A/N: I have become addicted to Castlevania and this little plot bunny was born so I decided to make a story of it tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not own Castlevania because if I did it would be totally different.

Chapter 1

Pain of the past

1092

-summer

I sigh as I overlook the house I have lived in since I was but fifteen and accepted Mathias's proposal from marriage. It was a good match, my parents believe so and so does my brother. Not that I do not mind. My brother and Mathias are friends and I know he will be happy. Mathias has treated me well loving me like no man before. I smile as I feel loving arms encircle my waist. "You should be sleeping my love," he says in my ear with that deep and rich voice I love so much.

"I have so much on my mind Mathias," I say unsure of myself. The most unbearable pain I have felt is watching my brother and husband go off to war to help out their kingdom. I am glad they are such proud soldiers, but my heart aches knowing I may not see either of them again.

"What ails you my dear Elisabetha?" Mathis asks turning his love around and holding her small hands in his. He loved her more than anything, the moment he saw her coming to greet her brother he felt emotions he never knew before. Her long golden locks and bright blue eyes filled with life and joy he fell in love. Pure and simple, he asked her parents and Leon for her hand in marriage. To combine his family with his best friend was a bonus.

"I just worry for you so Mathias," I say and place my hand on his cheek. He closes his eyes leaning into it. "To go off to war again for another campaign I do not think I could stand it. The thought of losing you makes me-" He put his finger over my lips quieting me.

"My love," he purrs at me and setting his lips to mine. I kiss him back glad to have his affection. "Stay with me tonight," he says and smiles. "Tomorrow I leave with Leon for war and I would love to have your comfort and love before I leave." he explains bringing my hands to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. I smile at him and nod.

"You need not ask me my love," I say with a smile. "I will always love you and let you-" he cuts me off again but this time it is with his mouth not his finger. It passes in a blur and I enjoy the passion he gives me and how much he makes me feel alive. I lay on his chest holding one hand while his other hand goes through my hair.

"I will be back," he says with a smile. "I promise I will be back. Will you greet me?" I smile and nod. I will wait for him endlessly.

1093

-Winter

Mathias scowls as he looks around. The campaign was victorious now where was she? "She will come," Leon said with a half-smile resting his hand on his friend's shoulder. Mathias is not convinced at that. A servant from his household walks up to him. She had a sad look in her eyes and the words out of her mouth shocks him to the core.

"I'm sorry my lord," the servant said with a sad tone. "Lady Cronqvist has passed, she died a month ago." Leon jumps off his horse and goes to his friend.

"How?" Mathias asks with a croak. His mind could not catch up to what he just heard. "She can't be," he said brokenly. "How did she die?" he growled at the servant who had gone silent.

"Childbirth my lord," the servant said intimidated and very sad. No man should go through what lord Cronqvist was going through. Mathias could not feel his legs and fell down weeping loudly. The word childbirth repeating in his head over and over again. He felt someone supporting his wait and whispering something but he could not hear it.

"Elisabetha," he screamed crying into his friend. "My Elisabetha," he murmured and he lost all track of time and place. His grief was too much to bear. "Why was she ripped from me?" he asked to no one. "You have taken her from me why!"

1094

-Castle throne room

"M-Mathias!" Leon asked shocked seeing his friend standing there. Mathias could not help starring at his friend, his idiotic but strong friend. Leon Belmont, such a kind and caring friend he was and so easily used.

"You didn't disappoint me, Leon," He said coldly smirking darkly at his friend. "I knew without a doubt you would accomplish this." He always did know Leon would succeed he was a warrior without peer and he had used everyone like good little pawns. Sara, Walter, Leon, and many others, he had used them all.

"What is the meaning of this?" Leon asked his friend shocked and surprised to see him. It didn't make sense why was Mathias here and what about the crimson stone? Leon had a bad feeling about this; his friend has changed since they came home in January to the horrible news. Elisabetha's death was harder on Mathias then it was one everyone else.

"I needed a strong Vampire's soul," Mathias said mockingly. "That is all." He was hoping his dense friend would finally get where this was going. Leon was only good at fighting though and was not as talented or intelligent as he himself was.

"Are you saying you used me?" Leon fired back in outrage. Why would Mathias use him for a vampire's soul? None of this makes sense. What happened to his friend? His brother-in-law the man who married his younger sister?

"Not just you," Mathias answered in the affirmative with a laugh hidden in his words. He felt no shame for what he had done. All for Elisabeth. Everything he did was for her! "Your betrothed, Sara," He replied with a smirk. "Rinaldo, and Walter…I used all of you!" Mathias smiled and walked to the right to observe his friend's expression it was delicious. The look of betrayal on his face but he was beyond guilt now. All he felt now was burning anger and desire for power. All he wanted would come to him soon but perhaps his friend still had a use. "I never thought it would go so well though," he added with a dark chuckle, his eyes beginning to change to suit his new nature.

