There we go, next chapter of this story is out! Gotta thank the Netflix animation for the influx of new readers though and I am happy to see more fans around in the fandom!

Also, I just figured out that you can reply to reviews, so I won't be doing that here... But thank you guys either way for the support, you have no idea how much it delights me to see that so many fans enjoy this!

Without further ado, here you go!

Have fun and I'll see you around~! :)


~ 5-1: Nightmare

This was definitely built by men even if it was in a terrible state. Yet, this wasn't meant to be kept in charge anymore. Large pillars all around them, some of them broken and moss had grown all over. From the entrance, they had grabbed a few torches to guide their way. No use in wasting the oil in their lamp when they could do that instead.

The stone walls shimmered from the light, the air damp and heavy. Sometimes, they would spot a couple of skulls and bones by the walls. They were piled up as if it was important to anyone that there was order in this place. Needless to say, it was enough to have them shudder.

"This was some kind of burial ground…", Sypha mumbled while her eyes scanned the area. "It looks like there had been inscriptions on the walls, but I can barely make any of them out..." Indeed, they could make out a few letters on the walls at times, yet all was lost to them now. Besides, if this was supposed to be some catacombs, they didn't keep the bodies inside very well.

Not only because the bones were scatted around, but also because some of them were able to walk around. Grant only leaned his head back and hissed, though wouldn't dare to get louder.

"This is also supposed to be a labyrinth?" Another groan from his side as they came across a couple of stairs that would lead to yet other doors.

"Let's not hope so… But this functioned as some big catacomb, so they needed the space. Makes you wonder what kind of people were buried here..." Trevor wasn't comfortable with thinking about who found his final resting place here.

Soon enough, when they decided to climb some stairs, a duo of skeletons noticed them and swung their clubs. Yet, the group was getting used to this kind of enemy at that point, so they were unafraid to face them. Sypha smashed them off the platform with her staff while Grant tackled the other to have the same effect. It was as Trevor had predicted: the catacomb was using its' space and created more pathways for them.

What was giving them more trouble were the mummified undead. Seeing even more corpses that transformed into mindless minions had a bitter taste on their tongues and twisted their stomachs. Anything that was ever supposed to rest would rise again under the rule of Dracula. Soulless creatures that once resembled human beings. As much as the sight of a human face was too familiar, their enemies held no remorse in attacking them. So the group found itself forced to fight them with the same brutality as they would with the skeletons.

As soon as the group was getting used to working their way forward, the situation changed.

Grant was leading a group of skeletons, rushing over another couple of platforms. But when he had run over them, they flipped and revealed spikes. A couple of slower fiends were pierced or downright stuck on them. Both the hunter and the priestess were left behind. Trevor turned to whip the skeletons and corpses that were climbing the stairs to get to them.

"Do you have any idea how to flip them back?",. exclaimed Sypha to the other and Grant glanced at the flipped platforms with a frown.

"Well, they turned when I ran over them, so they work with pressure?" Another creature joined him from behind and Grant used that enemy to throw it on the platforms. The corpse was pierced right through its' flesh and the pirate winched. Yet, his theory was correct and the platform flipped back to its' former position. "You'll have to run over at the same time, otherwise we'll spent all week in this hellhole!" The priestess looked behind her shoulder to see if Trevor had even noticed what was happening, but he had to have listened somehow. As soon as their gazes had crossed, he took a running start and Sypha followed right up. It was enough speed to get through without being thrown off.

"This must be someplace special if they had to add these traps...",. Trevor mumbled as he glanced behind himself one more time. An angered skeleton threw rocks after them, but couldn't reach.

Sypha didn't mind it much longer, she wanted to get further somehow without being pierced alive. "Yes, who knows? Maybe they are hiding some other kind of treasure?"

Yet, when she took hold of the handle of the next door, it came off once she had pulled on it. The weight was too much to hold up for too long, so she dropped it on the ground. The edges looked strange though. "It looks like something ate right through the metal." There was no kind of bug that was known to them that would actually destroy metal; wood was common. Before they even stepped into the next room, they saw some kind of liquid drop from the ceiling. It was too green to be considered regular water. As soon as it hit the ground, it would burn itself into the platform a bit before it was dissolved with a sizzling sound.

