One-Shot: Castlevania: Lullaby of Dissent (2/2)
Title: Castlevania: Lullaby of Dissent
Author: PatriciaTepes (AKA Patricia de Lioncourt at fanfiction.net )
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Alucard/Maria, Orlox, Richter/Annette
Rating: R
Word Count: ~10,000 (total, both parts)
Warnings: Blood, death, sex
Fandom: Castlevania (specifically, Symphony of the Night)
Disclaimer: I don't own Castlevania or any related characters. Those all belong to Konami. Art belongs to twisted_slinky.
Summary: Set directly after Symphony of the Night, best ending. Maria has gone after Alucard and convinces him to join her in the everyday world. However, there are those who are more than unhappy with this decision, and seek to destroy the half-blooded son of Dracula at all costs.
Author's Notes: First things first, this was written for the mini bang round at undeadbigbang, and it also covers the hc_bingo square of mine, fighting. Also, I was originally going to make this a short chaptered fic, based very, very loosely on the radio drama sequel that released only in Japan. Well, now it's still very, very loosely based-now more of an inspiration than based on-and a long one-shot. And I'd like to give a very special thanks to my artist twisted_slinky-be sure to check out the link to her art masterpost and give it some love! Also, since she is my BFF, she served as the beta for this fic as well. I hope everyone enjoys!
Link to Part I | Link to Art Masterpost | Link to Story Masterpost
Richter Belmont was made for his calling. The poor girl's voice had echoed into the night, carrying all the way out to the manor. He had shot straight out of bed, grabbing for his sacred weapon-the Vampire Killer-and heading for the source of the sound. He had to practically beg Maria to stay behind, and finally convinced her to do so by telling her that she would be protecting her sister. Alone, he charged into the village.
It didn't take long for him to find the source of the scream. A crowd had formed around the town's well, and they looked a mixture of shocked, angry, and murderous. He broke through, wielding his whip as proof that he was the one to be dealing with whatever problem lay at the center. And there, at the center of the mass, he found Alucard, holding the lifeless body of a young woman… a woman Richter was sure he recognized from one of his many trips into town.
He approached the dhampire, kneeling down across the body from him.
"Alucard… what happened?"
"She's been bitten!" a woman cried hysterically from off on Richter's right.
He looked up to see the woman's face tear-streaked, her long, graying brown hair falling to her waist. Richter's eyes darted between the victim's face and the woman's… the girl's mother, without a doubt.
"He did this!" another villager in the crowd cried.
"He's a curse on us all!" another one cried.
"He's killed my daughter!" the woman sobbed.
Richter held up his hands, indicating silence. Then, he looked across to the dhampire.
"I must ask, so that all might hear. But I will take you at your word. Did you do this?" he asked.
"No. A vampire servant of my father, named Orlox, did this."
There was more to that statement, more than what Alucard was willing to say with this crowd. But Richter understood, nodding once. He rose to his feet, raising his voice to address the panicked villagers.
"I believe him," he said. "With all my heart."
"How?" the grieving mother asked, her voice haggard.
"Because if not for this man, I would not be alive now. If he said another did this, than another did it."
That sent the group muttering, calming themselves. The Belmont name had been sullied, once long ago, but it had grown to be respected once more. If the Belmont who had destroyed Dracula once was vouching for this dhampire, than it would be enough for now. An elder of the village stepped forward, extending his hand to Alucard as the dhampire moved to his feet. The men clasped each other at the wrists.
"We beg your forgiveness for our suspicious nature," he said.
"It is more than understandable. There is nothing to forgive," Alucard said.
The villagers relaxed only enough to continue with their grieving. The elder now turned to Richter, his gray brow furrowed.
"I'm afraid that the task falls to you, young sir. This poor maiden has been bitten. We must see to it that she does not rise to do harm to others."
Richter blinked, taken aback. He had known it would come to this, this was the work his family had done for centuries now, but his thoughts had been elsewhere-on Alucard's unspoken words. Alucard nodded, crossing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Richter.
