Castlevania Minuet of the Velvet Moon

by Crossover Story Fanatic

Soma Cruz finds himself in a school full of monsters, and one of them is his childhood friend. How will the reincarnated Lord Dracula deal with his new life at Yokai Academy? Plot written by me and edited and remastered by Alhazad2003.

10. A Coup and a Vampire

Rosario of Sorrow

Chapter eight: A Coup and a Vampire

Deep within the grand palace of Villiers, lied a sprawling chamber that radiated a distinct regal air, coupled with the same azure glow that permeated the entire realm. A long deep purple carpet stretched forth across most of the hall, flanked on both sides by Villiers' greatest warriors, all clad in the traditional Masou Shoujo attire. At the end of the hall was a majestic dais, comprised of six even steps. At the top of the dais was a resplendent golden throne, engraved with ancient runes that few could've identified. The runes glowed peacefully, which meant the situation was optimal. Upon the throne was what appeared to be a young girl in a long emerald gown, yet despite her youthful appearance, she had ruled over Villiers for nearly two centuries. Her short blonde hair framed her beautiful face, and a simple golden tiara rested upon her head, as she lovingly held a stuffed bear in her left arm.

At that moment, the huge double doors that led out of the chamber opened, and the form of a young girl in a long frilly white coat became visible. The newcomer reverently made her way inside, her long bluish gray ponytails waving with each step she took. The soldiers saluted her as she passed by them, and she finally stopped near the dais, and fell to one knee in supplication. "O great Lilia-dono," she began respectfully, "how might I serve thee?"

"Ah, Ariel-san," the blonde girl replied with a welcoming smile, "so nice you could arrive so promptly. Tell me," she continued eagerly, "has there been any word from your pupil about her mission?"

The long-time instructor of Matellis chuckled in response as she looked to her liege. "Haruna-chan told me she's found two possible suspects, though her efforts to have arraigned the first was, shall we say, less than successful."

The Queen of Villiers chuckled to herself, as she knew of the young Masou Shoujo's overzealousness when out in the field. "I see," she finally replied, "and who are these, suspects?"

"One is a student named Akashiya Moka, and the other is a somewhat uncouth history teacher named-" She looked up to Lilia, an amused smirk on her sage face. "Arikado Genya."

The deceptively ancient girl all but squealed in delight when she heard the name, but then realized what she'd done and quickly regained her composure.

"I see you've already realized his true identity," Ariel replied with a broad smile, "Lilia-dono."

"Indeed, to think she would've found my dear Dark Knight so quickly, I am impressed."

"Indeed, Haruna-chan doesn't seem to be aware of it as of yet, though I'm sure she'll discover his true self in time. After all, she is a genius."

Both women shared a merry laugh in response.

"I should really thank Mikogami-san," the ruler of Villiers spoke up with an elated smile, "he saved me a lot of trouble. And soon, my sweet Alucard-kun shall return to my side, and protect me with his immortal life. Oh, I can't help but feel euphoric right now," she concluded with a dreamy look, as she imagined Alucard beside her once more, which made her sigh in delight.

"I share your sentiments wholeheartedly, Lilia-dono," the magic instructor replied with a wry smile.

"Hmm, while we're on the subject," the blonde girl remarked expectantly, "would you please remind me what Mikogami requested in exchange for this little boon? Just humor me, Ariel."

"Of course, he requested an old scroll from the war against the Underworld, which could've been employed to have summoned a powerful demon, or something similar. But in order to perform the ritual, one would need the right components, for the rite to be a success. The Witch's Soil, the Master's Blood, the Demon's Rage, and the Reaper's Voice. The chances of gathering all these components together are around-" She paused as she tried to have made a decent estimate. "-sixteen, to seventeen vigintillion to one."

"And you're sure about this," Lilia asked with a more serious look.

"Of course, it's not like Mikogami's going to gather all the components under our noses. I can assure you, the scroll is safe in his care."

---

Back at the throne room of Castle Shuzen, the dark nobleman stared impassively at the prostrated form of Shaft, who'd just returned from his mission at Youkai Academy. "You are late," the vampire lord remarked, the slightest traces of a scowl on his ageless face, "explain."

The sinister priest groaned in response, clearly unable to have denied the accusation. "My lord," he began in a penitent, nervous voice, "they know what we have planned."

"What makes you so sure," the master vampire asked with a suspicious look.

The cadaverous-looking man handed out the scroll he'd obtained from Shuzen's agents, and the castellan took it from his grasp. He unfurled it, and then saw the small Stick-It note attached. He removed the note, and perused it with his keen red eyes.

"The first component shall be found within the sunflower fields in Fujimi City," the note began, "the rest shall be delivered during the summer break. I have full confidence in your servant's abilities to enact the rite as detailed in the scroll. Let us make this ritual a success, and together celebrate the return of our lord."

A low exhale escaped the dark-haired man, and his red eyes narrowed dangerously. "Mikogami," he spoke in a low, deadly voice.

"The head of the academy," the dark priest asked with a startled look.

"The same, he's the only one who had access to this scroll." He then looked to the ancient parchment in his hand. "And only he would be devious enough to gather all the components together, arrange for them to be brought right to us, and actually encourage us to perform this forbidden rite." A low chuckle escaped him, as an amused smirk crossed his features. "Interesting," he remarked as he stroked his imperial beard.

"But my lord," the sinister underling implored of the daiyoukai, "forgive me for saying this but, this surely must be a trap! Why would he help us achieve our goals when they so blatantly conflict with his own?"

Shuzen merely chuckled in response. "Why indeed," he spoke with an intrigued look, "I'm actually more eager to proceed with the rite now, just to learn what he desires of our lord."

The cadaverous-looking man couldn't have concealed his shock, as he was positively thunderstruck at the castellan's seemingly irrational decision. "But my lord-" he began to protest, but was quickly cut off by an immensely strong grip upon his throat.

"Do not question me," the vampire lord began in a cold, menacing voice, as he stood bent slightly over, his hand upon the ancient priest's throat. "I told you to leave that girl alone, and you defied me."

Shaft gulped painfully, as his bulging eyes went wide.

"Yes," Shuzen continued, "I know what you did. Little escapes my sight, especially when it concerns my family." He crinkled his nose as he glared at his victim. "And even though you carried out your assigned task, it does not change the fact you disobeyed me. And were you not necessary for the ritual, I would snap your neck right now for your insubordination."

The robed man emitted a strangled groan, as his vision began to blur.

"Now," the daiyoukai continued, "in light of this, development, dare you explain why I should not proceed as planned?"

Shaft fearfully looked up to the castellan, as he clearly heard the dark challenge in the elder vampire's voice. Yet despite that, he felt compelled to have relayed what he encountered at the academy. "My lord," he spoke weakly, "Alucard was there."

"ALUCARD?!" Shuzen declared in a rising, growling voice, and he unintentionally released his victim. He instantly straightened up, and exuded a vast murderous intent.

The dark priest coughed painfully as he held his suddenly freed throat. "Yes, sire," he began in a hoarse voice, "he nearly caught me in the academy archives, I had no choice but to escape, with the scroll."

The ancient lord growled menacingly as he bared in his fangs in anger, his eyes glowing malevolently. He brought up his clenched fist, as a seething cyan aura surrounded him. Shaft held his tongue, as it was clear the master vampire was furious at the news. It also became obvious to him that Shuzen knew of Alucard, and thus realized the danger he posed to them.

After a couple of tense moments, the castellan got a hold of temper, and a worried look appeared on his ageless features. "Is... Moka alright," he asked expectantly.

The dark priest sighed gravely, and shamefully bowed his head."She was alive, last I saw of her. But with Alucard there-"

"Yes," Shuzen interjected, clearly displeased at the revelation, "she is in grave danger. And Alucard's presence jeopardizes the whole plan. Unless he is removed or somehow incapacitated, we shall not proceed."

"Yes, my lord."

At that moment, the doors from the audience chamber opened. "Otou-san, is something wrong," a female voice asked in concern from the back of the hall. Both men looked, and saw the form of the firstborn daughter headed their way. Neither of them looked very pleased at her arrival, especially the prostrated priest.

"We are postponing the plan," Shuzen finally said, "it's too dangerous to proceed at this time."

"W-what do you mean," the black-haired girl demanded, "we're so close to restoring Lord Dracula to his rightful place of prominence!"

"Yes," Shaft interrupted as he glared at her, "and they know it. This is clearly a trap, Alucard will surely attack if we attempt the rite now."

"Alucard," Akuha asked warily, "you saw Oji-sama?"

"Oji-sama?!" the dark priest shot back contemptuously. "Surely you jest, the Alucard I know has no use for family, he's sacrificed everything in the pursuit of his insane goals."

