And So the Shepherd Became the Wolf

• Published: 8/19/2022
• Number of chapters: 1
• Word count: 9,099
• Genres: Horror, tragedy
• Warnings: Temporary character death
• Characters: Richter Belmont, Alucard, Maria Renard, Annette Belmont, Juste Belmont, Lydie Erlanger, Maxim Kischine
• Other Tags: Vampires, family, references to Simon's Quest
• Summary: Even with Shaft's influence gone, the damage was already done. Richter would never be the same again.

For the first time in a year, Richter Belmont was himself.

Had it truly been a year? It didn’t seem like it, but supposedly it had. Perhaps it had been even longer. Maria had said he’d mysteriously vanished a year ago, but how long ago had Shaft begun manipulating Richter’s mind? His memories were hazy, and he’d been riddled with anxiety and dark thoughts for a long time. His parents had assured him that such feelings were normal after putting one’s life on the line and nearly losing someone important, but still… He knew not where his own thoughts had ended and Shaft’s lies and puppetry begun. That alone was a terrifying thought.

At least he was feeling much better now, thanks to Maria and Alucard’s efforts. His head felt much clearer now, his heart lighter, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He knew his mistakes had been severe, and he had no intention of avoiding responsibility for them, but for now… For now, he was glad. He was alive. He was free from Shaft’s control. He was going home to see his family, who he loved. And it seemed he’d even managed to gain a new friend! (Alucard had, of course, expressed his reservations about joining Richter and Maria in their village, but Richter was sure that once he experienced it for himself, he’d feel right at home.)

Still, the experience was not without its toll. Physically, Richter was exhausted. He’d set out to gather firewood while Maria and Alucard made camp; By the time he’d managed to gather a reasonable amount of useable wood, he found himself slightly out of breath. And it showed, if his companions’ expressions were anything to go by.

“Richter, are you alright?” Maria asked worriedly.

“I’m alright. Just tired, that’s all,” Richter answered, with what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

Alucard frowned. “You needn’t push yourself if you’re feeling unwell. I can-”

“No,” Richter interrupted hastily. “You and Maria have already done so much. Helping to make camp is the least I can do.”

“Alright.”

Fortunately, the idea was not pressed any further, and soon the three settled down for a dinner of wild rabbit. Unseasoned meat may not have been the tastiest meal ever, but Richter couldn’t help but feel grateful for the chance to have anything at all; After what he’d been through, a hot meal among friends was more than he could possibly ask for.

“I’m so glad I finally found you, Richter,” Maria said, as if echoing his thoughts. “Everyone has missed you dearly.”

“Yes… I’m sorry for worrying you all,” Richter replied with an apologetic frown. “How is everyone back home?”

“Hmm… I left not long after you did, so I can’t say for certain, but everyone was alright last I saw them,” Maria answered with a shrug. “Although, before I left, Papa said-” She cleared her throat and put her hands on her hips, deepening her voice in an impression of their father. “‘You tell that foolish boy to get the hell back here so I can finish his portrait!’ Imagine his surprise when he sees your hair now!”

Richter laughed. “Indeed, it has gotten quite long, hasn’t it? I know I wasn’t in my right mind when I let it get this long, but to be honest, I think I rather like it,” he admitted. “I feel it makes me look more… Dashing. Do you think so?”

“I think it’s the same haircut as just about every man in your family,” Maria teased. “Though it does look good on you. What do you think, Alucard?”

For a moment, Alucard simply stared at Richter, with an unreadable expression on his face. Then he shrugged.

“I know not what to compare it to, for it is the only hairstyle I have seen on Richter,” he pointed out. “Although, Trevor… Trevor Belmont had a similar haircut, though his hair is- Was not so curly.”

“See? As I said, all the men in the family have the same haircut,” Maria concluded, looking slightly smug.

Richter huffed. “Not true, Father’s is-” he broke off, interrupted by a wide yawn. “...Perhaps it is time for bed.”

“Yes… It’s been a long few days. We could all use some rest, I think,” Maria agreed.

“Indeed. Who shall take first watch?”

Alucard held up a hand. “No need. You and Maria simply get some sleep; I will keep watch throughout the night.”

“But what about you? You need to sleep as well,” Maria pointed out with a worried frown.

“Not as often as you do. Vampires are creatures of the night, anyway. You needn’t worry about me.”

“Alright. If you’re sure, then.”

Maria laid out her bedding roll by the fire, and Richter followed suit, eager to get some rest. Truly he was exhausted, for once he lay down, he could barely keep himself awake long enough to bid his companions goodnight. Eventually, he closed his eyes, and let the warmth of the fire and the sounds of Dora Woods lull him to a dreamless sleep.

It was around the third night that Alucard started getting suspicious.

At first, Richter had said he was merely tired. Alucard, having had no reason to doubt this, believed him; After all, why wouldn’t he be tired, after everything he’d been through? Yet even after two nights of rest, and two days of largely letting the horse do all the hard work, Richter had not regained his strength. On the contrary, he seemed to have gotten worse. Richter and Maria did not fail to notice this either, but when questioned, Richter said only that he was perhaps coming down with a cold.

Alucard might have believed that, too, if not for what happened just before sundown.

