Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. Nor do I own Castlevania (Netflix Original Show) or its characters; that right belongs to Trevor Morris.
The moment someone stepped into the Castle, he knew. Eyes narrowing as he swiftly made his way to the main antechamber. Where he stayed in the shadows of the hallway and watched the cloaked figure stood looking around at what was left of the battle from three months ago. There was still a lot to clean up, and he had started in other places of his father's Castle. As the Belmont lands were literally in the middle of nowhere, he figured he'd have quite a bit of solitude before someone was stupid enough to venture this way. With it still being late summer.
"You know I find it rude to be stared at!"
The voice that spoke was female. And it had Alucard curling his lip a bit at how they spoke to him. Rude was the first word that came to mind. But then again, they were at fault. So, stepping out of the shadows, appearing before the cloaked woman, staring down at her covered body.
"One could say you are the one being rude. Entering here uninvited," Alucard stated.
The soft sigh, followed by an amused snort, had him lifting an eyebrow as he continued to look pointedly down at the woman. He was waiting to see how she would answer since she seemed to find what he said, amusing when that was not how he had intended it.
"True. I was not aware that anyone had moved on to the Belmont's lands. Let alone that… Dracula's Castle was here of all places," she said.
There was still an amusement in her voice as she spoke. But Alucard only narrowed his eyes further until they were thin slits as he made his way down the stairs to stand before her. He was not seeing any need to perceive this strange woman as a threat. Though he was curious as to how she knew of Dracula's Castle, and that this was Belmont land.
"You are rather informed. How did you come by this information, girl?" he half asked, half growled.
The way she stiffened before her head lifted enough, he could see flashing brown eyes from under the hood of her cloak. Alucard felt a bit of amusement at the fact that there was no fear in those eyes.
"Not that it is any of your business, little boy, but a group of people helped me in blue robes called Speakers," she snapped.
He felt the frown pulled his lips downward at her words. He disliked what she just called him. He had not been a little boy for some time. Besides, Speakers, of course, would know. Before his mind shifted gears and picked apart what she said. That her words were, in fact, truth, so, there was more than she was saying, because Speakers, while helpful, didn't just give their information out like candy.
"They helped you? For what reason?" he asked.
The way her lips pursed together as she snorted again. Her eyes never leaving his as she stepped closer to him. Showing she was shorter than him by almost afoot. Making him tilts his head down to keep eye contact as he let his amusement show on his face finally. He was serving to cause her eyes to flash once more, though more anger than irritation this time.
"Because they found me after… I arrived here. And I am seeking a means to get back home," Lucy replied.
Again he could tell it was the truth, but not the whole truth, which was rather intriguing now that he could smell her under the dirt and sweat of travel. Her smell was best described as otherworldly. That and he could feel a small amount of magic radiate from her person.
"Well, that is interesting but of no concern to me. Leave this Castle and these lands. There is nothing here for you traveler," he said.
Not waiting for an answer, he turned and began to walk away just to hear a low, angry hiss, like that of a cat.
"And just who the fucking hell do you think you are, you pompous ass, to tell me to leave?" She asked.
He paused because her tone of voice was calm, polite, like nobility, but her words scathing, angry, and insulting all at the same time. Stopping, he turned and teleported to right before her. Figuring it would be best to show her that she was the one at his mercy. Only to blink as she jumped back and a handle appeared in her hand, glowing faintly with that same magical feel that she, herself exuded.
"Oh, great another fucking Vampire," she groused.
He stared at her, contemplating something. The woman had reacted well, reflexes honed. There was more to her. That and she knew what he was by his movements alone. Meeting her gaze, he saw she was not looking, but analyzing him. Noting her body looked somewhat relaxed but was tensed ready to fight if he should provoke her.
"You may call me Alucard," he stated. "Now, tell me why you are searching for either the Belmont lands or Dracula's Castle because no sane human does that. Let alone a woman."
When she tilted her head up, causing the hood to fall from it, revealing hair the color of gold, Alucard felt a small pang. It was lighter than his mother's, but it caught the sun as hers had.
"Because the knowledge and magic collected would be my only chance to get home," she stated.
This had him pausing. Again Lucy's words were the truth, yet it wasn't everything. Thinking carefully as he looked at her, observing her. She didn't seem to belong. Her very presence exuded magic as if it was a part of her. Unlike Sypha, who had called it to her and bent it to her will and intentions. Proving that she had a strength, he had not realized.
