Castlevania: Aria of the Ascending Soul
Written By: Lady Lunar Phoenix
Beta By: Lady Lunar Phoenix
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Upon approaching the castle, the structure started to revealed more of its dilapidation. There were stones missing in both the defensive walls and the castle ones. The thick chains that controlled a drawbridge had rusted to the point it snapped under its own weight. Beyond the outer wall there were gaping holes in the roof and nature appeared to have decided it was safe to return. With thick ivy and moss reaching up across from what she could see beyond the cracked and falling wall. The fabric from curtains had been pulled out and hung outside from the force of winds from numerous storms. If this was the face of the castle, it looked bruised and beaten.
Take a step forward and...
The walls were solid stone with those broken chains now whole and reaching down to connect to the bridge. The windows of the castle, at the moment were closed, there was no sign of plants growing up the side of the building. Flowers were sleepily peeking on either side of the gates as though curious towards the new arrival. Vibrant and plentiful in fact as though planted as part of a path from the gates. All in all it looked not only well tended, but lived in currently!
Take a step back and everything was rotted, falling apart or being overtaken by nature. One step forward, one step back the castle appeared to change depending on that one little step. But while fear gave her goosebumps and sang along her nerves to run. Tingling with the threat of danger, that the roads at night weren't 'that' dangerous compared to a magical castle. Her logic railed against fleeing.
'I'm hungry and tired that's all. I've been walking all day and haven't had a single meal. Its evening after all, so of course shadows appear longer and are hiding the holes.' She thought to herself, 'I have some mushrooms that are safe to eat. I'll just have a few tonight, the rest I can have in the morning. Just find something to burn for a fire is all. Once I warm up that should help,' the thoughts of a warm fire helped soothe her nerves. So long as those large gates could still open up for her she would be fine. 'Even if I can't get into the castle proper, its a wall, a gate, and safer than the road alone.'
With those thoughts running through her head to encourage her. Lisa began the final leg of her trek up to the abandoned castle. Trees on either side of the road continued being trees, no fairy tale attempts at grabbing her. The road was a little drier on the center so she kept there to avoid the slightly muddy sides. Wind lightly rustled the leaves, but at least they had already shaken off the majority of water off. Her dress was still partly wet from the trees she had already passed, the weight pulling down enough that there was mud staining the bottom hem of her skirt.
'I hope that castle is abandoned. I must look horrid right now, if someone is actually there I can see myself being sent away as a beggar.' She thought ruefully as she pushed back of her hair. The sky was now an ember warmth but the mantle of darkness were already visible on the eastern horizon. Not that she could see it due to the forest on all sides, only above and beyond the castle was visible. In fact...
'This is a nice position actually, the way the sky backdrops the castle is worth a painting. A sky filled with stars would be beautiful, but how would the castle be displayed?' she pondered as she walked. It was easier to just stay distracted than focus on the shadows of the castle, the question on if it was 'holes' or just shadows she saw. There was a sizable moat that she didn't anticipate, but in retrospect justified the drawbridge.
The gate before her was solid, black metal bars, with two black roses twined into its design. Deceptively thin bars that were surprisingly solid, heavy, and difficult to open. She pushed as hard as she could only for the gate to stand firm, save the most unholy grinding sound as the gates protested her attempt to opening them. It screeched so loudly, so out of nowhere that it overwhelmed even the sound of the forest animals. Eyes shut in pained annoyance at the sound as it went bounding off the walls of the castle. Into the air and sending a flock of birds to wing in reaction.
Logic or emotional, the reaction from Lisa was to freeze as a child would upon making a sound, fearing waking her parent. Her eyes darted about in response even if the castle was abandoned, a habit all people had since childhood kicked in. Perhaps the 'illusion' she saw, if it was that, caused this childish need to be extra quiet. Or that it was the castle appeared lived in and she looked like such a mess, but regardless...
As she struggled, a flicker of light blossomed at the corner of her eye. She paused to see that the doors of the castle had opened. With a bald man leaning out to peer at her given she looked like she was trying to break in. But she could imagine just what he probably was thinking as he saw her. Trying to break into the castle with her muddy gown and messy hair, it was enough to make her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Lisa slowly lowered her hands as the man stepped out from behind the door, he was dressed as a monk in all but color. As he called out to her his voice cracked from disuse, which was possible if he was one of those monks who transcribed all day. But how could there be a monk? Wouldn't the village have been told by the church? For that matter, what of the strange illusion she passed through?
"Greetings, my lady?"