It was all over as soon as it began. A pack of killer bats had charged their group just after dinner, and within mere seconds, the three of them made quick work of the creatures- Nothing unusual about that. Yet Alucard heard Richter give a soft grunt, and as he clipped his whip back onto his belt, he stared down at his hand; A glance over his shoulder revealed Richter’s palm to be a tinge red and irritated.

“Richter? Is everything alright?” Maria questioned.

Richter frowned slightly in concern. “I… Seem to have gotten a friction burn from the Vampire Killer,” he observed.

“A friction burn,” Alucard repeated.

“Yes. I suppose it’s not too surprising- This whip is hundreds of years old, after all. Perhaps the leather wrap is due for a replacement,” Richter said with a shrug, seemingly oblivious to Alucard’s suspicion. “I shall have to look into it when we get back to Ludos village. Just my luck that we’d get attacked while I’d removed my gloves to eat, though…”

“Is your hand alright?” Maria asked worriedly.

“A little irritated, but I’ll be alright. Let us retire for now.”

“Alright.”

The trio exchanged the usual bedtime pleasantries, and Richter and Maria settled in to sleep, leaving Alucard to keep watch and tend the fire.

For a time, the night passed uneventfully. Then, just as the moon reached its zenith, Richter slowly stood up from his spot on the ground and began to walk. Alucard initially thought little of this; Surely Richter was just going to relieve himself, and that was certainly none of Alucard’s business.

Except that Richter wasn’t walking towards the trees. He was walking along the path- In the opposite direction from where they were headed.

“Richter?” Alucard called out in confusion. “Where are you going?”

Richter gave no response, as he continued on in the direction from whence they came. Alucard frowned, and stood up to meet him.

“Richter. What troubles you? Why are you leaving camp? It’s late. You ought to be sleeping.”

Again, no response. Was Richter sleepwalking? How odd.

“Richter-”

Richter shoved past the hand Alucard had placed on his shoulder. His face was expressionless, his eyes unfocused and blank, yet he continued stumbling steadily back along the path. Was he trying to return to Castlevania? Not that there was anything left of it to return to, but that didn’t make the situation any less alarming. Alucard needed to do something, or Richter would surely walk himself into danger.

With inhuman speed, Alucard stepped in front of Richter, blocking his path. Then, with the most commanding presence he could muster, he ordered: “Go back to sleep.”

For a moment, Richter simply stared blankly at Alucard. Then he turned on his heel, walked back to camp, and laid down exactly where he’d been sleeping before. He soon began snoring slightly.

What the hell was that?!

Alucard sat back down by the fire, frowning as he contemplated Richter’s strange behavior as of late.

To begin with, Richter had been getting gradually more and more fatigued and weak, though he was seemingly trying to keep in good spirits. His complexion was rather pale and he oft seemed unfocused. Then, he’d somehow been burned by the Vampire Killer whip; He claimed it was a friction burn, yes, but something about that didn’t sit right with Alucard. And now, on top of all that, he was sleepwalking- Back towards Castlevania, no less. With all of these symptoms put together…

He didn’t want to believe it. For Richter and Maria’s sake, he wanted to hope that maybe he was wrong, that it was all just a series of unfortunate coincidences and Richter truly was just tired from all he’d been through. But Alucard was not so naive, and he knew the signs of vampirism when he saw them.

He sighed, and stared up at the moon. It was going to be a long and horrible night.

After three long days, they’d finally reached a town. And it was a good thing, too, for Richter felt as though he were growing weaker by the minute. He was sure that sleep in a proper bed, and a meal other than unseasoned grilled meat and mildly questionable mushrooms, would do him a world of good. As soon as they’d successfully arranged for rooms at the inn, Richter retired upstairs, leaving Maria and Alucard to sort out dinner.

God, but he was tired. His head hurt, too… Catching a glimpse of himself in the windowpane, he couldn’t help but notice that he looked alarmingly pale. What was wrong with him?

Perhaps it was an acute case of homesickness. He did miss his home and family terribly, especially Annette and the children. Dear little Luca had scarcely been so much as a year old when Richter had left home; He could not help but wonder if the boy would remember him. At the same time, it scared Richter to think how little he recalled of him as well, having had his mind muddled over the past several years by what he now knew to be Shaft’s power.

He shook his head. No point in thinking such things now. They’d be home in a few days, and then he could put the whole thing behind him, like a bad dream.

As he was contemplating this, a knock came at the door. “Come in,” he called.

Alucard entered the room, with all his usual unearthly grace. He shut the door behind him, and leaned against it, staring at Richter with his arms crossed.

“I know what ails you.”

“You do?” Richter replied in surprise.

“Yes. I am no fool, Richter Belmont,” Alucard said flatly. “Why do you seek to hide the truth? Maria may yet be lacking in experience, but I am not.”

Richter frowned. “What do you mean? I’m not hiding anything.”

“Think you I would be so easily deceived?!”

“What? No, I- I don’t even know what it is you think I’m deceiving you about!” Richter insisted. “Alucard, please, you’re not making any sense! If you do truly know what ails me, I would be glad to learn, but until then I haven’t an answer to give you.”

“Wait, you mean… You truly don’t know?” Alucard realized, looking surprised.

Richter huffed. “Yes, that’s what I’ve been saying this entire time. Now what’s gotten into you?”

Alucard’s eyes widened, and he brought a hand to his mouth in shock. Richter found himself feeling a growing sense of dread as horror seeped into Alucard’s expression.

