Castlevania: It's Never Late for Forgiveness
After a cult's new attempt to resurrect the lord of darkness, Soma starts to have visions of his past life as Mathias Cronqvist and his wrongdoings as Dracula and slowly he awakens his true self, while he deals with the deep scars, nightmares and anguish regrets, dreading the reactions of his friends on his returning memories, learning Arikado's true identity and finding redemption.
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A/N: Greetings! I'm another big fan of Castlevania and here I am leaving a little tribute in honor of my favorite series of games. At first this is a project of twelve short chapters about a story that I believe I've never read anything similar here. I hope you enjoy! Also, I'm not a native English speaker so forgive any misspellings it may be in here. And for last as usual, Castlevania or any of its characters doesn't belong to me, this is for my own and others fans entertainment.
If you haven't read any of my other projects of this collection and would like to read them, the chronological order is:
1- It's Never Late for Forgiveness
2- Sunt Aici
3- Iris of Blue, Green and Gold
4- The Midnight Rose.
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Chapter 01: Yoko
Due to the strong connection of the Belmont family with the Belnades family through the centuries, the prince of darkness met Yoko when she was only a child, about four of five years old. Having a strong, carefree and adventurous spirit, a straightforwardness personality, the girl soon managed to get into the dhampir's cold demeanor and in time he came to have a sincere affection for her.
A smile shining in the blonde's little face somehow always made the man's look warm at the child's innocence.
Also with time he came to appreciate the cheerfulness, gentle, charismatic and extroverted way that Yoko held herself as the years passed and the little girl blossomed into a beautiful woman; as well became accustomed to the strong determination, persistence and care when searching for something she desires.
And so it happened that night when Yoko found him in the library of the Belnades mansion, sitting quietly reading a book. Between friendly greeting him while thinking in how to approach the desired subject with the man considered unapproachable by many, or throw everything up without care because she doubt he would do anything more than stare at her anyway, she chose the best choice as the second option and went straight to the point.
"So, when are you going to finally tell Soma the truth about who you really are, Alucard?"
The dhampir stared at her with dark striking eyes; see how she was right?
"You know that sooner or later he will find out. I just want to know if it will be by you directly or if you prefer that some other lunatic who wishes Dracula's back does it in your place?"
The man sighed; after a moment he answered, although calm, behind his tone there was a small note of resignation, she noticed.
"I know I should tell him..."
"Still, I can clearly see written in your face that you do not wish to do it. Why so apprehensive? Do you think he'll change his behavior towards you or the others?"
Alucard said nothing this time and Yoko preceded softly.
"I know that Soma cares about you in his way, even when you sometimes act as if you were running away from the plague by avoiding him, and don't look at me like that because you know I am right, and don't try to deny it!"
The damphir sighed again; sometimes he would appreciate the witch's persistence, others it unnerves him. Nevertheless, he started evenly.
"Dracula became evil when his soul was corrupted by the malevolent power of chaos, consumed by the sad memories of his own past ... His hatred for Elizabetha's death and his fury when his offer of immortality was denied by Leon Belmont, initiating all this vicious circle that we have lived for so many centuries ..."
The next words, Yoko noticed, he spoke with some difficulty.
"The death... of my mother, Lisa... destroyed him... and my treason... Threw him into the arms of chaos, eventually driving him completely mad. His ears became deaf to my words, and I ..."
The man closed his eyes and put his face in his hands, reflecting on the day when, after witnessing the horrors committed by his father due to the murder of his mother, he had fled Castlevania, met and allied with Trevor Belmont and years later faced Dracula for the sake of keeping the promise he had made to her.
He asked himself several times if this decision had been correct. If instead of fleeing he had decided to stay in the castle, and perhaps with time managed to diminish the fury and hatred present in the vampire's heart. How many terrible occasions could have been avoided...
Alucard gazed at Yoko with a hard stare.
"Soma was born with a pure soul... I'm afraid of what the weight of these memories may do to his mind. It might destroy him, this almost happened in the castle under the influence of chaos."
"We are not under this influence now." The witch looked at him with pointed look. "I long feared the monster that Dracula had become, you and Julius gave me the courage to face him and seal Castlevania inside the Eclipse. But looking at Soma now, I cannot imagine he, as strong as he is, would fall maddened by such distant memories, and I believe in him ... There is the possibility of Soma remembering everything and remaining with the heart of the good and gentle man who Mrs. Lisa met and loved ... and you know it."
This subject was making him uncomfortable.
"There is no guarantee that this will happen, and I will not put Soma's life and future in jeopardy by past memories that are not worth remembering."
"You're afraid of losing him again, Alucard ... You do not have to admit this to me, but to yourself." Yoko said softly; the man shifted on his chair, purposely avoiding her eyes.
The woman then, asked.
"You may not tell him now... But what if fate does not give you the choice? What will you do? I am sure that getting away is not a solution to solve this situation and much less will prevent Soma remembering. In a way, you two are a bit alike, do not get me wrong ... I think you should talk to him, even if you don't give yourself much credit, Alucard, you are part of that remote past, and is completely present in Soma's life now, and despite all the circumstances and all the happenings, he still is your father."
The dhampir said nothing, and not really expecting he would, stubborn as he is anyway, Yoko decided to leave him in peace with his thoughts and with a slight smile she left the room.
