Author's note: I do not own the Castlevania franchise or make any money from this work of fan-fiction. This is just done for fun, and out of the love of the games. I've never been flamed, which I find kinda interesting, and has made it impossible for me to use a great one-liner. I'm gonna use it here though! Flames will be used to roast marshmallows and form smores. (Mmmmm... smores) This version of the fanfic is the tame version, (obviously) and lacks strong language and certain scenes. If one wishes to see the story with the extra content, they can find it on . Reviews and comments/suggestions/questions are welcome! Okay, enjoy the read!

CastleVania: Failings of Forgiveness

"We have long awaited you here, Mathias Cronqvist. Wherever there is fear, pain, rage and loss, the chosen will always be called to the fire."

((Sometimes I wonder, sometimes I doubt when finding myself alone. I prefer to be alone. Life, is for the living. Eternity is for the dead. But eternity encompasses life, and all seals leak under the pressure of time. Sometimes I wonder if another would have taken my place, had I not been so ambitions. Sometimes I wonder… sometimes…))

"If you walk this path you must understand you will never leave it, never diverge from it. It will be a shackle about your wrists, but it will be the only chain with the power to bind you. Fall in blood, fall in flame, rise again into flesh; Forever. There will be much pain."

"I do not fear pain."

"There will be limitations imposed and removed, you will trade away your right to peace, and that which you trusted will betray you. You will become like that which you will control. It will destroy you and remake you."

"I will bear the changes."

"Why…? We have seen angels fall and demons weep, and many a great man gnaw open his own stomach to reach his spleen and quench it. What drives you to this road of carnage? What force possesses you, Mathias?"

"I am what I am."

"And we shall see what you will become. Give unto us the stones, blood and black; we will bind them to you. Take with you another name. Tell us it not for we care not, the past must be dead to you now. If you cannot release the past you must forever fear the future. Heed that well. And take with you our favored child, He has aided you before and will be closer to you than your shadow upon this path. May you serve each other."

"…Must I a companion in this?"

"You think to do this alone? See reason. You already have an enemy dire to you and so companions are to be welcomed. You will understand when you come into your power, the Power to Rule. Our favored son will prove invaluable with time. Take him. This is our will."

((Would another have come forward and approached that creature? Would any have sought it out, wanted that power..? Perhaps many and perhaps none, and it matters for nothing now. It was always my decision. I do not regret it. Regret was the first power taken from me… then went forgiveness, and charity, then awe, joy… slowly love submerged itself and sank from my sight...

But the cruelest blow was that blow I least felt; the last bell to toll. Un-mourned and unmarked, there is no grave deep enough to hold my hopes.))

"Awaken Master! The world is not yet lost to thee!"

"GOOD MORNING TOKYO! IT'S ANOTHER AMAZING SUMMER DAY!!"
Soma Cruz jerked sharply up, crying out once in surprise and a second time in pain as his head connected with an overhanging bookcase. "Ugh! God… what time…?"

"THE TIME IS 7:30! TEMPERATURES FOR TODAY ARE PREDICTED TO REMAIN RECORD HIGHS OF 87 DEGREES SO REMEMBER TO KEEP HYDRATED! GOOD NEWS THOUGH FOLKS, THE WEATHER STATION CLAIMS A COLD-FRONT MAY MOVE INTO THE AREA IN THE LATE AFTERNOON AND BRING US SOME NICE BREEZES-" Soma's hand slapped down onto the off button, knocking the radio off the bed table and sending it crashing to the floor. It bounced once before settling quietly on its side. Damp shaggy white hair was pushed away from squinted eyes.

