sorry." She said. "You just looked so funny when saying that." Edward grunted. This wasn't the time for small talk. "Come on." Edward did as Saria suggested earlier and went toward the other door. The tunnel was pitch black. "I don't like this." Saria said. "Don't be redicolous." Edward said. "Surely it's no supernatural shadow." "It wasn't that." Saria explained. "I just worry about holes and such." Edward nodded. He also would like it if he'd had a lamp. "If only Rose where here." Saria said. Edward agreed. Like if the mentioning had been a summoning, the shining little fay returned. "Master." She cheerfully chirped while darting toward him. "They say they'll come." Edward felt bad about it. Here he'd cried wolf and nothing had really happened. "At least they're safe." Saria put in. Edward thugged his beard. She was right. Torah was Saria's half-sister. Edward thought he knew how she felt. He too worried about his family. Not that Alicia was as close as a sister. Still she was a member of his clan. There where not as many of them as they had been. The Dark Lord had nearly wiped out his entire bloodline. Now only he and Christian was left to carry on the blood of Quincey's, John's and Jonathan's blood. Edward threw it aside. They'd all been so sure of their victory in 1999. "Shall we go then?" Saria asked. Edward noticed she'd again brought out her bow and arrows. "Sure." He said. "Lead the way." Edward then told Rose. "Yes master." The little fairy said.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Although Rose had returned Saria felt bad about this tunnel. As a dryad she should've been pleased by feeling earth around her. Instead Saria felt like a trap was closing around her. She tried to shake the feeling. Instead it continued growing. The rainbow seed in her heart was starting to glow. Saria cursed about it. She didn't want to be the chosen one. She tried to restrain the glow as she continued walking. Drops fell from the ceiling, creating pools on the floor. "Wait!" Edward suddenly forced her backward as he whipped his weapon. "What is it master?" Rose shimmered with a clear green light. "I don't know." Edward confessed. "But something was crawling upon the cavern floor." Saria put back her bow as she instead drew her short sword. "I don't think… " Edward began. Then Saria dived forward as she impaled a jelly something. "That's disgusting." Edward said with a grimace. Saria used the wall to clean away the goo from her blade. "Then I guess you would like to become poisoned by one of those giant slugs?" She asked in a rather dry tone. Edward mummbled something, thugging his beard. "There is more of them comming master!" Rose warned. "Curse it!" Edward stepped back. Saria stabbed at them. She hoped she could clean her blade. With the slime on her sword it would most likly end up poisoned. Saria didn't want anybody to be infused by these freaks. Edward threw holy water around, turning the slugs on fire. Saria couldn't help but think about how some humans eate snails. She actually had to restrain a hysterical laugher to break out. It really wasn't that funny. She pierced another slug with her sword. Saria blinked. That was the last. All which where left of their enemies where crushed slime on the floor. "This way." Edward said. Saria signaled for him to wait. She knelt and then used the water from one pund to clean her blade. "Let's go." She said while pulling back her weapon. Edward put a hand on her shoulder. "I know how you feel." She looked up at him. Was it her imagination, or did he look a little pale? She drew down his head. She pulled back his hat as she kissed him. "Never mind it." She softly said. "Just remember that I love you." Saria then stepped backward. Edward pulled his hat back on as he mummbled something she couldn't figure. Then he cracked his whip. Saria prepared her bow as they again went forward. The cave again shook. Saria became thrown forward. Edward captured her. The tunnel began going sharp down from this point on. The quake made some bats flew at them. Edward whipped his weapon at them. Saria gathered herself as she released some arrows. Rose fluttered around them, giving them light. Saria went forward as she brought down the final bats. The tunnel curved as it entered into another cave. "Wait!" She heard Edward call. Saria didn't mind. An eerie blue mist she knew all to well came drifting through the opening.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Edward ran down the tunnel. Where had that foolish dryad gone? He'd called for her several times although she hadn't answered. He entered into a huge cave from which multiple other tunnels entered into. The sound of metal filled the air. "Good Lord in Heaven!" Edward cried as he ran to his girlfriend's side. He cracked his chain-whip at one Bael. The lioness side-stepped his attack. The ancient beast was clad in the same type of armour the Buer used. Only that this one was painted in blue and gold. Edward didn't mind. He didn't like these creatures. Not at all. Bael immediately brought down her sword at him. Edward brought out his own blade just in time to block her. "Human scum." The lioness snarled. Edward didn't answer. He was to busy saving his life. "Get away!" Bael suddenly ordered. "Never!" Rose cried. "I'll defend my master." Edward again blocked the blow of his enemy. "Get away!" He told his fairy. "You can't do me any good if you get yourself killed." He roared with pain as Bael hit him in the shoulder. He flailed the chain-whip at her and made the lioness stagger. Rose fluttered undecidedly in the air. Edward didn't mind. He delivered the lioness several blows before she could gather. He blinked. Bael suddenly disappeared in blue mist. "You're no vampire." He challenged. "Show yourself." Bael was back. She stabbed for his back. Edward saved himself by throwing himself to the floor. "I have you now." Bael looked down at him with death in her eyes. "I don't think so." Edward then threw himself forward. He still had his sword in hand. Bael gasped as she figured his tactics. She couldn't get away dough. Edward nailed her through the stomach. The blade went through armour, cloth and flesh. Edward saw her eyes became glassed over. She was dead before reaching the floor. Edward cleaned his blade on her armour as he watched for Saria. The dryad shyly walked toward him. "I'm sorry." She said in a low voice. "I heard you call for me." She blushed slightly. "But I was to busy fighting the Bael." Edward threw it aside. "Nothing to worry about." He told her. "Everything is fine." Saria looked like she accepted his words. Edward wasn't so sure dough. His girlfriend was changing. It was so subtile he hadn't noticed at first. She was more eager to join battle. As Another thing was that Saria had grown more pashionate when making out. It wasn't that she'd become wicked or anything like that. Edward thugged his beard. He just couldn't quite set the finger on it. The sound of clapping hands broke into his line of thoughts. "I really must congratulate you." An oily voice anaunced. Edward racked his whip as a figure in black hood and cloak entered through the furthest tunnel. "You really are of Belmont bloodline." "Who are you?" Saria asked. Edward noticed she'd prepared one of her precious silver arrows. Edward shook his head. Whoever or wathever this person was, it was no dark wanderer. "Don't listen to him!" Rose then shreeked. Edward threw the fairy a bevieldered glance. How did she knew about this fellow? "Serpent!" Rose continued shouting. She shone a bright blue glow. "Do not think you can intimidate me." The stranger said, pointing a finger at their companion. "God in Heaven." Edward stepped back. The hand reaching for his fairy was clad with pale green-greyish scales. "You're no lizard." Saria said. Her voice somewhat shakiy. "It's a Phantathaian serpent priest." Rose said. The cloaked figure didn't denay her words. Instead he made a gesture which made a pack of ragtag rat-men to come running. "Garoyan rat-warriors." Saria sounded like she cursed. Edward nodded. He also recognised their enemies. "The Dark Lord will give a reward to he who brings him the chosen one." The Phantathian continued in his oily tone. "A reward beyond the dreams of ordinary men." His thoung appeared to lick his lips. "But I am no man." Those words rang in Edward's mind like bells. Somehow he'd heard those words before. Never mind. His hand settled upon the pocket containing his DSS-cards. The serpent hissed. Like it could feel their power. "Kill the man." The priest then told his thugs. "Leave the dryad to me." Daggers or boomerangs appeared in the rat's hands. Edward knew what would happen. Instead of defence he threw himself forward.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
Saria slowly put away her bow. Somehow she knew this was about more than mer weapons. "You really are a wise little flower." The serpent priest hissed in that disgustive oily tone. "I see why they chose you." Saria bit back a rethort. She stepped away from him as he moved closer. "So my friend." He almost hummed. "Don't be afraid." He reached at her with his scalled hand. "Whouldn't it be a blessing to be free from it?" Saria licked her lips. Suddenly her mouth felt dry. "I feel your fear. Your anger." The Phantathian priest continued. Saria couldn't help but shiver. Sure it would be a blessing to get rid of the responsebilety. "The Dark Lord can set you free." Her enemy told her. "He is not at war with your tribe. You don't need to become involved." Saria turned away her eyes. Her love for Edward burned in her heart. It was like the serpent read her mind. "The man might go with you. He might even continue to worship his God. All the Dark Lord wants is for you to leave him in peave." Saria shook her head. She was confused. What should she do? "Don't trust him." Rose settled upon her shoulder. "The Dark One never keeps his promises." The serpent stopped. Then he again stepped toward her. "Why should you listen to her?" He whispered. "She came from your enemy." "He lies!" Rose shot back. "They said they would leave us alone. Then they came and crushed our fountain." They continued arguing. Saria payed no attention. Her mind was busy poundering their words. Saria had seen the ravaging of the dryads who had pledged fealty to Dracula. She had witnessed how other followers of the Dark Lord had unleashed their hatred, pain and cruelty upon the forest. Saria couldn't bring herself to trust Dracula. He was a wicked pervertion who should never had come to power. The rainbow seed bloomed in her heart. At least that where true. Saria feared what was happening with her. She had tried to refuse it. Had tried to ignore it. She really was angry she had no say in the matter. But did any of it reallykount? As a dryad Saria knew she had to protect the living aura of the forest. That was why her tribe came to be. Doubt clouded her mind. Why she? Saria knew other dryads who where more powerful then her. Other who knew the secrets of the tones of sorcery. Torah was a better candidate then she could ever be. Saria knew they where questions without answers. She was chosen and there where nothing she could do to change it. What Dracula offered she couldn't accept. She took a deep breath. Be what may be. "No." She said, breaking into their argument. "Go back to Hell with your offers." The serpent glared at her. Although she couldn't see his eyes, Saria felt the cold anger in his heart. "So be it." He said in a low voice which made her shiver. "Then it is time to die."