“Oh… Oh, no. I- I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“What? Sorry about what?” Richter demanded, yet deep down he almost didn’t want to, afraid to hear whatever Alucard knew.

Alucard took a deep breath. “Richter. Know that it brings me no joy to tell you this, but…” He averted his gaze for a moment, before seemingly steeling himself and looking Richter in the eye once more. “I’m sorry. You are becoming a vampire.”

No.

No. No no no nonono no-

Richter felt the room begin to spin, and Alucard caught him by the arm, gently guiding him to the bed before he could fall. He felt nauseous, his whole body filled to the brim with terror.

“No. This- This cannot be,” he gasped. “Surely th-there must be some mistake!”

“Would that it were so. ‘Tis unlikely, I’m afraid,” Alucard replied with an apologetic frown. “As a hunter, I’m sure you know the symptoms of vampirism.”

Richter nodded dizzily. “Worsening exhaustion, wooziness, lightheadedness, headaches… A pale complexion, sensitivity to sunlight, sleepwalking, weakness to holy magic-” He gasped in sudden realization, and his hand flew to the Vampire Killer at his side. He pulled off his glove and gripped the chain tightly.

Within seconds, he began to feel a burn.

He couldn’t breathe.

“Calm yourself, Richter,” Alucard ordered, putting his hands on Richter’s shoulders. “We may have a chance to cure you yet, but you must remain calm. Do you remember who bit you?”

Richter shook his head. “That’s just the thing- I wasn’t bitten.”

“What do you mean, you weren’t bitten?” Alucard questioned, frowning in confusion. “You must have been.”

“I wasn’t, of that much I am certain. You can see for yourself!” Richter pulled back his hair and lifted it behind his head, revealing his neck.

Alucard gave a long “hmmmm” of thought, leaning this way and that over Richter, pushing back his shirt collar and feeling for any bites along his neck.

“What about your wrists? Let me see your wrists,” Alucard said hurriedly after a moment.

Richter obeyed, holding out both his arms. Alucard removed Richter’s remaining glove and pushed his sleeves up, inspecting each of his forearms in turn.

“Shit,” Alucard hissed. The significance of such an eloquent man resorting to such simple language was not lost on Richter.

“How- How did this happen?!” Richter gasped. “If I wasn’t bitten, then-”

“The castle,” Alucard interrupted. “Its chaotic energy has been known to mutate ordinary living things that are exposed to it. It usually doesn’t happen to those who are only there for a short time, but with how long you were there, and how closely involved you were with the castle itself…”

Richter felt his dread deepen to depths he hadn’t even known he had. “The cure for vampirism is to kill the vampire responsible, but if it was the castle itself… I-I mean, it’s not like we can destroy it again,” he said, and then paused. “...Can we?”

“No. Even I do not know how to summon it, and besides, the castle has only just been destroyed. Even if we did know how to summon it, I doubt we could for some time.”

“Oh, god…”

Richter felt ill- Moreso than he already had, overwhelmed by despair to his very soul.

A vampire… He was becoming a vampire. The one thing he’d sworn to defeat, that he’d been born and raised to destroy. Was this some sort of punishment from the gods? Why? What had he done wrong? Perhaps he’d fallen to darkness, yes, but he’d been manipulated. It had all started after he’d defeated Dracula; His only crime was doing the one thing everyone had encouraged him to do. His family’s sacred duty.

But he’d gotten greedy. He’d dared to want more, to be dissatisfied with his role. All his ancestors had been forgotten by the world, known only for their role in defeating Dracula- But that wasn’t good enough, was it? Not for self-satisfied Richter Belmont. His family’s sacred duty from time immemorial had been to kill vampires and nothing more, but Richter had wanted more than that, and now he was drowning in his avarice. Poisoned, corrupted by sin through no one’s fault but his own.

Maybe it would be best if he truly were forgotten.

“Richter?” Alucard’s voice broke through his thoughts, a tad more gentle than usual. “Are you alright?”

Richter swallowed heavily, too overwhelmed to express his true thoughts. “I… I am tired,” he said quietly. “I think I would like to rest until dinner…”

Alucard stared worriedly at Richter for a moment before nodding. “Alright. Sleep, then. I shall stay here and ensure nothing happens.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Alucard took a seat on the other bed, and pulled a book from his pocket. Richter heaved a deep sigh as he laid down, facing the wall. Despite his exhaustion, he had a feeling he… Wasn’t going to truly be sleeping any time soon.

At the very least, he managed to doze on and off, between shudders of horror and despair. After some time, a knock came at the door.

“Dinner time!” Maria announced as Alucard opened the door. “I know you said you were tired, Richter, so I thought it would be best if we all ate in here rather than going downstairs.”

“Yes… Thank you, Maria, that’s very kind of you,” Richter muttered as he slowly sat up.

The bowl of stew Maria handed him smelled wonderful, yet even with how hungry he was, Richter felt lacking in appetite. He took a spoonful into his mouth, but it tasted bland with disinterest.

“How are you feeling, Richter?” Maria asked, worry clear in her face.

Richter hesitated a moment before answering.

“...Not well.”

Maria bit her lip. “Oh, dear… Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No,” Richter said quietly. “There… There is nothing anyone can do for me now.”

