1Rika awoke and saw a pair of silver eyes staring at her, "She's alright...Slight Concussion, But nothing serious." A cold-sounding voice said. Rika groaned and sat up, looking at surprise her now human hands. "Yes...I had to quell your Panther side in order to help you. Obviously, Your two friends were and still are unconscious." She Said, handing the Girl a glass of water. Rika took it and drank deeply, "Thanks...Are you Nixie's sister?" She asked when she finished. "Yes...My Name is Raven." The Woman said as she stood, and Rika had finally gotten a good look at her. There wasn't much except for a Dark Blue cloak, the Hood pulled up and casting her face in darkness. Only Her eyes glowed from under the never-ending blackness, giving her that eerie persona that was Raven.

"What About Carl and Van Helsing?"

Raven Looked grim. Then again...She always looked grim. "Carl Was knocked out before he saw you...But Van Helsing Remained Conscious through the whole ordeal." She said, her eyes turning to a closed door. "His Mind rather upset upon seeing you erupt into a monstrous Inhuman form similar to a Werewolf. To him, That is." She said, turning back to Rika again. Rika sighed, "Is he asleep now?" She asked. "Yes. Humans are a fragile sort." Raven said, then turned to Nixie. "Don't ever send Aeris to come and get me...Ever again." She said, then sunk into the ground and disappeared. Nixie shook her head, then Looked at Rika, "Are you going to be okay?" she asked. Rika nodded, still staring at Van Helsing's door, "Yeah." She said softly. Nixie nodded, then turned and disappeared. Rika Hesitated, then walked to his door and opened it softly, walking in and shutting it behind her.

She moved to his bed and sat on the edge, looking at his face. "I'm so tired of being here...suppressed by all my childish fears." She sang softly. She blinked back tears and brushed his hair out of his eyes, but jumped when his hand grabbed her wrist. "Anna." He whispered, opening his eyes slightly. "No...It's Rika. You're safe." She said softly, taking his hand from her wrist and covering with both of hers. "How are you feeling?" She asked. "Better, now that I'm out of Dracula's Castle." He said, then looked at her. "Rika...What happened there?" He asked, now sternly. Her mind raced for answers. Excuses. Anything to help her hide her secret. "When Verona and Aleera Grabbed us, You shot Aleera. While she was distracted by you, I stabbed her with one of the stakes I had. But Verona knocked you out, and I got her a few times with your revolver, then finished her with the stake." She clarified.

"What about the Werewolf?" He asked.

"You were hallucinating...Seeing things that weren't there." She explained, then kissed his forehead. "Go back to sleep. I have to check on Carl." She said. Van Helsing began to protest as he sat up, but she gave him a look so stern that he was silenced merely by shock. "Just get some rest. You will need it for The next Fight with Dracula." She said firmly. Van Helsing sighed stubbornly, then laid back again. "Hey...It was either that or I use a Frying pan." She grinned. Van Helsing chuckled then obeyed both his exhaustion and Rika and fell asleep. Rika left his room and closed the door, then leaned against it as a wave of nausea swept through her. She shook her head and dismissed it as she laid a hand on her stomach, Praying silently that they would both grow up to be what they wanted to. She then realized she had. She had grown up to be what she wanted. She wanted to be in the most action-filled adventure and come out the hero, and she wanted someone to give the legacy to when and if she ever died. She smiled, then made her way to Carl's Room and went in, sitting on the edge of his bed as she took his hand. Suddenly, Fatigue slammed into her body, making her pass out and curl up next to Carl, almost whimpering from her sudden headache.

'Rika...Rika...I know you want to come back to me.' a voice whispered. 'No...I don't want you!' She Yelled. 'Yes you do. You've wanted me ever since your parents died because I was the one who would have taken care of you.' It whispered again. 'You mean...' 'Yes...It would only be me.' Gabriel stepped out of her shadowy consciousness and grinned. 'You were mine to begin with.' He said, then reached for her as she cried out and stumbled backward.

She awoke with a start, then felt Carl's warm hands surrounding her own icy cold hands and relaxed. "Having nightmares?" He asked softly. "Yeah...Are you okay?" She said, smiling slightly. He nodded, "I'm fine...Are you all right?" He asked. She kissed him, then rolled off of the bed and got up. "Yeah...Nixie and her sis came and Bailed us out after I took out his brides." She said, straightening her shirt. Carl sat up and looked at her, noticing she looked a bit paler than usual. "You killed them both yourself?" He asked, astonished. "Yeah...I could handle them easy enough." She said, Then put a hand on her stomach as she leaned on the door. Her hand was braced against it as she tried to steady her breathing as tears fell from her face. Carl Was immediately at her side, "Rika...What's wrong?" He asked, helping her to sit on the bed. She pulled away from him, then went toward the door. "Rika...Why won't you tell me?" He asked, making her stop. She rested her hand on the doorknob, then turned to him, "I'm Pregnant." She said shakily, then quickly opened the door and left.

I'm Pregnant. Carl Was met with confusion, fear, and...pride? Of course he was happy, But what would Van Helsing think? What would the Cardinal say? What would happen if any one found out? Questions like those had ran a mile a minute through his head, but some he lingered on longer than those. Like, Would it be a boy or a girl? Would she have Rika's eyes or his? Would she be as stubborn as Rika or as genius as himself? Or maybe both...He didn't know. All he knew was that he would probably make a good father, But Van Helsing would most likely have something to say. He sighed, then stood up as he put on his robes. He'd have a lot to think about With all the attacks...And now that The Brides were out of the picture, Things would be slightly more peaceful. Maybe now He could actually tell Van Helsing about Rika and himself, but somehow it didn't seem right at the moment.

He would trust Rika's Judgement, But right now, She seemed even more Skittish, reckless, and moody. More than she should even with the pregnancy. He went outside and looked up at the sky, It was going to be a beautiful day. The Sun lifted his spirits and Cleared his head a bit, allowing him to smile quite broadly. Of course...Nothing would compare to Rika's beauty. He caught himself with the thought, then chuckled, "Maybe she was right for once." He said to himself. He began walking back into the Castle to begin doing research, Knowing that the next fight probably wouldn't be easy.

...And the Next nine months wouldn't make it any easier.