CHAPTER 7

Cornell knelt down and covered his hands over his head in frustration. How was he to find such a small child in an enormous castle such as this...? As if it were a miracle, he looked up and saw Malus' figure standing in front of him, with his hands behind his back innocently.

"Malus?" Cornell asked uncertainly.

Uncle Cornell! Malus exclaimed. No!

Dracula grinned and spoke using Malus' voice.

"Uncle?"

Cornell didn't bother asking the boy why he was dressed so strangely, but instead picked him up and embraced him in relief.

"I've found you! We were all so worried!"

"I thought I'd never see you again..."

...Man-wolf. Dracula added malevolently. This time you will not escape!

Leave my uncle alone! LEAVE HIM ALONE! Malus struggled against Dracula's control.

"Quiet you!" Dracula hissed out loud by mistake.

Cornell puzzled. He put Malus back down. "Malus, are you alright?"

Malus gained control for only a few seconds. "No! It's him! Don't listen! He--"

Dracula regained control. "Be silent! You have no control here!"

No!

Cornell watched the two fight for control over one another. Malus finally seemed to have won. With his face covered in tears, he hurried over to Cornell and hugged him tightly.

"He's trying to possess me, Cornell..." Malus cried, "He destroyed the village, and killed Mother and Father! Please help me, I--"

Dracula regained control. He jerked his way out of Cornell's arms. "Get away from me, Man-wolf!" Dracula hissed.

Cornell pulled out his sword from its sheath and placed it a few inches away from Dracula's throat.

"Release Malus!" He said menacingly.

"You cannot kill me, without killing the boy..." Dracula said coolly, glaring up at Cornell. "Your threats do not bother me."

Cornell reached for the container of holy water strapped to his belt.

"Burn me...and the child will perish..." Dracula repeated.

"You're a liar...!" He threw the holy water at Dracula, who became engulfed in pure, blue flames. Both Malus and Dracula shrieked. It fell as if Malus' skin was being singed off by white-hot fire. He fell to the ground writhing and shrieking, until he fell silent. Cornell kneeled down to the boy, and took his hand into his.

"Malus..." He whispered. "Are you still there?"

Malus' body didn't move.

"Malus?"

The boy opened an eye and looked up at Cornell. He grinned. "Is that who you were expecting, Man-wolf?" Dracula asked.

Cornell hesitated. "Let Malus go!"

The possessed boy sighed. "I am growing wearied of your games Man-wolf..."

The knight armors in the hall sprung alive and headed towards Cornell.

"It is time to put an end to this."

Cornell took his sword and fought off the knights. He must have been out numbered one to twenty-seven. The warrior fought fiercely regardless. Swords, axes and spears clanged roughly as they met with his own sword. Cornell was in constant motion, turning around this way and that, fighting off knights that came behind him and that surrounded him. The legendary man-wolf was not outdone yet.

"You idiots!" Dracula growled. "Destroy him!"

Go Uncle Cornell! Malus encouraged. You can beat those knights! I know you can!

Enraged by Cornell's resilience and Malus' constant encouragement, Dracula took the matter into his own hands. He picked up one of the fallen knight's axe and strode towards Cornell, axe poised to strike. Malus was amazed that he could actually pick up such a heavy weapon. The possessed boy swung the axe and it was met with the man-wolf's sword. To both Malus' and Cornell's surprise, Dracula wielded the weapon exceptionally well to be in the form of a young boy. Sword and axe twirled and blocked each others attack. On one hand, Cornell was trying to disarm Dracula; On the other, Dracula was trying to kill him. Cornell was now dividing his attention between the knights and Dracula, who saw this as his opportunity. Once Cornell had turned his back, Dracula swung the axe hard into the man-wolf's back.

Cornell was knocked to the floor. He looked up at Dracula, who smiled down on him with satisfaction.

"You've sacrificed your wolf powers to defeat me and save your beloved sister. You risked rebuilding your village and to protect it from evil. You have raised your sister's only son, and treated him like a father would treat their own child. But in the end, it does not matter. All that you have accomplished has been undone and made a wasted effort."

"Not all has failed... Malus may be under your control, but he still has a free will and spirit of his own. He will be freed and your plans will be foiled yet again..."

He directed his attention towards Malus. "Malus...don't give in to Dracula's treachery! You can win this battle, I know you can..."

The last of Cornell's life dwindled from him, and he passed away.