Chapter 13: Return of the King, Belmont's Departure (Alucard's POV)

I felt one of the combatants powers fade and for a moment, my heart dropped. I had thought my father had met his end at the feet of Bernhard. If I had to fight him, I wasn't too sure if I would stand a chance. I was a baby compared to him. However, as I approached the throne, I allowed a sigh of relief. There, on the throne, waiting for me, was my father. He looked younger and I was taken aback. He and I would have been twins! Well, he and my alter-ego anyway. The only details that were different were the eyes, the gray at the temples and the dark aura that pulsed through him.

"You have grown much since the last time we've met my son." He said to me with a smile. "I am impressed and proud of you."

"Father," I said as I reached for the sword at my side. "Please, stop this."

"This is what is to be my son." He said gravely as he rose from the throne. "There is no escaping who you are."

"Father, I know that your human side is not gone!" I said. "I know that the man you once were is still deep down somewhere."

"The man you seek is no longer here." He said as he got ready for battle. "You are centuries too late."

"Oh really, then why is your soul wandering this place?" I asked. My father blinked at me then at the ghost that was near the balcony. He went white as he saw the forlorn apparition. He looked as if he wanted to drop to his knees.

"How did…"

"He found me and led me here without getting harmed at all."

"And why is Belmont weak?"

"He doesn't have long. He is the last, aren't you happy that he's dying?"

"Half of me is." He said. "The other half on the other hand is quite lament as you can see. Now if this is over, let's begin."

My father didn't give me a chance to get ready as he aimed a fireball at me. Why does he always open up with that? I dodged and glared at him.

"That was low Father." I said. My father smirked and lunged at me. We clashed swords and fought. I was so glad that I had mastered swordsmanship from him but I had a few tricks ready for him if he didn't play fair. I think he knew that for he stayed to fair play.

As we leapt around the room, displaying our powers to the other, I saw that he was impressed with how much power I had obtained. I also saw that he was struggling with himself for some reason. I slashed at him and drew first blood. He hissed and jumped away.

"So, you want it rough don't you?" My father asked darkly. "Feel my power boy." With that he turned into his demon form and I shook my head. Talk about playing dirty. I didn't have a form so I went to slash at him. The big black demon tried to crush me but since I was small, I was quick. I leapt away and dodged his blows. I had people to live for. I was not running away from who I was anymore. If taking the throne would stop my father's tyranny then I will take it.

I went for my father's heart and was about to pierce it when my father's human soul stopped me.

No, this is what he wants you to do.

What do you mean by that?

If you kill him, you will be condemned to take his place. You will lose yourself and that is not what I wanted for you.

So what do you suggest?

I will fight him. When I tell you to, back away… I will take care of the rest.

I nodded and keep weakening my father's demon form. I had to obey what the ghost had said for I knew that he was right. If I did kill him, I would take my father's place as the Vampire King and I would lose my humanity. I would lose my Soma and our friends. I would lose my chance at happiness and peace. Those were something I was not willing to give…

Back away Adrian. My father's apparition ordered. I nodded and with that he and I switched places.

This ends now Dracula. With that, he stabbed the demon in the heart and watched it revert back to its human form. It crumpled at my feet and the apparition entered the body. I went to the body and removed the sword. The wound closed and a pair of silver eyes opened up and looked at me. The monster was gone and in its place was the man who I knew was my father. He stood up and smiled at me.

"Adrian," He said. "I am so proud of you. Thank you for never giving up on me." I looked at him and was ready to cry. I haven't felt like this in a long time. I remembered….

"Julius!"

"Say no more," My father said as he went to his things and picked up the book I had tried to open and flipping to sealed section. He ordered it to open in Latin and followed me to where the group was waiting.

When we reached the room I had noticed that Soma was the only one who was Julius' constant vigil. He looked up at me with tear filled eyes and hugged me.

"Soma…" I said as I held him as my father sat next to the bed-ridden man.

"He's not doing well." Soma said. "And what is he doing here?"

"It's all right Soma, Dracula's dead." I said. "Only Count Mathias Cronqvist remains." Soma looked at my father warily. I knew that if he made one wrong move, that it would be over for him. My father looked at the man and then at Soma.

"Judging from the way you're looking at me child, I think its safe enough to assume that you are his successor."

"I am."

"Well, it's time to pick up the whip child." He said. "Don't argue." I watched as Soma took up the Whip in one hand and held his other hand over Julius' heart. I watched as my father chanted in Latin and the three that were linked glowed. I was about to say something but the whip flared and the man on the bed looked to be at peace at last. Somewhere, I could have sworn that the church bells toll. Julius Belmont, the last of the Vampire Slayers, was dead.

Author's Note: Sorry, if it's too short forgive me. Anyway, if you want more, you know what to do. History lesson will be at the end of the story, promise! Thanks for reading!