"is that-That stone..The Crimson stone?" Leon asked as he finally knew what the stone was but the implications of it were unbelievable. Mathias didn't do this did he? This couldn't be his brother Mathias?

"Ah you know it?" Mathias asked with a dark chuckle. "I'm impressed. I made Walter's soul mine with the power of this stone." He smiled spinning the stone around in his hand still pacing in front of his friend. Mocking him for all that has happened.

"I sense a rage from this whip," Leon said looking at the whip on his belt. The whip that held the soul of his beloved Sara. Who if the implications were true Mathias killed! "Mathias!" Leon exclaimed in outrage finally understanding all the facts. "You abandoned humanity!" He asked loudly and could not believe it but the truth was right in front of him. The dark look in Mathias's eye was true enough. The friend he knew was replaced by this monster.

"That's right!" Mathias said in dark amusement. "By becoming a vampire I have obtained eternal life! That was my goal. It was my Revenge against god!" Too bad he had to spell this out for his idiotic friend; a more intelligent man would have gotten everything easily. Of course Leon was only a warrior like before, a pawn, a sacrifice on the battle field. Tacticians are way more valuable than a common soldier.

"Revenge against God?" Leon asked in even more shock. How could his friend hate god for all of this? They were warriors in the crusade fighting for God and all of his glory. Mathias sneered at the thought of god coming up to his friend his arm outreached explaining everything to his friend.

"We have risked our lives and fought for the sake of God," Mathias replied filled with malice. "But god mercilessly stole away the one I loved most when all I ever wished for was Elisabetha's Safety! If limited life is God's decree then I shall defy it! And within that eternity I shall curse god forevermore!" He hated god more than anything, he was a good warrior and a loyal man to god but then he ripped away Elisabetha during childbirth with his child. He could never forgive him for that!

"Mathias," Leon replied sadly with a depressing sigh. His friend was lost now, but perhaps there was hope. Leon starred at Mathias as he stepped closer to him.

"Leon," Mathias replied in a kinder tone, burying his anger and hate to talk to his friend. "After what you've been through you should know," Mathias said to him seeking Leon to try and deny what he said.

"You are right," Leon answered to his friend. "I do understand how you feel. I too.." He gets cut off and looked at his friend as Mathias held out his hand.

"Then come with me?" Mathias asked his friend. "I will give you eternity too," he added looking his friend in the eyes. His friend was strong and powerful and as a vampire he would be a great protector and warrior for him.

"You wretched fool," Leon said with great difficulty. He was tempted to join his friend, but Sara believed in him and he would never dishonor her in that way. Mathias looked at him in surprise, not expecting to be denied. He offered Leon everything. "Is this what the woman you loved would of wanted?" Leon asked knowing what his sister would have wanted. "The Mathias I know would not have loved such a woman!" He screamed pointing at his friend. He had to remind Mathias of what Elisabetha would have wanted. Mathias looked away sadly remembering his wife.

"Elisabetha was a kind, and honorable woman," he said sadly looking at the floor and away from his friends. What his friend said struck a chord in him really deep, but he could not stop now! He choose his path! "She was concerned for me only for me until the very end…that is why I hate him!" he growled out showing his friend he could not be swayed. His anger and hate were too deep to even think of forgiving him. "Am I wrong!" He asked his friend with searching eyes. Did his friend not feel the same for losing everything? "Did you not defeat Walter with hatred in your heart, too?" he asked mockingly

"Yes I would be lying if I claimed otherwise," Leon said with great difficulty. "But defeating him, No preventing others from suffering the same cursed fate that was Sara's dying wish!" Mathias starred at him surprised and could understand what drove Leon now. "Granting my beloved's wish," he says to Mathias. "That is all I can do to prove my love to Sara. Eternity without her would be nothing but emptiness."

Mathias starred at him sadly understanding what his friend was saying. Leon could not live with only hate and anger in his heart for all eternity. Leon did not even know such loathing and hate. "Leon," he said sadly. "I thought that you would understand. Dawn is coming. Farewell Leon, Death he's all yours." Mathis turned his back on his friend, it annoyed him that Leon could not understand but now he was in the way. Mathias turned into a bat and flew away leaving his friend to die at the hand of Death. If that would happen. Leon might win; the chance was slim but there.

"Stop!" Leon screamed before Death attacked him. Damn it! He failed his sister, his friend, and everyone who mattered. But he would not stop until Mathias was beaten, and if not himt hen his clan. The Belmont's would do it for all eternity if possible. He promised his beloved no one would suffer like she did or like Rinaldo did.