Castlevania Darkness Never Dies21B

Disclaimer: I do not own any part in Castlevania, neither characters nor games. These are trademarks of Konami and Nintendo.

""In Your hands, I surrender my soul.""
Luke:

Ending 1: Necromonicon.
Throne room, castle in the forest. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
The castle shook. Death contemplated the events. "We have to go." The angel then breathed. Shaft acknowledged. The royal knights lifted the coffin. The Belmont clan never noticed what they got in their hands. The Master used them well. "The castle is unstable." Ninjara stated. "We're never going to get past the hunters." Shaft reached into his cloack. "Gather around me." The dark priest instructed. "You are sure about this?" Death whispered. "The Dark Lord gave them to me." Shaft said as he preduced one gemstone. He then put away the purse. Death was right. This might turn out to be fatal. Never the less, this was what they had to do. Shaft then threw the jewel on the floor. Like woven glass, the gem shattered. A portal opened. The dark priest captured an image of the general's platform. "Go on." He told Dracula's followers. "I have to be the last." The knights quickly moved through. Uriel spread his wings. "You have proved yourself as boh loyal and supportive." Death proclaimed. Shaft lowered his head. Then the angel of Death simply disappeared. Shaft went through the portal. He got to get matters underway. Shaft closed his eyes.

Castle center, castle in the forest. The 7th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Then finaly he appeared upon the genral's platform. Ninjara was already aboard the ship. The angel of Death where nowhere to be seen. Shaft did not worry about his disappearance. Death was the Dark Lord's right-hand man and guardian of choise. He could do what he wanted. The fallen priest got other matters to attend to. The castle where about to crumble. Shaft was sure about it. He went into the shuttle. "Get us out from here." He called to his captain. "Yes sir." Fatima sat at the controls. "As you wish." The dark priest settled within his chair. The burial box was secured within the cargo. They made it. The Dark Lord would be pleased. The engines roared. The ship had awakened. "Ready for take-off." The co-pilot informed. "Copy that, captain." The crew went on with their duties. Shaft was pleased. They knew what to do. The shuttle lifted into the air. The priest was at peace. He had done what he came here to do. Nobody would notice. The crew and force was loyal to their Dark Lord. The task was complete. The sun was rising outside the ship. No matter. Night would fall.

