Castlevania: Forgotten Poem

Soma

"It's somewhat endearing that you keep insisting you're not Dracula's lackey despite clearly mentioning him just a moment ago." Orange-glassed soldier merely shook his head. "Stop with the sass though. You're already walking on a very thin ice as it is."

The sewer Soma was led into was broad enough to walk straight without a need for bending down and, as it turned out, was going wider and wider with each second until evolving into a giant, weakly lit chamber with a number of tents spread here and there and even more soldier-looking fellows going about their business. The white-haired youth was led to the biggest tent of them all. Inside were a couple of heavily armed soldiers in full body-gear... and an older-looking man in a gray jacket and jeans, busy with a Rubik's cube. Upon spotting them he put the puzzle back on his desk, staring at Soma. "Leave us." He spoke, the soldiers following suit. In a few seconds there was no one else in the tent but Mr. Cruz and the older man. "I hope you weren't too roughed up by them. Soldiers can be a handful sometimes."

"Okay, Miss, I will remember!" Zaraza didn't seem to object to the rules set by a fake nun, nodding in enthusiasm. "And, well, I'm cold all the time. I guess it's why I drink blood, to make myself feel warm."

"That lady was in a black dress. She was very pretty although very pale, so at first I thought she's sick. She had this huge braid too! With her was some odd looking person, a tall man, maybe twice as tall as you, Miss! He had this cubey head and a giant piece of metal in his head and didn't speak, he was just there with her."

Thankfully the two weren't bothered by anyone on their way to the castle gate. There, however, seemed to be erected a giant black barrier not seen from the distance, effectively denying any way of entering, be it by foot or from air. What's more curious there were two combatants there: a pale man with a goatee and what looked like a take on Grim Reaper's rendition...

"IT IS POINTLESS, ERICH ZAUBER." Death spoke with disdain, simply vanishing without a trace to evade the attack and reappearing with its physical body in the exact same spot, staring at the wounded vampire. The flare briefly disturbed the structure of the black barrier, but even its destructive power didn't seem to have a lasting effect, petering out with a quiet hiss. "I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR ANGER EITHER. THERE IS NO HONOR GREATER FOR A VAMPIRE THAN TO BE MADE LORD DRACULA'S SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND THEREFORE, HIS THIRD STRONGEST ALLY. IF ANYTHING, YOU SHOULD BE BOWING IN THANKS."

Zombie soldier's fist didn't quite shatter, but biker's attack was more than enough to have the undead reel back, dazed. Well, as dazed as someone with no real brain to daze could be. That wasn't enough to best it and it was already going back with a retaliation: a kick to Jack's shin with a heavy combat boot, followed with a blow to the liver.

edited 11th Nov '14 3:04:50 PM by FergardStratoavis

Hmmm sounds like some sort of Dracula Lieutenant and her big lump of flesh called a bodyguard... Definitely trouble later on thinks Natasha to herself as she hears Zaraza's tale "Did you see other people sick with the cold that you have? And how do you feel in your... well, head. Do you remember stuff before the lady came in well? Feelings as well?"

Some questions that may touch sensitive parts, but it was important for the 'nun' to know these answers. For her curiosity and for the girl's sake as well.

Then however, they came upon a most curious sight... and Natasha took her new familiar's hand quickly and then dashed to some cover they can hide behind. She puts a finger to her lips to ask for quiet as she starts to look at the combat... and hear the words of the two fighting Inter vampire power struggle? Now this is interesting... she thinks, reaching into her cloak to pull onto a particular gun.

Soma

Soma bit back the retort that was sure to land him into a heap of trouble and simoly followed along.

When he came face to face with the older man, he glanced at where he was. No good. If he tried to make a break for it, the soldiers would simply shoot him.

When the man spoke, Soma replied. Might as well try to talk his way out of this.

"Yeah, they're very charming. Gave me a warm reception. Anyway, you're not going to try to kill me, are you? Look, I have no idea how I got here, or why. And I really have nothing to do with all this."

Soma winced as he was struck with another headache.