"You know, I thought that they couldn't make this place more convoluted. They had to add acid dripping from the ceiling!" Grant leaned in nonetheless to see where it was dripping from exactly, so they could pass it at the right time. At least, they could tell where the acid usually dropped down, considering how it sizzled away.

"This wasn't planned. It might be rainwater that changed on its' way down…", Sypha mumbled while she watched the ceiling. The cracks were wide enough for that to be true. If the rumors were correct, the ground was cursed and thus, the earth would be soiled by darkness. "Crops are dying… Whatever is in the earth, it is the result what we see now." Even the enemies were affected, their skin and bones burnt from the acid and so they avoided contact as well.

A monster slashed away here, another pushed away there.

It wasn't encouraging to notice how they descended further down into the earth. There was no sign that they would be able to go back upwards. Yet, there was no point in going back when only the marsh waited for them outside. Whatever waited at the center of the catacombs, they could only hope that there was an exit that would lead them back outside.

For now, they would have to focus on getting through without being harmed in the process. It wasn't in their intention to join the army of corpses. They needed to watch their step as platforms flipped, sometimes triggered by an enemy and other times by themselves. It all managed to slow down their process, forcing them to backtrack and reactive the traps by dealing with more enemies.

But while they continued to climb deeper, their path was blocked off by a huge pile of rocks. The ceiling had collapsed, now blocking off a stairway and two doors. Trevor glanced behind himself. "Great... We have no alternative route around this, do we?",. he asked with a groan, though he didn't need his companions to answer to him to figure out that they thought of the same. Since there was nothing between the soil and the catacombs anymore, more acid from leaked above. It sizzled through three holes without hesitation, creating tiny streams. It was as if it tried to turn this broken pile of rock into a form of art. Not exactly appealing to the eye, but nothing in this place was.

"Well... Can't turn back, so we'll have to dig." Grant pursed his lips, trying to make out where the little streams of acid were going. With a gesture, he pointed upwards, already drawing a shape that the formation would have in a while. "We should aim to get to the upper door. Getting to the lower one might take way too much time."

"And for the upper one, we need to be quick, otherwise the acid makes the stairs unusable." The priestess wasn't exactly happy with what was happening. It would make them use more energy for a task not needed. Yet, Sypha hastened back to the door to freeze the lock and then block the door with her staff. It would only be a matter of time until there were enough foes gathered in this room. Might as well buy them some time to work on their main task.

While Sypha had checked if her blockade was effective enough, Trevor and Grant had already started pulling out some broken fragments and threw them to the sides. They would need to reveal the stairs quick and in the most efficient way. The priestess joined them quick. Yet, altering the formation was also changing the flow of the acid which got in the way of the group. As they had worked their way more forward a bit, they could hear how the skeletons were knocking against the door with their bony fists. Unfortunately, these doors in the crypt weren't made of massive material as the gates of the entrance were. The hunter was the first one to grow evermore worried about it, his attention shifted back to the noises. They would need to call out to him to have him back on track, otherwise he risked to crush or even burn his fingers if he didn't look at what he was doing.

"Then go back and fight them if you are confident enough!",. panted Grant as he lifted one rock after another, hurling them back.

Sypha glared at the pirate while her hands were restless. "Are you insane? We can't have him go back there by himself! Who knows how many of those monsters have gathered right behind the door now!"

Trevor wasn't so sure himself if he should attempt to fight them, because if they were too much for him to handle, they would need to focus back on the battle rather than getting themselves forward. "I will kick down the door and take the first row out that way." It was now his turn to be glared at by the priestess who couldn't believe his words. Of course, by kicking down the door, they would have no method of closing it once more if they proved itself to be too many. "They aren't difficult to fight, we know as much." It was the number that was frightening, one person can only focus on so many at the same time.

