Chapter 5: Symphony of the Night Part 1

Tristan Academy, Rose Garden

"Roland...we cant...please...not here..." The young plebeian, put her hand to her mouth, in an attempt to stop the scream from coming out. The knight was holding the maid in his arms, using his free hand to stimulate the place...under her skirt. The dark clouds were beginning to stir, and the howling wind was blocking out there voices. The man gently whispered into the girls ear, "You don't have to worry about a thing, my sweet lady. No one is up at this hour, dear Jessica." With that, the man's hand became rougher, as he moved it with more vigor and speed, causing the girl to moan in pleasure. The garden was a good place as any to engage in a midnight lovemaking. The beautiful stonework containing the garden was embroided with the carvings of flowers, of all colors. The abundance of red roses acted as a lovely backdrop to the envelopment of two people. The girl squirmed a little, as she half-heartily attempted to protest, "This is wrong...what if someone see's us...i'm here visiting my cousin, Siesta...I...I cant be see with you..." She nervously glanced up into the sky, saying as an excuse to end there little tryst, "Look, Roland it's going to rain in a few minutes, we should get inside-"

The couple were jolted in surprise, as a vast, red portal opened up before them, with a booming "Zam" sound, though it's noise was mostly blocked out by the thunderous thunder in the distance across the rest of the School's grounds. Right as a loud fork of lightning fell across the night sky, along with a loud boom of thunder. Rain drops began to fall, drearily falling onto the dark, sleepy academy. The spectral portal's border was blood red, while the inside was a dark shade of crimson, red, but with traces of pure darkness scattered within, occasionally wrapping around the red like a tentacle. On its feet, lay three scattered pentagrams, intermingled, and locked with each other. The symbols inside the the three pentagrams were intelligible, and impossible to read, though you could tell they were most likely related to forbidden black magic.

Roland carefully put down the maid, as he slowly backed away from the portal, ignoring the falling rain. Jessica, who was being guided by Roland, glanced at her companion's side. The steel long-sword he always kept on his belt, was drawn. She took a second to glance upwards, and look at his face. His usual clear blue eyes were mingled with an emotion she had never seen on his face before.

Terror.

Trembling, the knight whispered, "Run."

The grand, shimmering crimson portal had disappeared in seconds, right after it had first appeared. In it's place stood...a wall of darkness. Beyond that veil of shadow lay two, dark sanguine orbs. Along with a grin, of razor sharp fangs. Long, lanky, yet musclar, black hairy limbs stetched out from the darkness which ended in jet black claws, as did a deep, terrible voice emerge from the shadows,

"Tonight, I shall feast on your cadavers, mortals..."

Forty Minutes Later, Louise's Sleeping Quarters

Angels above, it was a clear, gloomy night not an hour ago. Were the hell did this stormy weather come from?

The far roars of thunder echoed across the castle's ground, as brief blue forked flashes of lightning flared in and out of existence in the distance. Rain was falling. And it was falling very hard, mingled with small amounts of hail. The night was long, and enduring. Not two hours have passed since the duel, but it was still black as the abyss outside.

"YOU NEARLY KILLED HIM!" Screamed the pink-haired girl with rancor, pointing her finger accusingly at the vampire. Louise puffed her chest up, the small pinkette furiously pacing around the small bedroom. She had changed into her sleeping gown, which to her annoyance, Louise had to do herself. It was, as afforded her rank as a noble and a member of the upper aristocracy, expensive looking, and matched her pink hair. The young mage's bedroom was quite large, but also oddly bare. Certainly it lacked clutter of any kind. A surprise, considering her social status. She had a small vanity, night table, clothing drawer, and bookshelf, all made from white oak. The bed room was illuminated by several candles, though the lightning from outside the window's was more prevalent, continuously casting it's ray's of unwholesome blue light across the entire academy

After the "little" incident in the garden, Louise had given the vampire one hell of a lecture,

I swear by Beelzebub, the Abbott nagged less then her...

