"Now before we begin, there is one more we must add as he will play a major part in this story. I've already informed him about what's happening."
Nick snapped his fingers and a blinding flash of light appeared and disappeared just as quick.
A man in his early twenties with sandy blonde hair and a scar from under his left eye down to his lip appeared.
Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia stood up and stated at him in shock. "LUKE!?"
Luke looked at the three in slight nervousness and laughed a bit "Uh... Hey guys."
Thalia stormed up to him and slapped his cheek to which he said "I deserve that." She punched him in the nose to which he added "That too."
Thalia was about to crush his balls when he flinched and covered his area "No no no no no no no! Maybe maybe not the nethers."
"You fucking asshole!" Thalia smacked his arm and tears began to shed from her eyes. Before she hugged him tightly. Luke was surprised before hugging back. "I'm so sorry."
Luke looked up at Annabeth before holding his arm out to her to which she rushed towards him. She hugged him and Thalia tightly and everyone watched a reunion happen.
After a few minutes, they released each other and Luke turned to look at Percy and smiled sadly as he held his hand out to him.
"Hey Percy." Percy smiled back and took his hand into a brotherly hug.
Everyone sat down and Nick added a new chair for Luke and Thalia sat down on his lap.
"So what are we watching?" Luke asked
Nick answered "As you know, Percy declared war on Humanity for the wrongful death of his beloved Annabeth."
This brought sad looks to everyone.
"What you shall see is Percy's rise to becoming a vampire, and the start of the feud that has lasted for over a millennia. I give you Lament of Innocence."
The screen was black but orchestral music started. An old man's voice spoke as text scrolled up.
"In an era long past, as monarchies weakened, local feudal lords grew in power. The first knights simply protected their lords' domains. However, with the reforms of the late 11th century, knights became the protectors of the peace. They valued courage and honor, fighting heretics and heathens in God's name."
"In this age, one company of knights was said to be invincible due to two men:"
"Luke Belmont, a courageous man who feared nothing and whose combat abilities were second to none, and Perseus Cronqvist, a genius tactician, whose learning made him an exception in a largely illiterate society."
The screen showed Luke with shoulder length sand blonde hair and wearing a knights armor along with a cape and a sword.
For Percy, he wore something akin to a wizard's robe with a book in hand with hair that reached to his chest. His sea-green eyes glowing.
"Percy was into science long before he became Dracula?" Hazel asked with wide eyes. Annabeth was certainly surprised.
"That's impressive that they accept him when they would've not accepted his learning." Annabeth said.
"It's likely because his tactical mind can help defeat the heathens." Jason said.
"Damn Luke, you look good in a knight's armor." Thalia said which made him smile a bit until his face crunched up in confusion "Wait, why is my last name Belmont?"
"Guess we'll have to wait and find out." Piper shrugged.
"They trusted each other completely, and they were bound by an old friendship."
"However, sorrow awaited Perseus upon his return from a victorious campaign. It was news of the sudden death of his beloved wife, Rachel. Persues' grief was profound and he became bedridden."
The screen showed a very familiar redhead. Instead of paint stained clothes, she wore a beautiful yellow dress with her red curly hair flowing in the wind.
"Rachel?" Percy and Annabeth asked in unison. Percy felt his heart clench at hearing that Rachel passed.
"Wait... So... He got a complete retelling of his origin when he lost Annabeth?" Leo asked.
"That makes his rage all the more saddening." Jason said with his head down.
"Oh Percy..." Annabeth said solemnly as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"A year has passed since then. Thanks to Luke's efforts, their company remains proudly undefeated."
"However, a mysterious army of monsters suddenly appears in Luke's domain. The Crusades are raging in the East, and since the Church is focusing on fighting heathens rather than monsters, it has forbidden unauthorized battles. Luke wants permission to sortie, but the Church has no intention of granting it."
"Of fucking course the Church wouldn't give two shits about monsters." Thalia growled as she hated hearing the corruptions of the Church.
"One night, Perseus struggles from his sickbed and tells Luke that the appearance of the monsters is tied to a vampire, who has a castle in the Forest, called Eternal Night, and that Luke's betrothed, Thalia, has been kidnapped and brought to that castle."
The screen showed Thalia in a blue and white dress holding a bouquet of roses. Her usual spiky hair was now two buns with some strands in front of her face.
"Wow... You look beautiful." Luke said to which Thalia blushed a bit
"Wait... How did he know that the monsters were under a vampire's command?" Frank asked.
Annabeth narrowed her eyes as if she was thinking.
"Luke realizes that he must renounce his title to rescue his beloved."
Luke no longer wore the Knights armor. Now, he wore a red and white coat with a large gauntlet on his left arm and black boots.