The chamber of the sages, forest temple. The 7th. of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich looked around. "Where are we?" He asked. Heinrich was unsure if he really liked this place. "We are in the chamber of the sages." Saria's voice explained. "The very heart of the forest temple." She didn't sound happy at all. "What's going on?" Patrick still hadn't put down the shotgun. Torah looked like she was worried about something. "Humans aren't ment to be here." She muttered. "We aren't ment to be here." She grew pale. Heinrich didn't get it. He knew nothing of this place. The chamber got a domed ceiling, or so he thought. The octagonal square floated within the light. Waterfalls of blue looked like flouting pillars. Patrick at last reholstered his pistol. Multiple smaller seals encircled their position. Heinrich was unsure of what would happen with them now. The central area was occupied by a fountain. He shook his head. The fountain was filled with clear emarald water. Heinrich made another discovery. Which made him to toutch his crucifix. Malus was still with them. Though the boy seemed to be trapped within water. "You're right." Rose said in a low voice. The fairy sat on Torah's shoulder. "You shouldn't even had been able to reach this place." Heinrich didn't mind. He turned away from the vampire's fruitless struggle. Heinrich had a living faight in the Lord, Jesus Christ. "In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Ghost." He decleared. "If there is anyone here, who might explain, show yourself. Speak to us." His request was answered in an unlikely approach. A pillar of shining green light, blossomed from within one of the nearest seals. Heinrich stepped back. His hand upon the great whip. "You don't need to be afraid." Saria said. "There is no need for weapons." She where within that pillar. "The war is over." All could see when the light subsided. "It ended when I accepted who I am." Though Heinrich thought she looked grim. He hung up the Undead Killer. Saria had found some other cloathings. They really fit her. "I am the sage of the forest temple." Saria exclaimed. She made it sound so simple. Heinrich knew it wasn't. This was why she'd been born. "The curse it at rest." Saria looked down into her hands. "Curse you!" Malus screamed. "Sage, or whatever you are! Release me! I command! I am the Dark Lord incarnate!" The very liquid grew black around him. Saria stood tall. "Release me! And fight me!" He demanded. "You have lost." The sage said. Heinrich was at a loss for words. "Let it be." Torah whispered. She'd come to stand by his side. "That's her business now." Heinrich nodded. She was right. "You tried to release the ancient curse, for yourself." Saria said. She folded her arms, clad in green silk, in front. The low cutting was of her style. "You didn't care about the forest." Saria held something within her hands. Torah reached for her neck. Heinrich looked down at her. She shook her head. "I could seal you into that black realm." Saria said. "They said I could do that." She made a dismissing gesture. "Then I am not like you." She smiled. "You are not able to withstand eternity without blood." Heinrich frowned. He wondered what she might be up to. "My desission is this." Saria then said. "That I will banish you from this place." "No!" Malus roared. "Without the curse, I am beaten!" Saria stood her ground. "You should have remained in your grave." She said. "The abyss is your place now." She made a gesture. Malus cry never seemed to fade. Though his frame grew less and less solid. Then he just faded from sight. Heinrich closed his mouth. Then Saria whept. He didn't expect her to do that. While she wept, heinrich saw images of the forest and countryside. The land had been restored. He was glad about that. "I didn't believe it would be like this." Patrick whispered. "But it's beautiful." Heinrich agreed. "The swamp is closed." Torah said in a low voice. "I didn't expect that would happen." They turned to look upon her. "It's a remnence of the demon castle war." She explained. Rose cut their conversation short. "We have company." She said. The fay was right. When Heinrich looked, Saria had been surrounded by other people. "It's them." Patrick said. "It's Lucy, Simon and Heinz." Heinrich couldn't believe it. Although he recognised Olivia as one of them he saved from the underground tunnel. "That's Benjamin." Torah exclaimed. "The boy who served in the church." Rose shone a doubtful pink. "But they are asleep." She said. "Look." The fairy's glow grew brighter. "Their aura is covered by another presence." Heinrich tried to see beyond the obvious. Then again, he was not the chosen hunter. "She is right." Torah had fallen into a slight trance. She snapped out. "I don't know who they are." She confessed. "They are safe." Said he who was with Heinz. "We won't do them any harm." Said the one with Simon. Then the five turned to Saria. How could they stand on the water? Heinrich dismissed the matter. "You did the right thing." He with Olivia explained. "The curse was still leaking into the forest." Torah muttered. Heinrich understood that she'd felt it. "You didn't have to come." Saria said. "But we had." Lucy said. "The five which could help you where in grave danger." Patrick stepped forward. "I don't understand." He said. "Who are you people anyway?" "They are the warders of the forest." Rose said. "This is the caretakers." Torah added. "Earth, water, spirit, dream and life." Patrick made the sign of the cross. "They're the Lord's angels?" HE said in a baffled tone. "You might say that." Rose filled in. "But they where themselves." Saria said. "When they met me at the castle keep." Heinrich shook his head. The story of how she'd been able to open the gate of the forest temple was just incredible. "Then you really are the sage of the forest." Torah said. "She is." Olivia-Dream said. "But only she could do what could be done." The spirits seemed to shine. Heinrich had to look away. "We declear you, Saria Goldenleaf, to be the true and rightful sage of the forest." The light faded slightly. "Make your own choises." Heinz-spirit whispered. "Be free." Then they where alone again. "I have accepted my destiny." Saria said. "Thus the forest is safe." She inhaled. "When I lift my mantle of power, the curse has been resealed." She shook her head. Heinrich noticed she looked on them. "This wasn't what I wished for." She told. "By doing this, I'll have to stay here." She looked down. "My life in the world is over." Heinrich regretted he'd ever been distrustful of her. "Our time is growing short." Saria reminded. "You cannot stay." Heinrich nodded. He did understand. "What about your tree?" Torah asked. Saria shook her head and mane of red hair. "That connection will be passed on." The sisters exchanged glances. "You will uphold it?" The sage asked. "I think I have no choise." Torah said. "I'm sorry, Saria. But the reason why, is to keep my human blood alive." Saria smiled. "My connection is now with the entire forest. Not with a single tree." She held up both hands. "Do not be sorry." She said. A flash of light was seen when the magic item returned into Torah's hand. Heinrich made the sign of the cross. Torah then put the medallion back around her neck. "I suggest you dress in your winter clothing." Saria teased. "I know." Torah returned the favour. Heinrich smirked. "Children's talk." He muttered. "You may keep my ocarina." Saria said. "Keep it as a memory of me." Torah nodded. "I will." She assured. "Patrick." Saria then said. "You don't need to worry about them. They surely will be brought back to the village, to their friends." Patrick nodded. "When this is all over." The little dryad added. "Come back with your brother, and live in the castle." She smiled. "I won't take it from you." Her smile grew wider. "I'll keep it safe." Patrick nodded. Although he seemed more relaxed. "Heinrich." She turned to him. "Please tell Edward about all this." Heinrich actually blushed. Then he gathered. "I will." HE said. Heinrich should've remembered that Saria got a crush on his relative. Edward returned her feelings. At least he'd done so. "Fear well then." Saria said. "May you be to live in peace." Then everything changed. Heinrich closed his eyes.

