Part 2: Legacy of Sorrow.

"Do not go against God, who is with me."
2. chronicles: 35. 21.

Intro 1: Prologue.
Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
She ran. She knew it was in wain. He was always there, behind her. She knew what he wanted. Then she tripped. She fell upon her knees. Just barly did she manage to get up. He was there. He loomed above her. The man-beast took her into his arms. She fainted.

Throne room, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Giles De Reis climbed the steps. Mist shrouded everything. Was it like this? Was this how the lightsiders felt when they perished. The steps seemed like they would continue on forever. The fire above him made Giles think about the gaze of his Master. Here his superhuman sight could not help him. The doors to what the young lord Malus called the "throne room" where open. They invided him inside. It was like a Deja Vu. Giles De Reis felt like he had experienced this before. As the vampires who carried the coffin entered inside, the doors slamed close. They where not alone. To the left of the throne stood Malpheffa and the witch who called herself Actrise. The boy where nowhere to be seen. Giles De Reis gestured to the servants where to lay down their burden. Then they went to stand at the door. Giles De Reis was clad in his finest armour. If what was promised came true… Flouting in the air the Dark Lord's closest ally appeared. "It might begin then." The words where mer whispers in their minds. Giles knelt, as did the others who had gattered. Giles De Reis and Isabella Von Krohnquist where members of the circle of blood. But it was she who opened the ritual. Upon their chanting the torches became lit with green flame. The coffin's black wood began to glow. Something was wrong. He felt it. Still Giles could not figure what it was. Then Death swung his weapon. The girl laying on the coffin was beheaded. Blood soaked the wood. Through the openings Giles detected an eerie blue light. Malus had promised it would be like this. Aaron, their man-beast supporter, laughed by the sight. Giles would have done so. Then he got it. The girl was none of the children they had been sent to take. What was the meaning of this? This was not 1852. This was not the demon castle. The body of the sacrifice turned into red liquid. Even her head did vanish. From across the room Actrise caught his gaze. In that moment Giles knew she did not trust Malus either. A bolt of lightning struck. Giles's attention returned to the coffin. How was this possible? The lid of the box flew open. A figure, a tall figure, clad in black clothing did rise. Giles could not believe it. "Count Dracula!" They cried, almost in unison. How could this be? Giles knew him. The long white hair, the hawk-like features. It really was their fallen Dark Lord. As if an answer to their support, the prince of Darkness lifted a hand. Blue fire burned in his fist. Giles De Reis did not know what to do. It was impossible. Still he was here. The prince of Darkness had returned.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich Schneider didn't like this. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind. Patrick Oldrey got in before him. "It's like Draco wood." The man-beast said, his hand on his pistol. Heinrich let go of his chain-whip. "It is." Torah said. The Fernandez girl didn't seem to feel confortable about this either. Mist and gloom filled the dank air. Aldough the ice rulled outside this portion of the forest, it was like fall lasted forever. Some of the trees looked like they had began to rott. "The earth is poisoned." Rose explained. The hot dankness of the air made it impossible for the fairy to fly. Heinrich felt sometimes that even her glow was dimmer. Not that he was no mythological expert. Heinrich was sure their glow didn't go before they died. He threw it aside. "Torah." He said. "If this curse pains you, you don't have to come along." The 12 year old girl gave him a look. "I'm alright." She insisted. Then she smiled. "Thanks Heinrich. But this is something I have to do." Heinrich knew. The undead had after all abducted Torah's own sister. Not that Saria was Torah's real sister. How could a human and a dryad be blood related anyway? No matter. Above them the sound of thunder warned them about the comming storm. "Perfect." Patrick said with more then a hint of sarcasm. "Nowwe're going to get soaked too." Heinrich shrugged. "It won't help." Torah said. Rose agreed. "The rain might clean away some of the polution. But it won't be enough." Heinrich wasn't sure how to handle this. He'd promised to save the children and, if possible, clean the valley of Dracula's evil. But what should he do about this polution? Heinrich was no geologist either. But he knew that they where one. That all which existed depended on each other to survive. The abuse of nature had after all brought about the ice. Heinrich exchanged glances with Patrick. Neither of them really trusted the elder people. To many did follow the Dark Lord. Then again. The undead came from his species. Heinrich had once heard that the crimson baptize didn't work propperly to turn other then humans. Again thunder was heard in the distance. Heinrich saw lightning strike the forest. Then it began to rain. The drops where strangely cold. Heinrich thanked the Lord that he never became sick. The rain would surely given another man the flew. With the rain bats appeared. Heinrich cracked his whip. He'd waited for them to appear. After all, bats did hunt at night. Patrick released bullets at the small flying mammals. "Pearls of heat! Winter's heart!" Torah cast her spell. But not at the bats. Heinrich felt confused. Then he noticed what she was going for. Bone-men did rise out of the ground. The storm made it almost impossible to hear them comming. Heinrich grind his teeth. Neither he nor Patrick could help her. Not that it looked like Torah needed help. Heinrich threw his axe at the bats. He did summon bloodline power, making his weapon split into multiple axes. Patrick changed into his man-beast form as he made his sword burn with plasma. "Watch out!" Heinrich did retrive his axe just as another band of zombies appeared out from the soil. Heinrich cursed. "Just what I needed." He advanced. Heinrich flailed his chain-whip. The weapon suddenly started burning. Heinrich hadn't noticed he'd summoned new power to his aid. Not that it meant anything. The rotting corpses tried to grab him. Tried to do things Heinrich didn't want to know. He threw his crystal at them. Heinrich summoned his power and made a giant gem fall down to clear the field. Where had his friends disappeared to? No time to consider. A gust of cold wind blew past him. Heinrich shuddered as he did see them. When seeing beyond the obvious Heinrich detected the ghosts. "Good Lord." He all but whispered. "Please, give me strenght." To see beyond the obvious and to fight at the same time was not easy. With the help of God Heinrich didn't even stop. They reached for him. He knew that if the ghosts where allowed to toutch him, he was dead. Or perhaps something worse. The ghost would possess his living body. He would become an agent of evil. Heinrich whipped them all into oblivion. The zombies where not finished with him just yet. One of those crawling monsters did bite his feet. Thank the loord he where using armoured footware. He kicked the corpse in the face. Heinrich was forced to swollow as its head flew through the air. He threw his axe. Another zombie began to burn. Heinrich pulled out his sword. It was time to end this. He summoned his bloodline power. With fierce determination Heinrich dug his blade into the earth. The soil shook. He didn't care. The living dead where thrown high into the sky. They shattered upon hitting the ground. Heinrich was forced to kneel. This was the second time he did things like this. The power in his blood where truely terrifying. Heinrich struggled back up. The field in which he'd fought his oponents where a mess. His earthquake in combination with the rain made it a swamp. Heinrich sat down on the trunk of a broken tree. It was he who'd made it tumble. Torah was going to kill him. Heinrich didn't care. He'd lost bogh his dagger and the axe. Thank the Lord he still had some other weapons to his disposial. Heinrich reached for his whip. Then he went to pick up his blade. First when Heinrich had resheated his sword, he noticed he was alone. Torah, Patrick and even Rose where gone. He shook his head. How could this be? Again he sat down. His head on his forearms. What was he to do? Heinrich did reach for his crucifix. They'd promised the people of Barnsdall to help them. The castle in Barnsdall. It was there the tracks had led them. Until the snow disappeared that was. Still, Heinrich had a feeling his friends would go for the castle. Torah would love it. It was she who'd insisted they had to go there. He got to his feet. Whatever the case, Heinrich would have to go there to see for himself.