"He's right," he said gently.
Richter nodded as the elder passed him a wooden stake. The mother of the girl sobbed, collapsing into the arms of a man of similar age-presumably the girl's father, as his face was equally as tear-streaked. Richter sighed, moving the girl's body so that she lay flat on her back.
"I do this to free her," he said.
Several in the crowd nodded, and Richter summoned all his strength. He lifted the stake and drove it down, his eyes closing just moments before it pierced the poor girl's heart. The girl's mother sobbed even louder.
The girl's parents collected her body, so that she might have a proper burial, and the crowd had dispersed. In silence, Richter and Alucard made their way slowly back through the night toward Belmont Manor. Neither spoke for a long moment, but finally, as the lights from the village grew distant, Richter turned to his friend.
"What is it that you did not tell me? When I asked if you did this?"
Alucard shifted uncomfortably, and Richter grinned, thinking that that was perhaps the most human he had ever seen the man act. It did not last long, as the dhampire seemed to retreat into his thoughts for a moment, searching out the answer. Finally, he sighed.
"I could smell-" he began, only to halt abruptly. He grinned, mirthlessly, picking up, "I could smell him. From the manor. I recognized the scent and sought out to stop whatever it was that he was planning."
Richter's eyes narrowed, and his skin crawled. It was not a pleasant realization, to think that this man whom they had all welcomed into their home had such powers. If he could smell a vampire from such a distance, what else was he capable of? But the vampire hunter shook his head, clapping a hand about Alucard's shoulder. The dhampire eyed him as if this was an odd move.
"At least you destroyed him, yes?" Richter smiled.
Alucard countered with a frown, and Richter felt his hand fall away.
"No. I'm afraid I did not."
Richter looked away as the two rounded onto the pathway up to the manor. A vampire, a powerful one, was still roaming free in his village. His family, and the families of others, were in terrible peril because he quite well remembered Orlox from his time under the dark priest Shaft's control.
"We'll destroy him. I've no doubt," he said suddenly, smiling as he caught sight of Annette and Maria standing in wait for them in the manor's entrance.
"I hope so. For the sake of giving that poor girl's soul true rest," Alucard said.
Richter clapped his friend on his shoulder once more. "Well spoken."
"What happened, Richter?" Annette asked the moment they reached the women.
"Alucard?" Maria asked.
"A young girl was… killed. In the village. But all's well now, I assure you," Richter said, wrapping a protective arm about his wife.
"Oh, no. Who was it, Richter?" Annette asked, her face the very picture of fright as she was ushered back inside.
"I'll tell you in the morning. Let's rest," the vampire hunter said, gazing back at the stoic dhampire. "We need it."
Alucard passed Maria silently, and the young woman pursed her lips, trailing him inside the manor.
The next day passed with much mourning and silence in Belmont Manor. Maria had begged Alucard to share the details of the previous night with her, but he had waved her off. Her feelings had been hurt, but he figured that that would be better than the alternative. Better than her knowing of his desire, of his failure to save the young girl. The night came on the heels of the setting sun as it always did, and, like the night before, Alucard heard Orlox's voice calling to him.
He rose as he had the night before, but instead of following the voice to the village, he followed it to its new source-just within the barrier of the forest of Eternal Night. The moon was smaller still, and the canopy of trees made the forest floor even darker. The scent of the night pulled at Alucard, washing him in a flood of memories from his youth, as he continued to follow the whispers farther inside the trees. Finally, he broke into a clearing, in the center of which Orlox stood. At the vampire's feet lay a man, dressed in rough sewn, dirty rags, in the same state of unconsciousness as the young maiden from the night before. Alucard drew his sword and made to charge at the vampire.
"You will not claim another life!" he shouted, and Orlox dodged the blow, vanishing and reappearing always out of the sword's reach.
"I don't intend to claim this man's life," Orlox said, finally catching the blade of Alucard's weapon in his hands.
