CASTLEVANIA LEGENDS BY JOHN MOREY CHAPTER ONE: THE STORYTELLER Hello, Children. I see that you have returned again. What? Another story? Okay. What type would you like? Something scary? Alright, but I will add a twist to this one. I will tell you a true story this time, one of the most exciting of them all. But, first things first. You Do know about vampires, do you? Well, that shall have to be remedied! Let’s start at the beginning. With Vlad. Once, Many years ago, long before your parents, or grandparents, or even great- grandparents, when the world was young, there was a certain man named Vlad. Vlad was an evil man, he sought to take the entire world for himself, and he knew how to do it. As a mere man, Vlad was mortal, but if he could somehow transcend that mortality, he could rule. So, with many spells and dark sacrifices, Vlad was granted his wish: immortality. But it came with a price. Vlad had to live off the blood of other living beings, and certain things could do him harm. Those were: Anything blessed or holy, for Vampire flee from God, wood, for that is what the cross was made from, crosses, for they represent good, and sunlight, for the sun represents good. But he took those risks, and Vlad was thereafter known as Dracula, lord of Darkness. And now, children, my story begins: * * * The sun set on the land. The last few rays glimmered and then disappeared beyond the horizon. Inside a dark and very old castle, something stirred. In the topmost chamber, a room lavishly furnished with stained glass windows and other marks that the owner had wonderful tastes in art. But any decorator would tell you that the ancient metal coffin in the center of the room really didn’t fit in with the rest of the decor. However, this particular coffin had a more utilitarian purpose. As the last light of the setting sun first darkened and then disappeared, the lid of the coffin moved. The latches unbolted by themselves, the lid opened slightly. A hand crept out, an ornate ring set on its fourth finger. That hand was soon joined by another, and the two worked steadily to open the lid. A human form stepped out. His hair was short, black, and straight. His face looked suave, old but not aged, and had a certain evil charm to it. A small mustache decorated his upper lip. He was dressed in an extremely lavish tuxedo with a beautiful black and red cape attached to the back. He could only be one man: Count Dracula. There was a small noise behind him, resembling a zipper being pulled quickly. Dracula turned around and saw a short yellow creature squatting on the ground beside him. “What do you want, Shaft?” Dracula said, somewhat annoyed. “I came to see how you were doing, and to give you a report on your son.” “Oh, really? Where is he this time?” “He is hiding in a small village not far from here. I believe it is called Warakiria.” “So it is. It has been far too long since I made a visit to that town. The subjects have long forgotten my name by this time, I suppose. Shaft, will you watch the castle? I am going out to eat tonight.” “Very well, sir.” Shaft disappeared as quickly as he arrived, with the same zipping noise. Dracula transformed from man to bat and flew off towards Warakiria. CHAPTER TWO: AFTER THE FESTIVAL Warakiria’s annual festival went well this year. Not that there ever was a year when it didn’t. Generally it just was like a week-long carnival designed to take some of the boredom out of ordinary day-to-day life. This year, it ended wonderfully, and left all of the citizens with full stomachs (with a lot of alcohol in the mix), and good moods. It also just happened to end at about midnight, and about 90% of the murders in Warakiria happened at that night. So one or two random deaths tended not to be noticed much. This particular night two young women aged at about twenty-three years were separated from the rest of the town on the way back home (actually, they just lagged behind). Neither one noticed anything different when a tall, dark stranger (hee, hee) crossed their path and started speaking. “Hello, ladies,” He gestured, “My name is Alexander, and if you don’t mind, I have a favor to ask of you.” One of the two, a taller blonde, stepped forward. “And what would that be?” She asked. “First that I learn your names, for it is impolite to ask someone for help when you do not even know her name.” “My name is Sonia Belmont.” The blonde one said. “And mine is Julia Saren.” The other one, a less attractive brunette said. “Very well then. Now that we know each other, let’s get down to business. Have you seen a certain man here by the name of Alucard?” “Alucard? I may have. Describe him for me.” Sonia said rather thoughtfully. “He is about my height and build. His hair is so light that it looks almost white. He looks very grand when he walks around.” “Oh, yes, him!” Julia exclaimed, “I know him. He’s kind of reclusive, only comes out at night. But what would a gentleman like you want with him?” “Personal business, really. Thank you for your help, dear Julia. One more thing. I will need a place to stay for the night. Can you direct me to the nearest inn?” Dracula was so charming that it was impossible to resist. Lisa started to lead him by the hand, pointing eastward. “Yes, there is a well-kept inn over this way. Here, I’ll lead you there.” “If you don’t mind, I’ll be heading home about now. Try to get home safely, Julia dear.” Sonia left towards her house. She never saw Julia alive again. CHAPTER THREE: LIKE FATHER... In a small house on the side of a rather diminutive mountain bordering Warakiria, a man named Alucard sat alone. He was not expecting visitors, nor did he want any. In fact, Alucard never seemed to want any visitors recently. But, welcome or unwelcome, he was going to have a very special guest today. Alucard sat in a chair facing the window, thinking. He was thinking about how much longer he could keep all of this up, this life. Being partly undead. How much longer? When will it finally be over? His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Dracula materializing directly behind him. Alucard turned and faced his estranged father. “So you’ve come,” He said, “I was wondering when you’d find me here. What do you want from me this time, father?” “Nothing that I haven’t mentioned before.” Dracula said, walking up to Alucard/ “And that would be?” Alucard stood up. “That you come back to me. To your father.” “Father, I have told you before, and I will repeat it now: I can’t live that sort of life anymore.” “Nonsense! You are my son! You are one of us! One of the undead! Why must you torment yourself with these illusions of humanity, when it does not exist?” “Was my mother not human?” “Your mother was a fool! She was just like any other foolish human, valuing life over immortality! And that was what caused her death! I regret ever knowing her!” “And regret ever knowing her offspring, I presume.” “She was my hour of weakness. That will never happen again! Now, I dined on a girl in her prime today, and am already satisfied. I have no more reason to be here, if not for you! You are my flesh and blood, Alucard, and I will have you again! Return to me now, my son, and reap the plentiful harvest of the mortal race!” “No.” “Very well. Then I will return later. But remember, I will come again!” Dracula dematerialized in a flash. Alucard sat back down and wept silently. CHAPTER FOUR: THE WHIP Sonia Belmont returned home completely oblivious to the fact that he would soon be involved in one of the most influential battles between good and evil ever. She was also totally oblivious to who she had just met, and what had happened to her friend Julia Saren. And on top of that, she was also oblivious (I love that word) to how much she would need to use that strange prize that she won at the festival. She had won at the classic game where you throw knives at a target (“how unladylike,” Julia had said), but instead of being given the knife; the gypsy woman who was running the game handed her a leather whip, telling her that she’d earned it (the gypsy also made a few obscene comments about the use of the whip, but for the sake of the children I will not say what). Completely