Author's note: After lurking in the shadows, reading the fan fictions of others and seeing the amazing anime that has come into existence I've finally been inspired enough to write fan fiction again. I thank each and every single one of you talented men and women for your love, dedication and creativity in regards to your stories.
I will also state that this project is mostly based on the games with some content from the anime and a few made up facts.
Lady Astral doesn't own Castlevania.
Chapter 1: Forest Meetings
It was a lovely early spring day.
The sun was shining, slowly lending it's warmth to combat the slight chill that lingered over from the harsh winter.
Animals went about their daily routines, each lending their voices to nature's beautiful song. Even as the solitary form of a lone human trudged through the slightly muddy forest floor they did not cease.
"Now...was it mint... or sage that I needed..? The poor man's handwriting wasn't that legible." A feminine voice muttered to herself as her light blue eyes scanned the various flora for the herbs she needed from underneath her grey cowl.
It was odd for anyone to traverse the woods due to the many rumors associated with them and Lisa Fahrenheit had heard pretty much all of them.
Mrs. Laura the seamstress swore that a freshwater variant of mermaids lurked in the depths of the unnamed lake deep in the eastern portion of the forest. Still Mr. Jeremiah the baker told tales of men shifting into beastly forms after finding that their wives had been unfaithful. The stories went on and on and yet there was no conclusive proof to any of them.
'Superstious nonsense at its finest.' Thought Lisa with a small laugh as she hopped over a fallen log.
The young woman hailed from a family of scholars and doctors, men and women of the sciences that had dedicated their lives- quite literally in some cases- to find ways of bettering the quality of life for humanity as a whole. Lisa herself chose medicine for a number of reasons but the easiest and quickest answer as to why was simple: She wanted to heal people.
"I do not care what the villagers say or what they call me Annabelle. I will continue my work as a doctor." She had told her friend the day prior.
"But what if they come for you Lisa? You know what happened to old Tabitha. She was taken to Târgovisté and burned at the stake." The girl had replied.
"So am I to halt my studies, my work simply because someone does not like nor approves of it? What of the sad few that need my help? Should I preserve my life while some poor little girl or boy wastes away from an illness I could've prevented? No. I shall march on and aid those who would have me." Lisa had stated and the conversation had ended.
Poor Annabelle was her only friend but was constantly harassed for it due to Lisa's odd profession and ancestry. Despite this the redhead remained true and loyal to the blonde, always ready to defend her honor.
It was because of Annabelle that she searching for plants in the first place, due to her friend's nerves being a bit frayed thanks to her pregnancy. A remedy that a friend of her late parents had given to her was for a special medicinal tea that would calm the nerves but it was written quite badly.
To make matters a tad more tricky the frost had killed off most of the precious herbs that lingered near the village meaning Lisa would have to venture in deeper than she usually did.
A daunting task certainly but with her gaze set firmly ahead, jaw set and heart sure the Fahrenheit walked on.
After about four hours or so of walking she came to a small spring of water. Feeling a bit parched she knelt beside the water, filled her cupped hands and drank heavily. It was during this that she heard a low but high pitched noise coming from her right.
Cautiously, she stood up and walked towards it only to gasp in alarm at what she saw.
It was the form of a massive male wolf with dark grey fur and deep brown eyes that almost looked red. It flashed its teeth at her growling harshly despite being caught in a snare. The pain it was feeling from its snapped leg wasn't likely to be helping things either.
Upon recovering from her initial shock, the blonde quickly looked in her satchel for bandages and her knife.
"Shh...Shh...Easy boy. I'm not here to harm you. In fact if you cooperate you'll be fixed up and limping off in no time at all." She said in a soothing tone as she slowly approached him.
The beast continued to growl but he ceased his struggling,brown orbs locked onto her every move and it even flinched when she slid her knife through the rope binding him to the horrid trap.
When he was cut free he tried to spring away but fell after a few steps. He let out an angry huff when a light giggle slipped through Lisa's now clenched lips.
Lisa Fahrenheit was not superstious, being a woman of the sciences as she was but even she noticed it was a bit odd how the second she set and wrapped the wolf's back leg that a sharp snapping sound was heard.
Nor could she have possibly made up what sounded like a growlish sounding "Thank you" coming from this enormous beast before it dashed off without even limping.
"What in God's name...?" She whispered, eyes wide.
"What indeed? Have you never heard of Wargs my lady?" A deep, baritoned voice questioned from behind her, startling the other so badly that she whirled around to confront him...only to stop and stare at him in a mixture of awe and terror.
The man reminded her of the marble statues that adorned the graves of the few wealthy families of Lupu, both in their color and foreboding nature.
The long jet black hair only helped accentuate the parlour of his skin. His ears were a fair deal longer and pointed at the end instead of rounded like a normal humans.
His ears weren't the only thing that was longer than the average persons. His nails reminded her of a lynx she had once saw romping through the woods.
Tall, clad in black and red aristocratic clothing, he was certainly an imposing sight to behold. However Lisa was a great deal more peeved after the feelings wore off.
"What do you mean a Warg? Are you implying good sir that the animal I just helped was a monster?" She said in a slightly snippy tone.