The Great Graveyard - Vs. the Bone Guard

The embedded knife severed something in the spine of the abomination, and as Mr. Johnson fell back to the ground the abomination too feel to its knees. With the skeleton at their mercy, the agent quickly pulled the knife back out and began to move back to the creature's front. Working in concert with Marit, as she stabbed through the great beast's skull the agent rapidly slashed at the neck and torso before ending the attack with two powerful blows. Punching the knife through the sternum to weaken it, then a blow with his other hand to shatter it entirely.

He backed off after the attack, waiting to see if the the evil magic holding the bone guard together would disperse or if it would continue to shamble on and attack them. Expecting it to continue it's attack, he aimed the pistol at the head of the abomination, resting it on his off hand which still held the knife.

But as he watching the beast and the area around him, Mr. Johnson's sight passed over Marit and for a moment he thought he saw something different in her. He shook it off, deciding that now was not the time.

Erich

"I am a father before a vampire. And you plucked that flower out of the garden too early without permission nor consent." The armless, smoking vampire quipped back, his visage locked in a snarl. He was smoking, and where arms stood once, there were a couple of charred stumps. "I did not curb my hunger for decades and tried my best to educate Rosa only for you people take her into this eternal war." His expression became something else, tears swelling in his eyes. Erich then took a long breath, and bowed down significantly.

First thing is surviving. Let them think I'm a broken mess now. Well it's not far from the truth, actually. If I kept up I'd be like the Black Knight of that Monty Python movie. He then talked. "I apologize, my conduct was very unfitting of someone like me. I shall seek those other vampire hunters and deal with them appropiatedly. It'll be a great gift for lord Dracula's engagement."

Deal with them by rallying them all and crashing your damned mockery of a castle, that is. He thought to himself before he excused himself out of the fight, limping slightly. Now where is that nun with Belnades scent...but first thing first. I need to recover from these wounds. He thought to himself as he began walking towards a patch of weeds.

"Hm." He added as he cut his lip, spitting the blood on the weeds. "Come forth, Alura Une." He announced, and the soil under his feet exploded. A monstrous plant was now in front of him,with a massive flower in the middle, opening up to reveal a female figure inside, which bowed so slightly, and grabbed the wounded vampire inside as the flower closed once more. Inside, the female part of the monster would then proceed to grab Erich's blood flasks and made him gulp two to regenerate his arms.

edited 12th Nov '14 12:18:05 AM by AtomicNut

Marit & Mr. Johnson

That was the final breaking point. Skofnung's powerful strike smashed the skull of a giant almost completely apart and agent's coup de grace finished the job. The skeleton remained in its kneel, immobile and headless, letting go off the tombstones.

Any lesser undead that seemed to flock to their bigger kin now hastily retreated into deep mist, leaving the two vampire hunters on their own.

"I don't really remember..." Zaraza pouted, kicking a stray stone further away. "I was so cold after that lady bit me I just... the last thing I recall was my dad calling me from downstairs and then I walked right into that pale lady and her friend somehow.

Upon being ordered to stay quiet - already behind the cover - she merely looked at the reaper floating by the barrier with eyes as big as saucers, a mixture of fear and awe in there.

Death didn't bother to respond to Zauber's accusation, letting the scythe fall back into its hand again. "I WILL KNOW ONCE YOU DO. HOPEFULLY YOU ARE NOT FOOLISH ENOUGH TO SCHEME SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY." He spoke, eyeing the mangled vampire from underneath its hood and watching him depart with a limp.

Thankfully for certain other two people hidden just nearby it wasn't aware of their existence.

The older man looked at him inquisitively before chuckling. "You don't have to hide anything. Not that hard to see that your hair still has bits of grave soil in it." He spoke before frowning. "Now, I would really like to believe your claim, but the circumstances do not exactly work in your favor. Bystanders that were here have either escaped or are already dead. The ones remaining are monsters and people capable of fighting them off..." The man tented his fingers. "And yet you claim to be neither."

"I suppose we should begin anew, with an introduction." He extended a hand to shake. "Colonel Kostya Rakov."

Well crap, he was hoping for a straight fistfight. Too bad his challenge didn't take, but he was still going to show this sucker how real men fight. Seeing the kick coming, he threw his own aiming to smash his own shin against the zombie's, confident that he could inflict far more damage that he'd take in return. Rather than try to stop the blow to the liver he went for his own shot, a snapping left hand to the face, meant stop the zombie in his tracks and mess up his punch, opening him up for another big right straight.