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 21st. of December 2098 A.D.
The shrouded figure lifted its arms. Edward swung his whip. The last rat-man fell into a heap. They hadn't really been a treath. Their job was to keep him busy as the priest murdered Saria. His girlfriend threw herself to the floor as ugly green flames shot from the Phantathian's hands. "Get away from her!" Edward roared as he cracked the whip at his enemy. The serpent was quicker then his eye could follow. Before Edward could deliver his blow the priest was already out of reach. "Do not think you can defeat me that easily." The serpent said with a dark glee which Edward could feel even from this distance. Edward side-stepped as the evil snake threw flames at him. Edward ran as he threw holy water at the serpent priest. The enemy dodged with ease. He hissed. It sounded like a laugher. "I am more than a match for you in mer strenght." He taunted. "We will see." Edward said as he sent his throwing-cross toward the evil worm. "Foolish human." The serpent hissed. "Such mer magic has no place here." He continued his hissing laugher as he threw more flames at him. Edward knew he was running out of tricks. The serpent kept him moving so that he couldn't summon his DSS-cards. Suddenly the priest staggered. Gasping sounds could be heard as the serpent grasped for the silver arrow burried in the soft flesh of his neck. Then he collapsed into a heap. Edward swollowed heavily as he watched the final struggle of the priest. His heels hammered against the floor. "I had to do it." Saria said while putting a small hand into his. "She is right master." Rose added as she lifted into the air. Edward didn't quite know what to say. It had to be done. Still he felt bad about it. If you had to do it. You should at least deliver a quick and painless death. He turned away as Saria went to retrive her arrow. He instead went to whip down a few candles. Inside one Edward found a stopwatch. It didn't really cheer him. Dough he picked up the item and placed it inside one of his coat's many pockets. He turned toward Saria. The earth shook. Edward became thrown to the floor. The floor shivered beneath him. "What's going on!?" Saria shreeked. Somewhat to their side the floor was cracked open. A demonic head appeared, glaring at them. Saria's bow sang. With a scream the head disappeared. "Earth demons!" Rose shouted her warning. "There is more of them comming!" Other portions of the floor was opened as three demons flew into the air. They shreeked. Edward could feel their hatred even from this distance. Two af them made rocks fly at him. The third went for Saria. He hadn't time to help her. Edward ran to avoid their spread-shot. If he'd only had his own sword in hand. Ghugh's sword really could get in handy right about now. As if his wish had
been a summoning his blade appeared upon the floor before him. Edward didn't feel happy about it. He worried for his cousin. Did this mean Alicia was dead? No time to figure it out. "Go and find my cousin!" He told Rose. "Bring them, bring her, back to me." The fairy fluttered doubtfully in the air. Then she shot on her way. Edward made the element of life lit his blade. Hugh Baldwin had been gifted with some of the same elementals Edward held. Golden light burned around the blade and lit up the space around him. Another onslaught of rocks came his way. The earth demons then made the floor shiver. Edward ran to get away from the rising rubble. He wasn't Nathan Graves but he knew a few tricks. He hung up his ancestor's sword in the empty scabard in which he'd stored St. Nicolus's Christmass gift. Then he cracked his chain-whip. Edward combined the Thunderbird and Diana cards. A spread-shot of electrical spheres shot from his chain-whip. The demons tried to dodge. Due to their elemental basis they where weak against air and lightning powers. Edward wished he'd gotten one of those elements for himself. But the DSS-cards was well worth a try. One of the demons became shot to pieces. The other hid among the shadows. Edward began to understand it'd been a mistake to send Rose away. It was a risc worth taking. He recoiled the whip as he drew his blade. "Careful now." He told himself. Nervously Edward combined the Thunderbird and Mars cards. The result was amazing. Power rised inside him. With a roar like thunder Edward pointed his blade skyward. Chain-lightning blasted across the cave. The remaining earth demon was caught completely off guard. It became shattered in matters of seconds. Edward fell to his knees. He wasn't used to this sort of things. In his village Edward had been forced to train his magic in secret. Edward knew that it also where the dark wanderers to think about. He shook his head. That was all such a long time ago. "It's everything alright?" Saria appeared at his side. Without thinking he put his arms around her. "I love you." He told her, more serious then ever. Saria smiled. "I know."

