Part 2: Legacy of Sorrow.

"Do not be afraid. It is I."
Mathew: 14. 27.

Chapter 2: Watchtower.
The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The bedroom where elegant. The girl lay sleeping in a bed from the Queen Ann period. From within the shadows of an Victorian armchair he where watching her. She where the chosen one. For the time, it did not concern him. Count Dracula did remember. His sons, Vlad, Vladimir and Adrian. He had often sat beside them while they where at sleep. The prince of Wallachia did still love her. Elizabetha Corvinis of Hungary. How was it that he loved Liza Fearheight just as much. It were forbidden. A man could only have one wife. The Master said against it. He could have whatever woman he wanted. What he would not give to see Elizabetha again. What he would not do to get Liza back. It was all over. Through the night, count Dracula watched the girl sleep. He waited for what was to come. In his heart, someone where calling for him. Lord Dracula knew he should be at the demon castle. The boy had told him it would be dangerous. There where something wrong about all of this. He was the Dark Lord, was he not? The counts frown deepened. His memory were fading. He knew he was count Dracula, the lord of Warakiya. He rised from his seat. The vampire spirit could not wait. He summoned his power. Then the room was empty, save for the dryad which still lay sleeping on her bed.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. of January 2099 A.D.
Aaron walked down the steps. He where here. Patrick Oldrey. Aaron could smell his scent. If he where this close, his "friend" would be able to smell him too. A smile went across his face. This was what he had planned for. For all these long years Aaron watched how the Lecarde family where praised as the most powerful man-beast in the Warakiyan tribe. That fool Ortega had nearly wiped out their entire species. Aaron would clean the family name as he proved to the world that he would be the most powerful man-beast of his generation.

Heinrich Schneider held a hand close to his chain-whip. Patrick threw him a look. It kept him from looking down. The bottomless abyss where beneath them. Patrick didn't breathe until they reached the gate on the other side. Or it at least felt that way. Back when this had been his home, it'd been water in there. Best to not think about that either. "Run." Heinrich's voice brought Patrick back from his reverie. The drawbridge was being risen again. The men ran like Hell to not be captured. Patrick snarled as a wave of bats came flying at them. "Continue." Heinrich shouted. Patrick didn't want to continue. He wished to stop and help his friend. Instead he went forward as Heinrich started whipping the bats to dust. It seemed impossible. But somehow they managed to cross the rising bridge. "Stronger we are in the name of the Lord." Heinrich said, reaching for his cross. Patrick merely nodded. The drawbridge slammed close behind them. The torches where the only source of light. There where doors to either side of the narrow passage. But the way onward was blocked by a lowered gate. The Belmont mumbled something he couldn't quite figure. Not that Patrick really carred about it. He sniffed the air. Patrick couldn't help but smile. It smelt like home. Still, the scent of this place… Somehow Patrick remembered it. A snarl appeared on his face. His eyes shined wildly, like polished gold. It was the scent he could never forget. "What is it?" Heinrich looked at him like he where afraid. Patrick didn't care. He wished he could howl out his hatred. It was Aaron! Aaron, his friend who had betrayed them all. A blue light suddenly lit up the darkness beyond the lowered gate. Patrick hadn't noticed he'd grasped the metal with his hands. A figure where approaching. A man, clad in plain grey or brown clothing. "Long time, no see, my old friend." Aaron smiled at him. The other man-beast where surrounded by a blue light. "I knew you would return someday." The smile never reached his eyes. Patrick snarled. "I see you have not forgotten about me." Patrick tightened his grip on the gate. If only it'd been open. Then he would rip the troath out of that smiling monster. "I saw you." Heinrich suddenly said. "It was you who released the darksides." Aaron threw the vampire hunter a glance. "Go back to your church." He then said in a spiteful voice. "You have nothing to do with this." Patrick summoned his man-beast power. His hands began to glow with power. Aaron smiled. "Do not be foolish." He said. "Do not try to melt your way to me." Patrick didn't care. He where going to kill this man-beast. "You really do wish to fight me." The smile grew wider, although it still didn't reach his eyes. "You're killing the forest." Heinrich said. "Are you mad? The forest is the source of life." "Go and tell someone who cares." Aaron said, a bit of anger in his voice. He then turned back to Patrick. He was still trying to melt his way through. "I told you it wouldn't work." Then Aaron looked like he considered something. It was I who abducted the children." He showed his teeth in a smile which wheren't at all nice to see. "Find them if you can." Aaron showeved even more of his teeth, the smile replaced with a snarl. "Come and find me, if you can." He then turned. "Traitor!" Patrick cried after him. "Don't think you'll get away." Aaron threw him a look over his shoulder. "A pity your brother isn't here." A truly wicked expression on his face. "Julia would have been so pleased to see him." Then the blue glow vanished. Patrick fell to his knees. The thought of his sister made him cry. Heinrich was at his side, a hand on his shoulder. The Belmont assured him all would be fine. That everything he saw in that vision could be fixed. Heinrich swore he would stand beside him when they faught Aaron to the death. Patrick tried to convince himself it would be that way. Even though he knew Heinrich couldn't possibly knew about it all. Patrick finally managed to pick himself together. The Belmont viewed him. Then he shrugged. Patrick also felt a bit akward. No matter. They where friends. Their families where long-time allies. It was only natural they should have some connections. Patrick once heard Jakob speak with Reichardt, Heinrich's father, if Julia should once marry his son. It wouldn't surprise him if Thomas tried some stunts with Alicia. Then again, Heinrich's cousin where different. Patrick knew this was meaningless. He should be helping his friend to find a way out of here. Instead he where thinking rubbish about old days. Then Heinrich called for him. Patrick moved over to see what his friend might have found.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
While Patrick did pick himself together, Heinrich had a look around. The drawbridge where close. The way onward where blocked. He still felt a little angry about that. Heinrich had hoped he would never see a fence again. There where to other exits. A closed door stood to either side of the area. Beside those doors, all where stone and metal. Without the torches it would've been pitch black in here. Heinrich muttered. They really could need Rose right now. The doors where made of metal. It was a surprise. Heinrich didn't think the elders used metal when building. "Patrick." He called. "I think you should see this." His friend appeared at his side just as Heinrich tried to open the door. It was closed. "Where it your father who made these doors?" Patrick shook his head. "We didn't really use this part of the castle." He explained. "I know my father cleaned up in here. But I never actually had a look around." Heinrich frowned. That moon symbol carved within the metal reminded him of something. "That symbol." Patrick suddenly said. "I reminds about something I found in the forest." Heinrich watched as Patrick resheated his sword. Then he brought out something from his pocket. "I found it after that I defeated a were-cauger." His friend explained. He handed it over so that Heinrich could get a better look. "I don't get it." He said. It looked like some of the playing cards Heinrich once saw. However, this one was black. There where something wrighten upon it. Heinrich thought it might be Arameic. Never mind. At the top of the card there where a coin-sized yellow gemstone which, through some means, had been embedded into the paper. Even in this light, the jewel shone like the sun. "A sun card." Finally Heinrich remembered why the carving looked so familiar. "It might alter night to day." He exitedly told his friend. "That's madness." Patrick said. "Nobody have that kind of power. Nobody should have anyway. It would mix up the planetary system." Heinrich couldn't help but laugh. "It's merely a legend." He quickly explained. "But if you know how, you might make the sun or moon shine." Patrick shrugged. "I don't see how that might help us." Heinrich had to agree. "It's the moon we need to open this door." Then Patrick got an idea. "Let's go and check the left tower." He suggested. Heinrich gave him a look. "This door goes in a western direction." Patrick told him. "That's where the moon rise." Heinrich got it. "It mean." He said, before the man-beast could explain it. "That the other door leads eastward." They moved over to the second doorway. This exit where also made of metal. But upon it they saw the marking of a rising sun. "Here we go." Patrick said. Heinrich gave him a look. Patrick shrugged. "You're magician." He playfully remarked. Heinrich muttered. He where no wizard. Never would he become one either. The Bible spoke stricktly against magic. Heinrich hoped Alicia and her Catholic church where right in that the clan's abilities, where gifts from God. He reached for his cross. Then Heinrich brought out the sun card. His ancestor, Reinhardt Schneider, did use these things in his hunt for Dracula. It'd been back in 1852. But if Reinhardt had ever told how to use them, Heinrich never heard about it. The elders said he possessed some of the same powers as his great predecessor. Heinrich wheren't sure if he should really believe in that. But he really where gifted with fire. Patrick threw him a look. Heinrich shrugged. They would be captured if he messed up. He licked his lips. Heinrich reached for his crucifix. Then he summoned fire. The yellow gemstone got an eruption. There where no other way to describe it. For a moment it was like the sun itself lit up the gloomed passage of the castle. The door opened. A swarm of bats came toward them. Still somewhat shaken, Heinrich managed to brandish his whip at them. Then they just stood there. "Never." Patrick then said. "Ever do that again." Heinrich gave a weak nod. Then he gathered himself. There where no point in staying around. Patrick unsheated his sword as Heinrich cracked the chain-whip. Then they entered into the watchtower.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Lucy let a hand go through her strewberry blonde hair. She hadn't been mistaken. Someone where approaching. She could hear their steps. Lucy didn't want anyone to find her. The earlier decision to stand tall had vanished. Lucy closed her blue eyes. She tried to gather herself. But the courage where gone. Suddenly she spun around. Before they could take her, she where running up the steps.

Patrick frowned. "Did you hear that?" Heinrich shook his head. "You're the man-beast." The man joked. Patrick glared at him. Heinrich spread his hands in surrender. Patrick shrugged. "You may say what you want." He said in a somewhat stern voice. "But I could've sworn I heard something just now." Heinrich never answered as a swarm of bats came flying in. It wasn't much light inside this area. All sides of the building where built of concreat stone. A stair vanished among the shadows above them. Patrick thought he saw some light high up in the building. The bats which remained escaped out the door. Heinrich muttered something about vampires or darkside. Patrick couldn't quite figure it. Although he hadn't fought any of those monsters himself, he really did fear those creatures. Patrick tried not to think what would happen if one of them trapped them inside this box. Heinrich already had began climbing the stairs. Patrick quickly followed him up the steps. Soon the torches below them vanished among the shadows. There still where some light above them. "Get down!" Heinrich said as he whipped at something coming toward them. Patrick did as he said. Atop the stairs one of those bone-men became visible. There where something different about this skeleton from those he'd fought in the forest. He had no time to think further about it. The bone-man where already releasing new bones toward them. Heinrich where busy whipping the projectiles away. Patrick quietly unholstered his sidearm. "Just get a little closer." He muttered. As if the bone-man could hear him, the boney adversary came some steps closer. "Take this, you undead bastard." He muttered while aiming at the bone. "Wait!" Patrick didn't mind as he fired his shotgun. The bullet flew through the air. Heinrich suddenly jumped ontop of him. Then the skeleton exploded.

