Chapter VI: Master's Keep

"That's unbelievable!" Charlotte exclaimed as the group made their way higher, "I've read speculations about time travel in a number of books, but I've never heard of anyone actually practicing it before."

"He did say he was from the future," Nathan replied easily dodging an oncoming attack from a monster, "I guess someone was able to perfect it well after our time."

As Serenity, Hugh, and the others left the tower behind them they each took turns filling in Jonathan and Charlotte about how they came to be at the castle. They fought countless monsters along the way, but nobody had much trouble with any of them.

"Serenity," Charlotte began turning her attention to her, "you said when you went back to retrieve Richter it was 1797 right?"

Frowning Serenity thought for a moment, "I'm pretty sure it was. Richter?"

"Yes," he replied immediately, "that was five years after my battle against Dracula. When…" here he paused and looked down.

"When you were not yourself," Serenity finished giving him a solemn look to which he only nodded.

Charlotte paused to get out one of her many books before she questioned almost to herself, "I wonder if the disappearance of the Belmonts ties into that in any way?"

"As if it were their fault?" Jonathan asked with a frown.

Serenity was growing defensive again before Nathan stepped in, "We shouldn't worry about that now. We've almost made it to the throne room. We need to stay focused on the here and now."

"But what if she's right?" Hugh asked finally bringing the group to a halt, "Didn't that freaky guy Zed say that messing with time is something forbidden?"

"Certainly," Charlotte replied with a nod, "if something in the past is altered that would forever alter the present and future. Be it something good or something bad."

"Enough already," Nathan said continuing forward, "We can discuss this later."

Simon and Richter began following him as Simon remarked, "Nathan is right. We should put our focus on Death and this vampire Brauner."

Sharing a look of concern the others followed shortly after. Six minutes later they were looking into the doorway that would lead them to the throne room. Jonathan and Charlotte were preparing to go forward when the others stopped and looked around the entrance in question. As Jonathan began walking he was suddenly pushed back.

"What the?" he said in confusion, "I can see the way ahead but I can't move forward!"

Picking up on the frustration in his voice Charlotte came forward, "Hold on a minute," here she paused and focused her energy on the doorway, "This is the way to the throne, but it's spiritually segregated."

Jonathan looked at her with only added confusion as he asked, "And that means…?

"Simply put, there's something like an invisible wall here," she answered with a hint of embarrassment in her voice, "Brauner said he separated Dracula from the castle. This is what he was talking about."

"So, long story short," Jonathan began with a frown, "we can't move on from here."

"Exactly," Charlotte replied with a small nod, "Let's find another route."

"If that part of the castle is sealed off I don't think Brauner would be there anyway," Serenity stated as they began walking back, "That's who we really want."

As Charlotte, Jonathan, Serenity, and Richter crossed the threshold of the next room a large blue door slid shut closing them off from Hugh, Nathan, and Simon. Serenity and Richter were at the door as the two young vampire girls appeared before them.

"We tire of waiting for you," the one called Stella smiled, "Are you ready to die yet?"

"Hold it!" Jonathan shouted, "You two are being tricked by Brauner!"

The second, Loretta, laughed, "What a pathetic joke. I have no time to waste listening to the words of a despicable human."

"Nothing we say will matter," Charlotte said getting her spell book ready, "They're completely under Brauner's control. Still, I may be able to do something now," she turned her attention fully to the two sisters, "Jonathan! Help me out here!"

Jonathan replied with a grin, "Leave it to me!"

"Well," Stella began readying her sword, "for what you've done, we'll play as hard as you like! Let's go! Loretta!"

"Yes, Stella!" Loretta shouted readying her magic.

Charlotte walked right next to Jonathan and stated lowly, "If we break the vampire's curse, we might be able to save them."

Giving her a nod Jonathan replied, "Your magic is up to it. I'll keep them occupied."

With that Jonathan readied his whip and marched straight for the two girls as Charlotte began her incantation.

"We'll help too," Serenity stated unsheathing her sword and giving Charlotte a hard glance, "Don't worry, they won't come anywhere near you."

Nodding in agreement Richter produced his whip from his side. Jonathan fended off Stella and Loretta without much of an issue, however when they caught the sight of Charlotte readying her spell they turned their attention to her.

"I don't think so," Serenity said coming forward to face them.

Stella smiled at her, "You're a vampire too. Why are you helping these humans?"

"We want to help you," Serenity replied, "Judging by how you reacted the last time you fought these two you aren't completely gone yet."

A yell of pain from Loretta broke through their brief conversation. Jonathan had brought her down and was slowly backing away when Stella charged at him with rage.

"Jonathan!" Charlotte called in panic.

"Stay calm," Richter ordered, "finish your spell otherwise we will have no choice but to end this their way."

Nodding Charlotte continued her spell as Serenity and Richter came to Jonathan's aid. Serenity met Stella's blade with her own just as it was coming down on Jonathan's head. She pushed her back with ease and sent her crashing into Loretta.

"If we're not careful," Serenity began.

"I know," Richter replied, "keep your blows to a minimum."

