Castlevania: Dracula's Curse
Hello everyone and welcome to my second work of fanfiction! This time I will be writing a novel adaptation of the Konami classic Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. This is a labor of love for me because the Castlevania series is one of my favorites ever and CV3 happens to be one of my favorites of the series. I have tried my best to stay true to the Castlevania timeline but there will be some events and characters that you will read about that are purely my own imagination. This is my imagining of how Castlevania III happened. For the most part though, the story is the same. No major changes have been made.
Before I forget, I do not own Castlevania or any of the characters associated with the series. It would be awesome if I did though.
With that said, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1 – A Rose With Petals of Blood
"Where are you going Lisa?"
Lisa turned at the sound of the old man's voice. "Oh, pardon me sir," she answered politely. "I am going out into the forest to collect herbs. I should be back before nightfall."
"You're going by yourself? At this hour?" he asked, concerned.
Lisa smiled back at him. "I should be fine Mayor, thank for your concern though." Her voice had a certain gentleness to it, yet it was also firm and confident. The mayor nodded and turned to walk back towards the town.
"Well, do be careful Lisa. There are so many dangers out there now, especially with these reports lately of strange creatures wandering through the woods. I don't know what we would do if anything should happen to you."
"I shall be careful." she said.
With that, Lisa gripped her basket firmly in her hands and stepped off into the forest that surrounded her tiny hometown.
Lisa Farenheights was a young woman that was loved by all in her community. Her beauty and graceful presence had made her very popular with young and old, male and female, alike. Children often begged her to play with them and no matter how busy she was Lisa would find the time to do it. Whenever someone needed assistance with something, Lisa would do all she could to help, no matter how far out of her own way she had to go. The young men of the town often tried to court her, but while many had tried, no one had yet captured her heart.
What made Lisa most popular with the townspeople though was her talent for the healing arts. Even from a young age, Lisa showed a gift for producing medicines from different herbs and vegetation, and with things being the way they were, a healer was a good person to have. Lately many of the townsfolk had reported seeing or hearing strange things in the night. There were rumors of a wild beast running amok in the forest, and there was even a rumor of a murder in a neighboring village. All of this had the people quite upset and worried.
But on this particular day, with the sun sinking low in the sky, the concerns of the town were far from Lisa's mind as she walked deeper and deeper into the Wallachian forest. For her, taking these trips into the woods to gather herbs was a way of clearing her mind and finding some time to herself. They gave her a chance to relax and focus on her gift of medicine. She had waited until this late hour to go because she had been extra busy with work on her family's farm. It wasn't until now that she had been able to get away.
I'm afraid I won't have any more time tomorrow either. It's best that I gather my herbs now.
After walking for some time, Lisa found herself at one of her favorite places for gathering herbs. She bent down and began to pluck various plants out of the ground and place them into her basket. As she worked, she hummed quietly and it wasn't long before she became completely lost in her activity and unaware of how much time had passed.
"Do you always pick flowers so late?"
The voice startled Lisa. Turning towards the sound, she found a man standing there watching her work. Upon looking around she saw that it was indeed quite late. The sun had dipped down below the horizon and the evening was quickly turning into night.
"Oh my, I must have gotten too caught up in my work. I didn't realize it had gotten so late." Lisa said. The man smiled at her and offered to help her up. Lisa took his hand and stood to her feet. "Thank you." she said, "And what is your name kind sir? Why are you out here so late?"
The man gazed at her with deep black eyes. "My name is Mathias Cronqvist. I am…visiting…from another country. I was out taking a walk in your forest when I happened to find you here. I certainly wasn't expecting to meet anyone else but I thought that I would introduce myself."
"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cronqvist." Lisa replied.
"It is a pleasure for me also, my lady. What is your name?" Mathias replied.
"Lisa…Lisa Farenheights."
It was difficult to not admire the man's handsome features. Lisa found herself trying not to blush as he smiled at her. Mathias had long, black hair that cascaded down over his shoulders. He was a tall man, dressed in a long black coat, white shirt, and dark pants. He was pale skinned, but it only served to accentuate his already dark eyes.
"You enjoy taking walks in the forest at sunset?" Lisa asked.
Mathias looked around him as he contemplated his response. "There is something special about the night, something that most men fail to understand. I, however, am not one of those men. In truth, it is the only time I feel alive." he said with a smile.
Lisa looked at him in wonder.
"The sun will be gone soon and you might find it quiet difficult to get through these woods. Please, allow me to escort you back to your home."
Lisa nodded and put her arm around his as he offered it to her.
