"God, I think we're lost."
"We ain't lost- It's the biggest fuckin' structure in the whole of the country, we'll find it eventually."
"I don't know, Trevor. You always manage to surprise me."
The Belmont and Scholar were planning a small visit to a very particular blond vampire. Having the mess of their last quest leaving them both with heavy hearts, they decided it was about time to see how Alucard has been doing since their departure two months ago. The seasons were beginning to change, with nights growing colder as the green hues of the plant life would slowly shift to warmer colors of yellow, orange, and red. It would be quite nice to nestle into warm beds in the stone castle, rather than the creaky carriage or filthy inns. Admittedly, both Sypha and Trevor were beginning to miss Alucard more than they expected.
Yes, Alucard would have oftened become a third wheel in their shenanigans (and have to put up with the usual sounds of sex much too frequently), but things would have still been more fun with the third in tow.
"See Sypha? There's the castle- the trees were just in the way." The Belmont spoke quite smugly as he pointed over yonder. The castle roof was just peeking out over the towering coniferous trees.
"Seems you were lucky." She would comment with a chuckle and playful nudge. "Alucard will be quite excited, I think. Man looked like a kicked puppy when we left, it made me feel quite bad."
"You said it yourself." Trevor shrugged. "The castle cannot be left unattended, and we couldn't lazy about when there're still demons in this world that need to be slain. Besides- it has filled out pockets quite handsomely."
"Indeed it has." Sypha could agree with an amused grin, though it didn't last long. Thoughts of their most recent failure were still floating about in her mind.
"It hasn't been all good fun either. I still can't shake off what happened in Lindenfield. A Lot of people died that we could have saved...I just can't shake off the guilt." Sypha would admit with a saddened look as she stared down the road ahead. Trevor slowly moved to wrap an arm around her.
"I'm afraid that's what it's like. There's many instances where I felt I could have done more. Or could have done something better. But that's the toll of being a monster hunter i" Trevor would express with a dreary sigh to escape his throat. Sypha leaned into his touch, but she did try to keep the overall feel of the atmosphere in positive light.
"At least we'll be seeing Alucard soon- I wonder what he's been up to." Sypha would hum.
"Maybe he's befriended animals in the wilds and became one with nature." Trevor would laugh. "I'm sure all he's done is attempt restoration on the castle, God pray for him when moving those thousands of books from the archives."
"Oh yes- I do not expect to see much of a difference- it would take years to have it to the way it was before. It makes you wonder how Dracula kept it so clean."
"Obviously with demon maids."
"What an image." Sypha chuckles with a shake of her head as the castle would finally be coming into view. The horses would be brought to a stop just out front. (and thankfully Sypha and Trevor wouldn't also bear witness to the corpses on pikes.)
Trevor would move to get out first, taking Sypha's hand to pull her down from the carriage and give her a small peck on the lips. They would approach the castle doors, and Trevor couldn't help the nervousness that stirred within him- but also excitement.
It would be really nice to see Alucard again- though he feared if the night before their departure would change anything. A one night stand didn't exactly do wonders for a friendship.
Especially with one sided feelings.
The castle doors would be slowly pushed open by the pair, with leaves quickly blowing past their feet and scattering on the floors of the main hall. It seemed totally vacant in appearance, but they knew Alucard still lived here.
"Adrian!" Sypha would call out, her voice echoing back in reply. "Adrian! We've come to visit!" She would then bellow.
No response.
"He must be deep into the castle." Trevor would conclude with his hands on his hips. "Let's go further in- where do you think he would be at this time of day?" he would then ask his partner when speak of the devil- there was the blond himself, quickly making his way over. He bore quite the smile as he rushed over with a light bounce to his locks.
"Trevor- Sypha-" He breathed as he gave them both a squeeze, abruptly moving back soon after to compose himself. Sypha would let out a small laugh and pull him back in.
"Come here- you bastard!" Sypha grinned as she ruffled his hair, with Trevor picking them both up in his arms and giving a squeeze.
"It's great to see you again Alucard- what the hell have you been up to, vampire?" Trevor would ask the other as he would drop Alucard back onto his feet. "Anything interesting? Find some fancy relics you've been fucking around with? Peer into the Belmont collection of sex spells?" he would wink, making Alucard shake his head with a hearty chuckle.
"Goodness, glad to see you haven't changed. I was worried you were both going to become a gross sappy couple." Alucard jabbed playfully.
