Disclaimer:
Castlevania is the property of Konami.
Now, before the story
begins, there are a few things you need to know. First, this will
take place in the modern times. Second, it will begin with a Belmont
descendant living in the U.S. And finally, it will be an original
character. Give it a chance, you might like it. Also, this is my
first attempt at a serious fic, so please go easy on me. With that
said, on with the fic!
Castlevania: Sonnet of legends
Chapter
1
The Calling
Rachael
Belmont, a descendant of the Belmont clan, whose great grandparents
immigrated to America, was in her room, typing up her college
homework on her computer. She wouldn't normally be working so much,
but her mom made her study hard.
Rachael's
mom was somewhat on the strict side. She always was overprotective of
her only two children. Ever since her husband went on a business trip
to Romania, but never returned, she didn't want to risk losing the
only family she had left. Sure, they had her father in law, but she
didn't like the nonsense he used to talk about. Things like vampires,
demons, destiny and stuff.
Although
Rachael herself didn't believe her grandfather, she loved to hear
about the stories of her descendants. How they always fought the
fabled Count Dracula over the centuries. He would always tell her and
her brother to always be prepared if he should ever be risen again.
She chuckled to herself at how her brother would always take what he
said so seriously.
While
she was in her half daze, her voicemail snapped her out of it. She
opened up the instant message board, and to her delight, was her
internet pal, whom she spoke to for over a year. He went by the
penname 'Lawyer of Darkness' or 'LD' for short. She always went by
the penname 'Destiny.'
"Destiny?
Are you there?" he typed.
"Yes,
I am." She typed back. "Great to hear from you
again."
"So
how is it in America?"
"Alright,
I guess. Just me, my brother, my mom, and my homework. And you? Are
you enjoying England?"
"Quite
frankly, I am. In fact, I'll be going on a business trip
soon."
"Really?
To where?"
"You
know. Here and there. Wherever the money takes me."
Rachael
laughed. She always thought his quest for money was amusing. "That
sounds just like you!"
"Have
you ever done any traveling?"
"Nope.
I once wanted to travel to Romania. You know, just to see what my
grandpa was so uppity about. But my parents wouldn't let me. She said
it might be a bad influence."
"Really?
How so?"
"Well..can
you keep a secret?"
"I
have all these months, haven't I?"
"Okay
then. You see, my grandpa believes that Dracula was a real person,
and not just a historical figure."
"Hmm..quite
the superstitious one, wasn't he?"
"You
bet he is! He even has my brother believing that our ancestors were
vampire hunters. Isn't that hilarious?"
There
was quite a long pause before he finally responded. After a few
minutes, she typed again. "LD? Are you still
there?"
After
a few more seconds, he responded. "I am just fine. I was rudely
interrupted." Then he went back on the subject. "So tell
me. What were the last names of these so called 'vampire
hunters?'?"
"Why
does it matter?"
"Let's
just say that I have a fascination for old stories."
"Well,
you're not gonna believe this, but they're supposed to be
Belmont's."
"Ah,
I see. So you're last name is Belmont?"
"Exactly,
which is why my grandpa can blow this all out of
proportion."
"Quite
understandable. Pity, though, isn't it? Wouldn't it be quite an
adventure if it 'was' real?"
"Well
yeah, if it was real..."
After
a short pause, she typed in something else. "LD? We've been
talking for over a year now, and I have no idea what you look
like."
"I
can say the same for you."
"Well,
I have blond hair that reaches to my waist, I'm 5' 7", age 20,
and I have pale skin."
"Pale?
I'm surprised you didn't say 'cream colored.'"
"If
only. Unfortunately, I can't say that. I also wanted blue eyes like
my mother, but I wasn't so fortunate in the gene pool. I'm not ugly,
mind you. I'm actually a little pretty. I'm just not ravishing, not
that I care. In fact, all I ever wear are blue jeans and tank
tops."
"So
you're not vain. Nothing wrong with that."