He threw the weapon back, and with it, Alucard. The dhampire landed in a skidding crouch, looking up at the vampire. He slowly got back to his feet, letting the blade rest at his side for the moment.
"No. You intend me to do so, don't you?"
Orlox grinned. "Precisely. You see, I know where the problem lay last time. I tried to tempt you with an innocent's blood. Well, this time around, I went with a convicted criminal."
He gestured to the man at his feet, his eyes careful to stay rested on Alucard. Alucard shook his head.
"No matter. I will not drink," he said.
"Why? Because you think he doesn't deserve it?" the vampire asked, his head cocked to one side.
Alucard made no move to answer, but Orlox sighed.
"I know that that's it. And I would agree. This man deserves much worse, I assure you. Do you know of his crimes?"
"No, but I suspect you intend to enlighten me," the dhampire remarked dryly.
"Indeed. He's a murderer, but of the worst kind. His victims tend to be no older than twelve, and no younger than nine. Girls, mostly, but he's taken the life of a couple of young boys as well. But it's not enough that he kills them, Alucard. He tortures them, first. Makes them beg for their lives. And then he takes their innocence, robbing them of their virtue in a vile and vulgar fashion. Then, as they lay sobbing before him, he slits their throats, and allows them to bleed out."
Alucard's eyes flickered to the unconscious man, his lip curling in disgust. He did not doubt Orlox's words. He had no reason to lie to Alucard. To the vampire's mind, he held the advantage, due to his submission to his vampiric nature. When he caught Alucard's gaze upon the man, he grinned.
"He's a monster. I dare you to deny it," he said.
Alucard's lips parted, searching for words. Finally, he shook his head.
"I cannot."
Orlox crossed his arms about his armored chest, his skull-like countenance grinning like some creature from a nightmare. The two of them stood in silence for a long moment. Finally, the sorcerer vampire rolled his eyes.
"I don't understand you, Master Alucard. I cannot fathom how you intend to go about this-this charade that you're living."
"What do you mean?"
Orlox gestured toward the woods behind him. "Them. The Belmonts that you're living with now. Yes, they've welcomed you with open arms now… but what about later? When they begin to ponder your existence too closely? When they begin to question your loyalty? You are the son of their sworn enemy, of course. Honestly, that pretty, young blonde looks at you with doe eyes now, but what about when you bear your fangs at her for the first time? When you begin to make love to her, only to have your darker nature surface? When your teeth graze her flesh, cutting it like paper? Or do you think that she'll enjoy it?"
Alucard roared, charging at the vampire once more. He hacked and slashed wildly at him, his thoughts a blur of protective anger. How dare that monster speak of Maria! Orlox could never hope to understand a soul such as hers. Alucard drove Orlox to the opposite edge of the clearing, only to have the vampire disappear on him again, reappearing back at where the criminal lie. Alucard turned, breathing hard and heavy. Orlox was grinning madly. Alucard had revealed too much, an amateur mistake. One he had not committed in many a year. His grip tightened on his weapon once more as Orlox laughed.
"Yes, Alucard! That's what I mean! Use that anger, and feed on this man, this piece of unworthy filth! He murdered children! Surely you find this crime reprehensible? If not, deny it. Deny that he deserves death."
Alucard stalked toward the center, stopping just short of the vampire and the criminal. He looked away, and Orlox chuckled.
"You cannot. You cannot argue that he deserves death. Then, I ask, why not you? Why is it that it cannot be you, to show him horrors in his last moments? To show him what those children must have saw before their deaths? You need blood, Alucard. Half-human or not, the vampire side still requires it. Why not take what you need to survive from such scum as this man?"
Orlox kicked at the limp man, rolling him over onto his back. He stooped down, and Alucard raised his weapon. However, in a flash, Orlox only used one of his sharpened, dark nails to make a diagonal slash down the left side of the man's face. The scent of the criminal's blood was carried to the dhampire on the winds, and it was strong. Evil was a strong temptation to a blood-drinker, and this man had it in abundance. The scent made his head swim, just as the maiden's blood had. Alucard gripped at his weapon as if it were some sort of safety afforded to him. Orlox turned the man's head so that the cut faced Alucard directly.
