"Way I see it, laddie, we don't exactly have a choice. Lest you forget about that brand on your body there," Constantine said to Kokichi, flicking his cigarette to the side, before looking up upon the castle, "It's as hero boy says, at least. A sod like Faust's new master has to be plenty evil to sic his demons upon a village like this. Evil enough to provide up to the God Hand all by himself instead of you lot."
"And 'sides, I've got a score to settle with that sunnuvabitch anyhow. We don't have any time to waste. Let's gather everyone 'round and make after them. Ain't no alternative anyhow."
"A book character?" All the books Sumia read, none of them mentioned Dracula. Maybe she should look into that when she got home...if, y'know, this Dracula didn't traumatize her against the name or anything. "Well, whoever he is, I'm sure we can take him! For now..." She would kneel in front of Yuki. "How about a piggyback ride while we meet up with everyone? I think firework cleanup is over now, so it's safe!"
---
"So it's settled, then. We make this the final night of Dracula's castle." Libra traced his fingers along the brand, eager to rid himself of it. Perhaps their being brought to this world was a bit of fortune; if they hadn't been worn thin already, the Coalition could possibly watch over this world. It seemed Dracula and Faust were outsiders, after all.
"Uehehe, sounds fun! I haven't had one of those since I was a kid!"
Even Miki sometimes had trouble remembering that Yuki was just about eighteen years old.
"Maybe you can give one to Mii-kun, and she can hold me up! Like a little tower!"
"N-No, I... think we all just ought to walk," Miki stammered uncomfortably. She couldn't believe she felt like the voice of reason, with Sumia being like the stand-in to Rii-san right at this moment, at least. Too bad she wasn't doing anything, huh?
Ben smacks the door of the Tavern open and exclaims in a seemingly excited tone. One might be mistaken, considering the weight of the situation and the fact that his face wasn't expressing relative happiness.
"BIG NEWS GIRLS, WE'RE GOING VAMPIRE HUNTING!"
Ben realises what he just did, and switches to a serious tone.
"My bad. Uh... we're going to have a group discussion very soon, about storming Dracula's Castle. And saving people from him and his minions. You know, the usual. Carry on."
Ben awkwardly and slowly creeks the Tavern door close.
Before the group could get very far in their discussion, an army of demons invaded the village, killing and kidnapping civilians at their own whim.
Some of the group traversed back to the brothel, where screaming was heard, to find Luca and the others inside being terrorized by the men from the tavern earlier that day, evidently possessed by some of the demons. After easily dispatching them, the rumored rhyming goblin finally made his appearance, attacking the group and identifying himself as Etrigan. After a brief skirmish, Etrigan is forced to flee by an unknown force compelling him to retreat back to where he'd come from. Arriving on the scene too late, Constantine reveals that Etrigan is an ally of his who is no doubt being controlled in some manner by Faust's magic, and believes that Faust himself is in the village now. With that, he and the rest of the group travel deeper into the village, where a number of others already were at, fighting off invading demons, who also decided to retreat at the same time as Etrigan did.
From there, Faust himself appeared, offering the group to join him, claiming that he will be able to give them whatever they are seeking faster than Constantine ever could promise, but they decline, and a small battle ensues between them and the sorcerer. He is overwhelmed by the group's efforts, and under duress, reveals the name of his master, called "Dracula." Faust dares them to track him down, believing that they will fall to his power, before disappearing into the air with his magic, making his escape. At the same time, the red clouds in the sky part, revealing the giant castle in the distance from the village's rumors, where Constantine concludes that they must go there in order to accomplish their unwilling quest.
"Come on. If that bloke's invitin' us to that lovely home of his, who are we to decline?" Constantine said as he looked toward the towering castle in the distance. It was ungodly tall, like a titan among ants. Truth be told, even the wisecracking British man found himself a touch intimidated by such a display, but if he were so easily affected, then he wouldn't have gotten so far in his practice like he was now.
As everyone was gathered around again, the man took a breath, shaking his head as if to ward off shivers. Guts, meanwhile, stayed as still as a statue as he looked upon the tower. Certainly grander than the Tower of Retribution, but... Well. Enough about that. He had a few doubts about leaving behind Casca, Isidro, and Puck under the care of Luca, especially after what just happened with these damned demons, but if putting down this Faust guy and his master was the only way to ensure that his mission went off without a hitch, then so be it. He'd gladly take a detour if it meant killing an extra demon or two anyway.
And with that, they were off!
The journey might have been a touch more convenient if they were able to use the stagecoaches around, but as they were all destroyed in the ensuing chaos from the demons before, their only choice was to walk. Or, valiantly run. Whichever you preferred. That was fine though. The group should be used to walking long distances anyway, right?
As they kept traveling, the castle slowly drawing closer and closer, the eerie presence exuding from it grew stronger and stronger. It let out an air of dread and discomfort, as though, even though they were the ones walking, they weren't the ones getting closer to the castle, but rather, the castle was getting closer to them. The path itself was eerily quiet, with no demons in plain view or hiding and coming out to attack. It was too quiet, like they were being watched, but there was no presence able to be spotted around, even by those who might have a sixth sense about these sorts of things.