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Saria gathered herself. Although she could've given him an oral then and there, it wasn't the time for those kind of things. To change subject she asked Edward about his sword. "I see you've recovered your old sword." Edward looked down at the blade he'd dropped after his show of force. "It looks like it." He said as he brought back the weapon. He got back up. Then he threw her a look. "How did things go for you?" Saria looked away. "Don't ask." She said. Saria had used that rainbow glow in her heart to defeat the other earth demon. Edward gave her a sharp look. "I don't think so." He said. "I think it's time you tell me what is going on." Saria hung her head. She'd hoped it would never come to this. She knew she had to tell him dough. She inhaled deeply before she began. Edward's eyes narrowed as her tale went on. She told him about the ancient druids and the decree they had left to her tribe. "So you think you're this chosen one?" Edward said. Saria nodded. "Bougt that boy I met and the white witch thought so. So many strange things has happened that I really don't know what to believe." Saria was unsure what to expect from her boyfriend. Fear or perhaps rebuke? Edward frowned while thugging his beard. A habit he'd grown this last days. "If that's the truth." He finally said. "I hope our lifting of the curse will help your tribe too." Saria nodded. Although she was unsure if the forest really was free. The barrier most likly where gone. But she worried about other details of the legend about the sage of the forest. Edward mummbled something she couldn't quite figure. "I still have no compas." He then said. Saria couldn't help but giggle. Then she too became serious. Edward was right. "From Barnsdall forest we went eastward." Edward said alaud. "If we've gone in the right direction west should still be that way." He pointed at some of the tunnels. "Are you sure?" She asked. "That was where the Pantathian came from." Edward again thugged his beard. "I'm really not sure about anything these days." He confessed. She spread her arms. Saria knew he was right. She also knew it wasn't just the direction he was unsure about. "You couldn't use that power of yours to create light?" Edward suddenly asked. Saria began to shiver. She didn't want to try use the power. "It's our only hope." Edward said in a soft voice. "I know it's my fault who sent away Rose. But we really need light." Saria frowned. If she remembered correctly she'd heard rumours about the Belmont's relics. She asked him about that. Edward shook his head. "The true crystal is in Christian's hands." He smiled with memories. "He holds the Vampire Killer whip. He needs that relic more then we do." Saria understood. It was the one chosen by the Vampire Killer whip who should fight Dracula. He would need all the help he could get. Christian Belmont would have to explore darker realms than this cave. She shook her head. Saria knew that to change the subject wouldn't help in the long run. Edward again brought out his whip. "Let me try something." He said. He cracked the whip and flames burned around it. He lay it upon the floor. "What are you going to do?" Saria asked. Edward waved his hand. "There is something… " He trailed off as he began to investigate the corpses of their enemies. Saria shook her head. That he dared to toutch the dead serpent was more then she could. Edward threw away a snake-shaped ring of dark metal. "Don't toutch it." He warned her as she bent to pick it up. "I think it's still dangerous." Saria dried her hands on her tunic. Now that he mentioned it, she noticed the eerie red glow in the snake ring's eyes. Edward went to investigate the Garoyans. "At least none of them where priests." He said. "What makes you think so?" She asked. Edward shook his head. "No cevered fingers. No red-eye symbols." Saria frowned. "The rat-men believes that their god, Gortaur, He Who Surounds His Lair In Fire, manifests like a great eye." Saria couldn't help but shiver. "His priests carry his symbol and also cuts off their right hand's fourth finger. Although I'm not sure why they do so." Now it was Edward who frowned. "I asked John and Christian if they knew, but neither of them had an idea." He got to his knees. "Anyway." He said. "I don't think any of their belongings might burn." He retrived his whip. The flames where gone. The room again lay in darkness. "Where are you?" Edward asked. Saria reached out a hand. "I'm here." She told him. After a moment she felt his hand close around her's. "Do what you must, in the name of the Lord." He said, almost wispering. Saria closed her eyes. He'd done what he could to help her. It wasn't his fault there where nothing to burn. Above her fear for Arien, Edward's trust in here warmed her. Saria could almost feel his love shine in the shadows of the path.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Edward felt how Saria moved in the darkness. He felt pitty for her. When he had been forced to hide from the wanderers he'd fully figured the waight of his bloodline. Edward's entire family had been wiped out by Dracula's followers. He thanked the Lord for John Kishine who had brought Christian to the Vatican. There he'd been safe until he was ready. "I'm so afraid." He heard his girlfriend whisper. "Don't be." He said while putting an arm around her. "You know it is what you're born to do." He repeated father James's words. The priest of his village had often supported him with comfort when Edward was doubtful. "Jesus is there for all of this world's children." He felt Saria move. Then Edward noticed she was laughing. Although it was a mournful tone to it. "I thought he only came to the house of man." She said. Edward was unsure. Then he remembered something. "One of the Prophets, Jeremiah I think, said that "Those who wanders in the Darkness will see a great light."" Saria's laugher ended in silence. Edward continued. "Jesus said that "Seek and you shall find." I always have found solitude in that." His girlfriend didn't answer for some time. Then. "Pray for me, Edward." She said, bending over to kiss him. "Pray to Jesus that I will find, courage and faight to do what I have to do." Edward smiled, although he knew Saria couldn't see him in the darkness. "That I will do, Saria. For bought our sakes." He folded his arms.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Heinrich cut down the bone-man blocking his way. "Fountain of Fire!" Torah made multiple fireballs rain down upon their enemies. Patrick fired his shotgun, bullets burried themselves in the flesh of the rat-men. Alicia put away her sword. She then threw her cross. Heinrich watched with amazement how she made it split into multiple burning crosses. Although he possessed bought the axe, dagger and crucifix Heinrich wasn't used to utilize item-crushes. A trio of bone-men used his momentary lapse to throw their bones at him. Heinrich roared with pain as the bones hit home. The shards felt like burning spikes who drilled into his body. He staggered. Still he was able to take out the next flurry of bones. Torah then was at his side, ring-smash in hand. With impressed bevilderment he watched how the little girl cut them down. Heinrich got to his feet. He was grateful for having met his cousin. Alicia and Torah where more experianced in battle then he and Patrick. Not to mention that Rose was there to protect their lamps while they where busy fighting. Speaking of which. The shining little being shot toward Alicia. "Continue to follow the golden compas." She told. "I have to go to find my master." With that she was gone. Heinrich shook his head. "Why did you let her go?" He asked his cousin. "Now it will be more dificult to fight Dracula's monsters." Alicia threw him a look. "What should I've done?" She shot back. "She's Edward's fairy." Torah more calmly filled in. "Rose is tied to him. When she feels his need for her she must go." Heinrich was not so sure. Although Torah Fernandez was a sorceress-in-training she was no real magician yet. Alicia shook her head. She went to pick up her lamp. Patrick threw him a look before he too went for his lamp. That meant it would be him and Torah who had to watch out for enemies. Heinrich retrived his blade before he began moving. Alicia had given him the golden compas. Although ancient legends spoke of its power he didn't really care about it. As long as it showed them the way down here he would be happy about it.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Saria went deep into her heart. Thanks to Edward she was redeemed in her obligation. Now he wanted her to use the power given to her. Saria knew it had come to her when she needed it the most. But she was still not sure if she could control it through will. The seed was there, no doubt. It shone like a gemstone or a star, with all the colours of the rainbow. She inhaled deeply as she prepared to tap into the glorious point of light. "Master!" Saria's eyes widened as she got to her feet, bow and arrows at the ready. "Rose." Edward too was on his feet. But unlike her he had no weapon in his hands. "You don't know how happy I am to see you." The fay beamed with joy. "Thank you master." Rose formly danced in the air around Edward's head. Then she calmed down a little. Instead of bounching around she settled in front of his face. "I did as you told me master." She said. "Alicia is on her way. She brings others with her." Saria put away her weaponry. She too was glad to see the fairy. Now she didn't need to open Arien. Or rather, try to open Arien. "Do my sister have light of her own?" She asked Rose. The fairy nodded her petite head. "Torah Fernandez have with her lamps lit with oil." Edward frowned. Then he shook his head. "I'm glad they're allright. That episode with the sword really frightened me." Saria though worried about other things. "If you could fly between our groups." She asked the fairy. "Then you know the way down here?" The fairy shone brighter. "Of course I do. My fountain stood here." By the mentioning of her fountain Rose became dim with sorrow. Saria didn't mind. "Why haven't you said so?" She blourted out just as Edward said. "Then why didn't you show us the way?" Rose flew some distance so she could see them bought. "You didn't ask me." She told Saria. "Beside the New Order has changed some locations." Saria shook her head. Edward thugged his beard, mummbling something Saria couldn't quite figure. "Then perhaps you could show us the way now?" He asked. Rose again became slightly dimmer. "I'm not sure if I should master." She said. "There are strong evil powers down there." Saria smiled, although it didn't came from her heart. Edward grasped his whip. "Show the way." He said. "If Alicia is near there is nothing two Belmonts can't handle together." Saria nodded. "Remember fairy that you, my sister and me will be there to help them." Rose fluttered unsettled in the air before them. Then she pointed toward one of the openings. "We must go this way master." She told them. "Lead the way." Edward said. He drew his blade as Saria again prepared her bow and arrows.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