"The forest is swollen with darkness, as if it would rob away everything, and only moonlight provides a ray of hope."
"A great legend is about to begin."
The last thing the screen showed was the full moon shining on the forest before fading.
The screen then showed the title:
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
"This is simply an introductory to what I will show you. The ending." Nick spoke.
The screen lit up by showing Luke walk into the throne room. It zoomed into a man with long red hair, wearing bulky red armor with black sleeves and armored boots. He sat up straight on his throne at the sight of Luke and smirked.
"Welcome. I have been waiting, Luke."
His deep voice sent chills to some of their spines.
"Walter... I will never forgive you." Luke growled.
"I see. It seems you have enjoyed the gift that I gave you." Walter put his fingertips together in amusement.
"Gift?" Piper asked.
"Where's Thalia?" Luke asked with worry.
Luke growled in anger before stopping himself and took a deep breath. "Yes. Thanks to that, I now have the power to defeat you."
"Well, that power is quite something." Walter stood up from his throne before continuing "But I am beloved by the Night. You will taste my power."
Luke pointed at the Vampire and shouted with rage "I'LL KILL YOU AND THE NIGHT!!"
"Show him who's boss!" Leo said with a grin.
Walter smirked, his eyes shined with amusement. "Interesting. Now the curtain rises on this delightful little game."
Luke charged at Walter, pulling out a chain whip from his belt. Walter himself stood there, ready to take the blow that will prove fruitless.
Luke slashed his whip at Walter, who recoiled in pain with a shout "What!?"
"A whip? Those seem hard to master." Percy said as he tilted his head at the sight of the average whip made from brown leather.
The stone on his chest cracked and broke apart to which Walter shouted "WHAT!?"
Luke spoke "Now there's nothing left to protect you. I'll fulfill my promise to THALIA NOW!!"
"So you already rescued me, my hero." Thalia ruffled Luke's hair to which he playfully pushed her arm away.
"But he wouldn't be this enraged if something didn't happen to her." Annabeth pointed out to which everyone asked in their head. 'What happened?'
Walter pointed out "Not yet. The power of the Night is still full. I shall teach you the meaning of true terror!"
/Skipping fight scene because reasons./
The screen flashed for a second before revealing Walter stumbling a bit and holding his chest as he spoke weakly "It can't be... This should not have happened!"
Luke looked away as he gently said "Thalia's suffering... Chiron's grief..." He looked at Walter and declared "Carve them into your cursed body and perish!"
"Chiron was in this?" Percy asked.
"What did he mean by her suffering? What did he do to her?" Frank asked, a bit concerned
"I'll explain the details at the end." Nick spoke
A force seemed to make Walter groan in pain "But... With my powers, I will surely come back to life. I could not obtain the Crimson Stone, but someday it will be mine!" He declared with confidence.
The screen showed a tall skeletal figure with a scythe in hand laughing at Walter. It was Death.
Everyone felt a shiver go up their spines that made them visibly shutter at the appearance of Death. Unlike Thanatos who was a beautiful man with black angel wings with a tablet, this one was gruesome. Missing half of his body, his ribs were sticking out and wielded a giant scythe.
Walter looked up and backed away in fear "NO!! You betrayed me!?"
Death declared "I SHALL TAKE YOUR SOUL!" His voice was layered, almost as if multiple souls were taking in unison.
Death created a purple glyph and electricity shot out towards Walter where multiple spirits began to escape Walter's body. Walter himself screamed before fading away into nothing.
"Luke made it easy for him to..." Hazel said with a shudder in her voice.
Luke watched with an open jaw before Death spoke "This power, I offer to the King who wields the Crimson Stone!"
A black vortex appeared in the middle of the room where the souls spiraled into it before materializing into a red jewel which began to crack more and more until bursting like an egg.
The dust cleared to reveal Perseus taking a deep breath before exhaling. "Excellent. I never spent a better night."
"Percy? What is he doing there?" Hazel asked.
"Is this it? Is this where it all started for me?" Percy asked with sadness in his voice
Luke backed away a tiny bit with wide eyes "Perseus!?"
Perseus himself walked towards the Vampire Slayer "You didn't disappoint me, Luke. I knew without a doubt that you would accomplish this."
"What is the meaning of this?" Luke demanded
Perseus answered simply "I needed a powerful vampire soul. That is all."
Luke pointed to himself as he asked with betrayal laced in his voice "Are you saying you used me?"
"Percy manipulated him to fight Walter?" Annabeth asked to which Jason answered "Like a puppet master."
"Not just you. Your betrothed Thalia, Chiron, and Walter. I used all of you. I never thought it would go so well."
