Part 9

I felt...comfortable. Warm. Almost…safe. But even as I awoke, I knew not where I was.

My eyes fluttered open, and it took a long moment to intake my surroundings. This room...this chamber was shrouded in darkness. I fingered the blankets tucked around me, amazed at their high quality. Even as a doctor I could never afford such material...and I would never want such vanities anyway.

I slowly sat up, my eyes trying to adjust to the dark room. There were two black candle stands on either side of the bed, each lit with seven candles. Still, they didn't illuminate the room very well. There seemed to be no other furniture inside this room, other than the bed and the candles.

I looked down at myself, trying not to panic at my growing confusion. My dress...it was the same white smock shirt and dark green kirtle I'd worn when I'd left my house to search for yarrow.

When I was snared by that plant...and met that man...

I hugged the blankets to my chest, a feeling of unease beginning to rise in me. "Where am I?" I murmured to myself.

There was a sudden burst from the other side of the room, right in front of me. I cried out in surprise as I saw the outline of two heavy doors bursting open, smacking the stone walls lightly despite the force of their opening. Suddenly, light flooded the room. Candle holsters dispatched unseeingly throughout the room exploded with light. I quickly noticed that this bed I laid on WAS the only piece of furniture in this room, outside of the candles lit here.

"I see that you're awake."

I started again, and turned to face forward. It was him; that strange man who found me. Gone was his hat, revealing his hauntingly beautiful face, but his black clothes remained. He stepped into the room very simply, and those heavy doors closed behind him.

Without him touching them.

I stared at him blankly for a moment, not sure what I should say. I remembered...oh, it was so difficult to say!! He wanted to kill me, that was certain. But I wasn't dead. Something happened...I panicked and I swooned? Did the reality of his intentions affect me?

It was odd, though. He didn't seem threatening to me now. He gave a wave of his hand as he started circling the room. "You must be hungry. Eat."

The smell of food struck my senses and I looked to my left. My eyes widened at this sudden appearance of a platter of food on a side table that hadn't been there before. I'd never seen anything like it. Roasted vegetables, fresh bread and cheese, and...meat? By the smell of it, it must be beef or pork. Oh...I'd never had either. I hadn't the money for a cow or pig, only harvesting chickens and their eggs.

I turned back to this strange man, confused beyond belief. "How did you...did you cook this for me?"

"Nonsense," he answered, his tone cold and reserved. He seemed to have produced a chair from somewhere and took a seat next to my bed. "But it should still be good for you."

"I..." I looked back at the platter again and then looked at him. "Thank you, Milord."

He was silent for a very long moment. "...You shouldn't thank me. I'm not a Good Samaritan. I'd intended to kill you, woman."

I was taken aback by his words. A sharp pain filled my chest and took my breath away. I grasped at my heart and hunched over, trying to remain calm. Yes...I shouldn't forget he wanted to kill me. Why he was keeping me away now was puzzling, but he harbored ill intentions...and it hurt me terribly, for some unknown reason.

"...Are you all right?" he asked.

I stilled, the pain gradually fading. What? Why was he inquiring on my condition? He'd just admitted he wanted to kill me!! But...strangely, it made me feel better that he showed concern. It made him seem more...human.

I sat back up and took a deep breath. "Aye, Milord. But..." I gave him a sideways glance, unable to look at him fully. "Why did you not kill me? You admit your intentions and yet you serve me plentiful food and show concern for my health."

He seemed uncomfortable with my question. He stood up from his seat and began to pace nervously. He rubbed at his chin curiously. Seeing such a posture in this man caused an unexpected jolt within me, and I was filled with awareness...nostalgia. I've seen someone act like this before, but where?

Finally, he spoke. "I don't know why I spared you, Miss. I will admit my intentions were nefarious, but...something happened. And I couldn't bring myself to kill you."

"So...you will spare me?" I asked quietly.

"I know not what to do with you. I have exposed myself to you in a way others must not know of, but...I cannot end your life. But I mustn't let anyone else know about me. Whatever the reasons, I cannot let you leave."

