Chapter VI: 1797

"Incredible," Simon stated once they were through the void.

The four gazed around at their new surroundings. Once again they were in a village, however there were not any villagers walking around.

"Well done," Saint Germain's voice echoed around them, "I had my doubts when I first sent you out on your own, but you're passing with flying colors."

"Who's there?" Simon demanded and reached for his whip.

"Don't worry about him," Hugh stated, "That's Saint Germain."

Saint Germain laughed slightly, his good mood seemingly had passed, "It's nice to see you still in one piece Simon Belmont. Formalities are beyond me at this point, but I welcome you to our cause never the less. Now down to business…"

"Hold on," a man stated from the far side of the village, "Before you continue your little quest I have a bit of advice for the four of you."

Walking towards them was Saint Germain's acquaintance. He appeared to be walking normally, but he was moving much too fast.

"Him I'm not too sure about," Hugh said and hardened his eyes.

A sigh echoed from above, "Do you always have to interrupt?"

Disregarding Saint Germain's question the man stated simply, "I go by Zed. What you three are doing is forbidden, but I am led to believe that if situations arise I can step in at any time and put an end to this little quest of yours."

"Wait," Serenity said, "our little mission of ours was given to us by Saint Germain. We weren't even aware something like this was possible. Besides, we're bringing together forces to secure the safety of the future."

Zed laughed at this, "By that do you mean put an end to Lord Dracula, or are you planning on erasing all the evil in the world?" When silence met him he continued, "What most people, Saint Germain included, don't understand is that for light to exist there has to be a balance of darkness, of evil if you will. How do you judge when there's no evil in the world?"

"From the sound of it you are on his side," Nathan spat coming forward, "Dracula was saying the same thing when we banished him."

"Lord Dracula seems to be the only one with any sense, but I assure you I am on my own side. Saint Germain and myself are not supposed to interfere with time or destiny. By doing so we put every single realm and era in danger," Zed explained facing Nathan directly.

"Enough arguing," Saint Germain called, "We don't have time for it. Now listen, you are in 1797. The same circumstances stand as before. You will not be seen until you are ready, and you must obtain the warrior we need…however…."

"You are on a time limit," Zed finished, "Did you think you could come and go as you please? You are being watched by eyes that can see you regardless if others cannot. You were very lucky last time, but I cannot deny that you are in danger of being found out, which means Saint Germain and myself are in danger as well."

"Something is after us?" Serenity stated looking around.

"Do not worry Serenity, it doesn't know where you are yet, but what Zed says is true," Saint Germain replied, "You will have to be quick with finding your second ally, so I brought you through to a later time."

"Wait," Serenity called, "you know, don't you, what is happening in this time?"

Silence, and then Zed answered, "We know. That's why he brought you to later in the evening. By the time you get to the castle and find the throne room you should be able to reveal yourselves right then and there."

"Serenity," Nathan started, "What are you talking about?"

Taking a breath Serenity replied, "This is the year Dracula's Curse took Richter Belmont under its control."

"What?!" Simon shouted, "A Belmont under Dracula's control? That's absurd."

"It's just like before then," Hugh said looking off to the distance where a castle stood silently, "Richter was believed to be killed by Dracula's son after he succumbed to the curse. I had no idea this actually happened, I thought it was just an old legend."

"Believe me, it happened," Nathan said grabbing his sister by the arm, "We have to go."

Nodding Serenity and the others began to run towards the castle when Zed called after them, "Serenity." Stopping she turned, "Will you be able to handle it?" he asked with a smile.

"I'll have to," she said simply and ran off with the others.

The four ran on in silence. Hugh and Simon were a bit confused by Zed's parting words, but Nathan understood them perfectly. Back in the village Zed was preparing to return to Saint Germain when a voice echoed down to him.

"I don't understand why you had to go in person," Saint Germain said.

Stepping through his portal he walked into the church moments later stating, "Don't tell me it makes you uneasy."

"It can sense when one of us travels through time, or did you forget that?" he asked glaring at him from his seat.

Zed laughed, "Of course I remember, I also remember that another certain someone can sense it as well."

"You can't be serious!" Saint Germain shouted as he slowly rose to his feet.

Zed looked at him with malice as his smile widened, "You don't honestly think I came here out of concern? My dear friend, you should know me better then that."

Eyes watched as the four hunters ran through the dense forest on the way to the castle. They were not the eyes that had been watching them in the previous time, nor were they the eyes of Zed or Saint Germain. They narrowed as the hunters passed onto the bridge and into the caste gates. Though the darkness of the night an even darker aura surrounded the bright eyes that were returning to the current time. They had seen what they needed to, and the lips beneath them smiled.

Everything was going according to plan. There was no fun in obtaining what you desire without some sort of a fight. Of course the fool Saint Germain would want to rally an army, and why not? Let the hunters go through time as much as they wanted and bring back any number or warriors from the past, the end result would be the same. The prize would be won either way, and death would be given to the foolish hunters. Merciless or brutal, it mattered not.