***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Since the ending is over 70 pages in a word document, I decided to upload it in TWO parts so it would be easier to read.
Chapter XXXVI
The village was a modest arrangement of houses, with a tiny town square, church, and marketplace. Sonia's house was located just on the outskirts of the entrance. It was a small two-storey home with a thatched rooftop, situated on a hill overlooking a clear brook. The house was in want of repair – its shutters hung loosely by their hinges, and the small garden plot outside the front was overgrown, though carrots, pumpkins, and cabbage still managed to grow in the rough soil.
Upon his arrival, an elderly woman greeted him at the door. She was small, hunched over, and carried a walking stick. Her movements were slow, but she greeted the former knight warmly, and welcomed him without hesitation. Leon could tell guests had not visited the inn in quite some time because he was their only patron. Nevertheless, Sonia and her mother served him a warm meal and invited him to sit in a chair by the fireplace. It had been quite some time since Leon felt content, and he longed to repay their kindness. Although the house was in disrepair, he soon came to understand the reason. The mother was in failing health and her daughter, Sonia, was the only one left to care for the elderly woman. Lady Thiessen still managed to smile and never seemed bothered by their troubles. Every morning, Sonia hunted deer, rabbit, and foxes. Leon always accompanied her, and helped her clean and skin whatever they caught.
After three days of hunting and rest, Leon placed the animal pelts inside a heavy satchel and accompanied Sonia to the market. The sun set early in the mountains, and it was already dark by the time they reached the town square. Upon arriving, Leon was about to take the pelts to one of the market stalls when he fell still. His dark blue eyes widened, and he nearly dropped the pelts. Instinctively, his hand reached for the whip cinched at his waist belt, his fingers brushing across the coiled object when he froze, staring ahead.
Sonia touched his shoulder in concern. "What's wrong?" She asked.
Standing on the opposite side of the square was a slender, pale young man. The person was undoubtedly from a wealthy family, for his long, fine dark green silver-trimmed robe flowed around his graceful frame. Covering his robe was a dark gray cloak. His knee-high black boots, decorated with an elaborate silver plated steel pattern, glimmered faintly in the dying light. His smooth, refined features drew the former knight's attention instantly. The person's straight silky hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail tied with a dark green ribbon. Leon was about to approach him, but hesitated, and kept his distance. The stranger's hair gave him a somewhat prematurely aged appearance, despite his youth.
Uncertainty clouded the knight when he whispered. "Who is that man over there?"
Sonia seemed to know the subject of his attention the moment he asked. She glanced at the person, and replied calmly. "Ah, that is Lord Adalhart. I thought you might notice him. Everyone does whenever he visits."
"Lord Adalhart?"
"He lives near here, in the former estate of Baron Schwarzendrache, who died many years ago. Most nobles weren't interested in the property because it is considered remote and unprofitable. Crops struggle to grow in this region because the winter is so long and cold. People like Lord Adalhardt's company; he protects by killing werewolves that come too close to the village. Some thought he was a bit strange at first but he bothers no one. He rarely leaves his manor, but with skin as fair as his, the sun must not take too kindly to him."
Leon felt his blood run cold and the color drained from his face. He grasped the handle of the whip tightly in his fist. "He is very strange, indeed…"
The lady, aware of the fact his hand was upon the whip, immediately took him by the arm. Her action was so swift, Leon gasped when she looked at him sternly, her lips curving into a frown. "Please leave him be, Sir Belmont. I know his appearance is startling, but he means no harm."
"It's just…I thought…"
"He's a vampire?" She laughed good-naturedly, and gave him a mischievous look. "He is far too delicate and princely to be stalking people after dark. I think he would consider such behavior beneath him."
"If he is as frail as you say, how could he defeat a werewolf?"
"He is a skilled swordsman. I have never seen anyone control a blade as well as he. The last time he fought a werewolf, he cut the beast clean in half with ease. He does not converse with the villagers much, and perhaps, it is for the best. Personally, I find him a bit…surly. Now, if you please, I want to get a good price for these pelts before the market closes."
Leon wanted to know more, but night was setting in, and Sonia was getting impatient. Her financial situation was already precarious, and he did not want to inconvenience her. Yet, when his gaze returned to the strange nobleman, he tensed upon realizing the man had been watching him just as intently. Leon quickly averted his attention to the ground and turned away, unsettled by the man's steely gaze.
After he delivered the pelts to the local merchant, he accompanied Sonia home. As they walked, they began to tell stories to pass the time. He knew so little about her that the opportunity was a welcome one, and he temporarily forgot about the eccentric nobleman.
"I remember once," she began, her voice lightening as they left the square, walking side-by-side down the cobblestone road. "My mother used to own a cow. It had a crumpled horn, and for some reason took a dislike to me. Whenever I milked it, it would kick the bucket over and spill milk everywhere. If I happened to cross the brook where it grazed, it would chase me across the field relentlessly. One afternoon, I decided to cross the brook again, and she chased me until I found a tree and climbed it. In her haste, she charged right into the tree and managed to imbed her horn in its trunk. She tried to free herself to no avail; pawing at the ground and making such an uproar! She was absolutely frightened and furious with herself. Finally, I took pity on her, and asked my sister to help push her back from the tree. By then, the cow was so upset and exhausted that when we finally freed her, she turned round and charged right through a nearby mud puddle. My poor sister was nearest to the puddle, and was completely drenched in mud! For at least a month after, I called her 'mud princess.' She did not think it as funny as I for a long time."
Leon laughed. It had been so long since he had laughed at anything. Her life was vastly different than the lives of upper-class women. Most women he knew when he was a baron would never dream of revealing something so personal. It reminded him why he had loved Sara so much. Sara never pretended to be above anyone. Even though her father was a wealthy merchant, she treated everyone with respect and kindness.
"Such a story reminds me of long ago," Leon replied, feeling nostalgia overcome him. Memories filtered into his thoughts. "Someone I once knew used to enjoy horseback riding. I remember, one evening, she and I decided to take our horses for a quick race around her home. We were about to start, when a rabbit ran right in front of her horse's legs. The beast startled, and started galloping before she was ready. I chased after her on my horse, and just as I drew near enough to take hold of her, she tumbled onto the ground. At first, I was frightened beyond measure, and thought she might have injured herself in her fall. However, the moment I ran to where she had fallen, she lay on her back – laughing! After I overcame my initial distress – I could not help but laugh with her. She was a spirited girl, who cared more about the wellbeing of others than her own."
"Was she…someone you cared deeply for?" Sonia stopped in the road.
Her eyes traced his face sympathetically. When he gave no response, except to stand in a sullen silence, she stepped nearer to him. Her eyes met his, whilst her voice fell quiet.
"Grief is an all-too familiar part of my life, as well. My father died when I was three, and my sister passed away nary a month ago. I went out searching for her at nightfall and found her lying in the woods – bitten and killed by a vampire. The bite marks on her neck confirmed it. After werewolves began appearing in the forest, I was unable to hunt down the monster that took her life. Only my mother and I remain. Sadly, I do not know how much time she has left – her health has worsened since Beatrice's death. Nevertheless, we have each other, and for that I am grateful."
The former knight humbly bowed his head. He had never met someone as resilient as she. Although she was young, her strength of will astonished him. His heart ached to realize they had more in common than he ever could have imagined. Briefly, he wondered if the brute that had slain the innocent girl was Mathias. However, Sonia never mentioned seeing a man that matched his former ally's description, and he quickly dismissed the thought. It would not have been Mathias' nature to hunt peasants. Far darker ambitions most likely occupied the tactician's attention…
The sight of Sonia's sorrowful expression transformed his anger into concern. "If there is anything I can do to help Miss Theissen, please do not hesitate to ask."
The lady suddenly stopped in the middle of the pathway, her light blue eyes tracing his face. Surprised, Leon paused alongside side her, feeling her gaze catch his. "There is one thing…" She began, "You have been kind and helpful Leon. Yet, a life of wandering must become wearisome after a time. Surely you will stay a while?"
"I have already stayed too long. I do not wish to burden you and your mother further-"
"You are no burden!" Before he could continue, she gently took his hand in hers. "You deserve to be happy despite your troubles, Leon. I am an experienced hunter – I could help you destroy the creatures of the night."