"Wh-What?!" I cried out. I pushed the covers away from me. "But you must!! I have to go home!!"

"Why?" he asked. "You've already told me you have no family."

"B-But I'm a doctor!! I have patients I need to tend to!!" I stilled for a moment. "Wait...how long have I been here?"

"Two days," he said. "But time needn't matter. Until I know what to do with you, I cannot let you leave."

"But I—"

"Mina?"

"—must go home." The words came out soft and groggy.

"'Go home'? Mina, you are home." Hands grabbed my shoulders. "Here, please wake up, Mina."

My eyes fluttered open. Soma stared down at me, a look of concern on his face. "…Soma?"

"Were you having another dream of Elisabetha? You were talking in your sleep."

"I…" I slowly sat up, not really sure where I was. Wait…this was my bedroom. I'd slept earlier today, though not for long, and dreamt of…someone. I didn't tell anyone about this, not even when we ate dinner (although there was a shortage of sitting space, thanks to our lack of table). And I simply went to bed. I couldn't imagine that I would get much sleep from all the sleep I've been having lately, but I somehow fell asleep. But these new dreams…

That's not Elisabetha.

"Mina?" Soma was still looking at me expectantly, even as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Are you all right?"

I couldn't help but gape at him. How could he be so concerned for me all the time? Sure, it wasn't exactly a thrill ride that some cult wanted to kill me, but he faced FAR worse dangers than I was currently facing!! At the end of the day he was still Dracula and people had far more interest in him!!

But, I was happy by his words. I managed a smile and nodded. "Don't worry, I'm fine Soma."

"Did you dream of her again?" he repeated.

I slowly shook my head. "…No. It wasn't her. It was just some odd random dream."

Soma gave me an exasperated look and I held my hands up defensively. "Soma, it wasn't Elisabetha. I swear it wasn't."

He didn't look convinced. "Soma, it wasn't her. I don't what's going on in my head, but it wasn't her."

"…All right," he said reluctantly. He stood up from my bed. "Anyways, about the reason I came up here…"

"Is something wrong?"

"Well, our 'source' has decided to pay a visit—"

"She's here?!" I threw back the covers and stood up. "When did she get here?! Is she still here?!"

"Calm down, Mina." Soma waved a hand at me. "She just arrived a few minutes ago. That's why I came up here to wake you up."

"All right. I'll be right down."

Soma left the room so I could get changed. I just threw on the same cleaning clothes I wore on New Years Eve.

I stopped. So much had changed in so little time. I was so unaware of so many things back then…will my life ever be the same?

I tried not to think about it as I left the room. I was startled to see Soma waiting for me in the hallway. He gave me a small smile. "Ready?"

"…Yes." Even if it was a small house, he could've easily gone downstairs to meet their source. But he waited for me instead. I couldn't help but feel happy, even by a little bit.

I could hear talking even before we reached the bottom step. I followed Soma to the living room to see everyone awake and talking. But it was the girl who caught my attention. She looked no older than me, if not younger. She was a foreigner, like the others who were trying to kill me, but her face held an unwavering serenity. She wore a nun's hood on her head, but I could tell by her bangs that her hair was rusty brown. She wore a blue trench coat over a simple black dress and she sat very daintily, but almost poised for…something.

As we entered, she turned towards us. Her eyes were dark green, but they lit up when they saw us. "You!!!" In a flash she was on her feet and rushing towards us. I thought she was addressing Soma, but she grabbed MY hands. "It's really you, isn't it?!"

"Uh…excuse me?" I asked, pulling my hands free.

"Oh…they were certain it was you, but there was still skepticism. But now that I've seen you, I know that…" she stopped abruptly, as though she had to think about something. She returned to the couch and sat down, drinking a cup of tea idly. "How interesting…"

"Excuse me, but who are you?" I asked.

"Yes," said Arikado, addressing her again. "I think it's fair that you tell us the truth this time. Though you provided Soma and myself very valuable information, your attempts at deception are now very apparent."

The girl stopped drinking her tea and set the cup down. "Well…I wasn't looking to deceive you—"

"You told us a false name and you lied about your origins. Might you start things off with the truth now?"

