Home sweet home
Meanwhile, Auguste came back to where the horses were. He didn't see anyone and began to worry.
-Master? Master? Oh cr*p, he left! What are we gonna do?
With the rumblings of the near waterfall, he didn't heard Raphael and Amy talking together and they didn't hear him calling in worry.
Some minutes later, Marienbard came back; she calmed down Auguste who ran to her, telling her the master had abandoned them.
-Well, its not dawn already; he said he would not leave before…
She showed the two horses still tied to the trees.
-And without the horses?
She looked around.
-…Look, those traces… There was a fight… This tree has received some kind of hit from a blade…
Marienbard worried and hurried toward where the traces led. She found Raphael and his daughter lying down by the falls.
-Master! Are you alright? What happened?
-The crazy girl came back…
-I'm sorry master… I should not have left…
-It is of no importance… She is gone now, Amy got rid of her… Marienbard, go fetch us some clothing, we will soon enter Hanover and we are not quite presentable… You are the most presentable among us for now, so go buy some clothes for us. No matter if it is peasant's clothing from the nearest farm, we'll change later… We just need to look presentable and human… Auguste, make me some stretcher … when Jacqueline comes back, she shall help you…
-Yes, master as you wish, said both servants.
-…And Auguste, give the money you took to Marienbard.
-Euh… I didn't get any…
Raphael made an annoyed expression but his back was hurting too much to go on about this futile subject.
-Then Marienbard, I hope you have enough… Also, take my contribution into my purse… I took it from the house of the peasant I visited… If you still don't have enough, try to obtain us some clothes by any other means if necessary…
Marienbard nodded.
-Yes master, and I have money. I caught some travelling salesman selling kitchen utensils. He had some…
-Fine. Ungh… It is really uncomfortable here… Could you take us to some more comfortable spot before you do anything else?
And as Marienbard went away to get clothes, Auguste began to make a stretcher while watching over Raphael and Amy who were now more comfortable on some grass spot. Sometimes later, Jacqueline came back and began to help Auguste. Then as the stretcher was ready, Marienbard came back with clothes for everyone. Raphael painfully changed before he lay down on the stretcher tied to his horse while Amy was put on his horse with Marienbard. Jacqueline and Auguste rode together on the other horse.
They finally reached Hanover where they went to an inn. Not wanting to enter the inn in a stretcher since it was too humiliating, Raphael got up with the help of Auguste and Jacqueline while Marienbard carried Amy inside the inn. With the money remaining and that which Jacqueline brought back, Raphael paid for a room with two beds for him and Amy while the servants would sleep in the much cheaper common room. The minions helped Raphael and Amy to their room before they went to the common room and organized themselves to keep guard around the inn in case Tira had survived and came back. Raphael had ordered them to do so because this time, he would not take any chances, they really weren't in shape to fight.
The innkeeper lady went to bring Raphael the bandages and stuff he asked for him and Amy to take care of their wounds before she would go bring first aid stuff to the servants too. Raphael and Amy were both lying down on their bed and Raphael asked the woman to put the stuff on the bed table.
-Merci… answered Raphael as the woman put the healing kit beside him.
The lady addressed him:
-I can tell that even if you wear peasant's clothes, you're not peasants; even lying down like this you have a noble bearing and I heard the people downstairs calling you master, you come from an aristocratic background, don't you?
-Yes. Indeed.
-What happened to you? Why are you dressed like that then?
-We… got attacked by brigands. Our clothes suffered much from the fight, they were… not really decent anymore. So we changed.
-The brigands even attacked and hurt the young girl? They are disgusting! Is she your daughter? She looks like you…
-Really? Yes, she is my daughter, said Raphael with a smile.
-Well, you have the same brown eyes… and maybe the same mouth… or smile… You're both smiling the same way… By the way, three days ago, a young aristocratic couple and an older noble lady came to my inn. The man looked almost like you! Are you related too?
Amy rolled her eyes and thought: Not them again! Raphael kept a neutral expression.
-Non. I do not know such people.
-But you really look a lot like the young man… and you have the same accent!
-Just a coincidence. An unfortunate coincidence.
The woman guessed that Raphael must know them but didn't seem to like them. So she would not talk about them and tell him that the older lady seemed really sick and weak when they came here. The young man was also not feeling too well since he was coughing blood too… Luckily they only came to eat and didn't stay here… Raphael then asked her:
-By the way, did you see a young blond man wearing a shiny armour and a giant sword? If you want to know, he is not related to me… but I would like to know if you saw him.
