Chapter 10: The Paths We Take (Arikado, Soma and Count Dracula's POV)

We entered the dark looming castle and looked around. It was cold and gray and in the middle of the room was a sealed room with five stands beneath it. It was here that we all decided on where to go and how to do things.

"It would seem that there is a teleportation room of some kind." Soma said, causing the rest of us to look at him. It was Yoko who broke the silence.

"Soma, you remember this place?" She asked. The young Spaniard nodded and looked at us.

"It would seem that 'I' have been here before." He said as he looked toward Joachim and I. "It will not be easy. But there are more than just these five guardians and the two who are battling it out."

"We will deal with it." I said. "Soma, remember what I told you."

"I remember." Soma said with a sigh and a wave of his hand. "As I said, there are five chambers. Who's going where?" The group looked to the middle in where Julius picked up a map. Soma groaned as he read the name of the map: 'House of Sacred Remains.'

"Can we get any easier?" Soma asked the older man wryly. Julius looked at the younger man and chuckled.

"Now Soma, you know I'm an old man," Julius teased. "We have to go slow and steady." Soma blinked then rolled his eyes as he followed the older man.

"You are not that old!" Soma called out as he and Julius were teleported to their destination. I nodded to Yoko, gesturing her to choose a destination. She took the Garden of Time. Hammer went to the Lab. Joachim looked at me and sighed.

"You have a battle greater than any of us here." He said as he made his way to the Palace of Dark Waterfalls. "In the end, you will have a make a choice that will change all." With that he was gone and I was left with the Ghostly Theater. There was a lot to consider and I didn't know where to make heads or tails of it. Maybe somewhere in this castle, I'll find something…

(Soma's POV)

I glared at Julius as I picked myself up from the ground. I had no idea that the teleports would pack such a punch. I feel as if I were hit by a bus! I held my head and moaned for a moment then looked around. It seemed that we were in a ruined church of some kind. I knew that we were in the House of Sacred Remains. I knew that this was the beginning of this five part hell hole and I was more than happy to be done with it as quick as possible. I turned to Julius and became concerned. He looked pale and his breath was labored. I knew that he wasn't feeling well and that there was no way for him to bounce back from this. His end was drawing near and yet, here he was, fighting to the very end!

"Julius," I said as I supported him and led him to a room that had a statue of an angel and the atmosphere was quite peaceful. There was a seal on the floor and I knew that this was a place of rest. Thank the Almighty it wasn't a grave. I set Julius down gently onto the ground and knelt. He looked at me with a small smile, despite his pain.

"Soma," He said as he took my hand. "It seems that I bit off more than I can chew eh?"

"Julius, you can't fight this. Why did you come?"

"I told you before that it was in my blood."

"You're nuts!" I said as I wiped the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. "You do realize that you have no successor? You can't afford to die here."

"That's where you're wrong Soma." He said as he smiled at me again. "I do have a successor in mind."

"And who would that be?" I asked. I knew that Julius was indeed the last of his line. There was no one else. Julius as well as the others knew this.

"Soma, Alucard and I spoke on this and I didn't want to tell you right now. But it seems that the Lord has other ideas. I chose my successor a long time ago. I chose you."

"Me?!" I asked, taken aback by shock. "But I'm…you can't…."

"Soma, you are not Dracula and you never will be." Julius said. "You've proved it to us all more than once. You are strong and you're pure of heart. I am honored to have fought at your side. Promise me, when the time comes, you will take my family's whip and continue my family's legacy."

I bowed my head to hide my tears. I knew that the Belmont line was both legacy and curse. Gift and burden…can I really make such a choice? If I did, I would have more on me: the hunted becoming the hunter. An eternity of torment traded for an eternity of redemption. To protect those from befalling the fate of the damned…If I didn't, the Belmont legacy would go, heralding Dracula's greatest victory. I looked up at Julius and it was as if he knew what I was going to say.

"Soma, I know that you are not one of my bloodline, but I do see you as the son I never had. The son I wanted. Please, don't let me and family fall to memory. Please, don't let Dracula win." He winced and turned away, coughing violently and holding a hand over his heart. I had to make a choice. I placed a hand over his and looked at him.

"Julius," I said gently, "I promise." He searched my eyes and then smiled. He knew that I meant it.

"Thank you Soma." He said graciously. "Now, help me to my feet so we can continue." I nodded and helped him out of the chamber. I had to keep an eye on him and I wondered how the others were doing. And what's the deal with the fight for power? I had felt three very powerful, yet very old auras. They were both dark and vampric. But only two of them were familiar. The auras belonging to Count Dracula himself and his lover's…. Ok if Dracula's near the heart of the castle, and Adrian's in the theater, then who is the other guy I feel? He seems to be pissed off royally. Julius and I continued on our way but the questions remained unanswered. At least, for now…

(Mathias/Count Dracula's POV)

Bernhard had some nerve. I hissed as I continued to the throne. He thinks that he can overpower me? Who does he think he is? I will show him terror. He will bow before me! I had never had a challenge of power in this magnitude. Although time and time again I had to battle my only son, it was nothing compared to the battle in store for me against this crazed red head. I had to admit, he had some guts. But I can't stand people coming in my way and opposing my power. Ok, my pride was badly bruised because I had a shitload of Leon's kin and other fighters walking on me like a bear skinned rug but this guy, really pissed me off! It was because of him, I had my power. Now he wants to take what had been mine for the longest. There was no way in hell he was getting it!

I was going to kick his ass and make sure he stayed within the stone. The battle of 1999 may have 'killed' me but I managed to stay low a bit. It didn't kill me, per say. It was more like a deep induced coma. However, through my dreams I saw. I knew of my latest rebirth, Soma Cruz and knew somehow, in some way, he was more like I had been when I was human. Being the King of the Vampires for so long had almost but cleared away any memories of my humanity. However, as I looked at my son, they all flooded back to me.

I remembered Elizabetha, my first wife and remembered what spurned me to become who I am now. Then, I remembered Lisa, my second wife and the mother of my only son and remembered my revenge. When I had first risen, I had noticed that my Crimson Stone was halved and knew exactly where it was. It was with Soma, who had both surprised and pissed me off when he ducked out of line. However, I turned my focus to my son. Adrian was originally destined to take my throne but when he opposed me and took on the name Alucard, I knew that my plan was moot. The boy had both his mother and my human nature, within him. He was stronger than I could ever hope to be. And he didn't need dirty tricks or alchemical stones to do it. His power was all his. He had earned his respect and his power. And he boosted it up further when he took my reincarnate as his mate. However, there was one more thing he needed. If he had to fight Walter or me, he would have to drain the blood of the winner to take the throne. Somehow, I knew that he won't do it unless it was really necessary. No one has ever escaped their paths. Until I knew of the two half breeds… They had managed just that and you know what? I was glad for it. Their strength and determination was inspiring and I knew that if it was my fate to die at the hands of my son, then I will happily accept.

Author's Note: Thanks to my ever faithful readers! I figured I would try a three way POV for once just to see how it flies. It's up to you on whether you want me to continue or not. The history lesson will be at the end this so stay tuned! Thanks again!!