The tunnel Rose had lead them to continued going downward. Edward used his sword to cut down the few candles standing around. The arrows he gave to Saria. The crystals he kept for himself. Not that there had been much action this far. A few bats had come at them. But Saria had been quick to defeat them. Something had changed dough. Saria had been the first to notice, dryad as she was. The walls no longer had stripes of ore in them. Seemingly they'd left Barnsdall mine behind. Edward guessed they now where beneath the Jam wasteland. The cracking of bones where the only warning. Rose shreeked as skeletons rised from the soil who covered the floor. Edward threw himself forward. But no faster then Saria's arrows. Already two bone-men lay in ashes due to her shooting. Edward cut down another bag of bones. Saria released more arrows. Rose flew among the bones, confusing the spell which controlled the undead bones. Edward roared as a series of bones hit home. Rose shot at him, using her magic to close his wounds. Edward threw holy water to make them keep their distance. Then he dug his blade into the floor as he again called upon the element of life. A golden flame rised and then burned across the floor, destroying several bones. "Thank you Lord!" Edward roared as he made the sign of the cross. Still more bone-men where advancing. And now also the bats started attacking. Edward replaced his sword and instead cracked the whip. He combined the Mercury and Salamander cards. The whip was again set on fire. He flailed the chain-whip at them as he also threw holy water. "Star bow! Blue arrow!" Saria was using her own magic to take out other bone-men. Rose flew in to close his wounds as new bones hit home. Edward combined the Serpent and Diana cards, making projectiles of ice to become spread. He really was grateful for the DSS-cards. Although he knew John had greater claims to hold them. In reality Christian should've been given them to begin with. Edward combined the Serpent and Mercury cards, making his whip shine with blue frost power. Edward wasn't really gifted with ice. Fire, water and life where his best allies. The frost made the bones shatter. "Star bow!" Saria sent new magical arrows. Edward supported himself against the wall. The last bones lay burning on the floor. "Thank you." He said to none in particular. "Thank you very mutch." "No need to thank me." Saria almost pured as she put her tiny arms around him. She pulled back his hat as Edward bent to kiss her. "We don't have time for that." He said as Saria unbuckled her belt. "When we selebrate Christmass we have twelve days to ourselves." With a slightly disapointed look in her eyes Saria stepped back. Edward smiled. He understood her. He longed for her as much as she did. But what a shame it would have been if Alicia and Torah reached them as they where making out. Although Torah was Saria's half-sister she still was too young for this kind of things. "If you don't want to make out." Saria said teesingly. "I still want to do something I've longed for quite some time." Edward frowned. What was she talking about? The naughty look in her eyes didn't ment good. Or perhaps that was exactly what she was going at. Saria suddenly unbuckled his belt. Then she got on her knees. "What are you… " Edward began asking, slightly nervous. "Shut up, naughty boy." Saria giggled. There where something raspy about her voice which made him shiver. Saria removed his pants before she opened her mouth. Edward moaned and this time it wasn't in pain. Edward hadn't believed Saria to know things like this. Nor that she would like to perform them.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Rose sat cross-legged upon a small opening in the wall. She'd never seen things like this before. The rat who had conquered her had made Rose do many things. Things she didn't want to remember. Rose turned her attention back on the pair below her. Being a spirit of nature Rose could feel their energy rising. Master Edward's build-up she recognised. Although it was slightly diferent from that of her former master. Saria, the dryad, was something else. Rose felt her like a sprout on the verge of blooming. Still this was diferent. It was like the forest itself slept inside the dryad. Rose didn't understand. Something great was flowering within the heart of her master's lover. As she watched it was like briliant light for a single moment became visible. Rose couldn't help but gasp with wonder. This was greater then anything she'd ever seen.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Edward sat on the floor, watching as Saria cleaned her face. "I didn't really thought you did things like that." He told her. Saria smirked. "I know many things." She said meaningly. "After my 13th. Birthday I felt it come over me." Saria became serious. "Two of my sisters helped me the first four years. Then they went with me to hunt in the forest." She smiled with memories. Edward felt himself blush. Saria looked like being something around 16 or 17 years old. He often forgot she was more then 100 years old. Edward gathered himself. He retrived his vials and put them back on his belt. "Haleluja!" Edward exclaimed. "Oh no!" Rose turned a dim yellow. Saria giggled. "I see you finally got yourself a lamp." She teesingly commented. Edward shook his head. He'd heard about these things. That some enemies left behind helping items when slain. But Edward hadn't actually believed it until now. "Calm down Rose." He told his familar. He put the lamp into his backpack. "I won't send you away or anything." The fay almost fell to the floor with relief. "Thank you master Edward." Rose said while flying toward him. "I'm no rat-man." Edward said. "I promised I would be your card-holder until I found someone more worthy." "That you didn't tell me." Rose said, again changing colour. Edward shook his head. "You know I'm no wizard or sorceror." He reminded. "I'm just another vampire hunter." Saria walked over to where he was standing. "He is right." His girlfriend softly told the fairy. "Then." Tiny tears, like shattered crystal, fell from the fairy's eyes. "Then who are you going to give me to?" Edward threw Saria a look, she shook her head. "I don't think I'm the right one either." She said. "But you're the sage of the forest." Rose exclaimed. Edward could almost feel the pain rediating from Saria. "I'm not that Saria." She said. Edward frowned. What did she talk about? "We'll talk about this later." He suggested. Saria nodded, relied to change the subbject. "Lead the way Rose." Edward said. "Without your help we wouldn't get anywhere." "Just continue down the corridor master." Rose said. Edward nodded. To his surprise Rose settled upon Saria's shoulder. The two silently began talking. Edward didn't even try to listen in. Clearly this was some sort of "girltalk". He instead prepared his whip. Just in case, if those bone-men should reappear. "No way!" Saria suddenly shouted. "Not that too. You don't mean to take that from me too!?" Rose said something. Edward turned. Just then another pack of bone-men rised out from the earth. Edward cracked his whip. The same precidure as every year. He shook his head. Where had that come from? Never mind. Edward threw holy water around. He had to take care of them quick.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Saria fired her bow. "Star bow! Blue arrow!" She shouted, calling upon the magic she'd practiced all her life. She felt the rainbow glow in her heart starting to burn. Saria refused its call. "Magic arrow!" Another bone-man collapsed into a heap of ashes. Saria almost believed she was beginning to figure it out. "Blue bow!" She drew slightly backward while releasing more arrows. Whenever she got angry or afraid, she blushed. Even when she grew pashionated, the seed would react. Saria could see Edward behind the group of skeletons. Whip in hand he advanced toward her location. She felt her heart beat faster. Saria knew she could always trust him to come to the rescue. That was part of the problem. Saria knew Edward had other obligations. To know that he left his quest to hunt Dracula for her sake made her love him even more. Still she knew it was wrong. If he failed the forest would die. All dryads who didn't pledged fealty to the Dark Lord and Chaos would be slaughtered or given to the vampires. Saria didn't know what would be the worst. To slowly become tortured to death in the hands of the wanderers. Or to become turned into a plaything by Dracula's twisted women. "Magic arrow! Blue bow!" She shot down the few bones who didn't became burned by Edward's holy water. "Everything allright?" He asked her. "Of course." She said, blowing him a kiss. He smiled at her. Then he recoiled his weapon. "We must continue." He reminded. "I know." She said while preparing her own weaponry. Rose flew in front of them. "This way." She said. "Hurry." The fairy advised. "We're right behind you." Edward said.