-Hum… Nein. I didn't see him.
Raphael, Amy and the minions spent a week in the inn doing nothing but taking care of their wounds. Raphael was only getting up to change Amy's bandages and to clean and disinfect her wounds. It was harder to do with his right hand since Tira had crushed his left hand but he was glad Amy helped him to treat his hand. Without her, his bandage on his hand would have been clumsily done with his right hand and would have not hold on for very long. But with her help and better made bandage, he could even use his hand a bit and treat her own wounds. So they helped each other with their wounds. The rest of the time they laid down on their bed talking together or sleeping. At least the crazy girl didn't seem to come back, maybe she truly was dead…
But Raphael still wondered what happened to Soul Calibur or even Soul Edge. Of course now with the time spent here, he lost the trail of those swords, Siegfried or King Algol must have them and he didn't know where any of them was now, so it was better to go home to rest for a while. And he still had those interesting books he stole from Ivy… He was eagerly reading them when Amy was asleep; maybe he would find more details on the swords or any other interesting subject… They were really fascinating… for the parts he could understand. Raphael realized he was not really an alchemist; those books were very incomprehensible to amateur such as him and he thought he would really have to go to his library to try to decipher those enigmatic books… With the help of his own alchemy books, he would be able to better understand those complicated calculations and formulas…
When Raphael and Amy felt better, they decided to shop for clothes. Everybody needed some since they all had peasant clothes now. But before they went shopping, Raphael and his minions first went on the prowl for money and blood. Then a little richer, they entered a shop where Raphael choose new costumes for his maids and finally bought a servant uniform for Auguste. After this boring part was done, Raphael and Amy took their time choosing new clothes.
-Take everything you want, my sweet butterfly.
-Everything?
-Yes, everything.
Raphael was encouraging her to buy and to treat herself with jewels and all but Amy knew her father didn't have much money yet he still insisted on buying her the finest stuff, he would surely do anything to get more money to please her if she needed it. It had been so long since she had not been given the royal treatment by her father that Amy was tempted to enjoy it. Yet she knew he didn't have much money and she should spare it… She didn't want to trouble him with that; so she decided that she would try to find something pretty yet affordable for his purse. But she also had another dilemma.
-Father, should I buy a long dress or ask to cut it? I met so many offended people, I don't know if I should wear a long dress for the rest of the trip. Anyway I do not really want to show my bandages so I could hide them… but in case we are attacked, a short dress would be better… and I don't care that much about my bandages…
-Why don't you take a long dress and a short one or take something that can open on the front? Then it hides your legs but if you fight, you would be less encumbered than with a long dress. Or like some dresses you have, cut on the front but long in the back? Except… we would still see your legs… Or pants? But whatever you choose, I would tell you; don't mind about other's opinion. If you wish to wear a short dress, do it. Just choose what you like.
He thought: I'll still pass for a pervert again and a bad father allowing my daughter to wear short dresses but they can all go to Hell. Amy should be able to dress like she wishes… As long as it remains decent of course, but I trust Amy on this, she is not what my mother called her…
He looked at Amy with tenderness before he concluded.
My daughter is a fine young girl with much sense and wisdom…
He then began to look for clothes for himself while Amy was now choosing her dress. He suddenly addressed Amy:
-Hé, Amy, how do you think I look with a hat?
-You look great father. But you would wear anything and you would look great anyway.
Raphael smiled.
-Merci Amy.
Amy continued:
-… except with your goatee. Not that it looked bad but because you had it when you… first left. It brings bad memories…
-Ah. Well then now that you tell me, I'll never wear it anymore. Anyway, it has been a while that I haven't worn it… I look younger without it.
-Father… if I like that dress but also this one, can I take them both?
-So you like those two? Take them Amy. You shall be beautiful in both.
-Are you certain? I know you don't have much…
-I have enough, do not worry about it.
-Then I'll just take that one.
-Non! Take them both! You deserve the best! Take what you like!
-You know father, today makes me think of when you bought me my first dresses… I am now wearing peasant's clothes and I will come out with beautiful clothing… Just like when I entered the shop seven years ago with my rags… and went out with lovely dresses made of so fine fabric… I really loved when you took me there for the first time… When you told the shopkeeper that your daughter only deserved the best… I loved when you called me your daughter in front of her… It was the first time you presented me as such before someone and she seemed so surprised! She would not have guessed this little beggar was your daughter! I never told you but when she first saw me enter, I noticed the look she gave me; like I was dirt… I think she wondered what I was doing with you… but you put her at her place! …And that is when I realized you really cared for me… To present me as your daughter… I felt so special…
-And you are special, ma chérie. So take both dresses.