Patrick Oldrey-Lecarde reloaded his shotgun. The dead where not gone yet. He really wanted to tear the bones appart. He didn't know what Thomas might have told the Belmonts. Heinrich and Torah knew nothing about it. That was at least something to be grateful for. The bone-men advanced. Patrick shot them down. Then they came in to close for ranged attacks. "Perfect." With grim satisfaction he changed into his true man-beast form. The bones where taken completly by surprise. Some Patrick really did ripp to peaces. Other he just burned away with currents of plasma. It was a trick Saria had learned him. Heinrich's clan had been training him to harness his power. But it was the dryad who'd taken him beyond the basic training. That was of course when she didn't try to flirt with him. Patrick blinked. Suddenly there where no more enemies left to fight. He shook his head. The murky ground was littered with the bones of slain enemies. If only he'd known his power when they first came. Then he and Thomas wouldn't have been forced to flee their own home. Then again, his father should've known better then to purchase the castles. His family had been wealthy back then. He did love Jacob, his father was a nice man. He'd used a fortune to restore the ruin to its former glory. Patrick forcefully threw aside his memories. He didn't want to remember. He broke out of his reverie. This wasn't the time for recollection. Then he of course noticed. Patrick hadn't known that during the battle he'd lost contact with his friends. He felt ashamed. The old saying told that "a warrior should keep close to his friends, and closer still, to his enemies". Patrick gathered himself. He had his sword. He had his cross and pistol. If the Lord was with him, Patrick would use his man-beast powers. He knew that he didn't really mastered them. He reached for his cross. Like Heinrich, Patrick was a member of the Orthodox church. Patrick knew he would have to face his own fear. He would have to enter the grounds where it all began. So be it. He'd promised Heinrich he would help him. Perhaps even more important, he'd promised the children, and himself for that matter, to save those of them which the undead had taken. Keeping a sharp eye out for more monsters, Patrick began moving. He knew this place, knew it like the back of his hand. Patrick smiled, dough it didn't reach his eyes. Had he not played here when he'd been a kid? There was the tree he'd used to climb in. Over there, in that clearing, Monique had given him his first kiss. Strange how he'd forgotten about her face. He threw it aside. He had to be cautious if he where to survive.

