Miss me? Yeah it's been a while. I've been very busy.

Originally, I had planned to post this on Halloween, but life butted in and I forgot to. But without further ado, for what you've been waiting so long for...the latest installment of Supernatural.

Enjoy!

34

"Welcome to my domain. I am Aria."

Rikuo and I remain silent as we stare at the woman. It's odd how she sounds like she's right next to us considering that she's across an underground lake.

"What's wrong? You were so audacious earlier."

I grimace as the woman jeers at us. Being the manipulator of the fog from earlier, it's obvious that she's a vampire.

"Thank you for your hospitality. Call me Rikuo."

"I'm Daisuke…"

Without missing a beat, Rikuo responds to her politely with a bow and I follow up with an introduction of my own. The woman called Aria smiles as though amused by the gesture.

"I don't get many visitors down here. Normally, they end up as food for my pets before making it this far."

I grimace as I remember my encounter with the shark.

But wait a second.

"Pets…?"

As in 'more than one'?

How many pets does she have? Are they all giant mutant sharks?

As I'm wondering, Rikuo continues to converse with her.

"That was your pet?"

"One of them, yes."

"I see. That was unfortunate how that played out. Your pet was trying to eat my friend here."

I keep quiet as Rikuo talks with the vampiress. While it's nice that she's not attacking us, I'm beginning to feel annoyed by this conversation. Jun's on borrowed time and I need to get to her before Demitri has her for a midnight snack.

"Boy…"

I jerk at the sound of Aria's voice calling out to me. A smirk forms on her face, apparently realizing that I was in my own little world before it disappears.

"What is your business here in this castle?"

"…I'm here to save my friend."

I hesitate for a moment before answering.

"Hmm. Does that mean you wish to venture to the top of the castle then?"

"Yeah."

She falls silent after that exchange, scrutinizing me with her steely gaze. At that moment, I think 'she's going to attack us' and brace myself.

"Give up."

"Huh?"

That was one surprise I wasn't ready for.

"Give up?"

"Indeed. Haven't you realized that you are on the lowest level of Castle Zeltzereich? You won't make it before your friend is tainted by Lord Demitri. You should escape while you can."

"Ugh."

I wince at her words. I did come a very long way and had been through a lot before being dropped here. At this rate, she was right. I'll never make it in time. Before I would have told her 'like hell', but the current situation had forced me to face the reality of the situation.

There was also Morrigan to consider. Her condition seemed to improve after leaving the theatre, but as long as that barrier was still up, she would probably weaken again. If I were to give up and attempt to leave this castle, I would be abandoning her as well.

"So, what will you do? Will you press onward in your futile quest or will you leave this castle?"

Aria began pressing me for an answer. It probably seems like I was still hesitating, but in truth I already had my answer.

"I want to keep going."

A look of surprise appeared on her face and then vanished as quickly as it came.

"Oh? Even if the one you wish to rescue has already been tainted by Lord Demitri?"

"Yeah. If she's a vampire by the time I get there, I'll deal with it.

Somehow…

I recall my encounter with the Jun lookalike earlier. I was shaken pretty badly from it. In all honesty, I don't have the confidence to do it again. If I somehow manage to get to the top and find that Jun had become a vampire…

…Well, I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it.

After hearing my response, the vampire stares at me coldly. I guess she didn't like my answer.

"Very well…"

I tense up when she suddenly spoke.

"…I will help you."

"Huh?"

That's unexpected. She chuckles, most likely noticing my bewilderment.

"You don't have to be so tense. I had no interest in fighting you since the beginning."

"…Is that so?"

"Quite so."

She presents a pleasant smile and in return, I smile in embarrassment.

Now that I know that she had no intention of fighting us, I feel pretty stupid.

"So, how do you plan to help us?"

I was going to ask that next, but Rikuo beats me to the punch.

Aria then stands from her throne and then does something that I wasn't expecting.

She begins to approach us.

Remember how I mentioned that there was a lake between us and her?

Well she's walking on top of it as if it were solid ground.

I recalled what Riku had told me about vampires. While he was right for the most part, there were things I learned tonight that were either wrong or wasn't mentioned all together.

One of those things he told me was that vampires can't cross bodies of water.

…maybe I remembered that wrong.

Before I realize it, she's stands in front of us.