The Dragon had expected his "master" to be far more humble, and timid in her interactions with him after his dark display at the garden, shriveled, frightened, and more importantly, horrified . Just like her classmates. Petrified, in pure fear, as the Prince of Darkness layed waste in a scion of death and despair. Instead, all Gabriel had gotten from the young pinkette was endless screams, and nagging so foul, it would cause demons to shrivel in dread. Gabriel, his eyes closed, sat almost motionlessly cross-legged beside the door, halfheartedly responded in his usual monotone, his voice radiating the power of the Void within him,

"I told you before, girl." The vampire prince briefly paused, "My actions merely broke, a handful of ribs. As well as caused some...rather minor internal bleeding. The boy will be fine...he needed some discipline anyway. Nothing some magic won't fix. We are in an academy for the arcane arts, after all." Gabriel said, giving himself a small toothy grin. Louise still wasn't impressed. Well, the vampire learned centuries ago, he couldn't please everyone. Letting the girls defiant eyes trail on him in disgust, Gabriel blocked the incoming rant, and instead focused on the surrounding waves of rain that were failing down on the stone pavement below.

Drip

The normally relaxing sound of rain brought little comfort to Dracul, but at the least it put him slightly to ease. His enhanced hearing could spot a difference in sound from a mile away, and all the was coming from outside, was the peaceful sound of rain, thunderous lightning, and booming thunder.

Drip

The rain fall continuously went on, never ending. Just like the waters of immortality, ever flowing for an eternity.

Drip

Humans are like rain drops, so numerous, but short lived. They fall, and disappear as soon as they are made. These fools continue on with there daily lives. Not knowing the horrors that lurk in the shadows. How pathetic...miserable little insects-

Stomp

Gabriel instantly caught the sounds of heavy feet stomping on the ground, outside Louise's room, most likely near the stair case that lead downstairs, and into the garden. Many of them in fact, probably over a dozen feet. Going by the all-familiar sound of plate greaves, those people were also heavily armored. And coming closer to Louise's room.

There goes my brooding time...

Wasting no time, the Vampire Prince, stood up. Louise in response to his indifference, shouted, "Are you even listening to me?!" Ignoring her, the vampire could hear the crowd of armored figures right outside the door. Along with sulfurous hissing,

Instinctively, Gabriel sprang into action conjuring his Void Magic, and erecting a void sphere around himself, and Louise, who was paraylsed by shock. The bright, glowing sphere of spectral light surrounded the duo, acting as a barrier just in case. Not a moment later, an explosion rocked the room, as Louise's wooden door was thrown across and into the shimmering circle of light. Dust was thrown up,

With a thud, armored men stormed into the room, through the large cloud of dust. The group was clad head to toe in heavy, steel plate mail. It was good quality armor to be certain, as Gabriel could easily tell fine craftsmanship when he saw it, though in his honest opinion, it was sorely lacking in comparison to the equipment the Brotherhood Knights of old utilized. Engraved on each right Pauldron were what seemed to be some dialect of French, mixed with German. As afforded by his vampiric bloodline, Dracul could slow down his perception of time, allowing him to analysis his opponents, before taking any steps to counter them. The engraving roughly read "By the Grace of the Queen". The vampire also noticed they wore stylized tabbards, blue in colored, with gold letters carved on them. The letters read, "Royal Eagle Knights", and along with there unit's name, what seemed to be a golden eagle stood proudly on the front of the tabbard. Most of, whom Gabriel could now identify as members of the Tristian Army, the soldiers bore halberds, but could also see steel swords, as well as small daggers on there belts.

Fools. Whoever they are, they shall regret facing the Dragon.