It wasn't long before the two found themselves back at town. Mathias seemed very adept at navigating through the woods, even in darkness. Lisa commented on this. "You seem quite skilled at finding your way around in the forest, even with it being night. Are you a hunter or woodsman of some sort?" Mathias chuckled to himself. "You could say that. I'm a hunter of sorts. I hunt…a certain kind of prey."
"And what would that be?" Lisa asked.
"I might tell you sometime." he replied with a mischievous grin.
Lisa smiled at him again.
"Thank you for escorting me Mr. Cronqvist. It is now night though. We have an inn here at the town if you would like to stay." Lisa said. Mathias shook his head. "Thank you but I should be fine. It isn't far back to my home and, as you mentioned, I am quite comfortable in the forest, even at night."
Lisa nodded and gave a faint laugh.
"Well then, thank you again Mr. Cronqvist and good night."
"Good night to you Ms. Farenheights and please…call me Mathias."
With a smile on his face, the man turned and made his way back into the forest. Lisa watched as he moved farther and farther in until he finally disappeared from site.
"Lisa! Lisa, is that you!?"
It was her father. "Yes father, it is me!"
Martin Farenheights came running up and stopped beside his daughter. "Where have you been? Your mother and I were worried about you."
"I apologize father." she replied. "I became caught up in my search for herbs and lost track of the time. Everything is fine though. This nice gentleman found me and escorted me back here."
"Really? Well where is he? I would like to meet him." Martin said, looking around.
"He has already left, I'm afraid. His name was Mathias Cronqvist. He said that he was a visitor from another country. He was very nice father, and had no trouble helping me get back here."
Martin looked around for a bit longer and then turned back to Lisa. "Well, if you should ever find him again please introduce me to him. Right now, let's go home. It's time for bed!"
Lisa and her father began to make their way to the Farenheights home. As they walked, Lisa found herself looking back, hoping to catch just one more glimpse of the handsome stranger.
What she did not know was that from the woods those same dark eyes were watching her, only this time they were absent of any kindness or gentility. They watched until she and her father disappeared behind their front door, and then they quietly vanished into the night.
The next day Lisa found her thoughts wandering again and again to Mathias.
He seems like such a kind man, and handsome as well. I wonder if I will see him again?
The morning went on as usual for her. Lisa assisted her mother Gwendolyn in preparing meals and making clothes for the family. Morning soon became afternoon and afternoon faded into evening.
As the sun started to sink below the horizon Lisa began to think about going out into the woods again, secretly hoping that somehow Mathias would be there. Once she got away from her parents, she walked to the edge of town and looked into the forest. However, she saw nothing.
It is already late. Besides, what are the chances that he would be there again?
Disappointed, she turned to walk back into town.
"You shouldn't give up so easily. Good things come to those who wait."
Lisa spun around and gasped.
There he was, dressed in the same outfit that he was wearing yesterday, and with that same kind smile adorning his face below his deep dark eyes. Lisa gave a quiet laugh and smiled. "I wasn't expecting you to be here. I'm afraid you surprised me."
Mathias nodded. "I wanted to come back and make sure everything was alright after yesterday. I know how families can be about their children wandering off after the sun sets."
"Oh everything is fine, I assure you." Lisa responded. Having Mathias here again was a delight to the young lady. Seeing her opportunity, she decided to pursue a relationship with this stranger. "You must come back and visit us in the daytime Mathias. There isn't much socializing we can do at this time of night. Besides, my father has said that he would like to meet you after I told him you escorted me back last night."
Mathias's smile faded and for a moment he stared off into the distance. Lisa sensed that something was wrong. "I'm sorry, did I say something to offend you?" she asked. "No, no…" Mathias quickly replied. "It's just that I'm…occupied during the day. It makes it difficult for me to get out."
"Oh…" Lisa nodded her head, genuine disappointment written on her face. Mathias quickly continued. "However, I have another idea. That place in the woods, where you were picking the herbs last night, let's meet there. Let's make that our place."
"Alright." Lisa said, somewhat surprised. "When shall we meet?"
Mathias thought for a second. "We shall gather there when the sun first sinks below the horizon, when early nightfall is upon us." His words came quickly and were filled with excitement.
Lisa grinned. "Then tomorrow I will be waiting for you."
"Wonderful. I will see you then, but now I must go. Goodbye Lisa."
"Goodbye Mathias."
With those parting words Mathias quickly disappeared back into the forest. Lisa watched as he faded into the darkness and then returned to her own home as well.
