Disclaimer: See the Prologue
Extraneous: Also see the Prologue in order to see all of the marks that will be used.

Interlude III: Conference Crasher
When we last left the Oricaltos and his friends:

Soma was forced into a fight with the former missionary Graham Jones, who was granted demonic powers by the Dark Priest known as Shaft. However, these powers were not enough to keep the man from being overcome. In the end, Soma revealed his final form, and ran the demon through. After meeting briefly with Saito and the others, it was revealed that the Oricaltos needed to head back to Earth for a brief spell. After agreeing on a method to get him into the Catholic conference in New York, Soma let him take his own path. We now join Saito, as he is about to enter into one of the toughest situations of all time: convincing the Catholic Church that he actually exists...

Lobby: Chrysler Building: New York: New York: USA
Time Period: 2040 AD

As Saito waited patiently for the young woman to finish looking through his credentials, he whistled lightly to himself. He only stopped when the receptionist called him over. "What is it?" "Well, it appears that the bishops have sealed themselves in one of the conference rooms on the 30th floor, and they refuse to admit anyone except for the person delivering their meals. I am very sorry that I can't get you into the room, sir." Saito slowly shook his head as he began to formulate an idea. "Do you happen to know when the food will get here?" The blonde woman flashed him a grin as her eyes shifted from blue to violet. "I have no idea, Saito, but I'm sure that they should be here any minute now..."

At that moment, the doors opened and a young man walked towards the security checkpoint, pushing a cart loaded with delivery containers. The receptionist flashed Saito a grin as she called out to the courier. "Hey Seth! When you're done, do you think you could come over here for a minute?" "Not at all, miss," the man replied, but then his eyes widened slightly as he saw the mage standing next to the desk. After security had finished going through the food, he briskly pushed the cart over to the main desk. He then looked over at the mage, a slightly amused twinkling in his eyes. "You going to be taking it from here, Saito?" The weredragon snorted a laugh as he looked first at the younger Belmont, and then his eyes wandered to Marjoly. "What do you think, Seth? Of course I will be taking it from here!" Speaking of taking care of things, you two might want to head downstairs when your shifts are over. I have a funny feeling that Shaft is going to try something. I have to agree with you on that count, Saito.

Conference Room#3: 30th Floor: Chrysler Building

"Well, what do you think of the latest developments in how the clergy is raising funds to help pay for all of these expenses?" Yoko Belnades was trying her best to tune-out the older nun as she droned on and on about the financial situation. Rolling her eyes, she looked over at the young man sitting across from her. "So, do you think that we will be getting anything done today, Brother Andrews?" she whispered to her Jesuit partner. The man shrugged before whispering back. "I doubt it. After all, Cardinal Rikelto has been avoiding the issue for more 'pressing matters', as he so bluntly puts it. However, that may change fairly soon..." Yoko nodded in agreement when the nun's speech was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Cardinal Jason Rikelto looked directly at Yoko before his eyes strayed to the door. "Do you mind paying for lunch today, dear?" he called sweetly, and it took most of the witch's self-control in order to keep from strangling the man. Even though he was the richest of all of the European Cardinals, he refused to lift a finger to do any sort of charity work. He kept all of his money to himself, and it was well-known that he had a decently-sized private army waiting to do his bidding. The blonde-haired witch gritted her teeth before rising from her chair and turning towards the door. "If you insist, Cardinal, but I have one condition..." "And that would be what, Miss Belnades?" "There is a matter that you keep on avoiding, and I need you to stop stepping around it! You know how long we have been here, but you still refuse to allow me to even begin!" The older man let out a sigh as he settled back into his seat, slowly lowering his eyes as he shook his head. "If you insist, Miss Yoko, then we will discuss the matter of this so-called 'Oricaltos'." Yoko flashed the older man a brilliant smile before she went to answer the door.