This is when I notice how beautiful she is.

Her long silver hair cascaded down to her snow white bare shoulders. The rest of her body was wrapped in a violet gown with slits on the sides.

Her pupils were red, a silent reminder that this beauty was not human.

She's dressed rather glamorously for someone living in a cave.

Dare I say that she's as beautiful as Morrigan if not more?

"I understand that time is short so I'll be brief."

According to her, there are two ways to access this area. One of them is the way I came and the other exists behind Aria's throne. Apparently it's an access way that is used to keep track of her wellbeing. She speculated that it had access to the higher levels of the castle, maybe even the top floor itself.

I can't believe that there was such a convenient way to get to the top of the castle.

But of course, there's a catch.

"There's a powerful barrier erected, designed to keep anyone and anything from entering.

She says.

I figured as much. Never did I once think it would be so easy to gain access to. I guess it's back to the drawing board.

"….However, the barrier isn't an issue since it can easily be taken down."

"Seriously?!"

I naturally assumed that she wasn't able to remove the barrier. It looks like it's easier to access the area beyond the barrier than I expected.

"But when the barrier comes down, an army of lesser ones will converge on your location."

Never mind. I'm an idiot for getting my hopes up.

Oh well, it isn't something that I'm not already used to.

Though I'd prefer not to, having to get past an army of monsters wasn't that big of a deal to me, but rather business as usual.

"I never thought it'd be easy. Something like that isn't going to stop me though."

"Is that so? Very well."

She smiles at me in amusement.

And then turns around waves her hand towards the lake.

I watch in amazement as it solidifies into ice.

"Follow me."

Wordlessly, we followed after her over the frozen lake.

I got pretty lucky with Samuel and that's doubled by the fact that he was most likely underestimating me. Also, I had a partner who was also a fairly powerful vampire.

This time, I was partnered up with a merman who was out of his element and this vampire could keep him there.

Or she could let him get in the water and then entomb him in ice.

Either way, victory seemed unlikely.

I look over to Rikuo to see him wearing a grim expression on his face. He's probably thinking the same thing I am.

We're totally glad that we didn't fight her.

^V^

We arrive at our destination, a giant wall of ice. Apparently, this is the barrier she was talking about. After she takes down the barrier, Rikuo and I would be on our way to the upper floors of the castle.

But aren't things going a bit too smoothly?

Sure, I'm not sure as to how we'll deal with the army waiting on the other side of this wall, but I still had some doubt in my mind.

"Why are you helping us?"

At first Aria doesn't react to my question and appears to be thinking about it.

"…I have served Lord Maximov for a long time. I have followed every order without question throughout the years…"

She steps forward and places a hand on the ice wall.

"…But then, one night, Lord Maximov returned to the castle near death. And his influence over me waned. I've regained my free will, but I am still unable to directly oppose him. I was told that I am a guard, but I realized the truth."

She smiles at me bitterly.

"I am a prisoner here."

I'm confused now. She said something strange just now.

"…How are you a prisoner? You can undo the barrier right?"

"…You will need to run."

She smiles warmly at me and evades my question.

"Once the barrier comes down, the lesser ones will be on you in mere seconds."

"I said so earlier, that's not going to stop me."

"Good."

I wasn't expecting that response. Is she measuring my determination again? I thought I already showed that I was going no matter what.

"There's one thing that I want you to do for me."

I should've realized that she wasn't doing all this for free. I was just so surprised that she decided to help me that I forgot about it. I wonder what it is that she's going to ask for.

Now I'm nervous.

She's a vampire. If she's suddenly feeling thirsty, then we may have to fight after all. Sure, it's not the way I want to thank her but still…

"You have a vampire slaying weapon, correct?"

"…Yeah…?"

That's a weird question. I thought it would be obvious since I haven't been bitten by a….oh, never mind.

I should say that I haven't turned into either a ghoul or a vampire myself. Why is she asking about the dagger Rose gave me?

"Stab me."

"…Huh?"

Wait a second, hold on. Did she just…?

"I want you to stab me."

And to make sure that I understood, she places her hands on her chest.

"B-But wouldn't that kill you?"

Aria scowls at my question.

"I am not living to begin with. You cannot kill what is already dead."

