Part 2: Legacy of Sorrow.

"I am the bread who decended from the Heaven."
John: 6. 41.

Chapter 1: Silence.
The crypt, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The lid of the coffin where opened. Giles De Reis rised himself. Through the force, he lifted himself to stand upon the podium. Malpheffa was there. She sat upon the stairs leading up to his coffin. The undead still wore her stylish sandals, breast and waistcloth. An arched eyebrow was the only result of her pressence. The cold air of this location should have marked her. Even so, her light coppher skin where smooth as always. De Reis threw back his cloak while presenting her with a cordial bow. "I salute you in the name of our Dark Lord." He said. They had served together for some time. "My lord." The petite figure, voluptious and desireable, seldom used his title. Her blood as pure as his. "I need to speak with you." Pride, was the hi mark of a true aristocrat. "How may I be of service?" Malpheffa was no member of the Dark Lord Dracula's inner circle. As a Boyar family member, she deserved his loyalty. She smiled up at him. Aldough small and breakable, Giles felt her hidden strenght. "Have you the feeling." She asked. "That something about this, is all wrong." He lowered his head. Giles De Reis had been certain about it since the ritual of count Dracula's rising. His dark eyes studied the lady carefully. He had no interest for her beauty. Was this a trap? Where lord Malus behind this. "He has nothing to do with this." Malpheffa assured. De Reis did not let it show. He masked his mind. Nobody but the Dark Lord should have been schooled or even powerful enough to see beyond his barrier. Eyes like green gemstones met his gaze. Neither of them looked away. Hypnotism was the power of the vampire. Giles could not penetrate her defence, nor could she. Never the less, it held no importance. "Death is the best ally of the Dark Lord." He finally said. "He will tell you what to do." Not that the angel of Death did tell why. He only told what. Lord Malus was the one who did summon them. But it was the dark angel who where his guide. "He said you would tell me so." Malpheffa smiled, exposing her fangs. "Then do as he tells you." Giles said. Malpheffa nodded. De Reis noticed she was not as bravely as when they governed over the mansion. "Death told me you would know what to do." It was not often he became surprised. Again, Giles did not let it show. "Then stay here, with me." He said. Giles was thirsty. He could control his hunger. That was a bonus for those vampires holding this high ranking. "There are some details I have to attend to." He told her. "I know." Giles De Reis could see the same thirst in her face. "We will hunt together, my lord." He smiled. He could not help it. "Indeed." He said, affording her with another of his bows. "We will." Then he summoned his power. The ability to change into the form of that of a bat, a wolf or a coil of mist, was his right. Now Giles altered appearance into that of a blood sucking bat. Beside him, Malpheffa did in turn change her form. Then two bats left the crypt.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
It felt like Deja Vu. Heinrich Schneider was standing at a crossroad. It'd been raining for quite some time. Heinrich let a hand go through his soaked blonde hair. There had been no enemies this side of the river. It was starting to pick his nerves. Heinrich remembered the legend about the forest of silence. Reaching for his cross, Heinrich made an effort to pick himself up. The castle he was searching for, wasn't the castle Dracula. It was a distraction. Heinrich still had to decide which way to go. The road he stood upon continued. If he where to follow that path, Heinrich would soon leave the poluted area. He couldn't help but dream of again walking in the clean cold night outside this misty Hell hole. It wouldn't help his friends. Heinrich hoped Patrick and Torah where still alive. He again reached for his crucifix. Then he began to walk eastward. Bats seemed to appear from nowhere. Heinrich brought out his whip. There where no real threat. With a grimace Heinrich remembered what was said about them. They could suck his blood if he wasn't careful. Heinrich tightened the grip on his weapon. He wasn't as brave as Alicia. His cousin would've whipped them to dust without blinking. Heinrich flailed his whip at them. With his crystal, Heinrich knew he could've made quick work of them. It was his fault he'd lost that weapon. The bats seemed to have gotten enough. Those bats which remained, left him behind. With a chill, Heinrich remembered that some vampires used bats as spies. He clenched his teeth. "Let them come." Heinrich muttered. He recieved no answer. With a mental shrug, Heinrich continued walking.

A bolt of lightning struck the forest. Heinrich reached for the chain-whip. If another darkside was out there… It shouldn't really been possible. A body on the road made him dismiss the matter. Heinrich felt his blood turn cold as he approached the figure. It was to large for Torah. But Heinrich wondered if Patrick was here. He would never forget it was he who made the man-beast to come along. That had been more then a month ago. Heinrich didn't care. He knelt beside the body. The scent of rotting flesh filled his nose. Thank the Lord. It wasn't his friend. Heinrich felt his hair stand on end as the body moved. It turned around. Empty dead eyes did fix upon him. Although this being had been dead in days, Heinrich felt the hatred in those eyes. It was like night and cold raged against day and warmth from which it was forever expelled. It reached for him. Heinrich whipped the thing into oblivion. He really hated those zombies. They where truely disgustive. Heinrich had no time for further discussion. Dead corpses where rising all around him. They appeared out from the soil, quicker than he could count them. Heinrich snarled. If only he'd held some holy water. A shreek sounded. It was like it could tear the night appart. Even the zombies seemed to freeze in place. A darkside. Heinrich prayed it wouldn't detect him. They where drawn to magic like flies to spilled bear. Another shreek chilled the air. It was some distance away. He made the sign of the cross. Then Heinrich turned on his enemies. He was sure to not summon any bloodline power. Although they gathered around him, Heinrich where able to whip them away. The zombies collapsed into burning heaps. Heinrich continued down the road as he continued fighting. He hoped the darksides wouldn't notice the forest where on fire. Not that the soaked forest really could burn. But the smoke was terrible. It was still raining, but not as heavy as before. Heinrich whipped the candles down in hope of finding a weapon. Only crystals and some food appeared. Even so, Heinrich went to pick them up. He got to his feet. That sound… It reminded him about something. Except for the battle and those screams, the forest had been silent. Now a strange sound seemed to fill the air. A light appeared out from a corner in the road. A motorcycle? This was crazy. What where a motorbike doing out here? His cousin did enjoy to ride those things. Somehow Heinrich was sure it wasn't Alicia returning. Something made him throw himself aside. Someone was firing at him, with a MG! The bullets rained through the area in which he had been. Before that madman could fire again, Heinrich went for the rider. The skeleton grinned at him, Heinrich was sure of it. The bone in the side-cart was preparing another load. Heinrich managed to dispose of one skeleton before the thing went past him. Without the rider, the motorcycle soon collided with a tree. Heinrich where forced to hide his face as the thing exploded. Lucky for him the bikes wheren't as fast as the more moderen bicycles. If he remember this correctly, this motorcycle was from the second world war. From the papers wrightened by Lewis Schneider, in 1945, the evil count did resurrect the Nazists from their graves. The sound of another bike broke into his line of thoughts. Heinrich quickly got of the road as another motorcycle-skeleton rode past. Something made the bone in the side-cart fire into the wood. Heinrich managed to get aside. These undead monsters where deadly opponents. But they wheren't exactly accurate. Before the skeleton could fire another round, Heinrich was on the move. He whipped the side-cart skeleton to pieces. Then the rider managed to alter the direction of his mount. The bike came right at him. This was to easy. Heinrich almost had to laugh. He easily sidestepped the clumsy old bike. The bone-man gave him a spiteful glance before it struck against the tree. Then the bike exploded. Heinrich recoiled his whip. It was time to reconsider his idea. If Heinrich remembered things correctly, the road became larger around that corner. It was nothing compared with the big international highways. But it easily let two motorcycles pass at the same time. Heinrich knew that, without a mystic weapon, he would stand no chance against two bikes. He inspected the road. It was something about this place which… Heinrich couldn't quite put the finger on it. There where something about those trees. A pine tree with a leaf one beside it. Five years ago, when he visited his friend, he and Patrick had taken Julia and Monique out on a moonlight walk. Patrick showed them a cave in which they could hide. The year after Monique died. She'd been hit by a stone. Patrick had told him not to go there. Heinrich might not have a choice. But what if he got lost? No matter. Sooner or later Heinrich would reach the winter. It would take some time to find the way back, but he would at least be alive. Who knew, he might even find a weapon. Heinrich reached for his cross. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake. Taking a deep breath, he entered the forest. It had finally stopped raining. It was no comfort as the mist closed around him.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Lucy Strangeway curled together. She hid her face behind her arms. The undead would come for her. Lucy knew they would. She'd seen what they did to other girls. Her strawberry-blonde hair fell down in front of her face. She was only 10 year old. Lucy didn't wish to die. The vampires in here where not like those aboard the boat. Lucy had run away when she could. She felt shameful about it. Her friends could be in danger. Below her hideout, Lucy heard steps approach. She got up into a kneeling position. Lucy would rather die then to become captured. Her heart cold as winter's heart she prepared her magic. Her blue eyes hard as flint. She wouldn't be captured again. Not if she could help it.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The shreek reminded Heinrich that the darksides where still hunting him. He should've known it was a mistake to create that earthquake. So be it. Heinrich continued walking. The mist seemed to be clearing. Heinrich felt nervous about that. If he'd taken a wrong turn, Heinrich shouldn't even be near the winter yet. A swarm of bats flew at him. Heinrich whipped at them. He almost cursed as the small flying mammals did scatter around him. Heinrich threw a nervous look around. Those beasts came at him from multiple and dificult angles. Was it like this to fight the phantom bat? Never mind. Heinrich had learned a few tricks. Just as they again came at him, Heinrich began to brandish the weapon around. It was an attack said to have been inverted by the great Simon Belmont himself. Sure enough, Just Belmont used the move while hunting Dracula in 1748. Not that it really mattered who the inventor was. The important thing was that the bats became whipped into ashes. He went forward, and nearly walked right into the cliff. Heinrich reached for his nose. Everything in order. He had to restrain a laugher. Finally Heinrich managed to get a hold on himself. This wasn't the time for this kind of things. However, he guessed that he hadn't got lost anyway. The cliff was really made of earth. How it'd been piled together like this, Heinrich didn't know. If Patrick knew, he hadn't told him about it. Now Heinrich only had to find the opening into the tunnel. Some soil hit him as the bone-men came walking right out from the pile. Other bone-men threw themselves down from the trees which grew atop the hill. They threw bones at him. Heinrich whipped the nearest bones to dust. A few bones hit home. Heinrich made a grimace. He'd forgotten about how painful that was. It where like burning nail became drilled into his body. Heinrich held forth his cross. The holy symbol made their projectiles burn. It made them slightly withdraw. Heinrich used their momentum to throw himself forward. The nearest bones where whipped away in seconds. Then he made quick work of the remaining skeletons. Heinrich stopped to dust off himself. He ate some food. "I really needed that." He said while cleaning off his face. Then he continued to search for the entrance.