The shame that heated Richter’s cheeks as he closed his eyes burned far more painfully than the Vampire Killer. He shouldn’t have been crying in front of Maria. He was her older brother; He was supposed to be the strong one, the one who kept a brave face even in the heart of danger, who saw her safely through all her struggles. Capable hunter though she was, Maria was still but a child of seventeen years, and had already been burdened with his problems far more than was right.

Hell, he shouldn’t have been crying at all. What right had he to cry? He, who had brought this upon himself with his foolish self-centeredness?

“Richter? Please, what’s wrong?”

Richter could not answer, too overwhelmed with despair. He hid his face with one hand.

It was Alucard who spoke up in Richter’s place. “There is something you should know, Maria. The affliction from which Richter is suffering is… Vampirism.”

Richter didn’t need to look up to hear the horrified gasp in Maria’s voice. “No… No, that can’t… No!”

“I’m sorry, Maria,” Richter muttered, forcing himself to look up- To at least meet her gaze with sincerity. She deserved that much, at least. By the time he looked up, her eyes were welled up with tears.

“Who did this to you, brother? Wh-When I find them, I’ll-”

“No one did this to me,” Richter interrupted. He set aside his stew, and gently took Maria’s hands in his own; They felt so warm, compared to the lifeless chill that had spread throughout him. “It was the castle’s energy that consumed me. There… There is no one to blame but myself.”

“Oh, Richter!” Maria sobbed as she threw her arms around him. “Tell me it isn’t true! Not- N-Not after I just got you back!”

“Maria-”

“I love you, Richter, you’re my brother! You were- You were th-there for me when I was all alone, and… and… I-I can’t lose you too!”

“You will not lose him,” Alucard interrupted firmly. Then, he added more quietly, “Even if the worst should come to pass… The life of a vampire is not one unworth living. ‘Twas you and Richter who told me so.”

Maria sniffled, and sat up. “R-Right. I have to… I have to be strong. You’re right.” She took a deep breath, and took up her bowl of stew again; She took a moment to have a spoonful before asking, “How much time is there until..?”

“It takes seven days for the body to fully cease production of blood,” Alucard answered, with almost clinical calmness. “Which means he has, at most, four days left.”

“Then we must make haste,” Maria decided. She glanced up at Alucard. “Our father is a powerful and learned witch. Perhaps… Perhaps he might know of a cure.”

“...Perhaps,” Alucard repeated, and from the sound of his voice, Richter knew he didn’t believe it.

Maria gave a resolute nod. “It is settled, then. We shall leave first thing tomorrow morning. If we keep a good pace and ride through the night, we should be able to reach Ludos before it’s too late.”

“Very well,” Alucard agreed. “For now, let us have dinner. We shall need it if we are to expedite our journey thusly.”

“Agreed.”

Richter nodded silently as he took a deep breath, and half-heartedly picked up another spoonful of stew. He could only pray- As much as any damned man could pray- That they would not be too late.

They made it home with a day to spare, though it hardly felt like it to Richter. He felt as though he were in a haze, barely able to keep himself awake; Every strike of his desperately-pounding heart felt like a knife to the head, and his body felt numb all over, cold and trembling. He hardly realized what was going on until Alucard helped him down from the horse- And then suddenly, he was standing in front of a familiar house, staring at a familiar door.

His house, he realized. He could hardly see clearly, but he was standing in front of his own house for the first time in a year.

With a shaking, tired fist, he slowly knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door opened.

“Richter?! Oh, my god..!”

“Annette… I have missed you,” Richter murmured, and then the room started to spin as he fell forward.

When next Richter came to, he was in his own bed, with Annette at his side. In her hands was an empty bottle, and Richter could feel traces of healing potion on his tongue.

“Annette..?” Richter mumbled drowsily. “So we made it in time… Good.”

Annette sighed, climbing onto the bed next to Richter and gently helping him to sit up. “Maria told me everything. Oh, Richter, why did things have to happen this way? Why must your family bear this curse?”

“I know not. Only that it has destroyed me,” Richter responded quietly. “I’m so sorry, my love.”

“You mustn’t blame yourself, Richter,” Annette insisted.

Richter might’ve argued, had he had more strength, but he could find neither the focus nor the will. He simply leaned against Annette’s shoulder, breathing heavily with exhaustion.

“You’re so cold,” Annette realized with a frown. She pulled the blanket up, tucking it over Richter’s shoulders and around his cheeks. He sighed contentedly.

“That feels nice… Thank you, Annette.” He paused for a moment, almost drifting off to sleep before something suddenly occurred to him. “Where are the children?”

“They’re playing outside. I thought it would be best that they not be present for… all of the discussion.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Richter agreed with a sigh. “Still, I should like to see them, at least for a moment. It has been so long… And I know not what will become of me after tomorrow…”

Annette took a deep breath, and nodded. “Of course. Wait a moment, I shall go fetch them.”

After taking a moment to ensure Richter was comfortably propped up against the pillows, she left the room. Richter closed his eyes with a groan; The healing potion had helped somewhat, at least to provide clarity of mind, but he knew he was still a dying man. His head and his heart were both pounding, sharp and heavy like Hephaestus at his anvil, and he felt weak to his very core. Without Annette there for him to focus on, staying awake seemed to be an insurmountable task.

For a while, Richter found himself drifting in and out of sleep. His dreams were strange, full of twisting corridors and wandering monsters, as though he were back in-

Richter’s dozing was abruptly interrupted by something slamming into his stomach, accompanied by an ear-splitting shriek of “Daddy!”