Torah Fernandez did watch the ghost in its eyes. "You don't scare me." She bousted. The truth was that she did. Her grandmother Yoko had warned her, time and time again, to stay away from ghosts. The air was filled with phantoms. Where where her friends? Torah didn't let her worry show. Funny really. Where she to die on her birthday? Torah calmed herself. Then she went to work. Carrie's ring-smash cut through the air. Ordinary weapons had no place here. Stil, these metal rings possessed their own supernatural power. It was nothing to speak of. Not when compared with such weapons as the Vampire Killer. "Orbs of sorcery!" Torah spun around. Releasing her balls of magic power. She hoped the small amount of energy wouldn't be noticed. The ghosts moaned with pain. Her magic made the enemies burn. The purple fire lit up the mist. Torah stopped. The remaining spirits where gone. She couldn't help but smile. Perhaps, Torah thought, she would become older then 13. "You did it!" Rose exclaimed. The fairy had been hiding in Torah's backpack. Torah couldn't help but smile. Then she became serious. "If only you could fly." She mummbled while putting away the ring-smash. Rose settled upon her shoulder. "It's the air." Rose said. "The dank warmth makes it just impossible." Torah knew. This wasn't the normal weather. The order which Rose belonged to, would sleep during the winter. Each season had their own order. Such was the balance of nature. That was what grandmother Yoko used to say. At the thought that Yoko wouldn't be here to celebrate the day with her, it almost made Torah cry. She tried to calm herself. "Grandmother." The word was something between a sob and a whisper. "I promise I'll make you proad of me." She reached for her cross. Torah was a member of the Protestant Church of America. Not that she'd ever been much of an active member. It was her parents who'd made her baphtize. Torah's grandmother had been among the nuns of a secret exorsist organisation. They where the undertakers of the Catholic church. Torah shook her head. "Rose." She said. "If we ever get back to Boston, I promise I'll give you one of those mystic relics." Even through the gloom which shrouded the forest, she saw her fairy glow.