"He is correct," Shuzen added, a dark nostalgic look on his face. "I also know Alucard, and I know he will never permit us to revive the castle." He then sent an ominous glare at his rebellious daughter. "And he'll certainly kill you if you proceed regardless."

"Y-y-you're wrong!" the Chinese vampire shot back defiantly, as tears welled up in her red eyes. "YOU'RE WRONG!" she screamed in sorrow, and then turned to have fled the room.

"Not... so... fast," the dark nobleman spoke in a composed yet commanding voice. He watched as his errant child looked back to him, tears in her eyes. "Come-" the patriarch called out, and then paused for several tense moments, "here."

Akuha somberly bowed her head, and obediently headed to her sire, who regarded with her with an intense stare.

"Shaft sought out your sister, despite being ordered otherwise. You wouldn't have had to do with that," Shuzen went on, as he reached out and took hold of the firstborn daughter's chin, "would you?"

The Chinese vampire chuckled nervously, as the patriarch's burning red eyes bored into her own. "Of course not, Otou-san," she began with a somewhat timid smile, "I'd never do anything to undermine your-" She groaned in pain as her father's grip tightened mercilessly on her chin and jaw.

"Don't... lie... to me," the daiyoukai spoke in a low, deadly voice. "You think I was unaware of you threatening Shaft out in the corridor? You think I don't know how much your affections for Moka dictate most of your actions?"

The dark-haired girl groaned in horror, shocked that her sire was known what she'd done, as well as the reasons behind it.

"You are beginning to try my patience, Akuha," the dark nobleman continued, as his eyes glowed menacingly. "Try it further, and I shall not forgive you any longer."

"But I wanted to see my sister!" the stricken girl spoke through her pain.

"You would've seen her at her wedding," Shuzen retorted with a mild dismissive tone. "You need to learn patience, child."

"That wedding was meant to be mine!" Akuha rebutted, despite her predicament. "Soma is mine!"

"No! He is to be wed to Moka, and you," the master vampire spoke pointedly as he brought his face close to hers, "shall not interfere."

Suddenly, the firstborn daughter reached out with her left hand and grabbed his curly dark locks. With a fierce cry, she reared back with her right hand, her thumb extended and her palm facing upwards. But as she went to deliver a horizontal chop, Shuzen's free hand lashed out and caught hold of her wrist. She groaned desperately as she tried to free her hand, yet the grip upon it was more then unyielding.

"Did you really think it would be that easy," the castellan asked with a burning stare. "Your arrogance," he went on, and tightened his hold on her wrist, "has sealed your fate."

Akuha screamed in agony, as she felt the bones in her wrist had begun to buckle under her father's crushing grip. She then pulled back with her bound hand, which suddenly appeared incorporeal as it phased out of Shuzen's grasp, which left the elder vampire thunderstruck.

"What the!" Shaft exclaimed, just as shocked as the daiyoukai behind him.

The Chinese vampire quickly turned around and headed for the doors that led out of the audience chamber. Her father shook off his disbelief, and focused his youki upon his fleeing daughter, intent on pulling her back by the sheer force of his will. However, his telekinetic attack strangely seemed ineffectual, as Akuha continued to run towards the exit, completely unaffected by her father's attempts to have brought her back. He attempted once more, but got the same results. A split second later, his rebellious daughter passed through the doors without opening them, and disappeared into the hallway beyond.

Shuzen Issa pushes his senses outwards, and found he couldn't have seen his daughter. He also found he couldn't have even detected her youki, which infuriated him even more. He hissed vengefully as he brought up his tightly clenched fists. He then thrust them down and screamed in frustration and unholy rage, as a colossal cyan aura surrounded his majestic form. After several long seconds, his aura subsided, yet his rage continued to seethe. He was furious that Akuha had not only betrayed him openly, but actually managed to have escaped. He scanned the entire castle, and still found no trace of his rebellious child, which further incensed him.

"My lord," the dark priest asked cautiously, "what... what just happened? Did she become a ghost?"

An aggravated growl escaped the ancient lord, since he was also at a loss over what just occurred. "Get over here," he spoke in a low voice, his piercing gaze still upon the door.

The robed man warily rose to his feet and approached the castellan, whom he knew was furious over his daughter's reckless and unscrupulous actions. He privately wondered if Dracula felt the same way after his own child betrayed him. Once he'd gotten within a meter of the dark nobleman, Shuzen spun and glared viciously at him, his eyes glowing with cold hatred. Shaft cried out in pain, as he felt the weight of the elder vampire's mind upon his own.

"This does not mean you are forgiven," the daiyoukai spoke coldly, as he produced the ancient scroll, and tucked it within the priest's sash. "You shall spend the night in the dungeon, to reflect upon your transgressions."

The sinister underling groaned in pain as he was driven to his knees. He then bowed his head, unwilling to have repeated Akuha's folly. "Yes, my lord."

---

Shaft hung from the shackles on the wall of his dungeon cell. Though they looked rusty, he could've sensed they'd been enchanted with anti-magic, in order to have prevented his escape. Moreover, he sensed a barrier seal had been placed on the cell door. It became painfully obvious that the castellan planned for him to have remained put.

Earlier, Shuzen told him he was retiring for the night, and planned to have made his decree in the morning. A rueful groan escaped him, as he pondered his fate. He looked down upon himself, and noted the ancient parchment still tucked in his sash. "I don't understand," he spoke to himself, confused by the vampire lord's actions. "Why did he return the scroll to me? Does he not think she won't try to abscond with it?" A bitter hiss escaped him as he recalled her declaration earlier in the day. "She's too reckless, she'll end up ruining everything. And then where will we be?"

The sound of footsteps came from the end of the hallway, headed in his direction. It didn't take him but a moment to have discerned who was nearing his cell. He somberly closed his eyes, a seething scowl on his deeply lined face. He noticed the footsteps then stopped, just outside his cell, and a dark feminine chuckle soon followed.

"Not a very auspicious fate," a familiar voice spoke up, which incensed the bound priest, "is it? Worry not, you shan't remain that way for long."

Shaft finally opened his eyes, and sensed a familiar presence on the other side of the steel door. Suddenly, he felt the seal had been removed. Though it seemed to him it hadn't been dispelled in the traditional sense, it was almost like it had been cleaved instead. His eyes went wide, as he recalled what happened in the corridor earlier in the night. The next thing he was strange metallic cutting sounds. "What in the world," the dark priest thought to himself, as he feared his supposed liberator hadn't picked the lock, but cleaved it as she did the barrier seal, "what kind of devilish power does that child have?"

A couple of seconds later, the door creaked open, and a figure of somewhat short stature made its way inside, its black boots echoing lightly against the floor. The newcomer wore a long black coat, which had a half cloak sewn into it and no sleeves of its own, which revealed the long white sleeves of its blouse underneath. The raiment also had a hood, which was pulled over the newcomer's head. Even though the stranger's facial features were concealed by the darkness of the corridor, the dark priest clearly felt the unmistakable conceit of Shuzen Akuha before him.

"What are you doing here," the robed man remarked with a sour expression, "haven't you caused enough trouble?"

"Such ingratitude," the dark figure replied with a bemused smirk, "I thought you had better manners than that. Well, we'll have to work on that afterwards."

Suddenly, the newcomer leaped into the air, and lashed out with both hands, and a metallic cutting sound followed. Shaft emitted a startled cry as he felt himself dropped onto the floor. He looked to his manacles, and he managed to have repressed a gasp as she saw the chains had been severed. A split second later, the newcomer hooked her slender fingers under each manacle. She pulled them back, and the heavy binds split in half and fell to the floor, much to Shaft's continued chagrin.

"I believe this is where you thank me," Akuha remarked from beneath her hood, "it's the least you can do for being granted your freedom."

The dark priest scowled at her, incensed at her arrogance. Yet he remembered the strange power she wielded, and initially held his tongue. "If you're planning to escape," he finally spoke, "now's your chance. The lord has retired for the evening. Though I warn you, once he discovers you've taken me, he will come looking for you."

"No he won't," the dark-haired woman with a dark smile.

"And what makes you so sure," Shaft asked with a very dubious expression, as he felt himself becoming more annoyed with the irreverent child's attitude.

The firstborn daughter's smile turned malicious, and her eyes glowed red from beneath her hood. "Because I'm going to kill him."

"WHAT?!" the dark priest exclaimed in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? You've already failed once and now you're planning to try again?!"

"I am a vampire!" Shuzen Akuha announced proudly. "I never fail! And YOU," she went on, as she aimed her right hand at his heart, "are not going to challenge me!"