. . .
Eventually, as they finally got to the castle, the front made it somewhat inconvenient to approach as a group, as there was a drawbridge present, but it was already pulled up, making it impossible to cross. It was then that Constantine stopped, gesturing for the rest of the group to stop as well. He narrowed his eyes, looking around for a way around it, and then... Before anyone knew it...
Fire appeared before everyone. A giant blaze from nowhere. It wasted no time taking the form of a giant face, complete with glowing eyes and fangs like an animal. Or a vampire.
"Who dares step upon my ground? A group of cockroaches, so it seems," the voice boomed in everyone's ears, more than loud enough for everyone to hear, the volume of it threatening to shake the ground a little even.
"Leave now, and I will consider letting you live. I have little desire to speak to the likes of humans and other lost animals. So bark if you must, but know that your life will be forfeit the moment you open your mouths."
Constantine pursed his lips, looking to the others, and then back to the fiery form that stood before them, deciding to let the others talk if they so desired.
Before the group could get very far in their discussion, an army of demons invaded the village, killing and kidnapping civilians at their own whim.
Some of the group traversed back to the brothel, where screaming was heard, to find Luca and the others inside being terrorized by the men from the tavern earlier that day, evidently possessed by some of the demons. After easily dispatching them, the rumored rhyming goblin finally made his appearance, attacking the group and identifying himself as Etrigan. After a brief skirmish, Etrigan is forced to flee by an unknown force compelling him to retreat back to where he'd come from. Arriving on the scene too late, Constantine reveals that Etrigan is an ally of his who is no doubt being controlled in some manner by Faust's magic, and believes that Faust himself is in the village now. With that, he and the rest of the group travel deeper into the village, where a number of others already were at, fighting off invading demons, who also decided to retreat at the same time as Etrigan did.
From there, Faust himself appeared, offering the group to join him, claiming that he will be able to give them whatever they are seeking faster than Constantine ever could promise, but they decline, and a small battle ensues between them and the sorcerer. He is overwhelmed by the group's efforts, and under duress, reveals the name of his master, called "Dracula." Faust dares them to track him down, believing that they will fall to his power, before disappearing into the air with his magic, making his escape. At the same time, the red clouds in the sky part, revealing the giant castle in the distance from the village's rumors, where Constantine concludes that they must go there in order to accomplish their unwilling quest.
"Come on. If that bloke's invitin' us to that lovely home of his, who are we to decline?" Constantine said as he looked toward the towering castle in the distance. It was ungodly tall, like a titan among ants. Truth be told, even the wisecracking British man found himself a touch intimidated by such a display, but if he were so easily affected, then he wouldn't have gotten so far in his practice like he was now.
As everyone was gathered around again, the man took a breath, shaking his head as if to ward off shivers. Guts, meanwhile, stayed as still as a statue as he looked upon the tower. Certainly grander than the Tower of Retribution, but... Well. Enough about that. He had a few doubts about leaving behind Casca, Isidro, and Puck under the care of Luca, especially after what just happened with these damned demons, but if putting down this Faust guy and his master was the only way to ensure that his mission went off without a hitch, then so be it. He'd gladly take a detour if it meant killing an extra demon or two anyway.
And with that, they were off!
The journey might have been a touch more convenient if they were able to use the stagecoaches around, but as they were all destroyed in the ensuing chaos from the demons before, their only choice was to walk. Or, valiantly run. Whichever you preferred. That was fine though. The group should be used to walking long distances anyway, right?
As they kept traveling, the castle slowly drawing closer and closer, the eerie presence exuding from it grew stronger and stronger. It let out an air of dread and discomfort, as though, even though they were the ones walking, they weren't the ones getting closer to the castle, but rather, the castle was getting closer to them. The path itself was eerily quiet, with no demons in plain view or hiding and coming out to attack. It was too quiet, like they were being watched, but there was no presence able to be spotted around, even by those who might have a sixth sense about these sorts of things.
. . .
Eventually, as they finally got to the castle, the front made it somewhat inconvenient to approach as a group, as there was a drawbridge present, but it was already pulled up, making it impossible to cross. It was then that Constantine stopped, gesturing for the rest of the group to stop as well. He narrowed his eyes, looking around for a way around it, and then... Before anyone knew it...
Fire appeared before everyone. A giant blaze from nowhere. It wasted no time taking the form of a giant face, complete with glowing eyes and fangs like an animal. Or a vampire.
"Who dares step upon my ground? A group of cockroaches, so it seems," the voice boomed in everyone's ears, more than loud enough for everyone to hear, the volume of it threatening to shake the ground a little even.
"Leave now, and I will consider letting you live. I have little desire to speak to the likes of humans and other lost animals. So bark if you must, but know that your life will be forfeit the moment you open your mouths."