“H-Hello, Princess,” Richter wheezed, forcing himself to be pleasant for the sake of the children. “Please… d-don’t do that again.”

The “princess” in question took no pity on Richter, continuing to bounce excitedly atop Richter’s belly, heedless to the suffering of his slowly dying organs. “Daddy, daddy! You’re home! Did you bring me pe-sents?!”

“Tereza, stop that!” Annette exclaimed. “Your father is… sick. You must be gentle, or you’ll hurt him.”

“Oh.” Tereza reached forward to gently pat Richter’s nose in apology.

Richter sighed, and reached a shaking hand up to stroke Teresa’s head. “How old are you now, little one?”

“Seven.”

“Seven?!” Richter spluttered. Surely he hadn’t been gone for that long?!

“You’re four, you devil,” Annette corrected her with a slight laugh, and then shook her head as she addressed Richter. “She has been going through a phase lately of giving wildly incorrect answers to questions, because she finds it amusing.”

Richter gave a weak smile, and turned his attention towards Annette. In her arms was a smaller child, staring at Richter with wide brown eyes.

“Hello, Luca,” Richter greeted him, taking a deep, shuddering breath as he felt exhaustion once more. “You have grown indeed.”

Luca gave a small squeak and turned away, burying his face in Annette’s shoulder.

“Come now, Luca, don’t be like that,” Annette said with a frown. “‘Tis only your father. See?” She brought him closer to the bed. “Look, Luca. Daddy. See?”

Luca shook his head, still hiding his face. “No.”

“Luca, it’s Daddy!” Tereza exclaimed. “But he’s sick, so- …Huh? Daddy, why are you crying?”

“Never you mind, Princess,” Richter whispered.

It was only natural that Luca would be hesitant around him. He’d always been a shy child, and he was but two years old. Richter had been away from home for a year now; In little Luca’s mind, he was likely naught but a stranger.

A year. Richter had been absent for nearly half his son’s life, all because of his own selfishness. How could he have been such a fool? In his desperation to be remembered, he’d caused his own child to forget about him.

The pain Richter felt in his soul was far worse than any of the physical pain he’d experienced in his life.

The only thing keeping Richter conscious was anxiety, as he sat in the middle of the study in his parents’ house. His father circled him with a book in one hand and the other on his hip; Every “hmmmm” the old hunter gave was more unsettling than the last.

“Well. You’re not cursed- At least, not in the traditional sense,” he declared after several minutes. “You’ve certainly been transformed, that much is true. But if someone else’s ill will had been imparted unto you, the spell would have detected it.”

“Which means… What, exactly?” Richter questioned with a furrowed brow.

His father sighed. “It means there’s nothing I can do,” he answered. “Damn it! All my expertise as a hunter, all my years spent studying witchcraft, and still I cannot so much as…”

Whatever he said next, Richter did not hear, as the siren’s call of unconsciousness began to pull him away. Moments later, he was shaken awake by the shoulder, and something pressed into his hands.

“Here. Drink this.”

Richter’s father guided his hand to his mouth like a child, and Richter did not resist, obediently drinking the potion. Within seconds he felt a modicum of strength return to him, clearing the haze from his mind somewhat.

“Come on,” his father said more gently. “The others are waiting in the sitting room.”

Richter walked slowly, leaning on his father for support and keeping his gaze down. He… couldn’t bear to look his family in the eyes, not after everything he’d done. Everyone had gathered to wait for the news: His remaining two parents, Annette, Maria, and Alucard, the latter standing in a corner looking for all the world as though he’d forgotten how to sit in a chair.

“Well? How did it go?” Maxim asked, with a grim look on his face.

Father shook his head. “Not well. There is nothing I can do for him. Had we more time, I would seek out others with knowledge of the subject, but with only 24 hours…”

“I’m not sure even time would make a difference,” Maxim pointed out, as Richter slowly sat down. “If neither the foremost Belmont scholar nor the son of Dracula himself knows of a solution, ‘tis doubtful that anyone else would. Oh, Richter, I’m so sorry… Perhaps if we’d told you the truth of what happened all those years ago-”

“Now is not the time,” Richter’s mother interrupted. “There will be plenty of time for reminiscing later, but for now we must attend to the matter at hand.”

She took both of Richter’s hands in her own, and looked at him with a gentle- Albeit worried- Smile.

“Richter. Know that, come what may, we will all be here to support you. No matter what,” she promised.

Richter gave a shaky nod. “Thank you. You have all been so kind to me… It is far more than I deserve, after everything I’ve done,” he muttered.

Maxim shook his head. “Nonsense. Perhaps you made some poor choices, yes, but it’s not the end of the world. You’re still family, and we will not turn you away.”

“If we disowned everyone who did something stupid in their youth, we’d all be exiles by now,” Father added with a shrug.

Richter frowned; How could they all treat this so casually? “But, I… I am to become a vampire. That which our family has sworn to fight against for centuries.”

“We hunt monsters, Richter, not people,” Maria insisted. “Isn’t that right, Alucard?”

Alucard looked for a moment as though he had something to say, but then he seemingly thought the better of it. He pursed his lips and looked away.

“I suppose so.”

“...Did I say something wrong?” Maria wondered quietly.