The Great Graveyard - Victory

Marit watched the broken remains of the elephantine skeleton for a few long moments for any sign of it rising again, however she soon nodded in satisfaction that it was truly dead. "Goed." She grimaced, pulling away from the bone pile with what almost seemed like respect. That was fun for a time, wasn't it Marit? Oh, that pitiful agent-man is still standing - how annoying. The demon's tone was approaching jovial, which naturally had its host found thoroughly suspicious though tried not to show it. Waarom ben je zo blij? Wat heb je gedaan? Schylar spotted a patch of dead grass a few feet from the creature and went to it - suddenly her left leg gain mind of its own and tripped its fellow, the woman managing to catch herself before face-planting but wincing in realisation.

It is amazing, and fortunate, how little you mortals notice when in pain, yes? Vafthrudnir chuckled, returning control of the leg. Marit pulled herself up, hoping Mr. Johnson would think it simply poor footing and nothing more. Wiping the bone dust and rotting viscera from Skofnung then sheathing it and noticing the physical signs of her possession had been aggravated. The agent might notice the air surrounding her had gained an unnatural chill, "You are skilled, I see." Schylar acknowledged, hands held behind her back and slightly bowing her head him, "We must keep walking - Come, Mr. Johnson."

With some concentration her skin and hands lessened their symptoms but the pain of Marit's cracked ribs returned - she ignored this and marched towards the gates of Castlevania, listening carefully to the surrounding fog.

"Big guns already... Death guarding the very entrance to the castle? What's Dracula thinking this time?" Whispers in a very low tone Natasha as she looks at the retreating vampire... and then at Saraza "Little one, what are you thinking about the Reaper up there? Tell me as we retreat a little... we really ought to come with a plan in order to get inside"

With those words, Natasha moved further out of sight, to a more secure location.

The Great Graveyard - Sound The Fanfare

The evil residing within the giant skeleton departed from the mortal realm, leaving nothing but a damaged bone statue. The metal and wire bindings were probably the only thing keeping it from crumbling into a pile of bones. Mr Johnson slowly began to pus his knife away, his pistol still on the skeleton until he was sure he was dead. He slowly walked back to where his case one, miraculously untouched by the tombstone thrown at him. He adjusts the sunglasses that had been shaken from the battle and brushed dirt , and he was now back to the pristine condition he was in before.

As he reloaded his revolver, one eye was kept on Marit. His first assumption that he had passed over a merely adrenaline fogging his mind was starting to sneak back in, and was only accentuated when he saw the scholar trip herself with her own leg. The kind of klutz move not expected from someone who was as martially trained as her.

"You are also quite an accomplished fighter, for a scholar" The agent mentioned, and followed after her with his pistol at his side. But by getting closer he felt an unnatural cold, like a winter breeze that was out of place in this time of year. He gave a suspicious look to Marit (even passing his blackened glasses) but he said nothing about it for now.

"Are you hurt?" he asked as the two headed for the gate of the castle.

I think we're going to have great fun with these subtitles

The Great Graveyard - Road to Ruin

Marit smiled a little at the agent's compliment, thinking of her father and of their family home in North Brabant. She missed them dearly, but if they were to see her like this... No, she would not see them - not until she had ridden herself of the ice demon or died trying, it could put shame on them if she didn't. Vafthrudnir was thoroughly dedicated to one of these outcomes but did not often directly endanger her for his own sorted reasons, "A skill taught to me by my father, his father passed down to him - there were times when scholars didn't need to preserve such violent arts." She replied to the agent beside her, holding her injured ribs lightly with her off hand, "But these times are different. It is perhaps fortunate we did not let go, hm?"

I think labeling your line scholars would be giving them too much credit - librarians, perhaps. Though they know when to keep their mouths closed and are of more... pleasant disposition. It commented dryly, Marit responding in kind with an insult involving Vafthrudnir's mother and a moldly punnet of bananas.