"I can see it, Alucard. The reddening of your eyes, your fangs extending… I can hear the growl in your voice deepening. This is what your father has always wanted for you, to be strong. Drink, Alucard, and embrace it!"
Alucard stumbled back, his stomach growling for the man's blood as if he were starved. Orlox advanced, bringing the criminal with him.
"Feed from this man, Alucard, or, eventually-inevitably-you will feed on your beautiful Maria."
Alucard shook his head, the tips of his fangs now past his bottom lip, the flesh there so unused to the teeth that they were cutting, splitting with the sharpness.
"Never," he growled.
"It is not a threat, Alucard. It is fact. In this moment, I am doing you a grand favor."
Alucard bent double, digging his hardened nails into his thighs. The scent of the man was overwhelming, and the dhampire was salivating.
"You know I speak the truth, Alucard. It's happened before. Your father told me."
Alucard fell to his knees, his mind going back to a time long ago. He was only a boy, fifteen or sixteen at the most. There had been a girl in the village-her name was Alice, a beautiful girl with raven hair. Alucard had been fascinated with her, and she with him. They had spoken often, and their affections had grown. One night, when they had been alone in a neighbor's barn, the two had begun to make love. It had been the first time Alucard had experienced such a wash of emotions, and the scent of her blood had only grown with her own arousal. Before he had realized what had happened, it was too late. He had sunk his fangs deep into her flesh, drank her life from her. Horrified, he had done the only think he could think to do-he called for his father. Dracula had helped dispose of the girl's body, and had comforted his son as Alucard wept over her grave in the woods. Alucard had never told his mother of the incident, and it shamed him to think of it even now.
It had been on that night that Alucard had sworn to never drink a human's blood again. Now, he dug his fingers into the ground, growling against the fresh temptation.
"It will happen again," Orlox said. "When you are alone with Maria, just like you were with that pretty girl… when you begin to undress her, caress her tender flesh… you will hear her heart beat, and it will overwhelm you. And you will kill her just as you did the girl from your village."
Alucard pulled himself to his feet, just barely. The moment he turned to face Orlox, his vampiric side now fully visible, the bald vampire threw the dhampire the criminal.
"Drink," he commanded.
This close to the fresh cut, Alucard couldn't see straight. All he could feel was the blood coursing through the man's body, the scent of his evil strong. Blood was all that Alucard could think, see, feel. He obeyed.
He opened his mouth wide and sank his fangs in deep. Fresh blood flooded Alucard's mouth, and he gulped it down. The criminal moaned in his arms, whatever spell Orlox had put him under rendering him unable to struggle. Alucard's grip on the victim's arms tightened, and he could hear bone crack. He drank on, enjoying every moment of it, wanting more and more the longer he held on. Perhaps Orlox had been right. This was for the best. If Alucard drank of this man, then the temptation to feed on Maria would not exist.
Maria. Again, the thought of her name summoned her image to his mind, the horror that would be on her face if she could see her beloved Alucard-her hero that had saved her dearest brother-in-law-in such a state. She would think him a monster, run away screaming. And there would be no more light within her. Her hope would be killed in that moment.
It took every bit of Alucard's resolve, but he pulled himself away from the man. He had not taken enough to kill him, only keep him unconscious. He dropped him to the ground. Wild, he turned on Orlox, whose dark eyes were wide.
"Impossible," the vampire murmured.
Alucard brandished his weapon, the waning moon's light gleaming off of it. Orlox summoned a ball of reddish-Hellish-light, and sent it hurtling toward the dhampire. But the fresh feeding had benefited the dhampire. His senses were deepened, and he dodged the attack as if it were nothing. Orlox vanished, no doubt about to appear behind him, but Alucard was ready. With one mighty swing, his family's sword sliced cleanly through the vampire's neck. It rolled backward off its body as the body itself fell forward. Slowly, it began to burn away, chipping away to nothing but dust to be scattered in the wind.