Annette, perhaps seeking to change the subject, turned towards Richter once more. “The important thing, dear, is that we love you. Everyone loves you, we always have,” she insisted. “This tragedy shall not change that. If you will not love yourself, then you at least must believe that we do love you.”

Richter looked up at his family, all watching him with concern, and he knew that Annette’s words were true; How tragic to think that he had not understood the true depths of their love until that very moment. His breaths began to quiver further as tears came to his eyes.

“Yes… Yes, I-I see that now,” he said with a shaking nod. “If only I’d realized sooner how important that is… Such- Such a fool I have been. But I love you all just as deeply, and that is…” He took a deep breath before continuing. “That is why I must leave you.”

The collective gasp that went around the room seemed to break Richter’s heart even further.

“Richter, what are you saying?!” Annette exclaimed.

“Leave?! Don’t be absurd! There’s no reason to do that!” Maria echoed.

“But there is,” Richter retorted firmly, and then winced as this exacerbated his headache. He took a deep breath, and forced himself to continue. “I… I don’t want to put anyone in danger. Even if everyone here kn-knows me, a vampire is a vampire, and when you… consider the Belmont clan’s history…”

Again he felt himself grow short of breath, and took a moment to collect himself. The others waited patiently, watching him with tearful eyes.

“...A-Above all else, I want the children to have a normal life,” he continued, giving Annette a meaningful look. “This conflict between vampires and humans has- Has done nothing but destroy this family. I won’t let them grow up that way.”

“Yes, I- I certainly agree on that point,” Annette decided. “But must you truly leave..?”

Richter nodded. “Yes. As long as I’m here- As long as I am a… a vampire… Then the children will not be able to live normal lives. They are yet young enough to be spared from the truth; We shall simply tell them that I am ill.”

“Oh, Richter…”

“I’m afraid I have to agree with Richter,” Father added in. “It pains me to say so- I would not see my own son chased from his home. But… Annette, Maria, there are things you two are too young to understand. You have not seen the things that I’ve seen. If this is what Richter wants, for the children’s sake, then I support him.”

“Yes, I as well,” Mother added in. “But where will he go?”

Richter’s father paused a moment to think about it. “Hmm… What about Berkeley Mansion?” he suggested.

“What’s that?” Richter wondered.

“An old manor, not far from the town of Veros. Used to be inhabited by skeletons and such, until Grandpa Simon cleared it out. Now it sits abandoned.” He gave a small shrug. “In my youth I’d considered restoring it and using it as a vacation home, but somehow I never got around to it.”

Maxim raised an eyebrow. “No, you never restored it because while we were exploring the garden, I ran into some stinging nettle, and you took it as a personal slight from the house itself. You were quite offended.”

“Did I? Hmm. Well, in any case… It’s comfortable, secluded yet within a reasonable distance of civilization, and few humans would dare set foot there. With a little elbow grease, it should be quite habitable. Now granted, the last time I saw the place was a good four decades ago, but-”

“I’ll take it,” Richter decided. “It sounds as good a location as any.”

“I shall go too!” Maria declared.

Richter winced at the exclamation, while raising both eyebrows in surprise. “What? Why? Maria, there’s no need for you to-”

“I want to,” Maria interrupted.

She made to continue, and then paused, seemingly taking a moment to consider her words.

“Richter… When you found me in Castlevania all those years ago, I was alone. I’d lost everything,” she recalled. “You brought me to a safe home and a loving family. You gave me hope when I had none. I may have put on a brave face back then, but if you hadn’t taken me in… I shudder to think what would have become of me.” She turned towards the rest of the group. “You have all been so good to me, and I am loathe to leave, but we’re it not for Richter I wouldn’t be here. That is why I must go. I cannot leave him to loneliness.”

“I understand, Maria,” Mother said with a nod. “But are you sure this is what you want?”

“I am.”

“And you, Richter? Are you alright with this?”

Richter looked from his mother to Maria. There was a fire in her eyes, not unlike that which he’d seen five years ago.

“...You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you,” he realized.

“I will not,” Maria confirmed.

Richter sighed. “Very well, then. You may come.”

“I shall come as well,” Alucard decided- Prompting the group to look up in surprise, as it was the first he’d spoken without being addressed. “...Provided you will permit it, of course.”

“Of course,” Richter replied with a weak smile. “I should be glad for the extra company.”

Maria clapped in excitement, a sound which reverberated painfully through Richter’s skull. “Oh, wonderful! Between the three of us, I’m sure-”

“Maria!” Richter hissed, pressing a hand to his forehead. “N-Not so loud! My head…”

“Oh!” Maria gasped quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Richter took several deep breaths, gritting his teeth against the pain. He could feel the effects of the healing potion wearing off; His head pounded as his heart raced in his chest. After a moment, he was broken out of his stupor by a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“I think you should rest,” Annette said quietly.

Richter gave a shaky nod, wincing as the exacerbated his headache. “Y-Yes… That would probably… be for the best…”

The last thing Richter saw before sleep overtook him was his family, watching him with concern and sorrow.

Richter’s last day as a human felt like attending his own funeral.

He as much of the day as he could with his family- Particularly Annette and the children, as… He knew it was likely to be the last he ever saw of them. His parents had insisted they would visit (despite their old age), but he feared what would happen if Annette or the children ever became associated with him. For this reason, he and Annette both agreed that it would be best if their contact were limited to letters.