"False name?" I asked, looking at Soma. "So she did lie to you both?"

"In addition to keeping us waiting for several hours," said Soma neutrally.

"…I guess in order to gain the trust of you all I shall be truthful. Allow me to reintroduce myself." She stood up fluidly and gave a low bow. "My name is Chessa. I'm sorry for deceiving you about my organization, but I felt if I revealed too much of myself I might invoke the wrath of a select few."

"Invoke wrath?!" I repeated. "Whose?"

Arikado answered for her. "My Agency has discovered that Miss Chessa here does indeed NOT work for the Church that Yoko and Julius work for."

"So it's still just us investigating this?" mused Yoko, seemingly unconcerned by the potential takeover of her case.

But Arikado didn't look very calm. "Chessa…is it not true you belong to the Order of Ecclesia?"

"Ecclesia?!" I didn't know if this was a good thing or bad thing by the reactions of most everyone in the room. Soma seemed just as confused about this as I was.

Chessa looked at everyone calmly. "Yes, I do."

"And yet you help us?!" Yoko demanded, taking a fighting stance.

"W-Wait a minute!!" I cried out. "What's going on? What's the Order of Ecclesia?"

"It was an organization formed in the 19th century in Europe on the pretext of defeating Dracula," said Arikado. He didn't seem angry but was definitely on edge. "They'd even created a life force called Dominus that would be on par with defeating him. Of course, it did nothing to actually permanently stop Dracula, but it defeated him upon resurrection. However…" he looked back to Chessa again. "That was all a ruse. The Order of Ecclesia really existed to revive Dracula and NOT destroy him."

"I've…never heard of them," said Soma slowly. "And I don't really remember much about them."

"That's really no surprise," said Chessa. "Considering our re-founding mother Shanoa destroyed all written evidence of Ecclesia's existence. But, thanks to her we've continued to exist, our skills passing down word of mouth to protect mankind from evil. Now our organization is over two hundred years old and we've worked tirelessly to stop evil threats."

"And you've done a fine job." Soma's tone of voice was suddenly harsh and sarcastic and I looked at him worriedly. "So, where have you been until now? Where were you when Dracula's castle merged with the solar eclipse in 2035? Where were you when With Light tried to force me to become Dracula in 2036? Where were you ALL THE TIMES Arikado, Yoko, Julius, Hammer, and I fought evil over and over again all over the world?!"

"Soma—" I began.

"And what about Mina?!" He pointed a finger at me. "You claim to serve mankind, but you never jumped to her defense these past few days!!"

Chessa didn't seem fazed by Soma's anger. "Though we may not fight by your side, Soma, we've done our part to fight evil. Furthermore, my mission first and foremost was to infiltrate this cult, find out their intentions, and expose its people. I—"

"Everything that WE'VE done plenty of!!!" he roared. "Do you have any idea how hypocritical this all is?! Like HELL Ecclesia has fought evil!! We've done our fair share of the fighting you've never once helped us until now!!! Is it because I'm Dracula?! That I'm the dark lord you have to defeat?!"

"I have no qualms with you, Soma—"

"Then why haven't you helped me up to this point?!"

Chessa shrugged. "No matter what your intentions are, there is no denying the fact that you are Dracula. Human or not, good or not, you are him and the danger of his true revival exists every day. Ecclesia was founded to defeat you, and so we have no choice but to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't turn against mankind again."

"But this is the first time you made yourselves public since Shanoa fought Dracula," said Yoko. "Even if you claim your goal is to defeat Dracula and all evil, there have been many instances in the past 150 years where both have wreaked havoc and you didn't step in at all. Why is that?"

Chessa stared at her for a long moment before she spoke. "Everyone, what was your reaction to me once I revealed myself? You were shocked, and immediately suspicious of my true intentions, based upon Ecclesia's history. I cannot change the fact that Ecclesia's first founder, Barlowe, wanted to revive Dracula. Though Ecclesia was erased from history, we're not so ignorant to think nobody knew about us and what happened. You reacted negatively to me now...how might previous vampire hunters react to us if we revealed ourselves?"

