Alucard howled, teeth flashing, blood coursing from his shoulders.

His body tensed, fingers digging into Maria's hair and the dirt beneath them. Bones cracked as he fought to take another form—anything to escape the nails running him through. His cloak flapped without power, bat wings disappearing as sheer pain disrupted Alucard's thoughts. Slowly, surely, he was pulled backwards.

Maria shrieked. "No!"

She latched onto Alucard's waist. Her heels slammed into the ground as she fought the force in the mirror. His faerie did the same, snatching onto her master's coat. She saw over his shoulder, past his tearing cape. Smoldering hands controlled the monstrous fingers that snared Alucard. A burned face brushed the surface of the mirror. She gnashed, then cursed. Even being roasted alive hadn't finished off that damned Maestro Phillippe!

"Richter!" Maria cried again.

The loyal Belmont shouted back. "Hold on!"

If only she could. Her heels were slipping. The earth was too weak to hold her in place—to keep Alucard from being dragged into that torturous mirror world again. He pushed forward, knelt down, thrashed against the forces drawing him in. Fingers convulsed as he tried to reach for his blade. Nails scraped bone, and he hollered.

A shining projectile sped past Maria's face. Richter's knife landed in the upper-left corner of the mirror. Shards rained down, splintering with every flail Alucard took. The mirror wasn't breaking fast enough. The back of his head breached the surface of the looking glass. He fought once more, throwing himself forward, snarling with what little air was left in his lungs.

"Come on!" Maria shrieked. "One more step! You can do it!"

Alucard nodded. He pushed against her. The noble, the girl, the spirit between them—all moving like ballroom dancers fighting a tempest. She took a step back, and his foot followed. One more, and Richter caught them, arms wrapped around them all as he pulled. Alucard's body cleared the mirror, hair and cloak still snapping inside. Blood splattered against shining knuckles. He bowed his head, eyes pinched shut, panting breathless apologies.

Maria lowered hers, too.

Fingers as lithe as a snake's jaws pulled Alucard's sword from its sheath. Maria thrust it forward. Her aim was crooked, her right arm too weak to hold it in a proper stance. Still, she met her target. Metal tore through Alucard's cape, pierced glass, then broke to the back side of the mirror. The force of the blow crackled upwards, meeting the slivers still slithering from Richter's knife.

Prisms burst from the looking glass' surface. The gnarled hands lanced into Alucard splintered into thousands of triangles and dust. He fell—forward, not back. Maria and Richter slid him to the ground. She reached behind him, felt up and down his spine. He was safe. Bleeding—missing a few inches of his cloak and hair—but alive.

Maria pulled him beneath her chin. She nuzzled both master and familiar. She kept repeating herself, not sure who she was talking to. "It's alright. It's alright."

The faerie wormed herself free from Maria's arms. The little sprite gasped. Bloody fragments oozed below Alucard's sword. Hunks of meat lay atop glass and his boots. Two chunks were disembodied, burned hands. Another contained domed bone. Splattered across that was curled, raw tissue. Brain matter.

"Master." The faerie tugged on Alucard's hair. He glanced over his shoulder, slow to leave Maria's care. His eyes widened, but no shocked breath left him.

Both Maria and Richter investigated the gore. Richter grimaced, then shook his head. "What happened?"

As the faerie fussed with her master's injuries, she addressed the vampire hunter's question. "When you and Maria broke the mirror, he was caught between two worlds. Part of him stayed in the other world. Part here. So—"

"We cut him in two," Richter nodded.

Maria's face fell. That wasn't the worst of it. "But, there's nothing on the other side, right? I mean, if he's dead—if he can't hold the world he made together—"

"It's all gone," the faerie said.

The menagerie. The animals. The guards. That poor girl Veronica. All were lost to the void. It wasn't bad enough that they had to kill a human. Now, everything he had ever built, collected, and cherished was gone. Maria's heart sank. Maestro Phillippe may have deserved such a fate for harming others, but surely not his daughter. Would she float in a land between spaces, rotting into nothing? Would she know that she was dying?

Or was she gone long before Maria met her?

Tiny hands pressed against Maria's forehead. The summoner raised her eyes. Alucard's familiar pleaded with her. "Please, get my master to safety. I've healed what I could, but—"

"People will be coming." Richter stood up. He yanked his knife from the mirror's frame, then tucked it away. "We can't be seen here."

Maria nodded. She stood up, pushing Alucard onto his feet. He was disoriented, but kept upright. With two tugs, he pulled his sword out of the broken looking glass. His breathing slowed. Gold eyes softened, then closed. He leaned forward. His right arm wrapped around her shoulders. She lowered her head, resting against his sore neck.