He watched them. He saw them fight. He smiled. They really faught gallantry. Actrise had not lied to him. The Belmont, the little sorceress and the man-beast. He knew them all. He knew how to manipulate them. He watched how they where split. He could not help but laugh. It was perfect. The child began to sob. He whispered in his ear. Comforting him, assuring him. All would be fine. To ease his tension, he began to play his violin. The sound of the instrument always seemed to comfort children. He continued playing as he began walking through the forest.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich threw a look skyward. Thunder roared across the forest. Lightning struck. In the sudden light he saw the sign. It stood to the left of the road. To one side, it pointed back to the village of Oldhill. The way onward was told to be Borgo pass. Heinrich had to wait for another flash before he could make out the last marking. The storm raged above his head as Heinrich read the third name. "Mile end". He couldn't help the shudder. The memory of him and Alicia as children, entered his mind. They where celebrating passover with Patrick's family. One day, Heinrich, his cousin, Patrick, Thomas and Julia had been out skiing. They had stopped at one farm. The old couple living there, had offered them hot chocolate. Julia said the farm was named "Mile End". He threw it aside. This wasn't the time for this kind of things. Heinrich began to walk down the narrow path as it began to rain. It was leading him southward. Torah told him that, when she'd seen Castlevania, it'd been further to the north and east. This road would lead him back to Ravenberg. The trees blocked his view. The rain didn't make the mist disappear. Then Heinrich heard horses approach. He didn't even consider it. Heinrich got off the road. Hiding behind some trees, he uncoiled the chain-whip. Cold, cold as winter's heart. It made Heinrich throw himself to the forest floor. He didn't mind the death leaves which stained his clothing. His gaze where fixed upon the approaching riders. On the road to Borgo pass, three figures emerged. Seated on dark horses, sat phantoms disguised as riders in black. One of them, the foremost, didn't use the rains of his horse. Heinrich knew an expert horseman could guide his mount with his legs alone. Butt this was something else. This rider held a scythe above his head. Heinrich felt his body shiver as the riders passed. He'd heard about the dark wanderers before. Once Heinrich had faced the angel of Death. Through the aid of St. Michael, the arch angel, he had been permitted to emerge victorious. An old saying came to mind. "Wherever count Dracula is, Death is his servant." Heinrich reached for his cross. With faith, the Lord was with him. The cold left him as he leaped upon the road. Heinrich blinked. The riders where gone. It wasn't possible. But they where nowhere to be seen. Carefully Heinrich began walking. If they could disappear like that… Who said they couldn't reappear just as sudden. A shreek echoed throughout the forest. Heinrich had only enough time to crack the chain-whip, before the enemy dived down at him. Enormous black wings blocked his view. Skeletal fingers, burned and with sharpened claws reached for him as Heinrich whipped the darkside. It disappeared. Heinrich threw a nervous look around. The former magician reappeared upon the road. Black hood and cloak concealed the figure from head to toe. Once this creature had been a man. The darkside spread its huge bat-like wings. Claws reached out from the sleaves as the evil spirit again leaped at him. At the last second, it took to the air. Heinrich dropped himself to the ground just as the darkside kicked at him. Heinrich felt his blood chill as the tallons passed right over him. If only he hadn't lost his weapons. He rolled to the side as the evil spirit threw itself toward him. The creature who once had been a human, collided with the earth like a meteor. Heinrich got to his feet. That impact should've crushed a normal being. Butt the darkside where nothing near natural. It was a magical force who had taken physical form. The twisted being got back up like the fall meant nothing. From the hood's opening a blackened face glared at him. Heinrich tore his eyes away from that face. He didn't wish to see it. It was like something taken from your worst nightmare. The darkened skin lay around the skull as ancient perchament. Eyes like red flame occupied features who didn't seem to consist of much more then fangs. Smoke rised from its nose drills. Heinrich swollowed. Cresent horns did rise above its forhead. He picked himself up. Heinrich tried to think about Christopher Belmont. How did his ancestor defeat this monster? Before he could figure it out, the darkside's glare shot parallel beams of fire. Again he just barely managed to dodge. This was no true Hellspawn. His family had fought agains the elemental and beast demons. This was no Cagnazzo, Hellfire beast or skull million. It