When Orlox was finally gone, Alucard's eyes fell to the criminal. He stirred, clear of the vampire's spell, but he was still unconscious from the loss of blood. The temptation was still there, only receded slightly, to feed from him. Turning, urging his vampiric nature deep down within himself, he ran into the trees.
Maria damned the trees as she turned in place, lost within the forest. She had been awake, wandering the halls of Belmont Manor in search of elusive sleep, when she had witnessed Alucard exiting the building. Curious, and more than a little worried, she had given chase. However, as soon as he had broken through the barrier of trees of Eternal Night, she had lost him. It was no doubt that he probably knew that forest better than any, and it was famed for its confusing pathways, but Maria had been sure she had known it enough to keep from getting lost. Apparently, she had been wrong.
Now, she stood in the middle of trees and more trees, slivers of silver moonlight peeking through the breeze-rustled leaves, and frankly, she was unsure whether she should call for Alucard or not. She was ashamed of her stalking, that she had followed him into the night. She didn't want him to think that she didn't trust him… she had only been worried for him. But now, she was desperately lost, turned around so that she was only half sure of the way home.
"Very astute," she muttered to herself, glancing over her shoulder at the dark forest behind her.
Suddenly, a rustling stirred the trees in front of her, and she stiffened, worried that she had called more wolves to her presence. Her mouth was already forming the words to a chant when the source of the rustling broke through the barrier. It was Alucard, his hair gleaming in the night and his face downturned.
"Alucard!" she said, relieved.
He stumbled toward her, falling to his knees, and Maria stooped to cradle him in her arms. Something was wrong. He was trembling, and he would not meet her eyes.
"Alucard, what is it? What's happened?" she asked.
"Get away!" he said, pushing back from her.
She gasped. His face… His eyes were a bright vermillion, and a pair of gleaming white fangs extended over his bottom lip. Even his hands appeared more claw-like than usual. This was his vampiric side showing. Slowly, she raised her hand, made to touch his face, but he batted it away.
"Leave, Maria. Run!"
But Maria didn't move.
"What happened?" she asked in a breathless voice.
"Orlox," he hissed.
And he confessed everything. About how Orlox had called to him the night before, had tempted him with the maiden's blood. How he had been unable to save the girl, and that Orlox had called to him again tonight. Only, this time… he had fed. He had taken that criminal's blood, but not enough to kill him.
"You have to get away from me, Maria," he concluded. "The temptation, the fight… It's too great, and I am losing."
Maria shook her head, her long hair splayed about her on the forest floor.
"What do you mean, you're losing?"
In a flash, he reached for her, gripping her by her shoulders. He shook her once, eliciting a gasp from her.
"I can smell your blood, Maria. And I want it. I desire it more than I have ever desired anything."
He leaned into her, breathing deeply of her scent. He purred against her skin before pulling, prying, himself away. Maria stayed silent, eyeing Alucard's crouched form across from her. Finally, she leaned in, taking one of his hands in hers. He eyed her, watching as she gently laid it on her cheek.
"Then take it," she whispered.
He gasped, eyeing her.
"If it will ease this pain you're feeling, then do it. I'll gladly give my blood to you. I don't mind, truly."
He pulled his hand away, averting his gaze. "No. You've no idea what it is you ask."
"I've fought vampires nearly my entire life, I know exactly what it is that I'm offering to you. You have to understand, Alucard, I am not a child. If drinking from me will ease your pain, make you happy… then do it. I trust you."
He eyed her through a curtain of his hair, his breath coming in heavy huffs. After a long moment, he began to lean in, and Maria felt her eyes slide slowly shut. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, and her skin began to tingle in a way that was not unpleasant. Suddenly, the breath was gone from her neck, and she felt his lips press against hers. His fangs had retracted some, just enough so that they were confined to the inside of his mouth, and she parted her lips to allow him to deepen the kiss. Her hands wound in his hair, and she pressed her body against his. His arms rose to wrap about her waist, holding her there. Finally, the kiss broke, and Alucard moved away.