"So
enough about me! What do 'you' look like?"
"Well...I
must confess that I'm somewhat of an older
gentleman."
"That's
okay. I had a feeling you were."
"Anyways,
my attire usually consists of business suits, dark sunglasses, and a
derby on my head. I'm 5' 9", and have a
goatee."
"Sounds
cool!"
"You
have no idea..."
Rachael
wasn't sure what he meant by that, but she shrugged the thought off.
Before she had a chance to type something else, he had already typed
in another message.
"You
know, one of my business errands involve a trip to Chicago, Illinois.
If you're around, perhaps we could meet?"
"Really?
You're headed to Chicago? Cool! That's the area where I
live!"
"What
a splendid coincidence. Perhaps we can meet somewhere for a spot of
tea."
"I'm
not too partial for tea, but how about a cappuccino at the local
Starbucks?"
"....Did
you just say 'Starbucks?"
"Yep.
I go there often with my friends."
"Funny
you should often go to that place. I have a business appointment with
'just' those precise people."
"Cool!
How did that happen?"
"It's
quite a long story, so I'll just tell you about it when we meet there
tomorrow at 4pm, Central daylight time. Exactly 30 minutes after my
business is over."
"Oh.
But how are you gonna get here so fast?"
"I'm
already on the plane, and should arrive there at 4 in the
morning."
"4?!
You don't sleep much, do you?"
"Not
really. I'm what you would call a 'night' person."
"Ohh,
I get it now! Kind of like a workaholic, right?"
"Err,
yes. Something like that."
Then
she looked at the time, and gasped. She didn't realize how much time
had gone by.
"Listen.
I have to go now. This report is due tomorrow, and I need to finish
it quickly. Bye!"
"Until
tomorrow, farewell."
Then
he disconnected. When he did, she immediately went to typing as
quickly as possible.
While
she was typing, her mother walked in to check up on her. When she saw
that her daughters' homework wasn't done yet, she
frowned.
"You're
still not done?" she asked sternly.
"No,
not yet." Rachael answered.
"....You
were talking online again, weren't you?"
"What
makes you say that?"
"The
fact that you can't hide anything from me." Then she continued.
"Have you even met the person?"
"Yes,
I have." It technically wasn't a lie...as long as she really
'did' meet him tomorrow.
"Well,
as long as you've met him before." Then she sighed. "You
know, your father was often this secretive of his friends. I hope
that 'you' don't make the same mistake."
"Yeah,
I know."
"Well,
good night. Don't stay up too late." Then she
left.
After
two and a half straight hours of typing, she finally printed out her
report, and went to bed.
Morning
Rachael
had overslept, and was rushing out the door to meet her carpool. She
wore her usual blue jeans, white tank top, and black open toed
sandals. She got in the car, closed the door, and it sped away
towards the college district.
Meanwhile
The
location was Starbucks. The manager was getting things ready for
their financial benefactor. He was a bit chubby, wore a red vest,
black pants, and black hair with a receding hairline. After
preparations were complete, he spoke to his employees.
"Now
be prepared, everyone. If it wasn't for this man, Starbucks wouldn't
be what it is today. Now just keep everything clean, and this
afternoon, we'll give our best impression."
Unfortunately,
the second he finished his sentence, one of the employees ran towards
him.
"He's
here! He's here!"
"What?!"
The manager exclaimed. "How?! I didn't even see him
enter!"
"I'm
not sure, sir. However, he's inside your office."
"Alright,
then. I'll go. Just keep the business flowing as usual." Then he
walked inside his office.
When
he shut the door, there the guy was. He was behind the managers'
chair, holding a briefcase, and donning a blue business suit, red
necktie, blue derby, and dark sunglasses.
"Ah,
Renon. Pleasure to see you again. Please, have a
seat."
"Thank
you." He said as he sat down on the manager's chair. The manager
just shrugged, and took the seat in front of it. "So, now onto
business. I have yet another business arrangement in Romania, and I
mustn't be late in delivering the package."