Getting back to their feet Stella glared at them all in anger, "Are you toying with us?"

Jonathan looked back at Charlotte who gave him a nod. He nodded back at once before readying the Vampire Killer in his hand.

"Jonathan?" Serenity questioned.

"We need to get them over to Charlotte," he said in an almost whisper, "Her spell can only reach so far."

Smiling Serenity said, "Understood."

With that they rushed Stella and Loretta. The two were taken by surprise as Serenity grabbed hold of Stella and shoved her in the direction of Charlotte with all of her strength. Loretta followed shortly after as Jonathan gave her an equally strong shove.

As the two neared Charlotte shouted, "Sanctuary!"

Suddenly a bright white light poured forth from the circle surrounding Charlotte and both Stella and Loretta fell to their knees. Serenity was blinded by the light and had to close her eyes against its brilliance. A soothing calmness washed over her, and for the first time in over one hundred years she felt at ease. As the light died away she struggled to open her eyes again.

"Is that it?" she heard Jonathan ask as her eyes adjusted.

"The spell was perfect," Charlotte replied, "Now let's see if it was effective."

Stella and Loretta remained motionless on the floor for a moment before Stella moaned, "I…," she paused and looked around as if she was just waking up from a dream before seeing Loretta, "Loretta, are you alright?"

Loretta took a moment to look around with the same dreamy expression before answering, "S…Stella…"

"The vampire's control seems to be fading," Jonathan said with a smile, "It's a success!"

Giving him a proud smile Charlotte replied, "Well, of course. No problem, as you would say."

Loretta gazed around in confusion before stopping at her sister, "We…what have we been doing?"

Stella took a long look at Jonathan before questioning, "The heir to the Vampire Killer, Jonathan Morris, correct?" Before he could answer she gave him a deep bow, "I apologize for all that we put you through."

"Huh?" Jonathan said startled, "Oh, sure. N…No problem"

Then she turned her attention to Charlotte, "And Miss Charlotte. Thank you so much for setting us free."

"Sure thing," Charlotte replied with an embarrassed smile, "The curse may be lifted, but you should still take it easy."

"No," Stella said shaking her head, "I don't think so. Loretta, I think we should stand up."

Loretta looked at her sister with a sudden sadness in her eyes, "Stella, are you alright? After what we've been through?"

"I know," Stella said looking down, "but there's a job that we must do now."

Now it was Loretta's turn to look down, "But…"

"Remember your dignity!" Stella shouted bringing her head back up, "We'll have time to mourn what happened when it's all over."

Loretta said nothing at this only nodded. With that Stella got to her feet followed shortly by Loretta. Everyone could feel the heaviness in their hearts and were reminded of Eric.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Stella said smoothing out her dress, "Once more, our family shares the fate of the Morris Family. We are Lecardes, after all. I am Stella," she paused to motion to her sister, "And this is my younger sister…"

"Loretta," she replied after a moment to compose herself.

Jonathan stepped forward and began, "And we are…"

"We already know," Stella said interrupting him, "Anyway, we must hurry. We must defeat Brauner. The piece he's making now is meant to destroy the world!"

"What?" Jonathan nearly shouted in surprised.

Loretta nodded with a frown, "He said it was almost complete. It's in the studio painting."

"Where's the studio painting?" Charlotte asked already preparing to move.

Stella gave her a look of admiration, "It's in this inner room."

"But even for us," Loretta started, "entering the picture is impossible."

Stella was in thought for a moment before stating, "There is one option, however."

Jonathan turned to her in haste, "What is it?"

"The studio painting is sealed by four paintings surrounding it," she answered.

"Meaning," Charlotte said with a small smile, "we need to break the seal to enter the painting."

"I see," Jonathan said with a sigh, "You'll help us, right?"

"W…well," Loretta stammered.

Charlotte shook her head, "It's no use. I'm amazed they can even talk like this after being under such a powerful curse. They can't move."

"That's true," Stella began, "but that's not all."

"The door to the inner room can only be opened by the magic of either Brauner or ourselves," Loretta explained.

Jonathan nodded, "So, you'll stay here and open the door for us. Sure. No problem."

As Jonathan turned Stella looked quickly to Loretta before stating, "One more thing. It's about the Vampire Killer."

"We can perform a ritual to unlock the power of the whip," Loretta began, "Unfortunately…"

"I know, I know," Jonathan broke in, "Using it will consume my soul, right?"

Stella gave him a nod, "Please, don't forget that. You must use it wisely. If you're prepared, then just tell us."

"Listen," Charlotte began looking down, "about your father…"

"None of that!" Stella stated snapping to attention, "Once this is all over, then you can tell us about him."

Loretta let out a small whimper, "Father…Before our own eyes!"

"Loretta!" Stella snapped.

Putting a finger under her eye to catch the single tear falling from it she stammered, "I…I understand."

"Let's all do what destiny had intended for us…" Stella said looking down herself.

"Right," Jonathan said with a forced smile, "No problem."

With that Stella opened the door to the inner room as the opposite door opened to allow Nathan, Hugh, and Simon to enter.