indifferent, Sonia took the whip home, where she placed it on her mantle and planned on claiming that it had been handed down for generations (Ha, ha!). She then forgot about it almost totally. * * * The next morning, everyone was treated to a surprise. The town’s very own Julia Saren was found dead in an alley, her blood drained. Ordinarily, there was at least one murder of this sort (caused by how close they were to CastleVania), but usually it was of some gypsy or a tramp or someone else unknown. But Julia was not only well liked, but also quite rich, and murders of this sort were rare. Of course, the method of murder was also quite strange. All of her blood was drained by means of two small holes in the side of her neck, at her jugular vein. Since this happened before the invention of hypodermic needles, local authorities were puzzled. A few superstitious nuts cried “Vampyre” and started wearing garlic cloves (As though knowledge of that minor allergy would do any good!), but they were quickly suppressed. Anyway, this was only one killing, and how it could be done was feasible. Among the people, Sonia Belmont was probably hurt the most, since she was with Julia just before she died, and she could make a few good guesses as to the identity of the murderer. Even in all of this, though, no one knew of the horrors that would befall the small town of Warakiria (who named this place, anyway?). * * * Shaft was just beginning to sit down from a hard days work when their came a tap at the window. Shaft looked out and saw a common black vampire bat busily knocking its brains out on the window. Shaft walked up to the window, opened it, and ate the bat. Yes, he ate it. It wasn’t a disguised vampire, and it was good meat after all(This is much better than eating cockroaches!). His little feast, however, was interrupted by a much larger bat flying in. Now this one Shaft dared not eat. Dracula took his usual form and stepped up to his little servant. “Shaft, what in the world are you doing?” Shaft quickly hid the half-eaten bat remains behind his back and said (with a bit of a wing sticking out of his mouth), “Nothing, master. I’m just faithfully awaiting the return of my dear, beloved master from Warikiria. But I was expecting another! Where is your son, wonderful master?” “Oh, quit your kowtowing and just explain yourself! You were hungry and bored and tried to eat a bat, again! You should stop doing that, or someday you are going to eat a friend! “Anyway, I could not convince Alucard of why he should follow his true heritage yet, but I will soon. In the meantime, I enjoyed the fresh blood that I tasted in Warakiria. It is high time that I started visiting that town more regularly.” As Dracula returned to his coffin, he turned and said to shaft, “Oh, Shaft, please dispose of that bat. I hate litter.” CHAPTER FIVE: ALUCARD Dracula dematerialized in a flash. Alucard sat there for a moment, thinking. Then, in an unexpected flash of rage, destroyed the chair that he sat on no more than five minutes ago. He stopped himself and looked at the splintered remains of the chair, at what he’d done. He took in a large breath, and said quietly, “What am I?” He hesitated, and then repeated more loudly, “What am I?” He shouted, on his knees, “What am I? He collapsed and wept. What was he, after all, but the illegitimate son of a Vampire? The hybrid mistake of a monster, wrought in no more than five minutes of passion (Or so he had been told)? And what was he to become? Was he going to spend his life constantly straining to keep what existed of his humanity, to walk among the living? Or was he to give up hope, and give in to the side of him that constantly thirsted for blood? Fresh blood. If only life was easy enough to provide an easy answer for that. * * * There were three more murders. These murders followed the same procedure as that of the young Julia Saren’s. All were of rather beautiful young women, all three bodies were left in back alleys, and all three were drained of blood. By means of two small holes in the back of their necks. And as a gruesome addition to all of this, someone was stealing these bodies exactly three days after they were buried. The real answer didn’t strike anyone until it was too late. * * * Sonia Belmont sat down to eat a nice, peaceful dinner, alone. Again. Alone again. That seemed to be the theme of every meal, evening, and major event recently. With her parents way off in Bulgaria, and her success with men basically nil, there seemed to be absolutely nobody left who would want around anymore. Even her best friend had the excuse of being a little “drained” recently. Oh, well. There were always books. * * * The morning came. Alucard awoke and silently thanked his Creator that his Vampire genes didn’t include death by sunlight. Well, it hurt his eyes, and he did sunburn easily, but Alucard would never burn up into a pile of ashes because he slept in. He arose, cleaned up the chair, and desperately tried to think of how this town could be saved. No one really believed in Vampires anymore, and to people living in a town like Warakiria, this could prove fatal. Any time now, Dracula was going to begin feeding on the residents, and then the former residents were going to also begin feeding, and then before long we’d have the next Salem’s Lot (All Rights reserved, yadda yadda yadda). What was to be done? Alucard himself couldn’t help much; no Vampire can kill his or her sire, no matter how he or she was transformed (whether by bite or by birth), so Alucard was powerless in that regard. The only thing to do would be to find someone in the town who would not only believe him, but who would be able to take the necessary action to slay multiple Vampires without becoming one. This could be a problem. Perhaps it was time that Alucard went on another jaunt in the countryside, learning some more about his neighbors. Father Johanne could help, since he was in on this. Well, away we go! CHAPTER SIX: THE SEARCH Alucard spied on nearly everybody in the town for weeks, but to no avail. No one showed any sign of becoming a good Vampire slayer. The only people left were the young women and there were two problems in that region. 1: They were rapidly disappearing and reappearing without any red vermilion fluid remaining in their veins. 2: Who ever heard of a female Vampire slayer? Not to be chauvinistic, but name one woman from this area in the middle ages who was capable of driving a sharpened piece of wood straight into the pulsating heart of the undead? And don’t mention Joan of Arc; she was nuts! By the time that the eighth girl died, Alucard began to despair. That is, until he was coming home from buying a few radishes for dinner, and he saw something that he could not fully believe. * * * Sonia Belmont was completely overjoyed. For once, she had gotten a date! Sure, he wasn’t much in either the looks or personality department, but ever since she had been branded as “unladylike” by the common populace, no one would go out with her. Of course, there were drawbacks to dating anyone who was actually named, “Dirk.” For one thing, Dirk was as articulate as a tree stump. Wait, check that, a rotten tree stump. That, and the fact that Sonia had to keep a constant distance of about four feet at all times eventually overshadowed Dirk’s chances of ever getting a second date. On the way home (Dirk mixed up who was to drop whom off, but then, he wasn’t really as bright as he looked and sounded), Sonia met with a simple mugger. A very simple mugger. The mugger bore no weapons but his sizable fists. He could have been mistaken for Dirk’s long lost brother. “Gimme money.” Was all that he said. The chances of this guy being the feared bloodsucking murderer who had been terrifying everybody were very slim. “Gimme money.” Very slim, indeed. Sonia responded by calmly kicking Mr. Gimme Money in the family jewels, causing him not to cry out in pain, but to breath in sharply and leave as blunderingly as he came (Haven’t times changed?). Sonia heard a small noise behind her and turned, half expecting another Dirk look- alike behind her, but actually saw something quite interesting. Standing