The hunter wasn't going to let himself be influenced by his own fears right then, so he threw back two large fragments that would be too heavy to deal for his companions before he took hold of the Vampire Killer and raced down the pile. Trevor didn't allow his thoughts to reach him when he took hold of the staff and pulled it back from the door, using his right foot to do as he said. The power behind that kick was enough to blow back a couple of skeletons and leave others stumbling. Unfortunately, these creatures knew nothing about fear, so the next group tried to enter the doorway right away. At the same time, the doorway wasn't too wide to hold five skeletons rushing in at once, leaving Trevor with the job of whipping one after another. His eyes tried to make out how many foes were present, though it was difficult to tell with each trying to squeeze through immediately. It was causing a mess in the other room which also attracted other enemies, it was all uncoordinated. Trevor plopped open the bottle of Holy Water, spraying it at the monsters before him and then doing the same to the ground. This gave him more time to plan while the water would burn into their feet and making them immobile. If it was only for that, Trevor wouldn't be as worried at the moment. But he kept himself from checking if his friends needed help or were getting in some sort of predicament.

"I know that it is difficult for you to turn in place right now", began Grant to call down, "but when I tell you to run, then do so! I'm coming to distract them!" Trevor was about to protest, not wishing to risk the safety of the other, yet he could already hear how the pirate was dashing down towards him. Suddenly, two blades flew past his head. He could feel the gush of air around his ears, then in the next second, Grant yelled for him to run and he did as he was told. Trevor spun in place with the Vampire Killer in one hand and the bottle of Holy Water in the other while he could spot Grant from the corner of his eyes, picking up the staff and then turning to follow him. Sypha checked the streams of acid in the meanwhile, leading them on with other rocks before her companions hurried past her. Together, they broke through the next door without any caution. They needed to get past and lock it for which Sypha froze the hinges.

Yet, when the companions made it past and turned to face whatever room awaited them, they were greeted with a whole different sight. Everything beforehand looked rotten and abandoned, but this place was taken care of. In fact, it held Christian elements to it which was the last interior design that they would have expected from cursed catacombs. Instead of torches, there were candles by the walls and the floor was marble which shimmered in the light. In the middle was a giant cross with a tomb in front of it which was also in white marble. A faint smell of incense was in the air, little strands of it hung by the ceiling. If they hadn't passed hordes of monsters before, they would think that they ended up in a church.

Both confusion and fascination showed in their expressions when they climbed down the stairs. Their eyes were drawn to the now smooth walls and dozens of candle flames.

"You haven't come for sightseeing, I presume."

The group flinched at the sound of the unknown voice, deep and rumbling. A nobleman stood by the tomb, his bright red eyes focused on them. In the light, his skin resembled the marble, holding no color while his black hair had him look even paler. His clothing did the same, all in black with few golden buttons and stitches here and there while the inside of his cape was in a deep red. Soon enough, a sword was in his right hand, the blade glistened at them. The rich handle was already enough to tell them that he wasn't any sort of nobleman in there. His gaze wandered between the group, it stopped for each individual, then shifted his attention back to Trevor. "I would recommend for you to turn back if you value your life."

"What are you waiting for, vampire?", scoffed Trevor and found the energy within himself to smirk at him. His Holy Whip was in his hand which had the other hesitate. Then again, the female vampire back at the Clock Tower recognized it as well. It wouldn't be a surprise to him if this creature was as aware of it. "Are you afraid that you can't handle a fight?"

For a moment, the vampire didn't reply to him and stared at him intently. Trevor shuddered, it was as if his gaze tried to read him. "It wasn't my intention to have to kill any of you, but I can't allow you to pass through either." His shoes clicked on the marble as he drew nearer. "But if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get."

There was no warning coming from the side of the vampire and he dashed forward to attack them. The speed of the foe was remarkable, it threw them off-guard and they had to back away to avoid the blade. Each of them dodged in a different direction, focusing to get themselves ready. His main attention seemed to be on Trevor, not paying any mind to the other two. Sypha wasn't going to back down from that, shooting fire balls at his direction which the vampire blocked with a swing of his cape. Grant's daggers were avoided similar and the nobleman growled in irritation. He fired flames at them, too, before he raced towards Trevor who attempted to keep him at bay by swinging his whip around. It slowed the vampire in his tracks, but he wasn't standing still either and changed sides.