"What? But how? I'm not getting what's going on." Thalia asked
"He needed a vampire's soul? Is that how he did it?" Frank asked to which Annabeth guessed "He stole the soul and infused it with his own?"
Luke noticed a stone hanging off of his neck so he pointed towards it. "Is that... That stone. The Crimson Stone?"
Perseus' fingers lingered over it "Ah you know it? I'm impressed. I made Walter's soul mine, with the power of this stone."
"Looks like you were right." Percy said as he rubbed Annabeth's back.
Luke felt a rumbling emanating from the whip to which he muttered "I sense a rage from this whip..." Luke's eyes widen as he looked at Perseus. "Perseus... You abandoned humanity!?"
Perseus' signature trouble making grin appeared as he answered "That's right! By becoming a vampire, I obtained eternal life. That was my goal. It was my revenge against God!"
Luke was flabbergasted as he repeated "Revenge against God!?"
Perseus walked towards him "We have risked our lives and fought for the sake of God. But God mercilessly stole away the one I loved most. When all I ever wished for was Rachel's safety."
"So his hatred started because of Rachel's death. To which he blamed God." Annabeth surmised with sadness.
"It's like Nick asked, What would we have done if the one we loved was killed by the very people we swore to protect." Percy was sad and lowered his head. Sometimes, he cursed his fatal flaw.
Perseus pointed to the sky as he declared "If limited life is God's decree, then I shall defy it! And within that eternity, I shall CURSE HIM FOREVERMORE!!"
Luke could only look down and say with disappointment and despair "Perseus..."
Perseus looked at Luke "Luke... After all you've been through, you should know."
Luke looked up and nodded "Yes... You're right. I do understand. How you feel. I too..."
Perseus stepped towards him with his hand out stretched "Then come with me. I will give you eternity too."
Percy shook his head "Don't do it Luke..."
Luke released a shuddering breath "Not like last time." Thalia hugged him tightly.
Luke turned his head to glare at Perseus "You wretched fool!"
He was taken back and asked in shock "What?"
Luke pointed to him "Is this what the woman you loved would've wanted? The Perseus I know would not have loved such a woman!"
Perseus looked to the side with sadness in his eyes "Rachel was a kind and honorable woman. She was concerned only for me, to the very end. That is why I hate Him!" Perseus looked back at Luke with hatred in his eyes. "Am I wrong? Did you not destroy Walter with hatred in your heart too?"
Luke turned away from Perseus as he acknowledged "Yes I'd be lying if I claimed otherwise! Defeating him... No... Preventing others from suffering the same cursed fate. That was Thalia's dying wish."
"I... Died?" Thalia went pale at the thought of death, even if she was an immortal huntress, she could still die in battle.
"So that's why he was so angry. Did... Walter kill her?" Hazel asked.
Perseus gasped in shock at the wish.
Luke looked at his friend "Granting my beloved's wish, that is all I can do to prove my love for Thalia. Eternity... Without her would be nothing but... Emptiness."
"Immortality is not worth it, if you're alone..." Percy said. Annabeth caressed his cheek to make him look at her "You're not alone." He smiled at her.
Perseus looked away while closing his eyes to steel his heart "Luke... I thought that you would understand." Perseus looked up to a window "Dawn is coming." Perseus looked at Leon one final time as he bowed his head "Farewell Luke." Perseus glanced at his servant "Death... He's all yours."
Perseus turned away from Luke, turning into a bat and flew away.
"I gotta say, you look cuter as a guinea pig than a bat." Annabeth said while smirking at Percy who closed his eyes to inhale through his nose loudly. He hated remembering how he was turned into a guinea pig over at Circe's Spa and Resort Island.
"You gotta tell us the story." Leo said with a grin to which Percy glared at him. "No you won't hear it."
"Oh I will!" Annabeth glared to which Percy stared at her in betrayal.
Luke tried to run to Perseus "STOP!" Only for Death to create another blinding vortex before appearing in a flesh covered room with Death floating with his scythe in hand.
Luke shouted "No!"
"By my Master's orders, you will be destroyed here and now!!"
/Fight ends with Luke beating Death. Obviously.
The background faded into the throne room where Death leaned against his scythe "To think that I would be..." As if he could not comprehend a mere human defeating the Grim Reaper.
"He actually did it. He beat Death itself." Everyone was shocked. The Personification of Death defeated by Luke.
"Incredible." Percy said with his voice but a whisper.
"I have the power to destroy all related to the vampires! Though you have divine power, you are no exception."
Death pointed to himself "Unfortunately for you, so long as my Master survives, I will rise from the dead."