Constantine pursed his lips, looking to the others, and then back to the fiery form that stood before them, deciding to let the others talk if they so desired.
Ben pursed his lips as he activates his Omnitrix, transforming into the ever-so-familiar Whampire.
"..."
Whampire comes to the front of the group and faces the face of flames, eye-to-eye. He figured that the castle would be less hostile to the closest thing to a vampire in the group.
Neither Sumia nor Libra would say anything. Sumia would make sure Miki and Yuki stayed behind her, even if it would really do nothing against the flames; it was more instinct than anything else.
Mike placed a hand over Josh's mouth before he could say anything that might get them killed. He looked around to see if the fire was magic or if it was reminscient of a childhood book that he read in which the great figure wasn't as great and powerful as he appeared. He also kept an eye on the rest of the group.
Before the group could get very far in their discussion, an army of demons invaded the village, killing and kidnapping civilians at their own whim.
Some of the group traversed back to the brothel, where screaming was heard, to find Luca and the others inside being terrorized by the men from the tavern earlier that day, evidently possessed by some of the demons. After easily dispatching them, the rumored rhyming goblin finally made his appearance, attacking the group and identifying himself as Etrigan. After a brief skirmish, Etrigan is forced to flee by an unknown force compelling him to retreat back to where he'd come from. Arriving on the scene too late, Constantine reveals that Etrigan is an ally of his who is no doubt being controlled in some manner by Faust's magic, and believes that Faust himself is in the village now. With that, he and the rest of the group travel deeper into the village, where a number of others already were at, fighting off invading demons, who also decided to retreat at the same time as Etrigan did.
From there, Faust himself appeared, offering the group to join him, claiming that he will be able to give them whatever they are seeking faster than Constantine ever could promise, but they decline, and a small battle ensues between them and the sorcerer. He is overwhelmed by the group's efforts, and under duress, reveals the name of his master, called "Dracula." Faust dares them to track him down, believing that they will fall to his power, before disappearing into the air with his magic, making his escape. At the same time, the red clouds in the sky part, revealing the giant castle in the distance from the village's rumors, where Constantine concludes that they must go there in order to accomplish their unwilling quest.
"Come on. If that bloke's invitin' us to that lovely home of his, who are we to decline?" Constantine said as he looked toward the towering castle in the distance. It was ungodly tall, like a titan among ants. Truth be told, even the wisecracking British man found himself a touch intimidated by such a display, but if he were so easily affected, then he wouldn't have gotten so far in his practice like he was now.
As everyone was gathered around again, the man took a breath, shaking his head as if to ward off shivers. Guts, meanwhile, stayed as still as a statue as he looked upon the tower. Certainly grander than the Tower of Retribution, but... Well. Enough about that. He had a few doubts about leaving behind Casca, Isidro, and Puck under the care of Luca, especially after what just happened with these damned demons, but if putting down this Faust guy and his master was the only way to ensure that his mission went off without a hitch, then so be it. He'd gladly take a detour if it meant killing an extra demon or two anyway.
And with that, they were off!
The journey might have been a touch more convenient if they were able to use the stagecoaches around, but as they were all destroyed in the ensuing chaos from the demons before, their only choice was to walk. Or, valiantly run. Whichever you preferred. That was fine though. The group should be used to walking long distances anyway, right?
As they kept traveling, the castle slowly drawing closer and closer, the eerie presence exuding from it grew stronger and stronger. It let out an air of dread and discomfort, as though, even though they were the ones walking, they weren't the ones getting closer to the castle, but rather, the castle was getting closer to them. The path itself was eerily quiet, with no demons in plain view or hiding and coming out to attack. It was too quiet, like they were being watched, but there was no presence able to be spotted around, even by those who might have a sixth sense about these sorts of things.
. . .
Eventually, as they finally got to the castle, the front made it somewhat inconvenient to approach as a group, as there was a drawbridge present, but it was already pulled up, making it impossible to cross. It was then that Constantine stopped, gesturing for the rest of the group to stop as well. He narrowed his eyes, looking around for a way around it, and then... Before anyone knew it...
Fire appeared before everyone. A giant blaze from nowhere. It wasted no time taking the form of a giant face, complete with glowing eyes and fangs like an animal. Or a vampire.
"Who dares step upon my ground? A group of cockroaches, so it seems," the voice boomed in everyone's ears, more than loud enough for everyone to hear, the volume of it threatening to shake the ground a little even.
"Leave now, and I will consider letting you live. I have little desire to speak to the likes of humans and other lost animals. So bark if you must, but know that your life will be forfeit the moment you open your mouths."
Constantine pursed his lips, looking to the others, and then back to the fiery form that stood before them, deciding to let the others talk if they so desired.
Seeing the flaming head come into reality and hearing its challenge made Morte float up to it. "I'm already dead...or undead so I guess I'll say my piece," He started. "Besides, your pal Felix Faust invited us to come to to this damn castle so if there's someone you're supposed to be pissed at it's him!"
