Disclaimer- I don't own the characters in the Castlevania game... Only the ones that do not appear in it, and this wonderful little plot...

I want to thank my reviewers... You are always so kind... And I was updating today when I noticed that it had been awhile... So here it is... The next chapter to this story! Enjoy!

Chapter 9

"This is the hole I found." Joachim pointed to the gap in the floor. While wandering along the path, the walls had started to change to a stone, and the floor was more of woodwork, then the red carpet from before. It was in between this transition that the being found the hole.

The hunter nodded, noticing with an eerie recollection that this was the same hole the outline jumped through. Leon had never believed in consequences and he wasn't about to start.
'There must be something to this shadowy outline.' He didn't want to say anything to the other because he didn't want to appear stupid. As weird as that sounded he didn't ponder why he thought that way.

"Shall we go in?" The being noticed the other's silence and was depressed at breaking it, but it had to be done. At the other's nod, he took the initiative. Kneeling he placed on foot before the other, bracing himself with his arms, until he was lowered into the dark abyss. Blinking his eyes, Joachim adjusted to the light change fairly quickly. Walking ahead a little ways ahead so that the other would be able to get down.

"Is it safe?" Leon shouted from the top, wincing as he did so. Reminding himself not to try that again, he sat himself down, ready to fall.

"Yeah."

Hearing the answer, the blonde fell down into the passageway. Following behind the other, he noticed in awe as his eyesight adjusted to fit his needs. "Well this is new." He commented lightly, enjoying the new change.

Joachim turned around, when he heard the other so close to him. Looking at the other he raised an eyebrow. "What the hell are you talking about?" The comment wasn't rude, just curious.

Leon felt a blush light up his cheeks, as he looked anywhere, but there. He had completely forgotten that the changes had only occurred in him. Had he been alone it wouldn't have been so bad. "We should go forward." The hunter thought he could make out the outline of what looked like a large plant. It reminded him of the Garden Forgotten By Time, something that he didn't want to relive. Sighing he made his way forward. From what he could see the passageway was made out of stone. Designs were etched on the walls, as perfect as the day they were made.

Joachim followed, hovering above the aground as high as he could. The ceiling wasn't much higher then he was normally. Silent, he watched the other navigate.

It didn't take long for them to reach the end of the tunnel. Widening out it led to a grassy meadow with large hedges out to from walls. Vines dangled and wound themselves around tall marble looking columns.

"I think we're in a maze." Joachim spoke, awed at the sight before him. Looking around he saw at least six different entrances. Getting through would be hard.

"We have company." Leon tensed as he felt and heard the screams of zombies coming towards them. Holding back the fear that threatened to consume him, he pulled out his Vampire Killer. The whip glowed an eerie deep purple before returning to normal.

Joachim was about to speak, when a group of hour hanged men started to make their way over. Their brown flesh, clung to the bone, and rotting cloth. Around their oddly angled neck's were the remains of the ropes that had killed them. More than one of them were missing limbs. (Fingers, hands…etc.) Though their pace was slow as they waddled, it was the gut-wrenching moans that made them formidable. Eternal torture for their sins, a horrible way to spend an afterlife. Joachim tried not to focus on that though. Closing his pools he willed his swords to come forth. Six sharp blades, all blade down became visible, circulating around his figure. He waited for the zombies to come closer.

Leon waited as well, understanding that in the larger open space they had a chance to maneuver around them. His crystal blue pools darted back and forth, focusing on the other entryways for other creatures to come out. Nothing did.

The moaning creatures finally entered the room after a minute or so. Watching their prey enter both men charged forward. Each taking two of the undead.

Leon moved with the wind, gracefully. He noticed that the clawing hands were easier to dodge. Rolling around the closest one, he bent forward, slashing at the creatures legs. Blood poured out, as the remaining tendons on it's leg were ripped from the bone. Falling down, the creature looked down at it's useless leg bones. Leon took no notice, focusing his attention on the other creature.

Slower than the first the second hanged man, extended his arms as far as they would go. Sensing the pale flesh of the other, he tired to grab it. The only thing he could think of was strangling the other, until life escaped him.

Leon noticed the assault however and ducked. The hands cut through the air just above him. Holding out his magical glove, he released the black bishop talisman he had picked up during the trails at Walter's castle. Instantly he felt a flood of power. Clenching his whip, the hunter flung it upward, jumping back as a spray of arterial blood threatened to hit him. The zombie collapsed, head finally separated from his body.

Walking over to the first zombie, he quickly did the same. Looking over at Joachim, he watched the other's blades pierce multiple area of flesh, rendering the creature dead.
"That was fun." Leon commented , wiping some sweat off his brow.

Joachim nodded still focused on what he had done. 'It has been awhile since I have seen any poor unfortunate souls like this.' "Where do we start?" He asked, breaking the silence that had settled in.

Leon looked at the entrances and found one that called out to him, like before. Without word or thought he made his way towards it, leaving Joachim to follow.


A/N: Review plz. The comments are nice to hear.