"You'll need to be quicker!", he hissed as he dashed forward, slicing the hunter's arm. A pained groan parted his lips, but Trevor went on full offensive and used the momentum against him, crashing into him to throw him back. In the end, Trevor didn't want to be made pray this early on, since it was the creature who was alone against three of them.

In the next moment, the pirate jumped between the two, blocking the attack of the sword with his long dagger and lashing out at him. Between them, it turned out to be a battle of speed: ducking, dodging, blocking and flipping their blades to slice into the other without any true victor. While the beast was distracted, Trevor rolled to the side to have the whip slash his legs which forced the him to his knees. Grant attempted to land a vital blow, but their opponent wasn't easily distracted and rammed the sword hilt against his chest which threw the pirate back and he gasped for air.

Another attempt from Sypha who summoned lightening his way which had the foe flinch in place. When Trevor whipped out at him, the beast swung his cape again and in the next second, he had turned into a bigger bat and escaped upwards.

"Now who is not quick enough?!",. yelled the pirate and flung a dagger in his direction, though the vampire was smarter than the other bat that they had fought in the entrance. Also, the bat wasn't able to spit fire on them, almost resembling a dragon at this point. The vampire used his powers to keep them in place, chasing them around before he would dash back down and take on his original form. Another wall of fireballs was shot towards them while the group tried to approach him. Avoiding the fire balls worked somewhat well, but it slowed them down which gave him an opportunity to attack them with his sword. Once more, the vampire was planning to attack the hunter first, seeing in him the biggest threat still.

By now, Trevor took his advice to heart and focused more on the speed of his feet rather than the strength behind his attacks. Thus, the hunter dodged the attack with a roll and used the Vampire Killer to wrap it around the blade. Trevor pulled back immediately and it seemed to work, but the vampire held enough strength to tug back and keep hold unto his sword with both hands. It was yet another moment to distract the beast, for the hunter's companions to take a chance, but their foe noticed early enough to use more strength to free himself from the whip's grip and use his cape as a shield. Trevor didn't waste any time and took a running sprint towards him, ramming into him with his shoulder and delivering a punch to his stomach. It drew a strained groan from their enemy and even if Trevor jumped back, he was still fast enough to leave a cut in the hunter's leg.

Sypha then managed to strike him down with a flaming claw, causing his clothes to catch fire which he diminished with his cape. Then a dagger flew by, digging into his shoulder. To the priestess' attack, he answered with his fire magic and Grant received a similar reply before Trevor was faced with fire as well. Yet, the hunter didn't back down anymore. They would need to corner him, so he ran once more, jumped over the ball of flames and as he was on his way down, he used the momentum for his next strike. Their enemy was caught by surprise, then attempted to jump back. But the power of the strike was strong enough to cause cracks in the ground and the shock wave threw him off. Upon the landing, Trevor did a somersault and lashed out, serving no mercy for the vampire who was completely out of his rhythm. Thus, the next hit got him across his chest, causing the diagonal wound to burst and revealing the dark blood. The beast could only stagger backwards, the pain leaving him dazzled before he could realize that the group was heading for him. Thus, the vampire couldn't prepare another attack and resorted to the method of before. He transformed into a bat and escaped their attempt of cornering him by flying upwards towards the cross. Yet, he didn't have enough energy or control to get enough height, so the bat landed in front of it instead and he changed back, laying on the ground.

"H-Halt!", he belted out, stretching out his arm while he cast away his sword with the other. Trevor edged closer, his Vampire Killer still in his hand and ready to deliver a final blow if he did any wrong move. Yet, when the foe glanced up, he noticed how his eye color had changed from a bloody red to a warm yellow. Silence was between them at first before the vampire rose back to his feet, his shoulders slumped down. "I'm surprised that you beat me… No one has made it this far in a while… I've been waiting for someone like you."

It almost sounded like a joke.

Trevor scoffed at these words and edged closer, watching his every movement. "Don't act dumb. If you wish for us to spare your life, you can forget about it." The hunter raised his whip and to his surprise, the vampire didn't even flinch at the sight of it.

