Chapter VIII: Dark Academy

As Serenity opened her eyes she was greeted with the fierce pelting of cold rain. Lightning flashed across the sky and soon after a loud rumble of thunder echoed through the area. In the distance she could just make out a large building. Without a word to each other Serenity and Richter took off in the direction of the building. They fought several monsters along the way, but nothing they had any trouble with. Once inside a shiver ran through them both.

"I could have done without the bath," Richter said wringing out water from his jacket.

"This is incredible," Serenity said taking off her own jacket, "We're still inside the castle aren't we?"

"It looks like a completely different place," Richter nodded.

Draping her jacket over her arm she turned to look at him, "Richter, why did you chose to come with me?"

Frowning slightly he replied, "Is that a problem?"

"No," she answered immediately, "It's just…out of everyone…"

Richter smiled at her, "I wanted to make sure you were alright." Before she could reply he continued, "I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself Serenity. I just don't want you to get hurt. That's all," here he smiled wider and began walking further into the building, "If anything ever happened to you I don't think I could ever forgive myself."

As his words drifted back to her she could feel her face grow hot. Looking down for a moment to collect herself she began walking after him. The monsters in the building were much like the ones outside. Many of them did not give either of them any trouble, and they soon found themselves deep inside what seemed like a school. They decided to take a short rest inside a room with a large piano. They had both thought they had seen someone sitting at it when they entered, but now they were alone.

"Richter," Serenity began as she took a seat on the bench and put her nearly dry jacket back on, "Jonathan mentioned that the power of the Vampire Killer was scary. Nathan has never mentioned anything like that before, and I don't think you or Simon have either."

Richter took a seat next to her and replied with a nod, "Yes. I was wondering about that as well. To me, even though it is a powerful weapon, that's all I've ever seen it as. A weapon. Perhaps, since it wasn't directly passed down to him, the whip seems like more of a burden to him."

"For a Belmont that makes sense," Serenity said almost to herself, "but for Nathan…"

As her words trailed away Richter struck one of the keys on the piano. Before long he had begun playing a song. Serenity turned to watch him in amazement. She had no idea he could play let alone play as well as he was. It was simple enough and quickly paced, but it was still beautiful. It reminded Serenity of traversing vast castle grounds and battling an endless wave of monsters and demons. It was a song of great strength. When he finished he got up without looking at her and smiled.

"We should get going," he said before turning his attention to her and offering his hand.

Serenity could not hide her wonder as she took his hand. He had surprised her three times now this evening. She was not sure she could handle any more. While they made their way through the remainder of the school her thoughts kept returning to what he had said after they entered the school. It had been a long time since her heart had made her feel this way.

They came upon a blue door not long after and knew the final battle of the painting must be behind it. Giving each other a nod they entered. The room was dark and quiet. The rain that was still falling heavily outside could barely be heard as the door closed behind them. Richter readied his whip as Serenity unsheathed her sword. As the fire emerged from the blade a loud crack of thunder boomed and several sparks lit up the table in front of them. Suddenly the lights snapped on and standing before them was an enormous monster.

Growling at them it stuck out its arms and summoned a bolt of electricity. Richter and Serenity dodged it with ease and the battle began. Serenity combated the creature's lightning attacks with fire. This caused it to jump away. Once on the other side of Serenity it opened up it's elbow and launched a barrage of bullets at her.

"Serenity!" Richter shouted and shoved her out of the way.

One of the bullets ripped through Richter's arm and he dropped to one knee in pain. Upon seeing this Serenity's reality seemed to stop completely. She heard his blood splash on the floor much louder than it actually had. It was redder than it actually was. Serenity could feel her mouth begin to water and her jaw began to ache horribly. Her fangs and nails suddenly seemed sharper as the smell of his blood drifted over to her. Cursing herself she aimed her sword directly at the creature who was currently lumbering towards Richter.

"Stay away from him," she growled through her teeth.

Richter, upon hearing the change in her voice, stood up and backed away slowly. He had never heard her talk with such malice before, but it reminded him of when he had been taken over by Shaft. Without another word Serenity charged at the creature. She dodged out of the way of its electric attack and jumped into the air. Driving her sword deep into the creature's chest fire burst from the wound in seconds. Moaning as it feel to its knees the creature let loose another bolt of electricity that hit Serenity directly.

She felt the jolt course through her entire body as she released her sword backed away. The creature was engulfed in flames and soon after its head fell completely off before its body followed after it. Serenity's whole body was tingling as she leaned against the table. It had not been the first time she had been electrocuted, but it was a sensation that she could not stand.

"Serenity," Richter said cautiously walking up to her, "Are you alright?"

"I will be," she replied normally trying her best to give him a smile, "don't worry. It will pass soon."

Richter nodded and went to retrieve her sword. He held on to it for a few minutes until the effects of the shock wore off. He looked hard at her while she sheathed her sword carefully. All of his good nature had drained from him, and she was suddenly reminded of how he looked at her when they first met. He had the eyes of a hunter looking at its prey.

"Richter…" she began cautiously as her eyes dropped to his bloody arm.

"Serenity," he said in a harsh voice that made her stop cold.

She was certain he was about to lecture her about keeping her vampirism in better check when he embraced her. His warm arms wrapped themselves around her tightly and she felt a single shudder run through his body.

"I am sorry," he said.

"Sorry?" Serenity echoed and tried in vain to move away from him, "What have you got to be sorry about?"

Holding her even tighter he replied, "You were hurt because of me. You even rushed in to help me. You shouldn't have done that."

Taking a deep breath to steady herself Serenity returned his embrace. She was reminded of how often Richter spoke about Maria. How much he missed her. He had risked his life to save her when she had been kidnapped. She knew how deeply he wanted to return to her after everything was finished.

"If anything I should be the one apologizing," she said breaking away from him, "your arm…"

Shrugging he replied, "It's nothing. I barely feel it."

All of Richter's good manner came back in a flood. He was himself again. Not wanting to linger any longer they continued on their way. In the next room they were greeted with the three paintings again. The fourth painting was one of the castle. They used this to return. Emerging from their painting Simon greeted them. He was covered in sand, but seemed to be perfectly fine.

"Welcome back," he said coming forward.

"That was fast," Serenity said looking at the two remaining chains on the large painting, "Nathan and Hugh haven't returned yet?"

"No," Simon replied, "but it shouldn't be long now."

As if hearing him the third chain on the painting vanished and in moments Hugh returned to them. He had a piece of stone clinging to his hair and brushed it off upon noticing it.

"Nathan is slacking again huh?" he asked folding his arms as he leaned against the wall.

"We're back," Charlotte called as she and Jonathan entered the room, "How did it go?"

"Fine," Serenity said with a nod, "Once Nathan returns we'll be ready to take on Brauner."

Jonathan went to the large painting and questioned, "He doesn't need help does he?"

Serenity shook her head, "No, he should be fine. He's just as strong as the rest of us."

Suddenly the fourth and final chain shattered. Serenity smiled as her brother returned from his painting.

Hugh scoffed at him, "I was afraid I was going to have to come in and rescue you."

Nathan was tending to a large scratch on his arm as he replied absently, "I wasn't aware this was a race."

"Enough," Simon said facing the last painting, "there's just one more to deal with."

Nodding in agreement Serenity, Nathan, Hugh, Richter, Jonathan, and Charlotte each faced the painting and touched it at the same time Simon did.