Chapter 15: The Way of Dying

"The term 'warrior' speaks of the "Two ways of Culture and Conflict" and to relish these two is our way (the samurai way). A warrior should make his best effort in the martial arts according to his own abilities and situation, even if he is naturally untalented in this Way." Miyamoto Musashi, "The Book of the Five Rings"

"I have found essence of Bushido: to Die!" Tsunetomo Yamamoto, "The Hagakure"

IMGhttp/img. the Firste: Way of the Sword

The smoke billowed past the train windows as they sped through the Carpathian Mountains: they were in Sid's home territory, and already Dante could tell that Sid was unwelcome: muggle peasants on the train obviously knew a vampire, and the fear within their eyes was as tangible as the tension in the air.

Sid, or Vlad, had hidden himself under the brim of his hat, and Dante thought him to be asleep until he said, his eyes still on hidden from view, "Tell the others we disembark at the next stop…"

Their travels through France, Italy, and finally the Balkans had partially been accomplished via foot, rail, horse and flight, and in every country they seemed to find a new companion, until their retinue, originally comprising of Dante and Vladimir, had grown to seven in total: there was Pierre de Ratsibon, a young and ambitious son of a poor French vampire knight. Hungry for glory, he had joined the entourage with the two of them in Paris. Florence and Humbert of Sicily, were both Italian vampires were from families who and once been staunch supporters and allies of Sidnays father, and so had come along to defend their family honor. Gunter and Hans von Hanover were both German wizards of mixed ancestry: part Goblin, part Demon.

(Authors Note: Demons are often given a bad image from history being sent from 'Hell' and thus, technically from Satan, but one must keep in mind that 'Satan' is ultimately subservient to the 'God', and therefore Demons are simply servants to the Servant. Thus Demons, like vampires, are not necessarily evil. The main difference between Demons and Vampires is that vampires are a good deal more cunning, ruthless, and well…dead (Primus vampires being animated Corpses gifted with abstract thought. More on vampire reproduction at a later time) Hans and Günter were both large, muscular, imposing youths, who had ancestry running back into the ranks of the Knights Templar and other Crusaders: fervently religious, they followed Vladimir because of their pursuit for salvation and glory.

The door slid open and Gunter poked his head in, "Herr Dracule… der Zug kommt um der Bahnhoff…" ((OOC sorry everyone if that's grammatically incorrect; I'm still only LEARNING German…)).

"Danke schon Gunter. Let's go Dante."

They had packed light: Vlad only taking his swords and armor, which were locked in his chest, and Dante only bringing a change of clothes, and his dagger.

The Mountains towered above them, as the seven travelers stood on the isolated train platform, stretching their limbs. They appeared to be ordinary sightseers, were it not for their pale faces, unkempt appearance.

"Welcome home Vlad…" Vlad muttered to himself as he stared up at the twisting peaks of the mountains.

Castle Dracula was not what the other travelers had expected. In its heyday it must have been a formidable military construction. Now it was essentially ruin, with its once tall towers now piles of rubble, the remaining structures were in equally bad shape and in places the roof was crumbling in. It was a large work, built in the middle ages, as they stood in the overgrown courtyard, they could see that charred shell of what was once of cathedral.

The keep was perhaps the only building that was not entirely destroyed, and over its massive oaken doors were the words most of which were unintelligible, but those that could be perceived read, in an early Vampiric tongue, "Ćenestoros eşştoremă sraoniis sanquinę orum…" or, "What death cannot conquer, we shall."

"Shit Vlad, that's a bit…morbid don't you think?" Florence asked. She had come from a long line of vampires who had not been warlike since the Renaissance had ended. She and her brother knew much of their own past, but little of their species.

Vlad smiled, "You obviously know nothing about my grandfather. He was known as the 'Impaler' for reasons that had nothing to do with mercy and tolerance…

As they walked into the castle keep, only silence greeted them aside from the door hinges creaking and their breathing.

The room was so large, that the roof disappeared into the darkness. Humbert craned his head to the roof, "Wow…"

Through another set of oak doors, and they were in another room. Torn tapestries hung on the walls, along with rusted swords and axes. Suits of armor lines a wall, but in the middle on a raised dais sat a stone throne, covered with leaves and dry twigs from where the roof had caved in above it.

Gunter asked in his thick accent, "What do we do now my lord?"

Vlad thought for a moment before, with his eyes on a torn and faded tapestry emblazoned with the family crest, responding "Rebuild."

Parte the Seconde- Way of the Music Maker.

The Remedy was empty, even though it was a lovely sunny day and even the streets of Knockturn alley could be described as 'bustling' (or as bustling as it ever got).

Vlad sat on a bar stool and strummed his guitar silently.

Dante came down stretching and shirtless, followed by two girls who promptly kissed his cheeks and exited the bar. "Christ Sid, you been up all night."

Vlad said nothing, but smiled and inclined his head. He was still nursing the same wine glass filled with vodka and blood he had been given the night before.

Dante came over and drained his glass in a gulp before ordering another, "Jeez Sid. You need your sleep. You are making some unhealthy lifestyle decisions."

"Says the vampire drinking at 11 in the morning?"

"Ah well you see, I'm a professional rock star. Don't try this at home kiddies."

Vlad looked thoughtful, "Hey Dante, why haven't we done that yet?"

"Done what?" Dante's replied after draining another glass of blood and vodka.

"Formed a band, I mean… You could sing and play rhythm or something."

"Sid there is a million bands out there with singers playing guitar, and with my exact same voice. We'd need something…new. You have any ideas?" Dante sounded almost sarcastic. However at that moment the door jingled and in walked Zack wearing his sunglasses and dreadlocks done up in a ball at the back of his head.

Vlad appeared as though a great revelation had been revealed to him, "Say…Zack…"

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