Tower of art, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Moonlight shone through one of the huge windows. The light made the elegant chamber seem more gloomed then ever. Penny Armstrong felt sadness kreep at her from the walls. The ancient blue tapestry, with the images of the royal lilly, where fit for a funeral. The 11 year old girl listened. All where silent. Penny would felt better if she could've heard them. Where was Alfred? She thoughtfully bit on a lock from her brown hair. If she could only see them. Penny didn't dare to look outside the window. They could come with the moonlight. They could rise from the dusty floor. Penny shivered. She couldn't help it. She was a child. Her power couldn't help her. Penny then heard something. It was the the music from a violin. She'd heard that once before. She didn't knew why it terrified her. She got to her feet. She couldn't stay. The undead where after her. She'd tried to assure herself that the Belmonts would come. Like when Penny was a captive aboard the ship. She tried not to think about that either. Carefully she moved for the door.

Yukiri sniffed the air. Her scent wheren't as good as her master. Lord Grey had brought them here from his castle in Dora wood. "She has been here." She told Bronze. The black woman smiled, exposing her fangs. "You did see how she wiggled with her little tail." Yukuri made a grimace. She preffared adult blood. It'd been a surprise to discover Bronze's gender. She would like it if they'd still been out on their Raptors. The Dark Lord command. She tightened the belt of her Kimono. That girl where powerful. "Take her." He'd said. Yukuri would take her. She continued to test the air. The scent wheren't old. "She is still before us." Bronze shrugged. "The hunt is part of the chase." Yukuri smiled. She was right about that. She then changed form to continue the search.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich got back on his feet. While dusting off himself, he threw Patrick an accusing look. "I told you to stay down." Patrick returned his gaze. "How should I know that damn thing would explode? Those in the forest didn't do that." His friend angrily began dusting off his army jacket. Heinrich shook his head. "Sorry." He said. "I should've told you the white bones tend to blow up." Patrick looked confused. "In their chronicles." Heinrich explained. "Bogh Simon Belmont and Reinhardt Schneider told there where many types of skeletons." Patrick shrugged. "If we ever get back to your estate." He said. "You have to let me read those papers." Heinrich shrugged. His friend knew that only a person of Belmont linage, or a priest, where permitted to read those pages. "Those in the forest where plain bones." Heinrich somewhat tiered continued his explanation. "These are clean. Like someone did wash them." Patrick nodded. "Very well then." The man-beast said in a somewhat grumpy voice. "How do you suggest we get over there?" Patrick pointed for the other platform. The explosion did destroy the staircase. Now all there was, where an open gap into the abyss. Not that they'd gotten so very far up. Never mind. "We have to jump." Heinrich said. Patrick grew pale. Heinrich knew his friend wheren't actually best friend with hights. "You could wait down here." He tried to sound like it wasn't important. "Just get over." Patrick said. His voice sounded a little to calm. Heinrich knew this wasn't easy. He hoped his friend would find it in himself to get over it. Then Heinrich threw himself forward. This was nothing when compared with the fight against the giant ape skeleton. He climbed a few steps as Patrick came flying at him. Patrick did look a little green. Heinrich tried to not mind about it. He knew his own fear. Heinrich really hoped those bats wouldn't warn the darkside. Speaking of the Devil… Another swarm of bats came flying at them. Heinrich reached for the chain-whip. Patrick where already ahead of him. With his pistol in hand, the man-beast shot away their enemies. Heinrich whipped the candle standing beside him. A round of ammunition fell out. "Thank you." Patrick somewhat dryly commented. "And I who thought you wished you had more light." Heinrich muttered. Somehow he would get even. Then they continued climbing. The stairs seemed to go on forever. More bats came flying at them. Patrick where reloading his shotgun. "What you think that is?" He pointed at something above them. Heinrich threw it a look. "It's some sort of skulls." He finally said. Then he frowned. "I have a bad feeling about this." Patrick rolled his eyes. "Have I ever heard that before." This wasn't funny. More bats came toward them. Heinrich whipped at them as Patrick released more bullets. The remaining mammals scattered about them. Just then the pillar of bone shot fireballs at them. Heinrich threw himself to the floor. Why hadn't he listen more carefully to Torah's story? Never mind about that now. Patrick fired at it. The dragon skulls didn't even react. Instead it released three smaller flames at them. Heinrich got to his feet. "Stronger we are in the name of the Lord!" He summoned as he whipped away the fire. Heinrich felt like Simon, or perhaps Richter, as he advanced upward. He whipped away larger fireballs or new loads of three-prolonged shots. Then Heinrich tripped upon a loose brick in the stairway. Heinrich lost his momentum. He where close to falling when Patrick got a hold on him. In his left hand, the man-beast hold his sword. It was burning with plasma. Calmly his friend managed to block the flames shot at him. It was time to end this. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. Then he leaped forward. Heinrich landed atop the stairs. Then Heinrich found himself face to face with the pillar. The lower skull breathed heavy flames at him. The high head rleased fireballs. Heinrich heard how his friend came running up the stairs. Heinrich whipped the fire away. Then he threw his dagger. Through the aid of his power, Heinrich made his weapon split in three. The high skull shattered into pieces. Then Patrick was at his side. With his sword still on fire, he moved for the remaining portion of their enemy. Heinrich waved away the dust. "Thank you." He said. Patrick smirked. "You're welcome." Heinrich picked up the crystal which fell from the candle behind the pillar. "Let's get going." Patrick nodded. The stairs continued before them.

Another bone-man appeared. This time Patrick where more carefully. Heinrich did counter the bones as he did wait for an opening. One bone hit home. Patrick groaned. It really didn't feel good. Heinrich reached for his cross. Patrick felt his eyes grew wide as his friend became lifted into the air. He felt more so as golden flames waved across the area. The bone-man was thrown off of the platform. Patrick saw it explode before reaching the floor. Heinrich leaned against the wall. "That's never easy." Heinrich told. Patrick toutched his own cross. His friend really where growing more powerful. Then again, most Belmonts where like that. With a mental shrug, he put it aside. He waited until his friend seemed to have gotten a hold on himself. Heinrich ate some food he brought out from his backpack. "Want some?" His friend asked. Patrick shook his head. Heinrich finished his meal. Then they began climbing again. Patrick had gotten it to 200 steps already. He couldn't remember the wall to be this high. Then again, if Chaos had something to do with this. Then all could happen. Patrick was shot by another bone-man. Two of those skeletons where upon the platform above them. Heinrich mumbled something about a stopwatch. The bones where already sending new projectiles toward them. The Belmont again uncoiled his whip. Patrick knew what he had to do. His eyes shone yellow as he retained his man-beast form. Then he began to run up the stairs. Heinrich shouted at him. Patrick didn't listen. A few bones hit him. Patrick nearly became thrown off the steps. A chil went through his body. Then he reached the enemies. He then tore the bones apart. They exploded right into his face. Patrick collapsed into a heap.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich helped his friend to stand. Surprisingly Patrick where still alive. Some sips from his healing potion and the man-beast was back on top. "I hope you've learned something." Heinrich said. Patrick looked away. "I told you Dracula did something with them." His friend muttered something he couldn't quite figure. Heinrich sat down beside him. "I know you don't like them." He said in what he hoped where a reasoning tone. "But you have to think." Was it his imagination. Or did Patrick actually blush? "It's just that." His friend began. "I think about the children. I think about Torah." Finally Patrick did return his gaze. "I want to get into the castle." Heinrich nodded. "So do I." Heinrich threw away locks from his blonde hair. "We have to be careful." Patrick nodded. "I know that." Heinrich shrugged. Some bats where still circling them. He flailed his whip at them. Behind him Patrick got on his feet. "Let's go." He said. Heinrich recoiled his whip. Then he hung it back on his belt. "I think I might know how to clear them away." Heinrich slowly begun. Patrick threw him a look. "Best you test it on the pillar up there." He said while pointing with his blade. Heinrich knew he had to get close. Only then the curse which kept the beast alive, would react. Carefully he moved closer. Patrick tried another round of bullets at it. The pillar didn't even shot at him. "They're like homing lasers." Heinrich explained. "They don't awake until you get close enough." Patrick smiled, although it never reached his eyes. "I should've paied more attention when you where telling me about your family." Heinrich shrugged. They bogh knew Patrick had been more interested in the tales themselves, then to hear about the lore behind them. The pillar of bones suddenly came to life. The stacked dragon skulls aimed toward them. Heinrich flailed his whip to turn away some fireballs. Patrick shot at it. The bullets made pieces of bone fly about. It gave Heinrich the opportunity he needed. While the pillar still where aiming for his friend, Heinrich got close enough to throw his dagger. Heinrich made it split in three. But because he didn't fuse it with power, it didn't blow up the thing. Heinrich where forced to withdraw as the skulls again aimed at him. The lower skull shot three smaller fireballs toward him. Patrick used the opening to fire his gun. The skull he shot at became shattered. There where still one of them shooting. Heinrich unsheated his blade. It would make the darkside notice his position. Heinrich tried to not think of it. He then summoned lightning to his aid. He pointed the sword outward. Then multiple bolts struck down at the pillar. Heinrich leaned against the wall. Strange, he didn't feel as tiered as when he first used that trick. Patrick shook his head. "That's your great plan?" When Heinrich nodded, the man-beast rolled his eyes. "We have to do something." He defended himself. "Oh sure." Patrick said with more then a little glee. "I'm sure the darkside will agree with you." Heinrich spread his hands in surrender. He went to pick up the crystal the pillar left behind. His friend where right. But he didn't have to act funny about it. Not when Patrick did mess up things himself. "Sorry." Patrick said. Heinrich turned as his friend climbed to stand beside him. "It wasn't fair of me to joke about it." Heinrich shrugged. "It wasn't." He said. "But you're right about the darkside." Heinrich tried not to shudder. "There have to be one other way to defeat the bones." Now it was Patrick doing the shrugging. "We just have to have faight." Heinrich nodded as he reached for his cross. They just have to be at the top. While they continued climbing, that hope where shattered. Then another bone-man appeared out from the shadow. This time Heinrich managed to fend of the bones it threw at them. Patrick gave him a look. "Any bright ideas?" He asked. Heinrich whipped his whip as the skeleton rleased another bone at them. "Perhaps." Heinrich said. "If you promise to take the bones." Patrick arched an eyebrow. Then he fired his sidearm as yet another bone came at them. "Thanks." The man-beast shrugged. The bone-men where throwing new projectiles at them. Heinrich advanced a few steps while summoning his bloodline power. Then he threw his dagger. The blade split into three. The bone was knocked backward. It exploded before it could reach the floor. "Clever." Patrick said as he came climbing toward him. He then shot down the candle. Patrick used the new ammunition to reload his shotgun. Then he fired the things as more bats appeared. Heinrich reached for his whip. Instead he became hit by one of those bones. Where there never an end to them? Groaning with pain he glared at the skeleton. Patrick where busy with the bat. Heinrich thought of telling him to just fire. He knew it would never do. Not this high. He whipped the bones it threw at him into oblivion. If he only had a stopwatch. Never mind. While Heinrich advanced he continued whipping away bones. The bone-thrower seemed to glare at him. Heinrich didn't mind. "May the Lord make mercy upon your soul." He'd once heard Christian use that phrase. Then Heinrich whipped the bone-man away. Then he turned and ran like his life depend on it. Which it actually did.

