Eons ago, two realms came into existence: Heaven and Earth.
Heaven, also known as Paradiso in earlier records or Skyworld in later records, was the home of the gods and goddesses, benevolent and omnipotent beings whose powers, at the time, were unmatched. It was a holy land said to be entrenched with pure bliss and rewards for only the purest and noble.
Then there was Eden or Earth for more modern context, the home of man and other mortal beings. A curious race, humans were nowhere near as powerful as the gods and their world was one of beauty and danger. To the gods, the human realm was indeed fragile and without their guidance, the world would plunge into disarray very quickly. Seeing this as their duty, the gods would care fondly for the humans and become their protectors and providers while the humans, in return, would idolize the gods as lords and saviors.
Peace and harmony lasted for a long time until a select few would challenge the will of the gods, believing that they were unfit to rule over the humans. Angered, the gods condemned these individuals and cast them out of both heaven and the human world.
From this, a third world was created. This unholy land was known by many other names: Makai, Inferno, Hell, but it is commonly referred to as the dark world, the antithesis of both the Heavens and Earth. A world thought to be composed of a severed portion of a fallen god's body, a portion which holds the souls of the damned. Demons, reapers, werewolves, vampires, and all other monsters, or "Darkstalkers" as they were called, considered the dark world their home. Even humans who had turned their backs on the gods were welcomed, at least that was how it used to be before the three-hundred-year war. Three-hundred years of infighting between the dark nobles over the current state of affairs caused a divide between the Darkstalkers, causing many to leave in droves for the human world, but the humans would never accept the Darkstalkers for what they were and many hunters swore to eliminate these creatures.
No matter where they would go, no matter who they'd come across, the Darkstalkers would forever end up fighting for their right to live their lives. It's a cycle of cruelty, really, but such is the fate of the damned.
-ONE HUNDRED YEARS LATER-
The bats flew off into the night as the silhouette of a menacing castle appeared behind the brilliant moon. The interior was as elegant as the exterior, but forboding nonetheless. It almost seemed like a farce, like a trap for anyone foolish enough to enter. Among the endless hallways, there was a room that seemingly looked normal at first glance if it wasn't for the glossy open coffin lying in plain sight.
Within the black coffin laid the slain king of the night, Count Dracula Tepes.
In all his sinister glory, the count laid there as if he were sleeping rather then dead. Well, he was a vampire, after all, the most feared vampire of them all, even in his apparent old age. He was immortal: it would take more than a few lashings to kill him, but that did not mean he was impervious to everything. But finally, the count's eyes fluttered open. Finally, after a millennium of slumber, Dracula was resurrected once more. His crimson eyes shined brightly, suddenly full of life like the rest of his upper body as he rose from the coffin, yet the Count felt somewhat... odd.
"This castle…" the Count breathed.
This castle was not his own. The aesthetics may have been similar, but the overall feel of the castle walls felt so foreign to him. Even the coffin he slept in was not his.
"So, you have finally awoken, Lord Tepes?"
Dracula's attention turned to a large figure facing a large window with his blue cape covering him, though his muscular stature still could be seen. His most prominent feature though was the bizarre shape of his hair. Dracula recognized that voice (and hairstyle) from anywhere. He knew exactly who that was.
"And I suppose you expect me to show gratitude for such a kind act, Lord Maximoff."
Demitri Maximoff smiled, showing off his fangs, "Had it been anyone else, I would have left them to die or I'd finish them off myself."
"I should count myself lucky then," Dracula sarcastically replied as he struggled to get up from the coffin, a sure sign that he was still weakened from the final battle.
Usually, Demitri would mock those who show any sign of weakness, but he respected Dracula since he was, in fact, his superior. Actually, Dracula was the only person Demitri had ever shown any amount of respect because they shared the same negative sentiments towards humans, despite Dracula formerly being a human himself.
"How long have I been asleep?" Dracula asked.
"Exactly a hundred years," Demitri replied.
Dracula sighed. Typical. Every one hundred years he would wake up once more with the same goal in mind every time, only to be stopped by those damn Belmonts and their allies. Such a thorn in his side, they were. Even his own son Alucard turned against him to defend humanity, which perhaps hurt the vampire lord the most. When will there come a time where he would reign victorious? But, Dracula was grateful to at least have one ally he could rely on.
"But in all due seriousness," Dracula said, "I thank you, Lord Maximoff."