"I shouldn't have expected less from someone who carries the Vampire Killer." There was almost something sorrowful to his voice and his gaze carried the same intensity as before. "I can only hope that it wasn't handed to you by chance." These words perplexed Trevor enough that he waited with his attack.

There was something more human to the other. Not by a whole lot, but the air around him wasn't as hostile anymore.

"Tell me, vampire hunter, are you a Belmont to be worthy of this holy weapon?"

The hunter pushed his shoulders back, lifting his chin a bit as if the other had attacked his pride. "I am Trevor Belmont. My mother, a strong warrior herself, past down the Holy Whip and our duty to me."

His eyes grew wide, though it carried none of the anger like it did with the female vampire. "The son... You are her son." The creature stuttered more to himself than to the other. Over time, the vampire lost his intimidation factor. There was no ill tone in his voice when he added: "So that's why you held such familiarity. You carry her eyes, you carry her heritage within you."

Trevor lowered his arm, his attack now forgotten. "You know my mother?" This nobleman was more sorrowful than anything at this point, a hint of regret in his features. "You speak as if you had met her before."

"I did", the vampire replied without any hesitation. Then his voice died away for another second. "We have both sought to defeat Lord Dracula, my father." Their defeated foe didn't flinch when the group blurted out "your father?!" as if he had expected this reaction already. "My name is… Alucard. I have waited in these catacombs for someone worthy to fight my father. I am not one to let anybody run into their death. There has been enough of them already as I can tell…"

"So you were the one who had summoned the giant bat by the entrance?", asked Sypha with actual curiosity. It wouldn't be a surprise if the son of Dracula would hold enough magic within him to do so.

Alucard switched his attention to her and locked it there, the priestess shuddered. Looking at him wasn't intimidating, no, he was actually fair looking for a vampire. Yet, exactly this unholy blood gave an unnatural air to him as if something was off.

"That was my doing indeed", he then replied and nodded to underline his words. "The fact that you fought your way through the catacombs and worked together to defeat me, is proof that you might have a chance to go up against my father."

Trevor looked up at the cross. The incense had been fresh, the candles not old. "What, are you going to continue hiding here until another potential warrior comes by? You wish for the problem to be solve itself?"

Alucard followed his gaze for a second before he lowered it in slight shame. "I did play with the idea of joining your group. In fact, I have high hopes for the son of Sonia to be able to defeat Dracula. Risking for you to fail isn't in my intention and I would assume that my abilities might be convenient to you." His hands formed into fists, his frame tensed and he pushed his shoulders back in defiance. "I need your help to defeat Dracula. My mother loved this world, I can't sit and watch it burn. With your group, I have a chance to protect what my father so selfishly wishes to destroy in his anger."

After Alucard spoke of his wishes with this confidence, it was followed by silence. The three of them looked him over, not knowing what to do.

Of course, this man was the son of Dracula, the one who was about to engage war all over Europe to rule it. But when one glanced at the other and listened to him, they couldn't help but feel like he was honest.

Trevor was the first one to find his voice again. "I suppose, I can see your intentions and the advantages your companionship might have." But he wasn't ready to make this decision alone, so he turned to face his friends. It was in this moment that the hunter noticed how Grant hadn't commented on this situation at all. In fact, there was nothing of his cheeky or bright self and the pirate seemed to avoid even glancing at Alucard.

The priestess shifted in place, noticing the same about Grant. "I don't know... Of course, it would make sense if we were to use the help of the son of Dracula..." She was feeling indifferent to it, that much was clear. It was only natural to have doubts.

No comment coming from the pirate again.

The hunter frowned at that, he was usually the quickest to voice his thoughts. "What about you, Grant? I don't wish to make this decision without your insight as well." The glare that he received for this question was cold and hostile.

"I'm not much of a friend for the idea of taking a vampire with us."

"Half-vampire", commented Alucard from his side, but he wouldn't return the gaze either. "My mother was human. I'm not like my father."