"Ah, greetings, I apologize for my unannounced arrival. Its just that the bridge to my village has been washed away from the storm and I am stranded." Lisa began as the monk made his way forward, his face was shrewish, the eyes narrow and there was a gaunt way that the skin pulled over his skull. Maybe it was the bald head, or perhaps how she had imagined all monks. Either the same aloof, educated expression as her teacher or warm, pudgy, kindness pouring out of their very being types.
But this monk was neither, he walked with a slight stoop of the shoulders with one hand behind his back. All of it reinforcing the idea that this was a scribe and he probably spent all his time stooped over working. 'Makes sense that his face would look like that I suppose...'
"The bridge is out you say... I see, most unfortunate, but why come here?" the man asked as he shuffled forward. "Shouldn't the village be already working to repair it?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid that the river flooded the banks, I was afraid to be out on the road at night, so I thought I... that is..." Lisa's voice faded out as she gave an embarrassed look, "from the distance the castle looks abandoned. So I thought to use it as shelter until morning."
He nodded thoughtfully, glancing behind himself at the massive castle before turning his back to her. Leaving her to her own thoughts, 'perhaps its in the process of being made into a monastery. Monks aren't dangerous, but if they're remodeling the castles' interior perhaps he's worried it wouldn't be safe for me?' "Sir, may I stay for just a night, I won't be a bother, I promise!"
"Oh, you won't be, I just worry for my master," the monk answered turning back to face her. "He's not a social person, but alas it is too late to have the carriage send you back now. I can have a room arranged for you, if you would," he reached up and began unlocking the gate. Smoothly unlocking it where she struggled, pulling it open for her with remarkable ease.
Lisa stepped past the gate as she saw the slight peek of lights creeping out from between curtains. 'I wonder why they can't just send me back tonight if there is a carriage... Oh Lisa do be silent, you're in no position to dictate how a lord acts. But he said 'master', is he a monk?'
"A rose? That seems a bit out of place for herbs," the monk noted casually as he began leading her to the castle.
"Hmmm?" she glanced down before giving an embarrassed laugh, "oh well... Father Pecora suggested that if I ever cross a sleeping vampire... that placing a rose on the coffin of one keeps them sealed inside."
"Vampires sealed by a 'rose'?" The monk repeated, whipping his head about to look at her with a startled expression, one that morphed into a grin as he started to laugh. "Oh my dear girl, I fear you've been mislead. Roses have no powers over a vampire. Indeed, not all vampires have the even the same weaknesses, they vary from place to place. But I will confess a rose is rather... a romantic gesture."
"Oh..." Suddenly feeling very small, Lisa looked down chastened, "Father Pecora told me that during my last lesson when he was here."
"Teacher? Looking to become a nun are we?" The monk asked as the doors to the vast castle started looming ever larger upon their approach.
"No, he's been teaching me medicine," she corrected with a small bit of pride as she looked down at the basket holding the herbs she had collected. "Why bleed people when with a bit more research into the older ways could hold the key?"
"Speaking of keys," the monk began, "I need to let the servants know that there shall be a guest this evening. Pray stay here until I come and retrieve you."
"Ah yes of course Brother... I'm sorry, I don't know your name..." Lisa confessed fumbling over extending gratitude and manners. 'Oh thank God I' can have shelter this evening!'
"Zead, Brother Zead," the monk answered stilted at first, "yes, you may address me as that... Now if you'll excuse me." With that the monk pulled open the door enough to slip inside, leaving Lisa standing alone outside the massive wooden doors. Catching sight of the sheer thickness of the door when Zead opened it gave her pause.
'Even if the door was rotted I doubt I could have pulled it open...' she realized as she held up her own hand and made mental comparisons. 'Indeed he must be stronger than he looks, that door is easily twice the length of my hand.'
Now within the outer walls of the castle, Lisa took the moment of solitude to study her environment better. In the distance she could see thick bushes alongside the interior of the wall. The grass was thick and vibrant, the outer walls washed and cleaned far better on the inside than the outside. Bats were taking wing above her head, seeking their evening meals among the peeking stars. A firm, chill breeze from the lake that the castle lorded over swirled around and sent shivers down her. A sudden, gusty reminder that her clothes were wet.
'I hope I don't have to use these herbs for a cold remedy, given that I think they've gotten wet as well. It would need more time to dry them out to be of use,' Lisa thought with rueful concern as she began rifling through her basket. Indeed, the roots were soft with the exposure of water, with the bottom of her basket reflecting what it was soaking in as well. A frown crossed her lips as she was left to hope that there would be a fire she could use.