I stare at her incredulously. She most likely noticed the confusion in my expression and addresses it with what she says next.

"The undead cannot be 'killed', only destroyed. But to answer your question, yes it will. That is the point."

What does that mean? She wants me to destroy her, is that it?

"This barrier is tied to my existence. As long as I remain, you will be unable to proceed any further."

So that's what she meant when she said the barrier could be taken care of. She intended to be killed by me from the beginning.

"…Why…?"

"I already told you why."

"…."

Why is she smiling? Shouldn't she care for her life more? I should be her enemy!

I wouldn't blame her if she hated me.

No, I knew why. I knew even if she hadn't told me.

It was rather this wall of ice that told me everything.

The barrier was tied to her life, but she could not break through it herself. She was made to remain here to guard the lower levels from any intruders.

She was a prisoner in every sense of the word.

"Is this really the time for you to be hesitating?"

"Ugh."

She's right. I shouldn't be hesitating now. I have a deadline.

But I couldn't help but wonder why didn't she seek out her own freedom?

"Merman, there is something I must tell you."

While I'm lost in my doubts, the vampire calls out to Rikuo. I watch as she approaches him and whispers something into his….erm ear…?

I watch as Rikuo's expression changes from puzzlement to astonishment as he pulls away from the vampire. I will have to make sure I get the details from him later.

After finishing, the vampire walked over to me and stood in front of me.

"I realize that I must thank-you."

Aria suddenly says something like that to me and I don't know how to respond.

"It's because you showed concern for me and you did not care that I am a vampire. For that I am grateful."

"O-Oh."

I really don't know what else to say.

I want to ask her why again, but that's pointless. I already know the reason.

I just don't understand it.

But if I want to save Jun, then I'll accept it.

"It seems like you have come to a decision."

Once again, Aria seems to somehow know what I'm thinking, but I've come believe that's just a quirk of hers. Either that or I'm really just that easy to read.

But even so, I voice my intentions.

I pull out the dagger as I say this. She doesn't even seem fazed but instead smiles warmly, slightly surprising me once more.

"Thank-you."

Then in an instant her smile disappears and her attention snaps upward.

I follow her gaze to see some 'thing' clinging to the ceiling of the cavern. When it's spotted, it lets out a piercing shrill and drops to the ground.

Before it can do anything else, a large ice shard appears out of thin air falls and pierces through the creature, pinning it to the ground. Normally, one would think that anything would die from that, but this creature continued squirming beneath the huge ice shard.

"That was a lesser one that I was telling you about."

"That was…?"

When she had mentioned it earlier, I automatically assumed that she was referring to ghouls. The creature I saw just now was more bat-like in appearance.

"What the hell?! I thought these monsters wouldn't come out until after the barrier was destroyed."

"It seems that someone had released them."

When she said that, I immediately think of that damn butler. He must have figured out that I was still alive somehow.

"Stay sharp Lad!"

At Rikuo's warning, I notice more of those creatures blanketing the ceiling.

This is bad.

Damn that old man, seriously.

I look to see Aria watching me and she nods when my eyes meet hers.

It's now or never.

I dash towards her while brandishing the silver dagger and she turns towards me with open arms, waiting to receive my dagger. She's really serious about this.

But then, one of the creatures had got close before any of us had noticed. By the time I realize it, it's already lunging towards me. I shift my body to switch to this new target-And then Aria intercepts the creature by impaling through its chest with her hand like a stake.

"Now!"

Snapping out of my reverie, I immediately resume my charge.

As a get closer I see her smiling at me serenely.

And then, my dagger plunges into her chest.
I feel her weight disappear as she disintegrates.

At the same time, the ice barrier cracks and then finally shatters. I stagger back, narrowly avoiding a large shard slamming into the spot where I was just standing.

Needless to say, both Rikuo and I weren't going to stick around.

^V^

The cave opened up on our right, exposing us to the outdoors after what felt like an eternity. There's a fantastic night view overlooking the forest and I would've liked to stop and take it all in if I wasn't currently running for my life.

When the barrier was destroyed, huge ice shards began falling, piercing and pinning many of the creatures.

However, it didn't stop them, but merely slowed them down so now it's just a mad dash to the lift Aria mentioned before they catch up.