Patrick put away his firearm. The last of the bats where history anyway. The stairs seemed like they should go on forever. He dried some sweath from his brow. The climbing where good exorcize. The air where cold and filled with dust. It smelled of old stone or rock. Then a bone suddenly hit him in the chest. The armoured plate protected him. Still, Patrick felt like burning nails where drilled into his body. Above them the skeleton seemed to laugh at him. Patrick knew it was his imagination. It didn't matter. It where like reality had screwed up. They climbed, a bone appeared and so on. Another round of bones came at them. The stair offered little shelter. His friend knocked the flurry away with that whip. Then Heinrich reached for his cross. This time Patrick knew what to expect. Still, that burning cross of gold behind the back of his friend where really impressive. Patrick reached for his own cross. He knew his family didn't possess that kind of power. If he'd been the one to pass on the seals, Patrick knew he would've been more powerful then his friend could ever dream to be. Never mind. Thomas did hid them around the countryside. His brother didn't want to have to deal with them. Patrick only hoped Aaron would never find them. The bone-man burned to ashes. He noticed Heinrich didn't need to rest this time. Patrick threw it aside. He let Heinrich take the candle this time. Anyway, they just contained some of those worthless gemstones. Patrick knew he shouldn't think like that. It where the crystal which gave Heinrich access to use his weapons. Although he didn't quite understand why. The power where in his friend's bloodline. Still, he needed the gems to unleash it. Then again, nobody really could figure about magic. It just was there. Sometimes it even seemed to have the life of its own. A series of fireballs brought him back to reality. Patrick mentally kicked himself. Had he ever learned to not let his mind carry him away. This where no place for mindless speculations. Another of those pillars where in their way. "Blasted." He couldn't help but curse at it. As if the Devil heard him, another swarm of bats came toward them. Heinrich made his whip burn as he went for those small flying mammals. That meant Patrick would have to take care of the bone pillar. He summoned his man-beast power. The only mean to block the flames where to surround his blade with plasma. How it was that the blade could withstand his power and not the enemy fire, was a true mystery. Never mind that now. Patrick got down to one knee. One fireball flew past his head. That was to close. Patrick fired his shotgun. The bullets made small pieces of bone scatter across the pillar's platform. The stacked skulls sent three smaller shots at him. One of them hit his arm. Patrick thanked God in his heart. If he'd been in his human form, he would've been dead already. Patrick's man-beast form had a greater resistance against fire. How it was that way he didn't know. Not that he really did mind about it. Not when it worked. Patrick fired another round with his shotgun. Although the bullets had no real effect, it did at least disrupt its aim. Patrick got close enough to leap toward it. Patrick managed to not look down as he landed in front of the pillar. He swung his blade at it. Right and left, in one quick attack. The uppermost skull became split in two. The pieces burned before they could even reach the floor. Patrick then nearly became killed as the lower skull breathed another heavy flame toward him. Then Heinrich was there. He knelt down, his whip in bogh hands. Patrick shook his head. Somehow his friend managed to withstand the blow. Then Heinrich finished of the skull with some quick blows from that same weapon. "Thanks that over with." Heinrich said as he got back up. Patrick grinned. He could agree on that. The torches above where closer. Still, it where impossible to see what lay beyond. Patrick got a strange idea. That, when they reached those torches, they would be back down where they began. He threw it aside. He wasn't Alucard. This wasn't 1797. The thought of the reversed castle where rubbish. But Patrick couldn't just dismiss it. This wasn't his home anymore. It was some demon's joke of a replica Castlevania. Heinrich looked at him. Patrick tried to not let his feelings show. His friend must've detected something. Heinrich mumbled something as he toutched his crucifix. They bogh where silent as they began walking again.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Lucy closed the hatch behind her. There where no lock. Lucy almost began to sob as she noticed. There where only this large room. A ladder did lead toward another hatch. Lucy gratefully ran to open it. Warm air, dank and stanching with rotting vegetation hit her. Lucy didn't care. To her it felt fresh like the summer. Lucy had been only nine years when the ice came. That was three years ago. For a moment, Lucy felt free. Then something came at her. Lucy screamed as the naked creature slashed its talons at her. The harpy shrieked at her. Lucy shuddered when she remembered the tales who said that these creatures where kid murderers. Lucy quickly climbed back down. She closed the hatch right in the face of that monster. Lucy heard how it sscratched on the wood between them. Shaken she climbed back down the ladder. Already Lucy knew she where captured again. They would soon come and take her. Kneeling in the dust, Lucy cried as she'd never done before.

Heinrich whipped the bones away. He knew it was only his imagination. But he was almost sure he noticed a look of frustration on the skull's face. Patrick fired his shotgun. There where still bats around. Heinrich summoned the power of his bloodline. Then he sent his dagger at that dead monster. The knife split into three burning projectiles. The skeleton collapsed into a heap of ashes. Heinrich let Patrick handle the remaining bats as he went to whip down the candles. He couldn't believe it. Heinrich knelt in prayer as the stopwatch appeared before him. "What have you found?" Patrick finished reloading his shotgun as he came climbing toward him. "Show for yourself." Heinrich almost laughed. "It's a clock." Patrick said. "It's more then a clock." Heinrich told him. "It's a stopwatch. Now we can freeze the foes in time." Patrick slowly nodded as a grin spread across his face. "The Lord is with us." He said. Heinrich agreed. He toutched his cross one last time as he got to his feet. "Let's go." Patrick holstered his pistol as they again began to climb. They finally reached the torches. Then they noticed they couldn't get any further. The way was blocked by a roof of solid dark stones. Patrick cursed. Heinrich knew his feelings. All this for nothing. Then he noticed something above them. "Look." Patrick saw where he pointed. Hidden among the shadows where another opening. The ladder lay on the floor. Although his friend looked somewhat ashamed he wasn't the first to notice, Patrick quickly held up the ladder. Heinrich wasn't sure if he wished to do this. He would be defenceless while climbing. "I can go first if you want so." His friend afforded. Heinrich now knew how Patrick felt when he jumped that abyss earlier. He would have to face his fear. "I'll go first." He said. Patrick nodded. He understood. Heinrich reached for his cross. Then he began to climb. Something caught his attention. There was someone above him. Someone where weeping. It was to late now. Even if he wished it, Heinrich couldn't walk now. With a mental shrug, he opened the hatch.