"I've got to stop setting my alarm to that radio station… 7:30… that's too early…" He turned his head to the small apartment window. The light slipping between the panes wasn't very bright, a consequence of the taller building outside casting its shadow onto the complex. (Maybe it's not too late to roll over and try to go back to sleep.) He looked down at the ruffled sheets and the imprint on his pillow. The room was too hot and he could smell his own sweat. Lingering at the back of his mind sat unease, the hints of fear. Fear that if he went back to bed that dream would return. Repetitive and confusing with an aura of menace, the dreams had haunted his sleep since the weather turned hot. Despite the temperature a cold shudder traced his spine. (…Or not. Darnit…) He bent over and picked up the clock, (too hot to sleep, too early to be up, how long can it take to get the air-conditioning fixed? It's already been three days, and it's so hot…) Soma got up, groaned as his head throbbed. (Hate that shelf.) A cool shower would do wonders for his mood; he just had to get himself to the bathroom.

Usually the fake stone tile on the bathroom floor would be a little chilly, but with the heat how it was it was almost warm. The metal shower bar was comfortable under his fingertips as he pulled the shower door open. A white t-shirt and plaid boxers crumpled to the floor, a pale hand picked up his shampoo from the shelf above the toilet. With a hiss the water turned on, blessedly cool. Soma shivered from the change in temperature, sighed with relief. (Why did I set my alarm to 7:30…? School's been out for almost a week now, Mina's not around, there's nothing going on…) Soma grinned, shook his head sending water flying onto the glass and tile. (Nothing except Yoko coming into town with news about the new assignment. I should write stuff like this down…) He picked up the shampoo bottle, (…and take down that shelf.)

Thirty minutes later Soma was making his way down the apartment steps, keys in his pocket and hair nearly dry.

Yoko had been out of the area since their last encounter with the supernatural six months ago. She wasn't the type to linger where her skills weren't needed. They'd kept in touch for security reasons online since, e-mailing each other every odd day or so, commenting on mundane things. Recently however Yoko's messages had become shorter, and much more interesting. Well… considering the subject matter until that point had been sandwiches, death and taxes that wasn't much of a stretch.

She'd been assigned to monitor a malevolent presence that was traveling across Europe. It had moved through England and France, traced the boarder of Germany and raced through the heart of Poland. It had jumped the Baltic Sea, passed through Sweden and Norway and moved north until it entered Russia. Then it had disappeared for several days and Yoko's messages became rough and riddled with frustration. She worried that she might even be recalled to another assignment, but she worried in vain. After a two week inactivity the presence flared back to life in the center of china and continued to move towards Japan.

Yoko had come to the conclusion that its final destination was Japan, or someone in japan, such as Soma himself. Given their history together he couldn't blame her. She had probably already arrived, her flight was due in at 8:00. He was meeting her at the airport so she could discuss the details with him; (in Yoko speak: tell me I'm in danger/am a danger and be mum on the rest because she's not sure how much/what she can tell me without saying too much…) and to form a course of action to follow. (In Yoko action: become almost a stalker and break several privacy and surveillance laws as she waits for this presence to make a move or move on.) It almost made him wonder why he was excited to see her. Still, Soma continued to grin, his steps light. Gods it was a blessing that the airport she had flown into was located downhill from where he lived, and thank god there was a great air conditioned public transportation system to take him the biggest leg of the trip.

In the present heat the walk back up those steps wouldn't be a picnic. He was wearing more white than usual to keep cool, and still having a time of it. His hair was now bone dry.

As he entered the metro system he smelled something… off. It was faint, unpleasant, familiar… "Ugh…" At the foot of the steps flies were buzzing about a dark furry lump. Soma moved his foot away from the matted bump. (I almost stepped on that thing, jeez. Is that a kitten?) Despite himself Soma curiously bent down a bit, trying to see… with a jolt the limbs twitched and jerked against the concrete. Soma stepped back startled (A rat. Maybe this heat is good for something.) The drone of the flies continued, despite the rodents feeble motions. Soma shook off the surprise, hurried up the steps to the platform. The metro train had already arrived and he slipped inside minutes before the closing of the doors. He sighed along with several other passengers at the cool air as it blasted back to life in the car.