there was a rather tall man, ravishingly handsome, dressed almost as a nobleman. He looked young, but his long hair shone a pure white. Oh, and he was also holding a bag of radishes. He disappeared almost instantly. Sonia Belmont recognized him as the man who that stranger was asking about after the fair, when the murders began. Wasn’t his name Alcrad, or something weird like that? * * * Alucard rushed home. He wasn’t hungry for Radishes, anyway. Could he believe his eyes? Did someone actually do something that required a measure of courage? And on top of that, was that someone a woman? How unladyli- oh, shut up! If this was the perfect candidate, than Alucard’s mission was half over! Now for the tracking down and convincing part... * * * Dracula sat peacefully in an ornate chair in front of a beautiful fire, sipping wine from a delicate crystal glass (He still ate and drank normal foods at times). He motioned with his hand, and the twelve undead musicians started playing slow, soothing music. Tonight was to be a peaceful night. No interruptions. This is why he felt like cursing both God and Man when a very familiar zipping sound was heard approximately three feet behind the chair. Dracula got up and faced Shaft. “What is it now, you miserable little imp? You and I both know that no one is to disturb me when I’m listening to music! If it is not totally important, I promise to make your short life intolerable!” The little gremlin shrank back for a moment, and then when it was apparent that he was safe for the moment he spoke, “Kind Master, Please let your servant be! I have very important news for you! Disturbing news, it is! Your son is trying to stop you!” “Come on, Shaft! You know that he can’t harm me any more than he can enter a house in which he was not invited! Tell me the truth!” “But master, he is!,“ Shaft insisted, “He is finding someone to fight you for him!” The only sound was the group of zombies playing a beautiful rondo in the background. Dracula motioned with his hand and they silenced as suddenly as they had started. “Is this true?” “Yes, master, it is.” “Has he chosen anyone yet?” “No, not yet. He has been paying attention to a certain woman, although she knows him not.” “Do you know who she is?” Dracula inquired, taking no notice of Shaft’s sudden usage of higher class language. “Her name is Sonia Belmont, master.” “Oh, really? I think that I might have met her. It doesn’t matter, though. Get something efficient to eliminate her quickly. I wish to be alone with my music.” “As you wish, master.” Shaft disappeared. Dracula sat down again and the music started once more. This next killing was to be of the more gruesome sort. * * * Sonia sat alone, quietly sipping some lukewarm tea (It’s always either too hot or too cold, isn’t it?), at home. Everything was nice, calm, peaceful. Just what she needed after Dirk and Mr. Gimme Money. Just what she needed. Except for that noisy creak in the door. Sonia put down her tea, got up, walked all the way to the door, and found it strangely open. Being half-asleep, it took Sonia a second to realize that she had locked the door when she entered. It took her another second to realize that the lock was ripped from its hinges, and the handle was cut completely off as if by some metal blade. She turned round and faced a nightmare from the darkest corner of her imagination. This thing was approximately seven feet tall, copper-colored, and covered in what was almost like an insect’s armor. Two long horns extended from its head. No mouth was visible. Its small green eyes glared murder. Oh, yes, it was also carrying two large metal axes. Sonia Belmont’s heart skipped about two beats before she woke completely up and ducked to the floor in time to avoid a very large axe going at a very fast speed. It hit the wall and stuck, giving Sonia enough time to get to her feet and scramble for some weapon, any weapon. The kitchen was too far, and the creature was now blocking the door. While panicking, Sonia saw that whip that she had won sitting over her fireplace mantel. She dashed for it, once again avoiding being split in two. Her pulse raced at a thousand beats per minute. Sonia grabbed the whip (not really knowing how to use it), and attempted to swing it back at this thing that was for some reason trying to give her a permanent haircut. The whip barely touched it. She tried standing tall, and cracking it once, but ended up hitting her own face with it, forming a welt that stayed there for a few days. However, the creature had moved away from the door at this point, and had provided an escape point. Sonia, still holding the whip, bolted for the door, and really hated it when the intruder simply stepped in front of the doorway. Since Sonia was already going at a fast speed, she simply dove to the ground and slid through its legs, barely missing the sharp point of its tail (That thing is sharper than those axes, she thought) as she went through. She picked herself up and ran straight into Alucard. At this point, already being convinced that the monster in her living room was the infamous murderer, and that Alucard had something to do with it, her senses let go. After all of this courage and ingenuity, Sonia Belmont screamed and ran full speed into the night. After she was absolutely sure that she had lost both pursuers (and because she couldn’t run any longer), she ducked into an alleyway to catch her breath. She attempted to breath quietly, and listen. She heard nothing, until there was a loud clang, and a very familiar metal axe was embedded three inches from her head. Also, the famed creature had successfully and quickly placed itself directly in front of her, blocking her way out totally. One axe at each side, ugly face two inches from her own. If she had thought that she was in trouble earlier; boy, was she mistaken! Its tail rose up, the spike extended a bit. The two green eyes flashed brighter, a few clicking noises could be heard. Then there was a loud sound resembling several walnuts cracking, and the creature collapsed to the ground, axes still stuck in the wall. Sticking out of the monster’s back was yet a third axe, although this one was more of a hatchet. And standing there, was Alucard. “Thanks for holding him still for me,” Alucard said, “Otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten him.” “I have a whip!” Was all that Sonia Belmont could manage to say for about five minutes. This had been a very strange evening. CHAPTER SEVEN: TRAINING “So, what on Earth is going on?” Sonia Belmont was back at her home (now in need of some repairs), sipping her now room temperature tea, and trying to listen to Alucard explain why a giant Alien refugee was going postal in her happy home. And, of course, how Alucard had gotten there in time to bury the hatchet quite nicely. “How much do you know about the murders?” Alucard asked in return. “Well, I know that all of the victims have been pretty young girls, and all have had their blood drained away. I also know that that strange sicko who’s been killing them has also been stealing their bodies from their graves. What else is there?” “The fact that the murderer is a Vampire from beyond the grave.” Sonia put her cup of tea down on the nearby endtable, and, almost laughing in disbelief, said, “Come on! Who do you think I am, Dirk who lives down the road? I stopped believing in fairy tales when I was seven! Please, give me a real story!” Fangs appeared in Alucard’s mouth. His eyes turned red. His voice became hard and evil. “Do you believe now?” He said, and moved closer to Sonia, “Do you? Do you?” “Okay! Okay! I believe! Go back to your chair! Please!” Alucard hesitated for a moment, then changed back and collapsed into the chair as if injured suddenly. “I’m sorry. I cant stay transformed for long, or my Vampire nature will come through.” “What? You’ve confused me totally. What do you mean, ‘Vampire nature’?” By this time, Sonia didn’t care if Alucard was the murderer, she had to hear this one out. “I am not a total Vampire. I am a half-breed. My mother was a human, and my father was a Vampire.” “Was his name Alexander, by any chance?” Sonia asked. “No. But