"I'm sorry," he said mournfully. "I shouldn't have-"
But she cradled his face in her hands, forcing him to lock eyes with her.
"You are more than this, Alucard. You are more than the monster you're fighting. I believe that with all of my heart."
For the measure of a beat of Maria's heart, they simply stared into each others' eyes. In the next beat, he was kissing her again, leaning her back so that she lay on the forest floor. She wrapped her arms about his neck, and he peppered kisses along her jaw and throat. She moaned, gripping his hair as he began to undo her clothing. He leaned up, unlacing her jacket as she worked ferociously at his. The moment his jacket and shirt was removed, she leaned up, pressing another kiss to his lips. He moaned into her mouth, and worked off the top half of her clothing. Before long, she was in nothing but her long stockings, her underthings completely gone, and he was in a state of complete undress.
Their hands roamed their bodies, acquainting themselves with every curve and swell. The evidence of his arousal was pressed hard into her thigh, and Maria could feel the heat growing wet between her legs. He kissed down her taunt stomach, finding that precious bundle of nerves there at the top of her folds. His tongue danced over it, and she felt the heat swell to a boil, exploding and sending itself through the rest of her body in waves. She gasped and moaned, trying her best to catch her breath as Alucard rose above her, entering her gently.
There was a brief shock of pain as her virgin folds stretched and broke to accommodate his size. He began to thrust within her, and she could tell that it was a struggle for him to remain slow and steady. No doubt, he could smell her maiden blood, and it drove the vampire within him wild. Before long, he could not control it any longer. He began to thrust deeper and harder within her, but Maria was already well fitted to his manhood. She gasped, arching her back into him, pressing her bare breasts against his chest. One of his hands held her by the small of her back, supporting her, while the other held his balance as he continued his movements. He bent, taking one of her erect nipples into his mouth, and she gasped, cresting on pleasure once more. She felt herself tighten around him, and he cried out, his eyes going a deeper red. Gasping, she floated back down to the earth, and watched as her lover continued to find his pleasure within her, his fangs growing longer once more.
"Do it, Alucard," she moaned. "Feed from me. Alleviate your pain, please," she begged.
He was at the mercy of her suggestion. He bent forward, sinking his fangs into her flesh, the scent of her orgasm driving him wild. He drank only a drop-Maria moaning his name all the while-before he pulled away. He cried out, finishing within her. As he pulled away from her, he paused to heal her wounds.
The two were still catching their breath as they redressed. Finally, both fully clothed, Alucard turned to her. All signs of his vampiric half were gone from his face as he smiled sadly at her.
"I love you, Maria," he said.
She smiled, but Alucard only shook his head.
"Which is why I must leave."
Her heart stopped. But she did not speak, waiting for him to continue.
"I love you, but that will not satiate my darker half. The will to do you greater harm than you have ever known is too strong. I could have killed you then, when I bit you. And I wanted to. To take it all from you, to taste you forever. I could not have lived with myself if I had done such a wretched thing. I want you, Maria, but in more ways than one."
A single tear rolled down Maria's face, but she nodded.
"I understand. If leaving will free you from this pain in any way, then that is what I want for you. I want for nothing but your happiness. But I stand by what I have said. You are stronger than you know, stronger than the monster within you. I will die believing that."
He smiled, leaning forward to kiss her once more. Breaking the kiss, but not pulling away, he smiled once more.
"I pray that is the truth. Farewell, my love."
With that, he stood, and Maria watched as he disappeared into the darkness of the forest. Her sadness flowed from her, unbidden, and she sat there for the longest moment, sobbing into her hand. The sun was rising, replacing the silver of the moon with gold, when she finally found the strength to stand and return to Belmont Manor. She would always love Alucard, and, perhaps, she might even seek him out again someday. But, for now, she would grant him his solitude. All for the sake of his happiness.