The
manager looked at the suitcase. "That must be it,
huh."
"Not
really. This is what I use for all of my
business."
"Oh."
Then
he pulled out a contract, unrolled it, and handed it to the manager.
"I believe you know what this is for."
"You
know, even after signing this, I 'still' can't read what it
says."
"Basically,
after spending over 50 million American dollars, you forfeit your
soul."
The
manager looked at him nervously. "Heheh....that's a joke,
right?"
"I
do not joke." Then his sunglasses formed a slight tint of red.
"I've come to collect my payment."
The
manager quickly jumped out of his chair, and had his back against the
wall. "W-w-wait a minute! I didn't spend that much
money!"
"No,
but your boss did. In exchange for his own soul to be spared, I get
yours instead, providing you were foolish enough to sign the
contract."
"Bu-but,
i-isn't that illegal?! W-what do "I"
get?"
"Remember
all of those raises you received in such short
time?"
"Y-yeah."
He answered, finally getting the message. "B-but I th- thought
that was f-for great work!"
"Please
do not delude yourself. Every employee under you thinks of you as a
greedy tyrant." Then Renon took out a pocket watch, and looked
at it. "Now if you don't mind, I have another business of a
higher paying client I must attend to." Then he put the watch
back in his pocket. He looked at the manager, who now had a magnum in
his hand.
"Its
reasons like this why I always carry one of these!" he
exclaimed, all the while pointing it to the demon
salesman.
Renon
just looked at the gun, and smirked. "If you really think it'll
do anything, by all means, fire your weapon. But make it quick. I
mustn't be late."
Then
the manager fired straight into the demons head, knocking him behind
the desk. "Ya weren't expecting, that, were ya?!" Then he
heard panic ensue as customers and employees were frantically exiting
the place when they heard a gun fire. He quickly put the magnum back
in his holster, and went to the dining area to try to calm the
customers down.
However,
everyone had already left, except for one employee, who was hiding
behind the bar table. He was going to approach the guy, but then he
heard a clicking sound. He turned around, and saw that all the doors
have been instantly shut. To frighten him even more, all of the
drapes shut, leaving the room in darkness, save for one desk
light.
The
manager quickly pulled out his magnum, aiming it at nowhere in
particular. Suddenly, he heard the demons voice, but couldn't spot
from which direction.
"I
suppose I'm partially to blame for this delay. Oh well. If you will
not give up your soul willingly, I'll have to take it by force."
Then the voice deepened. "Your soul is mine!"
The
manager quickly turned around, and saw this horrifying demon right in
front of him. It had lower appendages of a spirit, the body of a red
human like creature, giant bat-like wings, and a goats head. In his
hands, he held a rather large scythe. Without speaking, he
decapitated the frightened manager with his scythe, and then absorbed
the soul before it could leave the body.
After
collecting the soul, Renon transformed back, and then teleported
away. He didn't care for the frightened employee, since no one would
believe him anyways.
Meanwhile: a little later at the
college
Rachael
was busy taking notes during her math class, when her pager went off.
She forgot to set it to vibrate during class, so she was forced to
leave for the day.
While
grumbling, she went to a phone booth to answer it. The caller was her
grandfather.
"Grandpa!"
she answered irritably. "Your call just got me kicked out of
class today!"
"Then
it's your fault for forgetting to turn your pager off,
again."
"Well...yeah....but
still! What do you want?!"
"Wait
in the front of the building for me. I have to pick you up right
away."
"Why?
What happened?"
"It's
very urgent. I'll let you know when I get there. In the meantime,
watch who you talk to." Then he hung up.
"Grandpa?
Grandpa?" The she hung up. The tone in his voice worried her a
little, but she waited for him nonetheless. While she was waiting,
one of her friends came out of the classroom. She had short brown
hair, tanned skin, a leather type getup, and was kind of skinny. She
saw Rachael, and sat down next to her.
