CastleVania doesn't belong to me.

I went only as far as a cabin I found outside the castle. Still as mist, I billowed into the cabin, for I was curious as to who lived here, so close to Walter's castle. There had been no one here when I was locked away, and Walter had never told me of anyone here.

Inside the home, and old man stood behind a counter, looking at the items on his shelf. His back was to me, so I saw only that he had a powerful form and iron-gray hair. It wasn't until he turned that I recognized him as the man with whom I'd formed my long-ago alliance. I coalesced, drawing myself together until I fell to the ground in man-form, still to weak to stand. "R-Rinaldo?" I gasped before falling into blackness.

I was not unconscious for long, leaving the healing sleep at the insistent shacking of another. I opened my eyes to find Rinaldo bent over me, his expression torn between anger and confusion. "What are you doing here?"

I struggled to a sitting position. "I might ask the same as you. Walter…knew of our deal. He imprisoned me, binding me to protect him until I was defeated." There was no harm in telling him my tale. If he was with Walter, he knew it already, and if he was not, then I did not wish to alienate him.

Rinaldo stood and moved back to the counter. "It was you who told Leon of the Ebony stone, was it not?"

"The hunter? Yes. You know him? Where is he?"

"I have been giving him what help I can. He went to fight Walter almost an hour ago." There was concern in Rinaldo's voice.

"If he has not returned by now, it is unlikely he will ever return," I said gravely. I cared little for Leon, and I wanted to kill Walter myself, but the thought of Walter beating this hunter chilled me. I almost began to doubt my ability.

Rinaldo nodded, "I know. The vampire still has the Ebony Stone, and with it he is invulnerable to mortals." As he spoke, he was watching me carefully. I inclined my head.

"I seek his destruction still. But you must know that if I win, very little will change. The Forest of Eternal Night shall still be ruled by one beloved of the night." I was asking, with those words, if Rinaldo would then challenge me.

"My grievance is with Walter. Do not play the games he does, and there will be no reason for any to hunt you."

"Once I can stand, I will go to the castle then. If I do not return, I have lost."

"I have nothing that can aid you. Once within the castle, you are on you own."

I nodded and lay back on the floor. "I expected no less. I will sleep here until I have healed enough to go." Rinaldo gave no answer, merely returning to his shelves. I sighed and cast myself into sleep.

Reveiwers! Wow!

Kitala: Oddly enough, I, too, am allergic to milk. It's horrible, isn't it? Well, is this soon enough for an update?

Erik: Um... yes, it -is- short. Only one page per chapter? (Two pages for two chapters...) That IS short. But thanks, glad you like!

Daenis TooShy: Yes, I do update! It happens! Glad you liked the fight, I liked that chapter too...