"Us? Never- we're as foul mouthed and kid inappropriate as ever." Sypha would assure Alucard with a poke to his nose. It was really nice to finally see the pair again. Alucard felt the time between their departure and return was going to be much longer- years even. So he was very relieved to be wrong. "Come on Alucard- what have you been up to?" she would ask.
"Likely nothing as interesting as your own journeys-" Alucard would hum, though he was quick to remember.
"Ah- I should explain. I have a guest at my castle." he would say, and Sypha and Trevor's faces would morph to have the most intense shit-eating grins. Alucard was quick to fluster as he cried "not like that! I am offering him aid-"
"By sucking his dick? Alucard's found himself a little friend!" Trevor would bellow, with Alucard quick to try and hush him.
"Don't say such things- my god Belmont you are terrible." Alucard would hiss, to which Trevor would shrug.
"Psh, you love me."
"This guest- can we meet him?" Sypha would then begin to pry. "I'm very curious and would love to meet the friend of our dear Alucard." She smiled, which got Alucard to hesitate.
"I am unsure how he would feel about that- it's not you I swear-" Alucard was quick to explain. Sypha and Trevor's mood seemed to shift slightly. "-It's just we aren't exactly friends, mere acquaintances. I plan to depart the castle with him actually- you see-" Alucard went to explain further, but speak of the devil once more. D was quietly peering over at the group from the doorway at the top of the stairs. His curiosity got the best of him, and so he went to investigate upon hearing the playful banter. Though upon Sypha and Trevor realizing his presence, he was quick to regret it.
"Is that him?" Sypha asked, which made Alucard quickly turn to see the other. D was only a mere inch taller than Alucard, but his monstrous size and muscled frame gave a deeper sense of intimidation, especially with the black cloak over his extremely broad shoulders.
"A vampire?" Trevor questioned with a shiver over his frame, his hand moving to hover his whip, which prompted D to approach.
"Dhamphir-" Alucard would correct. "- and why the fuck would I even let someone in if they weren't friendly?" Alucard couldn't help but snap as D would approach slowly, his cloak flowing as he seemed to glide right over. The mere presence of D left Trevor with an intense sinking feeling- he didn't trust this guy. Sypha could sense it too, but she had more assurance in Alucard's words than her lover did. Alucard would know if the other was truly evil- he would be able to sense it just as she and Trevor could. It was likely the man was simply intimidating with his outwardly appearance. Though it was interesting- to see another dhampir. He didn't look like one though- leaning more towards pure blood, and that was exactly why Trevor seemed hesitant to simply take Alucard's word.
D would loom over the pair with an intense look in his eyes, and Alucard would be quick to step between them.
"D- these are my dear friends, Sypha and Trevor-" He was quick to explain to the other before looking to the pair themselves before saying "-and this is D. He is a vampire hunter such as yourself Trevor."
"D?" Trevor seemed to scoff. "That's a weird name if I ever heard one." he grumbled, but thankfully he moved his hand from hovering over his whip, and crossed his arms as D would also step back a bit.
"Now- er." Alucard would stammer. "How long do you two plan to visit for?"
"Three days at least if that's alright with you. We haven't seen you in ages Alucard." Sypha expressed with hopeful eyes. D would frown.
"We had plans to depart tomorrow morning. He is aiding me in something that simply cannot wait." The dark haired dhampir would explain to the pair before him.
Alucard knew this was not going to end well.
"Oh? You get to decide for Alucard if he gets to see us then, huh?" Trevor would ask with a raise of his brow.
"I do not. If he chooses to remain here on visitation, I plan to leave without him." D expressed quite firmly, but it didn't lessen the tension between them.
"Here- follow me- Trevor, Sypha. Let me guide you to your rooms for the time being." Alucard would pipe up, managing to keep on a smile for the sake of preventing the mood from fully plummeting to an uneasy tension.
"D- return to the kitchen or your room if you wish." The blonde would add, before he would walk away with Trevor and Sypha in tow.
Once they were out of ear shot, Trevor would lean in.
"What is up with that vampire? He gives off a really bad air."
"You automatically assumed the worst of him- of course he's gonna give off a bad air- he's insulted by your presumptions of him- and I'm sure you react the same to such assumptions."
Trevor would cut him off to reply "Defending the stranger? Do you not trust my judgement?"
"Not when you don't trust my own." Alucard would quickly huff back, with poor Sypha looking between the pair quite nervously. The rest of the walk would be in silence, and Alucard would gesture to the closed door at his side.
"Your room. I suggest taking your belongings and rushing them in from your caravan before it rains tonight." Alucard would suggest.