Upon opening it, she was greeted by a slender young man wearing a courier's uniform. "Is this the Catholic conference?" he asked, a little confused. Yoko smiled before sliding out the door and closing it behind her. "You came to the right place, I'm afraid. My name is Yoko Belnades," she said, extending her hand to the auburn-haired figure. The mage smiled as he raised his eyes before reaching out to clasp Yoko's hand. "My name is Saito Onago, but you know me by a different title." Yoko looked slightly puzzled at this statement, but then it dawned on her. Mary, Mother of God! Are you truly the Oricaltos? Heh. That is correct, descendant of Sypha. However, I did not exactly come here on a pleasure trip. What do you mean by that? Well, Let's just say that the Cardinal is going to be getting a call from someone VERY familiar... The witch's eyes widened slightly, but then they began to glitter with amusement. Come on in. After all, it's not everyday that you get to meet a living legend. Saito laughed easily as Yoko opened the door and held it so that he could pass inside, bearing the food cart.

As the Oricaltos stepped into the room, his eyes scanned the faces around the central table. They settled briefly on Brother Andrews, and a spark of acknowledgment passed between the two men. The wandering eyes then settled on a pair of silver irises, and Saito's eyes narrowed slightly before returning to normal. As Yoko settled back into her seat, Saito began to pass-out the food. When he was finished, he drifted towards the back of the room, waiting for one particular phone call...

As everyone settled down to eat, Yoko turned to the Cardinal. "You know, there are several pieces of evidence that suggest that the Oricaltos actually exists." "Really? Please continue, young lady. I would be delighted to hear what you have to say," Rikelto said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. However, this did not deter Yoko or her staunch ally, Brother Robert Alan Andrews, who had earned, much to his displeasure, the nickname of "Baal". "Well, there has been evidence in several of the texts concerning one particular family, but I am sure that you already know that," Brother Andrews said, blinking his forest-green eyes rapidly. He then ran a hand through his closely cropped black hair. "After all, YOU are the one who ordered those records to be destroyed, correct?" At this, the Cardinal glared at him, anger rising in the man's silver eyes. "You have said enough, young man. Now sit down, and shut up!"

Ring, Ring! The phone in the middle of the table went off immediately before Saito could give his response, and the mage suddenly smiled, knowing that it could only be one person. The Cardinal looked nervously at the phone before hitting the speaker button. "Yes? What is so urgent that you are calling me now?" "Sir, we are receiving an incoming call, but I'm not sure whether or not to believe the location signal." The man settled into his chair, slightly puzzled. "What do you mean by that? Where is the call originating from?" "We don't have an exact fix, but the signal is still very clear. Do you wish me to put the call through?" "Of course, woman! Put this person through to us." There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, but then a voice began to speak. Yoko's eyes widened in recognition, and Rikelto's widened with horror.

"Who put you in charge of the conference, Cardinal Rikelto? Was it the Pope, or did you just take the job yourself?" a slightly deep voice snarled on the other end of the phone. He was about to respond, but was promptly cut-off before he could start. "Don't even say it, Cardinal. I know for a fact that you are not the only one there. As for all of the rest of you: Greetings from the eclipse. For those of you who do not know me, my full name is Soma Alejandro Cruz. I am the human reincarnation of Dracula, but I'm sure that the Cardinal here has already told you that." The brown-haired man was fuming as he snarled into the speaker. "What do you want now, Cruz? If you can't tell, we are in the middle of an important philosophical discussion here!" "Oh really, old man? I don't hear anything to suggest otherwise." At this, nearly half of the present clergymen started to laugh, and Saito could sense his friend's satisfaction on the other end of the line. "Anyway, think of this as part of my revenge on you for the attempt on my life two years ago. Or do I need to refresh your memory on that too?"

Begin Flashback

Living Room: Cruz Household: Madrid: Spain
Time Period: 2038 AD

Soma was sitting on the couch flipping through the cable channels when the doorbell rang. "Soma? Do you think you could get the door?" his mother's voice drifted up from the laundry room. "Sure mom!" Soma called back as he got-up and stretched. However, he had this nagging feeling that something wasn't right. On a whim, he summoned the silver gun that he had found in Dracula's Castle, and held it behind his back as he walked to the front door.