For the next few days, just like they had agreed, Mathias and Lisa met every evening where the herbs grew in the forest. It quickly became known to them as "our place." Their time together was short, but every moment they could spend with each other was cherished. They became friends, but both could sense that a deeper bond was growing between them. Mathias told her stories of countries he had been to, people he had met, and all sorts of other things he had seen and done. Lisa was mesmerized by his tales, enraptured at the thought of being able to do and see some of these things herself one day. She found him fascinating and it became more and more difficult with each conversation to leave him.
One morning Lisa awoke to find her little town abuzz with startling news. Word had quickly spread around town that a local farmer had found a body in the woods, completely drained of blood. The townsfolk were not accustomed to things like this, and they were understandably shaken by this unsettling development.
"It must have something to do with those things appearing in the woods." one person said.
"That's right!" said another. "Stay clear of the woods! Who knows what's creeping around out there?"
Lisa's thoughts immediately turned to Mathias. Would he be safe trekking through the forest at night?
Would she be safe going to meet him?
The news of this terrible murder only made Martin and Gwendolyn wonder more where their daughter was sneaking off to each night, as she would only tell them that she was going to meet a friend. Finally, that evening, as Lisa was preparing to leave, he father came to her with a very concerned look on his face. "Lisa, I want to know who it is that you have been seeing these past few nights. This murder in the woods has me shaken and I want to know just who this is you have become so fascinated with lately."
Lisa hated to tell her father that it was a man she had been seeing in secret. However, she hated lying to him even more.
"I have been meeting with Mr. Cronqvist these past few nights. You remember him don't you father? He's the visitor from another country. He's most interesting. He has told me stories of his travels and of the many things that he has seen and done."
Martin Farenheights frowned. "You've been sneaking off at night to see a man? If this Mr. Cronqvist has taken such an interest in you then why hasn't he come to our home like a respectable person? What's gotten into you Lisa? You know that it's shameful for a young lady like yourself to be wandering off into the woods at night to see a man! If Mr. Cronqvist wants to continue this relationship, then he should come to meet us. I forbid you to leave this house tonight! As a matter of fact, stay out of the woods altogether!" With that, her father stormed off.
Lisa thought about saying something back. Anger boiled up in her. She wanted to tell him what a kind, gentle, and honorable soul Mathias was, but she knew that it wouldn't change anything.
Despite her father's order, and knowing that it would cause her even more trouble, Lisa snuck out of her house that night and ran to meet Mathias. When she arrived she found the man leaning against a tree, his eyes directed at the ground.
"Mathais I-"
His head suddenly jerked up and his eyes bore into her. He reached out and seized her with both hands.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? WHY HAVE YOU KEPT ME WAITING!?"
Lisa gasped in surprise. His outburst of anger had been instantaneous. For a moment his voice was filled with terrible wrath and his dark eyes seemed to glow a fiery red.
Suddenly coming to himself, Mathias released her and looked at his own hands in horror.
"I…I apologize. I was only concerned about your safety. I didn't know if something might have happened to you. Please forgive me.
Mathias bowed his head to her. Lisa looked at him, still somewhat in shock at his actions. "…I forgive you Mathias."
The young lady then lowered her head as a sad look came over her face. "There's something I must speak with you about."
Mathias looked up. "What? What is it?"
"Have you heard about the man that was found in the forest this morning? He was dead and his body was drained of all its blood." Mathias seemed to freeze where he stood. For a moment an agitated look appeared on his face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of concern.
"I had not heard that. What happened?"
"I do not know." Lisa replied. "The men suspect it was some sort of beast that attacked him. Ever since the body was found everyone has been scared. My father forbade me to go into the woods anymore, but I had to come see you Mathias. I had to make sure you were alright. I will most certainly be punished when he finds out I am gone."
Mathias stared towards the direction of the town. "Some sort of beast…" he muttered under his breath.
Lisa continued, "I do not want to forsake our meeting here Mathias, but I am concerned about our safety and with respecting my father's wishes. Who knows what this thing is that has been prowling through the woods? I do not want something to happen you."
"I assure you Lisa, there is no need to worry about me. I am quite capable of protecting myself. It is your safety that I am most concerned with. As for your father, if it is your wish, then I shall come to your home and meet him."
Lisa smiled at him.
"Ah! I almost forgot!" she said.
"What?" Mathias replied.
Lisa reached down into a pouch tied to her waist.
"I have something I would like to give you. It has always brought me good fortune. It belonged to my mother before me. When I became seventeen years old she then passed it to me. She told me that it was mine to keep or to give to whoever I choose."
Lisa's closed fist emerged from the pouch.
"I want you to have it."