Schylar looked over Mr. Johnson over her shoulder for a moment, seeing he had barely a scuff of dirt on his 'uniform', "I can see you are not without skill in battle, either, Mr. Johnson. Impressive, even." She added, keeping an eye on the fog for more enemies attracted by the small talk and hearing faint voices ahead towards the gates. The suspicious glance the agent shot at the woman did not escape her notice but decided against calling attention to it. "Hurt? Ja - my ribs are... cracked, I think from that 'club'. I will live, however." Marit replied honestly, Vafthrudnir chuckling at her avoidance of his obvious question. She decided to change the subject, "I see the gate's outline ahead, I think." Several figures moved in and out of shadows, prompting her to place a hand on Skofnung as they advanced, "And we are not the first to see it."

edited 13th Nov '14 2:05:02 AM by Lt.BGob

Fistfight vs. Family Man

Zombie's kick stopped dead on Jack's own although nothing other came out of this. The liver blow came its way, about as powerful as a hammer to the gut, but biker's enemy wasn't left without damage to his own person. Jack's left tore off a good piece of zombie's temple and threw him a couple of steps back, the undead soldier just barely keeping his balance and not collapsing.

This time instead of attacking the zombie took on a more defensive stance, tightening his guard in a classic peek-a-boo style, bending down a little to make himself a smaller target and awaiting Jack's follow-up.

Indeed, they were nearing the gate... and a rather curious number of sights could be easily noticed by them.

First, the monstrous plant a little bit to the side, tremendous in size and with a rather big bulb, enough to fit in an average-sized person inside.

Second, a woman that looked like a nun and a small girl accompanying her, both holding hands and scooting away from the gate.

Third, the guardian of the main gate - a figure resembling a grim reaper - and a faint wall of black that obscured the frame of Castlevania from sight, getting thicker and more obscuring with each step.

"He's scary... but somehow I don't fear him. I mean, he's scary-looking, but you seemed distressed, Miss, and I'm not really feeling anything." The little vampire responded as they moved a little bit away from the gate. "Maybe I could ask him if he can let us in?"

"Oh, and someone's coming too, Miss." Zaraza noted, pointing at the incoming two figures: a tall, muscular woman covered in what seemed like blue runic markings and an almost sterotype-looking secret agent, complete with a trenchcoat, fedora and sunglasses.

That's a Four-Man-Team now!

As for Erich, he's free to get out of Alura Une once he's patched up enough. Just mind that he's likely going to pop in the middle of this vampire-hunting group.

"Uh... we'll definitely try that little Zaraza but somehow I doubt it may work that easily" says Natasha right before noticing the incoming people. An agent and a woman covered in runic markings? This ought to be good "Zarasa behind me now..."

She then looks at the new comers and takes a few steps forward "Well met on this dark evening, sir, madam" says Natasha making a show of bowing though she kept her handgun in hand "Are you two perhaps, warriors of God, coming to do his work?"

Castlevania Gates - Vampire Hunters Anonymous

Marit stared at the bizarrely large and oddly misshapen plant for several moments, never having seen such strange flora. Most curiously its greenish fruit or seed pod was of dimensions fitting an average sized man, Before you even ask - I don't know what that is, great as my knowledge is. Had she pupils they would have rolled at his less than modest phrasing of such an admission, Though I would guess it is growing something human-like...

Ja, he he. Uw inzicht is werkelijk schokkend. Schylar replied, sarcastically at such 'insight' and noticed a trails of smoking ashes led to the pod. Ik betwijfel of dit is Dracula 's antwoord op kunstmest The girl added with some humor, not yet sharing her thoughts with My. Johnson. She felt the urge to sketch it quickly but the nun and her charge had taken notice. She decided that it could be drawn from memory later, it was too dangerous here.

The nun's courtesy made Marit grip Skofnung tighter in suspicion - anyone greeting strangers warmly in this place were not trustworthy in her eyes, but did not yet draw her blade. Urgh. The one thing that truly disgusts me - Christians. Vafthrudnir commented with distaste Marit was inclined to share, Eigenlijk, ze ziet er katholieke... The correction only made the demon laugh, How is that better?

"That depends on which god you mean..." She called in reply, stepping forward again but to threateningly. She had no desire to fight this woman but would not pretend to believe in their god, "I am here to find Dracula and his libraries. And I will remove any obstacles with the same 'kindness' he shall receive." Marit warned.