"Thank you," was all the eloquent dhampir could utter.

She nodded. "You're welcome."

He lifted his head, then gave his familiar a nod. The faerie smiled. With a puff of sparkling magic, she took her leave. Alucard sank down, his form disappearing in a black cloud. A tiny bat flew out, hopping over Maria's shoulder, rushing for the trees. Richter ran behind him. The early morning was no time for a bat to be flying about. The foolish dhampir was more likely to hit a tree and knock himself out than make a clean getaway. Maria followed the pair.

She didn't dare look back again. Not to see what they had done.

Shadows came over the hills and through the forest. Children went screaming past her as they ran through the circus, unfettered by any sentries or their parents. They passed stilled exhibits, dark carriages. Maria halted near one. She stepped up, then pressed the door open. A second later, and she was out.

A doll dangled from her fingers as she ran after her men.

/***/

Rumors were fast to spread throughout the town.

Maria had heard as many as five by the time she was done grooming her horse and feeding her pets. What little remained of Maestro Phillippe's body had been found. Some said it was his own comeuppance, that his animals had turned against him and devoured him. Others saw eyes in the forest, all manners of footprints along the path. Witches, ghosts, the parents of lost little boys—culprits of every shape and size were accused.

She gave no care to gossiping bar patrons and citizens. She was tired, filthy—needing to get to a safe place. At least Richter had a room reserved. A shame that it was up so many stairs. Steps gave sympathetic groans beneath her feet. She pulled herself up, then slunk to Richter's room. The door was left ajar. There was a sliver of a shadow trickling through. She pushed it open, stepped inside, and grinned. With the slightest of touches, she shut the door, pushing the noise away once more.

Slumped in a chair next to the door was Alucard.

Maria never knew how he could sleep like that. The fool could have had the bed, if he wanted. He couldn't be comfortable sinking into the folds of beaten cushions, his spine out of alignment. He was even facing the sunlit windows. And yet, he slept on, lost in a deep, dark dream.

She sat down on the bed. A curious wonder numbed her aching. How strange it was to see Alucard vulnerable like this. Long lashes and eyelids hid shining eyes. Teeth were kept in check behind closed lips. Frayed hair curled in defiance of any comb, ears peeking through wayward spirals. Boots were put aside and polished, gloves folded and scrubbed clean. He left the chain to his tattered cloak unbound. The silver links dangled alongside his loosened cravat, wounded skin beneath them washed and dressed with fresh bandages. He was unraveled, exhausted, almost human in his slumber. Her pulse slowed as she watched him sleep, his chest rising and falling with low breaths.

It took her a couple of minutes to snap out of her lulling.

Maria stepped into a smaller area off the side of the main room. Inside, there was a white pitcher, a tiny sink. Hardly a proper washroom, but it would do. She pulled off her gloves, then cleaned her hands and face. A quick squeeze of colored perfume took the stench of birds and horses off of her. This was hardly the time or place to take a full bath. Especially with gentlemen coming in and out of the room. She shook hay out of her hair, then began combing out matted tendrils. The brush's bristles caught and snagged, rumbling as she continued grooming.

A quiet call came from the main room. "Maria?"

Maria lifted her head. There was no reflection in the vanity. She turned to face Alucard. He was still seated, leaning forward to look at her. She shook her head, then propped herself against the door frame. "Don't know you better than to look into washrooms when a woman is inside?"

The thought hadn't crossed Alucard's mind. He drew back, surprised with his lack of foresight. "I'm sorry. That was rather rude of me."

"It's alright." Maria sat down once more, taking the corner of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

A few moments went by before Alucard spoke. Something uncomfortable was stuck in his stomach. "Mending." He drew his right hand up, then pressed below his sternum, into the pit of his solar plexus. "Rueful."

Maria lowered her eyebrows. "Alucard?"

"I acted out of anger, Maria." He screwed up his face, the bile of his words bitter on his tongue. "There had to be another way to resolve our conflict with my captor. I am certain of it. To see what became of my selfishness…Monstrous."

"You're no monster, Alucard. Think what you'd like about what we've done, but I can see the pain in your face." Maria's fingers curled in her lap. She twisted them around the hem of her tunic, looking away from his piercing eyes. "I know this guilt you're feeling. I wish we could have spared that poor girl. But if that meant losing you…"

Maria turned her head away. She stared at the toy propped against her luggage. Alucard glanced at it, eyebrows pinching as he studied the doll. Maria was carrying her guilt in a more physical sense than he. He lowered his eyes, shaking his head. They would both have to live with their actions.