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Patrick went down the tunnel. At least the bones where nowhere to be seen. "Why is he so afraid?" Alicia suddenly asked in a low voice. Patrick gathered himself. Usually he wouldn't tell strangers about this kind of things. But the blonde was Henrich's sister. She deserved to know. "He isn't really afraid." He began in the same low tone Alicia had used. "But he's worried. Worried if he can be the vampire hunter his family want him to be." Patrick shrugged. "I'm not sure if I should say this." He added. "But he sees you as his great idol." Alicia blushed slightly looking away. "I've seen you in combat." Patrick continued. "I see why Heinrich admire you so greatly. You're a far better vampire hunter then he could ever be." Patrick shook his head. "Not that we haven't fought the monsters by ourselves. But that's nothing compared with your doings." Alicia shook her head. "I did what I had to." She said. "Thanks to friends and family I have come this far." Patrick again shrugged. "I know I really shouldn't ask you this." He then said as softly he could. "But are you in love with Alucard?" Alicia shook her head. "He is atractive." She confessed. "But no. I'm not in love with him." Patrick threw her a look. There where something she didn't tell. But what it was he couldn't figure. Their conversation was cut short as another group of bone-men and rats appeared from one of the multiple sideways. Patrick reached for his shotgun as Alicia drew her blade. "We have to protect the lamps." She reminded. Patrick nodded. In front of them Heinrich and Torah was already moving. Patrick had to admit they where a perfect match of fighters. Perhaps their bloodlines remembered how their ancestors long ago fought together against count Dracula.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Rose spread a dim glow through the tunnel. Edward held his hand close to his weapons. For quite some time there had been silent. Only the periodic quakes and falling rubble disturbed the silence. Those quakes concearned him. It was like the white witch, dough dead, could reach from beyond the grave to cause trouble. Judging by Rose's glow and Saria's silence Edward figured it worried his friends as well. Although Edward knew it was to late, he now wished he'd summon the Griffon or Thunderbird from his DSS-cards to fly them back to the forest. Still it was like something told him this was the right place to be. Why he felt so Edward didn't understand. His boot was soaked with water. Edward cursed. He'd forgotten about the pond inside this portion of the path. Saria moved forward. Edward had already noticed. He whipped at the slugs in the pond. Although they where disgustive he'd grown used to them by now. Or at least, somewhat used to them. Why the giant slugs felt so repulsive he didn't know. Edward had met far worse creature these past weeks. Why should someone who'd felt the rotting stench of zombies be so disturbed by these little snails? They wheren't small dough. That was one thing. Edward gathered himself. He threw some holy water upon the remaining slugs. The fact that they burned clearly suggested that the demon castle's aura did had something to do with them. How Castlevania could influate creatures this far away was a greater problem. It was a stern warning that count Dracula's castle was back. If he should really need a reminder. Edward rememberd only to clear how Castlevania had rebuilt itself all around them. The few hours of sleep he permited himself often was disturbed by that memory. The cave again shook. "This way!" Rose shouted. They hurried into another chamber. The cave shook again, more wildly this time. "Watch out!" Saria's bow sung as the dryad released arrows at the earth demons appearing from beneath the floor. There where four of them, ugly Hellspawn with dark brown skin. Edward threw his cross at them. He summoned his bloodline power and made the holy boomerang split into multiple crosses. The demons scattered as they threw rocks at him. Edward brought out his sword. "Blue bow! Magic arrow!" Saria used her magic to keep the winged demons at bay. Two demons swooped down at Edward. He ran as the earth demon used their magic to make the rubble rise and wave forward. Edward used his bloodline power to make it rain with holy water. Although it didn't kill the demons it made them stagger. As they where still preocupied by shaking off his rain, Edward reached for his DSS-cards. "Take this boys." He muttered while combining the Griffon and Mars cards. It nearly was to powerful for him to handle. Edward pointed his blade outward as he became the eye of the storm. Powerful winds blew all around him. "Stop it!" Rose shouted while hanging onto his coat with dare life. "Please stop it master!" Edward put back his sword. The winds immediately stopped blowing. Edward shook his head. He had to get the hang of this if he ever should do battle with Dracula. The count knew his powers inside and out. Edward was still learning how to use his abileties. At least the earth demons where no more. Good enough as he had other things to worry about. Saria came walking toward him with anger beaming in her eyes. "Do never ever do that again." She said in a barely controlled voice. "You nearly killed me." Edward shook his head. "I have to learn how to use the cards." He explained. "You should practise your own powers." Saria looked away, her anger almost forgotten. "I know." She said in a very silent voice. Then her anger lit up again. "Still you shouldn't go around, throwing people against the walls." Edward actually blushed. "I really didn't meant to harm you." He said. "I promise to be more careful when using these things." Now it was Saria who shook her head. "Don't give promises you cannot keep." She said. "I know you must learn to master your items if you should ever become the vampire hunter you want to be." Edward smiled, thugging at his beard. He hadn't noticed she cared for his quest. She noticed his confusion. "What did you think of me?" She asked. "That I didn't want you to become the man you are growing into?" Edward shrugged. Not sure what to think. "I can't be together with you forever." He finally said. "Not only that I'll live shorter then you. But I have to leave the forest to hunt the night." Saria nodded. "I know that." Edward frowned. Sometimes Saria surprised him. "I thought you would try to hold me back." He remembered what she'd said earlier. "Is it not so that your tribe hunt and capture men to hold them as sex-slaves?" For a moment it looked like Saria wanted to slap him in the face. Then she spun around. "We do capture men of many species." She said. "But we only have them with us as long the urge is upon us." She explained. "If a dryad falls in love she will go with him to live together with him. For a lifetime or as long as she wants to." Edward put a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry." He said. "I'm an idiot who didn't figure it out." He shrugged. "Why could else Torah sheer your bloodline." Saria turned. "The Belnades are a strange clan." She said. "For 125 years they have been our friends. For 20 years ago the children of Yoko Belnades came to live among my tribe." Edward thugged his beard. This was all new information for him. But having spent the last decade or so on the run made it dificult to care about other things. "We must continue." Rose finally said. Edward got out of his reverie. "Of course." He said. Saria went to pick up her belongings from where Edward had thrown them. He was glad he hadn't broken any of them. Then Rose lead them toward another opening.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Water dropped from the pointed rocks above them. This portion of the cave reminded Saria about the tunnels in Ravenberg. Mushrooms and moss covered the floor. Upon the walls grew wines and other strange flowers. Edward, who also seemed to remember, kept a watchful eye on the greeneries. Saria wasn't so sure dough. Even dough she recognised several plants she felt no evil here. Not that anything had felt good since they first came here. But at least none of her fallen cousins where near. Saria shuddered by the mer memory. The dark dryads really where a power to fear. If she remembered correctly some of Edward's ancestors had met dryads while fighting the Dark Lord. "There is another one!" Rose shouted her warning. The dank air down here made it dificult for the fairy to fly. It dimmed her glow and made it even more dificult to see. Saria was grateful for the luminous vegitation. Edward whipped his weapon at the giant slugs who crawled toward them. He still didn't like those slimy slugs. To be honnest, Saria didn't like them either. She stepped forward. Water splashed around her knees as Saria went into another of the hidden pools. Edward helped her out. They'd first-handedly experienced the deathly secrets who hid among the aquatic vegitation. "I don't know what will happen when we reach the countryside." Edward said in a concearned voice. "With out clothing soaked we'll surely freeze to death." Saria smiled at him. "We have to stay close together." Saria hid her giggle behind her hand as she noticed his expression. "I didn't intend to… " She began. Then the earth shook. Saria was thrown to the floor as another earth demon appeared out from the ground. This time it didn't come alone. From the muddy soil bone-men rised around them. Edward's whip was in motion already before the bones had fully emerged. Saria had her own problems to think about. Either this demon had watched them fight its specimen, or it just where smarter, Saria didn't know. She didn't really care as the earth demon already was throwing rocks at her. "Star bow! Blue arrow!" Saria had noticed these type of demons didn't liked wind, lightning or frost magic. Saria tried to be calm instead of angry or afraid. She knew the earth demon could kill her. The arrows hit home. The demon shreeked, fiercly flapping its wings. Saria got an ugly flashback of the white witch's demon form. She threw it aside. "Star bow! Magic arrow!" The demon made the rubble rise and wave toward her. Saria