The Front Gate - No Reservations

Mr Johnson nodded as Marit explained, listening to her explanation of how she became skilled in combat while keeping a lookout. The agent had only heard a few things about the family aside from their studies, but if the combat a few seconds ago was any indication then the scholar's father was a very powerful man. Which probably explained why one description of him that the agent heard was "a viking in a suit". The man in black thought it was hyperbole...

He flashed a small smile at the compliment, but it was as gone as quickly as it arrived. Martial prowess might be something to be proud of, but Mr. Johnson remember that he was a soldier first.

"Just doing my job" He underplayed his skill, and kept his attention to the path. He did feel bad that he could not help Marit with her cracked ribs, but it was not his true intention and if anything her ability to keep on going with such a wound was something to watch. But his attention was drawn forward as they neared the gate.

His eyes fell on the barrier that separated them from the gate proper. A growing black fog that stood out against the crumbling wall that it stood upon. He looked across it, hoping to find some weakness, when he saw what guard the gates itself. A skeletal figure shrouded in cloak and wielding a scythe. Dread clutched the heart of the trenchcoat man, trying his best to hold it back. The Grim Reaper. Death Itself. Mr. Johnson knew there was a chance he would come face to face with the reaper of souls, he did not expect it to be so soon. The agent argued if they could force their way through Death, or perhaps there was some other way in.

As he thought he looked around to see what their surrounding offered, and saw that someone else was there. A nun, and at her side was a child. They approached, and the sister asked them who they are. Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow at how friendly the nun was considering where they were and why she'd being a child into such a dangerous place. It was enough to raise his suspicions, but he kept the pistol at his side for now.

"I am no warrior of God, simply a soldier of mortal men, but the death of Dracula is our shared goal" Johnson explained, examining the nun's attire and hoped to gain some insight on her. The icons in the robe itself seemed the point to some answer "Are you by any chance Sister Natasha Crux?"

He'd be lying he he said the giant plant didn't bother him, though...

edited 14th Nov '14 12:05:28 AM by Luke_Prowler

"Hmm? Yes that is me... Sister Natasha Crux of the Convent of St Elizabeth Romanova" says Natasha, eyes opening in surprise a little. She didn't except to be recognized this deep within the dark lands "I was sent by the Russian Orthodox Church in a special mission to fight the evil sweeping these lands and seal away evil artifacts and monsters come from Hell itself"

"However, I find myself worried at how to proceed with that Reaper in the door... and such a powerful barrier around the castle" says Natasha, looking back at their target.

The Grim Gates

Zie? Katholiek. Zei het je toch. Marit thought to Vafthrudnir with a tinge of satisfaction, albeit equally displeased to deal with the Orthodox Church, I should have guessed from the scent of boots on her tongue. Even I find them overly depressing.

U vindt alles wat deprimerend, Vafthrudnir. Ik vind alleen je deprimerend. The scholar teased, finding the irritation of a millennia old demonic ice giant at the thought of spending time with a nun thoroughly amusing. Schylar was also rather suprised to hear that Mr. Johnson knew this woman, if not her young charge, but surmised he had gained this knowledge through the same channels used for her background. His bureau must have had deep running. "Hell or otherwise, they are better there than in this realm - on this we agree, Sister." Marit nodded to the nun, sighing a little as she pointed out the Reaper at the gates. Ah, finally a creature that may prove engaging.

"I do not know the way inside. I will go ask him for directions." Schylar said with a determined expression, walking past the nun and right up to Grim Reaper. She maintained a calm and non-threatening demeanor in the face of death itself, though inwardly she quivered and Vafthrudnir spoke barbs, "I would like to pass through these gates - living, if you may allow." Marit stated, almost excited to know what the Reaper looked like, "May I enter?"

edited 13th Nov '14 11:50:49 PM by Lt.BGob

Warm and cozy plant

Erich Zauber stood still for quite a while, as the tissues on both his arms and body were reconstructed, his head being cradled in the une's arms. Muffled voices surprised him, and he ordered his minion to remain unconspicious and still while he regenerated. There were four of them them. Three he didn't recognize, but the fourth was the fake nun he had seen before. So, I don't even need to look any further for her, huh. He thought to himself. He briefly considering pitting the Alura Une he had just created against them, but he chose otherwise. He was very reluctant to play Dracula's game, and given his luck, probably he would die alongside the monster.