he sometimes uses that name when finding food. It keeps people from recognizing him. His name gives him away.” “Nosferatu?” “No! Heavens, no! The man I am speaking of is Dracula!” There was complete silence. Alucard continued, “Yes, I know. The Lord of the Undead is my father, so why am I not running around draining people? I have chosen to follow my human side, I can’t take this type of murder. It’s so hard to choose, though.” “What do you mean? “My life is a constant battle between my Vampire nature and my human nature. Although half of me is human, the other half is Vampire, and that half is slowly taking over. In order to keep my human side, I must destroy Dracula. But I cannot!” “Why not?” “Because a Vampire cannot slay the Vampire who sired him! Just as I couldn’t enter your house until you invited me in, I can’t kill Dracula!” “So what are you going to do? Hire someone?” “Sort of. I have been watching everyone in Warakiria, and I need you to help me finish Dracula once and for all!” Sonia Belmont did not sleep at all that night. * * * Dracula was enraged. His “something very efficient” had failed completely, and Alucard had gotten to this “Sonia Belmont” first! But then, women were never known to be good fighters, much less Vampire slayers, and her blood would be sweet. Soon she would join her friend Julia in the legions of the undead.” * * * “Objects blessed by a priest can harm a Vampire. This is why holy water has such a burning effect. If there is any type of weapon that you can use, I can get Father Johanne to bless it for you.” Alucard was trying to introduce Sonia to the world of Vampire slaying. “Well, I can throw knives?” Sonia somewhat answered. “Was that a question?” Alucard asked. “Partly. I would need some training.” “That’s why I’m here. I have a few blessed daggers that you can use, and throwing wooden stakes takes the same skill. But you need another weapon. A short range weapon. Is there anything at all that you can use?” “The only thing that I can think of is that whip that I won at the festival.” And so a legend was born. * * * The next few weeks were spent in training Sonia towards the basics of Vampire slaying. Namely, how to throw stakes and daggers, how to fight in hand-to-hand combat, and how to use a whip without hurting yourself. Luckily, she was a fast learner. Well, fast enough. Before long, Alucard took her to the fresh grave of victim #12, to give her some “real experience.” For a while, they just sat there, Alucard sitting on a headstone, Sonia on a relatively large grave marker with an ornate stone gargoyle on the top. Finally, at about midnight, she asked, “So, when is Ms. Lanno going to rise up and grow fangs, like everyone else?” “She will in time. It takes time to rise up from six feet of dirt.” “Well, I hope that she hurries! I’m getting sick of leaning on this gargoyle!” At that moment, as if on cue, the gargoyle came to life, grabbed Sonia by the neck, and flung her like a rag doll across the graveyard. Alucard just sat and watched. Sonia got up as the gargoyle descended on her, and managed a good swipe from her dagger to keep it at bay. Apparently, unlike the \axe murderer in her home, this one could speak. “I am the Creatures Bat!” It started, “I have been waiting for you!” It stopped speaking and flew at Sonia. She sidestepped it and whipped it once. It reared back with a surprising amount of damage taken (holy objects tend to do that). Alucard sat and watched. The Creatures Bat flew up high, and started spewing flames. Yet another textbook monster attack. Sonia threw her dagger exactly as she was told, and missed by three feet. The Creatures Bat swooped down again, and this time met a wooden stake in a very personal sense. It screeched and burned up in a green flame. Alucard stood up and clapped. “Good job! Just remember the second part of the battle!” Sonia took a few deep breaths, and tried to regain her composure as Ms. Lanno rose from the ground, fangs gleaming. Because the Vampiress was still partly in the dirt, Sonia had no trouble dispatching it with her soon to be famous whip. It disappeared in a green flame. Sonia turned and faced Alucard. “You knew about the Creatures Bat, didn’t you!” She shouted angrily, “Why didn’t you tell me?” “I wanted to teach you that with Dracula, you must be prepared for the unexpected. Now you know.” “I could have died!” “Precisely!” Sonia Belmont did not speak to Alucard for the rest of the night. CHAPTER EIGHT: MEDUSA “To be a proper Vampire Hunter, you need a proper diet. Most normal foods actually dull the senses a little bit. Although eating the right meals will only help you a little, every little bit counts.” Sonia stared at the baked turnips on her plate. “Does morale count for anything?” “Not that much. Eat.” Sonia picked up a small knife (silverware as we know it was not invented until a few hundred years ago; people back then used knives to skewer solid food, and spoons for anything else) and tried cutting off a slice of Alucard’s cooking. Apparently, his centuries of life did nothing for his cooking skills. A sudden crash rang out from outside. People could be heard screaming in the streets. Either some new monster was running amuck in the streets, or my old Boy Scout troop was in town again (the latter would have been worse). Quickly retreating from the “Turnips of Doom,” Sonia shouted, “Well, that might be a monster in town, so I’d better be going!” She already had grabbed the whip and evacuated the premises. Alucard contemplated finishing the turnips, but then decided to help his new student. He came out to an interesting sight. Sonia was still in front of the doorway, just fine. About twelve paces in front of her, was a strange mixture of a woman and a horde of snakes (Hillary Clinton?). “What is that?” Sonia said rather slowly from behind the door. “That is Medusa of Greece. Come on, woman! Don’t you read your mythology?” “Yes, but if I remember correctly, looking at her should make me turn to stone.” “A myth is a myth. Now go out there and fight.” “I hate snakes.” “As much as Vampires?” Sonia ran towards Medusa at full speed. Medusa wrapped her tail around Sonia’s neck and threw her the exact same way that the Creatures Bat had thrown her two days ago. “Same mistake as usual,” Alucard muttered, unsheathed a rather long sword, and attacked, cutting through the minor snakes on his way towards their mythological mother. She lashed her tail out, and shrieked as he cut the tip off. Before Medusa could move any further, he sliced off her head quite quickly. Sonia got back up and ran towards Alucard as several onlookers crowded around the carnage. “Thanks. But I thought that you wanted me to fight the monsters?” “I need your help for Dracula, not everyone. But this fight is not yet over.” “What do you mean? You beheaded her?” “And your point is?” The severed head rose up in the air and faced Sonia, eyes flashing. “You finish this one. I have a few turnips to eat.” Sonia realized that complaining was useless at this moment, and turned to face her enemy in front of most of the town. “You wouldn’t mind telling me how to kill you, would you?” * * * Medusa swooped down at Sonia, shedding a few snakes. Sonia wrapped her whip around the head and tried to slam it into the ground (as she had attempted to learn yesterday). Instead, she missed entirely and hit an onlooker. Sonia ducked, barely missing Medusa’s head. She got back up and remembered the knife that she was using on the turnips. Too bad it was back in her house. Instead, she grabbed her dagger (at least she remembered that), and threw it directly into Medusa’s forehead. It did nothing at all. “oh, come on! Die, already!” Sonia shouted. Medusa dove again, too quickly for Sonia to dodge it. Instead, she grabbed on, and while being bitten multiple times (the poison would not have any effects for a few hours), pulled her dagger out of Medusa’s head, and prepared to fight yet some more. But that was unneeded. The severed head shrieked and literally melted in Sonia’s hands, forming a nice spectacle for the crowd. Sonia Belmont nearly passed out in disgust. * * * Alucard bandaged Sonia’s hands back in his