easily jumped the wave. She was grateful for having trained agilety. She'd seen what human cheer leaders could perform. Saria was impressed by their grace and agilety. But it was the ballai who really sat her on fire, figure of speatch. "Blue bow! Magic arrow!" She sent two more arrows at her enemy. The earth demon countered with a set of well-placed rocks. "Star bow!" This time her projectile hit home. The demon shreeked like it was tearing the very air appart. Saria hid her ears behind her hands. It was terrible to hear the enemy crying out its death. Something small and slimy crawled up her leg. Shuddering Saria removed the slimy slug before it reached her skin. She knew it was a mistake the moment before her hand went numb. "Edward!" She shouted. Her boyfriend came running toward her. His hand burried in his pocket. A soft glow surounded his cross as he put it into her hand. "Thank you." Saria said. "One more second and I would have been forced to choose between slow death or cutting of the hand." She was grateful Edward didn't comment on her mistake. The giant slugs where poisonous enough to kill upon contact. She slightly shuddered. Edward smiled. Then he turned. Saria didn't knew much about those cards. But she was relieved they could be used for more then a weapon during combat. Never mind. She picked up her bow and went to join her boyfriend. The high greeneries often blocked her view. Somehow Saria sometimes felt where he was. Saria was unsure if that feeling was founded on their love. Or if it was another power given by Arien. Nevermind. She sped up to join with him. Edward flailed his whip at another slug. Saria smiled. She brought forth her own weaponry. Before she could aid him however, Edward had already destroyed the poisonous snails. "You have to go this way." Rose pointed. The cave narrowed into five new tunnels. The fairy wanted them to enter the rightmost of the tunnels. Before entering dough, Saria noticed the fay had become even dimmer.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Torah absently toutched her ring-smash. Heinrich was concentrated on the golden compas. "I don't get it." He finally confessed. "There is four tunnels. The compas tell us to continue but I don't know which opening is the right one." Alicia shrugged. "We just have to choose one and place our faith in that the Lord will guide us." Torah nodded. "I agree with Alicia." She said. "God has lead us this far. Then why shouldn't He continue to help?" Patrick frowned. Torah threw him a look. She wasn't really sure what she should think about him. Thomas, Patrick's brother she guessed, had been hard to figure. Although he was an absent member of her own family, she still was unsure about man-beasts. "Although the Lord have given you the Holy Ghost." Patrick began. "It's no reason to run headfirst into things." Alicia shook her head. "bought the Lord and Jesus gives the Ghost." Torah frowned. She had feared it would come to this. The old argument between the Orthodox and the Catholic churches was meaningless when hunting Dracula. She said so. "The Devil's laugher is all our reward if we argue among ourselves." She added. Grandmother Yoko had been a member of the Catholic church. In her younger days Yoko Belnades had even been a nun. But when it was discovered that her grandmother possessed magical powers she had been expelled from her order. Even so, the Jesuit movement's secret departement had recruited her to their agency. Torah put it aside. "We just have to choose one tunnel." Patrick and Alicia exchanged glances before they went to pick up the lamps. "You should've told me you where a member of the Orthodox church." Torah heard Alicia say. She didn't mind. She hoped they would find a way to settle the argument. "We take the right one." Heinrich finally picked. Torah shrugged. Sooner or later Rose would return. If nothing had happened with Edward that was.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Edward frowned. "I'm so sorry." He finally said. "I Edward frowned. "I'm so sorry Rose." He told his fairy. "I didn't know we had to go this way." The shining little figure sat sobbing on the marble fence going around the shambled fountain. "It isn't your fault." Rose said while streaking away tears. "It might comfort you." Saria explained. "That the pond of miracles is still clean." Edward gave her a mystified looke. "What's a pond of miracles?" He asked. "Directly in front of your nose." Saria teased. Then his girlfriend became serious. "The pond of miracles is the source of the fountain's water." Edward slowly nodded. He should've known there where something special about the pool. The water was some of the purest blue he'd ever seen. It seemed to shine with its own inner glow. "Speak your wish." Rose said. He blinked. "What?" Rose shone a bright pink. "Throw a coin into the water." Saria softly explained. "It's you humans who tell legends about wells of wishes." Edward didn't mind her sarcasm. He was concentrated on what Rose was saying. "If your heart is good and clean." Rose continued. "If you have no doubt and if the wish is selfless it may still come true." Edward smiled. The mer fact the old stories where true was for him the fulfilment of a dream. He told that to Rose. The fairy beamed with joy. "Then there is still hope for the house of man." She said while dancing around his head. "Calm down." Edward told the exctatic fay. Although he smiled. "No need to celebrate." He turned to Saria. "Will you and Rose scout the new cave?" He asked. Saria carefully viewed him. Then she nodded. Edward had a feeling she hid a smile. "Come on Rose." She told his fairy. "Your master needs to be alone." Although somewhat unsettled, the girls left the cave. Edward brought out and lit the lamp. Then he walked over to the pond. He brought out his purse where he stored the mystic crystals. He hoped they would do. "Make fairies return to this fountain." He said while throwing one crystal. After some thinking Edward even threw another crystal. "Make us find the way out of here." He closed the purse before he replaced it into his pocket. No need to not wish for good luck. The Lord would surely guide them. Edward picked up the lamp and jogged toward the opening through wich his friends had vanished.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Saria mindfully entered the cave. This chamber was larger then any she'd seen since the vegitation field. The other end of the tunnel was hidden in shadow. Even this area was grown with strange vegitation. But the dank air which had filled the other area wasn't as big a problem in this chamber. "Rose." Saria asked the fairy. "Are you sure about my pashion?" Rose fluttered closer to her face. "I'm sorry." The fay said while somewhat dimming her light. "I saw what I saw Saria. I can't alter it." Saria nodded. She hadn't really expected something else. When Saria had last been close with Edward, her pashion and love for him had made Arien awaken. Although Saria's love made the rainbow glow feel cleaner and more natural, she was unsure if that was the right way. If the legend where true and Saria really was the chosen one, she would one day be forced to awaken Arien. The sage of the forest only awakened when the forest was in jeperdy. Saria wondered if the arrival of count Dracula was enough. The myths of the sage where older then the vampire's rise to the Dark Lord's throne. "Everything seems to be in order." Saria spun around, her bow at the ready. "Calm down." Edward lifted his hands in a calming gesture. "It's just me." Saria didn't let go of her weapon. "Do the sign of the cross so that I know it's you." She demanded. Edward nodded. "I understand." He stepped backward. "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth." He did the sign of the cross. "Be the will of the Lord." Saria smiled. Relieved she put away her weapons. "I'm glad it's you." She confessed. "What kept you?" Edward shrugged. "There was just something I had to do." Saria didn't ask him more question. Not when she had a prity good idea about what he'd done. That was when bone-men appeared out from the ground. "Get down!" Edward shouted. Saria dropped herself to the floor as Edward whipped right where she had been. The bone-man collapsed into a heap of ashes. Saria got up into a kneeling posture. As quickly she could Saria released arrows toward her enemies. Rose flew around before finally settling upon Edward's hat. Her boyfriend threw vials of holy water around himself. There where more bone-men comming. Edward made a rain of icicles to become spread. "Blue bow! Magic arrow!" Saria joined the fight by using her own form of magic. She made them collapse and burn to ashes. As Saria moved out another arrow, she wondered how long they'd actually been down here.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Heinrich cleaned his sword upon the tunic of a fallen rat. Beside him Torah was running through their clothing. Heinrich wasn't sure if she should do that. To rob the dead made him think of ghouls. Not that Torah was out for flesh or anything. "No dark relics." The little sorceress finally concluded. "You did what you had to." Patrick said. Heinrich threw him a look. "Don't tell me you're a ghoul too." Patrick snorted a laugh. "Don't be funny." His friend argued. "Torah is the only person here who might feel evil magic." Heinrich shrugged. "We Belmonts might see beyond the obvius you know." Alicia shook her head. "Only when it comes to the living or the living undead." Heinrich brought up his hands in surender. "Not that we can't pick out a demon or darkside." Alicia comforted. "But we're no magicians." Heinrich nodded. "I can agree to that." He said. Heinrich was happy it was that way. The Bible spoke against the use of wizardry. But that was the real point. The Belmont clan had been given absolution by the Orthodox church. While the Catholics had decreed that the Belmont's bloodline power was given by God. Heinrich deeply hoped the Catholics where right about it. If not the Orthodox had promised them forgiveness of sins. Like his friend Heinrich was a member of the eastern church. Alicia was one of the few in his family who was a member of the Catholic church. Not that he really disliked Alicia for chosing another church. The Morris and Kishine families where bought supporters of the Roman Catholic church. Only the Graves family where members of the protestant church of America. "Let's go." Torah suggested. Heinrich smiled. "I hadn't forgotten." He said while joining Torah in front of their group. "Don't treat me like that." She suddenly said. "What do you mean?" Heinrich asked. "I'm no child." Torah argued. "Although I'm only 12 it dosen't mean you have to treat me like a baby." He shook his head. "I'm sorry Torah. But you are a child." Torah glared at him. Heinrich quickly continued. "But that isn't the same to say that you can't take care of yourself." He shrugged before adding. "You're probibly the most powerful of us four." Torah blushed. Heinrich looked away to not embares her. That most likly was the reason why he was the first to notice the eerie blue mist which filled the air before them.