Leon shook his head, feeling a lump form in his throat. The lady's gentle voice and kind eyes momentarily reminded him of Sara. The longer she held him, the more difficult it became for him to pull away.
"I chose this life and I must fulfill my promise. Forgive me, Sonia, but I cannot-"
"If you insist upon earning your keep, you can help my mother and I at the inn. You are a skilled hunter and the inn could use some work. We will pay you for your services and you shall be able to continue on your journey."
Leon hesitated. He did not want their money; for the empty rooms in the inn were telling, and he knew they could barely afford to eat as it was. Every day she mended clothes, cleaned rooms, repaired hunting equipment, fetched water from the well, and tended to the small garden plot. He feared for the wellbeing of Sonia and her mother, yet the darkness of Mathias' betrayal still throbbed like an open wound. His hand brushed across the whip at his side. The weapon pulsed softly in response.
A sad smile creased the corners of his lips. "Very well…I will stay a little while longer and will gladly work in exchange for lodging at your inn. Although I am grateful for your offer of payment, I cannot accept."
Sonia nodded, returning his smile. With the pale moonlight guiding their way, together, they continued along the path.
One evening, Leon was unable to sleep. Every so often, nightmares disturbed the frail peace he tried to maintain. He awoke in a cold sweat, panting heavily, his wide, blue eyes frantically searching the darkness. Without thinking, he reached for the whip and grasped the coiled weapon in his fist. The moment he touched the object, the whip's purple aura brightened. Leon sighed, feeling a sense of relief wash over him when he felt Sara's presence. Knowing he would be unable to return to sleep, he crawled out of bed and dressed himself. Very quietly, he opened the door to his chamber and crept downstairs. When he reached the sitting room, he lit a fire in the hearth and sat down in a chair. The warmth of the fireplace eased his tension.
Moments after sitting down, he saw Sonia quietly enter the room, her bright eyes focusing upon him in concern. She was fully dressed, with her silver sword sheathed at her side.
When her eyes met his, Leon rose from the chair and bowed his head. "I – did not mean to disturb you-"
A gentle smile crossed Sonia's lips. "You did nothing of the sort. I did not expect to see you awake. Are you all right?"
"Yes, thank you. I thought you had already gone to bed."
"I was going to do a bit of hunting." She began, hesitating a moment when the young man's eyes widened in concern. "I thought I heard a werewolf howl. It was probably nothing but I would rather not take any chances."
Leon stepped forward imploringly, his smooth lips curving into a slight frown. "May I accompany you? I don't like the idea of you hunting alone."
The lady paused, her bright blue eyes shining in the firelight. Taken aback by the suddenness of his request, she answered. "I-I suppose you can, if you wish, Baron Belmont." Sonia bowed. The moment she moved, her long, blond braid slipped over her shoulder. A barely noticeable tint of red appeared in her cheeks.
"Please, do not call me that." Leon replied, feeling a slight uneasiness fill him when her eyes met his once again.
He studied her intently; embarrassed by the fact that she had addressed him formally. He did not want to remember his past; though he knew that was not his only reason. The word baron, once a title he honored, made him feel detached from the warm, humble people he considered his only family. Leon tried to look away, nervously running a hand through the sun kissed locks of his golden hair.
A smile appeared upon his lips when he continued gently. "You are the master of the house. It is I who serves you, Miss Theissen."
The lady chuckled lightly, an amused glint reflecting in her eyes as she turned toward the door. Leon followed after her, trying to keep pace with her swift steps. The cool night air greeted them when they left the house and trekked toward the surrounding forest. Thousands of stars glittered in the black sky above. A lone crescent moon hovered in the sky, its pale light occasionally shrouded by thin layers of passing clouds. Leon walked by her side, avoiding looking at her directly.
Sonia was first to break the silence. The lady looked at him curiously, her fair face illuminated by moonlight. "The night is peaceful, isn't it?"
Leon continued walking, absorbed within his thoughts. A cotton-like tightness filled his throat when he looked at her again. When he finally forced the words to leave his mouth, his voice sounded oddly faint. "Yes, it is."
"I like the night, even though the dark sometimes frightens me. When I was young, I always wanted to sneak out at night. My mother told me unicorns lived in the forest and only appeared on starry nights. Even though I am not a child, before the werewolves came, I used to hunt at night – and when the sky was filled with stars, I would secretly hope to see a unicorn. Perhaps, I am rather foolish for believing such tales."
"I do not think so."
Leon chuckled. He could picture her as a child, staring out her window at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of a unicorn. It had been a long time since he had engaged in innocent conversation. He was so preoccupied with monsters that he had forgotten that beauty still existed in the world. For a moment, he gazed at the stars, wondering if a unicorn might appear. It was the first time he looked at the stars with the curiosity of a child instead of regret. A soft smile crossed his lips.
"Do you believe in unicorns?" Sonia asked, intrigued by the young man's serene expression.
"I have never seen one, but that does not mean they do not exist." Leon shrugged, adding under his breath. "I did not believe in vampires…only to discover they are very real."
"But there are beautiful things in this world, too. Like unicorns." Sonia whispered.
She stopped and turned toward the forest. Leon could see her searching the forest, still looking for a flash of white to appear amongst the trees. The moonlight made her golden hair appear almost white; giving her an ethereal look. The lady's silver sword gleamed in the light, reflecting the crescent moon in its metallic surface.
Leon stopped beside her, looking at her lovely face. His voice fell to a whisper. "Indeed…there are."
The moment he spoke, he caught himself and turned away. He ran a hand through his hair, nearly pulling it out upon realizing his indiscretion. He folded his arms across his chest, feeling the color drain from his face. He could not imagine what had prompted him to say such a thing. The young man lowered his head.
Sonia's gaze diverted from the forest, her lucid blue spheres falling upon him. "Leon…"
The former knight forced himself to face her once again. When their eyes met, he bowed deeply, his voice trembling in spite of his effort to remain composed. "I-I apologize, Miss Theissen. I did not mean to offend you."
"I am not offended."
"You are not?"
"Why should I be?"
"It is not my place to say such things." He stammered, feeling a hotness in his cheeks when she continued to look at him gently. "You have been kind and generous, and I-"
Barely visible within the brush was a pair of gleaming red eyes. Momentarily taken aback, Leon stared into the monster's luminous blood-red pools. Without the moonlight, he might not have realized something had been stalking them. Before the beast could leave its cover in the trees, he withdrew the vampire killer whip. A feral roar shattered the silence of the night when he struck the creature across the face with the tails of the whip. A spray of blood spattered into the night air. Leon barely had time to register what was happening before the creature's inky black form leapt out of the trees. The young man attempted to roll out of the way but was knocked to the ground by the monster's massive bulk. The werewolf's gaping maw hovered above his face, revealing rows of gleaming white incisors. With as much strength as he could muster, he fought against the creature's crushing grip and managed to land a blow against the beast's ribcage. A horrible whining snarl escaped the animal's throat when he kicked it off him and jumped to his feet.
Sonia stood behind the animal with her sword drawn. The moment it turned to face her, she swung the weapon, driving the razor-sharp edge of the blade across the creature's hip, nearly severing its leg completely off. Blood pooled on the ground around the beast's feet as it flattened its pointed ears against its head and roared in outrage. As Sonia took another swing at the creature's chest, it lunged toward her and effortlessly knocked her onto her back against the gravel path.
Leon ran at the wolf from behind, drawing his whip back as the beast dug its long, blackened claws into the woman's side. An anguished cry escaped her lips as she lay on the ground, nearly crushed beneath the man-wolf's sheer bulk.
Leon latched the end of the whip around one of the creature's arms and pulled against it, forcing the animal's hand behind its back. The werewolf turned its head to look over its shoulder, its dark red eyes blazing with renewed fury as the young man attempted to wrench it away. The creature ignored him and lifted its heavy form upon its haunches. It drew back its other arm to strike, prompting the knight to release the whip from its hand. With lightning speed, Leon swung the whip against the back of the beast's head. He managed to wrap the coils around the creature's throat and pulled, dragging the wolf back like a master yanking a dog on a leash.