"You delusional fool!" Shaft retorted, despite the obvious threat to his person. "Your sire will tear you apart for this!"

"Once the old man is gone, that won't be an issue any longer. And once I've taken care of the old bat, the Shuzen family will bend to my will! And those who oppose me, will die," she concluded in a menacing, hissing voice, as her eyes glowed malevolently.

The robed man couldn't help but tremble, as he realized there was no reasoning with the demented woman before him.

"Now get that filthy human out of bed and meet me outside the castle," Akuha spoke with a brooding scowl. "We're leaving this hovel and proceeding with my plans. Lord Dracula will be revived, and I shall reign by his side, forever," she concluded with an evil grin. A twisted laugh escaped her, which became maniacal as she turned and headed out of the cell.

Shaft found himself trembling again, paralyzed by the sheer insanity the firstborn daughter embodied. "That fool," he remarked with a nigh terrified look, "she would cast aside everything just to be with my lord?" He then gasped in horror, as a terrifying realization came upon him. "My word, it's true! She IS just like Alucard!" A heavy sigh escaped him, as he silently corrected himself. He knew that the traitor was never so forthright about what he truly believed and desired, while his granddaughter boldly proclaimed her own. Though the zeal that drove them both was frightening similar. He then took the scroll from his sash, and gazed upon it. "If it is fate that our lord be revived in this manner, so be it." He scowled darkly, as he glared outside the cell. "But I cannot allow her to gain the throne, she is not worthy to be by his side." He emitted a rare sigh, and looked up at the ceiling. "And if her plans here go awry, and I suspect they will, I'd best prepare a... contingency plan." With a disgusted growl, he vanished in a cloud of black smoke.

---

On the highest levels of the castle was a regally-decorated bedchamber, the floor covered by a plush crimson rug with gold trim. A lone painting decorated the far wall, one that portrayed a comely pink-woman, dressed in a full-length royal gown. A full-length mirror was situated against the door of a practically bare closet, save for a few articles of clothing. Most of the furniture was covered in white sheets, so they wouldn't have become dusty. The only exception was a king-sized bed, which was well-maintained despite the rest of the castle. Within it a man with long dark hair slumbered peacefully, no sign of life save for the rise and fall of his chest.

Suddenly, a spectral figure passed through the walls, and stood within the bedchamber. "Foolish old man," it thought to itself, "did you really think these petty locks and barriers could stop me? No matter what security you employ, it is useless against my Jigentou, which cuts through anything."

The figure then walked silently towards the sleeping lord, its footfalls all but inaudible. "You were a fool to interfere. I claimed Soma as my own, and then you tried to steal him from me. But no one will deny me what is mine," it continued as it stopped near the bed, "not you, Gyokuro... or Moka." A low sigh escaped the intruder, as it somberly closed its eyes for moment. "Hate me if you must, Moka-chan, but only one of us can rule by Lord Dracula's side. And that," it went on, as it opened its eyes and raised its right hand overhead, "will be me."

Its right hand came down in a chopping motion, and cut straight through the sleeping lord's neck, as well as the bed beneath. The dark-haired figure barely had a chance to scream as his head was completely severed, and his blood began to stain the bedsheets beneath his corpse. A sinister chuckle escaped the intruder, as the scent of the deceased figure's blood reached her sensitive nose. "Finally," the cloaked being spoke, as it licked the blood of its hand, "it's over."

Without warning, an immense telekinetic force slammed her into the back of the room. The intruder groaned in intense pain, wholly taken off guard by the surprise attack. She fell to one knee, and used her right hand to have prevented falling completely on the floor. As she raised her pained face upwards, the sound of footsteps reached her ears. Her red eyes went wide as she saw a dark-haired figure approaching her from the other side of the room, an impassive look on his pale face. "W-w-w-what," she asked in disbelief, shocked that her target was still alive, "h-how?"

"You think you're the only one who can hide in shadows," the newcomer asked as he peered down his nose at her. "You overestimate yourself, Akuha."

"Impossible! I-" She then looked to the bed, and the still-bleeding corpse upon it. As she looked between it and the imposing figure before her, she realized she'd only killed a decoy, and growled in aggravation. "You bastard!"

"Call me what you will," the dark nobleman replied with remorse, "but now that you have played your hand, I shall play mine." He opened the left side of his coat, which revealed the black hilt of a previously concealed blade. He grasped the hilt, and pulled forth an ancient and deadly-looking longsword of western design. The blade had a long groove with rounded ends within it. He then aimed his weapon at his attacker, as a seething cyan aura manifested over the blade. "As patriarch of the Shuzen Clan, I sentence you to death."

"Ha!" the fallen girl snapped derisively, "patriarch of the Shuzen Clan, don't make me laugh! You lost that right after Akasha died! Without her you had no chance against that frivolous old bat! You can't stop her," she went on as she rose to her feet, "but I can! And since you dared interfere with me again, you have sealed your fate."

"Impetuous to the end," Shuzen Issa remarked as he moved around the bed and approached his daughter, his blade still extended. "A pity you shall be remembered as such. Moka would be disappointed in you, and she wouldn't be the only one."

A pained growl came from the fallen girl as she forced herself to her feet, though still in a lot of pain. She charged towards her sire, her right hand reared back in a striking position. Once she got within range, she lashed out with a diagonal chop, but her opponent deftly moved to the side. He countered with a reverse slash, aimed right at her neck. However, his attack harmlessly passed through, as if she was a ghost. He instinctively backed away, which prove a wise move as Akuha unleashed a reverse slash with her bare hand. She charged in for another diagonal slash, which he deftly avoided. He then charged his youki into his blade, which crackled with a fierce aura. He slashed across the air with a fierce grunt, which released a cutting wave of cyan energy. However his attack passed right through his rebellious daughter, who moved in yet again. He hissed in frustration, but quickly recovered and avoided another vicious slash, but then found himself backed against the wall. She moved in with a primal scream, her right hand reared back in a striking position and aimed for his heart. He quickly rolled along the wall, and watched as Akuha's hand went right through it, and left a clean hole behind.

Issa stopped his momentum, and soon felt himself against the bureau. He watched as his daughter moved in, her hand raised overhead. He dodged to the side as the rogue unleashed a vicious overhand chop, which left a huge gash in the bureau before her. With a pained growl, she turned and charged in again, her hand aimed at his heart. But before she got within striking distance, the castellan moved in himself and latched his left hand upon her throat, which instantly stopped her momentum.

"So that's your secret," he remarked as he stared intently at his stricken daughter, "the Hougetsu Jigentou."

Akuha gulped nervously, and her eyes went wide.

"You really thought I was unaware of that technique," Shuzen asked as he continued to strangle his daughter. "I'd always wondered about the nature of your powers, and now it has become clear. And not only have you learned the technique, you've actually modified it for defensive purposes as well. That's why you escaped my senses back in the throne room, you delayed and thus concealed your existence with the Jigentou."

A strangled growl came from the stricken girl. "Curse you!" she managed through clenched teeth, as she clutched to his unyielding wrist.

"But you became conceited," Shuzen continued, "you began using it in plain sight, believing we'd never learn your secret. But now that I have you at arm's length, your precious Jigentou is useless."

Akuha growled once more, and then gasped as she was lifted into the air.

"And now," the dark nobleman spoke coldly, as he reared back with his sword, which radiated an oppressive murderous intent, "you die." He thrust forth with his sword, the tip of the blade aimed right for Akuha's heart. But before he could've run her through, her body became immaterial again, and she dropped from his grasp, passed through the floor and vanished.

The patriarch growled in aggravation, incensed that she'd escaped certain death. He pushed his senses through the floor, and caught sight of his daughter, as she ran down the corridor and passed through the far wall. He kept track of her, and watched as she passed through the main audience chamber, clearly headed for the castle exit.

"I see," Shuzen remarked as he continued to spy on her, "your technique makes you incorporeal, but not invisible. And as long as these old eyes can see you, there is no escape.

---

Akuha ran at top speed down the unlit corridor, which was no obstacle with her inherent dark vision. Though removing her sire had proven to be more difficult than she'd expected. "Blast!" she cursed under her breath. "I can't believe he knew about the Jigentou!" A heavy sigh escaped her in between breaths. "I'll have to regroup, and plan another attack!" She headed down the wide stairwell, as she exhaled in relief. "But as long as I keep delaying my existence, there's no way he can track me. I'll escape with Shaft and Graham, and then plan a trap for that old coot! I won't be stopped now, I've come too far for that!"

She quickly turned the corner, which she knew led towards the front of the castle. She quickly stopped herself as she saw the form of Shuzen Issa before her. "Going somewhere," he asked expectantly, his glowing sword in hand.