"Ah- thank you very much Adrian. " Sypha would smile at him fondly. Alucard would leave and Trevor dared to grumble.
"What is up with him anyways-"
"Him? What the hell is up with you- causing shit the moment we walk in here-" Sypha chastised with a tug on the other's ear.
"The man was looking like god damn Dracula- ow!" Trevor would whine, with Sypha finally letting go. Trevor would grumble as he rubbed at his ear.
"Don't be such a baby, you're fine. I didn't even pull that hard." Sypha would tease, gaining a frown from the Belmont.
"Let's just go get our shit."
-
Now with two more nestled in his castle home, Alucard was left with a choice he needed to make. Later that night, Alucard would sit with D out in the gardens as rain would gently fall from above. The moon was at its peak, decorating the garden beds beautifully with gentle blue moonlight when it could push through the rain clouds. The pair were planted upon one of the many beautifully carved benches of thick stone. Water would dribble down along the brim of D's wide hat, and Alucard sat with a waterproof cloak and hood. The rain was very calming, the gentle pitter patter bringing one a sense of ease.
"You wish to discuss what comes next now with the...unexpected guests, correct?" D would pipe up as he turned to look at the other. D bore his usual cape, shielding his body from view and really giving him the exact vibe Trevor had complained about earlier that day. Alucard would nod in reply, and D would continue.
"I do not want to wait any longer, Alucard. It is crucial I return to the frontier as soon as possible. Is it not possible to leave the couple here to rest unattended?" D would further ask.
"Well- they came here with the intent of seeing me. I have not seen them for over three months, and things seem to already be tense. Trevor will not react well should I depart tomorrow." Alucard would further express with a tone of worry. D remained unreadable as usual.
"If you wish to stay, you may stay." D would reply, with Alucard giving a small nod. Silence would appear between them before D would speak up once more. "...that man- er. Travel?"
"Trevor."
"Right- Trevor. Do not chastise his behavior too much for me. His reaction is quite normal." D would murmur softly. "He's angry...like a small dog." D would huff with a glint of amusement. Alucard seemed to like the little joke as well.
"Heh- he kinda is like a small dog of the nobles, all bark and no bite." Alucard would nod in agreement. This was nice. After the incident, D seemed to be much more willing to speak and open up to him compared to before. Though, D was still the silent broody type, and would only say what he believed to be needed to say: no more, no less.
Alucard would stand up, turning to face D fully, his expression calmed, brow furrowed as he looked to him more seriously.
"...we will depart tomorrow night. I know you are eager to get going but can you please do that for me? I really want to aid you in your return home- but I do not know when I will get to see my friends again once we go." he expressed, almost nervously. D eyed him quietly, looking at the way his hands practically twitched as Alucard looked at him with this strange youthfulness for a vampire, almost like a child asking their parents for something.
"How old are you?"
"I beg your pardon?" Alucard would blink.
"How old are you, Alucard?" D asked as he stood. Alucard felt very small- with D stepping forth and practically looming over him, yet he was no taller than Alucard himself.
Confused by the other's question, Alucard took a moment to pull his answer.
"I'm Eighteen." Alucard expressed, almost embarrassed to say such.
"Thousand?"
"No- just. Just Eighteen." Alucard chuckled nervously, and D's eyes went quite wide at the answer. "I know- I am incredibly young for one of Vampire blood." he would admit quickly. "But I swear it does not make me any more inadequate, why, how old are you?" He dared to ask back. D looked similar in age, but god, Alucard could not be any more wrong.
"...Older than you." D decided to go with as he would go past with a slow ripple of his cape. Towards the arched doorway he went, stopping for a moment longer to say, "We will depart tomorrow night. No later."
Alucard was left wondering if he should have lied about his age. Ah well, there was no time to fret upon it now. Age was a very finicky thing with vampires after all. After the thousand year mark, age became a blur when it came to seeking out either other vampires or humans for sexual gratification or romance. Not that Alucard felt the want for anything like that with D- he barely knew him, and now feared he was older than his own father. But why would that be a concern? Maybe D would see him as more naive- or maybe that his help would be pointless without the vast knowledge a vampire in the thousands may possess. Alucard took a moment to simply close his eyes, and assure himself.
But why should it matter? The other was a mere stranger he likely won't see again. So why- just why did it bother Alucard so deeply?
-
The morning would come sooner than Alucard expected. He decided to go out of his way to awaken Sypha and Trevor early for a nice breakfast with tea. The three would sit together and the morning was going well until Alucard told them he was to leave that night.
