Castlevania: Lisa's Last Words
Chapter 2: Yet Another Return
After an eternity of drifting in the Void, Dracula finally succumbed again to the allure of his memories, allowing himself to become lost in the warmth of his recollections of Lisa. She had been a paragon of kindness, accepting him for what he was without judgment or condition. Their initial awkward encounter had blossomed into a series of secret trysts, with Vlad returning to her chambers after feeding elsewhere, their conversations flowing like a gentle stream, and eventually, their union becoming more intimate.
Their meetings weren't always confined to the shadows of her bedchamber. Sometimes, they would steal away to a tavern she frequented, where she worked as a server to make ends meet, her medical services offering little financial reward. Despite Vlad's offers of wealth and support, Lisa had refused, her motivation rooted in a desire to spread joy and healing to all. By day, she tended to her patients, and by night, she served ale and comfort to the patrons of the tavern, her sleepless dedication a testament to her compassion.
One night, in particular, remained etched in Dracula's memory, even after centuries. He had prepared for this moment, the weight of the ring in his pocket a constant reminder of his intention. Disguising himself with his magic, he entered the tavern, appearing to all as a wealthy suitor seeking to woo the lovely doctor. Lisa's smile, as always, lit up the room, and as the patrons stumbled out into the night, she took a seat beside him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked.
"The pleasure is all mine, but I..." Vlad's carefully rehearsed speech fled his mind as he gazed into Lisa's radiant smile. "Lisa, I..." Her smirk hinted at her delight in his tongue-tied state.
Abandoning his script, Vlad reached into his coat pocket and produced the ring. "Lisa, will you marry me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Instead of the enthusiastic "yes" he remembered, Lisa's response was a firm "no". The scene around them froze, like a painting come to life, with even the bartender suspended in mid-action. Only Lisa and Vlad remained animated, her eyes blazing with a fierce anger he had never seen before.
"Why?" Vlad's single-word question hung in the air, confusion and rejection warring within him.
"You knew exactly what I wanted, Vlad," Lisa's voice crackled with rage. "You always knew I didn't want revenge for my death. I would never condone hurting others in my name!" Her words dripped with venom, and the world around them began to distort and dissolve. The tavern, the table, the ring – everything gave way to the Void, and Vlad remembered his eternal prison, the darkness that had claimed him once more.
Lisa's face softened, her loving gaze piercing the darkness. "It's not too late, Vlad Tepes. Please, be the man I fell in love with again." Dracula's eyes dropped, unable to meet her gentle stare. He knew he had betrayed everything she stood for.
"I'm not sure I can be that man anymore," he admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of centuries of evil deeds. "I've done things you wouldn't want me to do, unforgivable things."
Lisa's hand reached out, her voice a whispered promise. "You can. I know it. You know it too. I will... love you for all eternity." Her words trailed off, her form beginning to fade into the darkness.
Dracula's ethereal hand stretched out, desperate to hold on to her. As their hands touched, a warm, nurturing light burst forth, growing brighter until it consumed everything. In the end, only Lisa's figure remained, radiant in the light, until she too was enveloped by its warmth. 'Find me…' it implored.
The light came and devoured all, and Vlad knew no more.
As consciousness returned, Dracula found himself lying on a cold stone slab, surrounded by the ominous Latin chanting of a dozen worshippers. He slowly opened his eyes, taking in the familiar yet ever-changing landscape of his throne room in Castlevania.
The worshippers, arrayed around the coffin from which he had risen, chanted ceaselessly, their voices grating on his nerves. "The Dark Lord, we give our blood to you. Rise and ravage the world..." Dracula's patience wore thin, and with a simple gesture, he granted their wish. He willed their blood to be drawn out, ending their lives in an instant.
As the crimson liquid revitalized his strength, Dracula's haze of hunger lifted, revealing the weight of his conscience. He stood amidst the lifeless bodies, his mind reeling with the realization that he had callously discarded human lives, betraying the memory of Lisa once more. The hours ticked by as he grappled with the gravity of his actions.
Finally, he summoned the resolve to speak the name that always brought a prompt response: "Death." The Grim Reaper materialized before him in a puff of smoke, awaiting his command with an air of expectancy.
"Yes, my master?" Death inquired, anticipating Dracula's customary inquiry about the circumstances of his resurrection and the state of the world. However, Dracula's thoughts were consumed by the haunting words of Lisa: Find me...
The weariness that had been building for centuries finally overwhelmed him. He was tired of the endless cycle of resurrection, vengeance, and defeat. Tired of the Void's darkness and the futility of his crusades against humanity.
"It doesn't matter," Dracula declared, his voice firm and resolute. "Who resurrected me, what's become of the world, who's next to attack the castle... none of it matters."
Death's expressionless face betrayed a hint of confusion, his silence a clear indication of his perplexity. "What do you mean, my master? You've never been one to ignore the affairs of the living and the dead."
Dracula's resolve was clear and unwavering. "I mean I'm taking a holiday, Death. A break from the eternal struggle. I grow weary of this, and I need a respite."
Death's head tilted in surprise, his silence a clear indication of his confusion. "A holiday, master? I'm not sure I understand."
Dracula nodded; his mind made up. "I'll explain no further, Death. Just watch over the castle and keep the would-be heroes at bay. Tell them I'm... indisposed." With that, he strode away, his decision final.