"…Aria…"

I still didn't understand her reasons for helping us and her giving up her life for us was really weighing down on me. I didn't care what she said about being undead. she was still alive to me.

But I also realize that I shouldn't waste this chance that she had given us.

"…Lad…."

I look over to Rikuo.

-or rather where Rikuo should be.

"Rikuo?!"

I stop and look back to see Rikuo lagging behind seemingly exhausted from all the running.

That's right, Rikuo's a merman and right now literally a fish out of water. All this running must be taking a huge toll on him.

"All this running….I can't see how you landlubbers do it."

Rikuo complains as he stops to rest.

Fortunately that legion of demons isn't behind us at the moment. So this would be a good chance to rest.

-until one of them dropped down behind me.

I whirl around just when the creature dropped and I heard Rikuo yell my name as it tackled me to the ground. Luckily I had the dagger handy and plunged it into its chest and it was reduced to ash before we hit the ground. Rikuo catches up to me to check on my condition and I assure him that I'm unhurt.

"…Do you hear something?"

Rikuo caught me off guard with that question. Initially, I had no idea what he was talking about and was about to tell him so.

Then I begin to hear something strange.

It's distant, but it's gradually getting closer and as it does so I begin to feel dread.

What is that?

As if our bodies were in sync, the two of us turn around toward to see something—a large black mass moving towards us.

Oh shit! It's those vampires again! This time they're flying towards us!

I turn to bolt but quickly notice Rikuo not doing the same. Instead, he faces the oncoming horde.

"Lad! Shield your ears!"

When I cover ears, this piercing hum permeates the entire cave. It's similar to the one I heard in the sewer, but this one is deafening. I think my ears are ringing.

When I look up I see that it's rather effective against the horde of vampires as wave and wave of them begin collapsing onto the ground.

But it's not enough.

Rikuo's ultrasound assault soon wears off and the waves that weren't affected continue swarming towards us. He had only slowed them down.

When we realized this, we were already running away again.

^V^

"There!"

I yell out after spotting an area that appeared to be built entirely out of mahogany, greatly contrasting from the cave. It's there I notice the familiar features of an elevator. Like earlier, I wonder why such a convenient thing is around here but now really isn't the time.

I'm just glad it's here.

I see a lever next to the door and pull it. Naturally, the elevator isn't here so we have to wait. The problem was….

"Lad, they're here!"

Rikuo announces the arrival of the vampire horde closing in on us. I barely manage to cover my ears in time as he forces out that hum again. Many of the vampires fumble over each other, stunned by the noise. I draw my knife expecting the worse. It's not enough to fight off the horde but I'm not going down not fighting at all.

Bing!

The elevator's here.

I cover my ears again just in time as Rikuo lets out another piercing shrill while I dashed into the elevator. It's a little smaller than expected. It'll be a tight fit when we get on.

"Damnable creatures! Feel the wrath of the sea!"

Just as I was about to call out to Rikuo, he shouts out and holds his hands in front of himself. A violent tidal wave rushes out from him and collides into the horde washing many of them away.

I'm impressed, but I really wish that he had used that sooner.

"Lad…You're going to have to continue without me…"

Huh? What?

"Rikuo, what the hell are you sayin—"

Before I can finish, the horde resumes its pursuit as if unaffected by Rikuo's earlier attack.

"I will remain here to hold them off."

"Screw that!"

What the hell? Is this guy nuts? That's a huge horde of monsters coming to kill us! What does he think he can do by himself? His display of power was amazing but that wasn't enough to stop the horde.

I approach to grab him from behind. I was going to drag him into the elevator if I had to.

WHACK!

I was hit by something and sent flying into the elevator, slamming into the wall. It wouldn't be surprising if I had been knocked out from the impact.

"Sorry for the roughness."

I look up to see Rikuo approaching the elevator.

"You won't be able to save your friend if I don't do this."

His hand had changed into a golden giant crab pincer which is likely what hit me with. It morphs back into his normal green webbed hand as he reaches into the elevator and pulls the lever by the door.

"Good luck lad."

He smiles at me as the elevator doors begin to close. I want to get up and pull him into the elevator before it's too late, but I'm too dazed from the hit I took earlier. All I'm able to do is reach out for him.

The last image of Rikuo that I see is him smiling with the vampire horde practically on top of him and then the doors close.