Patrick watched as Heinrich disappeared above him. He really was a brave fellow. Heinrich would be defenceless up there. Nothing happened. "It's all clear." Heinrich called for him. While his friend held up the ladder, Patrick climbed up to his position. He knew it was difficult. His friend didn't have the superhuman strength of his species. Finally they where together inside the mechanism chamber. It was what his father used to call it. "It looks like we've found one of the missing children." Heinrich said in a low voice. Patrick inhaled deeply with relief. "Thank the Lord." He said as he toutched his cross. Heinrich led him to where a girl was seated. It was Lucy. The earth girl of the wizardry kids. Patrick knelt before her. "Are you alright?" He asked. She looked up at him with eyes large with fear. "You really are who you are?" She asked with a trembling voice. Patrick opened the lock on his necklace before handing her his cross. "Toutch it." He said. "It's real. It's the image of Christ." Lucy held it in hands which where still shaking. "You're right." She all but whispered. "It's real." Then she surprised them as she threw herself into his arms. Patrick held her as she wept against his trusty old jacket. He didn't know what to do. Patrick never had been popular among kids. "Here." Heinrich said as Lucy seemed to become calmer. "Take this." From his backpack the Belmont brought out some food. Lucy almost cheered as she threw herself upon the meat. Heinrich gave her some water. "Thank you." She said. "I have been so afraid of you." Patrick frowned. So he did hear something earlier. Lucy noticed his expression. "I'm sorry." She said, acting a little shy on his approach. Patrick dismissed the matter. "It's nothing to worry about." He assured her. Heinrich gestured for him to come with him. At some distance, he adapted a more concearned look. "I'm not sure how we can get her home." He said. "It's the drawbridge and the forest outside, crawling with monsters." Patrick couldn't help but to smile. "Don't worry." He said. "I have a few secrets of my own." Heinrich frowned but Patrick didn't tell him more. He went back to Lucy who where about to finish her meal. "Lucy." Patrick again bent before her. "I know you want to come with us. But you have to master your power." Lucy looked up at him. "All I wish." She said. "Is to go home." He felt surprised. "What did you expect." Heinrich said. "The Dark Lord's followers already have held her captive on twise occations." Lucy nodded. "I thought I where brave." She said. "But I guess I'm not ready yet." Patrick slowly nodded. He didn't like magic. That was why he hadn't paied attention when Saria started learning the children. Patrick felt bad about it. The dryad did learn him a few tricks as well. "Your friends, Simon, Deborah and Reichardt are in Oldhill." Patrick explained. "I can send you there if you want to." Lucy clapped her hands together. "I want." She said. "I want so badly." He smiled. "Then trust me." From one of his pockets, Patrick brought out a plain white jewel. Heinrich muttered something he couldn't quite figure. It didn't matter. This wasn't like the living gem which the unicorn gave to his friend. "It's a hairloom in my family." He told Lucy. "Legends say it was Henry Oldrey who found it inside the demon castle." They where bogh looking at him now. "You remember what the village looks like?" He asked. Lucy nodded. "Wait." Heinrich then interrupted. Lucy looked at him. She seemed slightly scared again. "Before you go." Heinrich said in a more pleasant tone. "You must tell us something." The girl shook her head so that her strewberry blonde hair waved about her face. "I don't know where the others are." She said. "They brought us to the courtyard. Then we used our powers to break free." Patrick sent his friend a somewhat anoied glance. Heinrich shrugged. "Look into the jewel." He then told Lucy. "Do you see the village?" She nodded. "I think so." The diamond started to glow with an eerie bright light. "I see it." Lucy said. The light flashed. When they could see again, the girl was gone. "Impressive little thing you have there." Heinrich said with more then a little sarcasm. "Why didn't you just teleport us to where the children are hiding." Patrick shook his head. He put back the old relic. "It don't work that way." He explained. "I can't teleport myself. Anyway." He added. "You have to know where you wish to go to actually go there." He then asked, with more then a little sarcasm. "Do you know where they are?" Heinrich spread his arms in surrender. "Let's have a look on the mechanism then." Patrick nodded. "You have to turn the switch." He pointed. "Then you push that button." His father once showed him how to work this thing. Heinrich went to work. As he did so, Patrick climbed the second ladder. "I see it." He called from his viewpoint. "Exelent." Heinrich said from behind him. Patrick where about to answer as one harpy came flying at him. He gave her a bullet before she could even get close. Then the gate started to move upward. Patrick watched as the metal barrier vanished into the stone beneath him. Another harpy came at him. Patrick shot at it before he slammed the hatch shut. Then he quickly climbed down the ladder. "It's done." He told Heinrich. His friend reached for his cross. "Be the will of God." He said. Patrick agreed. "There is only one thing I have to do." Heinrich threw him a look as Patrick brought out his shotgun. "There is four candles in here." He said. "Two for each." Heinrich smiled. Then they got to work. There where some new ammunition in the first candle. Patrick shrugged. Why should he really botter. There where no mystic weapon for him in those things. Still, he went to take down the second. "What did you get?" Heinrich came to stand beside him. "I just found some new crystals and a chicken." Patrick didn't speak. Instead, he pointed at the thing on the floor. Heinrich threw it a confused look. "It's a garlic." He then said. "You actually found some garlic." Patrick wished he could laugh. Instead he bent down to pick up the thing. Then something mysterious happened. The garlic flashed. Then a new belt appeared across his chest. "Looks like one of those the military use to carry grenades." Heinrich commented. Patrick looked down. There where no grenades here. Instead there where plenty of garlic. The smell was refreshing. It wasn't that who interested him. "Isn't the vampires allergic to garlic?" He asked Heinrich. "Acording to legend, and to Simon Belmont, they are." Heinrich looked like he considered something. "I'm not quite sure." He said. "But I think those things may very well blow an undead sky high." Patrick couldn't help but smile. Perhaps these candles wheren't that bad after all. "Let's enter the castle." He suggested. Heinrich nodded. This time it was Patrick who held the ladder as his friend climbed down into the watchtower.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Giles De Reis glared down at her. "What did you say?" His usually cold eyes where on fire. The red flames from Hell burned behind his gaze. Susan did not try to flirt with him this time. The fragile woman looked terrified. "He is here." She said with a frightened little voice. "Aaron is meeting with him right now." De Reis dismissed it entirely. Aaron Grey where a faithful servant of their Dark Lord. Count Dracula held him in such high esteam. His ancestor would enter the castle. If Aaron where involved, the man-beast would have him for himself. Giles frowned. There still was his brother to consider. "Very well then." He said at last. "Let him have the boy if he so much wishes it." Susan leant back upon her sofa. If only Carmilla was here. The Styrian boyar knew how to punish even the undead. No matter. There where other ways to get his will. Giles De Reis turned and left the room behind. He would take care of her later.

Susan watched how the member from the circle of blood became mist. She had expected this to be worse. They all knew his feelings for the Oldrey family. Susan speculated that might be why he had not toutched her. She where no fool. If he really wanted, Giles knew how to make her crawl. Susan hated to admit it. She had no effect on him. De Reis did not care about women. If she where a boy, then perhaps he would have let her go. But even then it was not certain. There had to be something she could do. Susan knew that Aaron would not protect her. Not that he had the rank to either. Susan began to play with her necklace. The evil star symbol had a way to ease her tention. There had to be a way out of this.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich stood by as Patrick went on swearing. They'd left the leftmost watchtower. The gate where open. But at the other end of another passage, another fence blocked their way. There where no other way to go. Not if they could find a moon card. There where no candles around. Heinrich continued his walk. He where moving back and forth between the closed drawbridge and the other gate. The area beyond lay in shadow. If only there where a way to go onward. Heinrich struck his fist into the palm of his other hand. Then he nearly tripped. It wasn't the first time. That blasted crack seemed to get in his way on every pass. "Do you have a suggestion." Patrick asked. His anger gone. Now there where only a tiered man-beast left of him. Heinrich spread his arms. "I have no idea." He confessed. Patrick muttered. "No of our gears may open that blasted gate." Heinrich didn't mind as he again tried to figure out a way. "What is this garlic good for out here?" Patrick growled as he brought out one of those vegetables. Heinrich already had begun walking again. His friend muttered, then he threw the garlic away. It hit that crack. Then the floor exploded. Smoke and splintered rock where everywhere. Heinrich cracked his whip. What the heck where going on? When the smoke cleared, Patrick stood there. Heinrich blinked, his friend smiled like a mainiac. "It's a way out." Patrick exclaimed. "It has to be." Heinrich ran to inspect the opening. He'd at least been right about the garlic. They really where like grenades. Then it was his time to swar. It was only a small box. The opening didn't go deeper then that of a tile. Patrick howled as he too noticed. To Heinrich's surprise, it was a howl of happiness. "I know what that is." Patrick said as he picked up another card. At first Heinrich thought it was another sun card. Then he noticed the gemstone embedded within the paper. This one looked like the full moon. A wide grin appeared on his face. For a moment they just stood there, grinning at each other. Then Patrick where the first to gatter himself. "Let's go and see if it works." Heinrich nodded. He cleaned away the smile as they moved toward the rightmost tower. This was no reason to joke about. Heinrich knew he where gifted with spirit. But here, thought would've been of greater use. Planets had something to do with space, or perhaps with reality. Heinrich knew little about this kind of things. Very few Belmonts had ever been gifted with those kind of talents. He reached for his cross. "I hope this'll work." Patrick gave him a look. But he didn't say anything. Heinrich where happy about it. It would be his fault if this didn't work. He inhaled deeply. Then Heinrich released spirit upon the card.

Patrick held up his hand in an attempt to shield his eyes. The moon shone right in his face. This was no ordinary moonlight. It felt like the damn thing had blown up. "It worked." Heinrich sounded like he where about to faint. "Thank the Lord. That thing did work." Patrick blinked. He could see again. The door was open. Heinrich stood there, laughing like an idiot. He shook his head. Sometimes he didn't just understand humans. His friend got a hold on himself. Patrick gave him another look. His friend shrugged. "It did work anyway." Patrick threw it aside. Heinrich where right. It did work. Heinrich gestured towared the opening. "You first." He said. "As they use to say, age before beauty." Patrick muttered something about Belmonts he didn't think Heinrich wish to hear. Then he moved for the door. Beside, he was only a year older then Heinrich. They came into another staircase. Patrick mumbled about it. "I know." Heinrich where right behind him. There where only one torch lit in here. "Here we go again." His friend muttered. Patrick reached for his cross. "We have to do this." He said, trying to at least sound encouraging. "At least now we know what to expect." Heinrich shook his head. "You know what they say." They exchanged glances. Then they said in unison. "Never underestimate the power of darkness." It should've been funny. But it wasn't. Patrick could read it on Heinrich's face. They bogh feared what they might meet inside the castle. "Let's go." He said. There really was nothing funny about anything tonight. This time it was his friend who reached for his crucifix. Patrick knew how he felt. They then began climbing. Only the torch below, and some candles, lit their way. The sound of flapping wings warned him of their approach. Bats came flying at them. Patrick fired his shotgun at them. Heinrich cracked his whip, making the small flying mammals burn. While they continued to fight, Patrick wondered when the first bone would appear. He didn't become disappointed. Bones already became thrown toward them. Heinrich sent his dagger at it. Patrick was still to busy with the bats. If only one of them where to bite him, Patrick knew he would become cursed. "Damn it." It was seldom to hear his friend swear. "Get down!" The skeleton did explode. Again the air was filled with smoke. Splintered stone flew about. Patrick knew it could be more dangerous then the bones the skeletons threw at them. Patrick got back on his feet. "I thought we agreed to not blow up those things." The shadows made it difficult for even him to see. Still, Patrick was almost sure his friend looked embarrassed. Patrick didn't make anything of it. His friend did take him seriously when he messed up. "I thought I would be able to push it off of its platform." Heinrich said. Patrick shrugged. "As you said earlier." He said in an attempt to lit up things. "It's I who are the man-beast." Heinrich didn't laugh. Neither did he. But things felt a little better. Then Patrick remembered he didn't liked hights. But there where no way around it. They had to get onward. Before he could decide to stay back, Patrick where in the open. He landed upon the steps beyond the ruined section. He tried to tell himself he'd grown used to this. Patrick knew he was lying. Never where he going to like these kind of things. Something lay on the floor. He picked it up. Patrick frowned. It looked like a stake. It where sharpened in one end. Heinrich landed beside him. "Look what I found." Patrick told his friend while showing him the object. "An oak stake." His friend looked a little confused. Then he seemingly threw it aside. He shrugged. Patrick looked for somewhere to put it. Then he noticed that another belt went across his chest. "The creature of chaos." Heinrich muttered. Patrick reached for his cross. He hoped the think would work on other things then the undead. The thought of piercing the heart of his stepmother made a snarl appear on his face. Heinrich threw him a look. Patrick didn't care. Instead he began to climb the stairway. They still had to open that gate.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdal. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
They continued walking. Heinrich still felt a little bad about his blunder. He knew Patrick wasn't very found of hights. Heinrich again wished Torah where beside them. Then again, there where no point in wishing what you couldn't have. For all he knew, the Fernandez girl could be dead. Heinrich didn't want to think about it. Patrick again toutched his stakes. That snarl again appeared on his face. His eyes shone yellow with expectation. Heinrich wondered what his friend did think about. Then again, did he really wish to know? Never mind. Heinrich brandished his chain-whip as more bats appeared from the shadows. Patrick brought free of whatever he was thinking about. The man-beast was at his side, releasing bullets at their opponents. Heinrich wondered if the mammals could curse a darkbreed. Neither he, nor the Oldreys, liked to speak about the undead blood in their clan. The passage about Sonia Belmont and her boyfriend appeared in his mind. That was way back in 1476. Sonia did have some form of relationship with Adrian Fearheight. The connection between the Belmont clan and the estranged and forgotten son of Dracula where well known among the allied families. Speaking of blood. Above them, another skeleton appeared. This one looked like it'd been soaked with crimson liquid. "Just what we needed." Patrick muttered. His friend let him handle the remaining bats as he where busy reloading his pistol. "I hope you'll let me shoot this one away." Heinrich brandished his whip. It looked like the mammals where getting smarter. They flew in much wider circles then before. Patrick muttered something he couldn't quite figure. Not that he had anything to do with it. The crimson-bone continued to stare at them. Heinrich reached for his cross. He summoned his bloodline power. Flames cleaned the air of all bats. Patrick released a boom from his pistol. The bone collapsed into a heap. His friend smirked. The expression soon disappeared. They'd only taken a few steps before the bone rebuilt itself. Heinrich had been almost certain it would do that. Patrick muttered a curse. Heinrich did agree this time. "Nothing can really hurt that thing." He told his friend. "As far as I knew, only the ice magic of Sypha Belnades really could destroy them." Patrick continued to mutter swear words as the crimson-bone continued to rebuild itself. It didn't matter. Whatever he did, the bone always did rebuild itself. Heinrich put a hand on his shoulder. "I have an idea." Patrick gave him a look. "I hope it'll work better then last time." Heinrich felt a little bad about it. At least, the stopwatch wouldn't explode. At least he hoped so. Heinrich threw it all aside. Then he activated his mystic weapon. The crimson-bone froze. "Come on." Heinrich said as he ran past the boney adversery. Patrick gave the bone another look before he also ran past. Heinrich didn't stop before the bone did vanish behind them. Then another problem presented itself. One of the bone pillars where there. It was already busy spitting fireballs. Heinrich managed to whip them away. Patrick fired his shotgun at it. It didn't seem to have any effect on it. The pillar of bones then released three smaller fireballs toward him. "Try to hit it with another weapon." Heinrich suggested. There where more bats flying toward them. Patrick put away his pistol. He sent him another of those glances. Heinrich didn't care. He had work to do.