Warm hands slipped into his cold fingers. Alucard raised his head. Maria leaned forward. A few inches closer, and she would have been in his lap. Intensity as dark and deep as ocean waters was in her eyes. Such magnificent pressure forced a sharp palpitation in his heart.

"Maria?" Alucard asked.

"Remember your promise?" Maria answered him with her own questions. "Do you remember what you said to me when I tracked you down? When you were going to seal yourself away?"

Silver fringe from the sides of his face bobbed as Alucard nodded. "Of course. I swore to aid those that freed me from my father. To be there for their children. To…keep vigil."

"Good. And I said that I'd help you keep it, no matter what." Maria smiled. She lowered her head, trying to disguise tears with laughter. "So we messed up. We're still here. We can take what's happened to us and make sure we don't repeat our mistakes. Just keep trying, alright?" She raised one hand, reached forward with great apprehension, then placed it on the dhampir's chest. "I'll be here. Even after my time runs out, I'll stay right here. Always."

There was a gentle bump on her head as Alucard laid his forehead against hers. His right hand folded over her own, keeping her bold fingers above his heart. "You are too stubborn."

"Like you're not," Maria hiccuped through her weeping.

Smooth cloth dabbed her tears away. She kept her eyes closed long enough for Alucard to finish cleaning her. Always a gentleman, even when he thought himself otherwise. It was easier for her to hold a smile now. Strange how he hardly grinned, and yet, how simple it was for him to draw one from her. Maybe one day, she could be just as skilled.

There was a shift from the chair, then Alucard was before her, crouched. "Are you finished with your chores? I have spent too much time sequestered. It would be rude of me to not help you."

"I'm fine." Maria smiled. She reached around his right shoulder, then played with his hair. What used to fall to the small of his back now only made it to his chest. "Sorry about the trim."

Alucard shook his head. "I was getting a few split ends." He picked at the end of his docked cloak. "However, this is beyond repair. I shall have to purchase another one. As well as a new sash for you."

"What?" Maria glanced down at her clothes. Sure enough, her golden sash was cut short. She had been so worried about everyone else that she hadn't even seen the damage done to it. She fumed. "I can't believe this! We've got to find a tailor this instant!"

"Absolutely! While we're out, we should pick up fresh shoes and a new dress too!"

Both Alucard and Maria jolted. Leave it to loudmouth Richter to sneak up on both of them and get a rogue's jab at their conversation. Maria's back went rigid. She flushed a bright shade of pink. Alucard couldn't turn the same colors, but he could make the same awkward bite on his lip that she had on hers. Richter snorted a laugh. Even if the two of them were centuries apart in age, they both acted like gawkish teenagers around each other.

Richter leaned on the door frame, his arms crossed. "We should get moving. Constables are starting to poke around the circus. I'd like to avoid being questioned, if possible."

"Where are we to go?" Alucard asked.

The vampire hunter smirked. He reached into his coat, then produced an envelope. He waggled it in front of both the dhampir and his sister-in-law. "Got a job down south. It's about a week's ride. Interested in following me?"

"Absolutely!" Maria agreed. "Someone's got to keep an eye on you. Especially for Annette's sake."

"Oh, sure. You get ensorcelled and locked in a castle for a year, and everyone gets a little dodgy when you're on the road," Richter sighed.

Alucard nodded as well. "I am in your debt. If this will repay it—"

Richter waved off the dhampir's words. "No talk like that. If we kept counts of our debts to each other, we would all be destitute."

"Very well," Alucard agreed. "If you would like my company, you have it."

"Good!" Richter reached across their shoulders, squeezing them in a bear hug. "You two are going to love this place."

/***/

Cobalt spires pierced stormy skies. Stonework sank into black forests, shimmering from nearby lightning. The rain was fast approaching. Winds rustled through thick trees, snatching hair and the ends of a new cape. The adventurous trio stood on the edge of the storm, their next challenge waiting with crackling anticipation.

"The target?" Alucard inquired.

"Gargoyles." Richter waved a hand towards the top of the towering monastery. "They got a new vicar here, you see. He's got a bit of a fat head. Wanted to shake up the place, do some renovations." His hand drifted to the west. "He went and cracked open a wing of this keep that had been sealed for over five hundred years. Wouldn't you know it? Hundreds of gargoyles, all crammed behind it! They have the full run of the place now."

Maria nodded. "So, what's our plan?"

Richter raised an eyebrow. "Good question. I had assumed holy water would be the way to go, but this place must be already brimming with the stuff. Maybe they're immune to it."

"Well, it's worth a shot," Maria shrugged.