In a span of a millisecond, the Vampire launched himself forward in a burst of speed, and collided into the first group, shouting as he did, showing his fangs "The Dragon comes for you, filth!" With supernatural strength, he put out his clenched fist as he rammed into the first soldier, whose eyes filled with complete shock. The force behind his strike smashed into the knight's plate mail, rippling the area around it, leaving behind a large dent in his chest piece, and threw him backwards beyond the door, causing him to collide into the advancing group of infantry. The soldier adjacent to the one Gabrirel had just vanquished, counterattacked, bringing down his weapon on the vampire in a downward strike. The vampire Prince, melancholy avoided the swing in a flash of other worldly speed, going behind the soldier, and slamming his boot into the back of the man's leg, causing it to break, with a sickening snap. The Tristian soldier screamed in pain, falling backwards onto the ground, as he clenched his wounded leg. Gabriel quickly incapacitated a third soldier, with a flurry of punches aimed at his arms, as well as his chest, the armor offering no protection against the overwhelming might of Gabriel's hits. The vampire lord was equally skilled in the art of hand-to-hand combat, as he was with the whip, and blade. Though when fighting unarmed he preferred to utilize his razor sharp fangs, and long, claw like, black finger nails.

The soldiers, despite there fancy, expensive armor, that should have signified there veterancy, fought very poorly. Dracul could easily overwhelm and slaughter a battalion of the highly skilled Brotherhood Knights, but even he could admit to there competence. Brotherhood of Light units fought with cohesion, advance tactics, and most importantly, teamwork. When facing superior numbers, as well as psychical strength, speed, magic, and ruthlessness, Brotherhood soldiers confronted Dracula's legions of darkness admirably.

These "Knights", though? In comparison? Sorely lacking was an understatement. Pitiful. The Vampire Prince couldn't imagine them slaying a lesser Lycantrope, let along one of his Nosfertus Bloodreavers.

I bet this is some "honor guard" group. A high position given in the army reserved for the pampered sons of nobility. Bah. Waste of space.

By now, the company of soldiers had figured out, that whatever objective they had, they weren't going to achieve it easily. One of the soldier's called out from behind the main group, "Fall back! Retreat!" The soldiers about to engage Gabriel nodded there heads as they slowly backed away, weapons still drawn, half-encircling him. The area in the room, while spacious for a bedroom, could hardly fit the entire squad, meaning the soldiers were packed tightly, like a Greek phalanx. Smiling faintly, he advanced a few paces, his leather boots making sounds as they made contact with the rickety floorboards. Dracul's sanguine eyes narrowed, and he said, rather deadpanly, in a voice filled with mockery,

"What a timely coincidence...i'm dying for a little drop of blood..." The soldiers hands began to tremble, in fear, as they nervously steadied there weapons. Mummers, as well as whispers began to spread like a wild fire around the group in low, hushed tones.

"They were insane to call us in..."

"What the hell is he..."

"The count, and head master can go to hell, i'm not facing that monster!"

Hah, a true knight would fight me to the end. Miserable cowards...does your honor mean so little to you?

"Enough." Was the only response the vampire got, from a feminine voice no less. The soldier's gulped, as they stepped away, as if to let someone through the crowd of them, weapons still raised. A woman made her way to the front. She looked...quite different then the rest of them. She had pitch black armor, which instead of plate, was made up of dark scales. If Gabriel had to make an educated guess, he would assume the material was none other then Dragon scales. She had jet-black hair, and looked vaguely...oriental, which was extremely odd, considering this place was filled with European looking people. She had cool, grey eyes. Void and expressionless, her face was certainly very pretty, as well as young, mid twenties, though her beauty was offshot by something.

Mainly her chilling expression. Not a single shred of emotion.

She wielded a long, crimson spear, that extended out to be the size of her entire body. The spear was covered in markings, though Gabriel couldn't read them, despite knowing over eight languages. What it was made of...was anyone's guess. It vaguely resembled whatever his son, Alucard's, blade, Masume was made from, and like it, he could see faint sparks of red lightning dancing on it's tip. The woman, eyed the vampire with disinterest as she turned to face one of the other soldier's,

"Lieutenant, why isn't Lady La Valliere in custody yet?"