The Chinese vampire quickly phased through the wall beside her, which led her into the abandoned armory, which once held a variety of ancient domestic and foreign weapons. She continued towards the far wall, kicking up layers of dust as she proceeded. She phased through the wall, but once she reached the other side, she stopped short as she saw her father before her yet again. She quickly turned to her left and streaked down the hall, headed towards the large abandoned art gallery. Akuha phased through the large door, and discovered her father had again blocked her escape route. The dark-haired woman turned back towards the door, but felt herself thrown back without being touched. She tumbled repeatedly across the floor, and came to a stop at the far end.

Shuzen Akuha groaned as she began to rise, still in pain after her last encounter with her father. Privately, she wished she possessed her sister's ability to have ignored her injuries, as well as her durability. "No," she groaned as she got to her knees, "I can't be stopped now!" She looked to her right, and watched as her hated sire slowly approached her, his glowing blade in hand. She hissed at the meddler, incensed at his constant interference, as well as her own inability to have stopped him.

"Now do you understand," Shuzen asked, his face an impassive mask as always, "there is no escape, for you."

Akuha growled menacingly at him, and bared her fangs in anger.

Suddenly, a countless number of demonic auras appeared in the room, manifested in the form of several black nebulas that separated the vampires. From them emerged several dozen skeletal knights, along with a half dozen armored warriors that were easily five meters high, complete with enormous shields that all but protected their entire bodies. "SHAFT!" the fallen lord shouted, incensed that he'd been given a taste of his own medicine.

---

Shuzen's body tensed at the hostile enemy force that appeared before him. With his fangs bared, he tightened his grip on his sword, which crackled with his seething youki. Just beyond, he watched as his rebellious daughter ran towards the far wall. "STOP!" he called out, as he channeled his energy into the blade and released it with a vicious overhead slash. A dozen enemies were instantly decimated by the attack, but then a metal construct appeared, with very square features. His attack hit the artificial being and instantly dissipated. "What the-" he exclaimed, shocked that his attack was seemingly ineffective against the metallic monster that stood in his path. He then sensed his daughter had fled the gallery, and growled in frustration. Not just at her, but at Shaft for helping her escape.

He noticed the construct headed towards him slow, heavy footsteps that shook the gallery. Since it wasn't an immediate threat, he ignored it and focused on the other enemies in his path. One of the lead knights charged in and swung its mace at him, but he deftly caught its wrist, and then ripped its arm out of its socket in one fluid motion. As it howled in pain, he cleaved it in half with his glowing sword, and it fell into broken pieces of bone and metal on the floor. He then unleashed a reverse slash, which decimated another undead knight beside him. He then brought up his blade and parried an oncoming attack by another enemy, then kicked him hard in the pelvis which knocked him into his brethren, who then collapsed in a heap. He then channeled his energy into his left hand, and a small sphere of his crackling youki appeared. He then threw it at the heap of monsters, which resulted in a huge explosion of demonic energy that decimated them.

He then glanced to his right, and saw one of the towering knights had neared him, its sword raised aloft in an overhand manner. He quickly moved to its rear and its huge blade struck the floor with a deafening clang. He channeled his energy into his family heirloom, and thrust it right into the back of its knee. As it writhed in agony, he extracted his blade and slashed across its damaged area, which caused the towering foe to collapse. Shuzen quickly moved aside as it fell onto its back, and before it could've recovered, moved in an brought his glowing sword right through its neck, which ended the intruder.

He then spun around behind him as six more mace-wielding enemies charged him. He thrust his arm out to the left, and his eyes flashed red. The oncoming enemies were hurled back towards their brethren, and they all collapsed in a heap. Another of the towering knights approached him, its sword reared back for a vicious reverse slash. He deftly rolled out of the way, and the attack completely missed him. He then slashed at the back of its knee, which cut right through its armor and undead flesh. He then kicked at the injured knee, and the imposing foe collapsed to the floor. He then charged his sword with his youki, and drove it through its helmet and right into its brain. A huge explosion erupted under the helm, and the monster became still, and collapsed in a heap of broken armor pieces.

He then turned to his left, and watched as several more undead knights charged him, undeterred by his gargantuan aura. His blood-red eyes glowed dangerously, and his sword did the same. "Fools!" he proclaimed in an echoing voice. He released a series of slashes, which decimated the oncoming enemies, one at a time. After a dozen attacks, he spun around completely with his blade and released a ring of his youki, which annihilated the remaining enemies close to him. He then charged head with a vicious slash, which took down three more undead knights. "Return to dust!"

Suddenly, he felt himself pelted by small pieces of stone, which annoyed him more than it injured him. He looked to his right, and watched as the metal construct had gotten within striking range. It reared its leg back, and then kicked up another part of the floor, though Shuzen managed to have avoided its second attack. He quickly got some distance between them, sheathed his blade and charged his energy with both hands. "Worthless construct, shrug this off if you can!" he growled menacingly, as a huge sphere of crackling cyan energy appeared in between his hands. "HELL WAVE!" he shouted as he unleashed a huge beam of his crackling youki, which struck the slow-moving enemy dead on. Unfortunately, the construct continued to advance, seemingly undaunted by the powerful attack. "Impossible," the patriarch spoke under his breath, "is this creature truly invincible?"

He then felt a murderous intent behind him, and quickly moved to the side. A split second later, another of the towering knights slashed at his former position, only to have hit an afterimage. An idea came to him, and he focused his will on the gigantic foe. He levitated it into the air with his youki, and then slammed it down on the construct. The knight broke apart into pieces on the floor, while the artificial being continued to advance. It wound up its fist comically, then nailed the disbelieving Shuzen with a fierce uppercut, which actually knocked him back.

As he tried to regain his bearings, he felt himself pummeled from behind, obviously by more of the undead knights. He spun around and slashed viciously with his blade, which obliterated the enemies behind him. He then shook off the effects of the construct's attack, and then headed for the door. But before he reached it, a huge barrier appeared around him, which encompassed the entire room. He empowered his blade with his youki, and slashed at the obstacle. "What," he asked in disbelief, shocked that his attack had been ineffective. He slashed three more times, but with the same results. He charged his blade once more, and then slammed it into the floor. However, a complicated sigil appeared under him, covering the entire floor. His youki was scattered across it and dissipated, much to his chagrin. "No!" he growled, frustrated by the obstacles before him. "Does this mean, I have to kill all of them in order to escape?" He then looked back at the enemy throng behind him. Though their numbers were greatly reduced, the seemingly indomitable construct made his task seem incredibly daunting, even for one such as him. "How irritating. You shall rue defying me, Akuha."

He then headed back towards his foes, as three long brown mantles descended from the ceiling. He kept watch of them as another of the huge knights approached him. It reared back with its huge sword, and Shuzen moved aside as it performed a vicious overhand strike, which truck the floor where he'd once stood. He then turned his youki into strength, moved towards its knee and unleashed a merciless slash, which cut completely through its knee. It quickly lost its balance and toppled over, crashing in a heap on the floor. The patriarch then charged his sword with his youki, and unleashed it in a vertical slash. The cutting wave cleaved right through the fallen enemy and ended its unlife.

Suddenly, the last of the skeletal knights charged towards him. Their breastplates were opened, and revealed they had lit bombs in their chests. He used his youki and levitated them into the air, and they kicked their legs helplessly, aghast that their suicide attack had been thwarted. He then hurled them back towards the remaining knights, which resulted in a huge explosion that completely destroyed one while the other was barely standing. He then charged the weakened knight with his celerity and slashed at its knee, which caused it to both collapse as well as expire.

He then turned to the mantles, which slowly drifted to and fro above the floor. Though he knew he had plenty of energy to spare, the fact that it seemed useless against the metal construct annoyed him to no end. Suddenly, one of the mantles drew a small curved dagger, as a murderous spirit was sensed underneath. It charged at Shuzen, but the patriarch moved to the side, and slashed it from behind. It then hovered in midair, seemingly in a state of confusion. He moved around to the front, and saw a glowing sphere in the middle of the mantle, which he surmised was its soul. He channeled his energy into his blade, and thrust it right into the orb. The mantle shrieked in agony, then caught flame and burned to ashes. The second mantle drew near, and Shuzen didn't hesitate to have slashed at it with its blade. Once he did its soul became visible, and then he charged up his blade again and skewered the spectral foe, which died the same way as its predecessor. The last one quickly charged at the castellan, who deftly moved aside. He then slashed down its back, moved to the front and then plunged his glowing sword into its murderous soul. It shrieked in agony, but its mantle didn't burn away. Instead, it floated harmlessly to the floor.