home (she lacked any real medicine supplies). “You should be happy that I just so happened to have the antivenin for that. By the way, what on Earth were you doing? wrestling it?” “Close enough. I’m not speaking to you again.” “Again? What for this time? Do you think that I would let you fight something that I thought would kill you?” “What if it did?” “Than I would find another. Sonia, you are a great woman, but there are plenty of other candidates for your position. Anyway, your adoring public awaits.” Alucard finished bandaging Sonia’s hands and shoved her out of the door towards the steadily building crowd of curious citizens. CHAPTER NINE: EXPLANATIONS Sonia Belmont stepped out to meet approximately three quarters of this particular part of Warakiria (as I previously said, who named this place?), and explain to them exactly what happened without sounding like a raving lunatic. “Ah, hello, people?” She started, extremely nervously (it is a known fact that ninety-nine percent of the idiots who take polls [about three percent] are afraid of public speaking more than any other monster. All of the others are liars), “You wished to have a word with me?” “Well, of course we did!” An old, fat, balding, mustachioed man (the mayor) said, “Did you think that we came all the way up here to chat about the weather?” “It’s been cloudy. I wouldn’t be surprised if it rains.” “What are you talking about, woman? We want to know what sort of demon it was that you just slayed, how you slayed it, and what part that Alcrad guy...” “Alucard!” “...That Alucard guy had in this! (At that point the mayor straightened his suit a bit and looked somewhat more stuck up) We want answers, and if you don’t give them, we will form one of those famous torch-carrying crowds that storm mansions and break statues in all of those old stories!” “There’s no sense destroying any fine art today, mayor! Especially when it’s mine!” Alucard came out of his house (almost a mansion), and stepped in front of Sonia. Sonia whispered to Alucard, “Thanks. I need your help here.” “I’m not always going to leave you alone, my dear.” Sonia stepped back a pace or two, thinking about the fact that a ravishingly handsome man had just called her “my dear,” when she sat down to listen to Alucard explain everything (she herself was not clear on several points). “People of Warakiria,” Alucard addressed the crowd, “Evil exists!” “Well, of course it does! Don’t you read the Holy Scriptures!” The mayor grumbled loudly than anyone had ever grumbled before. “Probably more than you, Mr. Mayor,” Alucard continued, “Indeed, I have found that it tends to repel this particular evil more than anything else! Just ask Father Johann, and he will verify! “Brothers and sisters, the evil that I am speaking of is of a more physical nature! Dracula walks among us!” “I knew it! Kill the mayor!” Someone shouted. It was obvious who he had voted for last mayoral election. “As I was saying, Dracula walks among us. He has come for one person standing here. Me. I am his son.” “I knew it! Kill the mayor!” The same person shouted again. “I am the illegitimate son of the Lord of the Undead. It is a fact that I do not take pride in, but a fact that I can use. Through me can this horror be destroyed. Usually I can control these Vampiric urges, but I am not sure for how long. For this reason I must kill my own Father. “Unfortunately, because Dracula is the first Vampire ever, any death that he might receive here is not permanent. In one hundred years he will automatically revive himself. But we can stop him even if only for now. “I myself cannot do the deed, just as I cannot enter a house without being invited first. I need someone else, and the only one who has proven to be a true warrior is this woman you see before you. Sonia Belmont.” “Hi.” Sonia said quietly. “”What do you mean, sending a woman in to do what is rightfully a man’s job? Sending her to fight Dracula is sending her to her death!” Someone in the crowd shouted. “And I suppose that you have a better choice? You saw her in battle today, and I can tell you that she has done battle before! I do not have enough time to search and train outside Warakiria, and I beg of your help in this! We need you to fight the evil in this world!” The townspeople were silent for a moment, then the mayor changed the subject. “How did Sonia destroy that beast this morning?” “It reacted only when the dagger was pulled out because it had to bleed from the center of its head before it died. Otherwise, no matter what you did, it would have kept on coming. Does that answer your question?” “Quite. How can we help you?” “By watching yourself and staying out of our way.” Alucard led Sonia back into his home. He really wished that the townspeople didn’t know about this. CHAPTER TEN: THE GAME “Good evening, shaft. I trust that our little Medusa show went as planned?” “Exactly, Master. She killed it in front of all of the townspeople.” “And are they against her yet?” “No, Master, but they are wavering. With just a little more prodding, they will, Master. They will.” “Yes, but let’s leave the prodding for now. I’m hungry, and the mayor’s daughter looks juicy enough. How do you feel about some ham tonight, Shaft?” “For you or for me, Master?” “For both of us! Playing this little game may be fun, but fun does build up an appetite. Come with me Shaft! There is time enough for a little midnight snack, to spice up the game a bit.” Shaft stepped up to his beloved master, and in an instant they were at the Mayoral mansion, perfectly happy. Also perfectly happy were Mayor Josef, who that guy didn’t vote for, his morbidly obese daughter, Tanya, and her husband, Victor. At first, they reacted rather normally for people who just saw a Vampire and a small yellow gremlinlike fiend appear directly in front of them. Shaft kicked the fire, putting out the flames. “But...But... You can’t come in here unless I invite you!” The Mayor shouted, getting up. “Come on, old chap. You know that I’m too powerful for that basic superstition. Now, you have certainly gained some weight, perhaps you will allow me to take it from you.” In a sweeping motion, Dracula grabbed the poor mayor by his neck and bent his head so his throat was facing Dracula perfectly. He was sweating profusely. “You know, Mr. Mayor,” Dracula said, rather thoughtfully, “I’m sort of a veal person. You’re too young to eat.” The mayor breathed a sigh of relief and stopped sweating as much. Dracula snapped his neck in a single stroke. “But not too old to kill.” Dracula said quite casually, then turned towards the other two, “Shaft, please help me with this other matter.” Shaft pounced on Tanya, tearing her throat out. Victor bolted for the door, but was cut off by Dracula moving at an inhuman speed. Victor fell to his knees in fright. “Now I suppose that you want your life back, young man,” Dracula said, making a slight cut in Victor’s bald scalp with his fingernail and tasting a little of his blood, “But you do seem rather young and healthy, and the healthy ones taste the best.” At this Victor started crying softly, this was just too much. “But I am a caring man, you see. Do you agree with me? Am I a caring man?” Victor nodded and sobbed a little more. “Good. Than we are on even terms. I will let you live.” A huge smile appeared on Victor’s face, and he began to get up. Dracula grabbed him by the collar and looked him in the eye. “But I never give anything! In order for you to live, you must do something for me! Tomorrow, when the investigation starts, tell everyone that I did this because of that dog Sonia Belmont, and that prodigal son Alucard! Tell them that as long as those two remain alive and in this town, I will continue to kill! Tell them just that! Do you hear me?” Victor nodded yes. “Good. Than I can go now.” Dracula moved a pace behind Victor and was soon joined by Shaft. Both disappeared in a blinding flash. Victor fell on his knees and wept. * * * “What happened now?” Sonia Belmont had just left her house to be greeted by confusion. People everywhere were crowding and making enough of a commotion to wake her up early. She was also tired enough not to hear any of