Dora wood, Warakiya. The 8th. Of January 2099 A.D.
They where back. Heinrich, Torah and Patrick was standing within the forest. The land was restored. The air was fresh. Though the weather was cold. They had won. Even so, Heinrich felt tired. This hadn't been the demon castle. He looked to the sky. "Will this war against Dracula ever end?" He asked. Patrick put a hand on his shoulder. "We have to believe." He said. "The moral of good humans will always be his demise." Torah said. "I believe in you." Rose said. She was fluttering before his face. Heinrich looked aside. "I'm sorry." He said. "Although we saved the forest, and put a Dark Lord candidate out of his misery, Castlevania is still standing." Although he hadn't been there when it appeared. Edward and Torah had told about. He looked back upon his friends. Then a single white rose fell from the sky. The flower seemed to shine brighter then even the sun upon snow. The rose then made manifest. "Julia!" Both Heinrich and Patrick ran forward. "Stay away from me, friends." She stated. She seemed sad. Though Heinrich thought she looked more beautiful then ever. "Nothing is ever the same." She said. "Nothing might happen twise." She seemed to flicker. "If only this could've been otherwise." Heinrich felt tears down his face. He'd realized she really wasn't there. "Is this fearwell then?" Patrick asked, his voice wavering. Heinrich didn't hide his emotions. "I have to say goodbye." Julia said. She reached forward with her hands. She tried to toutch them. Heinrich felt nothing but a distant chill as her fingers passed through his hand. "I'm so sorry." Julia beheld them with sadness in her eyes. "Only we will meet again, at the end of the world." Tears went down her cheeks. "I understand." Patrick said. Heinrich tried to reach out for her. The hour had passed. Julia was gone. They would not meet again in this world. The men where sobbing by now. Neither of them felt need to conceal it. They had loved her so much. Torah and Rose had remained behind. The girl put a hand in each of theirs. "There is nothing you can do." She said. Heinrich knew she was right. But it gave no comfort. "Be happy she is with God." Torah said. "Be glad she could give this last goodbye." Patrick turned to look upon her. "I know." He said. "It's just… I miss her so much." Heinrich looked away. There was nothing more they might say. Nothing more they might do. This fight really was over. Saria had accepted her destiny. The forest would be safe. There would be long years before something evil would even dare to walk in this land. The villagers would be glad. Though he felt the victory was hollow. At least to him. "I'll go back to Doina." Patrick then said. "You can come with me if you wish." The man-beast shrugged. "Whatever, when I'm finished there. When I'm sure the children are alright, I'll come with you." Heinrich tried to hide his confusion. Though he was glad. More so then he'd expected. "You're right." She said. "The castle Dracula is still standing." Torah put a hand on her ring smash. Heinrich noticed they'd also regained their original form. As had the Undead Killer. "We have to go there." Torah insisted. "We will." Heinrich said. "You have to be careful." Rose warned. "When the evil curse was banished, the items and aditions you found in the castle also disappeared." Heinrich checked his belt. The fay was right. He got his blade, and the crucifix. As he reached for it, he even noticed the armoured plates had gone. "I still have the ocarina." Torah said. "And Saria's medallion." She toutched the razor-rings. Heinrich noticed she still had the cross tied around her wrist. Patrick's armour was intact. "That doesn't matter." Heinrich said. "We still have our abilities." He knelt. As he did, Heinrich noticed the knife was still in his boot. "Together." He said while holding the crucifix high. "We will be victorious." Patrick helped him to stand. "IF the Lord will." He said. "We shall." Torah was moving about. "Let's be off." She said. "Before we freeze to death." Heinrich laughed. "I didn't forget." He said. "Let's go."