In retaliation, the beast spun around, grasped the whip, and pulled against it. Leon fell against the ground, feeling a stinging sensation in his face as the beast dragged him across the gravel, reeling him in with the zeal of a fisherman landing a catch. Werewolves were far more intelligent than he initially realized. Even though its form was bestial, it was still capable of human thought. Dust and dirt flew into the air and covered his face. He let go of the whip when he came within a few meters of the beast. The werewolf lumbered toward him on all fours, the glossy sheen of its jet-black fur and the glow of its eyes its only distinguishing features from the shadow-cloaked night.
Leon attempted to roll out of the way, but the beast was far swifter than he, and was soon upon him. It rose upon its haunches once again, releasing a loud, howling cry to the moon before it lunged forward, drawing its arms back to tear him to pieces with its long, ebony claws. As its hulking form descended upon him, Sonia leapt in its path. She held the silver blade outward and up as the werewolf plunged upon them with its full weight. A gurgled, whimpering cry echoed through the lonely night when the blade penetrated its ribcage and heart. The tip of the sword jutted through the wolf's fur-covered back, its blade covered in a thick layer of blood. Leon immediately pushed the animal away.
Sonia lay on the ground, panting and gasping. She let go of the sword, pressing her hands against the serrated gashes in her side. Blood seeped between her fingers and pooled on the ground around where she lay. She tried to sit up and pressed her hands harder against her wounds in an attempt to staunch the bleeding. Her long, golden braid and clothes were covered in blood.
"Sonia!" Leon sat up and leapt to his feet, feeling a dizziness blur his vision as he regained composure. He kneeled beside her, examining the wound while she looked up at him, forcing her lips into a tiny smile.
With a breathless gasp, her trembling hand lightly touched his face. "I'm fine; I just…need to rest for a moment…that's all…"
Leon could tell by looking at her that she was certainly the contrary. The wounds in her side were deep and continued to bleed despite her efforts to cover them. He got to his feet, picked up the vampire killer whip, and cinched the weapon to his hip. Cautiously, he stepped toward the body of the werewolf to ensure it was dead. The animal's carcass lay across the gravel, its mouth agape and ruby red eyes open and still.
When he attempted to help her stand up, she waved him away. "No – I can walk. Just…give me a moment…to catch my breath."
With what little strength she seemed to have left, she stumbled unsteadily to her feet. Blood trickled down her legs. She let out a cry of pain, and within seconds, lost her balance and nearly fell. Leon wrapped his arm around her, catching her before she hit the ground. He lifted her into his arms, pressing her against his chest as he ran down the path.
"Stay with me Sonia!" He whispered, his voice pleading for her to remain awake. Her eyes slowly opened and closed, and he could see the color drain from her face.
"Don't worry…Leon. I will…be fine…"
Sonia breathed, her blue eyes looking into his. Before he could reply, her eyes closed, and she fell limp.
Leon stayed by Sonia's bedside the weeks following the attack. After countless days and sleepless nights, she began to recover. Every evening the young man would sit in a chair at her bedside, praying she would not die. He did not know what he would do if her life slipped away. As long as his body allotted, he stayed awake – watching over her to ensure she was still breathing. No matter how exhausted he felt, he stayed with her through the lonely nights and sunlit days, longing for her to awaken once again.
One long, dark evening, he felt something warm touch his hand. Sonia rested her hand upon his. It was the first time he saw her move since the night he carried her home. Leon rose from his chair and leaned over her, brushing his other hand across her cheek.
He stroked her hair, feeling her hand tighten around his until the barely audible sound of her voice drifted through the darkness. "Leon…?"
"Yes, Sonia. It is I." He reassured her, the softness of his voice easing her tension somewhat. A gentle smile appeared upon his lips. She lifted her other hand and touched his face, feeling the smooth contours of his cheeks as if to affirm his presence was not imaginary.
"You stayed with me…" She breathed.
"Of course. I would never leave you." Leon whispered.
The moment he spoke, he caught himself. When he had gone to her that fateful night and carried her back home, memories of Sara entered his mind. His fear of Sonia dying was much deeper than could explain. The moment he gazed at Sonia's beautiful face in the moonlight, it confirmed what he already felt – and feared feeling again. In her presence, the brokenness inside his soul seemed to disappear, or at the very least, no longer define him. If Mathias discovered the nature of his feelings, the possibility of endangering her was too much to bear. Sonia was an exceptional fighter but she had already lost her sister and numerous other friends to the monsters of the night.
With a heavy sigh, he took her hand in his. "You saved my life – again. I will not dishonor you by leaving you while you are in this state. However, my presence here has wrought only suffering, and I wish to burden you no longer. When you are well, I must continue my travels."
Sonia withdrew a breath, her eyes glistening in the darkness. "What do you mean by suffering?"
An intensity appeared in her eyes,. Without hesitating, her other hand cupped the young man's face. Tears slowly began to trickle down her face, staining her soft cheeks, and drawing his gaze back to her once again. Leon could not speak; he did not fully realize he was trembling until she squeezed his hand.
"I have never cared for someone as much as I care for you, Leon. You are kind and gentle, and always place your concern for others above yourself. I know you vowed to hunt the night – and I shall respect that with all my heart – but it will not change my love for you. Perhaps, to know love, one must know what it feels like to lose it…as the old saying goes. How I wish that were not the truth."
"Perhaps…it needn't be." Leon whispered, feeling ashamed for the pain he had caused her. "I did not want to compromise the compassion you have shown me by endangering you further."
"Love does not need to be a compromise." She answered.
Leon considered her words. If he left, what was left for him except memories? He could no longer deny himself the chance to choose his own path in life. Whatever happened in the future, he and Sonia would face it together. After drawing a nervous breath, he leaned over her and covered her lips with his own. He drew her into his embrace, hoping that the precious time they had together would never end. For the first time, he tasted the sweetness of her lips, and felt the soft wisps of her long, golden blonde hair brush across his cheek. She wrapped her arms around him and they held each other in the darkness.
After a long while, he tucked her into bed and slipped toward the door of the room. When he turned to leave, Sonia's voice gently called to him. "You will always have a home here, Leon."
"Thank you." He bowed his head, feeling his cheeks flush when he continued. "I-I must speak with your mother now, I shall return as soon as I can."
"My mother?" Sonia raised an eye brow.
"Yes." Leon answered. He placed a hand on his hip and ran his other hand through his hair when the color in his cheeks reddened. "I must ask her for permission to court you. I pray she will consent to my request."
"What if she does not?" She asked jokingly.
Leon straightened as concern washed across his face. His eyes widened, and he paused a moment, trying to consider what he would do if such a circumstance occurred. "I…do not know. Perhaps I could inquire as to how I might receive her approval…"
With a smile, Sonia closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
As time passed, Leon's desire for vengeance ebbed somewhat. Once an outsider, the village slowly began to feel like home. Although the villagers recognized by his manner and speech that he was not raised among peasantry, his willingness to protect the village from further werewolf assaults earned him respect. The Belmont name had still not overcome its tarnished reputation and Mathias still haunted his thoughts. Every evening, he and Sonia ventured into the surrounding forest to hunt werewolves and monsters. Even though he always carried the Vampire Killer whip, he had not slain a vampire in almost two years.
Leon opened the door of the inn and stepped into the darkness beyond. A crescent moon hung in the sky, its dim light casting a thin shadow of the former knight across the ground. He could not resist the urge to hunt the demons of the night. Since his arrival in the village, he and Sonia's efforts to cull the werewolf population had been very successful, and they were determined to ensure it remained so.
However, nightmares still haunted his thoughts. He could not entirely forget the image of the pale nobleman, nor his striking resemblance to the village's eccentric lord. He had not set eyes upon Lord Adalhart since his arrival two years earlier. The lord had simply vanished without a trace and no one seemed to know what became of him. Rumors circulated soon after that werewolves might have killed him during one of his nightly hunts. The forest manor in which Lord Adalhart had lived was found abandoned. Even though the lord was believed to have lived near the village for two years prior to Leon's arrival, the manor was in such a state of disrepair that no one could have lived in it for more than a decade. Even more curiously, the lord had never hired any servants to tend to his manor or invited guests – so no one could completely confirm the reason for his absence.