it clearly until Alucard ran up to her (perfectly alert; as usual). “There you are! Quickly, you’re needed! The mayor has been murdered!” Suddenly she woke up completely and ran to the mayor’s mansion. The inside was wrecked. The mayor and his daughter’s bodies were strewn across the floor. Victor, the mayor’s son-in-law was speaking to the police, when he saw Sonia. Immediately interrupting himself, he tried to rush at Sonia (and was restrained by the authorities) and shouted, “It was you! You! It’s your fault! Dracula would not have come if not for you! He wouldn’t have killed my beautiful wife if not for you! Go away from us! All that you have brought us is grief! Go away!” Sonia left and ran back to Alucard. He saw her coming and tried to greet her when she nearly shoved him over. “You knew that he was going to do this, didn’t you? Why didn’t you warn someone?” “What are you talking about?” “The mayor’s murder! You know how Dracula thinks, you could have told me! I might have been able to stop him!” “Do not utter another word! How dare you believe that you can stop Dracula! At your training level, you would have died, and if I were to move the mayor or place a guard, more would have died! Warning would have done no good! He is doing this to get you off guard! Believe me, Sonia, I would not send you up against anything that I thought you could not handle! Dracula is playing a game, and he is playing you for a fool! You must remain calm, and keep up with your training. If you think that you should do something about this, than start patrolling at night! Just be ready for a few long nights! Why not try tonight, and stay up until three in the morning!” “All right, then, I will!” That night, at three in the morning, Sonia was virtually asleep on her feet. Alucard stepped out of the shadows and got her attention. “Come on, now. There aren’t going to be any Vampires tonight. Go home, eat something. Try not to let the mayor’s death get to you.” “He was my friend, Alucard. He was like a second father to me at times. Did you notice how he kept the crowd down yesterday? And his daughter and son-in-law were friends, too. That demon has struck too close too home. this time.” “He’d strike closer if he could. Come on, you need your rest for tomorrow. I’ll accompany you home. A lady of your stature shouldn’t be out this late at night, alone.” I smile appeared on Sonia’s face. “I don’t know. Is it safe to allow you to accompany me? I’ve heard that there’s a murderer about, attacking young women like me.” “Don’t worry. If I try to be a murderer, I’m sure that you can defend yourself.” “Sounds fine to me.” Sonia took his arm and walked back home. CHAPTER ELEVEN: LISA “Oh, good. You’ve healed completely.” Sonia Belmont looked at the remains of the twenty-seven snakebites on her hands, writs, and arms, and thought about openly disagreeing with her new mentor, than decided against it. It was impossible to argue with this guy. “Now that your hands are better, lets practice your punches again.” Alucard said, holding up two large cushions (Sonia hit harder than you’d think) Maneuvering behind her, he said, “Now, I am a Vampire coming from behind. What do you do?” “I reach behind my back and grab you by your head, than I flip you ahead of me, than I stake you.” “You’re ahead of your training, girl. I meant to teach you how to turn and knock out his teeth with a few blows, then stake him. If you think that-” Sonia cut him off by grabbing his head, flipping him, and than pointing a take at his heart. “Are you getting any extra lessons, or anything?” Alucard half groaned, completely out of breath from being thrown like a rag doll. “Nope. Just improvising, a little.” “Good. I was going to save that until later, when you had learned more. If you’ll help me up, I’ll teach you how to turn and punch at the same time.” “Like this?” Sonia did exactly what she supposedly was about to learn. “Yes, exactly like that,” Alucard said, getting up, “Is there anything that you need me for?” He said sarcastically. “Well, I still need help with this whip. You saw me fight Medusa.” “No, actually. I didn’t I was eating turnips.” Sonia jokingly shoved Alucard over. * * * “Is the game working, Master?” Shaft inquired, munching on a bat. “Very much so, Shaft.” Dracula said without turning his head (he had given up on telling Shaft to stop eating bats). “Than why is there no proof of it?” “The best poison spreads slowly, my friend,” Dracula said, picking up a goblet of snake’s blood and turning it around slowly in his hand.. “Like the poison of a serpent, it works slowly through a person’s system, working unnoticed until...” He then dropped the goblet, shattering it into a hundred shards. “...It strikes, shattering all. That is my plan for this. Once this Sonia woman is out of our way, I can return all of my thoughts to my dear, sweet son.” “But Master, why don’t you just bite Sonia and be done with it?” “That would be too crude, too quick. That would not be the method of a true professional. Besides, we are not done yet. A Vampire hungers every night.” Shaft looked up from his half-eaten bat and laughed. Hopefully, tonight’s game highlight would be sudden death. * * * “What shall I do with this one, Master?” Shaft held up small white fluffy dog. Tonight was just a random killing. “Let it live. I like dogs.” Shaft reluctantly put the dog down. So far, Dracula hadn’t chosen any victims yet, and his motives were starting to become unclear. He hadn’t even harmed a fly tonight. Dracula stopped at his son’s house. He stood for a while staring into a window, than turned and spoke softly to Shaft. “Come, Shaft. Let’s go back. I’ve had my fill for today.” The look on his face as they transported home was almost of remorse. This puzzled Shaft. When they arrived back, Shaft had the nerve to speak. “Master, what were we doing tonight? What is happening to you?” “Did I ever tell you about Alucard’s mother, Shaft?” Dracula said, as if remembering something long past. “Except that she was human, you haven’t said anything, Master.” “Than it is time that I should. She has been on my mind recently. “Her name was Lisa, Shaft. She was my moment of weakness. In that time, I, of all people, had fallen in love with a human. She was the most beautiful woman that you have ever seen, or that may just be my personal bias. Our love was like no other; for that time I was like the humans. “She had the most caring personality that you could have seen. It was wonderful while it lasted, but it did not last long. “When Alucard was born, I was recognized as his father, and it all fell apart. She was declared to be a witch, and the baby marked as Satan’s. I managed to hide him from the people, but I could not get to Lisa in time. The last words that she said to me before they took her were that I should not hate the humans, they are more wondrous than they seem. “But they took Lisa from me! They took my only love! For this I have been so adamant in their destruction. “Tonight, I needed a look at my son, Shaft, surely your small mind can understand that. He looks so much like his mother, you know.” “But Master, why didn’t you just bite Lisa, than she would still be here?” Shaft asked. “To bite her would have been to condemn her! If I had made her into one of us, her life would have been in total misery, and mine also! There is a lot about love that you do not understand! “Anyway, tomorrow night I will launch another attack on our new Vampire hunter, and it is guaranteed to work.” “What is it, Master?” “That would ruin the surprise, my friend!” They both laughed. Shaft did not notice it, but there was a very beautiful portrait of a woman above Dracula’s fireplace. This, and its several copies locked away in the basement in case of emergency, were all that Dracula had to remind him of Lisa. Some tragedies are never over. Some scars never heal. CHAPTER TWELVE: DEATH The sun rose and set. Sonia trained a little more, and tried another night watch. The townspeople slowly started to resent her being there, secretly blaming her for anything that went wrong. And that night Dracula woke up in a particularly good mood. He called Shaft. “Shaft, although