Patrick didn't like this. It was easy for Heinrich. He was the one trained to use bizzar weapons. Then again. The garlic did blow up the pavement. He sent the pillar another look. It sent another round of fireballs at him. Patrick unsheated his sword. The blade shone with plasma. When he summoned his man-beast power, he could do this kind of things. Patrick changed into his true form. The pillar altered its aim. Patrick gave it no chance. He threw garlic at it. The upper skull exploded. Patrick got down to one knee. Then he sent one of those stakes through the air. It became buried into the lower skull. The long dead dragon seemed to glare at him. For a moment, Patrick almost felt pitty about it. Then he picked himself together. The pillar spewed a heavy flame toward him. Patrick dropped himself to the floor. The flame past just over him. He got back up in time to hear something shatter. Heinrich blocked the flame with that whip. Then he threw his dagger at their enemy. It did split in three. The remaining skull became shot to pieces. "Sorry about it." Patrick said. Heinrich arched an eyebrow. Patrick went to pick up the new round of ammunition. "These new weapons really are worth a try after all." Heinrich seemed like he threw it aside. Still, Patrick was sure he noticed a smile on his face. Then Heinrich toutched his crucifix. Patrick shrugged. Then he began to climb again. The air of this tower smelt worse then the other. Patrick wasn't sure why. He recognised dust and rock. The scent of bones where something to expect in here. There where something else too. Something beside the bad air inside a closed room. A strange metallic scent which made him feel sick. Suddenly he knew what it was. Patrick almost stopped dead in his track when he figured it out. It was blood. The smell he'd first felt from that crimson-bone he couldn't destroy. He stared around. But not even his eyes could penetrate the gloom of this area. He shrugged. Be the will of the Lord. Patrick reached for his cross. He tried to tell himself that, he, wasn't like his brother. Thomas had become grim and bitter after what happened. Thomas said he couldn't believe in a God who let the undead destroy the lives of innocent people. Patrick wasn't sure what to answer. Perhaps God would give him the strenght Patrick needed. So that he might alter all which had happened. The scent of blood grew stronger. Patrick wheren't surprised when another crimson-bone appeared on the platform before them. He wondered why his father hadn't just built an ordinary spiral stair instead of this blasted staircase. It came walking toward them as they stepped upon its platform. For the first time Patrick noticed it did carry a sword and shield. He threw a stake at it. The bone collapsed into a heap. Only some second later, the skeleton began to rebuild itself. Heinrich ended the trouble as he made it freeze in place. Patrick quickly passed the half-constructed bone-man. "That thing really comes in handy sometimes." He said. This time Patrick was sure Heinrich did smile.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich whipped away the fireball. The bone dragon flailed its long neck back and forth. Patrick tried to ram it with one of his bullets. Uncle Gustaf once told that, to a dragon, there where no greater heracy then necromancy. The bone dragon released another wavy flame toward them. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. He held forth his cross. Then a circle of crosses appeared all around their location. Patrick reached for his cross. The bone dragon again spat at them. Heinrich whipped away the fireball just as Patrick threw another stake. Some bones became knocked off from its long neck. Then Heinrich nearly became beheaded as it stabbed its jaws right at him. Heinrich threw himself to the floor. Patrick swung his sword at it. Somehow the blade didn't seem to have any effect. The white dragon turned upon his friend. Heinrich stamped his cross upon it. The dragon collapsed into a heap. His eyes grew wide. It left behind at least twelve large crystals. Heinrich toutched his crucifix as he bent to retrive this treasure. Patrick where reloading his pistol. "Now we know that bullets don't work on these dragons." His friend said in a rather dry manour. "Tell me about it." Heinrich mumbled. Patrick threw him a look. He decided to shut up. The man-beast reholstered his firearm. "I only hope I find more of these things." They'd defeated one other bone-man before they encountered this enemy. Patrick had used his stakes on it. Heinrich really did admire him. Another thing they'd discovered was that this area where more neglected then the left tower. Twise now, Patrick had been forced to jump across open sections of the staircase. Not that Heinrich ever had been worried about hights. It began to worry him. One mistake, and all would be over. The bone dragon had been guarding one such open area. Patrick's sarcasm was one way to hide his feelings. Heinrich threw his friend a look. Patrick where holding his cross. Heinrich reached for his own. Then he leaped into the air. He flew forward. Heinrich almost didn't reach it. He curled into a ball and rolled above the platform. "Blast it!" Heinrich had all but forgotten about the crimson-bone. Patrick had warned him about it. But then they'd gotten involved with that white dragon. The crimson-bone swung his sword at him. To become pierced. Or to fall to your death. Heinrich wasn't sure what he would choose. Then a bullet hit the skeleton who fell into a heap. Heinrich quickly got to his feet. That'd been awefully close. The crimson-bone had began to rebuild itself. Heinrich flailed his whip at it. Then Patrick came flying through the air. "May I drop by?" Heinrich began to laugh. Then he noticed about the skeleton. It had begun to rebuild itself again. He made quick work about it as he activated his stopwatch. "Be quick about it." He told his friend. Patrick shrugged. "I've still got some rounds left." Heinrich nodded. Then they got away before the crimson-bone could start to rebuild again. Then, atop the stair, his friend spotted another of the pillar of bones. Heinrich almost cursed as he also noticed. The pillar where already awake. Fireballs came their way. Patrick threw a garlic at it. He missed as they where still to far away. Heinrich whipped away more of the fireballs. "Bats are coming in!" His friend warned. The sound of multiple flapping wings where the only warning. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. His whip began to burn as he went to work. It would be more difficult to fight the bats and, at the same time, to defend against the fireballs. Patrick threw another garlic. This time the man-beast where able to take out the highest portion of the stacked skull pillar. Another swarm of bats came toward them. Patrick brought out his pistol. Heinrich where still busy to defend against the flames shot by the remaining portion of their enemy. Things really started to become complicated. Then he got an idea. Why not use his mystic weapon on the pillar too? Heinrich activated his stopwatch. The skull stopped its firing. Heinrich climbed the steps to its location. Then the spell was lifted. The skull released three smaller fireballs at him. Heinrich managed to whip them all away. Then he threw his dagger. Small pieces of bones where spread as he hit home. The pillar wasn't out of this yet. It spat another series of larger fireballs. Heinrich nearly became hit repeatedly. Heinrich held out his cross in defence. He didn't know how this little symbol could withstand fire which would've melted plain gold. He guessed it where one of God's many mysteries. Then Patrick came to the rescue. The man-beast rammed it with another stake which made the skull shatter. Breathing heavily, Heinrich leant upon the wall. He wondered how long it where left to the mechanism.