Before the group could get very far in their discussion, an army of demons invaded the village, killing and kidnapping civilians at their own whim.
Some of the group traversed back to the brothel, where screaming was heard, to find Luca and the others inside being terrorized by the men from the tavern earlier that day, evidently possessed by some of the demons. After easily dispatching them, the rumored rhyming goblin finally made his appearance, attacking the group and identifying himself as Etrigan. After a brief skirmish, Etrigan is forced to flee by an unknown force compelling him to retreat back to where he'd come from. Arriving on the scene too late, Constantine reveals that Etrigan is an ally of his who is no doubt being controlled in some manner by Faust's magic, and believes that Faust himself is in the village now. With that, he and the rest of the group travel deeper into the village, where a number of others already were at, fighting off invading demons, who also decided to retreat at the same time as Etrigan did.
From there, Faust himself appeared, offering the group to join him, claiming that he will be able to give them whatever they are seeking faster than Constantine ever could promise, but they decline, and a small battle ensues between them and the sorcerer. He is overwhelmed by the group's efforts, and under duress, reveals the name of his master, called "Dracula." Faust dares them to track him down, believing that they will fall to his power, before disappearing into the air with his magic, making his escape. At the same time, the red clouds in the sky part, revealing the giant castle in the distance from the village's rumors, where Constantine concludes that they must go there in order to accomplish their unwilling quest.
"Come on. If that bloke's invitin' us to that lovely home of his, who are we to decline?" Constantine said as he looked toward the towering castle in the distance. It was ungodly tall, like a titan among ants. Truth be told, even the wisecracking British man found himself a touch intimidated by such a display, but if he were so easily affected, then he wouldn't have gotten so far in his practice like he was now.
As everyone was gathered around again, the man took a breath, shaking his head as if to ward off shivers. Guts, meanwhile, stayed as still as a statue as he looked upon the tower. Certainly grander than the Tower of Retribution, but... Well. Enough about that. He had a few doubts about leaving behind Casca, Isidro, and Puck under the care of Luca, especially after what just happened with these damned demons, but if putting down this Faust guy and his master was the only way to ensure that his mission went off without a hitch, then so be it. He'd gladly take a detour if it meant killing an extra demon or two anyway.
And with that, they were off!
The journey might have been a touch more convenient if they were able to use the stagecoaches around, but as they were all destroyed in the ensuing chaos from the demons before, their only choice was to walk. Or, valiantly run. Whichever you preferred. That was fine though. The group should be used to walking long distances anyway, right?
As they kept traveling, the castle slowly drawing closer and closer, the eerie presence exuding from it grew stronger and stronger. It let out an air of dread and discomfort, as though, even though they were the ones walking, they weren't the ones getting closer to the castle, but rather, the castle was getting closer to them. The path itself was eerily quiet, with no demons in plain view or hiding and coming out to attack. It was too quiet, like they were being watched, but there was no presence able to be spotted around, even by those who might have a sixth sense about these sorts of things.
. . .
Eventually, as they finally got to the castle, the front made it somewhat inconvenient to approach as a group, as there was a drawbridge present, but it was already pulled up, making it impossible to cross. It was then that Constantine stopped, gesturing for the rest of the group to stop as well. He narrowed his eyes, looking around for a way around it, and then... Before anyone knew it...
Fire appeared before everyone. A giant blaze from nowhere. It wasted no time taking the form of a giant face, complete with glowing eyes and fangs like an animal. Or a vampire.
"Who dares step upon my ground? A group of cockroaches, so it seems," the voice boomed in everyone's ears, more than loud enough for everyone to hear, the volume of it threatening to shake the ground a little even.
"Leave now, and I will consider letting you live. I have little desire to speak to the likes of humans and other lost animals. So bark if you must, but know that your life will be forfeit the moment you open your mouths."
Constantine pursed his lips, looking to the others, and then back to the fiery form that stood before them, deciding to let the others talk if they so desired.
Despite some initial... hesitation at the sight of the pulsing skull of flames, Virginia kept herself calm and kept quiet for a few moments. Her eyes glanced past the imposing, fiery figure, trying to find a lever or chain that could potentially be shot to lower the bridge from afar.
Soraka carefully watched the floating skull of fire, prepared for any sudden attacks. The fiery skull challenged them to speak, but she kept her cool, knowing that going head first in this situation would lead to a sure way towards pain. That was until a smaller, floating skull taunted back.
Seeing the flaming head come into reality and hearing its challenge made Morte float up to it. "I'm already dead...or undead so I guess I'll say my piece," He started. "Besides, your pal Felix Faust invited us to come to to this damn castle so if there's someone you're supposed to be pissed at it's him!"
"Mortimer, I'm going to make you wish you were even deader than you already are..." Constantine grumbled as the floating skull demonstrated that it seemed like he was the only one with enough gall to challenge the flaming entity, before sighing in resignation and clearing his throat, deciding to also speak up then if no one else would, "Uh... Ye, we dare step on your soil, foul, wretched beast! You must be the one called Dracula then? Look a little... different than I expected!"