-Non. I just need that one. Why don't you take this for you?
Amy handed him a vest he had held for a while before he put it back in the rack. He really seemed to like it and Amy was certain he had put it back just to spare money for her.
-You only deserve the best, father.
She smiled at him before she continued to shop. Raphael looked at her, he was deeply touched.
-I already have the best… the best daughter I could have…
Later, while Amy was looking at herself in the mirror, trying some necklace that she knew she wouldn't buy since she had to spare the money but having fun anyway trying it, she suddenly noticed something strange about her father who was looking at clothes on a rack behind her.
-Father…?
She touched him on the arm a few times, Raphael wondered why.
-Yes, Amy?
Amy asked him on a whispering tone:
-… Euh… What is happening in the mirror?
Amy showed the mirror.
-Look at your reflection…
At first glance, Raphael saw nothing strange but suddenly he noticed something very weird; even if very unnoticeable: Now his reflection seemed to be transparent. Looking carefully, he could see the clothing rack behind him. He blemished.
-Oh mon Dieu…!
Was he dead? And he didn't know it? Was he a ghost? So that was why Amy touched him! He himself touched his arm to make sure he was tangible. He was. He looked again at the mirror and his reflection was still transparent. What was that? What was happening? Was it that he had lost a part of his soul and it reflected there? He was losing his reflection like vampire legends where it was said a vampire had no reflection because it had no soul? Now, all that remained was to sleep in a coffin…
Raphael then looked at his daughter's reflection in the mirror. Looking carefully, it seemed she was still opaque. Raphael breathed in relief.
-So… what is it, father? asked Amy worriedly.
Raphael whispered to Amy:
-Hum… Euh… Because of my… powers. I think.
-You will become invisible?
-Euh, Well… you already know… vampires don't have reflection.
-Oh yes… Indeed… But why doesn't it work for me?
-Maybe because you never used your powers. If you have some, do not use them.
He would not tell her everything; that he thought it was because he was losing his soul; he didn't want to scare her, it was already weird enough like that. But Raphael really worried: so he really was losing his soul… by using his powers…? Or maybe the crazy girl's kiss also had something to do with it…? She did try to take his soul with her dangerous kiss… And he felt the burning cold effects… Maybe she had time to take some part? He didn't talk about the effects of the kiss to Amy either; he really didn't want to scare her with those things… But he was himself really scared. He wondered what to do and thought that he really would have to go search for Soul Calibur again… After some rest at home and after he would have deciphered Ivy's books. He really didn't feel the strength to go already… He needed to be prepared… Ivy's books may contain more knowledge about Soul Calibur or what to do with it… but his powers were definitively banned…
Finally properly dressed, Amy, wearing a beautiful short dress, and Raphael, proudly wearing his vest, the group left Hanover and rode until the day came then they made some shelters to sleep in for the day near a beautiful lake. Amy and Raphael fell asleep as the minions were making turns to guard the area. Some hours later, Amy woke up.
-Father… father…
-zzzzzzzz… Hum…?
-Father, the night has fallen. We should get travelling again.
Raphael sat and yawned. He went outside the shelter and walked toward the lake. He sat under a tree facing the lake. Amy went by his side.
-Father… Are we going now? We lost enough time recovering at the inn…
Raphael took Amy by the arm and brought her to him. Amy sat beside him and leaned on her father while he put his arm around her shoulders.
-Lost time for what? Non, Amy… Let us relax for a while… We can take our time… We don't have to hurry to go home… No one is waiting for us at the castle… Let us enjoy this beautiful night… Let us enjoy the trip back home. We shall not travel in a hurry like we did to get here… Who cares if we do not travel each night? Tonight we enjoy the view and take our time… I want to travel like we did seven years ago. It was such a nice trip… Don't you agree?
Raphael wanted to forget his worries and enjoy the trip home with Amy.
-Indeed. I really loved that trip…
-Well then, let us listen to the beautiful and quiet melody of the night, the crickets, the owls and the wind and rest a while, Amy…
-You are quite poetic, father… Do you think the crazy girl is dead?
-I suppose. Anyway, the servants are guarding the area. I am not sending them away this time. And I refuse to live in fear of her or anyone or anything else! If we wish to rest, let us rest! I am tired to always be in a rush…
Amy didn't say anything more and looked at the lake while sitting beside her father. He was right they should relax and enjoy their freedom before they return to the castle. She loved her room at the castle but it was not everyday that she could enjoy the pleasures of a trip in nature with her father. After a while, Raphael told Amy:
-Do you remember when I was telling you bedtime stories under the stars?