I was getting a headache. I could sympatheize with the fact that she was persecuted by hunters and demons alike, but this overload of information seemed too irrelevant to me. "Enough of this, Chessa-san. I don't think the history of your organization matters now, especially since you've gone out of your way to help us. Why are you here now?"

Everyone looked at me when I made this statement. Chessa didn't really react to it, but she still addressed me. "All right, Mina. The reason I broke from my mission to come here directly is because something big is going to happen. Very shortly."

"Shortly?" Soma repeated. "Define 'shortly'."

Chessa looked at her watch. "Oh...I'd say in about thirty seconds."

"THIRTY SECONDS?!?!" everyone screamed.

"And you choose NOW to tell us?!" Julius shouted.

Chessa shrugged again, seemingly not concerned by the 'big thing'. Should I be concerned, then? "I didn't have any choice. I came to you as soon as I could, which unfortunately wasn't soon enough."

"What's going to happen?!" snapped Arikado. I'd seen his calm anger before, but never such anger where he was so blatantly frustrated. He started advancing on Chessa. "What did—"

It was then that the 'big thing' happened. The whole room gave a violent lurch and everyone stilled for a moment. Then suddenly, the whole house was shaking.

"E-Earthquake!!" I screamed, grabbing at the couch's arm.

But a hand grabbed my arm. "Mina!! Get to the door!!"

Soma. He dragged me from the couch to the nearest doorway. All around us everything was in chaos. Furniture fell over and everyone was scrambling to cover their heads. That is, expect for Arikado, who put his hands together and began chanting...and Chessa.

"Well, right on time," said Chessa, sitting down to sip her tea again.

Soma pushed me down to my knees in the doorway and braced himself above me. I could him chanting an incantation, but everything around us was just too loud. I didn't know how long this earthquake would last, or even why we were feeling it at all. The Hakuba Shrine was on top of a tall hill!!

Just when I thought it would stop, the house started shaking even more violently. Right before my eyes I saw the wall on the other side of the room crack like glass, from the middle and extending outwards towards the ceiling and floor. Damage had been minimal before this sudden violent burst and now it seemed like the whole house was crumbling. Was this because of Soma's shield? Did something happen?

The floor beneath us rose sharply. I was snugly packed into the doorframe, but the sudden shift took me off-guard. I lost my balance and fell backwards, but I knew Soma would catch me if...

"Mi—" pain erupted from the back of my head and my vision started swimming. It was a familiar sensation...but I couldn't be hurt too badly...

---

"He looked at the lady bashfully and said with many blushes: 'I am not accustomed to such honour as you show me, Ma'am. If I may offer you my opinion, only such hospitality was needed as I deserve. Nor would I have had you ride down here. If I may ask a favour, Ma'am, let me strike a happy mean. You do me too much honour."

I held a finger in this spot of the book and looked at the cover. 'Parzival' by Wolfram von Eschenbach. It seemed like such an interesting read.

I looked at the pile of books that occupied the desk. I'd seen very little outside of this chamber. I knew not how long I'd been here. Mayhap a week, mayhap more? I hadn't seen the Sun at all during this time.

And yet...I wasn't scared. Or restless.

I put a bookmark in 'Parzival' and set it down. How strange of a man my captor was. I saw very little of him, but each time I saw him he...well, he didn't treat me as a prisoner despite that fact I couldn't leave this room. I'd stopped asking to go home after a while, but even then he didn't seem assured with me. Even so, he tried to make me comfortable, even as he held me here. This once empty room was now bursting with furniture. I'd made idle remarks about my activities and he fulfilled them as best as he could. I talk of how I was a doctor—I woke up to find healing plants. I mentioned that I was literate and loved to read—books, piles upon piles of books were awaiting me.

Why then, was he making me comfortable to be here? He feared I would tell somebody about him but for some reason he couldn't kill me. Fate could be crueler to me in that he could starve me or force me to be driven mad. But he did no such thing.