For a Wednesday the train wasn't overly crowded. Only a handful of people occupied his car. Two teenagers, both male, one wearing a headset leaned against the far wall. A family of three sat across from him. They were probably going to the airport like himself if their luggage was anything to go by. The child, a tired girl probably 5 years old held her young mothers hand as the father looked at his watch with exasperation. In the corner sat the last person in the car, and old man with a cane who looked like he'd just left a 'Go' tournament.
The train moved down the track and Soma leaned into his seat, enjoyed the cool plastic at his back. In his jeans pocket his cell phone began to vibrate. He sighed; (I'm coming Yoko, get a coffee and give me another few minutes. Maybe I should have set my alarm for 7:00, she probably expected me to meet her at the terminal…) He reached for the phone. (Or it could be Mina, but I doubt--) The vibrating stopped.

He pulled the phone out, opened it. The screen informed him that he'd missed a call, but not from Mina or Yoko… (Genya Arikado?!) The black letters swirled in front of his vision. (He's never called me, I didn't even know he had my number… Wait a moment, why does my phone know who's calling..? I don't have his number either!) The letters were still swirling, a drop of sweat fell from Soma's forehead onto the screen. (When did it get so hot in here…?)

He wasn't the only one to notice the temperature change. The girl holding her mother's hand began to whine. "Mama… it's hot mama…"

The woman looked down, her bangs stuck to her forehead. "I know Kimarie, The air-conditioning must have broken in this car."

Kimarie fussed, tugging at her shirt. "How much longer mama? It's so hot… how much longer?"

"Soon dear, soon." The wife looked at her husband. "Are we going to miss our flight Akira?"

He looked up from his watch. "Maybe not, I think we might be okay." He wiped the watch hand across his face. "I'm more worried about showing up at your sisters as dinner instead of for dinner. Wasn't the cooling working when we got in the car?"

The wife nodded, returning to quieting their daughter as the girl began to fuss in earnest.

The old 'Go' player had started fanning himself with a magazine article someone had left behind; the teenagers didn't seem to mind the change in temperature too much. One tapped a beat against the glass with his fingers as the other bobbed his head to music only he could hear. Soma wondered if he should call Arikado back. Another drop of sweat hit the screen. (This doesn't make sense…) Soma looked up, (Shouldn't we have heard the air-conditioning stop? I didn't notice it. And how did it get this hot this fast. I feel…) Soma stood, turned around. His eyes grew wide. He'd ridden this train plenty of times, he knew the route. They'd passed the airport. (And the train never stopped to open the doors…) His fingers clenched around the phone. (Arikado…)

Soma pulled the phone up to eye level, pressed the call button. An indicator flashed across the screen. NO BARS.

It felt like the train was picking up speed, the teenagers in the back were looking out the window now, their eyes were wide and they mumbled to each other something about "missing our stop." The child was crying, her mother trying to shush her while also watching their surroundings pass by in a blur. Her husband had his phone out as well, and it looked like he had no coverage either. The metro shot under an overpass, plunging the world outside the windows into darkness. And as they emerged from the other side of the tunnel like a bullet from the barrel of a gun, a concentrated force rammed Soma in the gut.

"Ugh-uh!" He keeled over, eyes wide in shock. (Wha—what was--!) The car swayed on the tracks violently tossing him from his seat to the floor. He could hear the girl scream, hear the mother start crying. There was shouting as well, someone pulled on his arm.

"Hey there boy! You alright? You hurt?" It was the old man from the corner.

Soma shook his head, braced his hands against the ground. "I'm all right, thanks."

The pull on his arm increased. "I think we better grab the handholds, something's not right with this train!"

"Hey! Hey!" The teen with the headphones waved at them all, his face slack with shock and his voice high and squeaky. "What train?! I don't see the rest of a train behind us! Weren't there three more cars?!"

"Forget behind us man! There's no cars in front of us!" The other teen had run to the front of the space, his back was now to the front view screen. "We're the only car out here! What the hell's going on?!"