"To dare even speak at all in my presence, let alone to utter my name, with such intent is a transgression with deliberate motive that will not go unpunished," the entity who accepted the identity of Faust's master responded, his booming voice reaching the entire group still, before he looked toward Morte (fellow disembodied skull) and made an irritated sound, like clicking his tongue.
"Hmph. My own dear servant, to welcome filthy, loathsome creatures like yourself upon my door? Indeed, this is an offense that he will have to pay for," he growled, the intensity of the flames slowly beginning to die down, "I had no such interest in his petty squabbles, but if the only way to do away with his tiresome vendetta is to deal with you insects thoroughly, then so be it."
"Enter at your own peril then, for I assure you, you will not leave here alive. After all, I must see to it that my children are well-fed..." Dracula finished ominously, before the form of the flaming skull dissipated into nothingness.
With that, the drawbridge before the group lowered, allowing them to cross. It was a deliberately slow process, as though to build up the tension that was already high. By the time it finally lowered all the way, the large doors that led into the castle opened up by themselves, letting out a bone-chilling air that filled even the steadfast and confident Constantine, but he said nothing, reluctantly pursing his lips and taking the first step forward, venturing into the dark unknown.
Pocketing his hands, he glanced back at the group, an unsure look in his eyes that he tried his best to disguise with forced determination.
"Well... Here goes nothing, lads. Ready to see some shit?"
"We have no more time to lose," Libra replied, starting forward into the castle. He was doing a good job of hiding just how tense and even terrified he truly was, which was a necessity in a situation such as this. Fear just got in the way of what needed to be done.
Sumia, on the other hand, was far worse at hiding it. "W-Well, let's go in...eep!" She stumbled as she started behind Libra, laughing nervously as she did so. She had been doing so good at not tripping over things, too...
"Mortimer, I'm going to make you wish you were even deader than you already are..." Constantine grumbled as the floating skull demonstrated that it seemed like he was the only one with enough gall to challenge the flaming entity, before sighing in resignation and clearing his throat, deciding to also speak up then if no one else would, "Uh... Ye, we dare step on your soil, foul, wretched beast! You must be the one called Dracula then? Look a little... different than I expected!"
"To dare even speak at all in my presence, let alone to utter my name, with such intent is a transgression with deliberate motive that will not go unpunished," the entity who accepted the identity of Faust's master responded, his booming voice reaching the entire group still, before he looked toward Morte (fellow disembodied skull) and made an irritated sound, like clicking his tongue.
"Hmph. My own dear servant, to welcome filthy, loathsome creatures like yourself upon my door? Indeed, this is an offense that he will have to pay for," he growled, the intensity of the flames slowly beginning to die down, "I had no such interest in his petty squabbles, but if the only way to do away with his tiresome vendetta is to deal with you insects thoroughly, then so be it."
"Enter at your own peril then, for I assure you, you will not leave here alive. After all, I must see to it that my children are well-fed..." Dracula finished ominously, before the form of the flaming skull dissipated into nothingness.
With that, the drawbridge before the group lowered, allowing them to cross. It was a deliberately slow process, as though to build up the tension that was already high. By the time it finally lowered all the way, the large doors that led into the castle opened up by themselves, letting out a bone-chilling air that filled even the steadfast and confident Constantine, but he said nothing, reluctantly pursing his lips and taking the first step forward, venturing into the dark unknown.
Pocketing his hands, he glanced back at the group, an unsure look in his eyes that he tried his best to disguise with forced determination.
"Well... Here goes nothing, lads. Ready to see some shit?"
"Mortimer, I'm going to make you wish you were even deader than you already are..." Constantine grumbled as the floating skull demonstrated that it seemed like he was the only one with enough gall to challenge the flaming entity, before sighing in resignation and clearing his throat, deciding to also speak up then if no one else would, "Uh... Ye, we dare step on your soil, foul, wretched beast! You must be the one called Dracula then? Look a little... different than I expected!"
"To dare even speak at all in my presence, let alone to utter my name, with such intent is a transgression with deliberate motive that will not go unpunished," the entity who accepted the identity of Faust's master responded, his booming voice reaching the entire group still, before he looked toward Morte (fellow disembodied skull) and made an irritated sound, like clicking his tongue.
"Hmph. My own dear servant, to welcome filthy, loathsome creatures like yourself upon my door? Indeed, this is an offense that he will have to pay for," he growled, the intensity of the flames slowly beginning to die down, "I had no such interest in his petty squabbles, but if the only way to do away with his tiresome vendetta is to deal with you insects thoroughly, then so be it."
"Enter at your own peril then, for I assure you, you will not leave here alive. After all, I must see to it that my children are well-fed..." Dracula finished ominously, before the form of the flaming skull dissipated into nothingness.