Shuzen took note of it, then turned to the last enemy, the seemingly unstoppable metal construct. Privately, he was amazed at its durability, which seemed practically limitless. Though he also knew he had to find the means to have destroyed it, or else he wouldn't have escaped the gallery. He channeled his energy into his blade, and nailed the oncoming enemy with a vicious slash. He then gasped in disbelief, as he saw his attack had barely made a scratch on the metallic foe. He was then nailed with another uppercut, and sent flying back across the gallery.

He quickly got to knees and held his chin, amazed it hadn't been broken by the golem's crushing attack. He shook of the effects, and rose to his feet again. His opponent slowly lumbered towards him, barely a scratch upon its chassis. Frustrated by his lack of progress, he concentrated his will on the metallic foe, and levitated it into the air. He then hurled it into the barrier, which crackled as a result. However, the barrier continued to hold, and the golem landed and began to approach him again, seemingly uninjured by the attack. "Absurd!" Shuzen declared, livid that it seemed impervious to all attacks. Not only that, but throwing it into the barrier didn't break it, which he found even more unnerving.

Suddenly, he cringed as he felt an overwhelming sense of death within the room. He looked about, and saw it came from the mantle, which glowed with an eerie black aura. He looked between it and the construct several times, and a bizarre and seemingly ridiculous idea came to him. Nevertheless, he ran towards the mantle, and levitated it into the air with his youki. He then thrust his hand forth, and the mantle fell upon the advanced golem. The construct ceased it advance, and then collapsed into a heap of broken iron on the floor.

The castellan looked on in mute shock as the last enemy fell in defeat. "I don't believe it," he remarked to himself, "it actually worked." He looked around, and sensed the barrier had also collapsed as a result. He ran to the door, and quickly made his way out of the gallery.

---

Shuzen quickly exited the castle, and scanned the immediate area. Unfortunately, he found no trace of Akuha or Shaft, which made him growl in frustration. Even the human Jones was no longer in the castle, and he quickly realized he'd been taken. He hissed through clenched teeth, as he realized his misguided daughter planned to have enacted the plan regardless of the danger Alucard posed to them.

At that moment, the sound of helicopter rotors reached his ears. He looked out over the distance, and watched as a chopper headed towards the castle. He covered his face, as a bright light shone from the airborne vehicle. He pushed his senses outwards, and realized its passengers weren't human. Moreover, he knew exactly who they were, and who sent them.

A minute or so later, the chopper hovered right over his position. The hatch on the side opened, and he saw a woman in a resplendent silvery gown, her raiment and curly blonde locks blown by the winds created by the helicopter. He watched as she shielded her face with her gloved hand, and then leaped three meters to the ground, and landed gracefully before the castellan. "Kahlua," he spoke, as he easily recognized his second-born daughter.

"Chichi-ue," the newcomer replied, as a smile appeared on her bronze face, "at last I found you!" She immediately hugged him, which didn't surprise the patriarch. "Where have you been, Haha-ue's been worried about you."

"There's no time for that!" he shot back as he broke out of her embrace. "Akuha has gone rogue, she must be found and executed!"

The blonde woman gasped in disbelief, clearly shocked by the news. "Neesan? No, no that can't be!"

"It's true, she tried to assassinate me in my sleep, she has finally exceeded the point of forgiveness. And I won't rest until I've personally sent her wretched soul to the Underworld." He was about to have walked past her, when he felt a crushing grip on his wrist. He turned back to his daughter, and growled menacingly at her. "Kahlua," he spoke in a threatening voice.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you escape. Haha-ue's orders."

Shuzen growled in aggravation, though he wasn't surprised. He knew he could've easily overpowered her, but he also knew it would've prompted Gyokuro to have become directly involved in the messy affair. With a reluctant sigh, he relaxed his arm. "Very well," he finally admitted, then looked over the horizon. "Shaft," he thought to himself, "have you truly betrayed me? Or is it you've discerned my true intentions? Either way, I doubt we shall ever meet again." He then scowled darkly, and furrowed his brow. "And you'd best hope we never meet again, or it'll be your last, Akuha."

---

The morning sun shone brightly through the window of a well-maintained hospital room, located on campus. Within the lone bed a single girl slept peacefully, clad in a pair of pink pajamas, her long pink locks sprawled around her shoulders. Around her neck was a black leather collar, with a length or pearl beads that went around the back. A short chain extended from the middle of the collar, from which was suspended a silver chain, which was subject to the rise and fall of her chest.

Suddenly, the core of the cross glowed a bright crimson, and resembled a glowing red eye with a slitted pupil. It rattled the chain links upon which it was suspended, which abruptly awakened the sleeping girl. She immediately sat up in the bed, and sensed a great deal of anxiety within her mind. She then looked down to her keepsake, which continued to glow. "Ura-chan," she asked worriedly, "are you alright?"

The sound of frantic breathing was heard within her mind, which told her all was not well with her counterpart. "I... I had a d-dream, about Chichi-ue."

"Our father," the young girl asked with a surprised look.

"Yes." The sealed persona said nothing, though her concern was clearly evident. "He was... fighting an intruder. He killed all our sisters," she continued, clearly shaken by the dream she'd experienced. "He even killed... Gyokuro-san."

"What?!" the pink-haired beauty exclaimed in disbelief. "Our whole family?"

"Y-y-yes."

At that moment, small pink spheres of energy appeared next to the bedridden girl. She looked beside her, and watched as the image of a silver-haired woman materialized, her slender arms upon her bed and her pale face downcast, and wrought with worry. The young vampire was startled, as she knew it was a huge change from the usual prideful visage she'd expected.

"And right before he killed Chichi-ue," the apparition spoke in a troubled mental voice, "the last thing he said, was that he was not worthy of Haha-ue!" Her immaterial head fell upon the bed, weeping profusely.

"Ura-chan," the pink-haired girl spoke sadly, as she'd never such a demeanor from her counterpart. She reached out to have held her face, and it merely passed through her. Though troubled at first, she continued to stroke her translucent face, greatly concerned for her alter ego. "Ura-chan, you don't think... anything's happened to him, do you?"

Inner Moka sighed heavily in response. "I don't know, I really wish I did. I haven't seen my family since I left the castle, and they've never visited. If anything's happened to him, I-"

"Ura-chan," the female vampire spoke softly, greatly concerned for her counterpart, not to mention her family.

At that moment, the sound of the door being opened reached her ears. She looked ahead, and saw a white-haired youth in the recently opened doorway. Her anxiety gave way to joy at the sight of the newcomer. "Soma!"

"Hey, Moka," the enigmatic youth replied with a happy smile, "feeling better?"

"Well, I am," the vampire began tentatively, then her face became somber as she looked to her cross, "but, Ura-chan had a bad dream last night. Something about our family."

"Oh no," the Japanese teenager replied worriedly as he came to her bedside, "you don't think anything's happened to them, do you?"

Moka sighed gravely, still troubled by the thought. "I don't know, I really wish I did. Perhaps next you see Ura-chan, she could tell you personally."

"I'll do that," the white-haired youth replied with a determined look.

"Soma," the pink-haired girl spoke affectionately, a soft blush on her cheeks.

"Hey Soma!" a boisterous voice came from behind.

The enigmatic student turned around, and saw a familiar student in the doorway, clad in a hospital gown. "Saizou-san," he asked with a bewildered expression, amazed he was even on his feet again.

"Yeah, who were you expecting? Anyway, that was fun last night, we should do that again! Anyway, see you at class!"

"Hold on!" Soma protested. "How can you be up and about already? You were in a lot worse shape than Moka!"

"Didn't I tell ya, a good night's sleep and I'd be all better! Seriously, what'd ya think I was, human?" He laughed uproariously, and the white-haired youth winced in response. He also realized once more that he wasn't among humans, so he shouldn't have judged them, by the same standards. "Anyway," the incognito orc continued, "I gotta get my gear and then head to class. See ya there!" With that he closed the door, and went on his way.

The Japanese teenager looked on in mute shock, still in disbelief over Saizou's miraculous recovery. "I still don't get it," he remarked as he turned back to his close friend. "How can he be up and about while you-" His eyes soon fell upon the cross on her chest, and realized the answer on his own. "Oh, now I see."

Moka hummed, and closed her eyes as she nodded. She then held up her keepsake. "The chairman said he'd found nothing truly wrong with my seal, but advised against overriding it. But if it's removed naturally, there shouldn't be any problem."

"That's good to hear," Soma replied with a relieved smile. "Anyway, I need to get going."