was a schoolar who'd released powers he couldn't control. A power who'd possessed his body and killed the soul, turning bogh into a plaything for the evil force. Before it could release another shot, Heinrich was at it. The chain-whip rammed it in the face. Before Heinrich could score another hit, the darkside was gone. Something made Heinrich look into the forest. To the left of the road, a crystal ball became visible. "Christopher!" The shout erupted from his lips as Heinrich whipped at it. He was only partly surprised as fire burned around the weapon. Heinrich hadn't noticed he'd summoned his bloodline power. The crystal shattered. Again the darkside appeared. The destroyed being staggered backward as smoke lifted off of its body. Jaws opened into an eternity of fire. Heinrich was sure that he, in that very moment, looked directly into the regions of Hell. A ball of boiling red flame came at him. Heinrich didn't even try to deflect. The darkside threw a clawed fist at him. Heinrich reached for his cross. "God!" He shouted while reaching for spirit. "Give me strenght in the name of Jesus Christ!" A bolt of dark electrisity shot down at him. It should been impossible. It was still raining. A symphony of crosses rised around him. The circle of holy symbols protected Heinrich from bogh fire and lightning. The darkside spread it wings as it again lifted into the air. Never was it going to get away. Heinrich again reached for his cross. If it did, the darkside would warn Death of his pressence. Heinrich became risen into the air. He felt sweath run down his spine. Fire rained down from behind him. The devesstated student of magic fell from the clouds. The fall itself should have killed it. Instead the darkside got back to its feet. Its tallons ripping the earth. His enemy glared at him. If he where to die here, let it be, Heinrich decided. His cousin was safe in the Vatican. Pluss, the followers of the Dark Lord would never know that Torah and Patrick where still out There. The darkside gazed upon him with burning red eyes. Then parallel beams of fire shot at him. Heinrich summoned water to his whip. "Be the will of God." He then flailed the weapon forward. The chain-whip splitt the beams. Heinrich reached for his cross. Then another bolt of lightning was sent at him. Heinrich managed to dodge. The darkside walked toward him, releasing random bolts as it approached. He stood with his back to the forest. Without a compass, Heinrich knew he would become lost if he left the road. With nothing left to do, Heinrich threw his crystal at it. The result where extraordinary. The darkside seemed to explode. There where nothing left of it. Then another boiling ball of fire came at him. The battle wasn't over yet. The enemy sent another shot at him. Heinrich dived for his crystal. He summoned water. Then he again threw it. A ring of blue gemstones fell from the sky. There where no time to retrive the mystic weapon. Heinrich ran to whip at the crystal ball which the darkside had again turned into. The twisted force reappeared. It threw itself toward him. Although Heinrich managed to side-step its approach, it drew blood with its nails. Heinrich grained his teeth. Again the darkside came at him. Just in time he managed to unsheat his sword. The blade became burried in the flesh of his opponent. The shreed almost made Heinrich turn deaf. It then just disappeared. Heinrich picked up his whip from where it'd landed. He knew the monster would be back any moment. Blood ran down his side. Breathing heavily, Heinrich wondered how long he would be able to keep up with this. Then the orb-shaped crystal again reappeared. Heinrich ran toward it. He summoned his bloodline power. His weapon began to shine with a golden glow as Heinrich whipped the crystal into oblivion. Staggering, the darkside became visible. As Heinrich watched, the former schoolar began to burn. "Let it be." Heinrich said while making the sign of the cross. "In the name of the Lord." The darkside collapsed into a heap of ashes. He went to pick up the sword. He cleaned it upon a nearby rock. His crystal where nowhere to be seen. Heinrich muttered. He knew he should've expected that to happen. Neither of the weapons he'd collected where hairlooms of the Belmont clan. Heinrich found them innside the candles. He was grateful his sword hadn't disappeared. When Alicia had taken the sword of their ancestor, she'd given him the sword Edward got from father Christmass. The Holiday was over. Never mind. Heinrich put back the blade. Then he continued walking. Heinrich hoped there would be no more darksides around. While walking, he ate some of the food stored in his backpack. It replenished his energy. Heinrich then permit himself a sip from the healing potions. He knew greater peril was before him. Even so, Heinrich wouldn't let the undead smell fresh blood before they had to. He smiled, although it never reached his eyes. Heinrich reached for his cross. He hoped they wheren't hunting him already.

