"Miss Aurora isn't coming back, is she?" Joan asked, her voice heavy with despondency, her eyes fixed on the castle visible through the peaks of trees.
With Dante and Isabella, she remained within the golem's grasp, just a few feet away from the castle and the chaos that unfolded. They were close enough to run back within minutes, yet something held them back. The golem had nearly returned them to the path that led to safety, almost reaching the charred remains of a tree. Halfway there, Joan, Dante, and Isabella had stopped struggling against the golem's hold. Dante persistently voiced his desire to turn back, a sentiment Joan shared. However, an ominous feeling gnawed at her insides.
It was your words, the way you had sent them away without a single glance back. All Joan could recall was your back, retreating into the distance, devoid of any expression. It was a bitter and cruel act, one that stoked the fires of anger within her, manifesting as silent tears that fell to the ground like heavy sacks.
Dante, too, ceased his attempts to escape, the weight of reality crashing down upon him. He tried to hold back his tears, but they mingled with Joan's, dampening the earth beneath them. Closing his eyes, he uttered a prayer, a desperate plea in the face of despair.
A prayer, futile yet instinctive. What good was prayer when it seemed that even God despised their very existence? Nevertheless, if there was one prayer to offer, it would be -
"- And Aurora, you light them up," Trevor's commanding voice interrupted the moment.
Your heart skipped a beat at his words. Without a word, you loaded an arrow, a rush of familiarity flooding your senses as you pulled back the string. It felt like reuniting with an old friend you hadn't realized you missed.
As you crossed the castle's threshold, your heartbeat thundered in your ears, your blood coursing through your veins, every muscle tensed in anticipation.
This was the moment.
With a steady exhale, your fingers released the string, the arrow finding its mark in the eye of the first armored vampire, setting it ablaze.
Its agonized screech merged with the chaotic battle unfolding in the foyer. Dracula's generals and soldiers clashed with you and your allies.
It became a frenzy, each arrow you unleashed finding its target. Some vampires fell fatally wounded, while others shrugged off the flesh wounds and lunged at you with renewed ferocity. Your movements were swift, every shot calculated. But your quiver emptied, and panic clawed at you. Your confident smirk faltered as you reached for another arrow, only to find none left.
Panic set in. This wasn't good.
Your eyes darted to abandoned arrows left behind after slaying vampires. They lay several feet away, a perilous journey through the vampire horde. The makeshift wooden bow was sturdy but hardly a weapon for close combat. Your eyes scanned the room for a way out.
Sensing your predicament, the vampires closed in, backing you into a corner. Sypha, battling her own pack of vampires, caught a glimpse of your distress and hurried to your aid.
Your back pressed against the wall, you were cornered. For a moment, the Bishop's haunting voice echoed in your mind, but you shook off the fear. Instead, you knelt down, closed your eyes, and gripped the flickering flame within you. Alucard, the children, that kind woman, Trevor, and above all, Sypha, flashed in your thoughts. A surge of determination washed over you, and the flame inside you ignited and burst forth.
A deep rumble shook the castle floor. The charging vampire guards hesitated briefly before continuing their assault. Their mistake. The sound of metal clashing with metal reverberated, but it wasn't your doing. Your turn came soon after.
Thick roots, dark and pulsating with golden veins, burst from the ground. They impaled some vampires, mangled others, and twisted the rest with their formidable strength. Sypha stood in awe, momentarily distracted, before refocusing on her foes. As the roots spread, you opened your eyes, finding two swords before you. One blocked an attacker's strike, the other floated mid-air, courtesy of your Observer.
Grateful for the assistance, you focused, summoning more roots that attacked the enemy. With every move, more branches sprouted, striking down your foes. Your concentration was crucial, leaving you vulnerable. You narrowly dodged a vampire's strike, expertly countering with a swift kick before firing an arrow.
A smirk played on your lips as you reached for another arrow in your quiver, only to find it empty. Panic gripped you as your heart plummeted. Noticing your distress, Sypha smiled proudly and continued her onslaught.
Instinct took over, a part of you long-suppressed but now welcomed back. An illuminating feeling coursed through your veins, energizing your desire. The sensation traveled to your fingertips, a burst of power that overwhelmed you.
"Are you an Angel? A fea?" Young Sypha's voice echoed in your mind, awe-struck.
The words of the kind woman reverberated next, "My dear, never lose your shine. It's a gift."
With determination, you raised your bow, drew the string back, aimed, and fired. A bright arrow of golden light materialized, accompanied by six orbs hovering above you. The moment you released the arrow, the orbs followed suit, creating a dazzling spectacle.
The human male among the vampire guards, fighting fiercely with his daggers, noticed the radiant display. His eyes widened in confusion, uncertainty clouding his gaze. He hesitated, realizing you were not just human anymore. Your once mundane appearance had transformed - your hair aflame, golden vine-like markings adorning your body, and your pupils replaced by glowing golden eyes. You focused on him and the other vampires, armed only with your brilliant light.
In a desperate attempt to avoid your attack, the human managed to dodge, but some vampires weren't as lucky. Unfazed, you fired another arrow along with six orbs before landing back on the root. A searing pain shot through your side the moment your foot touched the surface. Gasping quietly, you realized you were bleeding, the scent of iron reaching your nose.
The same female vampire who had attacked you before stood triumphantly before you, reveling in your pain. Your mind raced, searching for a solution. You were so close to the stairs, but this wound posed a significant obstacle. Healing was an option, but it would take time. Blocking her strikes with the bow was risky; your reflexes might betray you, leaving you defenseless.
She read your hesitation, her twisted smirk deepening, hunger burning in her eyes. With terrifying speed, she pounced. You leaped back, using the bow to block her attack. In the blink of an eye, a blur of silver whisked past you, and another blur of white enveloped you.
Instinctively, you clung to the soft surface, your face buried in it, bracing yourself against the sudden speed. The realization dawned on you - this speed, that silver fur - it could only be your Observer.
You found yourself diving into the staircase, perched on the back of a large wolf. Gasping, you looked up to meet the familiar, reassuring yellow eyes of your Observer.
Relief washed over you, and you silently thanked him.
When the world finally stopped spinning, you felt a strong support beneath you. Sypha's concerned voice broke through your daze, and you found yourself back with your companions at the top of the stairs.
The first battle was over, leaving you exhausted. Keeping this part of yourself suppressed for years had taken its toll. Still, there was a goal to achieve. Ignoring your pain and Sypha's fussing, you gently pulled away from Alucard's support. Calming yourself once more, you raised your palm, healing your companions' wounds.
They noticed your lack of assisting yourself, Sypha was about to say something, but to quiet her you tore off the rest of the sleeve that the vampire general ripped and fastened a bandage around your area. Looking past Sypha and Alucard to Trevor, he understood, said nothing, and hurried down the corridor. You follow right after, ignoring the guilt that burdens your stomach...they had a goal to do, you told yourself as Sypha and Alucard joined, you didn't matter. What mattered was...ensuring you would help them get this done, by any means.
It was the right thing to do, and by God, you'd be absolved.
Now, on to face the devil himself.