I raised a hand to my head and ran my fingers through my blonde hair. Mad...mayhap I was mad. Something was happening to me, that was certain. I didn't like going to sleep. Sometimes I feared whatever may stand over me when I awoke, but my dreams...they were so puzzling. I was not myself in them. I knew no one in these dreams and yet whole dialogue occurred as though I should know what's going on. Such dreams had always existed for me but now...they were happening more often. And more clearly.

"You are distressed."

I was so startled by this voice I jumped straight out of my chair. I quickly turned around to face him. "I-I...hello, Milord."

He gave me a searching look before he spoke again. "You still desire to return home?"

"Of course, sir. I-I don't know how long I've been here, but my patients...they've been without my care. Surely they might find another doctor to care for them, but only I know how to minister to many people's needs." I set a hand down on the back of the chair. "I know that you don't want me to leave. That you're afraid I'll bring attention to you. But I...you have no reason to believe me, Milord, but if I could get back to my patients..."

He was silent again for a very long time. "...Why do you care so much about the needs of others? You administer herbs and healing balms to those in need, but you can never stop death. Death is inevitable for all humans. Your work is wasted."

His words were very painful to hear and I felt tears cloud my eyes. There was no denying the truth in them, but... "I know this, sir. Mayhap my work is futile. But God—" he raised a hand to stop me, but I forced myself to continue regardless. "God blessed the land with plants that heal. Yarrow stops headaches and bruising. Echinacea strengthens the body against disease. I have a gift to take their naturalness of healing and make it supple to humans—"

"Azaleas disrupt the stomach and stop breathing," he interrupted me. "And monkshood suffocates you. Yet these are also plants that God has "blessed" the land with. In their most potent stage they could kill anyone, and yet God created them. You are very intelligent, Miss. You are a doctor, even as a female, and you can read texts—" his voice strained slightly as he said the last part, but he then continued normally. "But even you must understand this cruel joke. Wistful thinking and naivety cannot prevent death. Mankind, animals, even the air itself exists as a cruel joke by God." He bit off that word like a curse. "Suffering will continue to exist whether or not you continue on as a doctor. Your gift isn't a blessing by Him; it's only a rebellion against His endless cycle of suffering and death."

I looked away from him. "Humans suffer. It's the bane we hold for the death of Christ and for the Original Sin. But...even if death is inevitable, there is still life. People die every day and yet we still stand here. That I know how to ease the suffering of others must mean that life is worth living, instead of dwelling in death. Even if it's wasted...I can extend somebody's life, even for a day. And feelings...positive emotions make the world brighter for all. Anger and hate exist, but so does happiness and love. If we were meant to feel nothing but suffering by God, he wouldn't grant us happiness or anything good in this world. We would be bitter, hateful shells of monsters and the world would stop..." I clasped my hands together. "Milord...I don't know you, but you obviously hold contempt for God. I feel for you and whatever suffering you have, but knowing the evil that exists in this world only makes me want to try harder to help. Even if it means delaying the inevitable of death, I can ease someone's suffering even by just a little bit."

His face was blank, as though he felt nothing for my words. My head drooped forward slightly. "F-Forgive me. I shouldn't speak of you when I know not—"

Hands grabbed my shoulders. I looked up startled to see him very close to me, his face inches from mine. "I shall grant your request, Miss."

"R-Really?!" I was relieved that he would send me home, and yet I felt something else very subtle. Disappointment...and distress. "Are you certain, Milord."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Would you prefer to be held captive here? Or are you saying you cannot keep quiet about me?"

"N-Nay, sir. If you would let me go home to tend to my patients, I will never tell a soul about you. I swear to Go—"

"That's enough. I know not what to do with you, so I will take you at your word. However..." he leaned close to me. "If I find that you have told someone about me—and I will find out—I will come after you. Understood?"

"A-Aye, Milord."

"Good." He relaxed slightly. "Let's take you home, then."

"B-But you don't—" I didn't get to finish. In a flash I felt a violent burst of wind. I cried out and grabbed for this man, afraid that I might be swept away by this whirlwind.