Castle entrance, castle in the forest. The 8th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Black Inviktus saw to that all had gathered. "We are ready, my lady." Sting reported. Salmisra had been able to re-energize their tactician-droid. He managed to reactivate some of the more advanced models. The red knights huddled about Niram. The loss of their supreme commander had crushed their spirit. Diter Hauser had showed as an exelent field-lieutenant. Inviktus would offer him an operation. The march from the castle in the forest had begun. They where to be kept in good order. All in all, her battalion was now less then 1000 soldiers. And allthough in the middle of the night, the shadow had little to offer. "My lady." Her com-link chirped. "We have a contact." "Let it through." The warlock instructed. The hologram of the communication-officer was changed into that of a bearded human male. "Greetings, commander." He said. The hood pulled so low that it was difficult to recognize his features. "Hail the count." They exchanged their salutation. "I have heard about your conditions." The human said, when the pleasantries where dealt with. "I where informed." He then said with a smile, exposing his fangs. "So it will appear." Black Inviktus remarked. "I have use for such a delivery." The vampire told. "I'll send you the coordinates." "Very good." She said.

Saria stood on the wall. She watched them leave. She should've shut them in the evil realm. That wasn't her style. Saria didn't want their blood on her hands. Though she'd sent Malus back. "I found you." The hum of an ignited lightsaber made her turn. "I am Black Aquenion." They beheld one another. Saria recognized both where short built. She wouldn't use her bow. "I feel you." She said. Saria had dressed in her dryad tunic and sandals. She drew her sword. Green light, like that of sunlight in a forest, shone through. The blade of the red saber was short enough. "You'll die!" The warlock yelled. "The dark ocean will cover the temple!" The battle began. "I know you, Marina Seaflower." Saria said. "How do you know me?" She was driven back. "The forest tells me." Saria said. "It tells me the Dark Lord haven't twisted you! There is light within!" "No!" She dashed. Saria struck the lightsaber away. "I won't kill you." She said. "I'll save you." So was her power. "Marina!" She decleared. "I give back your life!" Light shone. "I give you the knowledge and power which is already yours." Saria smiled. "Be free." When the light did fade. The cyborg was gone. Only Marina was left, naked and wheeping. She offered a hand. "Marina." Saria said. "I will help you."