"Wait," the pink-haired girl called out, "come closer." She watched as he leaned over, and then she reached out and grabbed his lapels. "Before you leave, I just want to say, thank you." She closed her eyes, and then planted a soft kiss on his lips. She hummed contently as she felt it returned. After a few moments, she pulled away, a satisfied smile on her face. "See you at class, Soma-kun."

"Yeah," the somewhat surprised but touched student replied with a smile, "see you then."

---

The rest of the day proceeded without any real incidents, save for the usual "harem antics," as some students had begun to define the infighting over Soma. At the end of the day they found there was no Newspaper Club, which they found surprising but turned back to the dorms regardless.

"Man, that was some fight last night," Kurumu said warily, "I'm glad for the workout, but still-"

"That was annoying," Mizore remarked, her expression as unreadable as ever, "that guy interrupted our tender moment."

"You froze me up to my neck," the enigmatic student thought to himself nervously, "how was that a tender moment?"

"Soma," Moka asked of her close friend, "did you ever find out who that guy was?"

The frustrated youth shook his head. "Sorry, the chairman didn't say anything, he just said to protect you, should that guy ever come back." He then inhaled sharply, as a recent memory came to him. "Wait, that guy, Arikado-san described someone like him in class. And if it's the same guy," he went on with a concerned look, "we're in real trouble."

---

A tall man in a regal black and gold attire ascended a long narrow vertical passage, which led into the center of the castle. He'd been awakened from his slumber after over three hundred years, and found his homeland in turmoil again. He returned to his ancestral home, and fought his way through the evil castle. He was more than shocked to have learned that the castellan was not his sire, but a descendant of one of his old companions, which gave him an idea of why he'd awakened.

Along the way, he'd come across a female adventurer, who was seeking the same man as him. In their last encounter, she gave him a holy artifact, which she promised would've aided him against the new castellan. Once he reached the lord's chamber, the artifact revealed the truth, and thus he learned the means to have liberated the supposed lord from the spell of evil.

He then fought his way through an inverted replica of the castle, which contained far more dangerous enemies and traps than its previous incarnation. Yet despite everything he'd persevered, and by collecting the remains of his hated sire, he'd finally gained entry into the very heart of evil itself.

The room he'd found himself within was enormous, and the malefic aura it radiated would've made lesser men fled. But as he thought of it, lesser men would've been killed long before they'd reached the lord's chamber of the normal castle, let alone reached its reflection, situated high in the sky. In the very center was a large stone cube, eight meters on each side. And yet despite its appearance and shape, he knew wasn't as solid as it looked. It seemed to have no base, but he knew the original was supported by four black columns, each two meters in height. So he surmised its counterpart was actually suspended from the ceiling instead.

He made his way to the edge of the room, and transformed into a large bat, his sword still strapped to his side. He flew up to the very top of the cube, and found the large columns that were suspiciously missing from below. He then flew onto the surface of the cube, and assumed his humanoid form. Once he did he found a large round opening ahead, easily three meters across. The evil aura he'd sensed earlier clearly came from below the opening. He also knew that once he'd descended into the altar room, there would've been no going back. Though since he knew well what the sinister being within had planned, his course was clear. Once his magic had regenerated, and headed towards the opening and dropped down into the darkness, as his very long blonde locks shot straight up.

The inside of the altar room looked more ghastly with its counterpart. Closed stone eyelids were carved into the walls, and a large stone egg, held by a huge claw, was situated in the very center of the room. Near the twisted monument was a spectral being, clad in a long purple robe and a crimson cloak. A dark scowl was etched into his deeply lined face, and his eyes glowed with evil fanaticism, which had driven him to have enacted his sinister plan. Unsurprisingly, the opening above sealed itself, along with the two beings within.

"All the hail the son of our master," the spirit announced in a twisted powerful voice, as it raised its arms in adulation, "stronger than the mightiest hunter!"

"So you're the one who was controlling Belmont," the cloaked man remarked with a stern gaze, the evil mastermind finally within reach.

"Yes, I am the dark priest called Shaft, come to cleanse the world in the forge of chaos."

"Why did you make Belmont lord of this castle?"

"Because we tire of these hunters and their holy power," the evildoer replied, his scowl growing more detestable, "if they would but turn on one another."

The blonde man's eyes widened for a moment, as he considered what he'd learned. "Then the strongest one among them would eliminate the rest," he remarked with a furrowed brow, as he finally learned the entirety of his enemy's plans, "Belmont."

"Yes, so I converted him, brought him here to lure the rest, to force them all to fight and die."

"But you never planned for me," the cloaked man pointed out, "and now you've failed."

"Ha!" the evil spirit shot back derisively. "Your human soul is frail as his was, you'll take his place," he promised with a haughty scowl, as he extended a long clawed finger at him, "I'll tear that soul apart!"

---

The girls all stood in silent awe, as Soma completed his account of the old battle.

"How did you remember all that," Kurumu asked with a wide-eyed look.

"You made it sound like you were actually there, desu," Yukari added.

"Huh, I wish I could tell you," the white-haired replied as he scratched his cheek, "but what I can tell you is Arikado-san's not just making this up." His expression became more grave as he regarded his friends. "Dracula is real, his followers are real, and if they're not stopped they could bring back those dark times, all over again. And there's no way I'll ever let that happen!" he declared boldly, as he brought up his clenched fist.

"Soma," the cyan-haired girl replied with a warm blush.

"Soma," the yuki onna added with her own blush.

"Soma-san," Yukari spoke up, her cheeks just as flushed as those of her classmates.

The pink-haired girl neared him, an expectant look on her beautiful face. "You'll do that, right," she asked as she looked deeply into his gray eyes. "You'll protect us, right?"

"Of course, I won't let anyone hurt you, Moka," he spoke as he gave her a resolved look, "anyone."

He reached out and lightly held her Rosario, which made her blush brightly. The silver cross grew warm in his hand, and an image of the silver-haired woman became superimposed over her outer self. "Soma," the sealed vampire spoke into his mind, a surprised look on her pale features.

The white-haired youth gasped lightly, shocked that her counterpart had heard him, and that he'd heard her as well. He released the silver cross, and let it fall back against her chest.

"Soma," the pink-haired girl replied with a soft blush, as well as a warm smile.

"Soma-san!" a girl's urgent voice called out from behind.

The enigmatic student turned around, and saw a familiar brown-haired girl, headed towards him at top speed. "Haruna-san," he asked, confused over her haste.

The transfer student stopped before him, and paused to catch her breath. "Soma-san, thank Lilia-dono glad I found you!" She quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him away from Moka. "Fear not, I'm here to protect you from the evil of the Dark Lord!"

"B-But Moka isn't the Dark Lord," the white-haired youth rebutted, flustered by the accusation, "she's the nicest person you could ever know."

"Don't be deceived, that's all part of her ruse! The Dark Lord is a master of deception and illusion, who lures innocent and cute people into her clutches so she can feast on their life-force. That guy who fought us at least, he's clearly one of her servants come to awaken his dark master's unholy power! She is the source of all evil, and in the name of justice and cuteness, we must stop it dead in its tracks!"

"What does cuteness have to do with any of this," Soma asked himself with a perplexed look.

"Where are you coming up with this nonsense?!" the incognito succubus demanded as she got in Haruna's face and thrust her fists down, which caused her large bosom to bounce expressively. "Moka, the source of all evil? You're blowing this way out of proportion!"

"Kurumu-san is right!" Yukari added as she came up beside her buxom classmate. "Moka-san is the nicest person I know, there's no way she's the Dark Lord, desu."

"The Dark Lord is a guy," Mizore added as she confronted Haruna with the same unreadable expression. "Did you forget that little detail, genius Masou Shoujo?"

"Hey! Don't you mock me, servant of evil!" the slender girl shot back heatedly. "We'll never let you or your dark master terrorize this school!"

"Who's 'we,'" Soma asked with a confused look.

"Why, the two of us of course!" Haruna exclaimed as she turned to him and revealed the school paper. "We're front page news!"

The white-haired youth looked to the paper, and his gray eyes went wide as he saw the main article, which had a picture of him and the brown-haired girl, very close together. Below it was a caption that read, "Late Night Dating and Monster Hunting."

"Oh crap," the Japanese teenager uttered, as a panicked look began to appear on his face.

Within moments his three friends came around and looked at the headline. A couple of moments later, they all exuded a murderous intent, as a seething black aura surrounded them. "Soma!" they spoke menacingly as they simultaneously turned to him.

"That's right!" Haruna exclaimed with a cocky smile. "The whole school knows about our heroic and cute exploits, we'll be the invincible wall that protects the school from evil!"

"I'll get you for this, senpai," he thought with an incensed look, livid that his upperclassman had exploited the situation for the sake of a story.

