Chapter 1:

New Thread

(Soma's POV)

We were all in the center of the city. I was with Mina and… Destiny. We have become good friends with her, but I can't stand to see her because she reminds me of her sister, Aria. They look alike, the same hair color, the same color of skin, but their eyes were different. Destiny's eyes are green-brown while Aria's eyes are green-brown-gray. Every time I look at her… I see Aria.

-Ha ha! Are you serious?- ask Mina.

- Yeah, and that's when Hammer decided to-I start to say.

- Wait… Soma, can I ask you something?- ask Mina.

- Yeah, of course, Mina. What's wrong?- I ask her.

- It's been a year since it all happened, hasn't it?- ask Mina.

- Yeah, just about it.- I respond to her which was really rare of her to ask me something like that.

- And what was it called? You know, the ability to use the power of monsters?- ask Mina. This was getting out of hand. And I notice that Destiny was curious about this. And why wouldn't she? After all, she wants to know why her sister was so interested in me.

- You mean the power of dominance? I lost it when we escaped Dracula's Castle, remember?- I ask her.

- I know, but… it's just that, I get this terrible feeling inside…- say Mina.

- It's probably nothing…- I say until Destiny seem to look at the sky.

- You shouldn't be saying that Soma.- say Destiny.

- Why not?- I ask her.

- Because I also feel something odd. Something terrible is about to happen.

- Look, don't worry, okay? This past year, I haven't been able to use any of the powers I gained. And-I say and then a flash of light came from behind me and I turn around. Mina run toward me and hid herself. Destiny walk toward me and was next to me. She seem ready to attack and protect us if it was need to. A woman with golden hair, was in front of us.

- You… You're Soma Cruz, aren't you?- she ask us.

- Uh… Yeah… And you are?- I ask her.

- You may call me Celia. But not for long… come forth, my servants!- scream Celia and then she make appear a skeleton just like the ones from Dracula's Castle.

- What?! Mina get back!- I scream at her and she took some steps away from me. – Damn it! Of all the worst-

- Soma! Destiny! You back off, too!- scream a voice that I knew so well and it seems that Destiny also knew who it was.

- Mr. Arikado!- scream Mina.

- Genya Arikado, the guardian? Hmph! You shall not interfered!- scream Celia and start to make something.

- A barrier! Quick, Soma! Use this!- scream Arikado and throw at me a sword. With that… I was ready to fight. But I knew that Destiny was not prepare for this until… a flash of light came and she was now wearing the same kind of clothes Aria wear back then. We start to attack our enemies and help each other. By the time a great rock giant came… we combine our strength to face that monster until it was gone.

- Soma Cruz, I shall see your demise. That is certain. Using whatever means…- say Celia and then something strange happen.

- You wouldn't get away with that!- scream Destiny and then a light came from her that illuminate her.

- That can't be!- scream Celia and then a flash of light make her to disappear.

- Wait!- I scream, but I was too late.

- Save your energy. You won't catch her now.- say Arikado, I turn around to look at Destiny who seem that her aura of light was gone.

- Damn it!- I scream already angry.

- Soma, are you all right?- ask Mina.

- Yeah, I'm fine. But that power… It returned! Arikado, what's going on?- I ask him.

- The power don't "return." It was always with you. You just never had a need for it since you fled the castle. And that set free all the souls that you had gained dominance over.- say Arikado.

- You mean I couldn't use the power because I was never in any danger? Hmm. Anyway, who was that woman? She seemed to know you.- I say and this was getting weird for me.

- Celia Fortner. She's the priestess of a new and rapidly growing cult. We suspected she was up to something, so we've been keeping tabs on her.- say Arikado.

- But why would someone like that come after Soma?- ask Mina.

- Arikado. What exactly does she want with Soma?- ask Destiny and it was the first time I see her get worry for me. I notice that Arikado seem surprise too.

- They want to resurrect the lord of darkness. Like some sought to do with Dracula.- say Arikado.

- I guess they don't like the fact that I don't become the "lord of darkness."- I say.

- Not only that, they intend to create a new lord by eliminating you.- say Arikado.

- E-Eliminating?- ask Mina.

- Are they crazy or what?! They can't eliminate Soma!- scream Destiny this time to the offensive and I was more shock this time because it seem that she was protecting me. Why was she protecting me?

- But Soma, you don't need to get any more involved with this. Let us deal with it.- say Arikado and then he leave.

- I guess there is no other option.- say Destiny and with that she leave. Leaving me and Mina alone.

- That woman… She said she would "see my demise."- I say and I have finally make my choice.

- Soma…- say Mina.