Grant let out a groan, rolled his eyes and stemmed his hands to his hips.

"Same thing. Dark powers and whatever." His hands went to his neck instinctively, rubbing the bite mark as if reminded by what had happened to him. His sharp glance softened and dulled. He added with a sigh: "If you trust him well enough, go ahead, since I trust your judgement, too. But if he acts up wrong only once, you will find my dagger in his chest." Grant spat out the words with such hatred that Trevor was surprised to hear this much from him. The shock seemed to have lasted long enough for Alucard to answer instead: "Understood."

He gave a light nod, now facing him, lifting his chin. With some pride to his features, he approached the pirate who was more than a head smaller than him. It wasn't unusual for non-humans to be of different size. Grant, however, didn't back down and glared up with the same intensity.

"I am to prove myself and I will. This is not for you or to win your trust, but to ensure that this world won't be plunged into ruin. We're on the same side." Alucard had paused to see if something stirred in the other's expression, though he wouldn't bulge. "Let's keep it that way." This was enough for the dhampir and he passed him with a swing of his cape and making his way to the gates of this hall. The pirate finally allowed his frame to slump a bit, one hand rubbing his neck again.

Trevor and Sypha looked at one another in uncertainty. This pair-up wasn't as promising as it had sounded. Yet, Grant's agility proved itself to be more than useful in their adventure. Alucard would provide information and powers that they wouldn't have access to. Neither of them were expandable, this mission needed them both.

The priestess followed Alucard while Trevor patted Grant's shoulder and showing him a gentle smile. Maybe this could encourage him a bit and once he had calmed, this might have worked better. The pirate was hot-blooded, he couldn't deny that.

Grant didn't even look up at him as he shook himself.

Instead, he threw one last glance at Alucard and pressed his lips together. "I'm fine", he then said, swallowing his anger and fright, "I'm fine."

"If you were to follow this corridor, you would get out on the other side."

Alucard had opened the gates for them and carried a candle to illuminate the corridor. "But you can get out a different way. You see, above us is a castle that was taken over by Dracula's forces. With this, we can make our way to the courtyard of father's castle over a bridge. This, however, was built by the demons for a more convenient passage." While the vampire explained, he moved to the left wall a few steps from the gates. His fingers searched for something in a particular spot. "The current king and his children had resided in this castle, but they fled. Most likely through this secret passage here."

The hunter gave it a thought. "The current king… Laiotă Basarab was his name, correct?" He remembered the innkeeper from his first night back in Wallachia. "People don't know where he is and he's assumed dead?"

Alucard gave a nod at these questions. "He's good at hiding, that much my father had to admit no matter how much he'd love to have his head on a plate. Dracula doesn't take well when someone steals his position."

The priestess took hold of the candle to help him with finding whatever switch it was. "I don't know if one could call it stealing. Laiotă shares the same royal bloodline as your father, does he not? It split at some point."

"Indeed, it did. My father and I belong to the Drăculești lineage while Laiotă and his children are of the lineage of the Dănești. I do not care much for it myself, they have been maiming each other for something so empty for years now. It may be a bit grotesque, but it seems like family tradition." Something clicked in the wall, then they could hear many little wheels turning. A part of the wall before them was slithering to the side. Another set of stairs was revealed to them, steep and of different material than the ones in the crypt.

Alucard climbed them first, the other three followed as they let his words sink in. Their steps echoed in the narrow hallway, the sudden calm was unsettling somehow. Only the creaking of the next wooden door reminded them that there was more than the echo in the air.

Light greeted them first, blinded their eyes for a second. A dimly lit bedroom was before them and this was almost more unsettling than the hallway.

Everything was in its' place, nothing torn or disturbed.

The red sheets were laid out on the bed in order. No dust on any surface, the closets polished and the mirror didn't even have a single crack in it.

"Well well, look who we have here."

Trevor recognized this sultry voice right away and he shuddered. To their right sat the female vampire in a rich chair. Her dress had only changed in color, now in a shining black to go with her hair.

"Carmilla?!"

Trevor wasn't the only one who recognized her. Alucard himself was distraught by her sight and struggled with getting his calm back. "What are you doing here? I thought that you were with father!"