"So- you're leaving then?" Trevor would scowl as he crossed his arms.
"Tonight, yes." Alucard would nod softly. "I need to aid D in his journey home. But I'm simply not leaving you both here to tend to the castle in my place, I assure you." Alucard spoke with a more wry smile.
"Oh- well I hope it goes well. Does this mean you're booting us out tonight?" Sypha would ask with a little playful nudge to the other, While Trevor seemed a little pouty.
"Of course not, you may stay as long as you wish. I just need to set a protective spell over the entire castle, and show you how to travel through it, should you return here before I do. I do not know how long my journey will be If I'm entirely honest." Alucard would simply shrug before adding, "It'll be alright. The three of us are as capable alone as we are together. D is a very capable fighter, so I do not need to worry about that."
"That's good...that's good." Trevor would nod slowly, with Sypha giving him a good nudge under the table to smile. Trevor's disapproval was obvious without words, and it left Alucard a little hurt.
"So-" Sypha would quickly speak up as she brought her hands together. "What's this spell? I'm sure I can help- doing one to the scale you need for the castle will not be easy."
"Oh I know- it's left me a tad hesitant to do it if I'm honest. Seems to be very straining on the body to perform."
"That's what I'm here for!" Sypha would then grin quite brightly as she moved to gently nudge Alucard on the shoulder. "Let's tackle it after breakfast- want to help, Trevor?"
"I'm not sure what I can do, but I'll tag along I guess." Trevor would simply shrug, though he did smile a little as he would add "and I hope it blows up in your faces. It would be pretty funny, I think."
"As charming as ever, Trevor." Alucard would reply with a small shake of his head, a smile hidden under fallen locks.
-
The three would finish off breakfast together before Alucard would then instruct the couple to wait for him at the front doors of the castle while he collects up everything he needed to create the barrier. It was quite wonderful that fall morning, and so Sypha would pull Trevor along so they could both sit outside upon the stone steps of the castle. Sypha closed her eyes as she enjoyed the gentle sunlight.
"Hm. It's so nice today. This morning may be the last of this kind of warmth for a while."
"Yeah." Trevor would simply nod from where he sat, slightly hunched over with his arms crossed and perched on his legs. "Winter will be here soon. God- we better travel far south to wait out the worst of it." He would reply to her.
"Do we have to always travel? Maybe settling down for the winter would be a good idea." Sypha would express, opening her eyes to look at Trevor fondly. "Find a cabin to cozy into. Too bad your manor is kinda.."
"Gone? Yeah." Trevor would chuckle a little bit as he looked out into the forest, watching the shimmering leaves of gold dance in the wind. "It's gone- but I'm sure we could buy a home- or build it if we're picky bout it. Though that would be a pain in the arse. I ain't exactly a tools guy."
"Nah- you're a monster hunter, and drinker." Sypha would then giggle, moving close to press shoulders with her lover. Trevor just gave her a little look, before sighing and pecking her cheek.
"Damn, you know me so well Sypha. But, you forgot to add 'Sex God' to that list of titles."
"My god- you really think you're just the shit, don't you?" Sypha asked with a bit of a laugh. "You Belmonts seem to be awfully cocky."
"I ain't cocky because I know I am a Sex God, you would know." Trevor would wink, getting him an aggressive hair ruffle just as Alucard would shuffle out. The dhampir carried a terrifyingly large book, bound in thick leather with a insignia pressed into the spine, and atop of that was a small box of wood and leather. Alucard had also changed into his usual attire- black pants, white shirt with a V cut collar, and black coat with gold accents. Sypha was quick to turn upon hearing Alucard's foot prints, smiling innocently as she pulled her hands down and tucked them neatly into her lap. Alucard raised an eyebrow as Trevor also turned, his hair having been thoroughly ruffled.
"Having fun?" Alucard would ask with a glint of amusement to his voice as he slowly placed down the book and box with a thud. Sypha eyed the items very curiously as she stood.
"Perhaps." She grinned as she went over to him, watching as he would pull a vial from his coat pockets. Trevor too would join, and he frowned upon seeing Alucard then pull a small dagger.
"So- how does this work?" Trevor would ask, now more afraid of the answer as Alucard would place down the bottle to plant a shallow wound into the palm.
"I need your blood if you wish to enter the castle at any time during my absence." Alucard would explain, letting the vial fill one third of the way before handing the bottle to Trevor next. "Without it, you'll be in for a nasty surprise, should you attempt to walk in."