Heinrich hadn't gone far when he finally discovered it. The opening went streight into the hill. "It isn't stabile." Heinrich remembered Patrick's words as it was from yesterday. It was something about that phrase. Never mind. Heinrich knew he had to do this. It was either the tunnel or the motorcycle-skeletons. An image of himself being shot to pieces by their guns, made it an easy choice. Heinrich put away the whip as he instead unsheated his sword. The passage was wide enough for five men. But in such narrow surroundings, he rather trust the blade then the chain-whip. Then Heinrich entered the tunnel.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Patrick Oldrey was sure to not let himself show as he left the forest. The mist shrouded his mobility. For once he was grateful for its pressence. Then Patrick found himself to be back at where he began. He almost wished to growl at it. The dry bottomless pit did suround the entire castle. How the heck where he to get over? Blasted! This had been his home once. There had been a mote back then. Patrick absently wondered where the water had disappeared to. No matter. Even he couldn't jump this distance. The castle wall looked to be higher then he remembered. Patrick frowned. That couldn't be possible, or could it? This was madness. Then again. The castle was the lair of the undead. When Chaos where released, everything could be possible. If only he'd hold one of those fancy hook-shots. Patrick knew he where of mixed blood. It didn't mean anything now. He couldn't just morph into a bat and then fly across the abyss. Patrick couldn't help to smile at the thought. Then he became serious. He had to find a way to enter the castle.

Tunnel, Barnsdall forest. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich should have known things wouldn't get easy by going this way. Bats did nest underground. Why had he forgotten about that? It was to late to reconsider it now. The bats flew at him. Without some light they would soon dine on his blood. Heinrich had no choice. "Be the will of God." Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. The sword started burning. There where no other way to describe it. In the light of his sword, Heinrich reached for his cross. He was risen into the air. Then flames washed across the area. The bats became demolished. Heinrich knew it wasn't over. The darksides just had to've felt that. It was no way he would get away this time. Heinrich tightened the grip on his blade. "Let them come." He challenged. Heinrich knew it was empty bravado. If there where something which scared him, that was the darkside. Heinrich slowly began moving forward. If they where to find him, he wanted to get out of here first. Something moved behind him. Heinrich spun around. With a swing of his blade, Heinrich really did behead the zombie. The walking corpse fell into a heap, burning away as he watched. Heinrich wondered if this living death had chased him all the way from the road. No way. He'd whipped them all into oblivion. Again something moved behind him. Heinrich ducked as another zombie knocked at his head. Heinrich got up to one knee to burry his blade into the enemy. The dead collapsed. Heinrich retrived his sword just as two new zombies dropped from the ceiling. Heinrich blinked. The ceiling! He hadn't consider they would come at him from that direction. No time to think further about that. Heinrich put back his blade and then recoiled his whip. Before he could make his move, three new zombies crawled out from the floor. Heinrich whipped the first two corpses into oblivion before they could tear him appart. The crawling zombies tried to bite him. Heinrich made quick work of them. Then came another wave of bats. Heinrich where again forced to summon his bloodline power. Lightning sparked around the chain-whip as he disposed off the mammals. Then Heinrich became faced by another group of zombies. This was getting out of hand. Heinrich reached for his cross. He made flames clear the area. Then three new corpses fell to the floor. Heinrich pulled out his sword. With his weapons in hand, he quickly made them burn. "Belmont." The word was a hoarse whisper. "I have found you." Through the tunnel, the darkside came walking toward him. Heinrich felt his blood turn cold. He'd once before been able to defeat one of their order. This time it wouldn't be that easy. Heinrich knew it. He didn't have his crystal. The creature's burning red eyes roared alive with flame. Heinrich threw himself to the floor as parallell beams of fire shot right past him. Heinrich got to his feet as the darkside spread its black wings. The tunnel was high enough for it to fly. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. It would summon other darksides. But in his power, lay the only hope of victory. The darkside came right at him. The beast's sharpened tallons clawed at him. Heinrich got down to one knee. With his whip surounded with blue light, he whipped right up at it. It wasn't how a gentleman would've reacted. This was no duel. The darkside vanished. This time Heinrich immediately noticed the crystal. Again he summoned water to his aid. The empowered whip made the gemstone shatter. Again the darkside appeared. It threw itself forward. This time Heinrich didn't react in time. The darkside's punch sent him flying. Somewhat dazed, he still managed to roll aside as the former student made bolts of dark force lightning strike the ground. The enemy still came at him. He reached for his cross. Heinrich then summoned spirit to help him. A full barrier of crosses rised to protect him. The evil force shreeked with anger. Then it sent a ball of flames at him. Heinrich didn't even consider to block it. He instead rolled forward. Heinrich got up in time to give the darkside another taste of his whip. The enemy was more clever then he thought. With its eyes on fire, the darkside grasped the whip. Heinrich lost hold of it as the destroyed being yoked it from his hand. Heinrich answered by stamping his cross upon it. The enemy vanished. Heinrich searched for the whip. But as the crystal appeared, he instead unsheated his sword. The crystal became shattered. The darkside was back. It took hold of him. All Heinrich could do before the enemy struck him against the floor, was to pray and summon earth. Heinrich felt his body became hard as stone. He didn't even groan as he hit the floor. His enemy's eyes grew wide. Then Heinrich stabbed his sword right into it. The darkside screamed so that the cave shook. "It isn't stabile." Patrick's words echoed in his mind. He had no more time to fight his enemy. Heinrich thanked the Lord as he was able to recover the chain-whip. He tied it to his belt. Then he ran like Hell.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Aaron looked down at her. "He is close." She lay on the sofa. Her foot-long black dress didn't conceal much. Aaron had no desire for the undead. Susan was notorious in her attempt to try flirt with him. Coils of blonde hair framed her perfect features. Sometimes she really looked like a Lecarde clanswoman. It was her ability to track living blood which interested him. "You are sure?" He asked. "Of course." She smiled while playing with the sleave of her dress. A rather atractive form of a bad habit. "Good." Aaron said. "I will trust you this time." Expectation made Susan's eyes lit with unholy fire. For a moment Aaron actually considered to tear off her dress. No. That would have to wait for another time. Patrick was the real bonus. Aaron left the room. He would go down to meet him. Would his friend not be surprised to see him? A smile crossed his features. Aaron really looked forward to this. Who knew, this could even turn out to be fun.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The cave collapsed behind him. Heinrich hoped the darkside would be trapped in there forever. Still, he knew it would come after him. Heinrich reached for his cross. Perhaps there where even other darksides out searching for him this very moment. He gathered himself. Why remain here, why stearing on an old switch, when they could find him? Heinrich got a hold on himself. He began walking into the forest. If only he could find that spring. Then he knew he would be close to the castle. The cracking of bones warned him about their pressence. A pack of bone-men appeared out from the mist. "Here we go again." He all but muttered as he cracked the chain-whip at them. Then Heinrich was forced to dodge the bones thrown at him. Then he whipped some more bones into oblivion. Heinrich was disturbed in his works as bats came flying in. They nearly got a taste of his blood. "Leave me alone!" He shot at them. It almost made him laugh. Why shout at them? They wouldn't understand him anyway. Then the bone-men attacked. Heinrich grunted with pain as more bones hit home. The whip was lit with fire. Brandishing his weapon Heinrich took out the next onslaught of bones. Then he went at them. The bats where all around him. Heinrich again summoned his bloodline power. He was risen into the air as flames cleaned away his enemies. "Stronger we are in the name of the Lord!" Heinrich shouted as he advanced toward the still standing skeletons. They scattered. Heinrich opened his mouth to cheer with triumph. A gust of freezing wind stripped him of all joy. He hoped he would never see a ghost again. Seeing beyond the obvious Heinrich could track their approach. He reached for his crucifix. When summoning his bloodline power, a circle of crosses appeared around him. That made them keep their distance. Then the skeletons threw new bones at him. Heinrich managed to block. The ghosts made the air cold around him. He whipped at them. Distant shreeks marked their demise. Still there where more of them comming. New bones hit home. Now it was Heinrich roaring. Heinrich reached for his sword. "Take this, you undead devils." Heinrich summoned the power of water. He felt his arms rise into the air as a ringed floor-blast of pure water washed across the area. Heinrich staggered. It nearly took all he had to use this power. There where still some enemies around. Almost frantic, Heinrich searched for his weapons. He retrived them just in time as the remaining bone-men maunted a final attack. He whipped the bones into ashes. Where there still some ghosts around? Heinrich resheated his sword while having a look around. There where none to be seen. Perhaps the water had taken them all. Heinrich didn't wish to stay around to find out. Keeping a sharp eye out, Heinrich began moving.