With that, the drawbridge before the group lowered, allowing them to cross. It was a deliberately slow process, as though to build up the tension that was already high. By the time it finally lowered all the way, the large doors that led into the castle opened up by themselves, letting out a bone-chilling air that filled even the steadfast and confident Constantine, but he said nothing, reluctantly pursing his lips and taking the first step forward, venturing into the dark unknown.
Pocketing his hands, he glanced back at the group, an unsure look in his eyes that he tried his best to disguise with forced determination.
"Well... Here goes nothing, lads. Ready to see some shit?"
"Hey! Relax guvnah!" That final word was said with the most atrocious British accent anyone had ever heard. "It worked out in the end didn't it?"
"For the time being, yes." Grace said walking up next to Constantine as he tried to psyche up the group. "Once we step inside there though...I don't think we're in for a warm welcome."
The entrance hall was extravagant, its gothic architectural style practically decorating in the air and bathing it in its own aesthetic. The elegance of the castle's interior betrayed the savage monstrosities that lay inside; it almost seemed to give the impression that a refined, affluent gentleman with wealth as grand as his charm lived here, from the beautiful paintings on the wall to the gold candles, unknowing or deliberately hiding that the true master of the castle was a monstrous creature of the night, evil enough to match the entire group's.
Or at least, they could only hope so.
They could only hope for the evil that lay within.
At first, the initial trek through the entrance hall was quiet. Too quiet. Eerie, even moreso than it was outside, now in this more claustrophobic environment. Miki visibly shivered, chills running up her spine, not just from the uneasy atmosphere, but also, plain and simply, it was rather cold inside. Not that Constantine or Guts seemed to mind though, the former rather comfortable in his trenchcoat, and the other nicely protected by his armor and muscle mass.
"H-Hey, so... I didn't know we were doing a test of courage in here. Uwah, I can barely even see where I'm going!" Yuki exclaimed, having recklessly hopped to the front beside Constantine as she broke the tense silence in the air.
Just a few mere seconds after she finished speaking, the petite girl bumped into what felt like a wall by accident, letting out a soft gasp in surprise as she did so, before stepping back a bit. However, once anyone would give it a closer look, it wasn't a wall that Yuki bumped into, but rather, what looked like... the back of a giant head.
And then, it finally turned around.
"HISSSSSSSSSS!"
A giant, disembodied head of a monster hissed toward the group, a number of proportionally large snakes arising from it. Floating in the air of its own volition, it stared down at the group, all the while Constantine clicked his tongue.
"... Bollocks. I was hoping to go for a few more quiet minutes."
With that, he rolled out of the way as the Gorgon-like head rushed back down, right toward the group, each of its mouths wide open as the snakes extended out in hopes of biting everyone as it grew close!
The entrance hall was extravagant, its gothic architectural style practically decorating in the air and bathing it in its own aesthetic. The elegance of the castle's interior betrayed the savage monstrosities that lay inside; it almost seemed to give the impression that a refined, affluent gentleman with wealth as grand as his charm lived here, from the beautiful paintings on the wall to the gold candles, unknowing or deliberately hiding that the true master of the castle was a monstrous creature of the night, evil enough to match the entire group's.
Or at least, they could only hope so.
They could only hope for the evil that lay within.
At first, the initial trek through the entrance hall was quiet. Too quiet. Eerie, even moreso than it was outside, now in this more claustrophobic environment. Miki visibly shivered, chills running up her spine, not just from the uneasy atmosphere, but also, plain and simply, it was rather cold inside. Not that Constantine or Guts seemed to mind though, the former rather comfortable in his trenchcoat, and the other nicely protected by his armor and muscle mass.
"H-Hey, so... I didn't know we were doing a test of courage in here. Uwah, I can barely even see where I'm going!" Yuki exclaimed, having recklessly hopped to the front beside Constantine as she broke the tense silence in the air.
Just a few mere seconds after she finished speaking, the petite girl bumped into what felt like a wall by accident, letting out a soft gasp in surprise as she did so, before stepping back a bit. However, once anyone would give it a closer look, it wasn't a wall that Yuki bumped into, but rather, what looked like... the back of a giant head.
And then, it finally turned around.
"HISSSSSSSSSS!"
A giant, disembodied head of a monster hissed toward the group, a number of proportionally large snakes arising from it. Floating in the air of its own volition, it stared down at the group, all the while Constantine clicked his tongue.
"... Bollocks. I was hoping to go for a few more quiet minutes."
With that, he rolled out of the way as the Gorgon-like head rushed back down, right toward the group, each of its mouths wide open as the snakes extended out in hopes of biting everyone as it grew close!
Whampire was sneaking up behind Miki & Yuki, going by his vampiric instinct, as hard as he resisted. Whampire could even be heard licking his lips. Before the action could kick in, Yuki activated something.
A Medusa head of some sort.
This snapped Whampire out of whatever hunger trance he was in.
"Huh? Oh snap, what did I miss?"
Whampire closes its eyes, now visualising everything in infra-red and echolocation-based sound reflections, so in a sense, it could still see everything, but it wasn't directly looking at the Medusa.