Patrick went to pick up the stakes who fell from the candles. No new belts appeared. Instead he just put them there. Patrick knew he'd began to build a rather impressive arsenal. Then again. He really did need it. The platform where cleaned after that they'd taken out the pillar. The shadows still obscured his view. Patrick wondered how far they'd gotten into the tower. He didn't like this place. He knew the gate where just as high in either direction. Still, this tower felt taller then the other. Heinrich came to stand beside him. "Looks like we have another jump." Patrick glared at him. Heinrich didn't meet his gaze. Patrick knew he wasn't good to hide his feelings. His friend didn't wish to see the fear in his eyes. For a moment, Patrick wheren't sure if he should be grateful or if he should hate the Belmont. Then he threw himself forward. Patrick felt like he would throw up. Then he landed upon the second staircase. He toutched his cross. Patrick really felt grateful about this. Although he housed this fear, the Lord had given him the ability to jump and leap long distances. He waited for Heinrich to keep up with him. His friend where nowhere to be seen. Then Patrick looked back the way from where he came. His friend where busy fighting another onslaught of bats. Patrick where really grateful they hadn't attacked when he where in the open. Then again, there where nothing he could do to help. Then something hit into him. Patrick nearly became thrown off of the staircase. He spun around, shotgun in hand. The skeleton above him seemed to grin at him. Patrick muttered. The pain of nails piercing his body where nothing compared to the long fall. Patrick took a deep breath. Then he reholstered his pistol. It couldn't help him now. The bone-man threw another round of bones. Patrick used his sword to defend himself. He wondered if it where his imagination, or where he really getting quicker? No matter. The skeleton seemed to consider its next move. Then Heinrich landed beside him. The bone-man immediately threw another series at them. His friend whipped them away. Patrick still wasn't sure what to do. Heinrich also looked like he where a little concearned about it. The skeleton used their momentum to throw more bones at them. Heinrich again used his whip to clear the projectiles away. Patrick decided it was time to roll the dice. Either it would work, or they would have to jump. He tried to not think of it. Then he went forward. Before the skeleton could release one other bone, Patrick threw his stake at it. The bone-man became thrown backward. He toutched his cross as the skeleton exploded. It didn't take the floor with it this time. Heinrich hit his back. "I think you might become a vampire hunter after all." Patrick couldn't help but grin. He grasped his hand. "Thank you." He said. "It really means a lot to me." It did. Although Heinrich's family had trained him, Patrick knew he where no real vampire hunter. Then again, through God's guidance and with the help of his friend, he could one day become one. He let go of his hand. They still had to reach the mechanism. Heinrich's expression also altered. He reached for his whip. Patrick unsheated his sword. They again began climbing.

Execution tower, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Alfred Armstrong where looking for his sister. He knew she could take care of herself. Penny was a powerful sorceress in her own right. Still, she where only 11 years old. Alfred had promised to protect her. He almost cursed. He almost wept. Why hadn't she followed him? There had been a lot of confusion surrounding their break-out. No matter. Alfred should've been sure to stay with her. With clenched teeth he continued walking. Alfred where determined. He would find Penny and protect her from all evil. He where a powerful sorcerer himself. He hadn't really been trained. No matter. Alfred promised himself that nothing would get in his way. He would find his sister. Then he would get bogh of them away from this accursed castle. He tripped on a broken step. Alfred was thrown to the floor. He got up on his knees. New tears ran down his face. Alfred thugged his messy brown hair to might get a hold on himself. This wasn't fair. Alfred cleaned away the tears. He would find her! "Oh Lord." He prayed. "Please let me find her." There where no answer. Alfred got to his feet. His hands became fists. Then he let go of his hair. Now matter what, he would find his sister.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The pillar of bones continued to fire at them. Even though Patrick already had removed the uppermost skull, it continued to shoot at them. Heinrich whipped the flames away. Then he where forced to concentrate on the bats. Patrick where busy reloading his pistol. The remaining skull then threw another roand of fireballs. Heinrich summoned his bloodline power. He toutched the cross. Then a circle of holy symbols rised to protect them. The man-beast leaped across the crosses. The pillar altered its objective. Patrick released bullets toward the mammals. It gave him the opening he needed. Heinrich threw his dagger. With the help of his power, he where able to make the blade split into three. The remaining portion of the pillar where reduced to ashes upon the impact. He wasn't finished just yet. Heinrich again called upon his ancestor's powers while he reached for his crucifix. He was risen into the air as holy flamed became spread throughout the area. That made the remaining bats scatter. "Thanks." Patrick admitted. "I really needed that." Heinrich nodded. The mammals really where getting smarter. He didn't like to think of it. But to not think of it, didn't solve the problem. Patrick muttered something to himself before he put back his pistol. Heinrich recoiled his whip. They couldn't afford to knock down the candles. Not that there where plenty of them up here. The candles where the only source of light. The thought of fighting the darkside within a pitch black tower, wasn't something he wished to thing of either. Then again, so far no darkside had showed itself. His thoughts where interrupted as another skeleton began to throw bones at them. "I don't like this." Patrick said while pointing at another crimson-bone at the far end of that platform. Heinrich nodded. It worried him too. "I could try to freeze them in time." He suggested. Patrick released another series of bullets. "Are you sure you can hold them long enough?" Heinrich frowned. He still had some big crystals left from when they fought the bone dragon. But he where unsure if they would work. Then something hit him. "Patrick." He told his friend. "Go back down." His friend threw him a look. Then he released some more bullets. "You're sure about that?" Heinrich smiled. It never reached his eyes. "No." He honestly confessed. "It's dangerous. And it might make the darkside spot us." Patrick shot away some new bones. Then he put back his shotgun. "I don't like this." Heinrich shrugged. "Trust me." He said. "I don't like it either." He shook his head. "But it's the only way we might fix this." Patrick reached for his cross. Then he did as Heinrich told. He reached for his own crucifix. Heinrich prayed this would work. Then he reached for his stopwatch. Heinrich knew he wheren't really gifted with time. No matter. Heinrich then summoned his bloodline power. The skeleton threw another bone at him. Heinrich didn't care. "Be the will of God!" He cried. Then Heinrich unleashed the crush.

Patrick watched his friend. What was the Belmont going for? His cry nearly made him jump. A flash of gold surrounded the hand who hold the stopwatch. Patrick blinked. Then five balls of pure gold appeared. They shot from his friend. Three of them made the bones disappear as the others hit the skeletons. They disappeared. It was the only way to describe it. A pile of dust was all which remained. Patrick shook his head. His friend really where powerful. Then he noticed Heinrich where down on his knees. He ran to his side. "I almost didn't make it." Heinrich said as Patrick helped him to stand. "It was an item-crush." He said. His friend nodded. "I didn't believe I had it in mee." Patrick frowned. He didn't understand. "What about the rising of the cross and those golden flames?" Heinrich shrugged. "That was easy." He explained. "I've been trained to do such things." Patrick shook his head. He'd seen his friend use his weapons with greater skill then any since Edward and Alicia left them. Heinrich just threw it aside when he said so. His friend ate some food before he could continue. Patrick used the breather to reload his shotgun. He muttered as he now only had five rounds of ammunition left. Either he had to knock down some candles, or he would have to trust his other weapons. Although they'd passed the test, Patrick where unsure if they would return if he emptied himself of their numbers. Never mind. Patrick still had his man-beast abilities. Heinrich cracked his whip. Clearly he where ready to continue. Patrick nodded as he finished reloading. Then they went on climbing. They came upon the platform on which the bone-man had been. Heinrich picked up some crystals. Patrick threw the candles a look before throwing it aside. At the other end of the catwalk, the stair continued. The dim light made it even difficult for him to see. More bats came flying. Before they could break their formation, Patrick threw one garlic at them. The entire swarm where reducesed to ashes. "Clever." Heinrich said. Patrick shrugged. "They'll soon learn to not come at us in a swarm." His friend accepted his statement with a grim expression on his face. Patrick didn't wish to see him become turned into a vampire. The stairs seemed like going on forever. Gloom where all around them. Patrick toutched his cross. He didn't like this silence. It was to quiet. Then again, he could be flexable. Another bone dragon released fire at them. Patrick threw himself to the floor. Heinrich pressed himself against the wall. The wavy flame nearly hit them. Patrick got back up as he fired his pistol at it. The white dragon flailed its neck, evading all shots. Heinrich's whip where on fire. It blocked the next fireball shot at them. Patrick threw one of the garlics at it. Again the bone dragon where able to dodge. Then his friend managed to score some hits at it. Bones where knocked off of its frame. This where like targets in a shooting-gallery. Patrick shot them all away. Then his pistol where empty again. He had no time to reload. Another flame came at them. "I really hate hights." Patrick muttered as he jumped across the projectile.

Tower of science, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The little green freaks run about. The cloaked creature did not care. "Magnify." He hissed. The computer answered his request. Black Imperius nodded. The Phantathian priest where pleased. It was one of them he had been looking for. The image of the two fighting humans altered to give the snake a better view of their faces. He lowered his head in contemplation. The Dark Lord had sent him here to supervise the final construction of this castle's technoe-army. "My lord." The droid-lieutenant, Armageddon was his name, stood at attention. "Yes." Imperius said, acknowledging his presence. "The droid-army is complete. The main control-computer have been activated." The armoured lycanthrope gestured toward the other screens. "We need only your command to begin the operation." The Phantathian's grip on his cane hardened. "Exelent." He told his advisor. Again his dead green stare went to the view screen. The images had altered. "Activate the droids." He commanded. "At once, my lord." The head of the general's staff did offer his salute. Then the half-machine/part were-shark turned around to execute his command. The goblins continued their work. The snake-priest did not mind their mobility. This altered everything. This person where important. The Dark Lord would reward him if he could give it to him. This mission did swiftly change from ordinary to important. Imperius reached for his crystal. He had to take care of this first. Then he could attend to the more personal interests.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich flailed his whip. The fireball shot at them became destroyed. The bone dragon somehow managed to avoid bogh their projectiles. Heinrich did whip it repeatedly. So far only bones had been knocked off of its neck. Heinrich blocked another flame. Then Patrick threw another garlic. That really did the job. The white dragon became blown to pieces. Still, Heinrich wondered if it would've worked if they hadn't weakened it already. The white dragon left behind new vegetables. Patrick grinned as he went to pick them up. Heinrich wished he'd still had the axe. With it, it would've been much easier to hit the dragon. Then again, he knew it was his fault he'd lost it in the forest. Heinrich dismissed the matter. If God wished it, he would find another axe inside one candle. "Shall we go?" Patrick asked. His friend where finished with retriving the new garlic. Heinrich shrugged. "Of course." He said with more then a little sarcasm. "There is nothing else to do tonight." Patrick didn't even smile. He shrugged. It really wasn't funny. Then they continued climbing. He tried to penetrate the shadows. They soon had to reach the mechanism chamber. Not even chaos could twist reality. Not if the Devil where around. Heinrich couldn't help but slightly shudder. With the darkside around, who knew if he wasn't out there too? Heinrich knew the enemy where imprisoned within Hell. But with all who'd happened, he needed to remind himself. "Get down!" Patrick's warning came just as the bone dragon became alive. Heinrich summoned his power as the dragon fired at them. His whip turned on fire. Patrick threw garlic at it. All three vegetables missed. Heinrich threw his dagger at it. He blinked as he actually hit home. The white dragon released one smaller flame at them. It flew through the air. Heinrich ran back down as the ball hit the wall where he'd just been. The flame exploded. The solid stone wall actually cracked with the impact. Patrick answered with a round from his shotgun. Some bullets hit home. Heinrich used his stopwatch in an attempt to slow it down. It did really work. He hadn't known it would. Patrick hit it with another garlic. Bones where knocked off from its neck. They flew all around the place. Heinrich roared as he actually became hit. The white dragon was back up and running. It released some new fireballs at them. Heinrich managed to block this time. The white dragon somhow managed to look as it really hated them. Heinrich managed to freeze it in time. Then he whipped it into oblivion. All became silent. Patrick where reloading his firearm. It was such a common gesture it eased him already. Heinrich shook it off. The bone dragon left behind a new supply of crystals. He went to pick it up. Beyond where they'd fought the dragons, where another platform. A ladder led to another of those openings. Heinrich couldn't help but smile. "At last." Patrick exclaimed as his friend came to stand beside him. "Do you think we'll find another child up there?" He asked. Patrick shrugged. "Who knows." He said. Heinrich agreed. Nothing where to be certain in here. Then he went to climb the ladder. Patrick helped to support it, just in case. Heinrich where grateful about it. He didn't like the thought of falling all the way down to the bottom of the tower. Not when they'd come this far. Carefully, he opened the hatch. Anything could be waiting for them. He came into another dusty chamber. Behind him, Patrick muttered something while climbing. Heinrich didn't care. His eyes where fixed upon the giant creature who occupied most of the room. Beside him, his friend stopped, dead in his track. The creature jawned. Then blue fire lit inside its empty sockets. "I think we're in trouble." Heinrich said as his hand went toward his cross. "Tell me about it." Patrick said with more then a little glee. This wasn't funny. Humour was what kept them alive, what kept them from turning mad. Still, he couldn't think for a time less fit for sarcasms. The bone dragon king lifted into the air. Heinrich cracked his whip. Then the king suddenly threw heavy flames at them. He didn't even try to repel it. The flame where like the breath of a real dragon. Not that he'd ever met a dragon before. Never mind that now. The battle was on.