He made the bats burn. Heinrich hadn't gone long before the small flying mammals again detected his movement. Heinrich brandished the whip. It was the best way to get rid of them quickly. It didn't take all of them. Heinrich had just prepared another attack as zombies rised out from the ground. The stench of rotting flesh nearly made him throw up. Heinrich knew they would like to eat his flesh. They moved toward him. Heinrich was grateful they never thought of working together. He whipped them into oblivion. Then Heinrich stamped the crucifix upon them. He had to struggle against himself to even toutch their ragged clothing. Again the bats flew toward him. Heinrich made them burn as he whipped them all away. Gasping for breath he watched the last of them fall into ashes. Heinrich whipped at the candles. More crystals fell out. He made a grimace. There where still no weapons. A shreek sounded through the night. It made him shiver with fear. The darksides where hunting him again. That show of water magic had to be like honey for them. Heinrich was glad he hadn't stayed around. He tried to calm himself. Heinrich had met them on twice occations. In bogh battles he'd emerged victorious. It didn't matter. Heinrich knew it had been because of luck he was still here. Heinrich slowly began walking. Mist and gloom shrouded everything. He thanked the Lord there where no more enemies around. Then the fog cleared. Heinrich couldn't help but curse.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Joseph Vincent displayed one of his many crosses. The undead snarled at him. He didn't mind. "He will ram the wicked and throw him into the pit of death." Joseph laughed as he doused the vampire with holy water. "You will suffer in Hell." The vampire burned. Still with his cross in hand, Joseph swung around. Although he was 67 years old, age hadn't stripped him of his abileties. The second undead stopped dead in its track. She was clad in a maid's outfit. Joseph burned her with holy water. Strange, the connection he had to fire. It always seemed to do what he wanted. Joseph Vincent didn't matter. He was an expert vampire hunter in his own right. For more then 30 years he'd faught these monsters. Joseph wasn't afraid of them. He put some garlic upon the ashes. That would purify even their demise. Then Joseph went to the door. He would continue the battle until all vampires where banished from this globe. Even if he met Dracula on the road, it wouldn't matter. It was his destiny to clean the world of this undead pestilence.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
The fence went from north to south in a perfect streight line. Heinrich tightened the grip on the chain-whip. Somewhere behind him where the river. Heinrich would have to pay the ferryman if he where to cross. Even so, Heinrich had a feeling he would find this fence blocking his way. He gathered himself. The wall wasn't that high. Heinrich was sure he could jump it. He took a few steps back. Then he ran forward. Heinrich became thrown to the ground. He somewhat shaky got back on his feet. It wasn't possible. Butt the fence had just grown taller. It was the same hight now as he first saw it. Heinrich shook his head. Perhaps he'd missed somehow. Perhaps he'd hit a tree? He again prepared for the jump. No way. Again he becam thrown backward. The fence kept its hight, always its same damn hight. Mummbling for himself, Heinrich went to inspect the gate. Then he stopped. Never was he going to try get across here. The spikes look sharp enough to pine him through. In the torchlight he then saw the ugly liquid upon them. Poison. Heinrich was sure about it. He stepped slightly away. It was said the darkside couldn't adept to bright light. But so much had happened today that Heinrich didn't want to gamble about it. He threw back locks of gold hair. How where he going to get beyond this place? Then something hit him. That switch he'd seen earlier. Heinrich slightly shivered. To find it would mean to turn back. Turn back to where the darkside might still lay in wait for him. Even so, he knew he had no choice. The switch would be the only way to open the gates onward. Heinrich reached for his cross. There where no other way. Determined, he turned away. Then the mist again closed around him. Heinrich made a grimace. He almost wished it would start raining again. At least that would be better then this hot dankness. The sound off lapping wings broke into his line of thoughts. The bats where back. Heinrich brandished his whip at them. The remaining mammals did scatter. He whipped down a few more candles. "Good Lord in Heaven." Heinrich almost screamed as he picked up the dagger. He almost kissed it. Laughing silently of himself, Heinrich put it back into its empty sheat. The sword hang across his back, the whip and the knife on his belt, Heinrich felt better then since he was encountered by the angry mob in Oldhill. He would like to see the beast who would dare to attack him. Heinrich came upon the clearing in which he'd used his water magic. As if they too remembered, a pack of zombies appeared from the ground. As if that wasn't enough, a new swarm of bats was attacking. Heinrich brandished his whip. The bats kept their distance. Heinrich threw his dagger at the nearest zombie. The walking corpse collapsed. The dagger returned to him. Heinrich knew that, as long he held enough crystals, his weapons would return. The bats again came at him. The zombies reached for him. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. Fire lit up the gloom as he whipped them all to ashes. No sooner where the last whipped to oblivion when Heinrich almost collapsed himself. Gasping for air he still managed to stand. He was thiering himself through all this battle. Heinrich didn't mind. He would never surrender to Dracula. Heinrich would rather die then to ever pledge fealty to that demon. He ate some of his food. After a chicken leg Heinrich felt much better. He threw away the bone. The image of Torah made him burry it into the soil. Heinrich only hoped the dead chicken wouldn't come to life. He then laughed. He just couldn't stop it. The thought of him fighting an undead chicken was all hillarious. The memory of the Cockatrice killed his laugher. Heinrich tightened the grip on his chain-whip. "Let it come." He challenged as he again began walking.

With a flick of his whip, Heinrich disposed of the last ghost. The journey back to the switch had been many things but easy. The forest where swarming with enemies. Heinrich was really grateful the Lord had let him find the dagger. He only hoped he would find the axe or holy water. Then Heinrich found himself in front of the hill. The cave where still blocked. What was more interesting, there where no darkside around. Heinrich wondered if the one he'd fought in the tunnel had broken free. Not that it really mattered. He almost didn't find the switch. Then he stepped upon it. Heinrich thought it would be dificult to activate. But it was rather easy. He blinked. Heinrich reached for his weapons. It just couldn't be this easy. He wasn't dissapointed. Down from the hilltop, down from the moon it at first looked like, a figure appeared. A bone-chilling howl was heard throughout the forest. Heinrich knew what it was. The werewolf threw itself toward him. Heinrich had some Beladonna in his backpack. Patrick had made jokes about it, asking if Heinrich wanted protection from him. Well, it wasn't funny anymore. Heinrich knew he couldn't side-step the lycanthrope. He hoped this fellow hadn't been a friend of Patrick. Heinrich threw himself flat on the floor as the werewolf shot just past him. What he wouldn't have done to hold Patrick's pistol right now. Silver bullets was the only sure methode to kill these monsters. The chain-whip was made of metal-rings, painted with silver. Heinrich hoped it would be enough as he scored a hit on his enemy. He got his answer as the werewolf again howled. This time, he heard pain in its voice. It got down into a croached position as the beast began circling him. It was clad only in a pair of torn old trousers. Heinrich nervously licked his lips. It was something about the look in the werewolf's eyes which made Heinrich think the beast looked forward to this. Then it suddenly dashed toward him. Heinrich pulled off a back-flip as he threw his dagger. He summoned his bloodline power. The werewolf managed to dodge his blade. But not as Heinrich made his knife split into three. The lycantrhope licked the blood of its wounds. Its gaze burning with hatred. Heinrich felt like a darkside did look at him. He threw it aside as the werewolf again came at him. Heinrich thanked the Lord as he again where able to dodge. Then they again started to circle each other. It struck him that this beast had no connection with the Dark Lord's power. If it did, Heinrich knew it would've killed him already. The werewolf suddenly kicked at him. Heinrich was able to duck beneath it. Then his opponent threw itself forward. It came at him with repeated claw-swipes. It scratched upon his chest-plate. Heinrich became thrown to the floor. The dead vegitation stained his clothing. It didn't matter. The werewolf where again going for him. Heinrich held forth his crucifix. The lycanthrope howled as the cross burned its way into its flesh. The scent of burned hair and crisped flesh filled the air. It almost made him sick. Heinrich gathered himself. It was time to end this. While the werewolf was still staggering, Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. His sword burned as he burried it into the chest of his opponent. The werewolf howled. Blood splashed upon his clothing. It meant nothing. The lycanthrope cut itself up as it clawed for his blade. It was like blood and hair was his entire universe. In a dreadful moment the werewolf was neither living nor death as it struggled to get free. Then it was all over. The beast fell of his sword. Limpless it collapsed upon the ground. Heinrich also fell to his knees. Numb he watched his enemy burn. He really felt for a bath right about now. Heinrich shook his head. He got to his feet. He couldn't stay. He dried himself off as best he could. Then he did the same with his sword. Heinrich shivered by the mer thought of a poisoned weapon. The Belmont clan didn't fight like that. Venum was the result of twisted nature. It was a pervertion of what God created. Medicine where meant to cure, not to kill. Shaking it off, Heinrich resheated his sword. He then looked upon the switch. He'd pulled it, right? How could he be sure he'd been right. Heinrich reached for his cross. He had to go back to that fence to be sure. Throwing the switch one last glance, Heinrich entered back into the forest.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Patrick pulled out his sword from the zombie's chest. Thoughtful he watched it burn. So far, all he'd found was more troubble. The forest was shrouded in mist. There where nothing else to find. Patrick snarled. Then he retained his human form. He'd hoped to find some secret path into the castle. That hope now lay in shamble. Patrick muttered to himself. How could it be he'd thought any of this should be easy? Never mind. He had to enter the castle. Somehow, Patrick felt, his destiny did await him innside that castle. With a mental shrug, he threw it aside. Patrick put away his sword. Then he began walking again. Somehow, he promised himself, he would find what he need. The trees stood more spread here. Patrick knew he'd been here once before. Where he going in circles? A group of bone-men appeared out from the ground. Patrick unsheated his sword. He would have to think further about that later. Now there where work to do. The bone-men where no true opponents. Even dough their bones where painful, it didn't really mean anything. Then something leaped at him. The were-cauger kicked the blade from his hand. They began to circle each other. This, Patrick knew, was an enemy who could truely kill him.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich knelt in prayer. The gate where opened. He was so grateful for it. The way back had been one long fight. It was like the forest itself tried to kill him. Heinrich ended his prayer. That was noncence. If only there had been a way to clean the forest. Torah was right about that. The wood didn't deserve this. Heinrich looked around on the rotting vegitation. If only he could find a way. Heinrich then began walking. Another swarm of bats soon came at him. Heinrich brandished his whip at them. He felt fed up with this. The blood on his clothing made it much easier for them to find him. It didn't matter they where no powerful enemy. Then again, Heinrich held no purification crystals. The bats only need to bite him once for it to be over. He had to kill them all. Or they would tell the darkside. Although Heinrich hadn't met them since the tunnel, their shreeks still reminded him they where out there. Then suddenly the bone-men appeared out from the ground. Heinrich threw his dagger at them. The cold wind told him there where ghosts around too. Heinrich reached for his cross. The dagger split into three. Heinrich made a grimace as he struggled to summon even more of his power. With fierce determination he made the daggers burn. The ghost burned with purple fire, litting up the silent gloom of their suroundings. There where still some more of them out there. Heinrich got a reminder as bones hit him. He cried with pain as that drilling sensation went through him. Heinrich summoned God as he again was forced to see beyond the obvious and fight at the same time. With his back against a tree, he was sure to take out all the ghosts before continuing. More bones where thrown toward him. This time Heinrich where able to dodge them. He whipped some skeleton into oblivion as more bats came flying in. Just what he needed. Heinrich again brandished his whip. He took out a few more bones while going through. The bone-men began to close him in. Heinrich again threw his dagger at them. The trippled blades, burning with fire, was enough to keep them away. Heinrich used their momentum to whip them all to dust. He then went to pick up the crystals which some enemies had left behind. There where still a few bats about. Heinrich where sure to defeat them before he continued.