The farm was barren. Patrick almost wished he could cry. Juri and Anna had been the closest thing he ever had to grandparents. The barn and stable, the den for pigs and the farmhouse where tainted like that from fire. The remains of dead beasts still lay here or there throughout the deserted area. It was still raining. Aaron. This was all because of Aaron. "Who is there?" A tremmbling voice asked him. Patrick unsheated his sword. The mist did somewhat cleared. Someone was seated upon the well. Long coils of dark hair hid her features. The girl was clad in plain shoes and a farmer's dress. A trace of gold around her neck caught his attention. Patrick knew that necklase. He'd given it to… "Tanya?" He asked. "Is that you?" The girl lifted her head. "Patrick." A quivering smile appeared on her lips. "Have you come back to me?" She reached for him with her arms. Then she let them drop. Tanya then again hid her face. "Get away from me." She sobbed. "Leave me alone." Patrick didn't understand. Tanya was the granddaughter of the kind old couple who once lived here. Four years ago, before so much did happen, Patrick had proclaimed her his love. "Bad men came to the farm." Tanya said through running tears. "They asked for you and your brother." Patrick felt a sudden desire to scream. "When grandfather refused to answer, they cut him down." She managed to look up at him. "They put fire on the farm." She said. "They killed or chased away our animals." Tanya then again hid her face. "They did things to me." She said. Patrick let go of his blade. He went to pick her up, to confort her. He hadn't even got close before Tanya suddenly threw herself at him. Patrick hit the ground, hard. "I hunger." She whispered. "It's tearing me appart." Her big dark eyes burned with unholy fire. "You will give it to me." She said while licking her red lips. Patrick shivered as he saw her fangs become exposed. "I have become a woman." She said, a somewhat crispy tone in her voice. It made him think of his little sister who played on water glass. "I know what you desire." Patrick didn't notice he was toutching her before he felt her round forms beneath his fingers. With her left hand, Tanya began to withdraw the skirts of her dress. Beneath, she was naked. Patrick shivered. He didn't know if it was with expectation or with disgust. This was wrong in so many ways. Four years ago, she'd been 14 years old. Tanya couldn't possibly be older then eighteen. It didn't matter. It was like his mind was in a daze. She bent down to kiss him. Patrick lay there, waiting. Waiting. Tanya went lower, then lower still, until she seemed to decide for his neck. Then she suddenly screamed. "How dare you!?" His cross had fallen from within his jacket. "How dare you betray me!?" The sight of the cross awakened him like nothing else. He was back on his feet, pistol in hand. "Hore of Lucifer!" Patrick fired shots at her. Tanya, the creature who'd been Tanya, became hit twise in her chest. The impact sent her backward. She staggered, then she fell down into the well. He could hear her body hit the water. That would kill her. He frowned. Was it Torah who'd spoken about the ground water, or was it the dryad? If the ground water where poisoned, everything where poisoned. Something was climbing up the side of the well. Patrick cursed. He'd forgotten the basic teatching. Silver bullets could kill a werewolf. When used against a vampire, it only forced the undead to retain its true form. The scent of rotting flesh whelled up at him as something did appear from beneath the well. A face, Patrick didn't want to see it, with glowing red eyes, glared at him. Something which laied long to rott in deep water continued to crawl toward him. "They threw my corpse in the well." The words where just bearly understandable. Uttered as they where, by a thung which lost its ability to speak long ago. Patrick knew what he had to do. It was horrible. But it was part of being a vampire hunter. Before it could reach him, Patrick retained his man-beast form. He knew his eyes shone like pollished gold. Then Patrick threw himself forward. Neck and heart, always the neck and heart. His claws tore open her neck, nearly beheading her. Then his nails pierced through cloth and rotting flesh, right into the chest. Blood splashed, painting his jacket an ugly crimson. He didn't care. With a grimace, Patrick tore out what remained of her heart. Then something strange happened. Tanya, what remained of her, looked at him. Patrick was sure he saw tears in her eyes. "Thank you." It was a mere whisper. Then her body started burning. All which remained was a pile of ashes. A cold wind started blowing, spreading her ashes upon the farm. Patrick shivered. Even so, the wind had something fresh about it. It felt like something he would've experienced out on a clear winter day. It did affect the farm too. The remains of the beast had vanished. The ruins looked less gloomed. Patrick felt something weath on his cheek. Then he noticed he was crying. Patrick knelt, picking up his cross. "Thank you, God." He said while kissing the symbol. It was no icon. But he was sure They would not become angry. Patrick had retained his human form. The mentioning of the Lord always did that to him. He went to retrive his sword. Resheating it, Patrick went toward the shore of Mile river. There hadn't been a mill here for centuries. Still people called this area the Mile end. Gathering himself, Patrick took some steps backward. He again summoned his man-beast power. Then he ran forward. Like an arrow, quicker then any mer human, Patrick flew across the river. He lande don the other shore. Having a look around, Patrick changed back to his human form. Throwing away hair from his face, Patrick continued into the forest. As he did so, another flash of lightning lit up the landscape. The castle was not that far off. Patrick again reached for his cross as he continued walking.