"You dare cheat on your fiancé," Mizore spoke in an icy voice, as the ground underneath Soma's feet froze instantly, "you shall not escape my wrath."

The white-haired youth looked down, and grimaced as he saw his legs were frozen to the ground.

"You're in a lot of trouble, Cruz Soma!" Kurumu declared with an angry look as she extended her claws. "Cheating on your Destined One, there'll be no mercy for you!"

"Wait a minute!" the enigmatic student protested. "When were you my Destined One?"

"Enemy of all women!" Yukari declared as she raised her wand. "Feel the wrath of a woman scorned!" A slew of brass washing basins appeared overhead, and repeatedly smashed into the immobilized student's cranium, which left him in a daze.

"You promised to marry me, Soma!" Moka spoke angrily as she tightly grabbed his collar. "I won't be gentle this time!" She opened her fanged mouth wide, and a deadly hiss escaped her as her incisors lengthened before his horrified eyes.

"Oh no," the stricken youth pleaded desperately, "don't!"

"CAPU CHUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

"GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Soma screamed as she drove her fangs hard into his neck, and forcefully drank his blood.

"Don't worry, partner, I'll save you!" Haruna called out, as she produced her chainsaw and began to glow. "Nomobuyo, Oshi, Hashitawa-"

"Why couldn't she have done that before the fight started," Soma asked himself mentally, as more of his blood was taken.

---

Meanwhile, in the commander's office of the PSC headquarters, Kuyou read the latest issue of the academy paper, a bemused smile on his sinister face. "So," he began as he narrowed his golden eyes, "not only has Morioka learned nothing from last year, but that boy has actually undermined our authority on campus. This is completely unacceptable."

"Not just him," his purple-haired underling added with an aggravated scowl, "but that delinquent Komiya as well. First he reveals my true form in front of the academy entrance, evades capture, and now prancing about like he's some sort of hero? Oh, what I wouldn't give to put that lummox behind bars where he rightfully belongs."

"Yes," the incognito kitsune replied with a dark eagerness, "along with Cruz Soma as well. That's twice he's interfered with us, and I feel it's time to... rectify the matter."

"Don't be so hasty, Kuyou-san," a male voice spoke from the back of the office.

"Who's there?!" the leader of the Four Kings demanded. He looked ahead, and watched as an older student with brown hair and glasses made his way inside. "What do you want," he asked of the newcomer, displeased by the intrusion.

"My my, is that any way to greet the President of the Student Council," the bespectacled man asked with a mildly insulted tone. "You do realize that'll do nothing to disprove the... misconceptions about you."

"Save us the lecture, Hokuto-san," the purple-haired enforcer remarked with a sour expression. "Make it quick."

"Certainly," the newcomer replied politely, more so than he was shown. "It appears Cruz-san shall have a very... eventful summer vacation."

"What do you mean, 'eventful,'" Kuyou asked suspiciously.

"Let's just say our illustrious headmaster has... plans, for Cruz-san," Hokuto replied cautiously, "plans that could change his life, forever." He then slid his glasses back up his nose. "Or, if need be, end it."

"End it," the incognito kitsune asked, still very suspicious, "you mean Mikogami's plotting to kill Cruz Soma?"

"Why do you think Arikado-san is here? Don't be misled by the apparent favor Cruz-san has gained with the Chairman, that man has his life in the palm of his hands. And if he becomes too much of a threat-" He paused for dramatic effect, as the candlelight reflected off his glasses. "-he won't hesitate to end it. Him, and possibly Arikado-san as well. You really think he'll tolerate him undermining his grand vision for the school indefinitely? Trust me, he won't."

Kuyou made a rumbling sound in his throat, as he thoughtfully held his chin. "So this is all another of his games, is it?"

"Indeed, I know him well. And if his plans for Cruz Soma fall through, he'll undoubtedly act to remove him as a threat. That's how he's always operated."

The blonde man made an annoyed sound, and intertwined his gloved fingers together. "How irritating," he grumbled, vexed at Mikogami playing games with them along with the school. "But if it does come to that, I do hope he gives us the task of eliminating Cruz Soma. Then he will burn for his crimes against the school, and thus our power here will continue to grow. Yes, Cruz Soma, one way or another," he went on, as his eyes glowed red, "you will burn." A low laugh escaped him, which sounded truly ominous as it echoed throughout the darkened chamber.

---

Later the night, Soma opened the door to the abandoned building, beaten and battered from his latest conflict with all the girls. His uniform was torn in several places, and dirty from the intense scuffle. Though he managed to have escaped his assailants, he hadn't done so unscathed.

With a weary groan, he made his way into the living room, where his roommate awaited him, unchanged as always. She quickly scribbled upon her notepad, and showed it to him as he drew near. "Welcome home," the page read, as a small smile appeared on her face.

"Glad to be home," he replied as he gave her a grateful smile. "Regardless of what happens at school, every time I see your face, it's like all my stress is washed away."

Eucliwood hummed happily, as she again scribbled on her notepad. "What's for dinner," her next page read.

"How does... Sukiyaki sound?"

"Great," she responded in print, "I love your cooking."

"Ah," the Japanese teenager replied with a relieved smile, "I'm so glad to hear that."

"Yeah, I can't wait!" a girl's voice proclaimed from nearby. "Din din!"

Soma spun around, and watched as a familiar student with short brown hair bounded down the stairwell, and made her way into the living room. "Haruna?!" the enigmatic student asked with a shocked and somewhat insulted look, "what in the world are you doing here?"

"She invited herself in," Eucliwood explained on her next note, a rather deflated look on her pretty face.

The white-haired youth groaned in aggravation as he gave the newcomer a hard look. "Haven't you caused me enough trouble today? What more do you want?"

The slender girl bowed her head, a somewhat dejected expression. "I'm... sorry, Soma-san," she began in a penitent voice.

"What," Soma asked with a confused look.

A somber sigh came from the transfer student. "After what happened last night, it's become obvious I cannot defeat the Dark Lord with my power alone. And again today, my power was enough to protect you from her and her minions. That's why I came here," she continued as she looked back up at him, a determined sheen in her violet eyes. "I decided it would be best to live with you so I can protect you all day and night! And if the two of us work together, we may be able to win the next battle! Justice and cuteness will prevail!"

The enigmatic student groaned in response, and lightly shook his head as he covered his right eye with his hand. "But Moka's not a dark lord," he tried to explain, "and they're not minions, they're my friends."

A tapping sound was heard on the table. Both looked, and saw the silver-haired girl had a stern look on her face, and her pen placed near her notepad, which lied upon the table. "Who is this Dark Lord," it read.

"It's nobody," Soma spoke up, "Haruna-san is jumping to conclusions, it's nothing to worry about."

"I am not jumping to conclusions!" the newcomer protested vehemently. "The Dark Lord is classified as a Class ZZZ threat to our very existence, much worse than thousands of Megalos combined! And if she's allowed to regain her full power, you can kiss this whole dimension goodbye!"

"Baloney!" the white-haired you shouted in her face. "How dare you make up this nonsense about Moka, she's the nicest person I've known my whole life, and I won't stand for you talking trash about her!

"See, she's brainwashed you!" Haruna countered as she pointed at the incensed student. "You've been ensnared by her evil magic and cannot see her for what she really is! But don't worry Soma-san, I'll protect you with my life!"

"I don't need to be protected!" the Japanese teenager shot back. "Moka is my friend, she'd never do anything to harm me!"

A tapping sound again came from the table. Both looked, and saw the quiet girl's notepad upon it. "And what if you're wrong, Soma," it read, "what then?"

"Eucliwood?! Don't tell me you believe this nonsense! She clearly doesn't know what she's talking about!"

"Does she," came her written reply. "Anyway, I'm hungry, we can discuss this over dinner."

A mournful sigh escaped the troubled student, frustrated that even his roommate was suspicious of his close friend. "And with this, my peaceful days end," Soma thought to himself, and walked to the kitchen.

---

Eucliwood moved over on the sofa, and offered the boisterous girl a place upon it. "Oh thank you," she spoke gratefully as she sat beside the silent girl. "Oh dear," she spoke with a somewhat embarrassed smile, "I've made such a big scene and I haven't even introduced myself!" She then stood up, and extended her right index finger and thumb. "I am the awesomely awesome genius Masou Shoujo," she announced with a proud smile, "the great Haruna-chan!"

The silver-haired girl gave her a surprised smile, then wrote down her response. "Eucliwood Hellscythe, Necromancer," she replied in print, "nice to meet you."

"Hey Eucliwood!" the exuberant girl replied happily. "Say, um, why don't you speak? Did you lose your voice? Are you... cursed?"