Heinrich where forced to run. The pack of zombies where still after him. Thank the Lord there where no evil plants around. Then again. He'd nearly run into some of the trees. The mist made it just barely possible to see their trunks. Some bats did appear. Heinrich almost snarled. He was beginning to wonder if the mammals even told the dead about his suroundings. Heinrich knew it was his imagination. If it'd been true, then a legion of corpses would be out chasing him. Some of those pesky bodies appeared out from the mist. Heinrich merely stopped to whip them into oblivion. He then started running again. Then he really did run into something. He quickly got back up. Then Heinrich nearly began to cry. It was another of those fences. This just wasn't fear. Heinrich had been in this forest for merely two hours. Still, it felt like a day had gone by. Heinrich closed his hands into fists. He where going to find the new switch. Whoever was out there should better watch itself. He entered the forest. Immediately the zombies where around him. More bats where also comming in. Heinrich made fire burn around his chain-whip. He then whipped them all away. Bone-men appeared out from the mist. The sound of cracking bones where the only warning. Heinrich whipped at them to. Then he again started running. He had to find the switch. Another scream sounded above him. They where here! The darkside… Heinrich curled into a ball. Nothing happened. Then the skeletons reappeared. Heinrich reached for his cross. Then he had to side-step as they threw bones at him. Heinrich brandished the chain-whip, taking out the next onslaught of bones. Before the dead could release another round, he went toward them. Heinrich threw his dagger. He summoned bloodline power to make it split into three. Then he whipped the remaining bones into dust. Cold dead hands closed around his neck. Heinrich gasped for breath. The hands toutched his cross. Heinrich got free as the zombie started burning. There where still more of them comming. There where bats about too. Heinrich summoned his power as he was risen into the air. Golden flames became spread across the area. Heinrich leaned against one tree. He got a hold on himself. He had to find that switch.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Aaron went down the steps leading from the master's bedroom. Alastor Lupine appeared from the shadows. "My lord." He said. "May I speak with you?" Some would say they where natural allies. Alastor disliked it when the Dark Lord Dracula handed over command to their tribe. The man-beast gave him a glare. Then it looked like Grey reconsidered his statement. "You are speaking with me." Aaron then said. Alastor Lupine afforded a hinted bow. "You told me to station my were-beast in the forest." He reminded. "Now I cannot reach any of them." It looked like Aaron had to witstand a smile. "So you say." He remarked within a rather sarcastic manner. "Do not try to intimidate me." Alastor threatened. "Those creature where loyal to the Dark Lord." Aaron nodded. Alastor frowned. Grey never would take such a challenge without answer. "You are of course free to take it up with him." Aaron said in a voice to smooth for him to like it. "No." He then said. "I don't think that would be nesecery." Aaron waved his hand in a dismissing manour. "Then I suggest you should return to your post." With clenched fists Lupine watched Aaron leave. Alastor really did hate that man-beast. He was bogh arrogant and imbecile. He where not to be trusted. Without a choice, he turned around. There would come a time when he would be in command. Then Aaron Grey would have to pay for his insults.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
More bone-men appeared out from the mist. Heinrich whipped at them. Still, it was the ghosts he needed to fight. Heinrich threw his dagger at them. He summoned his bloodline power to make the dagger split in three. Silent moans told him he hit them. But without aditional power, he couldn't defeat them. The skeletons threw bones at him. This time it was Heinrich who roared. The ghosts where again approaching. Heinrich brandished his whip at them. It made them keep their distance. He then summoned more power. He toutched his cross and a circle of crosses rised around him. Heinrich recoiled his whip. Then he unsheated his sword. Again he summoned the element of water. Heinrich's arms became pointed skyward as a wave of water cleaned the area of all evil. Or so he hoped. A new pack of bone-men appeared. Then something black fell from the sky. Heinrich didn't know if this was the one he'd fought before. Or if it was a new darkside. Not that it mattered. The devestated figure came walking toward him. Heinrich made another wave wash the area. Then he turned and ran for his life. Behind him, Heinrich heard the rasping breath of his opponent. The cracking of bones suggested that the skeletons where also chasing him. Heinrich didn't care. He just couldn't do it. He couldn't fight another darkside. Heinrich continued to run. He was ashamed of himself. Heinrich could feel its rage. Feel it like a stench in the air. Determined not to become captured Heinrich continued his run.

Between one step and another, all was altered. The sound of the presuing bone-men just seem to vanish. Heinrich threw a nervous look around. Here, the trees where covered with fresh green leaves. Flowers of all kinds seemed to grow from the forest floor. With the chain-whip still at the ready, he began walking. The bushes where all flowering. Still, Heinrich was careful not to get to close. Heinrich had heard about those darts. Plants who could kill you with the stab of their thorns. Thorn-weeds. That was their name. He shook his head. All that seemed so absent. The sound of night birds deepened his feeling of being at peace. Heinrich looked into the sky. The moon looked down at him from a pattern of stars. Here, the air was clean, fresh with the scent of growing vegitation. The sound of falling water made him continue walking. Heinrich noticed there where no candles around either. Whoever, or whatever, which created this place, he where powerful enough to withstand the power of Chaos. He walked out upon a clearing. From a cliff rising above the trees, a shining pure spring fell down into a perfect oval pond. Heinrich walked closer. It where like he, never before, had seen such clear a waterfall. Heinrich recoiled the weapon. Then he noticed he wasn't alone. Something was drinking from the water. Something on four legs, something which shone bright as the sun. Heinrich couldn't believe it. This creature just couldn't exist. The unicorn then lifted its head. A shining horn, like white pearls, reaching into the sky. Bottomless pools of brown looked back at him. Somewhere, Heinrich felt, God was laughing at him. "Finally you have come." The unicorn spoke! It spoke! With the voice of a woman. Heinrich reached for his crucifix. "Do not be afraid." A hint of humour entered her voice. "I know you don't believe in me." Heinrich blushed. He just couldn't help it. The unicorn had put her finger right on it. She where using horse shoes, of silver. He shook his head. After this, nothing would never again surprise him. Then again, nothing where certain in the war against Dracula. "The switch you search for." The unicorn pointed her horn toward one side of the pond. Flowering vines grew around it. Heinrich was careful not to harm the greeneries as he stepped upon it. "Heinrich of the Belmont clan." She again spoke to him. Heinrich frowned. He hadn't told her his name. Or had he? "You man who feels guilty for the abuse of the forest, come here. Stand beside me." Heinrich hung his head. He really didn't deserve to stand beside such a beautiful creature. He told her so. She again looked him in his eyes. "You are without guilt. You build your house and home. You freely give back to the earth." Unlike Alicia, who lived with her family in a town, Heinrich's family where farmers. But how did the unicorn knew all this. "Look into the water." She told him. "Tell me what you see." At first, Heinrich saw nothing but reflected starts, he said so. Then images appeared in the water. It was terrible. It was worse then anything Heinrich could have ever imagined.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Patrick watched his enemy burn into ashes. It'd been a long chase. The were-cauger had almost killed him. Patrick was really grateful the lycanthrope curse couldn't harm him. The monster had scored several hits with her sharpened claws. He didn't really like cats. His stepmother had loved those mice catchers. The thought of Susan made him snarl. Patrick didn't wish to think of it. He then went to pick up his sword. Patrick reloaded his shotgun. Reholstering it, he had a look around. The victory didn't give him anything. Patrick still was outside the castle. He hadn't either seen his friends. Again he wondered what where keeping them up. Patrick mentally kicked himself. He should never have left the castle. If his friends where still alive, they would sooner or later come there. Mummbling for himself, Patrick began walking. He'd found what he needed. But it wasn't what he wanted. Patrick brought out his blade. He actually hoped some dead would appear. But for once, the forest where all silent.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich looked into the pond. He saw images appear in the water. Heinrich saw a cave. In front of a lake of fire stood a dark-haired young man clad in black boots and a body armour. A blonde woman dressed in a black gown stood beside him. "The woman is reading from a book." He told the unicorn. "Wait." He then cut himself of. "She isn't reading. I think they're holding some sort of ritual. I see their lips move in unison." Aldough Heinrich could only see, he didn't like this. Then he saw a gate open. "The figure is black." Heinrich almost whispered. "He's so dark." Still in a vision, he could almost taste its evil. Then figures emerged from the sea of lava. Heinrich blinked. The woman opened her mouth. "She's releasing some sort of black cloud." The image altered. Now Heinrich saw the castle in Barnsdall. It was nightfall. The dark cloud lifted above the castle. Heinrich gasped. The cloud where dispanding. It became large as the building itself. Then darkness fell over the castle. A quick series of visions followed. Heinrich felt tears run down his cheeks as he saw all kinds of servants become altered, twisted into monsters of the abyss. Then another image followed. He saw a bedchamber. Patrick's father, Jackob, lay dead on the floor, soaked in his own blood. Heinrich where forced to swollow. The man's stomach was tore open. Then he really threw up. Upon the bed the blonde woman was making out with Julia. Heinrich forced himself to watch as she forced Patrick's sister to drink her blood. Then she bit into Julia's neck. With horror he saw how her attempt to become free, changed to extecy. Then the view again became altered. Heinrich saw a corridor. Thomas, clad in Henry Oldrey's armour, and Patrick, where there. With little more then their ancestor's weaponry, his friends where forced to leave the castle. Then one final vision appeared. Innside another cave Heinrich saw a solid pillar of blue water falling from the ceiling. It became a river who run out of his perspective. Then shrouded figures appeared. Heinrich felt his blood turn cold. It had to be at least 200 darksides in there. Although Heinrich knew it couldn't be as many, the destroyed beingg, one after another, walked to kneel before the pool. Smoke rised out of the water as it began to alter colour. Then Heinrich again saw nothing butt the reflection of stars. Without thinking, he bent forward to wash his face in the water. He felt a strange refreshment. It was like light lit through each an every part of his body. Heinrich felt like being filled with light. He looked up at the unicorn. Heinrich almost expected her to be angry on him. In stead, he again saw, or thought he saw, amusement in her brown eyes. Heinrich didn't really understand all which he'd seen. But there where one thing he felt he had to ask her. "The last which I saw." Heinrich stopped to lick his lips. He wasn't sure he really wanted to know this. "What was it that I saw?" The unicorn looked at him. "Zapphire well." She then said. "The hidden spring of all water in the forest." Heinrich looked at her. Then he looked at the spring behind him. "Then how… " She explained before he could finish his statement. "This garden is a part of the sacred realm." The unicorn pointed her horn toward the spring. "A holy man is burried beneath the spring. His spirit is what keeps this area clean." Rinaldo Gandolfi. Heinrich just knew it had to be the alchemist who supported Leon Belmont during his battle against Water Bernhardt. That was nearly 1000 years ago. Walter had been the prince of Darkness before Mathias Krohnquist came to power. That was before count Dracula emerged and that… Heinrich got out of it. Such would have to wait for another time. "They did poison the river." He finally said. Torah had been right all the time. The unicorn lowered her head. "Soon, if nothing is done to alter it, the forest will die." Even Heinrich had never been that interested in geology, he just couldn't let that happen. "How can I help you?" She lifted her head to watch him. "The source have to be purified." She then turned toward the pond. "It has to be." The pond bubbled as something appeared out from its water. Heinrich gasped. It was the finest gemstone he'd ever seen. Shining white and oval in shape. It was magnificent. Still, it was something so simple about it. Heinrich again gasped as it landed into his palm. It felt like holding a living heart. "Take good care of it." The unicorn told him. "What you hold is the seed of miracles." Again that secret amusement seemed to sparkle in her eyes. "Will this clean the land?" Heinrich asked. "It will purify the water." She said. "But only the chosen one might, if she wish to, clean the forest off the ancient curse." Heinrich felt a slight shiver go through his body. It always ended up with the chosen one. It always seem to end up with Saria. "I'll do it." Heinrich then said. "Only the Lord knows if more can be done." The unicorn seem to nod. "Then may the One be with you." Heinrich got to his feet. The unicorn then guided him back through the grove. "The gate is open." She told him. "The castle is near." It felt a little disturbing to have her horn right behind him. "Remember." She then said. "All is fair in love and war." Then the unicorn actually laughed at him.