"Hey,
Rachael." She said.
"Hey,
Kim." Rachael answered back.
"So,
what happened?"
"It
was my grandpa. He wants to talk to me urgently for some
reason."
"I
wonder what it's about."
"Who
knows? Sometimes he can act a little weird, especially when he's
talking about vampires and stuff."
"Really?
Are you sure he isn't getting senile?"
"You
would think so." Then she sighed in frustration. "It's like
he's living in a different world or something. Why couldn't I just
have a normal grandpa?"
"At
least 'your' grandpa is exciting. All mine does is sit around all day
watching TV."
Rachael
chuckled at this. "Yeah. I guess you're right. I still wish he
wouldn't act so serious about it, though."
While
they were talking, they heard a car horn. Rachael looked towards the
sound. It was her grandfather. Rachael picked up her backpack, waved
goodbye to her friend, and got in. Then they drove off.
Later:
At Rachael's home
When
they reached Rachael's house, there were police cars parked there.
She quickly ran out of the car, and into the house, only to see her
mother crying her eyes out. Rachael tried to ask her mother what
happened, but to no avail. She was crying too much. One of the
officers told her that her brother had been kidnapped by some
stranger. At this, she dropped to her knees, completely shocked at
the news.
"Didn't
you get a description?!" exclaimed Rachael's
grandfather.
"No,
sir. It was strange, really. The crime happened in broad daylight,
yet none of the potential witnesses remember seeing anything."
Then he took out a piece of paper. "However, a note was sent to
us, saying to give it to this address. We read it, and this is what
happened."
Basically,
the note said that 'we have kidnapped your son, Phillip Belmont. The
bloodline shall cease! If anyone else is reading this first, send it
to the following address...'
The
police then asked them several questions, and then left. They had an
incident at a local Starbucks that needed investigating. Rachael's
mother had cried herself to sleep, and her grandfather was muttering
something about 'bad times ahead.' Rachael noticed
this.
"Grandpa?
Do you know about this?"
"Yes,
unfortunately. Now I know you've never believed me in the past, but
you must do so now! Count Dracula has apparently been risen, and
wants to end the Belmont lineage."
Rachael
shook her head. "Grandpa! Stop it with your stories! It's not
the right time for them!"
He
then frowned. "It is not a story! When will you learn
that?!"
Rachael
was now in tears. She couldn't believe that her grandfather was still
talking nonsense at a time like this. They were arguing back and
forth, until they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Rachael's
grandfather went to answer it. He opened the door, and looked at the
stranger quizzically. Rachael remembered the features that were
written to her. The business suit, the red neck tie, the derby, the
sunglasses, the goatee, and the briefcase. Her eyes lit up in
excitement.
"LD?"
she asked, hoping that she was right.
He
looked at her and smiled. "Destiny, I take it."
Then
she hugged him. "It's so great to finally meet you! How did you
find the place?"
"A
police officer directed me here."
She
looked at him quizzically. "How?"
Her
grandfather looked at him suspiciously. "That's what I'd like to
know."
He
tipped his hat and bowed. "I am Renon. A businessman, mostly in
the profession of helping those in need. Who would've guessed that it
would be my long time pen pal that needed my
assistance?"
"You're
a detective?" her grandfather asked.
"Yes,
among other things."
Rachael
then spoke again. "I'm sorry that you couldn't have visited us
at a better time."
"No
need for apologies. After all, fate must've brought us to this same
place. It is my duty to help those that might need it." Then he
looked at her grandfather. "Of course, I don't come cheap. But I
guarantee that I can find your grandson."
"Name
your price." He answered.
"Normally,
I would demand much money. However, given the present circumstances,
I shall do it under the condition that Rachael helps me in my
search."
This
shocked him. "What?! Of all the lousy---"But Rachael
interrupted him.
"Sure.
I don't see anything wrong with that."
"Good.
Then it is settled. Your brother is currently residing in Romania. We
must depart quickly."