"Then tell me, where do you come from, before I grant you the right to access either my friends family libraries or my fathers," he said.
The way her eyes went wide and mouth opened, so she was gaping like a fish was funny. And he allowed a small smile to appear on his face. Just to see her shake her head and collect herself.
"The Speakers believed me because they were there when I arrived falling from the sky," she stated slowly. "But another world than this one."
This time nothing was being hidden away, and it intrigued him. With all the knowledge his father had and the conversations, they'd had when he was a child asking many questions. This was a topic his father had said was a possibility that there were other worlds past the stars in the sky. But over the centuries, much was lost.
"Fine, you can use the libraries. But do not make a nuisance of yourself, girl," he said.
Turning, he began to walk away. Wanting to go back to the cleaning he had been doing.
"It's Lucy, you overgrown child!" the girl huffed at him.
Alucard stood in the doorway to one of his father's great libraries, leaning against the doorframe as he watched Lucy. She was indeed an enigma. She hadn't bothered him at all. She had even helped him with some of cleanings. And he found out that she was rather resourceful. Able to hunt on her own and a damn good cook as well. The food she prepared was better than what he had been surviving on.
But now she was curled up in one of the undamaged comfy chairs with a new stack of books, a notepad and quill pen. On her face where those strange glasses that she had explained allowed her to read three times as fast as usual. The proof was in how quickly the pages flipped. Only to pause long enough for her to scribe notes in neat, precise handwriting on the notepad. Thorough notes at that. As he had taken the time to go through them when she had wandered off to get something to drink and relieve herself.
It was amazing how smart she was. There was no hate or malice in her heart or mind. As if she was a truly pure soul. Which had to be impossible with her being human. Then again, she had, at one point, come across a portrait of his family when he was younger. The shock on Lucy's face had made him want to groan because her eyes sparked with curiosity. Thus leading to her asking him thousands of questions. Because there was no doubting, his mother was a human before Alucard stated, after he had finally given in to her persistent questions and answered that he was a true Dhampir, which he had her clarify.
It made sense how she explained it, smiling brightly up at him. Just to ruin his amazement by smacking him on the back, hard, and walking off. She hit like Trevor did when he had clapped him on the back that one time. Then again, he had watched her wake up before dawn, creep silently for a human out of the Castle. Where she meditated and then went through some basic martial arts exercise. Though when she brought out that strange handle, causing it to glow and form a brown leather whip with a heart-shaped end before practicing with it. He found himself entrapped by the fluidity of her motions.
The moment that magic she exuded swelled, the whip turning from a seemingly ordinary whip into a clear one that seemed to have small stars flickering in its length, Alucard had felt the fine hairs on his arms rise. It wasn't quite holy, but it was not normal and dangerous to the vampiric part of him. His eyes tracking her movements as she flicked, cracked, used the damn weapon with a dexterity that only came from years of practice and use. And he about choked on the air he breathed when she expanded and contracted it at her will and used it to swing from the trees in an aerial display that made her look like she was flying. Though with her short skirt and small tight top, it was practically indecent.
"You know, I told you that first day and several times since it is rude to stare."
Blinking lazily as he pulled himself from his thoughts, Alucard saw Lucy was staring at him, smiling while her body shook slightly with suppressed laughter.
"Forgive my offense. I was lost in thought," Alucard stated.
When she shrugged at him, dropping her gaze back to the book, he shook his head at her and turned and left her alone.
Half a year had come and gone since Lucy had arrived there. And her current mood had Alucard putting his fork and knife down on the table as he gave her a pointed look. She was beyond frustrated, and it had her unique scent tinted in a sharp, spicy manner that was rather unpleasant. Though he was glad she was not angry at him this time. He learned after a snide comment that she could kick, and it had sent him scooting back a few feet, arms stinging from where her tiny foot had connected with them. The killing intent that had rolled off her in that split second was more than enough for him to defend.
"What is wrong, Lucy," He asked.
When she lifted her head to gaze at him, he saw she was chewing on her bottom lip again — worrying it raw. He had come to dislike this habit of hers.
"I have figured out a lot between your father's library and the Belmonts. But… I can't seem to get the hang of magic in this damn world," she grumbled.
She sounded like a petulant child who wasn't able to do something. Sitting back, he thought about their conversation on her world, how magic was innate in a small portion of the populace. That there wasn't much in the way of incantations and stuff. Except for the more significant attacks. And the magic she had described was well varied. Impressive.