Luke muttered "I see." He spoke "Give him this message:"
"You have become a cursed being, and I will never forgive you. This whip and my kinsman will destroy you! From this day on, the Belmont Clan will HUNT THE NIGHT!!"
"Dramatic much?" Thalia said with sarcasm which made some of the audience members snicker and Luke roll his eyes.
Death began to shake his head violently with pieces of his figure floating away before releasing a final cry "BLEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
"Now there's a dramatic cry." Percy pointed to which Annabeth giggled.
When Death disappeared, the castle began to shake violently with pieces of the castle falling down. So Luke began to run as fast as he could out of the castle.
By the time he exited, the castle was completely ruined and destroyed. Luke walked away with determination in his eyes.
The screen faded into black with the old man's voice speaking and text appearing:
"And so the story of the Belmont Clan's struggle against evil begins."
"However, Perseus and the Belmonts will not meet again for hundreds of years. Mathias goes into hiding in foreign lands and continues to curse God for eternity. Eventually, he names himself Lord of the Vampires, King of the Night."
"So he renamed himself Dracula. But he kept his first name." Frank said.
"The years before their next meeting pass slowly and quietly, but with finality: the intermission in this exquisite play from which two souls will never escape."
"So it's been an endless cycle between good and evil for them." Annabeth spoke before Nick spoke.
"Now I will illiterate a few things. You see, Thalia was bitten by Walter and she slowly began the transformation. Luke's whip was made with Alchemy, which id why it was powerful, but not enough to defeat Walter. That's why Chiron, who lived in a cottage nearby the castle practiced a forbidden ritual."
"What was this ritual?" Percy asked.
Thalia subconsciously brought her hand to her neck where she thought she felt two holes on her neck.
Nick sighed "It requires a vampire to whom the person trusts, to be slain by the weapon of their wielder. The vampire's soul is then transferred into the weapon, becoming a bane of all children of the Night."
Everyone's eyes widen "I... Killed Thalia?" Luke said with a heavy breath.
"Thalia begged him to do it, that's why he promised to fulfill her wish. So no one will suffer the same cursed fate of being an undead creature of the Night. His whip has become known as the Vampire Killer."
It was silent as Luke looked at his hands, almost as if he saw blood stain them before he felt a hand on his cheek. He looked up to see Thalia look at him with sadness "If the same thing were to happen... I'd want you to do it. I don't want to be one of those things... A monster."
Luke pursed his lips before nodding "Ok..."
"Now I can see you're all getting a little antsy so we will reconvene at a later time. The place is open to you. I'll be scanning through to find our next viewing. If you wish to know more about something, please feel free to ask."
Everyone began to get up and walk towards different sections.
The Throne Room, Olympus
The Gods were gathered after watching Percy as Dracula.
Zeus, his usual paranoid self "That boy will be the death of us all!"
Poseidon glared at him "That boy you speak of, has been through more than any other hero ever. My son deserves our respect."
Hades watched and could sympathize with Dracula, they both lost the one they loved because of a lack of understanding. The only difference is, Hades would not stoop to Zeus's level.
Athena sat back in her chair and a tear threatened to spill. "All that knowledge he craved... My daughter coming to him for learning... Oh Annabeth..."
Hera stared at Dracula and remembered his words: "That woman was the only reason on Earth for me to tolerate HUMAN LIFE!"
She was no fool, she was bitter and hated Zeus' children for not all were of her birthing. To see what the humans did because of their lack of understanding made her relook at her anger.
Artemis watched the only man she ever respected becoming rage filled over the death of the Daughter of Athena. She too would've felt murderous if one of her hunters were killed by a monster or a disrespectful male.
Hephaestus stared at the castle in amazement "I must build that castle!"
Hermes and Apollo watched in sadness, out of all the half-bloods they've met, Percy was always their favorite. To see him enraged over the wrongful death of his love and the slaughter of the villages. They've become a bit scared. Both of him and for him.
Demeter watched and shook her head in sadness "That boy needs more cereal in his diet."
Dionysus chuckled and took a drink of wine "Well well, Perry's gone coo coo."
Ares couldn't help but grin "Maybe he'll give me more of a challenge than that punk did." What he will refuse to admit was that he was slightly nervous at the sight of Percy. He's sure he could take him on. He was sure...
Hestia stared at Dracula in sadness as all she wanted to do was give him a gentle embrace and ease his pain. To stop Dracula from going too far. Hestia wouldn't have given up on him.
Nick walked to the center of the throne room "I show you these on hopes some of you will look at Percy in a different light. That you will respect and understand the pain you all put him and the others through. For your sake. Think on that."
The Gods were left in silence as they stared back, waiting for the next viewing.