"Let's give her a bad hair day!"
Whampire spits its projectiles, 'Corrupturas' as it had previously called them, at a few snake heads that made the Medusa's hair, allowing him to control some of the snake heads, causing them to attack the non-controlled heads.
"Good luck explaining that to the barber! Haha! Wait... dis isn't enough. Let's test something else."
Whampire looks around the see if Dracula's other minions were lurking about. If he did, he would spit his Corrupturas at their heads, before controlling them to attack the Medusa.
" Well, it didn't take long for us to find danger it would seem," Mike replied, as he pulled out his gun and shot at the snake head's seeing as they looked to be made out of stone to him. He hoped that it would know at least some of them down a peg or two.
Meanwhile, Josh did what he did best in stressful situations. He panicked and stayed behind others who could protect him, clutching the knife he used as the psycho to slash at the air if anything good too close to him, but also dodging the snake head if necessary.
Whampire spits its projectiles, 'Corrupturas' as it had previously called them, at a few snake heads that made the Medusa's hair, allowing him to control some of the snake heads, causing them to attack the non-controlled heads.
"Good luck explaining that to the barber! Haha! Wait... dis isn't enough. Let's test something else."
Whampire looks around the see if Dracula's other minions were lurking about. If he did, he would spit his Corrupturas at their heads, before controlling them to attack the Medusa.
" Well, it didn't take long for us to find danger it would seem," Mike replied, as he pulled out his gun and shot at the snake head's seeing as they looked to be made out of stone to him. He hoped that it would know at least some of them down a peg or two.
Meanwhile, Josh did what he did best in stressful situations. He panicked and stayed behind others who could protect him, clutching the knife he used as the psycho to slash at the air if anything good too close to him, but also dodging the snake head if necessary.
Rather than stone, the snakes atop the giant Gorgon head seemed to be organic, as evidenced when Mike's bullets pierced into their scaly skin, a small amount of black blood leaking from their wounds as they hissed loudly in pain, prompting the Gorgon to focus its attention toward him initially, beginning to charge before Ben managed to take control of some of the snake heads in its hair, causing the monster to reel about in pain as its own systems began to work against it!
All the while, the Gorgon itself, seemingly not too distracted (but still visibly pained), then turned toward Ben as a result, changing its plan and beginning to fly right toward him, opening its mouth and threatening to chomp on his neck and bite his head off if no move was made, all the while Guts stood in front of Miki, Yuki, and (unceremoniously) Josh, and Constantine maintained his distance, finding that direct combat didn't suit him, if the earlier invasion on the village wasn't any indication.
Mike noticed that the gorgon was organic and that was more useful to know. It seemed that it had flesh, which meant if it got too close, he would have a combat against it. He took a deep breath and fired another shot to distract it from Ben and to make sure that the younger man wasn't hurt in any way. He took a second deep breath and if the gorgon charged at him, he pulled out his lighter and would attempt to see how the head reacted to fire.
Josh Washington
" So, ladies, how are you doing? Besides being terrified by the monster.... because they are scary," he said, trying to keep himself calm in a tough situation, still clutching his knife in case.
Rather than stone, the snakes atop the giant Gorgon head seemed to be organic, as evidenced when Mike's bullets pierced into their scaly skin, a small amount of black blood leaking from their wounds as they hissed loudly in pain, prompting the Gorgon to focus its attention toward him initially, beginning to charge before Ben managed to take control of some of the snake heads in its hair, causing the monster to reel about in pain as its own systems began to work against it!
All the while, the Gorgon itself, seemingly not too distracted (but still visibly pained), then turned toward Ben as a result, changing its plan and beginning to fly right toward him, opening its mouth and threatening to chomp on his neck and bite his head off if no move was made, all the while Guts stood in front of Miki, Yuki, and (unceremoniously) Josh, and Constantine maintained his distance, finding that direct combat didn't suit him, if the earlier invasion on the village wasn't any indication.
Mike noticed that the gorgon was organic and that was more useful to know. It seemed that it had flesh, which meant if it got too close, he would have a combat against it. He took a deep breath and fired another shot to distract it from Ben and to make sure that the younger man wasn't hurt in any way. He took a second deep breath and if the gorgon charged at him, he pulled out his lighter and would attempt to see how the head reacted to fire.
Josh Washington
" So, ladies, how are you doing? Besides being terrified by the monster.... because they are scary," he said, trying to keep himself calm in a tough situation, still clutching his knife in case.
Whampire flew towards the gorgon head. When he was close, he slid underneath it to evade her maws, before he unleashed a powerful full-radius explosion of energy.
"HAAAAA!"
The burst of energy was enough to create a crater underneath Whampire, send the gorgon head straight for the ceiling at rocket-like speeds and generate a wave of wind that could be felt by everyone in the room!
Thankfully no one else was too close to Whampire during that time, or else they'd feel more than a great gust of wind.