Demitri never turned his gaze back to Dracula, "Give your thanks to The Grim Reaper and your pathetic zealot. The Reaper had looked far and wide for your corpse and begged me to keep you in my castle until your awakening. Your followers had also been sacrificing fair maidens left and right for you."
Dracula's right-hand Death and his dark follower Shaft. Knowing them, they wouldn't dare leave their vampire lord to die permanently. He would have to thank them whenever he had the chance, but for now, Dracula had to rest.
"When you have regained your strength, we shall depart," Demitri concluded as he left the room.
The two vampire nobles flew off into the eternal night. Dracula had to admit, he had missed the demon world for some time. The shine of the moon and eerie atmosphere were a comfort to him. It was like a second home to him and he was treated like a regal king in some regard, although he hated being called a Darkstalker. But alas, those were memories of the past and the Demon War's aftermath had left a bad taste in the mouths of lesser night creatures when the nobles were mentioned. However, they flew above a barren wasteland with barely any inhabitants in sight.
"I've noticed that you've been living in the outskirts of Makai," Dracula said, "Why is that?"
The tone in his voice was condescending and Demitri knew that. He refused to answer Dracula's question but knowing Demitri, Dracula could already discern what had happened.
"You challenged Belial Aensland, didn't you?" Dracula asked, "And lost?"
Demitri remained quiet. He wished not to remember his humiliating defeat and exile.
"I warned you before," Dracula shook his head, "Belial is far too powerful for you to take on. If I, Count Dracula, cannot take on the Demon Noble, what makes you think you can?"
Demitri grumbled in response, turning his head away, "He had grown soft and it was about time for a new age to come forth. And I intend to be its ruler."
"There's an expression that the humans use… Ah, yes. 'Pride goes before the fall,'" Dracula sarcastically replied, earning a sneer from Demitri. Oh, how he hated it when Dracula quoted the humans. As if their opinions ever mattered.
"However," Demitri continued, "he is no longer a threat. His daughter, though, is as she has ascended his throne, but she is unfit to rule."
Dracula then remembered that Belial had adopted a daughter some time ago before his death. A young S-Class succubus of a very rare breed, if his memory served him right. This was around the same time Alucard was born, too. Dracula had never thought of Belial to consider adoption as an option but considering the need for an heir, Dracula could definitely understand Belial's situation.
Dracula raised an eyebrow, then sighed, "This is why I left. I have no interest in the petty infighting between the nobility."
"And yet you declared war on the humans over the death of your human wife," Demitri spat back.
Dracula's eyes flashed red as he grit his teeth, showing his fangs, "Hold your tongue, Maximoff."
"Humans are just cattle for us. Always has been and always will be," Demitri said, "You should know this better than anyone."
"Enough," Dracula replied bitterly, "You told me that my castle was somewhere around here, is it not?"
Demitri pointed downward towards the land. Below them were the remains of a massive castle in a crater. Castlevania, the infamous impregnable magic fortress, was in ruins. Many of the castle's architecture was in great disrepair, from the broken windows to the crumbled flooring and the cracked walls, it was truly a shell of its former unholy glory. Its inhabitants have either all left or were killed within the castle after that fated clash between Dracula and the Belmonts.
"My servants salvaged whatever they could," Demitri said flatly.
Dracula said nothing in response and made his way into his fallen castle. The inside was just as disheveled as the outside, perhaps even worse. What was once an elegant foyer was now reduced to an abandoned hall. The further he ventured through his castle, the more decrepit it became. Dead corpses littered the hallways, corpses of his former servants, slain mercilessly by the Belmonts. The body count remained endless until he had reached his decimated throne room, the same room where he was slain.
"So this was where you were vanqui—"
Dracula slammed his fist against his throne before Demitri could finish, making an obvious dent in it. He had no words. The anger and hatred boiling up from long ago came back in the form of raw power as memories of his most recent defeat resurfaced once more.
He would kill them, every single one of them. He'd make them all suffer for what they had done to him. Their agonizing pain will be music to his ears...
"I knew I'd find you both sulking about here," a voice called from the end of the grand hallway.
Both vampires turned around only to be greeted by a man— no, demon — of pale skin and purple garb, dripping blood from his coattails. His most prominent feature was his large bat wings protruding from his head, smiling at them, "And here I thought I were the only one parading through this labyrinth."
Demitri's face scrunched up in disgust, clenching his fist at the sound of the voice, "Jedah…"
Jedah? One of the three Noble Demon Lords? Dracula was taken aback by Jedah's unexpected visit, but also cautious. Like Demitri, he did not trust Jedah.