The train car lurched again; Soma grabbed a handhold and braced his feet. Both the mother and the child screamed now, the husband held onto them as best he could as they struggled not to be thrown. Outside the windows they could hear the wind wailing but could see nothing, inside the temperature seemed to be rising. (Yoko was right…There is a presence here, and its definitely messing with me!) Another jerk, Soma gritted his teeth and braced. (What do I do? I don't have any souls! And there are uninvolved people here! At least this thing didn't grab the whole train but god knows how it left the other cars--)

Something was moving outside his window.

Soma only had the time to see a copper eye slit before an explosion of wind and glass flew into the car and knocked him into the back wall. It hurt to stand, he rose wincing into a crouch, heard the glass crunch beneath his feet even above the screaming of the other passengers and the hot wind rushing into the car through the ruined window. His eyes returned to the copper orb, his mind struggled to make sense of the creature before him. It was no native to the demon castle he knew so well, it's aura a completely different blend of colors and feels. It shone a pale, sickly green, foreign to his red/yellow/blue monster recognition. It clouded the inner eye of Power to Rule.

Long gangly arms attached to flared shoulder bones that hid the base of poorly feathered wings. The neck was irregularly long, the head human and bald, and completely lacking features. Only that copper eye in the center of its face watched him as he struggled to straighten. (No weapons, no armor, no souls… But I've got to do something…) the car lurched again and the other passengers struggled to fall away from the monster, Soma heard the cry and the crinkle as another unfortunate soul landed on glass shards. The monster showed no signs of feeling the violent jerking, its eye remained on Soma's face.

Soma held himself tall, blinked sweat and blood from his eyes as it trickled down his forehead. He could feel something changing in the air of the car, like the charging of electricity. That thing was what had knocked the wind out of him before, he was sure of it, and it felt like it was going to do it again. Subconsciously Soma's head lowered, leveling his own inner eye at the creature. It struck then.

The pressure ripped through the space between them, shattering the remaining windows outwards as it went. It hit Soma's inner eye and forced his head back into the wall. The blow stunned him, a sudden sharp pain and blackness behind his eyes accompanied a loud pop from his ears. But the pressure didn't let up as it had before; it held him there, pinned against the wall of the car. Everything seemed very far away now… the wind, the glass in his hands, the phone still clenched in his fist, the screams of the other passengers. He felt light, the heat was retreating and his vision was narrowing into a tunnel that ended with that glowing copper eye. His hands slowly opened, the cell phone began its tumble to the floor.

(Is… is that it…? Am I… going to die? Like this..?) Soma's eyes began to slide shut, (I can't die on a runaway train car… I need to… Yoko's waiting… Mina…) At the edges his vision blurred, red colored his sight to one side. (Mina…)

((Sometimes I wonder… sometimes I question… what have I done…? Where have I gone, what am I seeking in this place, day after day? I knew once… But I've forgotten. What will it take, what will it cost… to remember…I must… I must find… find the reason… the reason for…))

(I never thought to say goodbye to them…)

((What is the reason…))

-(…I never thought…)-

Pain was creeping back into Soma's body, waking him from the daze. The tunnel's end receded as the taste of his own blood filled his mouth. The pressure on his forehead remained, holding him immobile… almost. Eyes opened again, narrowed, lips curled back into a snarl as Soma pushed back, bending his head forward, inch by inch from the back of the car. Inch by inch it lowered to lock on with his own power. The pressure from the rest of his body vanished and he could see it now, see with the power to rule the glow of his opponent. Step by step, step by step he closed the distance between them. Dracula's dark powers rose within him, rushing over him and flooding his system with adrenaline. Step by step he forced the other back, back to the window. It was a battle of will; his opponent was hazing at the edges like a monster from the castle would before it gives up its soul.

This was too much for the creature. It opted retreat over death and jumped through the broken window. In a whisper of wind it was gone.