Heinrich turned to look. But the mist again shrouded everything. Again the dank heat hit him like a fist in the face. The unicorn's garden where nowhere to be seen. Heinrich reached for his neck. He felt something underneath his shirt. Heinrich unbuttoned his jacket. From a plain leather necklase hung a small purse. With shaking hands, Heinrich opened it. Innside lay that mystic white gem. He immediately closed it. If the darkside where to see it, Heinrich didn't wish to think of the consequences. The forest was silent around him. There where no bats around, no zombies or bone-men rising from the ground. Heinrich reached for the chain-whip. He didn't like it. Heinrich had that bad feeling about this. He closed his jacket before tightening the rains to his chest-plate. Then he continued walking. After having crossed some distance, Heinrich again found himself at the second fence. The unicorn had been right. The gates where open. Grateful he reached for his cross. Perhaps things would start getting easier from here. Heinrich smiled although it didn't come from his heart. Things where never easy when hunting vampires. Beyond the gate Heinrich came across a small road. Then something did finally hit home. That spring. It was the waterfall he'd been searching for all night! Mummbling to himself, Heinrich continued walking. At least he knew where he was. Soon he would reach the castle. From nowhere it seemed, bats came flying toward him. "Here goes nothing." Heinrich said while cracking his whip. It'd been one of Edward's favorite sayings. Heinrich again smiled. This time it really reached his eyes. Then he heard that sound which he'd hoped to never hear again. The sound of an approaching motorcycle.

Tower of sorcery, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Actrise got to her feet. She was here. Her ancient enemy had entered the castle. All since her convertion in 1496 the Belnades had been there. Actrise hated them, hated them with all the pashion of her undead heart. Either this decendant would surrender or she would die. Actrise knew how to manipulate the mind of a yound and untested soul. She reached outward with her hand. Her staff glided into her grasp. Actrise then threw back the hood of her pitch black cloak. Her hood, her dress and her robes, where trimmed with flame-coloured silk. Actrise knew she where a magnificent woman. She knew she could impress whoever it might be. Actrise's pale blue eyes lit with red flame. This time there would be no mistakes. She summoned her power. Then Actrise became mist.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich hid behind some trees as the motorcycle approached. He then dodged the first round the skeleton in the side-cart shot at him. Heinrich still wonder how they where able to track him. Never mind. Heinrich leaped from his hideout while throwing daggers at them. Bogh skeletons became shot to pieces. The motorcycle then collided with a tree. Heinrich shielded his eyes from the explosion. He then ran to pick up the crystals left by the enemies. Heinrich felt grateful about it. The candles where more spread innside this portion of the forest. He needed those crystals to not loose his knife again. More mist came drifting in as a pack of zombies came lumbering out from the forest. The smell of decaying flesh filled the air. Although this wasn't his first battle against the walking dead, Heinrich still felt sick about it. The scores of dead beings rised from their graves in the search of flesh. Heinrich felt a slight shudder run through him as he whipped the closest into oblivion. More bats came flying in. The living bodies approached. He could practicly taste their hunger. Heinrich threw his knives at them. Then he brandished the chain-whip at the circling bats. Again the zombies came at him. Heinrich summoned fire to burn around his weapon. The corpses exploded like oiled paper. A bat landed upon his arm. A chill went down his spine as Heinrich struggled to stamp his cross upon it. The mammal shreeked before it where reduced to ashes. It proved, if he really needed one, that they wheren't just ordinary bats. He whipped them all away. Then he nearly fell victim to another motorcycle-skeleton. It came around the corner. The bone in the side-cart firing at him. It would take some time before it could reload. The biker wasted no time in its attempt to try to run him down. Heinrich quickly got off the road. Heinrich had a feeling they where actually laughing at him. He again dodged as the gunner released its bullets toward him. The driver sped up its bike. Heinrich almost snarled. It was going out of range for his dagger. Soon the gunner would be ready again. Heinrich prepared himself for what was to come. Then he noticed something one zombie left behind. He nervously licked his lips. It where only one. If he missed… Then Heinrich dived for it. He picked up the grenade just as the biker came on its return. He saw how the bone-men prepared themselves for the kill. "Be the will of God!" Heinrich cried as he threw the grenade at them. The gunner managed to pull its trigger just before the motorcycle exploded. Heinrich easily dodged the few bullets which came at him. He then went to retrive all the new crystals. He smiled as he even found some food. Heinrich put it into his backpack. Then he began walking. He hoped the explosions wouldn't warn the darkside about his location.

Heinrich continued walking. He'd already taken out two more motorcycle-skeletons. It seemed they always came in a pair. Never mind. Heinrich hadn't found more grenades. Heinrich didn't mourn for that matter. The whip and his other weapons had served him well. He brandished the whip against the bats. It seemed that, whenever he defeated some of them, new bats came at him. Heinrich didn't like that. He wondered if the darkside had intencified their hunt. It wasn't something Heinrich wish to think of. Was it his imagination, or was the mist closing around him? Heinrich threw it aside. There where plenty of things to worry about then his imagination. Heinrich walked across a bridge. He could feel the planks beneath his boots. Heinrich frowned. There wasn't any large pools of water between the Mile river and the mote. Then he suddenly smiled. There where a crack in the forest which Patrick's parents had seen to build a bridge across. It meant he where close to the castle. Heinrich heart leapt as he quickly moved beyond the bridge. Heinrich hadn't felt this optimistic since the track of the plunderers did end, outside this forest. Then the roar of approaching motors crushed his optimism. They came around the corner. With a mental shrug, Heinrich wondered why the road had so many condemned corners. The rocky hilltops and the clusters of trees made it dificult to build one, Heinrich knew that. Still, it didn't make him feel happy about it. He threw himself flat as the gunner fired at him. Heinrich got back up just in time to throw his dagger. He took out bogh of them in the first attack. It was no celebration as the bike nearly got him. He rolled to the side. Heinrich bit his teeth together as he knocked his head in a nearby tree. The motorcycle then struck into another trunk. The explosion lit up the forest. Heinrich got to his feet. He knew it wasn't over yet. Not if they stuck to the usual pattern. He smiled, it didn't reach his eyes. Heinrich knew he wouldn't be disapointed as another motorcycle already came around the corner. Still, this came from the other direction. Heinrich almost cursed. They where getting smarter. Then the gunner fired at him. There where no more time for speculation. Heinrich just barely managed to side-step their shooting at him. They tried to run him down. The gunner was already busy reloading his gun. Heinrich didn't even let him try. "Take this." Heinrich said while summoning his bloodline power. With his whip strenghtened with lightning, Heinrich whipped the bones into ashes. He didn't stop to watch the bike explode. Heinrich began to run along the road. He didn't know where they came from. But he couldn't take the chanse to stay around in case new bones should arrive. A cold wind blew in his face. Heinrich stopped, dead in his track. When seeing beyond the obvious, Heinrich saw the ghosts approach him. He reached for the cross. Thank the Lord. Heinrich just barely managed to whip them in time. He knew he would be dead if they toutched him. Behind him, Heinrich heard the sound of a motorcycle. "Good Lord in Heaven." Heinrich summoned God in his heart as he continued running. The motorcycle where comming closer. Reaching for his cross, Heinrich spun around. The bones got a confused look to them as he didn't move aside. Before they could speed up, Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. A symphony of crosses rised around him. They did protect him from their bullets. Before the skeletons could reload, Heinrich went to work. The biker was whipped into oblivion. Then the gunner was removed from its position. The motorcycle then collided into one of the hills. Heinrich again began running. He didn't want to stay around to wait for the second biker. Not when he was about to run out of crystals. The mist somewhat cleared. Heinrich laughed. It was born of bitterness. Before him stood another of those walls. The gate where close. There where a few candles around. Heinrich whipped at them. He picked up the crystals. There where some big among them. It went five smaller gems on one big. Heinrich knew he would need them. The spring had, among other things, told him where he was. Behind this wall, there where only a short walk to the castle. Heinrich made a grimace with frustration. Then he turned around. There where no point in staying here. There could be more motorcycle-skeletons hunting him already. A sudden shreek reminded him that there where far worse creatures about. Heinrich again reached for his crucifix. Then he turned back into the forest.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Susan watched Aaron leave. She enjoied males who at least looked like real men. She absently wondered why she had ever married Jackob Oldrey. That skiny little moneymonger who, as his hobby, studied the history of art. Through his wealth, her husband had actually turned one of the towers into an actual museum. Then a grousome smile went across her features, exposing her fangs. She had decorated some of the towers more to her own taste. Susan loved to see big strong men fight over her. Their despair when she killed all of them, was truely wonderful. Three years had gone by since her "transformation". Susan had then experienced the true glory of the eternal night. She again smiled. Susan hoped that, when Aaron where true with his game, Patrick would be delivered into her hands. It had after all been wonderful to have Julia. Her stepdaughter was a virgin. Her blood was so sweet, so delicious. Susan licked her lips. She really did hope she would get him. She leaned back upon her sofa. There where others who could still her thirst. The children. Some of them really looked tasteful. A pity the Dark Lord had forbidden them to toutch them. No matter. There where other villagers who could give Susan what she wanted. Smiling, she rised from the sofa. It was time for a drink.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich moved away from the still burning remains of another motorcycle. Those madmen had begun chasing him through the forest. They appeared from nowhere to fire their bullets at him. It'd taken him half an hour to search the right side of the road. Heinrich made a grimace. He'd found nothing. An eerie silence filled the forest. With a shudder Heinrich began moving. He came out upon the road. No motorcycles where to be seen. Some bats where still circling him. Heinrich brandished the chain-whip at them. Heinrich felt blanks beneath his feet. He'd come upon that bridge again. The mist where somewhat thinner here. More bats came flying in. It had to end. Heinrich summoned fire to burn around his whip. Then he brandished his weapon at the flying mammals. They where burned to ashes. But in the light of his weapon, Heinrich saw the switch. "Of course." He muttered. Nothing seemed to be easy tonight. Upon a pillar who seemed to rise out from the abyss, the button was located. The fire went out. Mist again obscured his view. "Lord." Heinrich reached for his cross. "Please help me." Ropes went from one side of the bridge to the other. Clearly they where meant to serve as fences. Now Heinrich used his knife to cut away the rope who blocked the way to the switch. Heinrich nervously licked his lips. One mistake, and Alicia would be alone to carry on the blood of Reinhardt Schneider. He just had to do it, or he would be trapped forever in this forest. "Hold the light high so that I find the way home." Heinrich said while toutching his cross. Then he just did it. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power as he cracked the chainwhip. Clear light, like that of gold, lit up his weapon. Heinrich flew through the air. His feet struck something solid. Heinrich fell to his knees. He grasped onto the rock. Heinrich didn't dare think he'd made it. Then something made him open his eyes. Upon the bridge, stood a were-tiger. Heinrich actually smiled. He knew he where dead. Somehow, it didn't matter. "Be the will of God!" Heinrich screamed as he jumped back toward the bridge. He didn't even care the mist seemed to be clearing.

