Note: Hmm…. sorry for the loooong delay. Workload is crazy. Studying for finals... and just over busy in general.

Annet looked at the sky fearfully. "Richter, the moon was red at midnight. I awoke and saw the redness spreading over everything as if it were…"

"...blood," Richter finished. "I must go. Where is Maria?"

"She never came back last night. I'm worried." She into the next room to prepare some food.

"She must have sensed it too. We've all been in the castle before, and the red moon was an omen." The vampire hunter put on his coat. "I have a feeling about the archeological dig. I believe they were looking at ruins of a castle. Castlevania appears in multiple places. Since these ruins are closer, I might as well check it out."

Annet had returned, and she was dressed as well. "I will go with you. I worry for Maria."

"No, Annet. Stay where you are safe and sound."

"I cannot sit still this time. For all this time, it's always been you and Maria adventuring. As much as I hate it, I cannot just stay this time."

Richter looked at his wife. "Annet, it will be dangerous. I promise you I will return." And with that, grabbing the supplies from his wife, he stalked out of the house.

Annet frowned. "These men… They're protective, but Maria my sister… she went to find Richter last time. I shall seek her this time." With a small smile, she gathered up some supplies, and ran after Richter.

Maria watched perplexed as Alucard looked around the chapel. Among the first places they had stumbled upon was the chapel, or what seemed to be a chapel. Sunlight shone in from the stained windows, but there was no possible way to get outside. Alucard was looking at the stained glass. Maria, in a fit of impatience, decided to go up to the altar and peer at the open book there. Unfortunately, it was in a language she did not understand.

"Alucard? What is this?" she asked absentmindedly as she flipped the pages of the book looking at some of the pictures.

Alucard's brows furrowed as he decoded what the stained windows told. This castle was not just… he was interrupted by Maria's scream. He tooked toward her in time to see her be sucked inside the book. "Maria!" He rushed over and looked at the book. Maria had disappeared. Alucard quickly looked the cover of the page. "The Book of Souls? What can this be?"

"As literal as it appears," a voice sounded.

Alucard's head shot up and he looked at the source by the entrance to the chapel. The chapel was holy ground. Those unholy as his father could do naught inside the structure. Funny how there was a chapel inside the castle. It was a sanctuary as opposed to a danger area. This newcomer was helpless if it was unholy. "What?"

The newcomer was a tall teen, it seemed. He had short dark brown hair and piercing green reddish eyes. If Alucard had a sense of humor, he would have muttered something along the lines of "Christmas eyes," but he didn't, so he said nothing. There was a thing rapier slung on the boy's waist off a strap. He did not know this newcomer yet he sensed an aura, a powerful one.

"There is a creature that controls that book, child. It will absorb the unfortunate souls that happen upon the book," the newcomer said with a smile.

I haven't been absorbed yet. "And are you that creature?" Alucard inquired.

The newcomer chuckled. "No, most certainly not. I simply decided to explore the castle."

Alucard narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"I would worry about your friend first. That creature is quite vengeful, being locked up for so long inside that book. Perhaps, you should free it."

"Free a monster? Surely you jest!" Alucard replied.

"Surprised? Go on and see." As the newcomer spoke, Alucard could feel himself lose substance. As he fought, he found himself pulled into the book. When he was completely inside, the newcomer sighed. "Well, he should be able to figure it out. If not, well… "

"ANNET, what in the world are you doing here!" Richter yelled as he saw his wife blow away a skeleton with her bow. He rushed toward her, scattering the monsters in his way.

"It's too late, Richter. I'm coming with you. We're halfway there, so live with it!" Annet replied as she grit her teeth and shot another creature.

"Damn," Richter swore under his breath. "She's right." After they had dispatched the monsters in the area, Richter scolded her only to receive a painful slap.

"Richter, just because I'm a woman doesn't mean that all I should do is sit at home and pray for you safety. This is my sister we're talking about. Hmph." With that, she headed on with Richter staring after her.

"Wait, Annet!"