The other passengers had missed the entire display as they huddled into themselves crying and shaking. The car was still wildly careening, still racing and still getting hotter… Soma let his head fall forward, exhausted to the core of his being. (That thing… that thing had the Power to Rule, just like me. That thing nearly stole my…) His head rose and he scanned the blackness outside the car. (That thing might come back, we aren't safe here.) He moved back to the wall he'd been flung into, steps relatively sure. The car was going fast but it seemed to have stopped shaking for now. He bent and picked up his cell phone. The screen was cracked, besides that it seemed unharmed.

Straitening he found his gaze caught by the little girl, her eyes wide and bright stared back at him. He could see twin pinpoints of red reflecting back to him in her gaze, almost hypnotic… he jerked his head away, shut his eyes. (Have to suppress him… How could this happen so fast? I can't let them see this…)

Little Kimarie cringed at his response, she quickly resumed crying and buried her head into her mother's shoulder. "Mama! Mama! I wanna go home! I wanna go home!!"

"It's okay sweetheart, it's okay, it's going to be okay, I'm here. Sssshhh… I'm here." The woman's voice was thin, she was crying as well.

"sob Mama… mama…"

Just out of sight in the darkness outside the car danced figures that put many a nightmare to shame. They drifted closer and further away, pulled and pushed each other, jostled to peak into the single lit space in, it seemed, the entire world. Some made noise, soft whispered threads of sound, words that weren't words and other noises of a more primal base. From the center of the shadows something flitted, easily keeping pace with the metro car. Soma recognized it the moment it drew close enough to have features.

"Death…"

The skeletal form grabbed onto the broken window frame, bony finger making the metal shriek and shards tinkle to the floor as he crouched on the glass. Death grinned into Soma's face, the blue light that flickered in the backs of his sockets cast its glow across his cheeks. "My Lord." He held up a bony hand as though asking for patience as Soma began to protest. "This is not of my doing, I lay the credit where it belongs."

Soma put his hand to his head, "I don't believe this…"

Death leaned forward. "You have let this go on long enough. Stop the train."

Soma's fingers clenched, he braced himself. "If you're not responsible I can't, because I'm not in control!"

The Reaper pulled back, his skull tilted in thought. After a moment's pause he spoke again, his breath the only chill in the car. "…Then you are in danger. If this continues, this craft will enter…" Death hesitated again, as if not wanting to speak of what lay ahead. Instead he stretched his hand out again, palm up. "I will do as I have always done. I will bring you back into the flesh and we will begin anew. Take my hand."

Soma jerked back, "I am not Dracula!"

Death bent into the car, his scythe curved against the frame. "Boy… you have never known what you are. Do not presume to tell Me who is what and what not. I see not faces, I see Souls." The fire in Death's eyes was brighter, and the color... "Make your choice, painless or painful. It is all the same. I will find you again whatever may befall."

Soma' s hands shook at his sides. Punching the specter would do very little good, and never had a weapon looked more welcome. "Believe whatever you want. I will not die, and I will not leave them!"

Death looked incredulously to the rest in the car. "Them? Those mortals…? They are already…"

"I will not leave them!"

The reaper stilled, turned his head back to Soma. "You sound like your son… I had thought this was a page of the past." Soma did not respond, Death seemed to sigh, resigned. The fire faded back to blue. "Very well, as you wish. Save them if you can. Take them with us, begin collecting, but stop this train!"

Soma looked at his fellow passengers huddled in the corner. "…How."

Death looked out to the shadows. "Call to your castle."His bony fingers gripped the edges of the window; he slid backwards unheeding of the wind.

Soma jerked back to him. "The castle! And go through that nightmare again?!"

Death nodded, he seemed to grin. "If you fail, fear not. It is only one life of many. I will see you in the next." He released the window frame and shot out of sight as though pulled away by an unseen hand. One last glimmer of light shone from the blade of the scythe before it followed its master and faded into the blackness.

Soma did the only thing he could. Perhaps had it just been himself he would have endured, perhaps it would have made no difference at all.

He called.

...

..

.

It answered.