The mysterious man merely chuckled. "So close minded!" He jokingly stated.
Lisa looked a bit flustered at that and sighed, calming down a bit. "I apologize. That was a bit close minded but I don't believe in putting the blame on others, be they poor beggar, noble born, or fantastical beast. We as humans must progress even if we make such serious mistakes."
That gave the man a pause, a thoughtful look overcoming his eyes. "Hmm..then allow me another question my lady. Do you think that even those who've committed such serious crimes such as murder or betrayal can be forgiven of their sins...?"
"Yes if they truly repent I shouldn't see why not. If they got away with it in three first place that is. Oh! Forgive me I haven't even introduced myself. I am Lisa Fahrenheit of Lupu Village. What might your name be?"
"Vlad Dracula Tepes. What brings you out here Lady Lisa?" He asked with a small grin on his face.
"My friend is expecting and is quite worked up. I'm looking for sage or mint for a herbal tea." She replied.
"Pardon me if my information is incorrect but isn't there an apothecary in Lupu Village? Would they not sell you some?" He asked clearly confused.
"The owner refuses to sell anything to me."
"Why ever not?" Came his question.
Her smile was tinged with sadness. "My family name isn't the most loved or respected due to the fact that we believe in science and not superstition. Sure we believe in the Lord God Almighty, we pray before every meal, go to church, etc, but that counts for nothing amongst the deacons and elders of the clergy. In fact several of my family were tried as heretics and witches just from the fact that we survived certain illnesses impart from the medicine we made. I myself am called a witch by most of the populous."
"I have met witches and you are certainly not one of them! How dare they accuse you of such drivel! They should be thankful you even care enough about their selfish, pathetic, cowardly selves in the first place!" He growled out, eyes flashing a bit in his anger.
Lisa held up her hands in a placating manner. "Please sir calm yourself. True they are harsh and their fear is unwarranted but... I'd be just as terrible if I did not help them. They are like lost sheep that have been harried by wolves, frightened but desperately in need of treatment."
"That sentimentality will get you killed." He bluntly stated.
"Maybe so but I will die knowing that my actions helped saved a life." Lisa said with a slight smile upon her face.
Vlad quite liked the sight of it,the way her curled lips seemed to light up her entire being, blue eyes alight with an inner kindness that could be felt as soon as you looked into them.
They observed each other in silence before Lisa remembered why she had traveled here in the first place. "I should be off sir. I must find those herbs."
"Then I would encourage you to follow after me. I own quite a bit of land and my gardens are vast. You may collect what you need from it. In return I merely wish to chat with you again."
Lisa hesitated but, upon finding nothing but sincerity in his red eyes, agreed and took the arm he offered. Arm in arm the two walked and conversed about many topics from science to the supernatural.
They walked for maybe an hour before a huge stone bricked castle loomed in the distance. "My home." He offered to her stunned expression.
"It's...certainly massive."
His countenance darkened as he gloomily replied with,"But quite empty. I do not get many visitors Mrs Fahrenheit."
"Miss. I'm unmarried. Sadly I have a theory as to why that may be. There are many outlandish stories of the forest being a domain for monsters."
"I see."
The blonde paused for a bit before saying,"You said before that you'd let me gather what I needed if I would visit up once yes? I may need more herbs in the future and I would definitely pay you back if you wished it."
His eyes grew. "Lisa of Lupu... Are you offering to come more than once to see me?"
She nodded. "Why not? You're obviously well read, pleasant, and understanding of my often scorned practices. Would that arrangement be acceptable to you?"
"Yes! I mean, yes that would be quite agreeable." Vlad said, calming down after his initial outburst of joy.
His embarrassment caused Lisa to snicker before full on laughing at the look upon his face. Her laughter was contagious and soon they both were in hysterics before eventually calming down.
After that Lisa was guided to the gardens, collected as much of the herbs as she could carry and was escorted back to the edge of the the forests by Vlad.
"I shall meet you here tomorrow just before sunset. As much as I'd love to see you sooner the sun hurts my eyes. As such I shall guide you through the forests."
Lisa nodded,smiling widely. "I look forward to it Lord Tepes." With that she went back home, her steps a bit lighter than before.
When she was out of earshot he made his way back in the forest and traveled to the lake.
Waiting for him were three beings: A floating skeleton in dark blue robes, a fairy in a light green dress, and the warg from earlier. All three bowed at his approach.
"Death I want a two flocks, one composed of bats and the other of ravens, to watch her during the night and day."
The scythe weilding spectral hovered closer and only his voice gave away his apparent joy. "Is she the one my lord?"
"Yes. She is the spitting image of her."
"I rejoice wholeheartedly sire. Your will shall be carried out."
The fairy choose this time to speak up. "My Lord Dracula I beg you to return to the castle. The spell I've placed to shield you from the Sun is almost up."
The vampire nodded and shifted into a bat, launching himself into the air as he zoomed acrossed the skies.
'I've finally found you again...my dear Elisabetha...'
How was it? I must admit I haven't posted on a site like this since 2012. ^-^
Feedback and reviews are heavily appreciated.