"Oh, you wish. I should ask you about what you're doing here with these… Hunters." Carmilla revealed her sharp teeth to him and bashed her eyelashes. She got up from her chair and placed her hands on her curved hips. Her pale hands stood out against the black fabric. The smile from before had faded while her crimson eyes burnt into him. "Are you done crying about your mother, young master? Now you decide to take action and what is it for? To support the enemy?" With each word, one could hear the growing anger. Alucard's hand was already on the hilt of his sword, waiting to strike.

"Let's just say, I have had a change of mind." He tried to sound calm about it, but Carmilla could feel the uncertainty within him and his decision.

"What? Are you going to fight me now? Four against one? That's hardly fair, is it?" Her former sultry tone returned to her to mock him. It didn't show much effect though.

"Someone as foul as you doesn't deserve any form of honesty. As if you were one to play fair anyway", he snarled back and pulled his sword to point it towards her. His companions were getting ready to do the same.

Carmilla rolled with her eyes and leaned her head back. "Come now, really? This is not the time nor the place." Without taking his warning seriously, she stepped to one window. It was night already, the group didn't expect to have spent this much time in the catacombs. "Your father won't like to hear this. But I suppose that it would be good etiquette to wish you good luck. I'm eager to see you jesters again. If you make it, that is."

Alucard called out to her and rushed towards her in an attempt to attack her, but she jumped out of the window. Soon enough, she was fluttering away in form of a large bat. All they could do was watch her take her leave for Dracula's Castle which could be seen as a shadow in the background.

"So what do these news mean to us? Will we have to expect Dracula's expert army now?", grumbled Grant as he crossed his arms. Alucard didn't seem amused about this comment and shifted in place while he slid his sword back.

"Not quite. Father will only be aware that I will bring company during my next visit. Carmilla is too proud of her own army in this castle, so she thinks that we stand no chance against them anyway. This will be her downfall."

"Big words for someone who hasn't gotten far himself. How much distance have you traveled, how many enemies have you gotten under your belt?" There was something challenging to it once more as if it was his goal to provoke the other.

Alucard only partially took the bait. It triggered the need in him to do the same to him.

"Come now, don't act like you did most work, vigilante. You were lucky to make it this far. In fact, you should have been dead by now like most.

And yes, it worked.

"Oh, you should know, huh?!"

Trevor stepped between them, placed a hand each to their chests and pushed them apart. "Enough already. The situation is difficult enough as it is." He then looked at Alucard and his hardened expression didn't soften in the least. "Will we be safe here for now? Do the demons now of our presence in this castle, yet?"

It took the dhampir a second to reply. At first, he gathered his breath and his gaze was unfocused before he answered: "No, not yet. Demons have no reason to come here and Carmilla uses this room for herself at times. Usually, she is with my father in his castle to follow his order, so I wasn't... Expecting that."

Sypha didn't seem too pleased about it, but approached the next door anyway and used her staff to block it.

"Just in case. We should use the opportunity and get ourselves some rest. It has been a while since we were able to occupy a bed anyway." The priestess was the voice of reason, the calmest one among them and they decided that it was best to listen to her. "Since it was Trevor who was last on the watch, I will sleep first and take over the last shift. I suppose, me and Grant can rest first." The bed was big enough for two anyway. Sypha faced Alucard and tilted her head to the side. "I don't how much rest you will need. You can stay awake, of course, if that suits your needs the best."

"It wouldn't be wrong to rest, no. But I will join Trevor's company if he so wishes, because I am not too exhausted myself." Alucard waited for his approval nonetheless which he gave with a simple nod. The hunter had sat alone lonely long enough. Having company was something he needed to get used to still, but he figured that Alucard felt similar. The son of Dracula wasn't the most popular man around, he imagined.

Thus, it was decided.

Sypha and Grant climbed into the bed while the other two grabbed themselves the chairs to sit in, facing one another via a round table. If this wasn't a holy mission or anything, this could have almost looked like a serious meeting of some sorts.

Well, it was in a way perhaps.