The were-tiger was atractive. Heinrich never thought he would think so. But she where graceful. With a slender perfect body with glorious stripes in near gold and black. A braid of long black hair fell down her back. She was naked, all naked. Heinrich reached for his crucifix. He understood why she was the perfect assasin. Deathly and beautiful. A combination the Dark Lord would enjoy. The lady cat spread her arms to bogh sides, extending her claws. Heinrich held his whip in hand. He was prepared to die. Then suddenly the catwoman breathed a heavy yellow flame, setting her own fur on fire. Heinrich swollowed. She didn't burn! His opponent smiled. She would kill him. Heinrich could read that promise in her cold yellow eyes. Then the were-tiger threw itself forward. Her sleek body moving perfect, like a profeshional dancer. Heinrich couldn't find it in himself to admire this creature. All he felt for her, was fear. There where only one thing he could do. As she came at him, Heinrich held up his chain-whip in bogh hands. He channeled water to shine around his weapon. It should've been impossible. The lady cat manage to throw herself backward in a pefect arch. She really was good, Heinrich had to admit it. Then she came at him again. Closer to the ground this time. She glided forward like there where no bones in her body. Heinrich knelt to one knee. Then he threw his dagger forward. He summoned his power and made the knife split into three electrified blades. With a perfect twist, the catwoman avoided two of his daggers. The third she somehow managed to grab out from the air. Heinrich smirked. That was the point, if he didn't hit her directly of course. The blade was still electrified. The knife exploded right into her face. The smoke cleared. Heinrich felt his blood become cold. It didn't seem to have toutched his enemy. The were-tiger pured. Then she came at him again. She flailed her enflamed claws so quickly that it was near impossible to follow her mobility. Heinrich reached for his cross. This was no playing around. Heinrich knew she would tear him appart if she ever got close enough. A symphony of crosses rised upon the bridge. The were-cat assasin became thrown backward by the impact. "Stronger we are in the name of the Lord." Heinrich said with challenge in his voice. The where-tiger got into a crutched position. There wheren't enough space to circle him. Heinrich was really grateful about that. The lady cat came at him with a flurry of punches and kicks. Heinrich tried to whip at her. She dodged every slash. He threw daggers at her. Somehow the catwoman managed to side-step each and every of them. Heinrich knew he where on the defensive. Sooner or later she would get past his offensive. There where other things to consider. The battle would be like a lighthouse for the darkside still hunting him. That would be a later concearn. The were-tiger would likly kill him. Heinrich continued whipping at her as he with the other reached for his crucifix. She noticed his gesture. But it was to late. Heinrich became risen into the air as golden fire washed across the battlefield. Heinrich then noticed the bridge where on fire. Then he noticed something else. The were-tiger wasn't dead. She came at him, through the fire. Heinrich sunk to his knees. It was over. He knew it was over. That he knelt was most likly what saved his life. The were-tiger came at him with such speed that she couldn't alter perspective. With a scream of disapointed hatred, the lady cat disappeared into the abyss. Heinrich had no time to thank the Lord who'd saved him. The bridge where collapsing beneath his feet. Heinrich knew what he had to do. He recoiled the whip as he unsheated his sword. Then, as fire burned in front of him, Heinrich summoned water magic to his aid. Then he just ran forward. Never was Heinrich to forget the night when he ran to the fire as the bridge where collapsing beneath him. Finally he stood on solid ground. Then Heinrich fell to the ground. So much had happened. For a moment, all he could do was to embrace his crucifix. It was the sound of engines which brought him back from his reverie. Heinrich got to his feet. He resheated his blade as he cracked the chain-whip. It wasn't over yet. Then Heinrich began to run through the forest.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Patrick appeared out from the forest. There where motorcycle-skeletons haunting the road. Still, Patrick knew how to find his way. The mist where thinner then when he first entered the forest. It was like a wind had started blowing. He would rather like it to stay the way it had been. With the wind came the rotting stench of the dying woodland. He made a grimace. Rose where right. Something where wrong with this area. Not that the fall lasted forever. Patrick couldn't describe it. The castle, who had once been his home, loomed into the night. Patrick knew the abyss where close. He reached for his shotgun. Patrick hoped there where no other lycanthropes around. The were-cauger really did worry him. A shreek sounded from somewhere in the forest. Patrick's grip on the firearm tightened. He'd heard those cries before. He still didn't like it. It reminded him of something which happened back when the evil forces where released. Patrick wondered if all that about Dimitri Blinov, had something to do with his own tragedy. Never mind. He hid in the forest. Something where happening in there. Patrick had decided to stay at the castle. Now he became unsure. What if his friends where in troubble? Muttering to himself, Patrick went to find out what was happening.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich stopped. In the open gate his enemy awaited. The darkside glared at him with its eyes on fire. He wondered if this was the one from the cave. Not that it was important. All these devestated schoolars wanted to see his blood. Heinrich cracked his chain-whip. Then the evil force spread its wings. Heinrich carefully followed its mobility. The darkside reached for him with its skeletal claws. A bolt of dark lightning struck the air. Heinrich barely managed to side-step the attack. He then summoned his bloodline power. The enemy threw another bolt of black electricity toward him. Then it became hit by the flames spread by Heinrich's item-crush. It fell to the ground. Heinrich ran to whip at it. The darkside screamed. Then the shrouded figure disappeared. He knew what to expect. Still, it made it no easier. When seeing beyond the obvious, Heinrich finally detected the flouting crystal. He threw his dagger at it. Heinrich fused it with fire, making the gem shatter. Then the destroyed being reappeared. It staggered backward. Heinrich prepared to strike at it. Then it opened its jaws. Fire roared in the creatures mouth and eyes. Heinrich knew he saw streight into the pit. A boiling ball of flames where released toward him. Heinrich threw himself to the ground. The mystic ball made the forest explode. He struggled back up. Then Heinrich nearly became hit by the creatures tallons. He knew his head would shatter if he ever became hit. Heinrich threw his knife at it in return. Then he dodged the red streams of fire shot from his enemy's eyes. The dagger burried itself within the flesh of his opponent. The creature clawed at itself. Heinrich swollowed as he saw it pierce its own blackened flesh. Then he, still somewhat shaky, summoned his bloodline power. Fire made his whip burn as Heinrich whipped the darkside in the face. The creature who had been a living man, before he became stripped of everything, vanished. Heinrich again searched for the crystal. Christopher Belmont had fought against this creature way back in 1592. Heinrich had finally remembered how to fight these monsters. There. He whipped the crystal away with his whip surounded by the blue glow of water magic. The darkside released another shot of parallell red flames. Heinrich managed to side-step his opponent. Even so, the fire burned into his left arm. It was his time to scream. He couldn't be sure, still Heinrich had a feeling his enemy laughed at him. It reached for him. Black bolts of dark electricity struck down toward him. Heinrich reached for his cross. Again that circle of holy symbols saved his life. The darkside then flew into the sky. Heinrich cast a nervous look around. Then the evil force came darting toward him. Heinrich let go of his whip. He dropped to the forest floor and rolled out of reach as the darkside came crashing down. He got back up, his sword in hand. The enemy got back up like the fall meant nothing. Heinrich nervously licked his lips. These figures where truely terrifying. Then he threw himself forward. Heinrich summoned his power as the darkside made flames burn at him. Light like gold hit red flames from Hell as they struck together. He felt like being in an oven. His enemy shreeked as the blade was burried into it. Heinrich fought to stand up. He didn't know if he could continue with this. He had to defeat his enemy or die. He tried not to think that the beast would've killed him anyway. There it was. Heinrich reached for his crucifix. He stamped his cross upon the evil crystal. The dark gem became shot to pieces. Again his enemy appeared. Heinrich shivered. Its cape where on fire. Foul black smoke rised from the figure within. Even so, through it all, the darkside still lived. Heinrich wished he could run away, like last time. He knew he couldn't. Heinrich was to tiered to get away. The darkside released another boiling red ball toward him. Heinrich threw himself to the floor. If only he could lay there and rest for a while. If he didn't defeat the evil forfce, Heinrich would get a sleep. A neverending type of sleep. He shivered by the mer thought. The darkside fired parallell beams of fire from its eyes. Heinrich held up his blade. Then he summoned fire to his aid. Heinrich held out his sword in front of himself. It was like he couldn't resist. Then a clean opal fire, like a shield, appeared in front of him. It absorbed the shot of his enemy. "You wouldn't dare." The darkside said in a struggled voice. "You cannot defeat me." Its rasping breath made him understand something he'd never expect to hear from them. The darkside where afraid of fire. It was impossible. It was madness. Then Heinrich remembered something which old Yoko Belnades used to say. "Rage is hot. But the fire of courage burns with a much cleaner flame." It was from a letter Alicia had once shown him. Still, Heinrich never forgot about it. The darkside again spread its wings. It flew toward him with an inhuman speed which would be impossible to dodge. There where only one thing left to do. Heinrich held forth his cross as the enemy shot toward him.