Patrick fired his pistol at it. This time the target where at least large enough. Not that his shooting seemed to have any effect on it. The massive bone dragon king only turned its monstrous head in his direction. Patrick paled by the look in those sockets. Somehow he was sure it really noticed him. It wanted him dead. It wanted his death with such passion he could almost taste it. The bone dragon king breathed another flame. It nearly got him this time. The massive heat made the walls crack. Then Heinrich appeared. His whip surrounded with an eerie aquamarine glow. His friend whipped the beast in the face. Patrick was almost sure he heard it scream. Bones became knocked off of its frame. He should've known. Patrick fired his shotgun at it. He thanked the Lord as his firearm at least could take care of the bones. The massive guardian skeledragon where busy chasing his friend around the room. For a moment he just stood there. Patrick wondered how he could help his friend. If mere weapons couldn't harm this beast, then what could? The colossal white dragon spat a spread-shot of flames. Somehow Heinrich managed to dodge or to whip them away. It where time to get dirty. Patrick retained his man-beast form. Then he leaped through the room. The bone dragon king where breathing another of those heavy flames. Patrick summoned all the power he could master. Then he released his magic upon it. Patrick hit home with a massive blast of solid energy. He caught it in the neck. New bones became knocked from its spine. Patrick managed to dodge. But the bones continued to fly about the area. It was like they where made of rubber. Heinrich managed to whip some of them away. Then Patrick became hit in the shoulder. It felt so cold. So cold, it felt like his heart where freezing up. Then Patrick noticed he where down on his knees. He knew he'd become cursed. Patrick felt like all strenght where drained from his body. He couldn't react properly. Patrick knew that, with efficient prayer, he could lift the curse. If he could only remember. With shaking hands he reached for the cross. Patrick formed the words with his face grey like ashes. He felt like having been sick for weeks. Thank the Lord his friend still where in action. If Heinrich hadn't been there, he knew he would've been dead already. The holy elmblem itself gave Patrick back some of his lost health. The Host would've lifted the curse already. Patrick closed his eyes. He tried to shut all away as his mind concentrated on prayer. The Lord would help them. "In the name of Jesus Christ, please help me Lord in Heaven!" It was a mental scream. "Deliver us from the wicked." The words repeated themselves, over and over within his soul. Patrick reached his arms outward. Only then did he notice, the curse where lifted. Patrick leapt into the air. He where going to help his friend.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
How he managed to stand tall was a mystery. Somehow Heinrich found it in himself to fight back against this monster. The bone dragon king seemed to have figured he couldn't block its flames. The thing breathed another blast. Heinrich threw himself sideway as he used water to power his whip. When running in circles Heinrich where close enough to dodge every time it shot at him. Then the guardian skeledragon howled one of those eerie soundless cries. Patrick fired his pistol at the flying bones which had been knocked off of its frame. The enormous white dragon turned and twisted to get an aim on him. Heinrich whipped at it. Somehow he missed the head. The worming dragon turned back over to fire another heavy flame. The shot made the wall crack. The bone dragon king howled like a forsaken soul in Hell. Together he and Patrick had managed to trick it. The bone dragon king had chained itself to the gate mechanism. The smile vanished from his face as the guardian skeledragon stared at him. Heinrich saw the promise of his own death in that glare. He reached for his cross. Then the monstrous white dragon shot another of those glowing orbs at him. Something told Heinrich he should stay away from those balls. Patrick reappeared, his pistol in hand. "No!" His warning where already to late. The bullet flew through the air. Heinrich threw himself to the floor. The explosion shook the tower.

Patrick was thrown hard against the wall. Hadn't he been in his man-beast form, he would been dead by now. Patrick had an eerie feeling the bone dragon king did laugh at him. Covered in dust Heinrich got back up from the floor. He felt a sheepish grin spread across his face. Heinrich looked at him like his teatcher once did. Then the skeledragon released another breath at them. It flailed its neck in a futile attempt to break free. Moonlight shone down from a hole in the wall. Heinrich where forced backward. His friend made another holy barrier appear before he became consumed within red flames. "Heinrich!" At first Patrick wondered who was screaming. Then he noticed it was himself. The bone dragon king turned its foul dead face in his direction. Patrick snarled. He where going to tear this beast apart. He leapt through the air as the dragon released another of those breaths. Then Patrick threw one of his garlics at it. The guardian skeledragon howled without a sound. Somehow Patrick where sure the rubble would wave or rocks fall from the ceiling if that thing really could speak. But it could. At least, the bone dragon king could release raw feelings into the minds of its enemies. He had a good idea it wished to eat him right now. The huge white dragon shot out another series of those glowing balls. This time Patrick didn't mind about them. Although they hit the walls, there where none of those explosions erupting. Sure, the walls did crack with the heat. But they didn't collapse. Patrick wondered why the harpies didn't mind about the battle. The bone dragon king breathed at him. Somehow he managed to side-step. Then the area became cleaned with a downpour of golden fire. Patrick couldn't believe it. Heinrich where alive. He reached for his cross. The Lord where with them, Patrick was sure of it. The bone dragon king brought him back to reality. It continued breathing at them. He where sure they would've been burned like flies in an oven if they ever got hit. He ran to save his life. Patrick then nearly ran into Heinrich who'd went the other way. The room where circular. He summoned his man-beast power and then actually leapt across his friend. The look on his face where well worth the effort. The guardian skeledragon roared. With them running and leaping it where impossible to get in an accurate shot. Patrick smirked, though it never reached his eyes. They would win this battle. Then he nearly became shot by one of those blasted glowing balls. This thing really did orginate from a true dragon. It could think and act accordingly. When it figured it couldn't crisp them with the fire, it could try to blow them sky-high with the orbs. "Blast it all." Patrick muttered. Heinrich did his best to block the onslaught. There where no way he could help his friend. Of course, Patrick guessed he could blow them all up. Then that twisted monster where immune to its own magic. Frustrated the white dragon did focuse on his friend. This time his smile came from the heart. Patrick brought out another garlic. The explosion made bones become knocked from its frame. Patrick tried to block them. Then he noticed he had become cursed again. The guardian skeledragon seemed to enjoy it. It turned toward him. Fire already burned between its jaws. Then Heinrich appeared. "In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Be the will of God." His friend held out his crucifix. Then Heinrich stepped in close and stamped the cross upon their enemy. With his body shaking, Patrick watched the enemy collapse into a heap of ashes. The curse where lifted. He could stand again. Although a little shaken, he went over to the mechanism. He pulled the trigger. Then Patrick had to sit down. Perhaps the curse where still active. He reached for his own cross. Patrick felt like he really wished to pray. At least, he had to thank Him for their victory.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
What was going on? The explosion seemed to make the castle shake. Torah Fernandez got to her feet. Rose nervously fluttered about the area. "Look!" The fairy suddenly said. A tiny finger pointing toward the castle wall. "Good Lord in Heaven." It was a mere whisper. Torah could feel the amount of raw energy which where released up there. What where going on up There? Torah had a feeling her friends had something to do with this. Then her dark eyes grew wide with terror. Above her she heard the sound of flapping wings. Torah couldn't help but curl into a ball. The presence where smouldering with evil. She knew who it was. She where to terrified to even look. Then, thank the Lord, it passed over her.

It did notice the aura beneath. It did not matter. The master did tell him who to look for. The boy where important. The dryad and the beast where to be let alone. It spread its wings and flew like an arrow toward its target.

