Chapter 14: Final Battle and A Count's Decision (Normal POV)

Everyone was wrought with grief as they returned to the Church and buried the last of the Belmont line with full honors. Soma was in Arikado's arms while Yoko and Hammer were bowing their heads. Lord Cronqvist was reading the last prayer as Julius' casket was lowered into the ground. Soma had donned the garb of the Slayer for he had been ordained as Julius' successor before the funeral. As they were ready to walk away, the Vampire Killer glowed in his hand.

Wow, I didn't expect such a gathering. A warm voice said. Soma jumped and dropped the whip. The whip glowed warmly as if it were laughing. Soma, relax it's me. But, it's raining, could you pick me up? I don't like the idea of being waterlogged! Soma obeyed and the others looked at the whip.

"Julius?" Arikado asked. The whip glowed again.

Yea it's me. It seems that the spell that Lord Cronqvist chanted had worked in time.

"Well, I am the best at my skills, don't you think?" The elder vampire asked in amusement. The whip glowed again as Soma replaced it onto his belt.

Yes, my patriarch wasn't lying when he said that you were quite skilled.

"It's in the bloodline." The man chuckled. "Isn't it Adrian?" Everyone looked at Arikado, who nodded and held Soma close. Mathias had to smile at this. His son had found his mate and he was more than happy to spend his eternity with him. However, something told him that all was not over yet. He looked to the trees and bared his fangs.

"Father?" Arikado asked as he watched his father take a stance. Mathias looked at his son and the group briefly before looking at the trees again.

"Adrian, you and your friends, leave here. Do not look back and do not come for me."

"But Father…."

"Do as I say!" Lord Cronqvist ordered. Arikado led the others to safety but Joachim broke away. Soma looked at him in shock.

"Joachim, are you insane? What are you doing?"

"I'll help Lord Cronqvist." He said, mercury eyes staring into azure ones. "He'll need my help."

"It's suicide!" Soma cried out as Arikado grabbed his arm.

"Soma, I promise, we'll be back ok?" He was about say more when Arikado stopped him with a look.

"Go and aid my father." He ordered. Joachim nodded and teleported to where the elder man was.

"What are you doing here?" Mathias asked as the silver haired vampire appeared. "Didn't I tell you to…"

"Your son ordered that I assist you." Joachim said. Mathias just looked at him and sighed. He knew that his son had ordered him and he wasn't going to move. He also sensed that there was something more to what he was saying.

"Well, I'm grateful." He said. "But I will strike the last blow to him."

"Another vampire..?" Joachim asked. Mathias shook his head and sighed.

"What is the one thing that served me for as long as anyone can remember?"

"Death?" He asked. As he did, the Grim Reaper came out from the trees and huffed.

"It seems that you have broken free of my control, Lord Cronqvist." He said with a sneer. "It's no matter. I will claim your soul now." Mathias took a stance and hissed.

"What makes you think I will surrender my soul to you? For the first time in my life, I am of my own mind. You have kept me under wraps for far too long and now, it's at an end."

With that the two men attacked the flying bonehead and battled him. The Grim Reaper may have been bony as hell but he was strong and quite an opponent. Neither party was ready to give it up but Death was willing to cheat. He called down his two minions, Gaibon and Slogra. Mathias' eyes widened as he felt them trying to double team him but Joachim took them out with his swords. Mathias looked at him and smiled. Joachim blushed slightly but bowed.

Death swooped in with his scythe and was ready to take Mathias out. He needed a new 'Master' (more like a new sucker) to take over the castle and the legions of darkness. However, Mathias was not willing to die! He raised his sword to intercept the blade of the scythe but it grabbed the Crimson Stone.

"If I remove this from you, you will die." Death said with a chuckle. "Say your prayers my King…." He was about to pull it off when he felt a sword through his skull. He fell to the earth, his scythe falling with a clatter. Mathias looked up and saw a battered and dirty Joachim.

"Are you all right?" The white haired vampire asked. Mathias nodded and sheathed his blade and checked himself over. He was unharmed. Joachim on the other hand, needed rest. He grabbed the other man and teleported them to where Arikado was.

Arikado, Yoko and Hammer were seated around the fire in Arikado's townhouse while Soma was on the phone with Mina, telling her of what had happened and Julius' death. Julius, although he didn't have a body, was able to feel their emotions. As soon as Soma hung up the phone, the two battle weary elders appeared and plopped onto the floor, being tended to by Soma and Arikado.

"Father! You made it back!"

"Was there any doubt?" Mathias asked. "As many times I have defied death?"

"Does your father always have such an ego?" Soma asked with a smile as he performed a healing spell on Joachim. Arikado looked at him and smiled.

"It got worse with age."

"And it's in the family." Mathias said. Arikado turned to Soma.

"If I get like that, please kill me."

"Can I just kick you around instead?" Soma asked, "I like having you around." The others looked at the two and laughed.

"Those two should just get married." Yoko said. The others looked at her and smirked. Soma and Arikado just blushed. Mathias looked at the two and chuckled.

"That sounds like a grand idea. But not right now. I need rest. Hell, we all do." With that, they all agreed and went to sleep. Mathias however stayed with Arikado by a window. They were both thinking of what they were going to do next. It was Mathias who broke the silence.

"I can't stay here Adrian." He said softly. Arikado looked at his father in shock.

"Father, you just got here…we just found each other again."

"Adrian, I'm hated all around the world…"

"Father, they haven't seen your true form in so long that there is no way that you could…"

"Adrian, think on it. All I have to do is say my name…"

"That can be changed." Arikado said. "I changed mine long ago."

"I named you. Why did you do that?"

"I needed cover. I couldn't go around as Adrian Tepes. It would raise numerous questions and suspicions."

"But I…"

"We can always change your name Father." Arikado said. "Please stay…"

"I will think on it." Mathias said. "Now, why don't you rest? I will let you know of my decision later."

"Good night Father,"

"Good night Adrian."

The next morning, Mathias was up and in his son's study. Soma walked in with a breakfast tray and smiled at him.

"I was looking for you."

"Oh, good morning child," Mathias said as Soma set the tray down. "How was your sleep?"

"I slept like the dead." He said as he sat down. "Adrian is still asleep but he told me of the decision you were to make."

"I have been thinking all night." Mathias admitted. "And I've come to my decision at last."

"Would you like to tell me?"

"I'd rather tell him too."

"Tell me what?" Arikado asked as he stole a piece of his father's toast.

"I'm staying."

Author's Note: One chapter, or two to go. Tell me if you wish me to continue on. Thanks for reading!