Peering out through the spy-hole in the door, Soma noted that there was a bored-looking delivery man just standing on the front porch. He immediately became suspicious, and he opened the door a crack before calling out. "What do you have that's so important?" The man looked-up, his hand drifting towards his waist as Soma's words reached his ears. He then visibly relaxed and smiled. "I have a package delivery for Soma Cruz." Soma thought for a moment, and then he shrugged. I might as well see what he really came here for... he thought as he opened the door and walked out onto the front porch. He walked over to the man, and noticed the package at his feet. "Is that it?" "Yes sir. A Miss Belnades sent it to you. Will you please sign here?" he said, holding out his clipboard and a pen. Soma smiled as he took both and scrawled his signature on the bottom line of the paper before he lifted the package. "Thank you very much sir!" the delivery man called as he headed back towards his truck. Soma turned and then proceeded back into the house, not noticing that the man had failed to get into the truck after crossing the street. "He is in the living room right now. Prepare to take out the target."

Soma cautiously opened the cardboard box. Upon seeing the contents, he suddenly smiled as he pulled out several battered volumes. Looking at Yoko's handwritten note, he could not help but smile to himself as he read the elegant script.

Dearest Soma,

I know that you have been waiting to hear how my research project has been going, so I decided to send you these volumes. Contained within them are all of the notes that I have managed to compile about the life and powers of Count Dracula. I also thought that it might be useful to do some research in my own free time. Apparently, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, had a lone copy of an extremely rare manuscript, but I was able to get my hands on it. It appears to be some sort of diary, but I was unable to confirm that. It's the book with the Chaos insignia on the front. They have no idea that it's missing, so let's just keep that between you and I, shall we?

When you see Mina again, give her my dearest regards. It has been slightly lonely here in the States, but I have managed to survive thus far. Tell your parents that they raised you the right way, and make sure that you take care of yourself. I miss seeing your face, and I look forward to the day when I will be able to see both of you with my own eyes once again.

All my Love,
Yoko Marina Belnades

PS. You might want to be more careful. Cardinal Rikelto has agents everywhere, and from what I have heard, he wants you dead.

Soma's eyes narrowed to slits as he saw this last line. He then dropped to one knee behind the couch as he heard shots ring-out from the front door. Peering over the couch, he ground his teeth as he prepared to defend his home. Summoning his Harpy Familiar, he suddenly rose to his feet, drew his gun, and fired two rounds. The first two men dropped to the floor, dead before they even hit the ground. It did not surprise the young man that one of the two was the delivery person, but his eyes narrowed when he noticed that the front door had been shattered inward and was now hanging crazily off one hinge. He swore to himself that he would defend both of his parents, even if it meant revealing what he truly was. "Sweetie? What's going on up there?" Soma's mother called as she began to climb the stairs. Soma turned and sprinted back towards the staircase, keeping low to the ground. "Mom, I need you to stay down there." "Why is that, Soma?" she asked, slightly puzzled by the barely-concealed panic in her only child's voice. "I don't want you to get hurt, that's all," he called back down the steps before risking a glance over the couch. There was no incoming fire, and Soma let a small sigh escape his lips as he heard his mother descend the steps once again. "Just let me know when you're finished, okay?" "Yes mother."

Soma turned and sprinted towards the door, scooping to pick up one of the dropped rifles. As soon as his hand came in contact with the grip, multiple shots rang-out, and the young man was forced to dive to the floor. Peering out of the ruins of his doorway, he nearly swore aloud when he saw that a dozen more people were outside, intent on killing him. His lips pulled back in a feral snarl, and he abruptly rose to his feet. Dropping the rifle on the ground, he strode outside, murder shining in his eyes. As soon as he took the first step onto the porch, the remaining men and women opened fire, hoping to take him out. However, they did not anticipate that Soma would move so fast when he was angry. Within seconds of his exit from the house, all eight men and three of the four women were lying prone on the ground, their throats slashed open by Soma's hands and the claws of his loyal familiar. He then advanced towards the final young woman, and made the Harpy vanish. "Throw down your weapon and come out of hiding, unless you want me to rip you apart," he snarled, his eyes narrowed to slits.