Heinrich didn't know how he survived. Even after the battle concluded, he could hardly believe it. The pile of ashes before him was a proof of his victory. Although the darkside where destroyed, Heinrich felt no joy. It was the Lord who saved him. Heinrich was sure of it. He knelt in prayer. One day his time would come. Perhaps it would come while hunting for Dracula. Heinrich hoped Death would find him ready. He ended his prayer. There where no idea to stay around. Not when new darksides could appear. Heinrich wished he knew how many they where. He shuddered. Best he never got the answer. The thought of just two of them together was unbearable. Heinrich went to pick up his whip. He prayed there would be no more gates blocking his way. Putting away his weapons, Heinrich began walking. Behind the third gate, the trees where more spread. He frowned. There had been an old grove outside the castle. He and Patrick used to go there to snap apples. He smiled with the childhood memory. Then bats flew toward him. Heinrich brandished his weapon at them. That at least made them keep their distance. The path led between two ruined buildings. Heinrich frowned. There where something about those ruins. It just didn't felt good. He slowly began to walk beside them. A group of bone-men appeared. Heinrich whipped them all into oblivion. There where more of them comming. Heinrich threw his dagger at them. He then spun around to whip away three other skeletons. Heinrich noticed they where comming from the houses. Finally he remembered. More then 10 years ago, two families who worked for Patrick's father had been burned to death. It'd been a terrible accident. Nobody have ever found out what'd happened. It was before Heinrich went on holiday to visit his friends. Heinrich knelt to avoid being knocked down by another bone-man. He tried to continue forward. But there where just to many enemies around. It felt like being burried in bones. Heinrich again whipped them into ashes. There where already more bones comming. Then he lost his whip. He noticed a skeleton pick it up. Heinrich tried to bring out his blade. The cold bones took him. Their hands where like shackles. The bone-men lifted him into the air. Then the bones just carried him along. Still struggling to get free, Heinrich wondered what they where going to do. The bizzar parade continued through the forest.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Aaron stood watching out upon the countryside. The top of the tower afforded an exelent view of the forest. Mist shrouded everything. This was not his domain. The warlock lord had summoned him to this area. The undead king was someone who made even him obey. The Dark Lord knew how to pick his servant. Aaron didn't mind however. He was not here to make poor sarcasm. Patrick Oldrey where out there somewhere. Aaron remembered his scent. He'd felt it more then once tonight. It was rather anoying. Aaron decided he would have to do something about it. Aaron turned and then left his viewpoint. Perhaps he could do his old "friend" a favour. A smile went across his features. It never reached his eyes. Whistling on his favorite tune he went to climb down the staircase.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
The bone-men finally came to a halt. Heinrich noticed they'd came upon a clearing. The oval field where lined with white stones. Dust where everywhere. Although the mist obscured the suroundings, Heinrich where sure that countless skeletons had gathered around the area. The bone-men then suddenly let go of him. Heinrich grunted as he hit the floor. He then got back on his feet. What where they going to do with him? It was a question which had bottered him all since he became captured. Heinrich almost expected darksides to be waiting for him. Nobody where to be seen. The bones had left behind his whip. Heinrich slowly picked it up. Nothing happened. The open area lay in silence. It was like the skeletons where waiting for something. Heinrich had another look around. Nothing. The wind did play with the dust and… Heinrich felt his hair stand on end. There where no wind. The dust went higher and… higher. All until three women stood upon the opening. One to each side of him. "I am Yolanda." An African woman told him. By the looks she most likly came from Nigeria or someplace like that. "I am Gina." Another of the trio said. Heinrich had a feeling she where from South America. She too had dark skin. "I am Shasmine." The third girl explained. The shape of her eyes and that fragile built, told Heinrich she most likly came from the Caribian. It was the only place he knew Afro-Asians come from. "You." Shasmine said. "Is dead." Heinrich shivered. They where vampires. He knew this would be about more then life and death. It was his soal who was at stake. Gina, clad only in the fur of a Jaguar, came toward him. From the other side, Shasmine and Yolanda where moving. He whipped the American hore in the face. The Brazilian cat should've been a glorious appearition. If she hadn't been undead. Heinrich held up his cross. Snarling the other vampires withdrew. "I'm not dead yet." He told them. Gina went for him again. Her fangs and claws extended. The thirst in her eyes made Heinrich shiver. He knew what he had to do. He know how to release their souls. He side-stepped the vampire. Heinrich made them keep their distance as he again presented his crucifix. "Do not place your faith in such mondaine amulets." Yolanda teased him. Then Shasmine came at him. She came in low, like a wild cat. She was dressed solily in a T-shirt and trousers. She sent him a high kick. She then screamed. Heinrich stamped his cross on her. Before she could move, he cut off her head. "Shasmine!" Gina shouted. Yolanda made no sound. She just came at him. The African vampire where clad only in the brown fur of a lion. She wasn't that much larger then the Caribian undead, but she surely was more agile. Heinrich where forced to withdraw. Then another step. Now Gina also joined the fight. Heinrich again barely dodged their mobility. If only he'd had some holy water. He managed to whip them repeatedly. Butt hat didn't really stop them. Then Heinrich made his weapon go on fire. He held it in bogh hands as Yolanda again came upon him. Strangely, the fire didn't seem to harm him. But it did have an effect on the vampire. Screaming, she burned like oiled paper. It was terrible to behold. Heinrich thanked the Lord for that last expression of everlasting joy which spread across her face before it where reduced to ashes. Gina kicked him in the stomach. All air became pressed out of him. Heinrich fell upon the floor. A smile who could fit the demons in Hell was on her face. She opened a wound in her soft black skin as she knelt beside him. Heinrich struggled to keep the cross before her. Gina smirked. "You know you're dead." The Brazilian demon said in an icy tone. "I will kill you for what you did to my mates." Heinrich looked away. His eyes upon the cross. It gave him what strenght he needed. Heinrich slashed at her with his crucifix. The scent of fried flesh filled the air as he hit her palm. The undead grew rigid with pain. Heinrich burried his knife into her chest. Gina screamed as she started burning. The ugly green fire soon reduced her to ashes. Heinrich actually felt sorry for her. There where some who didn't wish forgiveness. Heinrich got to his feet. The dust had began to waver again. He prepared himself for what was to come.

The dust wavered and hardened until three dark women stood around him. It was a mystery. How could these creatures, who's bodies where as real and solid as his own, could become rubble and dust. No time to think further about that. It felt like Deja Vu. "I am Zaphron." The African vampire said while licking her fangs. "I am Esmeralda." The undead from South America said, a smile on her perfect lips. "I am Rino." The last undead was a cute little thing from the Caribian. Heinrich blinked. These vampires where not like the first group. Not at all. They didn't attack him. At least not on a physical level. "Don't be afraid." Rino said. Her Chinese accent made his blood boil. "I tell you." The African girl said. "You're going to love it." Zaphron was from Botswana if he wheren't mistaken. Her hight and short-cut hairstyle gave it away. Esmeralda smiled. A cute smile, the smile of a living person. "You are… " He didn't know how to describe it. They came closer. Zaphron, she was clad in the same lion fur as… Heinrich couldn't remember. She put a hand on his chest. Her dark eyes seemed to burn. She was so cold, so cold. Heinrich didn't know he'd burried his blade in her heart before she burned away. The other vampires didn't seem to care. "You saved me." Rino said. "You are a hero." For the first time, Esmeralda said something. The voice had something to it. If he could only figure it out. Then he remembered. It was the crispy tone of someone playing with a water glass. Heinrich stepped away from them. He didn't want to be here. He looked around. The sight of the skeletons broke their spell. Heinrich whipped Esmeralda in her chest. A snarl appeared on her cute little face. Heinrich made a back-flip as Rino suddenly swept her claws at him. "Don't try to get away." The Caribian vampire told him. "I know you desire us." Esmeralda said. Her smile returned. "If you have to be hard on me, then be so." Heinrich shivered. He where not like that. Heinrich didn't like to whip people. Not that he would ever dare to tell anyone. Heinrich Schneider, a gifted vampire hunter, where still a virgin. The thought made Heinrich pick himself together. These creatures where the Devil's concubines. He wanted to have nothing to do with them. They must've seen it in his eyes. Their spell no longer had a hold on him. Esmeralda tackled him to the floor. Heinrich rolled to the side as Rino stabbed her claws at him. Heinrich somehow managed to get back up as he flailed his whip at the approaching vampires. He threw daggers at them. Esmeralda collapsed into a heap of ashes. Rino managed to dodge his approach. Rino then sent him flying with another kick. Heinrich felt he would need his healing potion if he where to continue with this. "Aylar!" He heard Rino cry. "Come and help me!" Heinrich got back up just as one pile of dust became turned into another Afro-Asian vampire. They came at him from bogh sides. Heinrich prepared himself for what was to come. He where rapidly running out of tricks. Or rather, he where running short on crystals. The vampires he defeated did leave behind some gems. There where some movement among the skeletal spectators. Heinrich had no time to check it out. Then the sound of a shotgun made him smile. Rino was hit. Heinrich finished her off with a thrown dagger. The sound of battle told him his friend where in troubble. Heinrich knew he couldn't help. There where still that final vampire to consider. Then his eyes grew wide. Heinrich felt his mouth fall open. A monstrous skeletal hand grasped Aylar. The giant ape skeleton ate the Caribian vampire whole. Blood rained upon the area. Heinrich ran to retrive the crystals. This wasn't good. Not at all. He reached for his cross. Then he ran toward the giant skeleton.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Patrick snarled. The bones blocked him off from the arena. It was mer luck he'd been able to fire at the vampire. Something where going on over there. Patrick retained his man-beast form. His friend could be dying while he stood here. He tore the skeletons appart. There where just so many of them. They where around him, quick and offensive. Patrick didn't care. They couldn't defeat him. He would crush them all if need be. Then he got his first clear view of the battlefield. It really was Heinrich out there. He was battling something which… Patrick nearly became knocked cold as the bone-men maunted another attack. Bats where flying in. Of course they would smell the fresh blood. Patrick hoped there where no more vampires around. What really worried him, where the darkside. What if they started showing up? Never mind. He would kill them all. With fierce determination Patrick continued his fight. Never where these bones going to get him down.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
The giant ape skeleton came lumbering toward him. Heinrich kept a watchful eye out for its monstrous club. Somehow he knew he should recognize this monster. Never mind. The skeleton hammered it weapon into the air. Heinrich would've been crushed by its impact. Somehow he managed to dodge. Heinrich leaped into the air. His whip rammed the remains of the giant ape right between its ribs. How he managed to gett his high, Heinrich didn't care to know. The ape skeleton staggered. It was the only result. Heinrich then gasped as the enemy also jumped into the air. Heinrich ran for his life. The giant ape skeleton collided with the ground. The rubble rised and waved forward. Gasping for breath Heinrich managed to outrun even this attack. Then the skeleton rised the club into the air. He watched on as a bolt of lightning struck the club. Then the huge undead being struck the weapon into the ground. Currents of electricity was spread across the area. Still, the attack wasn't very accurate. Heinrich frowned. It should've known this attack wouldn't reach him. Then the area shook as bone-men turned aside the tiles which lined the arena. They where not like the dead spectators. It where ape-skeletons. Through the tales of Juste and Richter Belmont Heinrich knew about them. They where easily whipped into oblivion. He knew this was merely a diversion. The giant ape skeleton where approaching. It monstrous club again hit the ground. Heinrich barely managed to side-step. The ape wasn't very quick. But sooner or later it would take him. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. The giant ape came at him again. At the top of his jump, Heinrich threw his dagger. The weapon split into three burning projectiles. They hit home. The monstrous enemy seemed to stagger. Then it rised the club into the air. A bolt of lightning struck the weapon. Heinrich where already moving. Ape-skeletons appeared out from the ground. They threw a mean right hook at him. Heinrich where taken by surprise. He must've forgotten about that part. His chest-plate saved him from getting his interiers drawn out. He stamped his cross upon them. They burned into ashes. The giant ape skeleton was already in the air. It struck the battlefield. The rubble waved toward him. It made it dificult to breathe. Heinrich could feel the club approach. He dropped himself to the floor and rolled aside as the enormous weapon struck home. Before the ape skeleton could gather itself after its failed attempt, Heinrich was on his feet. He summoned his bloodline power. Heinrich reached for his cross. The ape where already swinging at him. Heinrich was risen into the air. Then a rain of golden fire hammered into his enemy. The ape was thrown to the floor. Heinrich opened his mouth to thank the Lord. Then the ape got back up. It was impossible. How in the world where he to defeat this enemy. The giant ape skeleton gave him no time to think it through. It came lumbering toward him as it repeatedly swung its weapon at him. Heinrich where forced to dodge its offensive. He made his whip go on fire. He flailed at the enemy. Heinrich eyes grew wide as he actually managed to strike it. Its whole left hand went on fire. The giant ape watched down on the hand as it broke free from the skeleton. Heinrich almost became hit by the downpour of bones. It made him wish to laugh. His own offence was what would defeat him. He gathered himself. The giant ape skeleton again leaped into the air. Heinrich managed to get away from its impact. The rubble waved forward. This time he became caught. Heinrich where thrown to the floor. For some time it where impossible to see. The thundering steps of his opponent brought him on his feet. With only one arm left, the giant ape continued the battle.