"How did Sypha use her magic to get your father's castle here again?"
At her question, Alucard smiled as he recalled that little conversation in the hidden library underground.
"She told me that all magic is, is the users' will and intent. And she intended to bring this Castle, run on an engine made of science and magic here," he explained.
In seconds he watched as her face went from clouded by frustration and anger to amazement and happiness. Eyes going wide and shining brightly as something clicked in the back of her head. Then she was standing up, and a chair knocked over as he watched her run from the kitchen where they took their meals. Unsure of the sudden mood change, he stood from the table and followed her to the main antechamber.
When he stepped outside of the Castle, seeing Lucy standing in the clearing, moon, and starlight bathing her in an ethereal glow. Alucard went still as she hand came out of the small pouch she always wore at her side. A golden key in her hand. Staying where he was for safety's sake, he watched as her legs spread shoulder-width apart, as a magic circle appeared underneath her feet.
"My will is the road that connects this world to the Celestial Realm. My intent is to open the gate of the maiden, Virgo!"
The power that rolled off her as she spoke the incantation, Alucard had to shut his eyes as a brilliant light practically blinded him as a loud chime sounded, followed by a loud boom. When he opened them, he saw pink, glittery smoke fading away. As a short, pink-haired woman in a very short maid outfit stood before Lucy. As she bowed, he heard the sound of metal clinking. She was making his eyes drop to look at the shackles on the pink-haired woman's wrist.
"Thank you for calling me, Hime. Punishment?" The pink-haired woman spoke.
Just for Lucy to suddenly start to collapse. Before he could react to catch her, Alucard saw the maid like woman catch her and smirks. When her eyes met his, Alucard knew this was not a human, but a creature of another world and plane.
"Is there a bed I may place my Hime?" the woman asked him.
Slowly he nodded as he turned and began to walk back into the Castle.
He was having a hard time believing what he had just been told. A part of him was glad that Lucy had fainted from relief, instead of what the maid, Virgo, had explained as Magical exhaustion, or worse depletion. That Virgo was indeed the manifestation of the Constellation of the Maiden in the night sky. And that Lucy was in possession of all twelve Zodiac Keys, as well as Opichuous, on top of several silver keys. Meaning she was more powerful than he had first thought based on what had been told.
"You see, Hime doesn't see us as tools, but rather her friends and family," Virgo said. "And because of that, we are very protective. It is against the rules to disobey our master or to kill a human. But for her, each and every one of us would do it. She is precious to not just us, but our King."
There was no mistaking the threat and promise in those words as the spirit smiled mischievously at him. And Alucard made a mental note that he would be hard-pressed to fight one of them with their unique abilities.
"So, what brought your Hime, Lucy, to my world?" He asked.
He had asked Lucy this a few times, but she had not been forthcoming. Leaving him rather vexed with her.
"Another Mage turned Demon named Minerva. She had the bad luck of encountering her while she was trying to find a way to take down the Demon Stronghold. That woman's magic had been warped by being turned into a demon. Was now what is called a Curse. And it sent her here," Virgo explained.
There was anger in the depths of the eyes of the spirit. He knew that Lucy missed her world, those in her guild. Because they were her friends and family. Which caused her a lot of pain and loneliness.
"She is well-liked and loved. I can see why," Alucard stated.
The smile he got from Virgo had him on edge, wary. This spirit was off mentally. Though he couldn't say it was instability.
"Yes. And it would not be good for Lucy to go home because the demons won. She should stay here," Virgo said. "Besides, I am glad she called me before my big brother. Though once she summons him, due to the laws of magic here, we all will be able to come out on our own, when our Hime doesn't call us."
Before he could ask what she meant by big brother and them coming out on their own, Virgo was gone in a puff of that same glittery pink smoke — leaving him alone in his father's, no his, study.
His life had changed drastically since Sypha and Trevor had awoken him. There was never a dull moment in his life now. At times he wished he was still alone; at others, he was glad to have Lucy and her… family… around. It brought warmth and light to the Castle like there had been when he was a child and running through the halls with his mother hot on his heels. Father smiling and laughing with them.