Torah Fernandez stood before the castle. The still falling rain had pressed her dark hair flat against her head. Torah's school uniform was clistered against her body. Torah didn't care. A bottomless black pit was blocking her way. Torah gave it another look. Lately, her shirt had begun to feel somewhat small. Torah knew she was becomming a woman. She'd circled the castle in hope that the crack only where in front of the building. That had taken her only some hour or so. Torah frowned. Nowhere she'd found a way to enter. If only she'd been gifted with the element of wind. Then Torah could've used the power to lower the drawbridge. All she had, where the elements of fire, ice and spirit. They where powerful, but they couldn't help her this time. The abyss was like a dried up mote. Wait a moment. There could be a way in after all. Torah knelt. She hoped the crack didn't protect against magic. "What are you going to do?" Rose asked. Torah gestured for her to be silent. She reached for her cross. Torah really could need His help right now. She put her hands on the ground. The earth was soaked. Torah gathered her magic. Cold spread from her fingers, freezing the soil beneath her. Struggling, Torah sent the wave forward. Something which looked like jewel lacework reached across the abyss. It was so beautiful. Torah had no time to admire her work. She knew the bridge would never support her. Sinking into herself, Torah struggled against the inner barrier. She'd broke through before. Anything could happen when she did so. Torah opened her mouth. The barrier collapsed as she began to sing. The bridge shivered. Then it turned into a solid blue construction. "You did it!" Rose exclaimed. Torah put a finger over her lips as she continued her music. She didn't dare to stop. With Rose on her shoulder, Torah began to walk. The drawbridge wheren't entirely closed. At the other side, there where nothing to stand on. There where only the solid wall of dark stone. Torah kept up her music. She knew what she had to do. Torah jumped. She barely managed to squeeze in her upper body. Her song ended as Torah struggled to stay put. She didn't have to look. She just knew her blue bridge was gone. She continued to struggle forward. An adult would never have made it. Torah was just small enough to get through. Gliding down the innside of the bridge, Torah landed upon the solid rock. For a moment she just sat there, celebrating the fact she was still alive. "You where right." Torah finally said. "We really did make it." Rose spread her wings, taking to the air. She was finally released from the dankness of the forest. "It was you who did it." The fay said while fluttering in front of Torah's face. Torah couldn't help but smile. Sometimes she really felt they where sisters. Then Torah got back up. "Let's go." She suggested. Then, with Rose fluttering in front of her, Torah was the first vampire hunter to enter the castle in Barnsdall.