Heinrich dodged and leaped repeatedly. It was like the ape had become more accurate. How was that possible? Not that he really did mind about it. All he wanted was a way to defeat this monster. The giant ape skeleton pointed its club skyward. Another bolt of lightning struck the club. Instead of dodging, Heinrich run toward it. Just as the skeleton struck its weapon into the floor, Heinrich stamped his crucifix upon it. The ape screamed. It was no other way to describe it. The giant ape skeleton screamed, although it was without a sound. Then it began to burn. Heinrich continued to press his cross upon it. Then the smaller ape-skeletons came at him. Heinrich almost cursed. He'd forgotten about that. He where forced to retreat as the apes went at him. They where slow. Heinrich didn't wish to be torn appart anyway. Then the monstrous club hit the floor. The giant skeleton didn't care if it smashed some of its own. It was madly swinging that thing. Heinrich knew it would crush him this time. There where no opening for an attack. Then the thing staggered. Another boom was heard. Surounded by other skeletons, Patrick appeared. There wasn't time. Heinrich made fire burn around the whip as he leaped for the giant ape skeleton. The monstrous creature saw him come. It was to late. Heinrich hit it repeatedly in the chest. Surounded by flames the giant ape skeleton went into the air. It hit the floor. The rubble rised and waved about as the giant skeleton became shattered to pieces. Then the spectators where all about. Heinrich whipped at them. Perhaps he where going to die anyway. Somehow it didn't matter. He'd defeated the giant ape skeleton. Heinrich knew that, without the aid of his friend, it wouldn't been possible. Still, he was happy about it. Then the skeletons where all around him. Heinrich threw his dagger at them. Then he stamped the cross on some other bones. Then Patrick was beside him. A grim look on his face. They faught back to back as they slowly withdrew. Heinrich noticed they where back on the road. He only praied there would be no more motorcycles about.

The crypt, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Others had been dining on her. No matter. Malpheffa would be the one to turn her. The redhead woman looked upon her with dread wrightened in her face. Even so, her eyes had a somewhat glassed expression. It was Giles De Reis who did hypnotize this woman. He did not really care about women. Small boys where more his taste. Malpheffa reached for the woman to come closer. "I will not harm you." It was true. She was not at all going to harm her. The laws of nature where so twisted innside this castle. Any number of curses seemed to have a much swifter effect on the people. Reality where so thin. Malpheffa had been at Nagasaki once, right after the explosion. Even there the reality had felt disrupted. Followers of the Dark Lord who had been in Hiroshima did say that reality where torn upon the impact. The woman stepped toward her. Malpheffa put a hand on her shoulder. She knelt. Malpheffa was not like the lesser undead. She did not attack her victim like a wild beast. Of course, in the first days of her undead state, she had done so. The girls nightgown where torn, like nails had been skratching it. The neck lay bare. Malpheffa felt darkness rise within her as she saw the pulse on her troath. The victim's breath became havier as Malpheffa closed in on her. "Welcome to my world." Malpheffa wispered. "Welcome to the pleasure of the flesh." She licked the girl's neck while toutching her bossom. The girl opened her mouth. "Please." She said. "Take me. Take me now." Malpheffa enjoyed the exitement. Then she dug her fangs into her troath. The blood was delicious. The irrated thirs vanished as she began to please herself. The girl screamed. With her nail, Malpheffa opened a wound in her wrist. "I baptize you with crimson." Malpheffa moaned. "I grant you eternal life. The power to command the lesser beast of this world. The might to manipulate the weater. To go unharmed through the regions of Abbadon. Indeed, I give you the power of the forbidden knowledge." It was the words of their baphtize. "Drink." She said. "And live forever." The girls moaned with pleasure as they drank each other's blood.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
It was close to midnight. Heinrich and Patrick went through the forest. Patrick wondered how long it would take for the bone-men to find them. They had told their stories. So far, it was the Belmont who'd had the most fun. Patrick knew Heinrich didn't look on it like that. The tale of the unicorn where more interesting. It filled in the holes in his own memories of what happened back then. It'd been a shock to know that his stepmother had been with Aaron all along. It really made him angry. Patrick never liked Susan. Thomas said she'd one tried to flirt with him. He knew she had an affair with his former buddy. But that she released the transformation of his home. Patrick didn't even wish to think about it. Heinrich threw him a look. Patrick fought back the tears. He'd told his friend about it. Heinrich deserved to know. A pack of skeletons rised out from the earth. With his sword in hand, Patrick went to work. Heinrich was at his side, whipping the dead into oblivion. This wasn't like firing on the giant ape skeleton. Patrick had an eerie feeling it'd been wrong. Like that he knew the creature from somewhere. Why he should feel like that, he didn't know. Never mind. The bones where soon crushed to nothingness. "It looks like you really enjoy this." Heinrich remarked. Patrick shrugged. "Bark, bark." He joked. "A bone the day keeps the wet away." His friend actually laughed at him. "Not bad." Heinrich said. "Not bad indeed." Patrick smirked. Then he changed back into his human form. They left the forest. All laugher died. The castle in Barnsdall loomed before them. Patrick frowned. Something wasn't right. Heinrich also seemed to notice. They backed away as they again unsheated their swords. "The drawbridge is lowering." Heinrich almost whispered. Patrick nodded. He tried to prepare himself for the hoard of monster he was sure would appear. The bridge hammered into the ground. Then nothing happened. They exchanged glances. Heinrich then shrugged. Patrick nodded. His friend reached for his cross. "Be the will of God." He mummbled. Patrick wasn't so sure. This was what he'd come here for. Still he was afraid. The children needed his help. If Heinrich hadn't been beside him, Patrick where unsure if he'd dared to enter. This was his home. Still the inviding gate felt like the entrance to Hell. "Let's go." Heinrich said. The Belmont began walking. Patrick threw one last look at the forest. Then he followed his friend into the castle.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. of January 2099 A.D.
Torah Fernandez threw a look over her shoulder. She thought she'd heard something. "What is it?" Rose asked. The fairy came to flutter in front of her face. "Nothing." Torah assured her. Still, she could've swore she heard something. The castle entrance loomed behind her. Torah found herself in a small courtyard. A fountain gave the only sound. Then Torah heard dogs barking. She felt her body chill. Torah was afraid of hounds. She hated to admit it. They where in front of her. Torah sat down upon the wall of the fountain. The water smelled bad. She didn't care. She had to find a way to get around this. The dogs again barked. She couldn't help but shiver. Torah summoned her magic in an attempt to calm herself. "Orb of sorcery." The glowing ball appeared before her. It gave her some light. Still, she didn't know what to do.

Throne room, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
The image in the crystal ball wavered before it disappeared. He sat upon the burrial box. They had entered the castle. It was good. The boy asked him a question. "Why not." He smiled down at him. The boy laughed and gave him a little applause. He smiled. So easy to please this child. Then he got up from his position. The spirit sleeping within would awaken. He wondered if it was time to show it to the boy. But not yet. Let him play around some more. Together they left the room behind.

(A.N: I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. It's in honour of CV64, one of my favorite games. Have a nice passover.)

Chapter 2: The Story Continues | Back to Intro