The streets were lively and full of noise and excitement. Even the children were free to celebrate with the rest of the small community. On occasion, people brought out food from their homes to share. The smell of cooked turkey, corn, potatoes, and fresh vegetables swarmed through the air.

It was a small place, but a peaceful and friendly one, nonetheless.

A small collection lived here in Little Edge, which was located in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere in Ireland. Although, there didn't seem to be a soul in the town that had not attended the tenth anniversary of the Prince of Darkness's absence from the world.

His shadow hadn't veiled this peaceful globe for quite some time, and people all across the regions were thankful. For once, there was a definite feeling of safety.

"Anna!" cried out a young mother, who was nibbling away on a slice of homemade bread. "This is delicious! How did you come up with it?"

Anna simply and brightly smiled. "It's a special recipe, Fara - one that is only kept within the family." Fara frowned as she nibbled a bit more on the delectable starch.

"I suppose I know what that means. You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Absolutely not!" chuckled Anna, unaware of just how much this disappointed her friend. "However, if you ever want a batch, I'd be happy to cook some up for you. Don't hesitate to ask." She gave a pause after her offer had been made; in the distance, an ambiguous figure of a man came running down the short hill. This frantic male caught the eyes of a few gentleman, as the wives and children were too occupied in socializing, save for Anna. It was her own husband, Johnathan, who approached the running visitor.

"Is there a problem?" Johnathan inquired. "You look out of breath. Would you like a drink-"

"Fire!" the man gasped, pointing back toward the direction in which he came. "Down the street!" Instantly, the claim caused alarm. He did not hesitate to lead the way when Johnathan asked it of him. He followed at his heels, though he admitted he had no idea how to put out such flames, which he could already spot before reaching the top of that hill. Any fires were usually in the hands of residents that were a family of water mages. Then, a couple of years ago, they moved out.

Now, they were on their own.

It was absolutely necessary to evacuate everyone. The embers were spreading like the plague, using any foliage it could grasp as a fuel to scorch adjacent homes. With the news-bringer as his companion, Johnathan was quick to help. Truly, nothing in their power could extinguish this massive fire, as they were all merely mortals. No nearby communities had any, known mages. They all lived much too far away to even remotely help.

Johnathan aimed to lure out the families that had not yet been threatened by the angry flames, which he knew had been a lesser danger to him. "The kids!" cried the elderly mother, who had spotted the approaching blaze. It was almost here. "They're upstairs! Please, help them!"

Johnathan ran back inside. He had no time to scold the old woman for not bringing the kids with her, or even doing as much as informing him sooner. He knew that by the time he reached the second floor, the walls would already be touched. He hadn't a lot of time, and he needed to act quickly than his legs would allow him to. He knew nothing of these children; he didn't know how many of them there were, let alone their names. He simply banged on each door he could find.

"Fire!" he declared. "Everyone, get out!" The young ones were slow to respond, which he should have expected. Quickly, he swept into the room. It was a relief to him that he found them all in one room, apparently already aware that their lives were at stake.

The oldest one, a boy that had to be around eighteen, rallied his siblings together. It was the oldest sister of twelve that removed her infant brother out of the nearby crib, who was already in tears as if he knew something was out of place. Johnathan looked about the room. As quickly as he had reentered the house, the bedroom belonging to the total of five kids had emptied. However, he was not out of there just yet.

What was this? A few drops of blood on the ground? Slowly, Johnathan knelt to get a better look. It was certainly a life essence, but belonging to who? Suddenly, the tiny puddle seemed to bubble. He rose back up in confusion and panic. "What is that?" he muttered to him. There was no answer. Was it witchcraft? The only thing to come close to clarification was the blood's leaking between the floorboards, which abruptly diminished beneath his feet.

In terror, the child with the baby boy in her arms was the only witness to Johnathan's downfall. He had fallen not into the first floor of the house, but was swallowed into what might have been an otherworldly abyss.

***

"My husband! Where is my husband!?" Anna was sobbing into Fara's shoulder.

"I'm sorry... It seems Johnathan just...disappeared," murmured the news-bringer.

The mother of the five children peered down at her little girl, who still was clinging to her tiny brother. "Tell Anna what you told me, Lorelei..."

The young, blonde girl peered up at the scared woman, whose curiosity and agony allowed her to look down at her. She was silent as Lorelei's lips parted to speak. "It was a hole... It was like a hole in the ground that came out of nowhere, but...just dark." Many were listening to her story. Finally, a voice stirred behind all of them.

"He has returned."

Many heads pivoted to look at an elderly man. He limped over to Lorelei, who appeared somewhat intimidated by him until he offered her an apologetic smile. However, he was instantly stern when he looked up to the distressed wife of Johnathan. "Your husband has been taken by the Prince of Darkness." Frantic murmur started, but Anna appeared to refuse believing this tale.

"Don't be ridiculous. It isn't true!"

"It is, and you know it!" the man shouted, causing several to jump in alarm. "Don't you see? A little over a century has passed. It was only a matter of time until Count Dracula made his return to ruin us."

"And why have you paid so much attention to how long it's been?"

"I have every reason to," he replied. "After all, I am Trystan - the son of Simon and Selena Belmont." Noise erupted again, and a woman spoke up.

"Then, you can stop him, can't you?"

"Do you not notice my old age?" Disappointment was clear on the female's face. "However, I do know of someone who can help. She is young, but she has great potential."

"Where is she?"

"Who is she?"

"She is my granddaughter. She lives with the mages on the eastern coast of Ireland."

"And how will we know she will agree to do this?"

"I know she will. It is in her blood, after all," the old man sighed. "I will send her a letter first thing in the morning. From there, it is in her own hands."