There was a small clatter as a 9mm pistol landed at Soma's feet, and he looked up in order to see the young woman slowly stand-up. She blinked her golden eyes before looking around at her dead companions. She then whistled lightly. "It looks like the Cardinal wants you really badly. However, I don't really want to die just yet." Soma flashed the woman a genuine smile before bending to pick-up her weapon. Then, much to her surprise, he offered it back to her. "I've had enough killing for the day. I just never knew that the man could be so cruel." The woman slowly shook her head as she took her weapon from Soma's hands. Replacing the gun in her holster, she reached into one of her vest pockets and pulled out an envelope, which she offered to the reincarnation. "I was told to give this to you, by the orders of my master, Genya Arikado. He said that it was fairly urgent." Soma raised an eyebrow, but then he noticed the slightly sharpened ears that were concealed by the woman's long, black hair. "Which of his familiars are you?" he asked curiously, and the woman blushed deeply as she turned away. "If you truly have a need to know, I am Master Arikado's Bat Familiar." Soma smiled before giving her a letter of his own. "Do you think that you could give this to your master for me?" "Sure! I'll get right on it, Master Soma." With that, the woman bowed and left.

Soma returned to the couch and sat down before opening the envelope. Noting the address, he secretly grinned to himself. Well, it looks like some things never change, he thought as he read the contents of the letter.

Soma,

I sincerely hope that this message reaches you before the Cardinal's men. If not, then I hope that you took all of them out. That man is starting to be a major thorn in my side. He is cruel, manipulative, spoiled, and rich. When I last heard of him, it appeared that he had become involved in several different forms of black magic. He may be somehow connected with the most recent attacks on non-humans in Europe. Anyway, enough of how I think you are doing. Mina misses you terribly. I have been trying to get her to worry less, but nothing seems to work. I certainly hope that you will be able to make it out for your anniversary later this year. Until then, watch your back, keep your familiars ready, and never leave the house without a weapon.

Stay sharp,
Genya Arikado

End Flashback

The older man's face was burning red, and it was apparent that the man was livid. "What in the hell are you suggesting?" "What Master Cruz is suggesting is the one thing that you refuse to admit," came a voice from the doorway. Everyone looked over in order to see a shadow detach itself from the wall and move forward. As the young man stepped into the light, most of the men's jaws hit the floor. He was dressed in black from head-to-foot, and he bore a lone sword at his left hip. The man bowed easily before he stared at the Cardinal once again. "Where are my manners? My full name is Saito Alexander Daniel Michael Nathaniel Alan Jeffrey Onago. I am what most of you would refer to as the Oricaltos." His eyes narrowed as he stared at Rikelto. "Who do you truly serve: Order, or Chaos?"

The man swallowed hard before he answered, but his tone was scorn-filled when he decided to respond. "I am proud to say that I am a servant of Order, as I have always been. And what about you, o fool?" he snarled at Saito, his own eyes glittering wickedly. The weredragon shrugged and smiled easily. "I am proud to say that I serve Chaos. HOWEVER, I do not serve the darkness that is Shaft. Unlike you, I know that Order is not always light, and Chaos is not always darkness. Isn't that right Soma?" the mage called at the phone. Soma chuckled to himself, and then he called back to the mage. "You're damn right about that, Saito! Why else do you think I chose my own path after all of these years?" "Why not indeed, Soma? It's good to hear your voice again." There was a pause on the other end of the connection, but then Yoko heard a voice that surprised her quite a bit.

"Yoko? I haven't heard your voice in ages!" "MINA? What are you doing up there? I know you're with Soma, but that can't be all, right?" Saito smiled before he explained. "Well, I think that might have been partially my fault. You see, Mina is the reincarnation of Death, and she wanted to learn how to utilize her powers." Yoko's eyes widened, and Brother Andrews chuckled wryly. "Very perceptive of you, Oricaltos. However, there are other matters that need to be discussed here." The mage nodded at this statement, but he did not anticipate that the man would reach over and grab Yoko's wrist. Immediately, the woman's eyes shot wide-open, and her body grew semi-translucent. The mage rushed over to grab hold of the two, following the path of the sorcery back to it's origin.