"When I give you the signal, you'll use your charms against these hunters.'' Erich whispered to the Alura Une as he shifted into a bat, the bud of the flower moving noticeably now. Positioning himself behind the monster's torso, he indicated the monster to proceed with a flick of his wing.

The Alura Une moved forward, the female part making coy smiles and suggestive poses, even going so far to blow mock kisses and wink at the assorted people gathered, but it didn't have any intention to attack. Yet.

Meanwhile, a tiny bat had slid down using the flower to cover its movements for a while and made himself cozy in top of the little girl's head...

Most Odd Group Of Vampire Hunters + A Stray Vampire and His Sexy Plant

Death remained silent for a while, staring at both the Norse scholar and people behind her before letting out a laugh, a laugh that seemed to freeze the air and one's soul in just a moment. "IT APPEARS THAT YOU SHARE YOUR OPTIMISTIC MOOD WITH MY LORD. SUCH AN ODDITY IT'S ALMOST WELCOME TO SEE YOU VAMPIRE HUNTERS IN SUCH A STATE." The reaper responded to Marit's inquiry, resting the scythe comfortably on its shoulder. "UNFORTUNATELY HOWEVER, THIS BARRIER WILL ONLY BE LOWERED WHEN CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS CEASE TO EXIST." The skull hidden under the hood slowly looked over all people present, taking note of the Alura Une.

"THERE IS A CERTAIN VAMPIRE THAT STANDS IN MY LORD'S WAY. AS YOU, VAMPIRE HUNTERS, USUALLY HUNT DOWN ALL CHILDREN OF NIGHT EQUALLY..." It briefly glared at Lilyan and the girl with her. "AND SAID VAMPIRE WILL MOST LIKELY OPPOSE YOU AS WELL SOONER OR LATER, MY REQUEST IS THIS: FIND THIS VAMPIRE AND PUT AND END TO IT. ONLY THEN WILL I ALLOW YOU ENTRY."

Hunting Humongous Hydrangeas for Hire

Marit was somewhat taken back to be having such a civil conversation with the specter of Death itself though the nature of her body's cohabitor meant she hardly felt the ice in the air. In many respects she had hoped to leave such an experience well into the future, though she had done her best to accept that her possession may make such an event uncomfortably closer. Vafthrudnir seemed to gain a tinge of disgust to his normal disdain as the Reaper called Dracula his Lord Another lapdog of the vampire whelp. I should have known... It is no wonder you and those other mortals have survived so long if Death is so weak. Schylar grimaced, admitting the absurdity of this creature's indenturement and then narrowed her eyes at the more than suspicious request.

Death wants you to do his job? So laughable it is pitiful in many ways. The ice demon gave a hollow laugh. Kill them all to be sure, Marit - perhaps Death will show the way to your books himself - even pose for a portrait. She admitted she felt inspired to illustrate the impressive form of the specter but did not dignify Vafthrudnir with a reply.

"Death in all forms affords respect - all but fools know this, even vampire hunters." Marit looked directly into the Reaper's eye-holes and crossed her arms obstinately, "But why should I do your work? What does Death need of favors?" Despite her objections the scholar looked over her shoulder to the curious plant, realisation dawning on her face. Ik weet dat de fabriek nu... She had not recognised it when its 'flower' was closed in that bud but now it clearly reminded her of tales of old. Some new monstrosity? I must be old.

"Blood Venus... Pah, een Alura Une voor mijn ogen!" Marit muttered, then placed a hand on Skofnung as worry creased her brow, "Do not approach it, Mr. Johnson! It is deadly and full of lies!" She called, not noticing the bat resting on the little girl's head. You are no fun, girl... Don't you want to see what it does first hand?

The zombie did not have to wait long for the followup. It was a fairly predictable one by this point as well. There were a myriad of options available to Jack, kicking the legs, grappling, even just grabbing hold of the zombie's arms and pulling them apart would've probably been better option, but he was determined to outpower and outbrawl this guy, show him who the bigger, meaner dude was. So, when the zombie backed off and tightened his guard, Jack wasted no time in charging him down without giving him a single moment to catch his breath (so to speak), unleashing a series of punches right at the guard in order to tear it down and get at the zombie's face.