"Honestly Lord Tepes, I'd expect you to at least do some housecleaning while you have guests over," Jedah smirked as he floated towards them, "And Lord Maximoff! It's been how long? A century since we've last met? How is your eternal banishment coming along?"
Demitri growled at the demon in response, while Dracula remained indignant.
"And what brings you to my abode, Lord Dohma?" Dracula asked, "Have you come to mock me in my own home?"
"Yes, but actually no," Jedah replied, "I'm here for business, you see. I do believe that we share a common goal, and I can help you achieve those goals."
Demitri laughed mockingly, "Hah! Do you honestly think that I'd work with you?"
"Ah, like I'd want to work with a lesser vampire such as yourself," Jedah replied, still smiling. The sass in his voice was telling.
"Why you—"
"I will humbly decline," Dracula interrupted Demitri, "Your intentions do not line up with mine, Demon."
"Oh, are you sure about that, Vampire?" Jedah asked, "Don't you wish to 'cleanse' the human world of its filth?"
The Count remained silent, but he would continue to listen. Meanwhile, Demitri was increasingly irritated as the two other nobles ignored him.
"I, myself, intend to 'cleanse' all souls as well. All this infighting has grown tiresome and I pity the other nobles. I do not want to see another war break out, so I have made up my mind," and with a snap of his fingers, the castle walls shook and all three nobles were transported elsewhere along with Dracula's castle. In an instant, the castle appeared somewhere else. The sky and its clouds were purple and the moon turned into a shade of crimson while the rivers flowed red. It looked like the dark world to an extent but much, much more sinister. interestingly enough, there were some human architecture as well from different time periods suspended in the air. The sounds of tormented souls filled the air as their mangled bodies were scattered around the place. While the two vampires looked out the window in awe, Jedah simply smiled.
"Behold," Jedah said while bowing.
The two vampires peered outside the window further and were shocked when they were met with a giant demonic fetus in the distance laying on its side, unaware of their presence. Both Dracula and Demitri reeled back in horror and disgust. Even they couldn't stomach what was before them.
"What in the Nine Hells...!?" Dracula exclaimed.
"What is this abomination?!" Demitri bellowed, "Explain yourself, Demon!"
"My greatest creation," Jedah answered, his hands outstretched from his sides, "The rebirth of a new realm! The Majigen!"
A maniacal laugh followed from the demon noble. The two vampires stared back at him in disbelief but no, he was serious. This mad bastard actually created his own realm or at least the start of one. He would've had to sacrifice thousands— no, hundreds of thousands of souls, both demon and human, to create this monstrosity and the world around it.
"Imagine... a realm where life can start anew... Great sacrifices had to be made, including my dear friend Ozomu," Jedah paused for a moment, "but it is still incomplete. Breaking the gate between the human world and our world was the first step. Now I must gather more souls, more powerful souls in preparation for the next step. And that, my friends, is where you come in."
"You wish for us to be your lackeys?! I will never lower myself to—"
"Lord Maximoff," Jedah interrupted, "You wish to kill the Aensland succubus and usurp her throne, yes? And The Belmont Clan, Lord Tepes? You wish to see them dead as well?"
Demitri had stopped in his tracks. Jedah wasn't wrong. As much as Demitri hated Jedah, he despised that succubus even more and he wasn't in the best position to challenge her. As for Dracula, Jedah's plan was complete insanity, but he killed off a significant portion of humans in one fell swoop, a task that would take Dracula years to do. There was no doubt Jedah was powerful and his aid could finally allow him to kill off all of humanity, including the Belmonts. The plan was simple: gather the strongest souls in the realms and sacrifice them all to Jedah's "baby" to finish the completion of his new realm. Jedah would have his new world, while Dracula and Demitri could finally rid themselves of their enemies.
"I will not fail again," Dracula said in a sinister tone, "I just might take you up on your offer, Lord Dohma."
Demitri gave Dracula a look of shock while Jedah chuckled.
"I'm glad you could see things my way," Jedah replied.
Now both turned their attention to Demitri who scoffed in self-defeat.
"I suppose you have my support... for now."
Jedah clapped his hands, "Wonderful! Very wonderful... Now then, shall we discuss our plan in detail?"
"Very well," Dracula answered and with a flick of his cape he left the throne room along with Jedah and Demitri trailing behind.
And thus, the roots of a combined evil were sown.