This
confused Rachael. "But how did you know?"
"I
am sorry to inform you of this, but demons are quite real
indeed."
Rachael
rolled her eyes. "Not you too!"
Her
grandfather, however, was now terrified, and was now pointing at the
tail that was on the demon sales mans backside. Rachael saw this, and
was also now terrified. Renon noticed this, and quickly spoke
up.
"Wait!
I am not an enemy! I was sent to help you!"
Her
grandfather quickly got in a battle stance. "Give me my grandson
back!"
"For
the last time, I'm here to 'help' you find your son!"
"And
why should I trust a demon?!"
"Because
you don't have any other choice!"
"Wrong!
I can just travel to Romania myself!"
"I
see. So you plan to fight the Count at your old age? Your powers
would not be strong enough. At least if Rachael comes with me, I can
help her survive long enough to find her brother. After that,
however, she can choose to retreat, or fight the
Count."
Rachael's
eyes widened at this. "Now wait a minute! First off, that tail
of yours might just be a trick. Second, I don't believe in any of
what you two are saying! And third, even if I did, I wouldn't fight
any vampires! I can barely even fight!"
Renon
grinned at this. "Perhaps that is so. But, if you can find your
father, he can do it for you."
Everyone's
eyes widened. Rachael was the first to speak.
"What?!
My dads alive?! And you knew it the whole time?!"
"Yes,
I did. You see, that business trip of his was merely a trap in order
to lure him to the castle, and then enslave his mind. And since he
didn't believe in the legends, doing so was quite a simple
task."
Rachael's
grandfather was the next to speak. "I knew it! He should've
listened to me! He should've brought the family whip!"
"Yes,
that is a shame." Then he brought a contract out of his
briefcase. "I'll need you to sign here. You see, even though
I'll help Rachael get to the castle, it will require money in order
for me to help her stay alive. Of course, all I can do is assist. She
must do the fighting on her own."
"Wait
a minute!" shouted Rachael. "Don't I get a say in
this?!"
"You
'do' want your brother back, right?"
She
then sighed. "Yes. Very well. Where do I sign?"
This
made Renon a bit nervous. "Um, actually, since your grandfather
is wiser in his years, it is best that 'he' worry about the
bill."
Her
grandfather then picked up the contract, and tried to read it. After
a few seconds, he grimaced.
"What's
it supposed to say?!"
"Simply
that I must assist your granddaughter in any way that involves
providing assistance and the necessary equipment that'll help her on
her travels. And the whole cost of the supplies and help is billed to
you."
"That's
it? No catch?"
"Well,
there 'are' some penalties for not paying, but other than that, not
really."
"Alright
then. I'll sign." So he did. The minute he signed his name,
Renon rolled up the contract and gave it to Rachael. "Use this
contract whenever you wish to summon me, for once we reach Romania, I
cannot be seen with you."
"Why
not?" asked Rachael.
"I
would be noted as a traitor to the other demons. So if at anytime I
appear before you, it must be in a place where I cannot be
seen."
"Hmm...alright,
I guess."
"Then
it is settled. We shall leave at dawn."
"Okay....Um,
Renon?"
"Yes?"
"Why
did you hide who you were for that whole year?"
"Would
you have believed me if I said that I was a demon
salesman?"
"No,
I guess not."
"Exactly.
Well then, good night." Then he bowed again, and vanished,
leaving a gaping Rachael behind.
Later:
Evening
After
telling Rachael's mom all that had happened, she didn't believe
them.
"So
why are you 'really' going to Romania?" she
asked.
"Face
it; she's not going to believe us no matter what we tell her."
Her grandfather said.
"This
is true." Said Rachael. "I'm even having trouble believing it
myself, but what choice do I have?"
"Listen,"
her mom started, "I don't really care 'what' the reason, I
still don-"she stopped talking at the sight of her grandfather
quickly running up the stairs. "Now where is 'he' going?"