Dora wood, Warakiya. The 7th. of January 2099 A.D.
Knight Rowdain Von Harrhausen didn't look back. He knew the case was lost. The castle would crumble. The old saying told; whenever Shadow closes a gate, it opens a viewpoint. That was true. The Dark Lord might still earn something from this affair. The skeleton rider held it secured within his saddlebag. He possessed one of the dark ocean pearls. The prince of Darkness bestowed him with power. Why should he not? Sir Rowdain had been one of the final knights which stood at the voivode's side on that fateful day in 1476. The union of such power gave him the tools he needed. The lord of the vampires spoke to him in his dreams. The spirit who rested within the ribs still got its own ambitions. He knew what to do. He might still be out in broad daylight. Though the ignorant people could not see nor hear him pass. There would take some time. The dead ride fast. But even he could not reach such distance. It did not matter. It really did not. The Dark Lord would rise again. Such was his promise. The prince of Darkness might never truly be defeated. Rowdain made his horse to continue. There was no need to waste time anyway.

He viewed the castle carefully. Aaron Grey was alive. He escaped that pesky attempt on his life. Though he was powerful. Patrick Oldrey shaken his mighter. That would never happen again. Aaron was a devil forgemaster. He would use that power. At the next crossroad he would gain revenge. Crossroad of twilight. Such a joke. Aaron would have laughed. The matter was to serious. The forest was silent. Aaron pulled down the hood. It was cold. Though his man-beast linage kept him less affected by the season. "I see you." The smell was colder then winter's heart. "The grim reaper." Aaron accepted. The angel of Death was riding upon his pale horse. "A heart of anger." Uriel breathed. Aaron made no comment. What should he tell? The rider sometime spoke in mysterious ways. "I have come to find you." Death decleared. Aaron lowered his head. The warlock lord sent him to the castle in the forest. Now another ally of lord Dracula have come to him. The grim reaper was the keeper of Dracula's kindred spirit. "What is thy bidding." He asked. The fallen angel made a gesture. "You are to come with me." Death whispered. "The return of the embodiment of suffering is near."

Castlevania, Warakiya. The 13th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Carmilla did not show her interest. They came to pay tribute to the prince of Darkness. That was as it should be. The Dark Lord was the Master's purchase. Orlock was standing as her bodyguard. Why would he come here? The catacombs where not his domain. It had not been since she joined the army in 1688. The hidden docks where their harbour. "Every 100 years, the forces of God mysteriously starts to weaken. Thus the power of Dracula start to revive itself. His power grows stronger and stronger, every century." Millarca Von Karhnstein laughed. Orlock smiled, exposing his fangs. Though he gave no answer. He did not have to. They each shared this emotion. That was count Dracula's last command to his circle of blood. The left hand did not know what the right was doing. She watched a group of slaves disembarge. The servants brought from the near Orient. "My lady." Orlock called. He had checked his gold pocket watch. "The time is there." As if to prove it, dr. Jeckyle/mr Hyde approached. "You have been summoned." The changer scientist explained. Mircalla acknowledged. This was what she had been waiting for.

The angel of Death stood within the mine. The count's prisoners had worked themselves to death when constructing the castle. Those who survived, had perished by hunger or thirst while in their deep cells. Their blood had become a resource of power and mysticism. That gave a slight advantage. The lord of the vampires had used it to amplify his magic. The fallen angel turned away. He slightly began walking. All was like the prince of Darkness predicted. Though something happened which where unexpected. So be it. Such matter always seemed to occour. Though it seldom had any real importance. This time it worked to their advantage. Another figure approached. His crimson garb almost made him invicible when contrasted against his suroundings. The grim reaper lowered his head. "I see." He stated. The dark priest rised his hand. "It is complete then." Death contemplated the evolution. "It might at last begin." Shaft smiled. "Indeed." Death acknowledged. The pieces of the puzzle where finally brought together. Though it had taken a long time to achieve this goal. No matter. That was as it should be. The Dark Lord would return.

(A.N: So it ends. The CV 64 have long since been my favorite of the 3D formula. Strange, isn't it? I'm glad to hear that Circle have been reintroduced to the canon. That game stands as an example of the strength of the classic's story. As does Portrait, of course. I hope the preducers might fill in the gap of the lost tales of 1820, 1999 and of 1976. The second quest of this book is soon to begin. In the meanwhile; have a nice time.)

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