Castle entrance, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich went to look out the hole which the bone dragon had opened. They really where high above the countryside. From this tower he had an exelent view on the castle. "Home, sweet home." Patrick said. Heinrich threw him a look. He hadn't noticed his approach. Patrick smiled, although it never reached his eyes. Then he shook his head. "But back then it didn't look this forbolding." Heinrich shrugged. He and his family used to live in the apartment which lay above their tavern. Patrick where right though. The castle really did look like it housed forbolding secrets. The mist and gloom shrouded the building, making it almost impossible to see. The mist, Heinrich frowned. The coils looked like it had the will of its own. One shroud did actually seem to come their way. Heinrich opened his mouth to ask Patrick about it. His words froze upon his lips. The mist wavered and seem to build itself into a towering figure, a figure clad entirely in black clothing. "No." Patrick reached for his crucifix. "It isn't possible." Heinrich knew it was impossible. It had to be impossible. "You." He finally managed to speak. "You are dead." He toutched his cross as the appearition drifted closer. Finally he stood before them, blocking the view of the castle. Count Dracula. Heinrich knew him, an elderly nobleman. The legends where true. The white hear and beard, the cruel but still sensual face with the hawk-like features, it where all true. The Dark Lord laughed. "Mortal fools." He said with a gesture. "The prince of Darkness is never truly defeated." The elegant basso, the ancient Wallachian dialect. It where like something he'd heard in a distant nightmare. Heinrich tried to get a hold on himself. He summoned God in his heart. "This isn't possible." He at last managed to say. "In 1999 Julius Belmont did defeat you." The count's eyes burned red with fire. "Thy ancestor made me great harm." Then the smile reappeared. Heinrich shivered by the mere look of that smile. "I hold the ultimate power. Even in death there are the pathways leading to the most glorious malice." Then lord Dracula spread his black cape. Heinrich expected he where to throw fire at them. Instead the lord of the vampires moved into a defensive posture. "All who oppose the prince of Darkness must die. I will make thy souls suffer in Hell." The cold certainty in those words where a threat greater then any mere projectiles. "Never." Patrick said. "The Lord is our judge and Shepard." Heinrich cracked his whip. His friend's courage gave him back his faith. "Stronger we are in the name of the Lord." Heinrich reached for his cross. Count Dracula where gone. "How did he do that?" Heinrich shook his head. Patrick's question had no answer. "We still have to open the gate." He muttered. Patrick shrugged. "I already did rise it." This time it was Heinrich doing the shrugging. "Then let's get out from here." Patrick nodded. In his eyes, Heinrich saw the same fear he knew where in his own. Heinrich knew what he'd seen. Count Dracula had returned.

Patrick shrugged. He knew it where empty bravado. The Dark Lord really did terrify him. His friend had another look around. Patrick where still looking out the cracked wall. The castle lay just beneath him. The gate where open. Aaron. Patrick where unsure if he could do anything about Dracula. But Aaron where going to pay for what he'd done. "We must get going." Heinrich's voice broke into his line of thoughts. His friend had opened the hatch. Patrick had a final look out at the castle. Then he too climbed down the ladder. He almost expected they would have to fight their way out. Like when they'd fought their way in. Nothing happened. Still, he had to jump across the open areas. It even now made his blood turn cold. Patrick decided that, if he survived, he would do something about the problem. Heinrich didn't speak one word as they climbed down the tower. They did replenish their arsenals while going by. Patrick thought he saw a smile on his friend's face when Heinrich found one of those morning-stars inside one candle. Not that it really mattered. Then they entered back into the entrance. Patrick then noticed it might be of some interest after all. Shadow lay upon the hallway. The gates where rised. Even so, Patrick had a feeling something wheren't right. "I have a bad feeling about this." He heard Heinrich mutter. Then something seemed to drop from the ceiling far above. The something unfolded heavy black wings as it slowly decended to the floor. "Darkside." His friend made it sound like something between a curse and a sob. Patrick felt his blood chill as the shrouded figure limped toward them. Red flames burned beneath the hood like eyes. "You." A rasped voice muttered as it pointed a dead hand at Patrick. "Go. Leave this place." Then the twisted monstrosity of a face turned to look at Heinrich. Clouds of black smoke where released from its mouth and nosedrills while breathing. "You must die." Suddenly bolts of black electricity shot toward the Belmont. Heinrich did rise the circle of crosses. Patrick fired his shotgun. "Blasted." He cursed as the bullet seemed to go straight through the target. The darkside didn't even seem to notice. The torches where still burning. Patrick felt his hair stand on end as he noticed the darkside had no shadow. It wasn't possible. The evil appearition opened its jaws to release a strange boiling fireball. Heinrich didn't try to block the projectile. Patrick watched with horror as his friend dropped himself to the floor. He reached for his garlic. Patrick didn't know if this weapon would have an impact on their supernatural opponent. Heinrich got to his feet as he released multiple daggers. The darkside vanished. Patrick couldn't believe it. Was it this easy? Then the Belmont ran to whip his weapon at a flouting ball of crystal. The enemy reappeared. Its eyes burned like Hell's fire. Patrick wheren't surprised when parallel bolts of red flames became shot forward. Heinrich again threw himself to the floor. He tried to fight back against the eerie dread who kept him from involving himself in the battle. How could it be that Heinrich where able to fight this thing? Never mind. His friend where back on his feet. Patrick watched as his friend again became risen into the air. Flames of gold seemed to clean the area. Then his friend reached into his pocket. Patrick knew it was where Heinrich kept his stopwatch. The crystal became frozen in mid-air. His friend then threw three-prolonged daggers at it. The ball shattered. The darkside reappeared. Black smoke seemed to rise off from the shrouded monster. The scent of burned flesh filled the air. Again and again it shot fire from its eyes. Patrick's eyes grew wide as he notice they burned right through the solid walls of the entrance. If only one shot hit home it would all be over. He snarled. Patrick knew he had to aid his friend. The garlic still lay in his hand. "Help me." He whispered before throwing the vegitable. The darkside schrreked like a forsaken soul. Then it again disappeared. Heinrich froze the gem in time as he ran to stamp his cross upon it. Their enemy again reappeared. A bolt of dark lightning hit his friend like the leach of a whip. Heinrich became thrown to the floor. With his sword in hand, Patrick ran to the side of his fallen comrade. "Leave this place." The darkside rasped. "You do not need to die." Patrick didn't care. His brother would carry on the bloodline. He retained his man-beast form just as the darkside shot at him. With his blade surrounded by plasma Patrick managed to block the attack. The darkside glared at him. Then the enemy opened its jawed mouth. Fire burned forever. Patrick had to shield his face against the heat. Then his enemy released another of those boiling fireballs. Somehow he just knew he couldn't block that thing. Then Heinrich stepped in to whip the enemy away. "Let me do it." Patrick said. His friend gave him a look. Patrick noticed the pain in his eyes. The lightning really had wounded the Belmont. Enraged Patrick went to find the crystal. It was an easy chase. Upon discovery he dug his blade deep into the jewel. The ball shattered. The darkside reappeared before him. Its eyes where on fire. It opened its jaws. Patrick shivered with fear. How where they to defeat this evil? Then the darkside screamed. Fire roared from its inner center as the twisted figure collapsed into a heap of ashes. Patrick didn't stop to celebrate the victory. "We have to get away from here." He said. Heinrich nodded. "Can you walk?" Patrick asked. Heinrich smiled, although it never reached his eyes. "If you help me." His friend said through clenched teeth. "I think I might find it in me." Patrick nodded. He helped Heinrich to stand. Then they entered the castle. Patrick worried about his friend. Heinrich groaned as he tried to quiken his steps. This where never going to work. He saw blood drop from Heinrich's side. The Belmont clenched his hand at the wound. Patrick prayed a miracle would happen.

Oldhill village, Warakiya. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Lucy opened her eyes. It was true. Above her the high winter sky lay on the village like a heavy hat. "Lucy?" The villagers stared at her. "Is that realy you?" Deborah, flanked by Reichardt and Simon, came running toward her. The girls exchanged glances. Finally Lucy felt she could relax. "Yes." She said. "It's me." "What happened?" Reichardt asked. She closed her eyes. Lucy knew it where to no use. She could never hide from her memories. "Don't ask." Lucy told them. She tried to gather herself. They deserved to know. "The undead took us to the castle." She finally said. "We managed to escape." Deborah looked upon her with a worried compashon Lucy didn't understand. "What about Alfred?" The redhead asked. She then laughed somewhat nervously. "What about the others?" She quickly altered her question. Lucy tried to look like she didn't understand. Still. She knew how Deborah felt toward Penny's brother. "I don't know." She honestly explained. Then she instinctively embrazed her friend. "It's just so good to be out of there." Lucy said. She felt tears run down her cheeks. She almost hated herself for crying. She quickly dried them away. "Patrick sent me back here." Lucy tried to hide her feelings by continuing her story. "Heinrich Schneider was with him." She added. "They seemed to be on top of things." Simon gave her a look. Lucy shrugged. Sometimes she wondered if the 18 year old boy even had a sence of humour. Reichardt shook his head. "Just dismiss it." The boy advised. Lucy shrugged. "I'm sure the others will be back any time." She said. She tried to hide her concearn. By the look in her friends eyes, Lucy knew she wheren't fooling anyone. "Let's get indoors." Simon finally said. "It's getting colder out here." Lucy felt a slight shiver run through her body. It would be colder still to where the vampire hunters where heading. Deborah led her toward the church. Lucy mentally agreed. Their friends would need all the prayers she and her friends could speak. "God." Lucy whispered. "Please help us." Lucy hadn't been baphtized or anything like that. She really didn't know her religion that well. She hoped the Lord would see through her confusion and aid her friends.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Torah managed to sit up. The dreadful presence had just vanished. "What was that thing?" She asked. Torah knew the answer. Rose knew she knew. So the fairy didn't answer. Torah felt that presence before. When she and Alicia Schneider where in the Draco wood. Darkside. She feared the very name. It held whispering promises of dark secrets. Somewhat shaken Torah sat back upon the base of the fountain. It would've been wonderful with something to drink. She didn't even dare to toutch the ugly green liquid who came from the fountain. Rose lifted into the air. "Did you hear that?" Torah nodded. The sound of limping feet. Someone, or something, where approaching. Torah didn't move. Instead she summoned her magic. "Orb of sorcery." She whispered. A glowing ball of purple light appeared before her. Torah tried to remain calm as the feet came closer.

He watched what have transpired. His plot had been sat in motion. The boy asked him a question. "Of course." He said. Although it had not been what he had expected nothing had happened to threaten his intentions. He explained it so that the child could understand. The boy laughed and applauded. The girl where still a problem. The undead would take care of her. It would give the boy something to play with. More important where it that he would get to learn about her power. The child went forward. He smiled. It would serve him anyway.

(A.N: Sorry for the late update. I hope you like this chapter. The story continue. CV64 is one of my favourite titles. Have a nice time.)

Chapter 3: The Story Continues | Back to Chapter 1