"Thanks, grandpa." She said. "Although I'm not sure I'm ready for such a task."
"There
isn't much choice, granddaughter." He replied. "Just have faith
in God, and everything will be alright."
Her
mother, however, rolled her eyes. "I never thought that you,
Rachael, out of all people, would buy into this nonsense!"
"I
know, mom, but I have to at least try."
After
some more talking, they all went to bed. While they were sleeping, a
knock was heard from the door. Rachael's mother woke up, and answered
it. When she saw who it was, she sighed in relief. Finally, she
called Rachael.
"Rachael!
Your friend Kim is here!" then she said to Kim. "Perhaps
'you' can talk some sense into her."
So
when Rachael went to the living room, she looked
surprised.
"Kim?
What are you doing here? Couldn't you have just called?"
"I
know, but I had this feeling that something was
wrong."
"Well,
you couldn't be more right."
After
letting her in, she explained everything that had happened. Kim sat
there in awe.
"So
you're actually going to Romania to save him?"
"Looks
that way."
"Not
that I believe you or anything, but can I go to Romania with you?
I'll even pay for my own plane ticket."
"What?!
You gotta be kidding! What about your classes?"
"So
I'll miss a week of school. Not like I can't make up for it. Besides,
if you're going to pursue some nut that thinks vampires are real, I
want to tag along. That, and I've always wanted to travel." Then
her face grew serious. "But why couldn't you let the police
handle it?"
Then
a voice came up from behind her. "It is because the law is
incapable of doing anything right." Everyone turned to see who
it was.
"Oh.
Kim, this is Renon. He'll be taking me to Romania."
"Hi,
Renon." Kim said with a slight blush. "If it's not too much
trouble, do you think you could take me along with you? I can pay for
my own ticket, and buy you guys' food and
transportation."
Renon
slightly chuckled. "Very amusing. You must be bored with your
normal life, aren't you?"
"Yes,
very."
"I
see. I do not see why not. After all, Rachael will need all the help
she can get. She can't fight, so she'll have to rely on her wits to
survive."
Kim
laughed at this. "Oh yeah. I forgot. You're gonna fight
'vampires.'"
"I
see that sarcasm is strong in you. This should be amusing." Then
he turned to Rachael. "Now get your sleep. Dawn is in six
hours." Then he vanished.
Kim
clapped her hands. "Cool! Your friend knows the neatest
tricks!"
Nobody
else said a word, though. After talking for a few more minutes,
everyone went to bed.
Morning
Rachael
and Kim were awakened by a knock on their door. They quickly got
dressed, brushed their hair, and went out to greet Renon, who was
looking at his watch impatiently.
"We
are behind schedule." He said sternly. "You were supposed
to be ready at dawn."
Just
then, Rachael's mom yelled from the kitchen.
"Breakfast
is ready!"
The
girls ran towards the kitchen to eat. Renon shook his
head.
"Humans
these days have such a lack of commitment."
After
eating breakfast, they went back to Renon, who was having some tea
while watching TV.
"Are
you ready?" he asked.
"Just
a moment." Answered Kim. "I forgot my money at my house.
Can we stop by real quick and get it?"
Renon
just snapped his fingers, and her money, along with her credit card,
appeared in her hands. Kim put them in her pockets.
"Wow!
What a neat trick! How did you do that?"
"I'm
a demon. It's practically a parlor trick to me."
She
looked at him quizzically. "A demon..." Then she laughed.
"Good one! Almost had me there!"
Renon
looked at Rachael. "This quick errand goes on the
bill."
Finally,
when everyone was ready, Renon teleported the two to Romania, in a
hidden area around the provinces.
End of chapter 1.
Well,
what do you think? I hope I did at least semi well. If anything
confused you, don't worry. All will eventually be revealed. You can
either review, or send all comments to
Once
again, thank you for reading. Please don't flame me. This is my first
serious fic. Also, suggestions are welcome.