drawing out our victory would be fun, you do agree that it is even more fun to occasionally throw in a quick win, don’t you?” “Why yes, Master! What do you want to use?” “An old friend.” Dracula motioned to the hooded cloaked figure standing silently and motionlessly in the corner. Its unseen head turned toward him. “There is a thorn in my side. Are you willing to pluck it out?” The figure silently nodded, and walked slowly through the wall. * * * Sonia Belmont sat on the exact same grave marker that once held the Creatures Bat, waiting for something evil to come along and provide her with a little practice. Alucard wasn’t there; he had some important business with Father Johann. This left her all alone in the dark, not vulnerable in the least bit. Only an idiot like that “Gimme Money” guy would dare to try to fight her now. She was armed with her whip, her dagger, multiple wooden stakes, and about three or four crosses. There was a slight wind with an unearthly chill to it. Sonia shivered and pulled her cloak a little closer. Something was in the air tonight. Something evil. And powerful. A man in a torn hooded cloak that hid all of his face appeared in front of her. Sonia felt a strange fear at the sight of this strange man. And also the fact that, even in the pale moonlight, she could see that the grass withered at his footsteps. Sonia stepped back and shouted, “Who are you? Why are you here? Be warned, I am armed!” She felt the weapons fall out of her hands. The shadowy figure stepped closer, and Sonia could see his face. She gasped in horror. Instead of a face, there was only an old, dried skull, with two small red lights adorning the eye sockets. It lifted a bony hand, and lightly touched her chest, just below the collar bone. Instantly Sonia gasped for her breath, unable to take in oxygen. She felt her lungs panic, her heart slow down, and then...nothing. She could breath again. Her heart was beating once more (although a little quickly now). I could have killed you there, if I wanted the creature said, but it didn’t say the words the way you or would I speak them. It was as if it just thought the words out for you to hear. “Who are you?” Sonia asked, getting up (although she already had a good idea who it was). I am death it said. I am what your superstition has named ‘the grim reaper “Then why aren’t you out killing some old man with a heart attack?” I am only one of the many who patrol and end the lives of those whose time has come “So my time has come?” Perhaps “What do you mean, ‘Perhaps’?” You have a chance to live. I have been asked to do this as a favor, and for this reason I must kill you in a more traditional way It extended its hand. A long, sharp scythe appeared in it. “And if I can defeat you, you will let me live?” If you can defeat me With that, Death cast off its cloak and revealed a suit of thick armor. If you can defeat me The battle began. Death flew up into the air, several short scythes appeared and followed after Sonia. She ducked them and hit them with her whip (what else was she supposed to do) Miraculously, they disappeared in flame. Of course, they were quickly replaced by three more, but it’s the effort that counts. Death swooped down and swung his own scythe, which seemed to gain some length suddenly. It cut several headstones exactly in half, but didn’t get any heads. Sonia lashed her whip at The Grim Reaper, hitting it slightly. The hit was noticed, but did little. One of the scythes tripped Sonia up, and they and their master closed in for the kill. Suddenly a bottle of holy water broke on Death, catching it on flames. The smaller scythes flickered and disappeared, and Alucard appeared behind Death, shouting, “Now, get up! I can’t interfere anymore!” The flames burned out. Death looked at Alucard, and with a hand gesture sent him flying across the graveyard. Sonia got up and leapt upon the Grim Reaper, tackling him like a football player. She grabbed its scythe from its hand, and raised it up for the kill. Wait! I am just a professional, doing my job! “So am I!” Sonia said, than brought the scythe home. Death shrieked, and both it and its scythe set on fire. They both burned up in seconds. Sonia ran towards Alucard, who was just getting up. “Are you okay?’ She shouted, worriedly. “Yes, I’m fine.” He said, getting up, “Please don’t shout so much. Congratulations, no one has defeated Death before.” “I had good health. How did you know what was happening here?” “I guessed.” CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ONLY A LITTLE THING “So, Sonia, are you feeling any better?” Sonia looked up from her three layers of blankets and two icepacks with a look that said it all. Today’s visit from Alucard was less than desired at the moment. It is a well known fact that cheating death is not without its consequences. Simply being around the Grim Reaper was enough to thoroughly incapacitate Sonia for the moment(s). Alucard, of course, was perfectly fine. Wasn’t he always? “I know how you feel. I too had once encountered Death while serving with Dracula. It is not easily forgotten.” “So you say, Alucard. So you say.” “Its influence also makes you paranoid, too.” “Oh, really? Or is that just what you want me to believe?” “I know that you’re joking; shut up.” Sonia gave Alucard another look from behind her now deep-ringed eyes, and momentarily considered throwing an icepack at him. Nah. Waste of a good icepack. * * * “Master! Master! It failed! Death failed!” Shaft was basically scrambling towards Dracula with his dire news. “I am already aware of this last battle, Shaft. Although Death was a good warrior, he needed the experience. I will be able to use him again soon. Either way, Sonia Belmont is now in a relatively weakened state.” “But Master, it is just as though she has a bad flu!” “And your point is? Even a small fever would weaken someone in that position,” He said, stroking the head of an eight-foot dragon, “And sometimes little things are all that’s needed to tip the scales.” * * * Alucard got up to cook some turnips for Sonia (much to her disgust); apparently they heal something or the other. Sonia was determined to find out exactly what once she felt better. “Hey Alucard,” She called out as he left. Alucard turned towards her. “What?” “Thanks.” This touching moment was interrupted by a small crash that was very similar to what happened when Medusa arrived. More people screaming. Same old bit. Alucard dashed in (‘dashed’ is the only word to describe it) and threw Sonia’s whip on her lap. “Here! Something’s causing a disturbance! Just go out there and look pretty, and I’ll take care of it. Since you’re not well, you just have to stand out there for public morale.” Without protest (she was beyond that now) Sonia got up and did as told. She only rarely got to see Alucard with his sword; it was a real treat. Outside she saw multiple zombies and one eight foot dragon. Dracula again. Unfortunately, the zombies kept Alucard busy enough for the dragon to close in on Sonia. Oh, Drat! she repeated in her head like some sort of mantra as the creature pounced on her. The dragon’s weight was crushing, but luckily for Sonia it hesitated. Before it could strike she pulled out her dagger (the one she always kept with her, remember) and threw it into the dragon’s forehead, killing it. How simple. By this time Alucard was almost finished with the zombies; there was a lone hand scampering around like a rat. This was just too simple. What was Dracula thinking? CHAPTER FOURTEEN: CARMILLA The Count reclined in his usual chair. No music played in the background. Shaft had been sent away. There was no fire in the fireplace. There were to be no more visitors for the night. Dracula wasn’t even sipping his usual glass of wine. He was tired. Dead tired. Sure, everything was working as planned. Sure, He would have no more worries very shortly. But, he was still tired. He had had a long day (whoops! I mean night), and he was simply waiting for sunrise when he could go back to sleep and maybe shake some of this off. To him it felt as though sunrise should have come about three hours ago, although telling from the clock on the wall, he