As time passed, Leon's restlessness consumed him. Even though he had established a new life for himself in the village, there was one last thing he wished to put to rest before he could reclaim peace. Thus, after weeks of preparation, he decided to revisit the night a final time. When he told Sonia his intention, she reluctantly consented to his wish. Sonia, more than anyone, understood the great burden he carried with him every day since he left Eternal Night.
On a cold September evening, Leon made his final preparations for the journey.
"How I wish I could accompany you! It has been too long since I last held a sword."
Sonia stood in the doorway of the inn holding a small candle. The candle's dim light cast a soft glow across the former knight's face. His bright blue eyes gleamed in the darkness. Every time he went out hunting, he adorned himself in the clothes he wore during his trials at Eternal Night. Although a bit frayed, the long white robes seemed to restore his former regality.
Leon bowed his head. He reached out to her, taking her hand. "Though I would wish nothing more than to have you fight by my side, you protect something far more important than my life." His lips gently kissed the smooth surface of her hand.
When she moved her hand holding the candle slightly closer to herself, its light illuminated her swollen stomach. "If you do not come back, I will go out and look for you myself."
"I will return. I promise with my whole heart."
Sonia chuckled, her eyes brightening. "Consider this a temporary rest for me then. I will not relinquish my sword until I find the monster that killed Beatrice. Be careful, Leon."
"You above all know I have every reason to live."
He attempted to assure her, but he knew Sonia meant every word. She was just as capable a fighter as he was, but the delicate nature of her condition made him determined to ensure she would not put herself at needless risk. Though the news that new life grew in her womb filled him with joy, he simultaneously regretted the fact she could not accompany him. With a soft sigh, he embraced her – already missing her presence before he had even begun his journey. His bright blue eyes filled with renewed optimism. One of his hands lightly touched her stomach, and he was unable to withhold a smile when he felt the unborn child within give a faint kick. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the whip's dim purple aura pulse softly. As he gazed upon his future heir, delight overcame his sorrow.
The day he married Sonia was one of the most joyous days Leon could remember since he left Eternal Night. A part of him would always lament Sara's passing and what could have been. Sara had only ever desired his safety and wellbeing. If he had lived the rest of his life in seclusion – never again partaking in the precious gifts that life offered – he would have dishonored her sacrifice. If he squandered the remainder of his life feeling only a desire for revenge and hatred, he would be no different from Mathias. Elisabetha's death had ruined the tactician. Mathias wanted the young knight to succumb to the same fate he chose.
Both he and Sonia were the last remaining descendents of their family lines. It seemed, all too often, families disappeared into the dark depths of history. Plague, feminine, war, and tragedy had nearly succeeded in destroying the Belmont name. Both his mother and father died during his first campaign in the east when a terrible plague struck his domain. He was the youngest of four children - his two sisters and only brother died before he was born. They had barely known life before they departed to heaven, leaving only Leon as the sole heir to his family name.
Leon and Sonia had been married barely six months when she discovered she was with child. Sonia's pregnancy created new hope within Leon. The Belmont clan, once a disgraced and dying name would continue. He had fulfilled his promise to Sara – that with the aid of her soul, the Belmont clan would not let anyone else suffer her fate. Though he cursed himself for leaving during his wife's pregnancy, Sonia's mother would care for her during his absence, and he promised to return before the child was born.
Nothing could have prepared him for what he found upon his return to Eternal Night. The castle, reduced to a mess of rubble and debris, once more bathed in the pale white light of the full moon. With the same ominous glory, it stood before him as if untouched for centuries. Leon gasped at the sight, feeling a sickness in his stomach that made him want to wretch. Although the night no longer protected the castle with its unending darkness, it persevered. Something inside him screamed at the thought that Walter somehow escaped Mathias' capture and returned to restore his home to its former magnificence. It was impossible – he had seen Mathias seal Walter's soul into the crimson stone. It was then that he understood. Walter never could have restored the castle as long as Mathias claimed ownership over the vampire's soul and power.
But there was someone else who could.
Monsters had risen again to dwell within the castle's vast corridors and rooms. It did not take long for the former knight to fight his way to the castle's throne room, for the layout of the pagoda was still vaguely familiar. When he finally arrived before the throne room door, he withdrew a breath – not knowing who or what lay beyond it. Leon pushed the door open and stepped inside.
His light blue eyes instantly fell upon a lone figure seated upon the throne. Shoulder length straight, silvery white hair framed the creature's deathly white face. He could feel the demon's eyes focus upon him the moment he entered, stabbing him with their hatred and bored curiosity. The being's hands rested stiffly upon the throne's gold arms whilst its long, claw-like fingernails tapped irritably upon its hard surface. Beautiful flowing indigo colored robes draped the throne as it sat there, looking at him, its lips formed into sullen scowl. The moment he arrived, Leon knew the vampire had been waiting for him. The creature looked no different than the day the former knight first laid eyes upon him. Evidently, whatever disguise he had been wearing during his time in the village had long since been cast aside. Leon wished to speak, but he could find no words to express his thoughts. As he stood in the middle of the empty space, gazing at the demon's extraordinary appearance, his hand reached instinctively for the vampire killer whip.
The creature's eyes flitted immediately to the whip. With a low huff, his voice reverberated off the walls of the hollow space.
"I have been expecting you," he began coolly. "I knew you wouldn't resist the temptation to know how Eternal Night was able to rise from mere rubble and dust."
The vampire tossed his head, curtaining his displeasure behind a veil of shoulder-length ashen hair whilst he added, his lips curling into a sneer.
"You are responsible for Walter's defeat. The privilege of destroying him deserved to be mine, human."
Joachim scanned his adversary carefully. Leon was tall, slender, and possessed unusually fair skin. Wisps of thick, straw colored hair fell around the young man's face and was parted neatly on the left side. The long, red-trimmed white surcoat, tight black pants, and silver gauntlets indicated the majority of his life was spent on the battlefield.
Leon's azure blue eyes widened. "What…? How are you still alive?" He asked, entering the room without the slightest hesitation. The soles of his boots thumped gently across the marble floor's glassy surface."I defeated you and saw you disintegrate. Surely, this is impossible-"
"Foolish knight," The white-haired vampire shook his head. As if speaking to a child, he crossed his legs, his voice darkening. "Your weapon was not powerful enough to kill me."
Leon glanced from the vampire to the whip coiled at his side. His gauntlet-covered hand touched the weapon delicately. "My whip was not yet complete when we met, but I have no reason to fight you now that Walter has been defeated."
"Why did you return?" Joachim hissed, his lower lip curling whilst he shifted in the throne. He raised his head, curtaining his displeasure and unease behind veils of ashen hair. "If you want to challenge me again, I would be more than glad to accept!"
Anger seeped through the vampire's voice like poison, and his pale eyes flashed a shade of crimson. It was painful for him to think about his humiliating defeat. Like wood stoking flames, revenge permeated through his thoughts when he looked at Leon's stunned expression. The knight, though possessing the courage of a lion, was surprisingly gentle.
With a reluctant sigh, Leon shook his head. "I do not want to fight you. Enough blood was spilt already. Far too much…"
"Really?" The vampire chided. "I may not give you the option. Should you not seek peace with God like a good Christian? What of your company and domain?" Joachim could see the pain in the knight's eyes. "How tragic!" The coldness in the vampire's voice betrayed his pitying look.
Leon sighed. "I will not fight you, unless you intend to harm others. Sara did not want anyone to suffer and become what you are."
Joachim raised an eyebrow and shifted once again. Despite loathing the knight, Leon's words injured him slightly. He rested his chin in his hand, his sallow skin gleaming in the room's dim torchlight like snow. It occurred to him, that since the time of his turning, he had not realized how far he had fallen. God would surely rebuke him in favor of the valiant knight.
"What am I?" The pale creature asked, his icy eyes transfixed by the pensive look that appeared upon his adversary's calm visage.
Leon bowed his head. "I do not know what you have endured. How long were you in the waterways? It must have been a lonely existence."
Wild, unabashed laughter fled the white-haired creature's lips. He tossed his head playfully, whilst his long fingernails dug into the arms of the throne. Though his lips formed an amused smirk, a flicker of sorrow and dread appeared in his eyes. "Oh, I had companions. A knight like yourself came in peace but left in pieces. The rats. I dare say, I shall never drink from vermin again, no matter how great my hunger grows! But it doesn't matter…now that this castle belongs to me."