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Edward checked the stopwatch. "You're right Saria." He then said. "You might use this thing as an ordinary clock too." His girlfriend smiled. Then she became serious. "Then what's the time?" She asked. Edward shook his head. "Believe it or not." He said. "But we've been down here for almost a day." Saria shook her head. Edward knew what she felt. If he was correct, it'd been early mid-day on the 21st. when they defeated the white witch. Then it'd taken them the rest of that day to avoid the earthquake created when Barnsdall mine collapsed. Now it was ten of clock in the evening. Edward shook his head. "I really look forward to getting out of here." He confessed. Saria nodded. "I know what you mean." Rose, who sat cross-legged upon his hat chirped her agreement. "It's so painful looking what they've done to what was my home." Edward used one finger to touth her shoulder. "Have faight." He said. "I know what you did." Rose almost wispered. "I have hope." Edward nodded. He put back the stopwatch. "What are you talking about?" Saria asked. Rose fluttered over to sit on Saria's shoulder. Because of the luminous moss covering the walls they didn't need to depend so much on the fairy's glow. At least they had begun to climb upward again. It wasn't as straight as when they'd gone downward. But at least Edward began to hope they would soon leave the grown area of the path. He whipped at one slug who appeared from one pool. The air felt better here. But it still had that dank warmth to it. Edward wondered how it could be that Dabi's path had been carved out of rock earlier. When here it was made out of earth. He asked Saria about it. "The mine goes deeper. But I think we've left the mine." She frowned. "Didn't we speak of this earlier?" Edward shrugged. "Then we spoke of the ore." He reminded. Saria didn't mind when continuing her explenation. "I don't know how much of this area which is made by humans and how much of it is made by Dracula's slaves. The walls and ceiling are still rock." Edward frowned. "Do you say it's earth inside the bedrock?" Saria waved her hands. "I'm no geologist." She said. "My knowledge is about trees. Ask a dwarf if you want to know more about these things." Edward shook his head. What she said made him feel more confused then ever. "It was the Dark Lord who came with the earth." Rose suddenly said. "Four years ago they came. My mother said it was earth from Castlevania." Edward couldn't help but shudder. If the Dark Lord's followers had spread sorcered earth throughout the countryside, it explained why the castle could have such a far-reaching effect. "Don't mind it." Saria said, toutching his arm. "You and your family will free the countryside." She smiled. "That's what you Belmonts always do." Edward shook his head. "On three ocations I can mention." He said. "It was other than my family who ended Dracula's raign." Not that Edward felt jelous or something. Hector, Sanoah and Corenell had done what they had to. "This time it's the Belmonts who will fight him." Saria comforted. Edward shrugged. "Be the will of God." He said while making the sign of the cross. They entered into another tunnel. Here there where no vegitation covering the wall. It was some time before Edward could addept to the darkness. Rose left Saria's shoulder to again circle their perimiter. A few bats flew at them. Saria fired arrows at them. A few bone-men appeared from the soil. Edward whipped at them. He dodged the bones thrown at him. Saria sent more arrows toward them. Edward whipped down a few candles. They moved through the tunnel as Edward made the bones retreat. "Watch out!" Rose warned. Edward side-stepped the thrown boomerangs. He threw holy water at them on their return. At the other end of the tunnel the combined group of rats and bone-men advanced forward. "Take them!" A voice sounded from behind the monsters. "It's only a human." Another voice encouraged. Edward and Saria fought back to back. His girlfriend had dropped her bow as she'd brought out her sword and shield. Edward flailed the chain-whip at his enemies. In his left hand he held Quincey Morris's Bowie-knife. From atop his hat Rose encouraged their efforts. She also distracted the rats by throwing curse-words Edward hadn't heard before. The fairy used her power to close their wounds. Still Edward was gasping for air when the last rat lay dead on the floor. Saria swung her own blade, finishing off the last bag of bones. It wasn't over. Walking down the tunnel one one Buer and one Bael. Edward forced himself to stand. He knew this would be his last fight. He hadn't slept for almost a day. The constant fighting hadn't given space for much rest. "Be the will of God." He said while recoiling his whip. Making the sign of the cross he brought out Hugh Baldwin's sword. With the blade in one hand, and with the Bowie in the other, Edward awaited their approach.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Saria couldn't believe this was happening. Edward was so tiered after days of battle. Still he was determined to stand tall. This even dough they bought knew he wouldn't survive. Her heart beat faster in her chest. The rainbow glow of Arien burned like a forest on fire. On his hat Rose shone with golden fire. "Oh my Lord." Saria heard Edward mummble. "Hear my prayer and give me the power of One." He made the sign of the cross. Saria shook her head. Edward couldn't do this. Saria knew the Belmonts could summon their power to make the light burn high and bright for one single moment. They called it the power of One. She knew it would kill him. She just couldn't allow this to happen. Edward threw himself toward the lionesses. Saria watched with horrified love how her boyfriend fought his enemies. Never had she seen anything like it. He managed to score several hits before he was forced on the defensive. With sweath running down his brow Edward fought like he'd all strenght in the world. Still she could almost feel how close to the limits of his strenght he really was. Arien burned in her heart. Edward staggered. The ancient beasts prepared their final blow. Saria stepped forward. She wouldn't let it end like this. Then a flurry of axes hit home. Saria was thrown to the floor as repeated lightning shook the tunnel. Still the enemies where to fast. They managed to turn into their altarnate form before the axes could reach them. "Heinrich." Edward smiled. "So nice to see you." He brought back his weapons. Saria looked from the blonde man to Edward. Her boyfriend unwrapped his whip. "Take it, cousin." He said. The other man, Heinrich if she'd gotten it right, nodded as his hands closed around the weapon. "Thanks." Edward tipped his hat. Then he stepped backward before he fell to the floor. "Edward!" She and Rose cried in unison. The fairy lifted from his hat as Saria knelt beside him. Expecting him to be dead, Saria was confused when she noticed he'd merely fainted. "It was to much for him." Rose said. "He did what he could. But without rest. Something like this would happen." Saria nodded. "Sister!" Suddenly Torah was at her side. "Is he alright?" She asked, throwing a look at the fallen Edward. "It's just that he's tiered." Saria told. "He'll come around when having got some sleep." First now Saria noticed that Alicia was there too. She and Heinrich was fighting each of their enemy. To their side stood another man, with dark-blonde hair and thoughtful grey eyes. His hand lay on a shotgun. He was dressed in brown boots, grey trousers and a heavy army jacket. There was something about him which made Saria feel strange. "He is no ordinary man." Rose whispered. Torah made a grimace. "Have you not discovered it before now?" She asked with more then a little sarcasm. "Patrick Oldrey is my cousin." Her exprecion soured. "He's Thomas's brother. I still don't understand why Patrick isn't mentioned in my family tree." Saria shook her head. "I don't think that tree of yours is as powerful as mine." She said. Torah rolled her eyes. "It isn't like that at all you dummy." Saria couldn't help but giggle. "I knew it's no ordinary tree." She confessed. "I only thought to lit up things." Now it was Torah who laughed. "I should've known." Saria put her arms around her half-sister. "It's so good to have you back." Torah returned the embrace. "I think so too sister." They let go of each other. Patrick was walking toward them. "Is anything the matter?" He asked, looking at Edward. "Nothing really." Saria said. Rose flew to flutter before the man-beast's face. "He was so tiered that he fainted." She explained. Patrick shrugged. "Then we should let him sleep." He suggested. "I might carry him with me." To the sisters surprise the big man picked up Saria's sleeping boyfriend. "Are you sure it'll be alright?" She asked. Patrick nodded. "No need to worry dryad. Having superhuman strenght sometimes comes in handy." This time bought girls rolled their eyes.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 22nd. Of December 2098 A.D.