still had about an hour or two to wait. There was a small noise, almost like a footstep behind him. Dracula got up and turned around, ready to decapitate the foolish zombie who had come to see him when under explicit orders not to. He stopped when he saw exactly who his guest was. It was a Vampiress, tall, thin, dressed entirely in black (even her hair was totally black). She wore a white mask over her face (it looked about like one of those old theatre masks). “What are you doing here?” Dracula asked, resuming a threatening pose. “The visitor raised her hands slightly, “I dropped by for a visit. Reall, Vlad, I’m surprised at you, treating me like a zombie or something.” She stepped closer, “I thought I was more than that to you.” “I’ve had a bad day today, and the last thing that I need is-” “Is what? Me coming in to ruin it? No, that’s not what you were going to say.” She moved a bit closer. “That’s not what you were going to say at all. You should really treat your old friends better, you know.” Dracula backed away a step. “Come back tomorrow night! I don’t want any visitors tonight!” “Oh, come on, be hospitable! I’m an old friend, treat me like one!” Her manner changed. “By the way, where’s your son?” “I’ve been having a few problems with him lately. It’s none of your business.” “Oh, family trouble!” She brightened up a little, “Family trouble! I Do love family trouble! In fact, I’ve caused a bit myself! So, then, I guess it’s just you and me tonight?” She put her arms around Dracula’s neck. He pulled away. “No, It’s just you tonight. Now go away! I really don’t need your company right now. Come back tomorrow, then we’ll talk.” As if to end the conversation, Dracula turned to leave. “Fine then, tomorrow night!” Carmilla said as he left, “I can take a hint. We’ll discuss everything then!” They both left the room. * * * Alucard walked down the street to Sonia’s home, whistling. He was in an extremely good mood today. Not just an ordinary good mood where you feel happy, but an energetic good mood where you feel as though you can do anything, you can swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar... Excuse me, I got carried away a little bit there. He had some great ideas for a full day of training for that young woman, yes he did! He smiled to himself as he carried about fifteen books each about six inches thick (although books were a rarity back then, Alucard had more than some libraries), and they were going to go through them all, and they were going to enjoy it! Alucard could not explain today’s irrepressably good mood, he simply walked and whistled and thought. The thought hadn’t crossed his mind that the rest of the day might not be as good. Alucard entered Sonia’s home, forgetting to knock as usual. She was sitting at her desk, reading something and seemingly not even noticing his presence. Alucard put the books down loudly (to try to get her attention). She didn’t even seem to notice. He cleared his throat. Nothing. “Sonia...” He said softly. Nothing. “I’m heeere...” Nothing. “Oh no! Fire” Nothing. “Are you even alive?” He finally shouted. Sonia turned around, apparently startled. “You don’t have to shout like that to get my attention. What did you want?” “Sonia, you’re suppossed to start training about now. I was planning to teach you a bit more about killing Vampires...” “Okay. I’m coming.” Sonia put down the letter she was reading and got up. If Alucard had been more attentive he would have seen what the letter read * * * Night came. Dracula sat in his usual chair, awaiting an important visitor. As if there were any mystery as to the identity of this person in question. Shaft ran around the room like a pet dog, straightening things up. “Who’s coming, Master? Is it another Vampire?Who? Who?” “Shut up, Shaft. Yes, it’s another Vampire. Now quit talking and start cleaning!’ “Well, Dracula, I see that you still have your little tagalong working for you.” Dracula turned around. Carmilla had arrived. Shaft ran. He knew better than to be in the same room as both Carmilla and Dracula. “I see you’ve made it.” “I never forget an appointment.” Carmilla almost glided a bit closer. “I see that you still have that mask of yours,” Dracula said back, not repelling her this time, “Why do you still use it, anyway?” “Part of it is so I can conceal my identity,” Carmilla was now close enough to Dracula to smell his breath (Wine again), “But I guess the rest of it’s simply that I’m psychotic.” They both laughed. “So,” Carmilla said, putting her arms around Dracula’s shoulders, “How’s your life been going?” Dracula pulled away. “I have a job for you before we catch up on anything. Listen carefully.” * * * Sonia Belmont stood alone in the graveyard, watching as the meager night wind blew a few dead leaves around. She hated this part of her job. There was another victim. A man, age thirty. He should pop up any time now... Waiting was always hard. Sonia sat on a rock (not a gravestone this time) and waited for something even remotely like the Creatures Bat to show up. Of course, she could handle it much more easily now than she could before. In fact, she could probably kill three Creatures Bat(s?) easily. Sonia stared at the gravestone. Maybe this guy wasn’t killed by a Vampire. Maybe two incredibly huge mosquitoes had gotten him. Yeah, that’s it. Two huge mosquitoes had killed the guy, and he wasn’t going to rise out of his grave like some demented Jack-In- The-Box figure. Sonia’s train of thought was restricted by a sudden, almost cutting, restriction around her throat. She was being garroted with a piano wire (or something similar to that, since pianos are a rather recent invention). Sonia toppled backwards into the owner of the wire. “Pleasant seeing you,” A female voice shot from behind her. Sonia could feel the wire start to cut as well as strangle. “I hope you don’t mind my unorthodox method, but biting is so barbaric.” The grip tightened. Sonia pulled her dagger out and stabbed behind her. She missed, but the grip around her throat was loosened just enough for her to grab the wire and flip whoever was trying to kill her. Sonia almost collapsed from the sudden rush of oxygen back into her system as she looked up at her assailant. It was a Vampiress wearing a mask. Now that’s odd. “Go ahead, stand up. I’d rather this be a fair fight now,” the Vampiress said. Sonia stood up, whip in one hand, stake in the other. “A whip? What do you think you’re doing, girl?” “This whip was blessed by a priest; it has the power to harm you.” “That may be,” the masked figure in front of her said, “but what good is it if you can’t use it?” Sonia was grabbed from behind again. The victim who she was watching for had come out of his grave and had grabbed Sonia in a really effective choke hold. Carmilla came closer to Sonia. “My name is Carmilla,” She said, “I don’t think that all the training in the world could prepare you for me. You, kill her.” The new Vampire grinned and bared his fangs in a classic toothy grin. His first meal as a Vampire, how great. He wasn’t destined to have that meal, though. Just as she had flipped Carmilla, Sonia threw the new Vampire down and staked him with little effort. He disappeared in a puff of green flame. “Good. I was hoping that you’d do that. It gives me another chance at you.” “Before we fight,” Sonia asked, “Why are you wearing that mask?” “If you want a full explanation, it’s better to let the mask do the talking!” Carmilla took off her mask and threw it towards Sonia. It started to grow. “Farewell, Vampire hunter! I have some unfinished business with Dracula that needs attending to!” Carmilla disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared in the first place. the Mask, now huge, looked down at Sonia. A single blood tear started to run down its cheek. Not knowing what to expect, Sonia dodged the tear as it hit the ground and started burning through it like acid. More tears came. Sonia grabbed the vial of holy water that she had on her person and through it into the mouth of Carmilla’s mask. The mask cracked, then burst, showering bits of unholy ceramic down on the graveyard. Sonia gathered up her things and headed home.