Leon's eyes narrowed and he stepped forward, his fingers brushing across the coiled whip at his side. "What have you done these past years, now that you are no longer Walter's prisoner?"
"Prisoner?" Joachim's laughter ceased. A hiss escaped his lips from the thought. "I was never his prisoner, though he liked to think t'was so."
Memories flooded through Joachim's mind. More than anything, he hated the darkness as much as he feared it. The four, lonely walls, the three cruel swordsmen statues, the rushing of water in the chamber beyond, and the howling wind whistling through the sealed doorframe. He did not want to think about how much time had passed in that room. If he did, his heart and mind would have surely broken completely. Even after escaping, hollowness consumed him. The sight of the stars, the moon, and the outside world should have comforted him. Yet, he felt nothing. For so long his mind had suffered in the waterways, and his ability to feel anything – empathy, pain, grief, and despair – was overcome by bloodlust. It seemed ironic to be in the presence of the same man who had killed him and saved him simultaneously. Had the knight failed, he would have remained locked in the sordid waterways…forever.
Upon detecting the creature's growing hunger, Leon grasped the whip in his hand. The object's dull purple light pulsed faintly when he touched it. "If you intend to do others harm, I will stop you!"
"You will try." The vampire shook his head, allowing the mocking smirk to return to his lips. Like a cat toying with its prey, he eyed Leon cynically. "Do you know what thirst does to a vampire?"
"No, I do not." Leon replied. Then, as if considering the question, uncertainty clouded his resolve.
"I suggest you refrain from speaking on matters beyond your comprehension." Joachim's smirk faded. Memories threatened to break his fragile composure. Even without thinking, he could see the blood veins running beneath the young man's beautiful, smooth skin. The sight of it tormented him. "I have no choice except to hunt. Is it not natural for a wolf to hunt a deer? Is it not necessary for humans to hunt wild game?"
"You are twisting the truth!" The young man's calm eyes became alight with a sudden fire. "Vampires take pleasure from killing innocents and spreading the curse to others. Walter enjoyed his games!"
"Corruption exists in vampires and humans alike." A shadow appeared across Joachim's elegant visage and his eyes glinted a shade of crimson when he added, giving the knight an accusing glare. "Don't tell me humans gain no pleasure from killing. You fought countless battles in the name of God. I wonder what God thinks of men who kill in His name? You break the very commandments you hold sacred, unholyknight." It pleased him to test Leon's patience.
Leon returned his glare, and his posture tensed. "I have fought in the name of God, but I do not enjoy killing the same way you do!"
"There is a difference between enjoyment and necessity, human." Joachim huffed.
Despite baiting Leon, the knight's unfaltering beliefs were exhausting his patience. When silence fell between them, he rose from the throne, his slender form levitating above the floor like an apparition. Not to his surprise, Leon's fingers tightened around the whip and his body tensed in anticipation. However, the pale youth merely cast a glance at the weapon cinched at Leon's hip. Joachim cringed. His silent heart ached when he sensed the sorrow emanating from the whip. It was a feeling he could not quite form into words even if he tried. The vampire broke his gaze and parted his lips, revealing the whites of his ivory fangs.
"You did not answer my question. Why are you here, Leon…?"
"Belmont." The knight stood his ground. With a reluctant sigh, Leon's eyes drifted to the floor and his voice, once bold, softened. He brushed aside strands of his golden hair. Tension appeared in his eyes and he paused, pursing his lips, before he answered. "I did not expect that the vampire I defeated would rule this domain. You followed me for more than two years…why? Why did you help the villagers by killing werewolves and try to hide what you truly are?"
The pale youth flicked back the tails of his long, indigo colored robe. The beautiful silver lining his armored breastplate and boots shimmered in the shadow-cloaked room. An eerie, purple aura surrounded him while he floated toward his adversary, his eyes focusing upon the knight's smooth, delicate face and sloping neck. Though he could have attacked, the power emanating from the whip was not to be taken lightly. With a hiss, he floated in a slow circle around the young man, delighting in the fact that Leon refused to turn his back for moment. As he swept around the human, Leon spun around to face him, their eyes locking. He could hear the man's heartbeat increase.
"It's too bad," The night dweller chided. "I could not kill you last time we met, Belmont. Your blood would have tasted sweet, and your head would have made a rewarding trophy."
"I would apologize for defeating you, if I meant it." Leon retorted with a defiant scowl; evidently, unfazed by the vampire's close proximity.
If Joachim wished it, he could have pushed the knight back with his thoughts. Yet, Leon's boldness intrigued him, and a slow, sardonic grin creased the corners of his fine lips."Run along back to your company. Fight more battles for God against those your church labels 'heathens.'" The vampire whispered, whilst eying the young man impatiently.
"I am no longer associated with the company." The young man lowered his head. The moment he spoke the admission, his voice was oddly faint. "I had to relinquish my title in order to save Sara."
To this, the vampire was uncertain how to respond. Without needing to hear it, he could see the wounded look in the knight's cerulean eyes. He had every reason in the world to not pity Leon. Yet, he could not understand why some small part of him felt a twinge of empathy. The creature remembered what he was, despite the torment he endured in his solitary prison. It had taken him far too long to realize that deadness haunted his pale, cold gaze.
"Return to your domain." He replied, giving the young man a dismissive flick of the hand. As if instantly, his desire to kill the mortal dissipated into disappointment. "A human pest like you will simply get in my way."
"I will not leave knowing you will rule in Walter's place!" Leon returned the creature's smile with a determined scowl. The knight had been surprisingly cordial until that point. However, upon hearing his continuance, a bright red glint flashed through the white-haired vampire's eyes."I should send you back into the darkness from whence you came. Yet, by doing so, I would as cruel as Walter. However, the idea of you remaining free-"
"I will never return to that Godforsaken pit!"
The pale nobleman bared his fangs and focused his thoughts upon his swords. Rage filled every fiber of his injured soul at the mere threat of being cast into the shadows once again. He would easily choose death over the cold, forlorn prison in the waterways. Gnashing his teeth, he allowed his five massive blades to whirl around him. Like a wounded animal, the creature roared, his voice trembling with the fury of a thousand curses.
"I dare you to try and send me there, human! I would drag you into hell with me before I would return to that place! Although you defeated me once, I have grown stronger since our last spar, and the taste of your blood will only aid my recovery. You fought me when I was weak, starving, and desperate. Hardly a victory; you were merely fortunate."
Leon's hand seized the whip and withdrew it, cracking the floor between them with a deliberate swing of the arm. If Joachim so much as considered summoning one of his swords, the knight was prepared to counter attack.
"That may be so," he snapped. "But it does not change the fact you are dangerous. Like Mathias, you renounced God and humanity-"
"What makes you think I had a choice?" Like an angry python coiled to strike, the white-haired nobleman's frame tensed. Pain flooded across his refined features. Barely withholding the will to slash the knight's throat open with his bare hands, he hissed under his breath. "Of course you think I wanted this fate, Belmont. You know nothing of this life."
"I know what it did to Sara!" Leon replied. "The sacrifice she made...was enough." A twinge of vulnerability threatened to crack his brave façade. Like the fragments of a broken mirror, Leon's eyes shone as if a dagger had pierced his fragile heart.
Upon hearing the knight's last words, the vampire's voice was suddenly lost to him. Joachim's pale eyes froze, their wide, icy spheres glinting sadly in the candlelight.
"I have seen too much suffering." Leon shook his head, continuing grimly. "There must be a way…I could leave here at peace with myself. Even though I vowed to hunt your kind, I do not want to harm you. You, too, suffered because of Walter."
"Suffered?" Joachim tossed his head, curtaining his disgust behind a veil of silky white hair. One of his claw-like fingernails brushed the loose strands away from his face as his cold, gray eyes surveyed the human. "Walter inflicted far more than mere suffering upon me. Had you not interrupted my plans, things would have changed, eventually. Confinement made me patient, and gave me time to perfect my powers."
"Perhaps, but you lost when we fought. You owe me a great debt." The knight insisted. Something liken to sympathy appeared in Leon's eyes when the vampire spoke of Walter's crime upon his soul.
