"What is it, Master Lucius?" The only light in the darkness of the Victorian-style room came from a few candles scattered throughout. Two figures stood along the luxuriously-patterned corridor; one a woman, one a man. Both of their faces were hidden by cloaks, but apparently the woman spoke, for the first voice was that of a femme. Her voice sounded dull; like she was possessed.

"Nothing, my love," the man said, extending a hand to rest on the woman's shoulder. She didn't move. He leaned close to her and kissed her forehead. "Be still- you're safe now." With that, the hood of her cloak fell to her shoulders. A face so divine that it could make even an angel swoon shone against the candlelight. Auburn locks of wavy hair that seemed to go on forever cascaded down her back. She was a sight to see, except for one thing- her eyes. They were glazed over, a murky, swampy color that could once have been a sparkling emerald. She stared forward as if the man ahead of her didn't exist, as if she didn't exist. Then--

Gasp! He woke up. Cracking his neck, he stood from his spot against the tree. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked at his horse that stood, tied up to the tree. It gave a soft noise, looking at him curiously. He sighed.

He was just having weird dreams because it was his first week by himself. Right? But no... they seemed like more to him. More than a dream. Like a strange reality, a second reality.

That wasn't the first time he'd dreamt of her, either.

They had been going on for a little more than a month. Every night it was the same thing- a "Master Lucius", a giant, elaborate castle, and her. That nameless woman he'd never seen before. Was she real, or had he made her up in his imagination?

The last part of the dream haunted him the most, though. She'd looked at him. At him. It was as if he were standing there, watching the two have their conversation, like he was invisible. But she looked right at him. Not that dull, glazed-over look, but for a mere second, a millisecond, she looked at him. At his eyes. At his soul.

He shook his head as he felt his mechanical horse nuzzle his shoulder. "What is it, girl? I'm alright," he said, patting the horse down her nose. He smiled and picked up his cloak, wrapping himself in it. Then, he hopped aboard the horse and set off.

He was going to do like his father did, scoping the lands for some Nobles to fight. He didn't do it for kicks, but to live up to his father's expectations. Even though he'd never known him, he was going to be just like him, just like the things he'd heard in all of the stories. That wonderful, great, spirited warrior they called "D".

"You think I should go by D like my Pops?" he asked his horse as they trotted along the plains. He chuckled to himself as the horse whinnied. "Yeah, you're right. They already think I'm him. I shouldn't push it."

--

The mechanical equine was tied up on the street. The fresh-starting Vampire Hunter was heading into the bar. No, he didn't drink much, but it was interesting to hear what people had to say about the town. That and, he could find out if there were any Nobles in the area that needed some ass kicking. He'd probably want to start out small, though, for this was his "debut" and he really had no idea what one was going to be like. He'd never even met a Noble, really. But he'd studied, he'd trained, and now, he was ready. Or more, he thought he was.

"What'll ya have?" The bartender asked as he cleaned out a cup with a rag. The boy sat down on a barstool and sighed.

"How about a sherry, my good man," he said quietly, reaching into his pocket to pull out a few coins. Alcohol was pretty cheap these days, so it only cost him mere coppers.

"You sure you're old enough to drink? You sound pretty young, alright," the bartender said. The two chuckled. They had abolished the drinking age rule, well, ages ago.

"I'm 17, believe it or not," he said as he handed the man his money. The bartender took it and filled up a cup of sherry, handing it to the boy.

"So, what's your name, son? You don't look like you're from these parts." The teenager chuckled softly, looking up at him with those cobalt eyes of his.

"Well, they call me Dante."

--

I hope you liked that for a second chapter! It might pick up the pace a bit at first, but then I'm going to have it slow down... Don't worry. Oh, and I didn't mean for it to sound a lot like the one with Sybille. It will NOT be a dream world, don't worry. You'll find out soon enough. Thanks for reading! Review, please!