In truth, however, he was hardly conscious throughout most of the day. He spent it in a pain-filled haze, kept somewhat lucid for brief periods of time only through the feeble effects of healing potions on his dying body. Before he knew it, he found himself sitting in a rocking chair outside, watching the sunset.

“I… shall miss the sun,” he murmured, struggling to keep his eyes open. “It has… been my companion…” He took a wheezing breath. “I-I shall miss its warmth… ‘n the way the leaves… get so…”

“Maybe we should go in, dear,” Annette suggested worriedly.

Richter gave a weak, rolling shake of his head. “No, not- Not until the sun goes… I-I do not want to face the horrible night…” He could feel himself slipping away, but forced himself awake again, watching the orange sky through blurred eyes. “See how beautiful it is.”

“...Yes, it is.”

Alucard sat quietly in the guest room of the Belmont house- His temporary lodgings for the time being. He stared idly out the window, watching the setting sun as he contemplated the events of the previous week.

He had neither expected nor intended to awaken from his slumber. To think that he would have to fight his father a second time… And on top of that, that a Belmont should become lord of Castlevania. Had the situation in the outside world truly become so dire? After everything he and his companions had gone through to protect it? His father would have him hate humans, yet after everything he’d seen… He could only fear for them. Must they be doomed to suffer so?

And yet, it seemed, there was still some good in the world. The Belmonts, just as they had some three centuries ago, had welcomed him with open arms. Maria had been the one to suggest he join them in their village, and somehow… Somehow, despite all his reservations, he’d found himself saying yes.

Maria was truly the most peculiar girl he’d ever met. Sypha, of course, had had her quirks, but her behavior had largely been in line with what one would expect from a battle-hardened witch; Maria, however, was bafflingly upbeat. Even despite all her fear and concern back at the castle, she’d continued through it with an air of cheery nonchalance, as though she were merely on a leisurely hike. “Perhaps we’ll meet again, if you live that long,” she’d told him so casually, as though this were a perfectly normal thing to say to a stranger. And then, when he had lived that long, she’d asked him to move in with her family as though this, too, were the most natural thing in the world.

…If Alucard were being honest, she reminded him of himself, what he might have been in another life where everything weren’t so wrong. A strange child with strange abilities, and a loving family who sought only to see her grow. Certainly Maria had seen horrors of her own, yet she seemed to retain a youthful energy and optimism that Alucard had lost many years ago.

He could not bear to disappoint her.

And so, despite everything, he’d set out with her and Richter. Yet the one thing he hadn’t expected was for Richter to develop vampirism, let alone without having been bitten. It made some amount of sense, but… Had Richter not been through enough already? Alucard hadn’t known Richter for very long, yet he’d never seen a man in such despair. Not Trevor, who’d been shunned for his heritage, nor Sypha, who’d fled her homeland after her family had been executed, nor even Grant, who’d been transformed into a monster after watching his companions die. No, all of them had burned bright with the spark of determination, yet Richter… There was nothing in his eyes but guilt and grief. Self-loathing for what he’d done, what he was to become.

(Was that what other people saw when they looked at Alucard himself, he wondered? Was that why everyone always looked at him with such pity?)

A knock came at the door, breaking Alucard’s train of thought.

“Come in.”

The door swung open, revealing Richter’s father- An elderly man with snow-white hair, and a fiery look in his eyes that reminded Alucard all too much of Sypha. Juste Belmont, if he recalled the name correctly.

“Hello, Alucard,” Juste greeted him. “Are you free a moment? I was wondering if I might speak with you.”

Alucard nodded. “Certainly. What is it?”

“Well… I suppose you might say I’m here to be a bit nosy,” Juste replied, with a slight teasing smile. “It’s not every day you get to meet a family legend, after all.”

Alucard could not help but frown slightly at that. A legend, was he? He didn’t feel old enough for that. Older than he had been, certainly, but… Had it truly been long enough that he and the others had faded from living memory? He supposed it had.

“Alright… Was there something you wanted to ask me, then?”

Juste nodded. “I’m something of a scholar, you see. I have studied my family’s history and library quite extensively. Sypha Belnades- Your ally, and my ancestor- Left behind a great number of writings, both of the academic and personal variety. But…” He sighed, and crossed his arms. “In her journal, she mentioned that you disappeared without a trace about a year after defeating Dracula. She and the others searched for you, but had no success. What happened?”

“They… Searched for me?” Alucard repeated quietly.

“Yes, they did. Quite thoroughly, from the sounds of it.”

…Oh.

“Alucard,” Juste repeated more gently. “What really happened all those centuries ago? Why did you disappear, and where have you been until now?”

Alucard took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in his throat before answering. To think that…

“...At that time, I… I thought that, given my heritage, it would be best if I were to disappear- Not just from Jova, as the village was called, but from the world itself,” he recalled. “I sought to submerge myself into an eternal slumber within my mother’s tomb. I… did not presume that I would be missed.”

For a moment, Juste simply stared at Alucard with wide eyes. Then his gaze softened, and he shook his head.

“Perhaps it’s not my place to say this to someone so much older than me, but you’re quite the foolish boy.”

“What?”

“Of course you would be missed,” Juste insisted with a slight huff. “Sypha spoke of you often in her journals. I know that you were a dear friend to her, and to all the others. Even after you disappeared, there are occasional lines remarking about how she wished you could be there to see such-and-such. And even after Sypha and Trevor’s generation… I grew up hearing of you as a respected family friend,” he added.