-Yes… It was fun.
-You want to hear some? I can tell you a bedtime story!
-Father… I grew up… But… okay.
Amy thought that her father should stop treating her like a little child but Raphael seemed so happy and she wanted indeed to hear some stories like old times… It was fun to be treated like a little girl sometimes… So she agreed with a smile.
-Yes, I would like to. You have a great way to tell stories. And even if I'm old, I love when you tell me stories…
-You're not old, Amy. Very well. Then I shall tell you…
Raphael suddenly noticed Auguste.
-Take off your mask, you buffoon! You now have a brand new uniform; I told you I did not want that mask anymore!
-But, master… While in nature, you said…
-I don't remember what I said, but you give me an idea… Merci Auguste, now take off your mask!
-…Fine master… Euh… Glad to have been useful…
Wondering which idea he gave to Raphael, Auguste took off his mask but dared not ask. He understood when Raphael spoke to Amy again.
-Amy, I shall tell you the Red Riding Hood story. His wolf mask made me think about it.
-Oh I love that story! I love wolves…
-In the story, you are not supposed to love the wolf…
-I know. But wolves are cute anyway.
-Indeed. Do you know that I once read that vampires can turn into wolf as well as bat? Though I am not certain… and I never did. But do not try, it may be dangerous.
-Why? Because of the reflection in the mirror?
-That and other things…
-Like what? So you only turned into mist? Never into a bat or wolf?
-Non, only into mist.
-I have seen you do it just once, against the crazy girl. I didn't really understand what happened when you disappeared; I thought I was crazy until you told me what it was. So you think it could be what makes your reflection disappear?
-… Yes. Well, in fact, using my powers involves Soul Edge and I fear some bad things could happen… aside from the reflection…
-You could get controlled by Soul Edge?
-Indeed. Or… be destroyed by it. Now I shall get on with the story. Are you ready to listen?
-So you'll never transform into mist again? What makes you say you could get destroyed? Why do you fear? Did something happen? Aside from the reflection?
-Amy, I want to relax tonight, so we shall talk about it another time if you don't mind…
-Very well… I'm sorry…
-You don't have to be sorry, I should not have talked about vampire powers…
-But father, whatever troubles you; remember that I am here to help you… You are not alone…
-Yes, merci Amy… I know…
Raphael looked at Amy with a small smile. He knew she would do anything to help him, but he didn't want to scare her or endanger her and he had to know what must be done first… He didn't even know himself…
-Now I shall tell you the story!
Amy was ready to listen. Raphael then began to tell her the story and began to forget his worries again.
Then after some other stories, they stayed sitting together and looking at the lake without a word.
After a while, Amy heard a faint snoring and found out that her father fell asleep.
-Poor father… He looks so tired… He has been through so much… This entire journey, all this travelling…And his fear for his powers… I wonder why? Of course losing his reflection is scary but something else bothers him too…
But Amy had been through much as well and also felt really tired. So she laid her head on her father's shoulder and fell asleep too while the minions stayed not far away.
Raphael woke up as the sun was faintly beginning to rise. He was surprised he slept for that long, all day and all night. He looked at Amy sleeping quietly, her head still resting on his shoulder and his gaze softened. But they now had to hide from the sun before it hurt them, especially Amy who was more sensitive. So he delicately took her in his arms and brought her under the protective shadow of the shelter. Amy woke up for a while, cuddled up against her father and fell asleep again while he was still carrying her to safety. Raphael gently deposited her into the shelter and sat beside her.
Amy was now sleeping quietly and Raphael thought that she still looked like when she was seven years old… A cute little girl… He muttered:
-I know you grew up Amy, but you will always be my little girl…
He contemplated her for a moment and then took one of Ivy's books and continued to read it. Sometimes later, Amy woke up.
-Hummm… What are you reading, father?
-Oh, Some magical book… I am searching for something. Right now I am in a chapter about crystal balls and the future…
-It sounds interesting.
-I do not understand much though…
And looking over her father's shoulder, Amy tried to read the book too.
-I do not understand anything! But still it must be interesting…
-We shall have to read it more at home.
Raphael and Amy continued their trip back to Walachia while taking their time. Raphael tried again not to kill the victims he made along the way, still wishing to remain human and fearing his own murders could add to Soul Edge's power if the sword was not destroyed yet. Sometimes he could and sometimes not. And his minions never could.