Throne Room: Castle Dracula (Normal): Walachia Province: Transylvania
Time Period: 1666 AD

Yoko grabbed her head in both hands and moaned. "OUCH! What did you do to me?" "Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not really a Jesuit. My true name is Baal." The young Catholic witch tried to pull-away, but she could not break the hold of the Lord of Terror. "I am here to offer you a choice, at the bidding of Shaft. You can either join him as he serves as the Avatar of Order, or you can join your friends in serving Chaos." He promptly dropped his voice to a whisper. "To tell you the truth, I think it would be better if you served Chaos. That way, Shaft's plans will be utterly ruined." "But why are you doing this? I thought that you were in control of the situation!" "Apparently, that is no longer the case, correct?" the mage called, and Baal slowly nodded his head. He then turned to look back at Yoko. "What is your decision, descendant of Sypha Belnades?" Yoko thought for a few moments, and then she smiled eagerly. "I chose Chaos over Order. I refuse to serve any sort of madman who wants to eliminate all who oppose him."

"Bravo, Mis Belnades. Bravo." Everyone turned towards the door in order to see a familiar vampire resting nearby. "It appears that I owe you a minor debt, Baal," Dracula called out, the amusement in his voice clear as he approached Yoko. "Please, forgive me for what I must do, my lady." Yoko sighed before baring her neck to the Prince of Darkness. "Please, make it quick. I don't really want to suffer." Vlad smiled as he bared his fangs. "I will be swift, I promise," he said before he latched onto the young woman's neck. Yoko sighed as she felt herself being changed, and she slumped to the floor, fading from view.

Saito looked up at Baal, his eyes glittering lightly. "So, why did you bring us here?" "Well, I need your help to do something. You see, I have a slight problem going by the name of Menace..." The mage nearly swore aloud upon hearing the name. "Menace? Are you certain about that?" Baal slowly nodded, and Saito hung his head for a brief moment before looking up at the Lord of Terror. "What do you need me to do?" "I need Soma to fetch my sword, Cthrek Goru. That way, after our third fight, I will be able to begin the TRUE battle: the one between myself, and the darkness inside of me." Saito nodded, but then he looked down at himself. "Hey. Don't you think we should be returning to the conference? After all, I think that Rikelto still needs to be beaten by both of us." "Agreed," Baal called, and the two spirits faded away, leaving the throne room empty of all life except for the newly-freed Dracula.

Conference Room#3: 30th Floor: Chrysler Building: New York: New York: USA
Time Period: 2040 AD

There were several minutes of silence in the room as Soma explained exactly what made Saito the Oricaltos. However, everyone forgot his words once they saw two small puncture marks appear on Yoko's neck. The young woman slumped over, breaking her contact with Baal, and leaving her passed-out on the floor. As both the Lord of Terror and the diralec returned to the present, it quickly became clear that Soma was expecting some sort of response. "Well? What do you all have to say?" There was silence for a few moments, but then the Cardinal's eyes snapped back into focus. "Blasphemy! None of what you have said is true!" "Oh, REALLY?" Saito snarled, turning his eyes towards the servant of Shaft. "I know that he spoke the truth, because I am the one who wrote out that speech! Are there any questions for me?" he asked, allowing his eyes to wander the room. One of the younger priests raised his hand, and Saito acknowledged the man with a nod. "Is it true that you know the full name of the Seraph? I thought that it was just a myth!" The mage smiled before nodding his head. "Yes, I know the full name of the Seraph. As a matter-of-fact, I know him fairly well. His full name is Michael Julius Lamington." "Thank you, sir." "You are very welcome. Are there any more questions?" Seeing no more raised hands, he allowed a small smile to cross his face as his gaze once more circled the table. "I now have a question for all of you: Is it alright if I beat-up this idiot here?" he asked, jabbing a thumb at the fuming Cardinal Rikelto. Everyone in the room laughed aloud before giving the mage the exact same answer. "YES SIR!"

He turned, gave Baal an evil grin, and then nudged Yoko with his right foot. I'll carry Belnades while you haul that idiot down to the basement. Agreed. Besides, I think Celia and her friends are about to launch their attack. YAHOO! We can pull-off two things at the same time: beating the crap out of Celia&Co, and beating the hell out of the Cardinal! COOL! The mental conversation was quick to end, and then Saito leaned over to the phone. "I'll see you when I am finished here, Soma. Just try not to get too far ahead while I'm gone, okay?" The entire group on the other end of the line laughed aloud, and Mina responded for all of them. "Just hurry back, okay Saito?" "Will do, Miss Hakuba. See you guys later!" Click!