"Ah- okay. Don't need a lot of blood, right?"
"Just the same amount I have given, you as well, Sypha."
"Right- got it." She would nod, soon getting the bottle and knife next. It would be filled, and handed back to Alucard, who would place it down as he got upon his knees to grab the box upon the book.
"Trevor, could you be a dear and open the book to page 830? Sypha, come sit by me. For this to work, we will be summoning something. I have never done this before- so should this not work, Trevor will be quite useful."
"Summoning something? What kind of Barrier spell is this?" Trevor asked with a squint to which Alucard would turn and reply:
"The most powerful kind I could find. I need to make sure nothing can break it- some of the things nestled here could cause the end of the world if it gets into the wrong hands. I would prefer to not come home to squatters too." He simply shrugged upon opening the box. It's contents consisted of:
White chalk, a larger item wrapped in wax paper (about the length of the average forearm), small jars containing items shrouded by stains and dirt upon the other glass, with labels too old to read and peeling from the bottles. It also contained raven feathers, and a second item wrapped in wax paper- about the size of Alucard's fist. He would move to grab the chalk, gesturing for Trevor to slide the book over.
"So, what kind of demon are we summoning here?"
"Not a demon- it's more or less a guardian. So yes, a demon." Alucard was forced to admit with a sigh. "Not all demons are evil. It's a broad term. Anything that isn't seen as angelic is considered a demon- right?" Alucard would ask Trevor as he skimmed the page, copying down a symbol from the book onto the stone floor. Trevor went to open his mouth, only to close it as he took a moment to think.
"I mean..yeah. I guess you're right. Kinda. 'Demon' tends to be used for monsters that don't appear normally. Werewolves and vampires such as yourself aren't considered to be demons because they walk about the earth like we do- and don't need a damn blood sacrifice to appear."
"This is not a blood sacrifice. You're awfully antsy about this." Sypha would pipe in, watching Alucard peel back the wax paper to reveal a spiraling horn, and a skull of demonic nature.
"I guess because it has some pretty decent chances of going wrong." Trevor would mutter as he watched Alucard placed down the skull and horn in the centre of the drawn rune. Alucard would stand up and put his hands together. He seemed nervous about continuing the spell, growing obvious as he would say:
"Alright, here comes the difficult part. Sypha, I need you to join me and touch the rune with me. Trevor, can you hold up the book for me to read? I do not know the spell by heart and any sort of mistake will not end in good results."
-
Elsewhere, D had finally risen for the day. The dhampir had slept in after spending a lot of the night laying in bed with his thoughts. He would rise with a mighty stretch, and prepare for the departure later that night. He didn't have a lot to pack (obviously) so he took his time to bathe for what would likely be the last time to do in such warm, comforting waters. Yet again D was left to think as he sat alone, quietly cleaning up as he stared off to nowhere in particular. He was thinking about many things: the land he currently wandered, the Frontier, the castle itself…
Alucard.
Ah, yes. Alucard. He was young- very young for a Vampire. D had simply assumed he was simply youthful in appearance, not age as well. It left any thought of the other feeling...odd. Alucard came off as an experienced individual of possibly the thousands in terms of age- maybe must either be really good at bullshitting things, or he was quite knowledgeable for a mere eighteen year old. But that too made him realise the weaknesses of Alucard. He was a new adult, entirely on his own and obviously uncertain with the idea of being alone. Alucard thrived off others- that much was true. It made him wonder...maybe.
"Planning to stand in this damn bath until you become a prune?" His parasite would suddenly pipe up, forming on the skin of his palm to be a nuisance, as usual. D looked down at it with a scowl, slowly leaving the bath and grabbing ahold of a towel as his hand would continue. "You've been staring off a lot lately, what's on your mind?"
"None of your concern."
"It is fully my concern- answer me dammit." The parasite would huff, and D would simply clench his hand until it was forced to cease. The dhampir would let out a long sigh, and move to get dressed upon drying off. He would take his time with his hair before going to finish preparing for the trip.
By the late afternoon he had finally come across the other dhampir, and the two quickly met in the middle of the hall.
"D- I have fully prepared for the trip." He breathed out, and D gave him a startled look.
"Are you alright? You look...unwell."
"Oh- the spell was tedious- but it worked." Alucard assured with a gentle hand motion. He looked sickly, his skin pale and the color sucked from his lips. "I just need to rest for a while, and we will depart at dusk."
"Very well. Rest up." D would nod, watching Alucard go past towards his room. It made him wonder though- just what kind of barrier spell was it?