Time seemed to be passing them by. And in the year and half that Lucy had been there, he'd come to value her presence — leaving him to wonder if this was what his father felt having his mother around, teaching her how to be a doctor, using the forgotten sciences? Alucard was glad that Lucy was smart and quick-minded. If he provoked her, he got a witty reply that often had him laughing. Or those rare moments when her guard was dropped while she was cleaning or cooking (when Virgo wasn't) she starts singing and dancing.
Walking down the hall towards the library, he knew she liked it. Because it was filled with stories from all over the world. Most of the books were the only ones in print. And though he had given her the means of translating the ones in a different language from English, she still loved it. He had a question he wanted to ask her. Since he knew she would probably whisk herself off to the small little village that he'd allowed a small group of Speakers to make.
Though they were nomadic, it was Sypha's family. And she had pointed them in this direction. Lucy had the great idea to have them stick around to help maintain both libraries and all the artifacts. Which he said they could, but only if she could convince them. He still didn't know how she had done it, but she had. The Speaker settlement had grown as more speakers came, learned, helped, or ventured back out into the world.
Stopping and looking into the library, he saw that Lucy was with one of the younger male Speakers. Carth, if he recalled this particular young man's name correctly. Who was pressed close to Lucy as they spoke in hushed tones about whichever book was on the table before them? To close if he was allowed to have an opinion. He didn't like how this particular human male was friendly with her. Always trying to in her presence, hog her attention for himself.
Giving a loud, rude cough to announce his presence, Alucard stepped into the room and drawing both their gazes to him. While Carth frowned and glared, Lucy beamed her signature smile at him. She was making him smile in return.
"Hey, what do you need, Alucard?" Lucy asked him.
"Ah, I have come to talk with you before you go to the Speaker Village for the day," he said.
The look that crossed Lucy's face had him admiring how her golden hair glowed in the firelight. Giving the impression of a Halo. As if she was some angelic being descended from the heavens. And in part, it was not a wrong description of her considering the knowledge he had of her, smiling as he watched her lips twitch before tilting upwards into a smile.
"Carth, I will see you later in the village, okay!?" Lucy said over her shoulder.
Letting his eyes meet the youths, he saw the anger in them, while knowing that his smile was smug. He was holding an arm out to Lucy, who giggled as she took it. Alucard led them from the room and up towards the study.
"So, I have noticed something recently about myself. And am unsure how to quantify it, Lucy. And I was hoping you could help me," he said.
The look on her face at him, asking her for help with something personal. He knew he had her undivided attention. And if he were to be honest, he didn't want to lose it and have her go to the village.
Alucard smiled as he looked down at his friends, Trevor and Sypha. They were visiting for the first time in three years and having gone out into the world that was forever changing and hunting down demons and other vampires. They'd once sent a missive asking for him to help when they'd found knowledge of his father's human generals. Both were helping to raise an army of the night. Isaac for himself and Hector at the behest of Camilla. Though, he suspected then that Hector was not willingly doing it.
But he had been unable to leave. So, now his friends were there, under the pretense, to collaborate with him about how to handle these two situations — and staring open-mouthed in shock at what they were seeing. Lucy was standing next to him with their year-old daughter peeking around from behind his legs. Her golden eyes were matching her golden hair as she stared back at the two new people.
"What… has happened in the time we've been gone, you bastard?" Trevor asked.
Unable to help himself, Alucard laughed. Deep from his belly, just to be elbowed in the ribs by his wife Lucy, while Sypha did the same to Trevor.
"I am sorry for my husband, Adrian. You must be his good friends Sypha and Trevor. I am Lucy, and this is our daughter, Lisa Layla Heartfilia-Tepes," Lucy said.
Alucard just stood there, knowing he looked as smug as he felt at his wife's introduction. He was enjoying as Trevor stumbled and seemed ready to faint.
"It is nice to meet you, Mrs. Lucy," Sypha said. "I can see why Alucard asked us to come and discuss the two factions and potential for war here, instead of coming to us."
Tipping his head in acknowledgment of Sypha's observation, Alucard swung an arm out in silent invitation for them to come and follow him and his family. Turning, he scooped up his daughter, one of the two lights of his life, into his arms and started up the stairs. Knowing Lucy would probably begin to talk with Sypha as he heard the grumbling from Trevor as the man's heavy footfalls rushed to catch up to him. This was a conversation he was looking forward to having. Because he now understood what drove his father to madness, the need to die after his mother died.
He, too, would go insane if Lucy was murdered, as well as their daughter.
THE END!