Basement: Chrysler Building

Celia Fortner was silently cursing under her breath when Seth decided to show-up immediately after she had summoned Zephyr. The young man was fast, but he was not quick enough to avoid the time-freezes and he was being slashed repeatedly. But then Marjoly arrived, and the momentum suddenly shifted. With Dmitrii and Zephyr concentrating on Seth, the summoner joined forces with Dario in an attempt to take out the witch. However, both opponents were proving to be elusive targets. As Marjoly and Celia were busy countering one-another's spells, Dario was trying to get a few cheap hits. Things were looking up for the servants of Order, but then he arrived to once more ruin her plans.

As soon as Saito stepped out of the elevator, he laid Yoko on the floor and drew his sword. He then partially turned and nodded to his companion. Baal acknowledged the gesture and tossed Cardinal Rikelto, hard. The man slammed into Celia's back, throwing her most recent spell off-target and giving Marjoly the perfect opportunity to launch her nastiest spell. The Witch of Beauty Castle immediately whipped her staff forward and pointed it directly at the summoner as she spoke two words. "Dark Conjuration!" The attack threw both Fortner and the Cardinal back in Saito's direction, and he smiled as he lunged forward to land a punishing blow to the base of Celia's skull. She dropped like a load of bricks, leaving Cardinal Rikelto struggling to rise. He nodded to the witch, and then turned his attention to the time wizard.

Zephyr was busy distracting Seth so that Dmitrii could get in easy blows. Unfortunately, the monster didn't notice Saito until it was almost too late. He turned and crossed his claws, barely blocking the downwards swing of the mage. He turned his full attention to Saito in that moment, leaving Blinov to fend for himself. Seth smiled and nodded at the mage before returning to his own battle. Reverting Vampire Killer into a holy sword once more, he began to press the attack, forcing Dmitrii to retreat.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Rikelto had finished crawling out from under Celia's unconscious form. Standing once more, he reached up to his throat and grabbed the clasp there. Pulling it away from his throat, he materialized a black sword, and immediately charged at Baal. The Lord of Terror merely stepped to one side while keeping his leg extended, tripping the man. He fell forward, but was caught less than two inches from the floor when Yoko, now fully recovered from her transformation, grabbed his collar. "How does it feel now, Cardinal, to know that I am the one in control of your fate now?" she snarled before flinging the man across the room. He hit the nearest concrete pillar with a distinctive crunch, and he snarled as he allowed his eyes to shift from silver to green. His hair color also shifted in an instant, changing from a deep brown to pitch black, and then the final change came. Rather than being stuck wearing the robes of office, the demonic Cardinal shredded them, leaving himself free to move as he allowed his long tail and wings to stretch once more. He grinned wickedly, showing Yoko a mouth full of fangs. "I am going to enjoy ripping you apart, little girl," he sneered before pushing-off the pillar and launching himself directly at the vampiric witch. He brought his blade up to remove her head, but then Yoko struck in a single movement.

It all ended so fast. One moment, Cardinal Rikelto was hurtling towards Yoko, and the next moment he was lying on the floor, panting heavily while trying to repair the long gash that the woman had inflicted. Yoko, however, gave him no chance to recover. Rolling the man onto his back, she knelt on his chest and lowered her hand to his face. Looking down at him, she grinned wickedly as the lightning began to crackle between her fingertips. "I've had quite a blast, Cardinal Rikelto. However, I have to say that this is the end of the line for you!" With that, she unleashed the full charge of lightning into his face, frying his brain in a single instant. Smiling to herself, she then bent over his neck, and took her fill of the dying man's blood. Looking up after she had taken her fill, she smiled at Baal before turning to watch the three remaining duels.

