I had been traveling for days. Starving, scarred, bruised, and actively bleeding wounds covered my body. My horse had long died and I had been traveling on foot for miles, searching for some sort of city or house that could provide me shelter. The night beasts became more intense night after night, as they knew exactly where I was hiding in the darkness. I was able to defend myself with both magic and a longsword.

I knew how to fight, all my parents ever did was train me as a child. Protecting myself against the outside cruel world was all they cared about. Neither of my parents was actively religious and if they were I never heard a lick about it. The only things I learned about religion were what I was able to find in books. Books and fighting were all I knew. I had always wanted to learn more about alchemy, healing and so much more, but I was limited to my parents' small library.

The night sky was quickly turning from its gorgeous shades of purple and pink to a dark black hue. Knowing night was coming and coming fast, I looked around for a place to hide. My entire body was exhausted and I was surprised that infection hadn't taken over my body. I spotted a large tree not too far from the trail I was on and decided that this would be my lodging for the night. I made a small fire to keep me somewhat warm through the frigid night. Winter was approaching and I had little clothing to prepare for it. Just thinking about the night ahead gave me chills. I wasn't only cold but I had to somehow find the energy to protect myself if the night turned sour.

The stars above were glittering, it was for once a clear and seemingly quiet night. My fire roared softly. I kept it lit with fresh wood and replenished it with fire from my magic when it needed it. I stayed warm, but I slept very little. Fear constantly washed over me when my eyes drifted to sleep even a little.

Morning came with a soft breeze. My long light blonde hair flowed freely behind me as I heaved myself off the ground. I grabbed at my ribs when the blood began to flow and the sharp pain stole my breath from my lips.

"Fuck…" I breathed as I saw my hand covered in blood. I didn't know if I could make it another day like this. My body wasn't healing, it had no energy to. I held a hand at my ribs as I used the tree beside me to get completely to my feet. The sun warmed my cold body only slightly. When September hit I knew it would be a rough winter. Cold nights and warm days, the universe was letting the land know to brace itself.

As I stared at the sun, I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't alone. I looked around me to see if I could see anyone, but nothing stood out. All I could hear was the breeze flowing past my ears. After weeks of being out on a dusty trail dragging my feet behind me, maybe my senses have shot. I pulled my cloak tight around me while the woosh of a longsword rushed past my head.

"Holy shit…" I whispered. I reached my free hang-out and ran my fingers along the hilt. The blade reeked of magic, but the scent wasn't anything new to me. I used magic on a daily, but it seemed unusual for a blade of this caliber to be imbued with magic. Just as I started running my hand up the blade, it pulled itself out of the tree and into the woods, slicing my hand as it left. Watching the blood pool in my hand, I stared in awe as a long blonde-haired man appeared before me in the woods.

"You need to leave." He said with a rough voice. He held the longsword in one hand and a tight fist in the other. A black and gold jacket was draped around his shoulders, a loose white v-neck tee-up top, and black pants completed his entire look. His eyes were piercing, you could tell he'd faced a lot of hardship in his life. Balling my bloody hand and letting the blood drip to the dirt I talked carefully,

"Please… I mean you no harm. I just need something to eat and then I'll go." I looked at him gently, my bright blue eyes studying him carefully. I saw his eyes travel up and down my body, studying me.

"What's your name?" He asked sternly. I sighed in response,

"I'm Iona. I've been walking for days. I don't know where I am or really how I got here. At this point, everything is a blur." His stern eyes strained. I knew he was contemplating his next words and decisions. I spoke out through the silence,

"Again, all I need is some food and I'll be gone."

He sheathed his sword and walked towards me slowly.

"Let's walk." He said ominously. I knew if I was going to die, it would be by this man here in the middle of the woods. Who knows what laid ahead the path in front of us?

"I sensed your presence last night. It took me a bit to find where you were hidden, but I eventually found you and the fire you kept alive." I walked a couple of paces behind him as he spoke. I listened intently to him. His voice was gentle but stern. He knew exactly what he was saying and all of it was carefully calculated.

"I hate to interject, but how did you sense me?" My voice wavered. I was unsure if what I was asking even made any sense, but his answer was quick and made my heart drop.

"Your blood…"

"My… My blood?" I whispered.

"I guess I never introduced myself. I'm Adrian Tepes, but you can call me Alucard." He replied with a small smile. The first smile I had seen since we interacted,

"Do you change your mind about going with me?" he asked as he turned to face me.

"Honestly, if anyone knows how to help me… It would be you. I met a couple of people a while ago who talked very highly of you, but I sensed that they hadn't seen you in quite some time."

He nodded in reply which confirmed my suspicions that he had been alone for some time. Little did I know we had walked quite a distance. A clearing opened and a large castle stood before me.

"Is that..?" Alucard cut me off,

"Yes. Dracula's castle… My father's castle." He continued to walk as I stood marveling at the glory of something so ancient. As I watched, I felt my vision become hazy and the corners of my peripheral went black.

"Alucard…" I whispered before I hit the ground. Hard.