Soma's roommate scribbled on her notepad again, and showed it to her. "It's... complicated," the page read.

Haruna hummed in acknowledgment, a surprised look on her young face.

Eucliwood scribbled intently, and showed her next response. "Tell me, what makes you think Akashiya Moka is the Dark Lord?"

"Well she has this gigundo demonic aura," the transfer student explained urgently, "and I fear that was only a fraction of her full power!"

"What makes you so sure," came the armored girl's written reply.

"Well she has this rosary seal on, which restrains her full might. Last night this creepy guy tried to undo the seal. He didn't completely succeed, but I know he'll come back and try again. We can't allow this to happen! Per order of Lilia-dono and Ariel-dai-sensei, the Dark Lord is to be brought to justice! As well as Alucard-dono, who's apparently at the academy as well."

A startled gasp came from Eucliwood, but she quickly regained her composure.

"You know where he is, don't you!" Haruna exclaimed as she got in the quiet girl's face. "Come on, lemme know, us girls have to stick together, ya know!"

The silver-haired girl somberly closed her blue eyes, and then shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't help you," she replied in print. "Alucard will never come to Villiers willingly, so please, don't put yourself in needless danger. I don't want to see anyone die."

"But if we work together," the brown-haired girl countered, "I'm sure we'll be able to prevail! We must do this in the name of-"

Eucliwood tapped on the table, right near her notepad. "Let it go," her next page read, "while you still can."

Haruna pouted in response, frustrated that her request for help had been rejected.

The silver-haired girl looked away, and slowly closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Haruna," she thought to herself, "but I cannot allow you or anyone else getting hurt. I know you truly want to help Soma, so do I." She then looked gravely at her pen. "But if Moka is indeed a threat to Soma, then-" A heavy sigh escaped her, as she dreaded her beloved's reaction if she raised her hand against his clearly dear friend. "Matthias."

---

Back at the academy, a single light was seen from within the top floor window. On the other side, two men were seated across from one another, a large desk between them. One was clad entirely in black, save for a white dress shirt. The other was clad in a white priest's robe and habit, with a silver cross around his neck. A pair of glowing eyes peered from under his habit.

"Are you finally going to be straight with me," the black-clad man asked of the mysterious being before him, his impatience evident in his voice. "What was Shaft looking for below the library?"

"The lower levels is where the most forbidden of magics are sealed," the priest replied cryptically, "or incantations deemed obsolete in this current day and age. The one he obtained, could be used to summon a calamitous demon, though admittedly it's never been tested, so there's no guaranteeing its success."

The man across the desk looked surprised for a moment, but then regained his composure. "Even so, that won't stop him. He can still cause a lot of damage regardless." A disgruntled sigh escaped him.

"Yes," Mikogami replied gravely, as he saw his associate was frustrated over Shaft's actions as well as his escape. "The fact that he'd gotten through the Grand Barrier so easily is... most troubling. Not to mention he managed to disable one of Akashiya-san's seals, even if for but a brief moment."

"One," Arikado asked with a startled look.

"Yes, that seal is a most intricate creation, simply removing the cross or disabling it will not release her full power. However," the headmaster continued as he gravely bowed his head, "I fear he might've learned that by now. And should he divine the means to undo the final seal, the results would be... catastrophic. That must never be allowed to occur."

The dhampir gave him a startled look, as he could've seen no sign of deception within his warning. He then crossed his left ankle over his right knee, and held his chin between his thumb and right index finger. "Even so," he began with a grim look, "we might not have a choice. In two years' time the castle will reappear, and Soma must go there in order to free himself of the burden of Outo's soul." He then closed his eyes and his face became downcast. "But should he fail, then it'll be up to my daughter to stop him."

"Your daughter," Mikogami inquired, as he raised a nonexistent eyebrow.

"We can't afford to take any chances!" Arikado shot back. "There's no way she could possibly stop him now, but given two years I can make her as strong as her mother. No, I can make her even stronger than her mother! And if that means undoing this final seal, so be it! The future of this world depends on it!"

"No!" the headmaster snapped, which was very rare of him, as his eyes glowed ominously. "There is a pertinent reason she was sealed away," he continued in a low voice, "and you would brazenly ignore that for the sake of your ideals? Akasha would never approve of this, nor would she approve of you proclaiming yourself as Akashiya-san's father, especially when you're planning to expose her daughter to such risk." He then rose from his chair, and gave the dhampir a highly unexpected glare. "As I said before, the seal is a very intricate creation, and if you start tampering with it, you could kill her."

The black-clad man gasped in response, clearly taken aback by the revelation.

"And even if she did survive," the robed man continued, "she would be furious at you for destroying her seal, and would most likely strive to kill you," he went on, as his voice echoed menacingly and his eyes flashed. "Still believe it's for the good of the world?"

Arikado silently stared at the mysterious being, shocked that the headmaster had actually challenged him. Not to mention the possibility that his plans for Moka might lead to her death, or her outright rebellion. And he found that neither outcome was acceptable, especially since they would've grieved the woman he loved to no end.

A deep sigh escaped him, as he contemplated his next course of action. "Then it seems, the time has come," he finally spoke. "It's time she learned who I really am. This summer vacation is the perfect opportunity for that. Once she knows the truth, and realizes how Akasha would've fought against the evil threatening this world, then she'll understand."

"Are you sure," the chairman asked, a somewhat unconvinced tone in his voice. "Do you really want her to know, the truth?"

Arikado leaned back slightly in response, a lightly surprised look on his face. "Of course I do," he finally replied, "I've been away for far too long, she needs to know who I really am. She needs me." He closed his head and somberly bowed his head. "And, I need her," he went on, his voice heavy with reluctance. "She has the power to fight against Dracula, but not now. That's why we need to make the most of these two years we have. So once the castle does reappear, everything will be in place. And should Soma fall to the darkness, and if I can't stop him, then it'll be up to her."

Mikogami hummed to himself, as he leaned back in his chair. "Such an audacious plan," he mused, as he intertwined his gloved fingers. "And not entirely without merit."

The dhampir frowned in response, annoyed that the robed man had dared speak so slightingly of his plans.

"Moreover," the headmaster continued, "she has consumed some of Soma's blood. As his powers grow, so do hers. Not quite as powerful as him, but still a formidable opponent indeed."

The black-clad man groaned inwardly. "Nevertheless, I'm a bit concerned about her drinking Dracula's blood on a regular basis. Regardless of the benefits it might give, it could also work against her, and us. Should he awaken as the Dark Lord, she would immediately fall under his thrall. And then-"

The robed man hummed in acknowledgment, as he was also uneasy about such a development. "Even so, their bond can also prevent Dracula's memories from influencing the lad. Rest assured, no harm shall befall her."

Arikado gave him a somewhat dubious look, but said nothing at first. "So it truly is a double-edged sword," her remarked with a grave look. "Very well, I shall supervise them both over the vacation. I'll make sure neither of them, fall into the darkness. Good night," he concluded, as he rose his chair and made his way out of the office.

The headmaster sat alone in the darkness, as he felt Alucard's presence headed farther from the office. After a few moments, he could've no longer sensed him within the vicinity. "So you're going to let her know how you are," he remarked cryptically. After a few moments, a wry smirk appeared on his face. "how ironic, I was thinking the same thing."

---

Co-Author's note: Whew, and with this, the Haruna chapter has finally come to an end. Didn't think it would end up being split into three chapters, but I felt inspired with the last one. And I'm sure people have a good idea of what's about to happen in the next one, when everything is changed forever.

Now for the reviewers:

TonyB

Yes, I really tried to make it as such, since it was the biggest battle Soma's had to date. And it's just a warm-up for what's on the horizon. And as you've seen in this chapter, Moka's just fine, for now. As for Alucard's constant agro, he knows Mikogami knows a lot more than he's telling. Expect more tension between them in the arc after the Demon Castle Arc.

Lord Destroyer

Yes, in infamous Koumori Nazo reprises his role introducing any new monsters that appear in the story, along with lots of puns. Yes, Soma was clearly not amused. And glad you're enjoyed the battle so much.

Hey, as Mizore said, better to get a head start. Though Soma would strongly disagree, for obvious reasons.

And yes, Alucard again shows his prejudices, which have been developed over the centuries. As for him encountering Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and their father, he'd probably disapprove of them being around humans, since in his eyes nothing good comes from it. All based on his own life experience of course, but you get the idea. Though Mikogami would welcome them with open arms, maybe a bit guarded in case they tried attacking him, especially Sesshomaru.

Glossary

Oji-sama – very respectful form of grandfather.

Hougetsu Jigentou - Moon Crushing Dimensional Sword