They want to arrest Louise, what on the world for? Dracul had just remembered Louise was in the room with him. The young mage was by the window, distancing herself away from the fighting, looking in, just as confused as Gabriel,

The soldier sharply saluted with his gauntleted hand, as he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, Captain Kanemki. Sir, we tried..." He briefly gazed down in shame for his failure. Captain Kanemki shook her head, saying in a monotoned voice, "Count Mott will not be pleased with you.:

That name sounds Japanese. Alucard was telling me how during the 21rst century, people were obsessed with that blasted island.

Clearly annoyed the woman let out a light sigh, as she prepared her weapon, going into a fighting pose, "Do I have to do all the work around here...you, there. Lady Valliere." The woman eyed Louise, who curiously glanced back at her. Her features hardened, as she barked, with a harsh tone of voice, "What is the meaning of this?! Attempting to attack me in my quarters! I would expect knights of the Royal Army to behave in a more respectful manner. Humph." She turned around in disgust, holding up her arms in disapproval. "You should know my mother is a Duchess, as am I, as well as the legendary Commander of the Manticore Knights!"

Captain Kanemki put her hand to her heart, and knelt, "I'm well aware of who you are milady." The woman's continued to speak in an emotionless tone, her apparent politeness not hiding the icy venom in her voice, "As I said before, I was ordered to take you into custody by Count Mott, as well as Head Master Osmond."

"For what?!" The pink-haired noble demanded,

"The murder of Sir Roland Guillaume, of the Stallion Knights."

Louise's eyes filled with shock, "What?!" She clenched her fists, and shouted in anger, "How dare you accuse me! On what evidence do you make this baseless accusation?!" The woman gave the first smile Dracula had seen on her. It was void of any warmth, instead being akin to a wolf's terrible smile. "His corpse was found, mangled, and ripped apart in the Rose garden. Empty of all, fluid's including blood." Her gaze turned to the vampire Prince, "Your familiar is a vampire, is he not? Not a few hours ago, he nearly murdered another noble. It's clear who the perpetrator was. Your familiar. Whom you ordered."

Louise's expression just grew more hateful, as well as angrier, "Preposterous, what motive would I had?! I barely knew the man!"

"So you can confirm, you were acquainted with Sir Guillaume?" Louise paused before saying, "Yes, but only in passing. I met him a week ago, when he was touring the school."

The captain shook her head, maintaining cool indifference, "I'm afraid you still have to come with me."

"She isn't going anywhere with you, girl." Gabriel seethed. He finally spoke up, putting himself in between Louise and the group of armed soldiers. The captain snorted, stomping her left foot into the wooden floor, "I did not ask for your permission, you un-human mongrel."

This wench dares to insult me? Fool. Face thy darkest nightmare then.

Gabriel grinned devilishly in response to the captain's taunt, as the darkness began to grow and surround him, like a swirling vortex of shadow, and acting as an aura of dread. Intermined within were burning red embers, and shards of black fire, the essence of the Dragon's foul breath. His blood red eyes, flared and became alit with rage and hatred. From behind on his back, spread the spectral corrupted mockery of angel wings, red as blood, and black as the night.

As much as he despised it deep inside, he was no longer the mortal man, Gabriel Belmont. He was the reaper of death. The one and only Lord of Shadows. The Prince of Darkness. He was no regular vampire. He was the apex predator, that consumed all lesser evil underneath him, keeping humanity as a whole safe. He was worshiped by his followers as a god, and displayed the power of one. It was by divine verdict and judgement that he ruled as the Monarch of Night for eternity, to suffer and boil in his raw self loathing forever. To pay for his many sins. Even after dispelling the Castle's influence over him, Gabriel remained Dracul. It was his eternal duty. His everlasting punishment. He promised himself eons ago that he would accept, and embrace it. Dracula stood by his promise.

The guardsmen's eyes began to fill in horrible realization at what horrors they had awoken in there hubris, as they slowly backed away from the Vampire Prince, pointing out there pole-arms.