The weighted creaking of the door broke into her own thoughts pulling Lisa back to the world around her. Brother Zead, standing inside the castle, gestured with one pale, bony hand for her to enter.
"I have alerted the servants, and they are making ready a small room for you." Zead reported as he backed up allowing her to enter the castle proper. Only to be dumbstruck by the opulence of the castle before her. The entryway was massive easily enough so to hold several houses from the village. Rows of metal chandeliers hung with candles burning brightly and crystals under them to help increase the illumination.
Warm light cast upon a thick, rug that ran the center length of the floor to equally large doors. Large, floor to near ceiling windows rested on both sides, letting the last of the suns' light show just how tall they were. Was... was the stone work of the floor made of 'marble'? No. It couldn't be, it seemed senseless given how easily marble was scratched.
'So Brother Zeads' master lives in this castle, but how? How can he live here and no one in the village be aware of it? I mean sure the shadows easily give the misrepresentation that the castle is in a state of decline. But that was just the play on shadows,' she thought as Zead started walking, expectant that Lisa would follow.
"The servants will prepare you a meal and bring it to the room. So you need not worry about being seen so.. well unexpectedly traveled worn shall we say..." Zead began as Lisa quick stepped her way back to his side.
"I'm so grateful that your master would afford me this generosity," Lisa began when Zead shook his head.
"My master does not yet know you are here. He is only now returning to the castle. I made this decision for I know it would be what he would wish." Zead corrected, casting occasional glances over his shoulder to ensure she was still there. "By morning I can have the carriage made ready to quicken your return home, as well."
"Oh... oh you have my most sincere gratitude! I have no idea how I would even begin to repay you for this generosity."
"If you wish to repay me, kindly refrain from mentioning us here. My lord is one who desires only to be left alone, he would not be pleased to be bothered daily. No matter how well intention the caller may be," Brother Zead suggested while Lisa found herself captivated by the grandeur of the castle.
"Of, of course," Lisa answered a small concerned frown crossing her lips as she tore her gaze from the view of the garden from beyond the floor to ceiling windows. 'Ok but how will I explain...' "I'm sorry but how would I explained where I spent the night?"
"There is a small cave that is normally submerged due to the water levels. But given that the rains have been that substantial the natural dams that kept it so have receded. It would not take much to say you spent the evening there." Zead replied smoothly as he pushed open the doors.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\The northwest tower room \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
It was a lavish affair of a room. The bed alone took up sizable portion of space, an inlaid fireplace stood at the northern part with a blessedly warm fire already cheerfully crackling. There was a table laden with a mouth watering meal of vegetables with a large turkey as the centerpiece that was still steaming. The majority of the floor was covered in a thick rug, protecting her legs from the chill of the stone floor. A balcony rested on the west side of the room, revealing the deep blue of the night sky. While soft, vibrant red hued curtains framing the door...
"How long have you been in the Castle? I didn't see you when I returned in this modern incarnation..."
Lisa started at the voice, alarmed she snapped back into the present, memories of that day suddenly pushed aside. Turning around she found Mathias, or rather 'Soma' standing between her and the cleansing pool that the other had been using. Between his white coat and pale features he appeared there more ghost like than even herself. Despite being dead, she struggled to compose her own startled nerves as she shifted slightly to give the portal, and by that her Lord Husband, her full attention. "Well I've always been here since my death, it is merely your anger that has blinded you to my presence."
She found herself concerned as she realized his normal blue eyes now replaced with an unique shade of teal.
"I don't try to remember the bulk of my past, I've been going over my alchemy training exclusively though... I'm sorry if I don't treat you like I normally should," her dear husband began. Reminding her of the first time she walked in on his work. The spirit of his apology was the same, even if the intensity or awkwardness in expressing it was gone.
"Its quite fine beloved. I have spent centuries watching you grieve, mourn and rage over my death. Nothing would have made me happier than to comfort you, but that was something beyond my ability. So that you live this life and remember what it is to 'live' I will be more than content," Lisa answered earning her a slight twist of Mathias' lips.
"And the award to the next in line for Sainthood goes to..." He joked before he heard something in the distance.
Lisa couldn't grasp the Japanese words as well, but Mathias nodded before looking back at her.
"I have to go, foods' ready. I'll try to stay better in control of my emotions so you don't go disappearing on me again."
"Oh well that would be wonderful, but go on, enjoy your meal and I'll see you again," Lisa answered with a gentle smile. He smiled in return, a soft relaxed smile that warmed his expression and she had to wonder if he knew how kind and innocent he looked at that moment. Before he gave her a brief nod and left her alone. Revealing that the pool was empty and leaving her alone to her own memories.