"Debt?" Joachim raised an eyebrow, barely suppressing the urge to laugh – or scorn – the thought. "I can't believe you think I owe a debt to a human! What a ridiculous-"
"Not even you could have expected your defeat would break Walter's seal over the door! My whip was incomplete; so you could return to your current state – and obtain freedom."
"Are you suggesting that because you killed me, I was…freed?" Repugnance swept across the creature's visage.
"The seal imprisoning you lifted when I defeated you. You know as well as I that is why you were able to leave. Now, I must face the possibility that I have done the world more harm by liberating you."
"If you regret it so much, why not battle me again?"
"I…cannot." Leon made a small gesture of futility. With a heavy sigh, he shook his head. "I have killed enough. Even knowing what you are, I would stain my conscience further if I killed you. I sense a strange feeling from this whip that is neither rage nor hatred. Perhaps, there is still a chance…a reason why the whip does not react the same way it did when I defeated Walter."
A tiny smirk spread across the creature's fine lips. Impatience threatened to break his interest in their conversation; however, the knight's unwavering integrity allured him. Upon seeing Leon's confusion, Joachim's eyes narrowed, and he whispered silkily.
"The death of your beloved has made you weak. Although you want to leave the past behind, the past will not leave you, evidently…"
"That is why I returned. Apparently, the past accompanied me."
The young man's eyes seemed much darker than the vampire remembered them being during their meeting in the waterways. Pain resonated through the knight's soul and seemed to steal away the innocence he once possessed. Like a lost soul consigned to purgatory, Leon remained trapped between the realms of light and darkness. The fact that he returned to Eternal Night, even after his purpose was complete, confirmed that both he and his unlikely savior had more in common than either wished to admit.
"I wish to know your intentions." Leon added carefully, ignoring the creature's penetrating glare. "No one else will suffer Sara's fate, and if you give your word that you will not harm humans-"
Joachim raised an eyebrow, and suppressed the urge to laugh at the absurdity of the knight's request. Not to his surprise, Leon seemed completely baffled by his refusal, which compelled the vampire to rebuke him instantly.
"Only a human would ask something so ridiculous! Asking me not to kill is like asking a lion not to hunt, or a wolf not to tear apart the throat of a lamb! The laws of nature apply to all things in this world; vampires are no exception."
"But you are not an animal," Leon persisted. Urgency appeared in his eyes whilst he raised his hand and pointed his index finger at the other nobleman. "You were once human and capable of reason."
"Reason perhaps, but the urge to kill is beyond it. In the waterways, I was forced to feed off vermin to sustain myself. Without blood, a vampire is doomed to become a slave to instinct-"
"Perhaps we can negotiate?" Unwilling to relent, the knight stepped toward him, his cerulean eyes narrowing.
"There will be no negotiating, Belmont."
The hunter's obstinate refusal to let the matter rest puzzled Joachim. He tossed his head, curtaining his displeasure behind the veil of his pearly white hair. Though impressed by Leon's courage, the vampire was as stubborn as he was vicious. With brutal efficiency, his mind sent one of his swords away. The blade careened past Leon's head, narrowly missing the man's cheek before colliding into the throne room's furthest wall. Loud laughter filled the chilling silence between them, as the pale young nobleman floated toward the throne and seated himself once again, giving the knight a sour look. To his surprise, Leon did not even flinch.
Joachim crossed his legs and flicked his hand, dismissing the knight not unlike a king addressing a servant. "If you wish, try to kill me for being what I am. Certainly, others who wander into this forest may, for humans scorn me and always will."
"I…do not…" Leon whispered. "When Sara was turned, I almost could not bring myself to kill her, despite her inhumanity. Even though she willingly sacrificed her life, a part of me feels I betrayed her."
To this, Joachim looked away, his voice lowering. "You killed her because she would become a vampire, eventually. Like me."
"Sara did not want to lose her humanity, and I respected her wishes!" Leon retorted. "But that does not mean I wanted death to be her fate. If you will rule Eternal Night in Walter's place, the cycle of pain and suffering must end. I cannot allow the possibility of you helping Mathias-"
Joachim wanted to chuckle at the young man's suggestion but refrained, for the idea of working for the fallen tactician was well beneath him. The vampire's smooth lips curled whilst he shook his head.
"You have nothing to fear concerning Mathias and I, Belmont, for we are far from comrades. As long as I do not have the Ebony Stone in my possession, light will return to this forest. I suppose, I can no longer call this castle Eternal Night…at least, not until the stone is returned to its rightful owner...myself, of course."
Joachim was a predator by nature, and enjoyed the hunt even more than the kill. The prospect of tracking down the tactician-turned-vampire was necessary. Indeed, the consequences of living without the protection of the night were potentially fatal. Bitterness seeped into the vampire's eyes whilst he contemplated the precariousness of his situation. The world may have changed since his imprisonment within the castle depths, but he had not. Like the god Loki, he had suffered a terrible punishment, and would seek retribution for the loneliness that threatened to devour him like a savage beast. He would tear away the chains of servitude and rule in Walter's place. One by one, the shackles of fear and despair would be undone, and he would forget the pain and humiliation plaguing his tortured mind. Memories surfaced within his thoughts – of a once proud young man crawling across a worn floor until reaching a barren, dirt wall and clawing at it with the ferocity of a caged animal. I won't be forgotten! Screams of anguish had filled the prison, and tears fell from his eyes until despair and hunger drowned his hope. The sound of water falling beyond the room's heavy stone door tormented him like a siren's song; reminding him that a world still existed beyond its confines. All at once, Joachim's confident disposition gave way to unspoken terror.
He forgot that the knight was still watching him, and almost ignored the young man's alarmed query.
"Are you all right?" Leon's body tensed upon seeing the vampire's claw-like fingernails digging into the arms of the throne. Joachim's icy blue eyes became glassy, and he looked away. "There must be a way to ease your hunger so that you do not harm innocents."
Suddenly, the creature's pale eyes filled with sadness. With a heavy sigh, his gaze drifted to the gated windowpanes lining the massive throne room. The room was entirely empty save he and the former knight. Indeed, it reminded him that nothing remained of his past except for Leon and Mathias. Everyone else who knew him was dead. Though the castle had rebuilt itself and accepted him as its new master, his existence would create only ruin upon others.
"You asked me why I followed you. Initially, it was because I wanted to kill you."
An amused glint flickered in the creature's dead gaze. When Leon's eyes widened, he continued, deliberately ignoring the former knight's disgusted scowl.
"When you left, I pursued you at a distance. The more I watched you, the more I realized that death would have been a gift, for your suffering did not end with Walter's defeat as I thought it would. Instead of killing you, I satiated my hunger with the blood of werewolves. Forests are teeming with so many of those mutts that I scarcely went without blood for more than two days. I needed to get away from Eternal Night and sought refuge in a tiny hamlet near the mountains. When I was...alive, I had always wanted to know what mountains looked like up close."
Something akin to nostalgia appeared in the vampire's eyes a moment. He paused as if to collect himself, his eyes flitting briefly around the room before falling upon the human once again.
"The blood of werewolves is hardly satisfying. It reeks of mongrel and tastes wretched despite the fact its essence is human. I knew I could not sustain myself for long. They grew suspicious of my habits and it was only a matter of time before I would have been discovered. When the presence of werewolves inevitably led you to the village, I relinquished my disguise…"
"Why?" Leon asked. He could sense the vampire wanted to evade the topic. A long silence followed. The pale nobleman broke eye contact and turned away. When the creature refused to continue, Leon felt his patience wearing thin. Without hesitating, he pressed the demon further."You did not leave simply because I arrived. Something happened…did you…hurt someone?"
"What if I did?" The vampire hissed, his eyes hardening upon sensing the horror in the former knight's gaze. "A long time had passed since I killed and drank from a human. However, one momentary loss of control…changed everything. Though she was not in werewolf form at the time, the wretched taste of beast was in her blood. I should have known that it was impossible for me to ever live among humans again. Long before, there had been another time when I succumbed to my thirst…and paid a terrible price…"
Leon felt no desire to inquire further, for he already understood the significance of the demon's crime. He picture's Sonia's tear-filled eyes when she had told him about her sister's death. Even though he wanted to loathe Joachim, he could not bring himself to destroy him. If a werewolf had already bitten Beatrice, it was only a matter of time before she would have fallen to the will of the beast. He realized Sonia could have had to make the same difficult decision he was forced to make when Sara was turned. Yet, he did not wish to think that Beatrice's death was compassionate. There was nothing compassionate about being doomed by both a werewolf and a vampire. Sorrow filled him to think that, despite Joachim's longing for humanity, fate forever banished him to the shadows. Although the night dweller skillfully concealed his thoughts, Leon could feel regret and anger surging beneath the creature's calm mask.