When they arrived in the near village that Raphael was controlling, a peasant suddenly saw them. He started to run in the village, screaming:
-He is here! He has come back!
Raphael thought that the man was telling everyone of his return because they would welcome him but he was surprised when suddenly the people went outside of their houses and began to throw rocks and things at them and mostly at him. He received a big rock on the side of his head that almost made him fall from his horse.
-Monster! Go away!
-Vampire! You'll pay!
-Go back to Hell! Creature of the Devil!
Raphael was stunned and horrified. He didn't expect such a welcome. Seeing all those people insulting him and telling him to go away, throwing things at him… He became furious and wanted to kill them all but since they were mainly aiming at him and that Amy was just behind him on the horse, he panicked for her safety. The best way to keep her safe was probably by retreating. So Raphael, Amy and the three servants fled the place as peasants were chasing after them with their tools and still throwing things at them while screaming things like:
-Vampires!
-Go away!
-Monsters!
-Don't come back!
Raphael threateningly replied before he went away:
-Wretched fools! I may go now, but know that I shall be back! And you shall regret your insubordination!
When Raphael and his group had shaken off their pursuers, they stopped and got down from their horses. Raphael asked Amy if she was alright; Amy told him she was okay, that she haven't received one single thing on her, except a rotten tomato but she worried about her father; he had received many projectiles and the rock that hit the side of his head made him bleed. But Raphael was too angry to worry about his own wounds. He roared truly outraged by the welcome they received:
-How come they came back to normal? What happened? I destroyed the Holy Stone! It is not possible! How dare they welcome us like that? I shall kill them all!
Raphael went toward his horse again, preparing to go back to the village alone to kill the peasants for this humiliating welcome, but Amy grabbed his arm.
-Father… We should try to see what turned them back… Not rush headfirst like that…
-Yes, you are right… I will capture one of them and torture him until he tells me! …This welcome… How dare they? Wait until I get to my castle, fools! You shall regret this painful welcome! I shall be back!
Amy looked at her father and said nothing. She was sad of the welcome they received and worried for her father but she also wondered how come those peasants turned back to human again. Was it because they had been gone for too long? Or an outside cause?
Raphael then calmed himself a bit and at his daughter's insistence, he finally took care of his wound. He tried to stop the bleeding and washed it in a small river before he told Amy and the three others that they would go to the castle but they had to be careful. The reason the peasants were turned back to normal may also affect the castle…
They discreetly went to the castle to see what happened. And as expected, it wasn't safe anymore; an army was gathered in front of it and the castle seemed to have been conquered. The fight was lost. Raphael silently cursed while Amy felt really bad.
-I'm sorry, father… I thought I chased them…
-It's not your fault, Amy… It's them! They'll never leave us alone! You have chased them but they came back! They will always come back! But I will kill them all!
Raphael was disheartened: Nothing seemed to be like he wished. But he hid his discouragement under his anger. He would not show his daughter that he was feeling down and completely demoralized. All they did was destroyed. He had failed to get Soul Calibur and now their castle had been taken by wretched humans. …Another failure… Even worst; their precious stuff was in the castle at the hands of those despicable humans…
Raphael suddenly thought that if she hadn't left the castle to search for him, Amy would probably be at their hands right now. He shuddered at the thought and looked at his daughter before he tenderly smiled at her.
-I am glad you are here, my sweet butterfly.
Amy came to him and hugged him.
-I am glad to be with you, father.
After a while she asked:
-What will we do now?
Raphael sighed. He really didn't know. The wise thing to do would be to move again. But he didn't want to. They would still have to carry their stuff and first they had to retrieve it or lose it for good. But to wander aimlessly again was really unappealing. He had fun with the trip back here but to be forced to wander was unpleasant… Now he wanted to rest at home…
But as he wondered what to do, Raphael suddenly thought of the secret passage he found one day in the castle going through a maze of caves in the mountains and through the thick walls of the castle. What if they entered there and surprised the invaders with a guerrilla strategy? But would it be wiser if they just discreetly took their most precious stuff back and got away? Those armies were always coming back… They would never be left alone… Raphael sighed as he wondered what to do but this secret passage would surely be useful…
Thank you again darkwings13 and TheDemonicSylvia for your extremely kind encouragements. I love you very much! And thank you everybody else :)
I made some very very small allusions to SC5 but it doesn't mean I will continue with it. I already have an ending in mind so only if it could fit somehow I could continue something maybe. Otherwise my story will finish before SC5. But I'm really eager to know the real story of SC5!