Then, very abruptly the wind ceased and I was set on solid ground. I was so dizzy by this sudden shift that I nearly stumbled, swaying on my feet and grabbing my head.

"Welcome home."

"Eh?" I blinked several times and lowered my head. I realized it was nighttime and we were outside. More so, this land...I cried out when I saw my cottage, just in the outskirts of my town. I ran to the gate and looked inside. My herbs...the garden was in slight disarray, but everything was close to how I left. I was home. I was home!!! I turned around to face him, his eyes on me. "Thank you so much!!"

"It was nothing," he said neutrally. "Just keep in mind what I told you." He turned around as though to leave.

"W-Wait!!" I called suddenly. "Would you like some tea? Why not sit down for a moment?" Wait, what was I thinking?! This man kidnapped me and held me hostage!! I mustn't accommodate him!!!

The look on his face easily reflected my thoughts. "I have no use for tea, Miss. And besides, I cannot set foot in your house."

"But why..." My fingers found something on my fence. I looked down at it to see a cross molded there. I remembered the plant that ensnared me and how my cross repelled it. And this man...he wasn't normal and hated God. Was he evil too?

But he returned me home and did no harm to me. How could he be evil?

"Good bye then, Miss." He turned back around.

"W-Wait!!" I cried out again.

He seemed rather exasperated with me and he turned to face me again. "What is it, woman?"

"I..." I hesitated slightly. I gathered up my courage and continued. "My name is Lisa Farenheights. Might I have your name, sir?"

He seemed startled by my words and was silent for a long time. Then...I saw it. His mouth turned upwards, but not as a sneer. Almost like...he was smiling.

"I am a Count," he said to me. "I have many names, but know me by this name: Count Vlad Tepes...Dracula."

---

"...na. Mina!!"

My eyes snapped open and I flew into a sitting position. "It's Dracula!!!"

Soma stared blankly at me. "...What?"

"Huh?" I stared back at him. "Soma?"

"Did you have another dream, Mina?" asked Arikado. I turned to look at him to see him talking with somebody on his cell phone.

"So you've progressed that far, hmm?" asked Chessa, looking at me curiously.

"Wh-What happened?"

"Your head smashed into Soma's knee," said Yoko, running a hand nervously through her hair. "But we threw up a couple of shielding spells to protect us. The house, though..."

I looked at my surroundings and my stomach tightened. My living room was in complete shambles; the walls were cracked and broken, the floor had risen and sunk in certain spots, and furniture laid broken everyone. The whole house must look like this room!!! I couldn't stop the tears that formed in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. "Oh God..." I covered my face with my hands.

"Mina." I felt Mom's hands on my shoulders. "Please don't get upset. Everyone's alive and uninjured."

"B-B-But our house—everything's ruined!!!"

"We can get it fixed up. It didn't collapse on top of us and thankfully our insurance covers earthquakes. Don't worry."

"I think we have enough cause to worry, though," said Julius. "That wasn't an ordinary earthquake. More so, this site where Dracula was sealed is heavily damaged. Soma's shield held up for as long as it could, but in the end it wasn't enough. This was very deliberate on somebody's part."

"B-But..." I rubbed at my aching head. "What could've broken such a powerful spell?"

"AH!!!!" this shout came from our front door. We all got up and ran to see Hammer standing at it, his face full of shock. "Look at THAT!!!!!"

"Look at what?!" Soma pushed himself to the front of the group and I quickly followed him. He was out the door quickly but he stopped abruptly in his tracks. I nearly ran right into him, but I still got an eyeful of what they all meant.

In the distance, beyond the Tokyo skylights, there was a black, massive shape. Dark clouds had started to gather around it, even as the sky above us was clear.

"What is that?" I asked fearfully.

"So they did manage to do it." Chessa brushed past all of us and walked beyond Soma, folding her arms over her chest.

"Manage to do WHAT?!" I demanded. I looked at everyone, but they all seemed to know the answer already.

Chessa looked at me over my shoulder. "That's Castlevania. Dracula's Castle has been revived here in Japan."