The humans went back and forth, planning entrance strategies and attacks. Alucard's eyes drifted. Distant fire caught his attention. He paused, studying what was watching him from atop forested hills. There was a soft stirring of earth, warm thrums. He felt at ease, as if he was dozing within winding, scaled coils.

"—n't you think so, Alucard?" Maria's voice cut through his thoughts.

Alucard shook his head. "Pardon?"

Maria leaned over. "Are you alright? If you need to go rest, that's fine. Richter and I can handle this."

Any average human would have taken her up on her offer. One didn't waltz out of the kind of prolonged captivity he had endured. Certainly not after the injuries he suffered. Still, the travels with warm company had done him well. His swordplay would be a little weak, but his magic remained solid.

"If need be, I could steal some life from the gargoyles. However, I have no reason to retreat," Alucard assured his companions.

Richter smirked. "Well, you're certainly not going to be draining blood. Not without chipping a tooth, anyway."

Movement from the forest drew Alucard's senses once more. This time, Maria's eyes followed his. There was a bolt of lightning, thunder following. Lithe bodies watched the pair, tails knotted. Maria's hand slipped into Alucard's. She was sure she had seen their watchers before—behind lock and key, batting eyes at her friend, winding tails around his ankles.

She smiled at the duo. Another clap went, and the twin shadows disappeared into the night.

"You know, Richter…" Maria lowered her head. "Do you think gargoyles can talk?"

Richter winced. "Alucard would know better than I. Why?"

Maria twisted one foot behind her other. "I was just thinking—you know, since we got out of that circus and all. Maybe we can talk to them and see if we can strike a deal. I mean, lots of monsters are intelligent. We don't have to go in swinging."

The Belmont raised an eyebrow. His eyes drifted down to her left hand. He rolled his head back, trying to avoid staring at her and the dhampir. She did have a point. Granted, he didn't know how great that idea was going to be when he was smashed on his back, but it was worth a shot. It was sounding more effective than chucking water at the beasts, anyway.

"Lots of monsters are also evil. But, fair's fair," Richter agreed. "Be wary, though. If they get growly, so will I."

"I would expect no less from a Belmont," Alucard said.

Richter brushed his bangs out of his face. "Now, you watch your tongue. Unless you want to go for another round against the Belmont clan."

"It would be a pity if I beat you again," Alucard teased. "Especially in my feeble state."

Maria mocked the pair. "Yes, you're both pretty. Can we go? I'd like to get inside before—"

The sky tore open before she could finish her thoughts. Cold rain pelted the trio. Alucard bristled at the sensation. Maria and Richter's skin prickled with goose bumps. Light scattered across their wet faces, a roaring boom following close behind.

"—it starts raining," Maria sighed.

Richter took off first. "Last one in has to lick a gargoyle!"

Powerful legs leapt towards the monastery's thick doors. Maria prepared to bolt, but found her hand still in Alucard's. She smirked, then straightened her back. So it was pouring buckets. The rain wasn't going to harm her. She squeezed Alucard's hand. He responded in kind, eyes glowing in the rising storm, silver hair running down with the coursing rain.

She wondered for a moment what would happen if she knocked him onto the muddy ground, leapt on him, pushed that hair out of his face, and—

"Are you ready?" Alucard asked.

Maria blushed. Business had to come first. She nodded, then let him take lead. They walked in lockstep, up stone stairs, towards Richter's beaming face. He pushed the door in, letting them inside. As soon as they were in, he closed the doors behind them. All at once, dust and candlelight filled their senses. Dark hallways beckoned them forth, green rugs leading them to their next challenge.

Fiery human spirits burned through the night, embers warming the cold soul fighting alongside them.

/***/

Author's Note

Congratulations! You made it! I'd throw you a turkey leg, if I could find one. Probably isn't a good idea to punch holes in my home and see if any fall out.

Seriously, though—thanks for making it here. I realize I wasn't too chatty this time around. Didn't want to break your thoughts. Feel free to leave any comments you'd like. Though, if you did like the story, please share it with your pals! I'm struggling to find a Castlevania community online, so if this is up to snuff, I'd like it to be circulated. (And hey—not that I'm planting ideas or anything, but that Recommended Fanfics section for Castlevania on TVTropes is looking pretty damn slim!)

For what it's worth—I am currently working on a Sorrow-arc Castlevania fic for NaNoWriMo. Keep your eyes peeled for that. I won't post until I have the final chapter written, so it'll probably be a month or so before you see anything there. Hell, might not even show up until 2015. You know. Like, ten years after "Dawn of Sorrow" was released. Argh...

If you'd like to talk to me, you can find me on Tumblr. Same username and everything!

Again—thank you so much. I truly hope you enjoyed this story.