He stood in the forest, watching as the girl vanished into the castle. She really was an interesting puzzle. He did frown. That music, there where something familar about it. Then he recognised it. The tune was a dryad melody. It should not have been possible. Of course, anyone could sing their music. But only a person with dryad blood could awaken its power. He closed his hands. It would be a catastrophe if he had been mistaken. What if Torah Fernandez was the chosen one instead of Saria Goldenleaf? His hands became fists. No, that could not be true. He had seen it, felt it, tasted it. The boy asked him a question. His pressence calmed him. He answered his question, showing him how to do it. The boy laughed as he cast the spell. Then they vanished.

Barnsdall forest, Warakiya. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Heinrich stepped out from the forest. The farm looked like it'd been abandoned for years. Something about it, made him relax. Heinrich had worried he would find corpses when reaching this place. He put back his weapon. Heinrich was still careful as he continued walking. When passing the well, he heard it. A strange slimy near poisonous sound. It was the sound of a river. The mist cleared enough for him to see. Heinrich stood on the shore of a river. There where nothing strange about it. Even so, there where something so evil about the sound. It made Heinrich shiver. This was the way the river Styx might sound like. The other shore, if there was one, was shrouded with gloom. It was just to easiy to imagine that, the mist would part, and that a tall figure, a figure concealed within a black hood and cloak, would appear. Heinrich broke out of it. This wasn't the place, nor the time, to let his imagination gett the best of him. Something cought his attention. Something was really moving within the mist. He reached for the weapon. Then a rotting old ferry appeared. To the back of the boat, there was someone. A someone hidden within a hood and cloak. If this was Dracula… Heinrich tightened the grip of his whip. "I see you have come to search for the sage of the forest temple." The words where a mer mummble. It shouldn't been possible to hear him through the rain and the running river. "What?" Heinrich nervously licked his lips. "What do you mean?" He didn't expect an answer. Never ask the ferryman any questions. Heinrich tried to penetrate rain and gloom, tried to see beyond the coils of the black hood. Nothing was to be seen. Heinrich knew it most likly would be the result. But he just had to try. Heinrich didn't trust this figure. Then the ferryman answered him. He blinked. That was the last Heinrich had expected him to do. "Long ago." The ferryman mummbled. "In the last days of the fourth age, elves came to this forest." Heinrich sat down upon the side of a well. He didn't mind. Where he finally going to get some answers? "The elder children made residence here." The ferryman continued. "It was the time before they went into hiding." Something, Heinrich couldn't belive it, butt the shrouded figure actually sounded mournfull. "The fifth era, who by some is call the Hyborean period, became a reality." The ferryman shook his head. "They left their secrets to be revealed by those who proved themselves worthy of their power." Heinrich dried rain from his hair. Not really paying attention. This really was interesting news. "Long after this, but stil long ago, other people came to this area." He shook his head. Where had he heard words like these before? "They where not elves. Neither where they dryads, trolls, humans or gnomes. They where something of each species." Heinrich felt his blood turn cold. He knew what the ferryman would say before he actually spoke the words. "They where the first in history to call themselves druids." He knew it would come, he just knew it. "They where some of the most briliant schoolars of their generation. Their knowledge ran deep, and their understanding where deeper still. Then some of their brightest desiples uncovered the lost secrets of the elders magic force." Heinrich shivered. The ferryman wasn't finished. "They held the knowledge, but not the control, of this power. Then, instead of searching control, they unlocked greater forces then they could ever hope to master." The same old story. Heinrich had heard it before. To seak power without love was always a mistake. "The other druids did discover what these few darksides had released." It nearly made him jump. So that was how darksides came to be. "Through their wicdom of nature they trapped these wicked ones into the living earth." Heinrich got to his feet. Before he could say anything, the ferryman continued his tale. "Time went by. History become legend. Legend become myth. The druids themselves where dismantled." Then the ferryman seemed to look directly at him for the first time. "For more then 30000 years these happenings passed out from all knowledge. But there where some who remembered." "The dryads." It was no question. The ferryman seemed to lower his concealed head. "Prophecy was handed down through generations. From mother to daughter in the dryad tribes, the legend was handed down." Heinrich nodded. Saria had told him about this. But he'd never realised its full importance. "The power which the rebell druids had unleashed would again grew strong." The ancient figure said. "Then a chosen one would appear. A dryad with the power of the past druids would clean the land and imprisson the evil force forever." "What is that supposed to mean?" Heinrich asked. Butt the time of learning had passed. The ferryman seemed to retreat deeper into his hood and cloak. "Take me across the river." Heinrich said in a somewhat anoied tone. Why was it so that, when they reached the important part of the story, the the storyteller became silent. "Sure I will take you to a good place, master." Had he ever heard that before. Heinrich made a grimace. His answer echoed the words this figure spoke to Simon Belmont. That was centuries ago. Simon Belmont searched the countryside in 1691. Threwing it aside, Heinrich entered the ferry. The shrouded creature reached out a hand hidden beneath a dark glove. Muttering, Heinrich placed a gold coin in his palm. The ferryman withdrew his hand. Then he immediately began rowing. Mist obscured his view. No matter. Heinrich continued to stare toward the other shore. "Others have gone before you." The being suddenly said. "The children of light. The children of dark." Heinrich didn't even bother to ask. When like this, he wouldn't answer any questions. "Torah was her name." The ferryman then said. Heinrich threw him a look. The ferryman was busy doing his work. He muttered something he hoped the figure didn't notice. If he where to believe any of this, the ferryman had to have taken others across. Heinrich hoped that Torah was alright. Again he turned his attention upon the other shore. The trip where shorter then expected. Heinrich threw the ferryman a last skeptical glance before leaving the boat. Again the figure disappeared into the mist. Heinrich didn't really mind about it. He reached for his cross. He'd gone over the river. Something told Heinrich that, this was it. From here, there would be no going back. "Be the will of God." He reached for his chain-whip. Then Heinrich reentered the forest. Above him the rain continued to fall.

The villa mansion, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
From a window Joseph Vincent watched the witch enter the castle. He didn't trust these people. Vincent knew how to hunt vampires. He'd trained in the arts all since he was a kid. Nobody was going to match him in his own game. Joseph stricktly told himself this was no competition. The idiot, the witch and the werewolf would betray his village. Joseph Vincent was here to save the villagers. He would then prove the trio guilty. Joseph then turned. He'd come this far. He would have to test himself in battle with the undead haunting this castle. Joseph Vincent reached for his weapons. Then he left the room.

Throne room, castle in Barnsdall. The 6th. Of January 2099 A.D.
Seated upon the coffin, he watched into the crystal ball. They where close, so close. He could feel it. He had to be right about the chosen one. He felt the spirit sleeping innside the burrial box. To steal the Dark Lord's coffin had been an important part for his plan to work. He knew what count Dracula where plotting. That was why he had permitted Shaft to leave his court. So far, nothing had happened. Perhaps it really was him? Nobody could do against the Master's will. His thoughts went to the dryad. She would give him the power to fulfill the prophecy. A new master would come to the castle. He would inherit all of Dracula's power. He almost laughed. The boy was reading in a book. He looked up at him. He again assured him it was alright. After all, soon everything would be alright, forever.

The angel looked down upon him. Death knew what was expected of him. He remembered the words of his Dark Lord. "Let the lord of chaos rule." He toutched his scythe. He knew what to do. They where trying to complete the circle. Death was going to aid them in that attempt. In ways they would never imagine. There where more at risc here then their mindless squabble for power. He would do what he had to serve the Dark Lord Dracula.

(A.N: This is the intro to the first "quest" of this book's buildup. I hope you like it. Another battle against count Dracula has begun. Have a nice time.)

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