A long silence followed. When it seemed like it would never end, the vampire at last concluded.
"I returned to Eternal Night…only to discover that the castle had risen again. More than two years have passed since our last meeting, and I have confined myself within this place. Your whip could end me once and for all."
"I will not kill you!" Leon shook his head. "I know you are not the same creature I met in the waterways - if you wanted to kill me, you would have attacked me, as you did before."
"Although I want nothing more than to tear out your throat," The demon snapped. "I suggest you leave while you have the chance…as I may not be so inclined to spare you, should you overstay your welcome, human."
Leon turned away, incensed by the vampire's cold dismissal, but hardly surprised. "Very well," He reluctantly consented. "There is someone I must talk to. However, you will not get rid of me so easily, vampire. I hope our next meeting will not end as it did before."
"Indeed it will not, for I am much stronger than the starving fiend you met years ago. Even with your new toy, victory is never a guarantee."
A tiny smile flickered across the pale creature's lips. His sharp, pale eyes surveyed the former knight with mock interest. When Leon was about to turn to leave, the vampire's voice cut through the silence like a dagger through flesh. His once harsh tone lifted somewhat when his gaze fell upon the whip.
"Tell me, Belmont. What made your whip complete? I used to think that senile old man was spinning tales when he told me a mere whip was capable of defeating Walter."
Leon froze, his eyes widening upon hearing the vampire's inquiry. Pain resonated across his face when his fingers lightly brushed across the weapon, and his face paled somewhat. Nearly trembling, he slowly turned to face the creature. He felt his breath hitch in his chest. When their eyes met, he answered in amazement.
"You…truly don't know, do you?"
"Know what?" The demon snapped, his impatience and sarcasm surfacing in the wake of the former knight's ambiguous response. "While you gloriously defeated Walter, my body began to materialize. You have no idea what it feels like to endure the agony of every bone, muscle, and sinew slowly reforming. By the time I managed to escape the waterways, the castle was nothing more than a pile of rubble."
Leon shook his head. Painful memories once again returned to haunt him. In his mind, he could still picture himself holding Sara's cold, lifeless body in his arms. He had never known the profoundness of grief until he realized she was truly gone. He remembered stroking her hair, while silently praying she would forgive him for not saving her in time.
Leon felt a tightness in his throat. After pausing a long moment, he forced the words from his lips. "Sara…gave up her life so that Walter could be defeated. It was her wish to have her soul fused with this whip. She did not want to die in vain...and I honored her sacrifice."
A strange calm settled over Joachim. With barely the blink of an eye, the vampire seated himself upon the throne. Silence overcame the creature as his head lowered, as though the effort to move was more than he could bear. The demon's ivory hair veiled his face. Leon could have sworn to have seen the creature's long, black fingernails grip the arms of the chair until his knuckles were almost whiter than his skin. Despite Leon's efforts to discern the nobleman's reaction, the only response he received was a faint whisper.
"Leave me."
Without argument, the crusader left the vampire to his thoughts.
Once again, Leon walked away from the castle feeling the same uncertainty he had felt when he defeated Walter. The night was slowly giving way to day, and within a few short hours, the sun would rise over the forest. He had returned to Eternal Night fully expecting that the turmoil he felt would end. He could not bring himself to kill the vampire. While he was in the demon's presence, the whip emanated a gentle violet light. Sara's soul had never forgotten him.
When Leon came upon Rinaldo's tiny cottage, he prayed the old man had not left the forest. The cottage remained as it had looked the day he left – he could see the soft glow of candlelight in the front window attesting to the fact that someone still lived there. He could not imagine how the old man would react upon seeing he had returned, if the person living there was, indeed, Rinaldo. The resurrection of Eternal Night might have been enough to keep the alchemist from leaving. Silently, Leon prayed his assumption was correct as he approached the cottage and stepped onto the veranda. The old wooden floorboards creaked beneath his boots, revealing his presence before he had even tried to knock on the door. Footsteps sounded from within the cottage. Just as Leon lifted his hand to knock, the door swung open. The orangey glow from numerous candles illuminated the former knight.
"Leon?" Rinaldo's rough voice filled the air and Leon found himself standing face to face with an old friend. Rinaldo's gray eyes surveyed him for a long moment, as if initially believing the young man was imaginary.
"It is I," he answered, sweeping a quick bow before the alchemist. When he raised his head to look at the old man, a relieved smile appeared upon his lips, brightening his once contemplative expression. "It's good to see you, friend."
Rinaldo continued to look at him in astonishment, though he could see a bittersweet glimmer of delight in the old man's eyes. Although only four years had passed, Rinaldo looked more aged than the former knight expected. Additional lines had appeared upon the alchemist's face, undoubtedly attesting to the fact that the peace he experienced after the initial fall of Eternal Night had been short-lived.
"I'm glad to see you." The old man replied while stepping back and ushering him inside. "You look well, Leon – stronger than I remember you being when you left. I would ask if you are still hunting vampires, but the fact you returned answers my question."
"I almost thought you had left this place." Leon felt a bit nostalgic when he stepped into the familiar warmth of the alchemist's makeshift store. "But when I saw the castle, I knew you had stayed."
"It feels like hardly any time has passed since we last met," Rinaldo answered gravely. "All of this was supposed to end."
"If only you were right." Leon lamented, his blue eyes focusing upon the old man reluctantly. He did not want to disclose the news to Rinaldo but he had no choice. Even though the sun would return, the forest was not entirely cleansed. "Another vampire wishes to rule in Walter's place. I thought I had defeated him…"
"What?" Rinaldo was taken aback. The old man shook his head in disbelief while the optimism drained from his voice. Leon noticed that the man's tanned face seemed to lose some of its color. "That is impossible; the castle is supposed to fall! Are you certain that another vampire has taken control of Eternal Night?"
"Yes, unfortunately." Leon sighed. He ran a hand through his flaxen hair, feeling a lump in his throat. Soft moonlight shone upon him through the cabin's front window, illuminating his despondent expression, gleaming silver gauntlet and ivory robes. "It is the very same vampire I fought in the castle depths. My whip was not powerful enough to defeat him permanently."
"Even after his master's defeat, the castle responded to his power and rose again. I suppose I underestimated the bond he shared with Walter. There is no bond more powerful than blood. If Walter was responsible for turning him, a part of his lord's power must have been passed unto him."
Leon hesitated, giving the old man a perplexed look. "If that is so, why did Mathias not obtain control over the castle instead? Mathias has the Ebony and Crimson stones – and Walter's soul. Surely, his greater power would have entitled him to rule?"
"Not necessarily…" the alchemist cautioned. Rinaldo crossed his arms, his weariness showing despite his effort to conceal it from the young man.
Years spent living near the forest's border had taken more of a toll on the old man than Leon initially realized. Without mentioning it, the former knight sensed that Rinaldo was in failing health. The alchemist walked much more slowly and carefully than before. Nevertheless, Leon respected Rinaldo's wisdom and practicality. Indeed, without the old man's help years ago, he never would have succeeded in defeating Walter.
Leon remembered his first meeting with the crimson devil well. The vampire had made a point of putting on quite a show when he appeared before him atop the balcony in the pagoda, his deep, crimson locks splaying elegantly across his shoulders. When Walter moved, his steps were soft and swift, and his dark, penetrating spheres had never left the former knight for a moment. The sound of the vampire lord's rich, throaty voice immobilized Leon. It was not until Walter's ebony eyes bore into his that he felt the immensity of the devil's power. Walter had nearly succeeded in entrapping him; he could feel the creature's desire to ravage him of his innocence. Had he fallen to the vampire lord's will and been unable to break the demon's telepathic hold with the whip, his life – and possibly his humanity – would have ended that fateful night.