The Front Gates - A Thorny Situation

Mr Johnson gave a nod as the nun "confirmed" his suspicion, pulling out a notebook to review what he had written down during the briefing. The Russian Orthodox Church had been one of the organization to send someone in. And while being Russian might have set off alarms in others, the agent knew that the church were as much enemies with the soviets as the west was. If anything, it made here one of the more trustworthy people he's met today.

"Yes, we were sent information from the Russian Church they they had someone to deal with the castle's appearance. Although, they said nothing about a child." He looked down at the girl clinging to the nun's side "Did you really bring someone so young into such a dangerous place, or did you find her?" In reality, the second possibility is more dangerous, as there were a number of monsters that use humanity's need to protect the young as bait.

"As for the gate" He looks over to Marit who seemed to be having dealings with the Grim Reaper "I'm sure we will find a way through, but time is of the essence..."

Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the large flower begin to open its petals. Mr. Johnson quickly wheeled around to level his pistol at the emerging and was briefly hesitant as he saw some humanoid inside it. But as the bud completely unfurled, John still kept his pistol trained as he realized what it was. An Alura Une, a monster plant the drew it's victims near and devoured them. While the scholar's warning was appreciated, Mr. Johnson seemed resistant to the monster's alluring charm and body (but thankfully for Erich, it still had the agent thoroughly distracted).

"Yes, the Alura Une, a dangerous creature up close. But," The agent took a few steps back away form it, pistol still aimed for it's head "Rooted to the spot, and harmless at range" Although he's been wrong before. Which is why he still had his pistol on it and was ready to put a bullet between its eyes.

The Agent looked over the barrier one more time. They didn't have the time to deal with death's request. He opened up his case and pulled out what appeared to be a iron baton with his other hand, and smashed it into the barrier to see if it actually kept them out.

"Little Saraza I found on my own as I was carrying out my mission here... although the demonic beings within this place have changed her body, my prayers managed to reach her soul. A young innocent creature without sin... I shall protect and tend to her until I find the power to return her to her previous state" says Lilyan in a tone she hoped sounded pious enough... she was a good actress after all. However, she soon put her attention to the barrier once again, trying to find how the thing worked and if there was a way to take it down.

Alice Zelma Gemini — Spooky Scary Skrilletons

The puppeteer of the Holy Church and the rampant zealot had finally made for her arrival. Through the gates that her 'allies' had walked, she came up through the graveyard. She held a book with one hand and handled her strings with the other. Her blonde hair, her attire and eyes. It spoke of the purity she held against the vast, endless, cursed night. The dread of the underworld was nothing under the might of God. Under that invocation, none will stand in her way. Be it boy, girl, man, woman - they will be liberated from the coil of mortal man. From the darkness that may bind them. The thought of being the 'savior of man' was titillating - was amazing. It pulled her lips apart, showing her demented grin. The Executioner of Evil continued her walk through the doomed Romanian town. That is until she caught sight of the large plant.

Her smile turned to a frown. The threads around her fingers tightened. Dolls appeared, floating all around her like a private infantry. "Those who hold house against God have no right to life," the zealot brought up the puppets while taking an eye at the gateway and plant monster. That was when she caught eye of another hero of the church. "Ah," her manifested hatred dialed back a few knots. Her mood improved while making her way over to a fellow servant of God, "How do you—" something stopped her. An infringing presence. The long festering blackness of her heart had returned. What she identified as a 'servant of God' may be something else after all. Instead of continuing to talk, she stared at her. Just stared without saying another word.

edited 16th Nov '14 11:43:08 AM by RagnatheSaviour

Oh great... another nun? What's up with these old men in Churches sending young nuns to fight Dracula? It's like they want him to get new brides thinks to her insides Lilyan as she shows an outward smile.

"Good as far as one can be in this dark place, Sister. I am Sister Natasha Crux of the Convent of St Elizabeth Romanova, sent by the Russian Orthodox Church to dispel evil... who are you, my Sister?"