Chapter 4
Something very strange was happening, Maria Renard thought to herself. Upon entering the castle, she noticed immediately that it was different this time. She did not believe that it could have changed so much since she last walked through its dimly lit halls. But the stranger, Alucard, told her that the castle was a "creature of chaos" and that it could change forms. The door behind her led to the underground caverns she had just traversed. They had been filled with demons that spent their time idly lighting torches which were constantly snuffed out because of the wind. Her presence however inspired them to try and light something else on fire.
Maria leaned against the door and caught her breath. A part of her was beginning to wish that she had stayed with Alucard. There was something truly mysterious about him, yet also alluring. Maria felt a need to know him better. It was very awkward; after all, they barely knew one another. He also did not seem to be one to enjoy company. Strangely, Maria sensed an aura of loneliness about him. Perhaps he desired human company, but was afraid for some reason. There was also something different about him. He seemed human, but he wasn't.
It was very quiet where she rested now. It was a long hall, very plain when compared to some of the beautiful and ornate sections of the castle she had seen. The walls were made of simple stone and were decorated with torches placed at regular intervals. The hall seemed to be nothing more than a connecting path between two sections of the castle. She had been through a number of these.
Having gathered some of her strength back, she proceeded down the hall until one of the torches further ahead was suddenly extinguished. Maria froze. Her eyes widened and she tried to force her vision to peer into the darkness ahead. Something seemed to move.
"Who is there?" She demanded.
A tall figure emerged and instantly she felt relieved.
"Alucard!"
His silhouette was unmistakable. Dressed entirely in black, only his pale skin had revealed his presence within the all encompassing darkness of the unlit hall. But as he stepped out, Maria noted that now he too had changed. His clothes were lacking the gold embroidery which she had noted before. He no longer carried a sword at his side. His face was heavier and his hair shorter.
"What's happened to you?"
As she neared him, she saw that his eyes were closed. Her hand reached out to touch him, when suddenly they snapped open. Alucard's hand grabbed Maria's. His eyes! Maria was taken aback by their sudden red glow.
"Who are you?" he asked coldly.
"Alucard, do you not recognize me? Maria?"
"You are unknown to me," he said simply. His other hand quickly wrapped itself around her throat. In another instant, Alucard forced her against the wall while lifting her off the ground.
"Where is Trevor?"
Maria began to struggle against his grip, but to no avail. His strength was incredible, the grip around his neck and wrist was impossible to break. Barely able to speak, and unable to properly move her hand, casting a spell was out of the question.
"I know no Trevor!" she panted.
"The four of us have been traveling together for days. We have navigated through countless areas of this castle and never have we spied your presence. I suspect you were placed here by my father, to delay me, to tempt me. I say to you, I will not give in!"
Slowly Alucard craned his neck to one side and widened his mouth, but not in a grin.
"But you will tell me who you are, and what you are doing here in Dracula's castle!"
Maria's cry echoed in the chamber as she felt a sharp pinch to the side of her neck.