Rinaldo had offered Leon shelter and reassurance during his time of need. Leon grimaced at the thought that he had returned yet again to ask the old man for assistance. The alchemist owed him nothing, for it was, in fact, Rinaldo, who had nursed him back to health when illness threatened to take his life. Leon placed a hand to his brow, his thoughts whirling as he began pacing across the room.
Aware of the former baron's growing unease, the severity in Rinaldo's countenance relented. The old man approached and gently rested his hand upon Leon's shoulder. Leon ceased pacing; the alchemist's gesture helped him refocus.
After giving Leon a moment to collect himself, the old man calmly resumed their conversation.
"I am not an expert, but I believe the eldest vampire – in this case Joachim – would automatically be first in line to inherit, not unlike the eldest son in human families. I thought this would have been impossible, but two years ago, the castle resurrected itself. One night it was simply there, whole again, as if Walter's defeat never occurred. Yet, no new travelers came to my cottage in search of loved ones, and I saw nothing enter or leave this domain – until you arrived. "
The old man crossed his arms, his brow knitting as though trying to make sense of the former Baron's information. After hesitating a moment, he continued decisively.
"If Walter considered that creature enough of a threat to imprison him, he must be dangerous. Another vampire cannot rule Eternal Night! You must re-imprison him, and if that fails, destroy him. There is no other way."
"I do not think I can." Leon shook his head. His lips curved into a frown, and he placed a hand on his hip. When he saw Rinaldo's eyes widen, he added thoughtfully. "Even though he is a vampire, he suffered greatly during his confinement. Killing him would be unjust."
"What would sparing him accomplish?" The old man scoffed. "Except result in your own demise, should he decide to make a meal out of you? If you defeated him before, I doubt he will forgive and forget. You told me yourself that he has been watching you for quite some time. You are weary and distraught-"
"Thank you for your concern, Rinaldo, but I am fine."
Leon shook his head. He knew he was not fine, and the transparency of his emotions prompted the old man usher insistently for him to sit down. He could tell the alchemist thought that his emotions were clouding his judgment. Leon did not want to admit the possibility that the old man might have been right.
"I do not know his intentions yet."
"That is why you cannot trust him," Rinaldo retorted, shaking his head once again. Sadness and frustration appeared in his silvery eyes. "He is a vampire, and vampires want only one thing: blood. Do not put yourself at unnecessary risk for the sake of compassion. I know it pains you, but please, remember Sara's fate…and her wish to help you slay the children of the night."
"Of course I remember!" A twinge of injury appeared in the knight's eyes. After drawing a breath, he bowed his head apologetically, and his voice lowered. "Something is different about this strange vampire; he is unlike Walter. He could have killed me when I met him last, but he did not. I believe he hoped I would end his life. Perhaps, for two years, he stayed in the castle knowing I would return to find him…waiting to die."
"He was probably too weak from hunger to fight you," The old man suggested. "That does not mean he will refrain next time."
"Perhaps," Leon could tell his stubbornness somewhat amused and irritated the alchemist. Rinaldo frowned when the youth added insistently. "But I will not leave Eternal Night until this matter is dealt with…one way or another."
Nearly as determined as the young man, Rinaldo sighed with the exasperation of a father addressing a stubborn child. Although his tone was serious, a faint glint of amusement appeared in his eyes as he spoke. Despite their differences, Rinaldo admired the young man's tenacity.
"Please Leon, you must destroy that demon before it reaps vengeance upon all humanity and claims complete power over Eternal Night. It will be difficult but it must be done. I do not enjoy taking lives any more than you do, however, the creature you pity is inhuman. Its tyranny will only deepen your guilt when more lives are lost."
With equal fervor, Leon swiftly countered the alchemist. "Perhaps you are passing judgment upon him too quickly, Rinaldo. If I were to kill Joachim, Mathias would be next to inherit the castle and its power, which would increase his influence over the night. I will not allow that to happen!"
The former knight refused to concede, even though his comrade's opinion was logical. Rinaldo had far more life experience, and the sorrows of his past added to the wisdom behind his judgment. Nevertheless, Leon had made his resolve. In an effort to convince the old man, Leon gestured to the whip, unhooked it from his belt, and set it upon the table.
"I considered killing him, but this whip did not respond to him the same way it did to Walter. I felt no rage or hatred from it."
Rinaldo looked at the coiled object and picked it up, inspecting the weapon while the knight looked on anxiously. "This whip has the ability to slay all vampires. The fact it did not react is insignificant. You said you fought that vampire before…and if that is true, he may seek retribution. When you defeated him the first time your whip was incomplete – but now you have the power to vanquish the evil plaguing the night. This was Sara's last gift to you."
Leon covered his face with his hands, and felt his throat tighten when he pictured Sara's face in his mind. He could never betray her dying wish, yet, if he killed the white-haired nobleman, it would be more like a curse than a blessing upon his soul. It was true that the vampire tried to kill him in the waterways, but isolation and madness had taken its toll upon the creature's mind. Joachim wanted to fight him again but allowed him to leave the castle unharmed. If the vampire was truly evil, Leon expected his adversary would have battled him regardless. Pain resonated across his face whilst he stood up and turned his back to Rinaldo, his shoulders sinking under the weight of his thoughts.
"Is there truly no other way except to end his life?" Leon asked once again. He watched the old man turn away but was undeterred. "Surely there is another answer! Is there nothing more I can do?"
"There may be another other option." Rinaldo huffed. With a sigh, his grey eyes focused upon the knight with an intensity Leon had never seen before. Despite the old man's reluctance, his voice softened somewhat. "We could…cast him into eternal sleep with alchemy. His mind would fall into a state of unconsciousness. Should he awaken, I cannot guarantee what is left of his mind, memories, or humanity would be intact. There is only one problem, however…"
"What is it?" Leon asked, earnestly awaiting the old man's explanation.
Even though he did not want to admit it, Rinaldo's proposal was probably their only alternative. It pained him to realize the pale nobleman's fate was grim. Leon knew as well as Rinaldo that Joachim could not remain free. In time, the vampire would hunt, and countless innocents would fall to the creature's thirst.
"A powerful seal is required to complete the ritual and ensure his slumber is undisturbed." Rinaldo continued. "You would have to seal the tomb with the blood of your family. No one except your descendents could awaken him."
"But if he was cast into an eternal slumber, he would no longer suffer from his thirst for blood?"
"During the daytime, vampires are compelled to sleep instinctively. He would simply go into a sleep from which he would never awaken."
Leon nodded regretfully. "An eternal sleep…might at last grant him peace. As for the blood of my family, what does that entail?"
"You must bind his tainted soul to your family name with your blood. A small amount should suffice, to mark his tomb and the door to the chamber in which he rests. Allowing him to drink from you is far too great a risk; at least this way, we could leave at daybreak and see to it that he does not awaken-"
"No."
Leon's voice firmed. He would not re-imprison the vampire against his will. He had already seen the cruelty Walter wrought upon the fallen nobleman when he had been condemned to dwell forever in the waterways. The former knight's lips curved into a frown, while his bright blue eyes focused determinedly upon the old man.
"For so long, others have decided his fate. I will ask him."
"You will ask him? Do you truly believe that he would consent to this?" Rinaldo stared at him in disbelief. The old man's silvery brow furrowed. "Do not be foolish Leon; he cannot be trusted. Eternal Night has fallen under his control. I doubt he would relinquish his prize and freedom willingly!"
The crusader sighed. Rinaldo had every reason to despise vampires, and the pale nobleman was no exception. Leon refused to believe that the creature he met in the waterways was the same being he saw seated upon the castle's throne. He could not say for certain if Joachim had recovered from his damnation in the castle's dungeon. Nevertheless, something drew him to his former adversary. It was that reason alone Leon maintained his resolve to aid him. Whereas Mathias romanticized immortality, Joachim lived in spite of it.
Even though Leon admired the creature's unwavering willpower, sadness overcame him when he thought on Joachim's fate. Without looking at the old man, he murmured softly.
"I would hardly call it a prize, Rinaldo, for a prize is something won. It was I who defeated Walter, not Joachim. Eternal Night is merely another prison from which he cannot escape."
A long silence passed before the alchemist returned Leon's sentiment with a grave nod. After reflecting upon the young man's words, Rinaldo answered, the severity in his gaze softening somewhat.
"Perhaps, you are right."