Gabriel's original voice was mas mixed a vile orchestra of a thousand others, both female and male. He began to cackle with clear insanity in his voice "Inhuman? What is so appealing about man? Mankind is nothing more than a miserable pile of secrets! But enough talk, have at you! " His snow pale hand glowed sanguine, as the shade of an armored eldritch gauntlet formed around his hand. He manifested his mighty shadow whip, and held it with both of his clawed hands, threatening, the group of Triistian soldiers. He spoke once more, deep, but high pitched at the same time. It changed tone at random intervals, and spoke as if a thousand other voices were coming from his mouth, "I am Dracul. I am Legion, and I shall devour you." The greatest way to break your opponents, were to fill them with fear and dread. After a millennium of being a boogeyman whispered by fires to children, this was second nature to Dracula by now.

The raven-haired captain drew her long, crimson spear, and flourished it, expertly twirling the weapon with dexterity and skill around her body. She wasn't weighed down by her heavy dark scale armor, moving with speed as she approached the front of the group, that was slowly retreating from the room. Speaking in a voice filled with authority, the captain said, "Hold your position, guardsmen, do not let this...fiend scare you into submission!" Her will was iron, and she simply went into rank with the other, trembling soldiers. Louise, who had taken positions behind the vampire, tugged at Gabriel's coat. The vampire prince briefly turned around, to face the young girl. Gabriel had noticed she had gotten paler, and her eyes were filled with something other then defiance.

Fear.

I suppose, I might have overdid the whole, "I am Legion" thing. It's not like anyone here has read that foolish scripture anyway...

Louise, with unease, whispered, "Dracul...we cant hurt them..." The vampire's eyes filled with what seemed to be annoyance, and Louise withdrew under his dark gaze, "Excuse me, girl?" Louise gulped, making sure to stay behind the vampire, and away from the armored knights. As terrified as she was, her mother wouldn't want her to show that fear, outwardly (which was quite useless around the vampire, as he could smell fear from a mile away), and this "creature", as she refused to acknowledge Dracul as a person after seeing that nightmarish display, was her familiar. It was bound to her, and wouldn't harm her. With some hesitation, the pink haired girl said,

"Were trying to prove my innocence, I assume, correct? Then wouldn't it just add fuel to the fire in my familiar slaughtered a group of Tristian Soldiers?"

The vampire's eyes dawned in relisation, as he thought more deeply about the situation they were in.

Ah...well that's certainly a mood-killer.

Louise was right of course. The actions the vampire was about to take were counter-productive to the goal at hand. Dracul had spent so long slaughtering Brotherhood knights, he kinda lacked any alternative to dealing with knights in general. Or mock them by rubbing in how they were going to be massacred in a horrible blood bath of guts, severed limbs, and decapitations. Well, he had a role to play. That included playing up his apparant evilness as he was supposed to be the ultimate evil that opposed god.

It seemed he wouldn't get his chance to feast on human blood tonight after all.

Sighing, the vampire dispelled the vile aura he was emitting. His eyes went from monocrome, to a soft shade of red in moments. The angel-like wings on his back, however, remained outsretched. The Shadows still extended across the room, emitting from his body. He motioned for Louise to come closer to him, which the girl, sightly hesitating for a moment, did. His voice, back to normal, betrayed his usual sense of hidden mockery, "It seems, I unfortunately won't be able to send any of you useless knaves to your maker tonight. What a shame." The vampire, gripping Louise's shoulder gently, began to back away from the group, approaching the window. The soldiers followed him slowly, there weapons outstretched like a forest of steel pikes. The Captain called out from the front of the group, demanding "There's no-where to flee too, vampire. Give us the girl, and surrender yourself!"

"I think not, my fair lady." Said the vampire. By the time they reached the window, Louise whispered, "What's your plan?" Ignoring her for a brief moment, the vampire addressed the group of soldiers a final time, "Know that the only reason you escape death today, is because of the mercy offered to you by a little girl, oh brave eagle knights." He didn't pause at all, as he whispered to Louise, "Ever thought how it would feel to be a bird?" Louise's barely had time to say a word, "What-AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Holding her with his strong arms, the vampire leaned backwards, smashing the window with his weight, grinning as he and Louise fell through the shattered shards of glass, and into the rainy grounds of the academy below.