The entrance hall was extravagant, its gothic architectural style practically decorating in the air and bathing it in its own aesthetic. The elegance of the castle's interior betrayed the savage monstrosities that lay inside; it almost seemed to give the impression that a refined, affluent gentleman with wealth as grand as his charm lived here, from the beautiful paintings on the wall to the gold candles, unknowing or deliberately hiding that the true master of the castle was a monstrous creature of the night, evil enough to match the entire group's.
Or at least, they could only hope so.
They could only hope for the evil that lay within.
At first, the initial trek through the entrance hall was quiet. Too quiet. Eerie, even moreso than it was outside, now in this more claustrophobic environment. Miki visibly shivered, chills running up her spine, not just from the uneasy atmosphere, but also, plain and simply, it was rather cold inside. Not that Constantine or Guts seemed to mind though, the former rather comfortable in his trenchcoat, and the other nicely protected by his armor and muscle mass.
"H-Hey, so... I didn't know we were doing a test of courage in here. Uwah, I can barely even see where I'm going!" Yuki exclaimed, having recklessly hopped to the front beside Constantine as she broke the tense silence in the air.
Just a few mere seconds after she finished speaking, the petite girl bumped into what felt like a wall by accident, letting out a soft gasp in surprise as she did so, before stepping back a bit. However, once anyone would give it a closer look, it wasn't a wall that Yuki bumped into, but rather, what looked like... the back of a giant head.
And then, it finally turned around.
"HISSSSSSSSSS!"
A giant, disembodied head of a monster hissed toward the group, a number of proportionally large snakes arising from it. Floating in the air of its own volition, it stared down at the group, all the while Constantine clicked his tongue.
"... Bollocks. I was hoping to go for a few more quiet minutes."
With that, he rolled out of the way as the Gorgon-like head rushed back down, right toward the group, each of its mouths wide open as the snakes extended out in hopes of biting everyone as it grew close!
Lagging behind everyone, Zoe came skipping across the drawbridge and into the tower without a care in the world. The jaunty tune she hummed to herself soon began to echo throughout the entrance hall, alongside her careless steps across the cold stone floor. Approaching the group again, however, everyone's unforgettable faces did grab Zoe's attention away from the aspect's otherwise aimless life. "Hey, I found you all again!"Zoe exclaimed, "Soooo sorry for bailing on you guys earlier, but I kinda had to go stop my big space doggy from blowing up an entire galaxy, ehehe..."she briefly explained, rubbing the back of her neck, "Dogs, am I right? Always acting up when you have to leave them with sitters,"Zoe giggled.
Whampire flew towards the gorgon head. When he was close, he slid underneath it to evade her maws, before he unleashed a powerful full-radius explosion of energy.
"HAAAAA!"
The burst of energy was enough to create a crater underneath Whampire, send the gorgon head straight for the ceiling at rocket-like speeds and generate a wave of wind that could be felt by everyone in the room!
Thankfully no one else was too close to Whampire during that time, or else they'd feel more than a great gust of wind.
Looking up at the gorgon head hissing down at the group from above, Zoe tilted her head. "Oh, are you the door lady?"she wondered aloud, before waving at the head in greeting, "Hi door lady! We're not looking for trouble, we just wanna give your boss a little message! Could you take us to him? Pleaaaaase? I'll give you some chocolate mooncake - it's the best!"Zoe innocently requested, before ducking into a portal to dodge the gorgon head as it swooped down, only for it to be blasted sky-high, much to Zoe's dismay. The girl yelped as she watched the head fly upwards, and quickly ran underneath in order to catch it on its way down...if it ever did fall down.
Lagging behind everyone, Zoe came skipping across the drawbridge and into the tower without a care in the world. The jaunty tune she hummed to herself soon began to echo throughout the entrance hall, alongside her careless steps across the cold stone floor. Approaching the group again, however, everyone's unforgettable faces did grab Zoe's attention away from the aspect's otherwise aimless life. "Hey, I found you all again!"Zoe exclaimed, "Soooo sorry for bailing on you guys earlier, but I kinda had to go stop my big space doggy from blowing up an entire galaxy, ehehe..."she briefly explained, rubbing the back of her neck, "Dogs, am I right? Always acting up when you have to leave them with sitters,"Zoe giggled.
Looking up at the gorgon head hissing down at the group from above, Zoe tilted her head. "Oh, are you the door lady?"she wondered aloud, before waving at the head in greeting, "Hi door lady! We're not looking for trouble, we just wanna give your boss a little message! Could you take us to him? Pleaaaaase? I'll give you some chocolate mooncake - it's the best!"Zoe innocently requested, before ducking into a portal to dodge the gorgon head as it swooped down, only for it to be blasted sky-high, much to Zoe's dismay. The girl yelped as she watched the head fly upwards, and quickly ran underneath in order to catch it on its way down...if it ever did fall down.
"I'm pretty sure de door lady would have... you know... hands. For de door," Whampire adds. "I mean, if she used dose snakes as hands instead, there wouldn't be much of a door to be a lady for. Also you might want to be careful. She bites, a lot."
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