Dario was taking furious swipes at Marjoly, but his sword was being constantly blocked. When he tried to switch tactics and punch her, she easily caught his hand. Using his own momentum against him, she then flipped the man over her left shoulder, and he landed heavily on his back. Placing her foot on his throat, she began to apply pressure to make certain that he stayed down. Meanwhile, Zephyr was having trouble getting any blows to land on Saito. Whenever he tried to freeze time, the mage just restarted it after two seconds, leaving the monster no time at all to plan his strategy. It was a brutal fight, and they both knew to expect no mercy from the one another. Near the end of the duel, Saito sheathed his sword, "flickered" his claws, and went toe-to-toe with the time wizard. They slashed each other over and over, but Saito was landing faster and more dangerous blows than Zephyr. The fight finally came to a halt when Saito raked his right hand across his opponent's throat, and then proceeded to draw the Fourth Seal on his forehead. The man screamed and dissolved into inky shadows, which were immediately consumed by the power of the seal.

Dmitrii, on the other hand, was faring well against Seth. That is, until he noticed that the rest of his allies had fallen. At that point, Seth managed to get inside of the older man's guard, and he disarmed his enemy with a single flick of his wrist. Resting the point of his sword on Blinov's throat, he turned and nodded at the Oricaltos. "It appears that this battle is finally over." "You are correct, Seth Belmont," Baal called from his position across the room. The Lord of Terror then looked over at the Oricaltos and raised an eyebrow. "Should I haul them all back to 1666, or do you think I should leave them here?" Saito shrugged, and his expression was casual. "That's really up to you, Baal. Take them or leave them, because I don't really care." "I think I'll take them, then," the man called as a Time Gate appeared behind him. "Do you mind helping me out a little bit here?" The companions laughed, and then Yoko responded. "Of course we'll help you out." With that, the quartet helped Baal to push Dario and Dmitrii through the Gate, and then he bent to pick up Celia. Lifting his eyes to the mage's face, Baal allowed a rare smile to cross his features. "Until we meet again, Oricaltos: Remember my words." "I most certainly will, Lord of Terror. Long days and pleasant nights," he called as Baal stepped through the Gate before it collapsed without a sound, leaving no trace that it had ever existed.

Saito then turned and looked at his friends. "Our work is done here, and it is due time that I return to the eclipse. Why don't the three of you accompany me back to the forge for a moment? That way, I won't need to worry about you so much..." "Sure!" Seth concurred almost immediately. "After all, you are the only one who can really get us back to the forge anyway, right?" Saito nodded his head, and then the quartet headed back to Grand Central Station, because it was the closest of the Dimensional Gates.

After returning Seth, Marjoly, and Yoko to his forge, Saito returned to the eclipse in order to find that several things had changed in his absence...
Following Saito: Before the Black Door: Floating Gardens: Castle Dracula: Eclipse
Time Period: 2040 AD

Everyone regrouped in the room immediately before the entrance to the Chaotic Realm. Each of them had faced and defeated their Doppelganger, with the lone exception of Orlox. There were several new powers that were shared among the group, and they all chatted briefly before being interrupted by a shocked outcry from the main room. Saito poked his head around the corner, and his eyes immediately narrowed to slits. His voice came out as a low hiss, and everyone else immediately fell silent. "Cora is back," he muttered under his breath, and Soma instantly knew what had to be done. "On three. One, two, THREE!" On "THREE!", both the mage and the reincarnation turned the corner and sprinted across the room. Saito quickly reached Alicia and placed himself in the path of Cora's blows, wincing as the long, thorny vines scored his back over and over again. Abruptly, the lashing stopped, and as Saito turned around, he heard one particular angry word boil out of Soma's mouth. "HELLFIRE!" He smiled at Soma before gesturing towards the door. "It is time to face your destiny, Soma." The frost-haired man nodded before proceeding to the door. It opened at a touch of his hand, and then he stepped through, plunging into darkness.

Author's note: My last interlude (at least for now) is now finished. Only eight long battles left to go, and then this section of the journey will be complete. It has been so long since my last story ended, and I am not yet halfway through this one. Thank you to my reviewers so far, and I hope to attract more readers as time goes on.

The Darkness is waning, but Soma must still face his most difficult test. Does he truly bear the soul of the Master? Or is he doomed to fail in his task to retrieve the Seal? Most of the Doppelgangers have fallen, but three still wander the halls. What will happen when the final ally is revealed? And what is the true motive behind the actions of Baal? Find out when I answer these questions in my next chapter, What Lies Beyond: Battle of the Black Door. In the meantime, please remember to READ AND REVIEW. Thank you.