"What is it?" Mathias said.
Lisa smiled as she opened up her hand to reveal a small silver cross.
Mathias looked down at the holy symbol.
And recoiled in terror.
He let out a roar and knocked the object out of Lisa's hands. The young lady watched in shock as Mathias kicked dirt over the cross, covering it with earth. He then bent over, holding his head as if he were in great pain.
"Mathias what are you-"
His head shot up and he grabbed her arm.
"HOW DARE YOU!"
Lisa looked at him and screamed in horror. Mathias's face had changed. His eyes shined a blazing red and his canine teeth had stretched into sharp fangs.
Seeing her terrified reaction, Mathias realized what he had done. He released his grip on her. Lisa immediately turned and fled into the forest, running as fast as her legs would carry her.
"Lisa! Wait! Stop!" he called.
Lisa only ran faster, adrenaline pumping through her body. However, it was only seconds before Mathias caught up to her. Like the wind, he flew in front of her and seized her shoulders.
"Let me go! Let me go!" she screamed.
"Be quiet!" Mathias said in a forceful whisper. He then clamped his hand over her mouth. Lisa looked up into his burning eyes and watched as they slowly reverted back to their normal dark color. Mathias's fangs disappeared as well, shrinking back to normal human teeth. The man lowered his head as if he were ashamed of himself.
"I must explain this to you."
He looked her in the eyes again. "I will release you, but you must promise not to run or scream!"
Mathias then slowly pulled his hand away from Lisa's mouth and watched as she backed away from him until she bumped against a tree behind her.
Mathias took a deep breath. "I am not human Lisa…at least, not anymore. There was a time many years ago when I was just like you. I was a normal man, happy, with good friends and a woman that I loved more than life itself. But then…" Mathias's voice trailed off. A wave of sadness passed over his face before he spoke again.
"I lost everything…I lost her. It wasn't long after that that I became what you see now. Ever since that day I have wandered the earth an outcast. I have gone from place to place, country to country, searching for a new home, but no matter where I go, I am considered nothing more than a monster."
Lisa stared at him, unable to move or speak.
"I am a vampire."
Lisa had heard stories about vampires. They drained the blood of the living in order to prolong their own unnatural life. Everything she had ever heard about them presented them as horrible monsters capable of nothing but death and destruction.
"That man that was found in the forest…did you kill him?"
Mathias sighed. It was clear he didn't want to answer her question.
"Yes, I killed him. I bit him and drank of his blood. I was doing what I have to in order to survive. I did not enjoy taking the man's life." he insisted.
Lisa's mind was racing. She felt lost in a maze of confusion, hoping for any type of sign to point her in the right direction. Everything she had been told about vampires said that they were demons from hell, yet, what she saw in front of her did not fit that description. Mathias was a kind and gentle soul. Until now she had never been given any reason to fear him.
"Mathias…"
Lisa cautiously stepped toward him.
"Why have you not bitten me yet? You have had ample opportunity to do so."
Mathias looked her in the eyes.
"It's because…"
His voice faltered. He debated within himself about whether or not he should say his next words.
Finally, he could hold back no longer.
"I am in love with you."
All at once Lisa felt a surge of mixed emotions. This man was not a man at all, but a creature of the night. Yet, he was also the most charming, handsome, and fascinating creature that she had ever come across. She could not deny that in the time that she had known him that she had also developed strong feelings for him.
Lisa searched within herself for a response. Her heart wanted to say one thing but her brain was telling her another. Inside, she heard a voice.
If you take this man into your life he will bring you nothing but despair.
However, that voice quickly fell silent.
"I…"
She hesitated, but then took a deep breath and continued.
"I am in love with you to."
Mathias's eyes lit up, not the angry red they were before, but with a joyful sparkle. He reached out and embraced her, holding her in his arms.
Lisa rested her head against Mathias's chest.
I find it so hard to believe that this is the same person that killed that man in the forest. Even if he is a vampire, I can still see good in him. Maybe I can help him. Maybe one day I can help cure him of his condition.
Lisa looked up into his eyes.
"Mathias, how will we be together? If any should find out about you..."
Mathias gazed into her eyes and spoke with determination in his voice.
"It will be alright Lisa. Please trust in me. Trust in my love."
Lisa became quiet and again embraced him. She wanted desperately to be with Mathias, but deep down in the depths of her heart she could not feel at ease. She had declared her love to a creature of the night, a being that was hated by all mankind.
There was no good that could come of this.
Lisa stared into the nighttime forest as Mathias held her close.
God in Heaven…what have I done?
End of Chapter 1