Heinrich and Alicia leant heavily upon their swords. The battle hadn't been easy. The Buer and Bale had gained reinforcement by others of their kind. Heinrich threw a look down the tunnel. The surviving lionesses had retreated in that direction. Some of the lamps Patrick had purchased had been destroyed during the battle. At least they still had Edwards's fairy familiar to lit the cave. Heinrich frowned. He wasn't really sure if he liked that. His cousins might trust these creatures, but he was still unsure what to believe. Alicia put back her blade. Like in Draco wood Torah had used her magic to revive Edward. The Morris clansman still looked like he could use a week sleep. But then again they all looked like they could need some rest. He shook his head. This wasn't the time for thoughts like these. His cousins had picked up the remaining lamps. The half-sisters were talking silently together. Heinrich didn't mind, he brought out the golden compass. "Let me have a look at it"? Edward asked. Without any comments Heinrich handed his cousin the shiny little object. "It shows us where to go", Alicia explained. Edward frowned as he handed back the compass. "I'm no wizard." he said. Shrugging Edward seemed to gather himself. "Then lead the way, cousin." Edward said as he laid his hand on his whip. The others prepared their weapons as well. Alicia drew her sword, Patrick loaded his shotgun and Saria brought out an arrow. Rose settled upon Edwards hat. Only Torah looked relaxed. Heinrich knew better though. He'd seen the little sorceress blast down enemies while casting her spells. Concentrating on the compass he led the group down the tunnel. It concerned him that no fire or airy blue mist was to be seen. Where had the enemies gone to? He made the sign of the cross. They came upon a split path. He frowned. "Alicia." He said, "Something is wrong." "The compass points to the other cave." Alicia looked concerned. "I don't get it." She confessed. "We came down the rightmost tunnel when we met you. Why is it going in the other direction now?" Torah involved herself in their conversation. "The compass shows the correct path. It doesn't lie. If it points that way, then that is the way we need to go." Heinrich wanted to speak against, it then the cave shook. Rubble fell to the floor. "What's going on?" he exclaimed. Edward tugged his beard. "I don't know", he said. "Sometimes it's the earth demon", he explained. Torah shook her head. "We have experienced it too." She told the others. "This time it's different though." Saria nodded. "I feel it too. Its like the blackness of eternal night has awakened." For the first time Heinrich could remember. The Fernandes girl looked shaken. "You are right." She said, "I've felt the same, both in the Wrad ruin and Draco wood. It's not the heart, that's somewhere in Barnsdall I think. I think something terrible is about to happen." Heinrich didn't know what to think, then Edward stepped forward. "Give me the compass." he demanded. "If you don't believe it then I will take it." Heinrich looked for Alicia to help him. His cousin shrugged. "Just hand it over." She said. "He knows what he's doing." Torah added. Now it was Heinrich who shrugged. "Here." He then said. "Show me what you've got." "What?" Edward blinked. " Never mind." Heinrich said. Edward recoiled his whip as he moved in front of the group. Heinrich stepped back while unsheathing his sword. With the descendant of Quincy P. Morris at the lead they entered the new cave.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. Of December 2098 A.D.
Edward went down the tunnel, compass in hand. "Blue bow! Magic arrow! " Saria released her magical projectiles. The Buer who had tried to sneak up behind them was dead before reaching the floor. "I nearly had forgotten about them." Edward mumbled. Saira blew him a kiss. "Lucky for you I hadn't." She said. "This isn't the time for joking around." Heinrich said, looking somewhat irritated. "Just forget about it." Alicia said. "I just tried to cheer up a little." Saira said in a somewhat defensive tone. "Sorry." Heinrich said, although he didn't look like he meant it. "Relax." Patrick advised. Edward shrugged. His cousin had to become used to having members of the elder tribes around. Not all of them had pledged fealty to the dark lord. Patrick gave him a look. Edward couldn't help but feel little ashamed. He wasn't the right person to lecture Heinrich about these sorts of things. Not while Heinrich had a dark-breed as his best friend. "If that's settled." Alicia commented. "Lets continue." Edward nodded, again he concentrated on the shiny little object in his hand. They continued down the corridor. "I know that sound. Master! " Rose shouted. The cracking of bone was the only warning. Out of the soil another band of bone-men appeared. The vampire hunters gathered together. A swarm of bats appeared from the shadows shrouding the top of the cave. "Look!" Alicia warned. The other Buer and the two Bale which had escaped them were back. Edward recoiled the chain-whip. As he instead unsheathed the sword of Hugh Baldwin. The battle waged back and forth. " Fountain of fire! Pearls of heat!" Suddenly Torah was beside him casting her spells. She released a spread shot of fireballs. Having thrown the bone-bags off balance Sarias half-sister attacked with her ring-smash. Edward released a flurry of holy water. Alicia and Heinrich made an onslaught of crosses and axes that spread throughout the battlefield. "God with us." Edward roared his battle cry.
The bone-men collapsed as burning bats littered the ground. Soon only one Buer and one Bale were left standing. Edwards girlfriend had finished of the third monster with a well placed arrow. Edward changed grip on his sword. Then Patrick was there, throwing grenades at the remaining enemies. "A little dramatic, don't you think." Alicia said with more than a little sarcasm. Patrick shrugged. "A garlic a day keeps the vampire away." This time even Heinrich laughed. Though the laughter was short lived. It was like the half-sisters words still rang in their minds. Something terrible is about to happen. Edward repeated the words like some sort of mantra. He shook his head. The golden compass was pointing steadily forward. Sheathing his blade he began walking down the tunnel. There was something else which disturbed him, although he wasn't sure what it was. The tunnel opened into another cave. The scream echoing down the cave really threw him off balance.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. Of December 2098 A.D.
The witch shreeked. "Crush them my lord! Crush them or we will be finished!" Dimitri Blinov viewed her with horrified interest. When he had prepared for this ritual he had never expected this to happen. The power summoned through the blood samples had formed a link. It went from the samples and into him. It gave him strenght. But he could not absorb it. The power went through him and into Drolta Tsuentez. Then it went
back into the samples. He could feel the buildup of energy. When Dimitri Blinov had prepared this ritual he had not intended this to happen. Things where rapidly slipping from his hands. If he did not figure out a way to either stop the process or to absorb the power they where going to loose control. It was to strong. Before he could do either, his concentration shattered.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. of December 2098 A.D.
From his hiding place Dario watched as the vampire hunters stormed into the cave. He turned to Celia. "ThIS
is the chance we have waited for." His witch nodded. "Cover me." she said. "I will take the samples." Dario bowed. "As you say." He said. He then gathered the power of dominance to his grasp. "Made the Master give them power."

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. of December 2098 A.D.
The white wizard smiled, exposing his fangs. His amusement was crushed. "You betrayed me." Actrise fumed. "You told me the blood Sypha Belnades was extinct from this world." She then dismissed him. "I will kill her." Shaft didn't know if to feel either pleased of infuriated. The cold certainty in the other vampires voice was a gift to the master. Still things were developing, they would have to fight the vampire hunters from a defensive position. This was Blinovs domain. By awakening Chaos he had made it so. In her anger the witch forgot that it was the Dark Lord candidate who was their enemy here. Before he could do anything his comrade had already left for the cave beyond.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. of December 2098 A.D.
It was lake her nightmare had become a reality. Horrified Saira watched the crimson objects placed into the earth. Saria didn't mind the vampire, she didn't mind the witch. The legend was no legend. Still Saria knew it was wrong, it was all wrong. This was not the correct place, not the correct time. But above all, Arien hadn't awakened in her heart. It was blooming, sure. But she couldn't control it. This was like the end of the world.

The cave was monstrous, several other tunnels opened into it. Still what concerned Torah was her half-sister, the dryad looked like she'd seen her own destruction. Torah didn't understand, then she heard what Saria mumbled. "Not yet. Not here. I am not ready. I am not prepared. I cant handle it. Oh you druids of the ancient time I am not ready for this. I am not the sage of the forest." Torah felt her blood turn cold. It was like ancient nightmares had become alive. Grandmother Yoko had told her something about the dryads lore. Then Edward spoke, "It's you!" He almost shouted. "Its Dimitri Blinov, but that's impossible! You're dead!" The brown haired somewhat lazy eyed vampire waved his hand. " Interesting comment." He said with a russian accent. "But I presume that it the point of being an Upiri." He smiled, exposing his fangs. Behind him the witch began screaming again.

Dabi's path, Warakiya. The 23d. of December 2098 A.D.
Far above the conflict he watched the events transpire. It had all come together. Even so, this was too early. Not to mention it was the wrong representative of Chaos. He knew he had to become involved. Even if it meant he would be forced to return to the castle naked and without shape. So be it. Calmly he prepared his weapon.

(A.N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Though this is one of the last chapters in this book, it foretells some points that become important later on. Have a nice time.)