Alucard bit his lip, finding himself having to fight back tears yet unsure why. It was true that Trevor and the others had always been kind to him, but… On some level, he’d assumed that they were just being polite. After all, he was his father’s son, wasn’t he? He’d thought that surely they’d understand, that they’d think it was for the best, maybe even be glad to be rid of him.

But they hadn’t. They’d wanted him to stay, just as Maria and the others did now. Would that he had realized earlier…

Juste gave Alucard a sympathetic look, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Now, there. No more of this ‘disappearing’ nonsense, alright? No one wants you gone, Alucard,” he insisted. “You were a friend to my ancestors, you’re a friend to my children, and you’re a friend to me. So you must be a friend to yourself, too. If you try anything foolish I shall have to come kick your ass myself, and I’m too old for that, so behave.”

Alucard nodded as he wiped at his eyes. “Y-Yes… Thank you. If… If it’s alright, might I read these journals of which you speak? I wish to know what became of my friends.”

“Of course. I-”

Juste suddenly fell silent, his gaze snapping towards the twilight outside the window. A sorrowful look came over his face.

“I sense that the hour is upon us,” he muttered, and then turned towards Alucard. “You must go to Richter now, for his time grows short.”

“Will you not come as well?” Alucard questioned with a confused frown.

Juste shook his head. “No. Richter requested that only you and Annette be present when the time comes. They are on the back porch- Go now, and may God’s mercy go with you.”

Alucard nodded, and said no more as he stood up.

He found the pair just where Juste had described. The last of the sunlight had disappeared beneath the horizon, leaving only moonlight and the light from the windows to illuminate Richter’s slouched-over form; Annette held a hand to his forehead, frowning worriedly.

“He has fallen into a faint,” she said as Alucard approached. “He’s so cold… I fear he shan’t wake again. Not an ordinary waking, at least.”

“Indeed… I shall carry him inside, if you will direct me where to take him.”

Annette nodded solemnly, and Alucard lifted Richter gently from his chair. Just as Annette had said, he was cold to the touch; His heartbeat, too, had grown faint, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. His lips were pale, his eyes sallow… Indeed, it seemed he was not long for the world.

He followed Annette into the house and up the stairs, to a small bedroom. She began lighting the candles on the wall as Alucard placed Richter on the bed.

Not once had Richter stirred as he’d been moved.

“Oh, Richter…” Annette whimpered, leaning down to rest her cheek against his. “My love… To think that it would end this way…” She paused, and glanced up at Alucard. “I-I know that he will reawaken, but-”

“I understand,” Alucard assured her.

He turned away politely, to provide Annette some privacy to grieve; After some time had passed, he quietly approached the bed, and placed a hand over Richter’s heart. He waited a moment, and then another.

No pulse.

“It is over,” he declared. “All we can do now is wait.”

Annette sniffled, and stepped back. “Y-Yes.”

For several minutes, they stood in silence. The more time passed, the more Annette began to fidget nervously.

“Is something wrong? Why hasn’t he awoken yet?” she wondered.

“I… am not sure,” Alucard admitted with a frown. “Perhaps he needs blood. I shall-”

Before he could finish, Annette produced a small knife from within the folds of her dress. Without hesitation, she drew it across her palm, and held her hand out over Richter’s face.

A drop of blood fell upon Richter’s lips, and then another. His eyes snapped open, as red as the fires as hell.

“Richter!” Annette exclaimed. “Oh, thank god. I feared you might not wake… How do you feel?”

“Annette…” Richter stared at her with wide eyes, and then looked down at himself.

He stared in horror at his hands- Pale and cold, nails extended into sharp claws. He touched a hand to his unbeating heart, and ran his tongue over his fangs. Then, his gaze slowly traveled towards Annette.

“You are hurt,” he said quietly.

“It’s nothing,” Annette insisted. “Alucard said you needed blood… I would gladly give of what I have, for you are my husband, and I know you would do the same for me.”

Richter gave the smallest of nods, gaze downcast as he stood up.

“I should find Maria,” he muttered, making his way towards the door. “It is time.”

Richter threw the last of their luggage into the back of the carriage, slightly frightened by the ease with which he could do so. Maria and Alucard had already taken their seats; Just as Richter was about to climb in after them, he saw four figures approach.

“You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?” Maxim called out. “Take some pity on your old parents. We are not so quick to move as you kids.”

“Oh!” Maria gasped in pleasant surprise. “Everyone’s come to see us off! How lovely.”

Richter found himself uncertain what to say, as Maria jumped down from the carriage. What could he say? He’d become a monster. Surely they would not truly wish to speak to him.

And yet, it seemed his family had no such reservations. Maxim was the first to approach, pulling Richter into a hug before he could protest.

“Be kind to yourself, Richter. And take care of your sister.”

Richter drew in a sharp breath. “Uncle Maxim… How- How can you stand to even touch me, after what I’ve become?”

Maxim shook his head, and gave Richter a bittersweet smile. “It matters not whether you’re a vampire, or anything else- You are my son, and you always shall be. Now then… Take care out there, alright? And do watch out for that stinging nettle in the garden. We shall be over to visit as soon as we can; Knowing your father, I’m sure he’s already drafting renovation plans in his head,” he added with a teasing smile.

Father huffed. “And what of it?!”

Maxim only laughed, and gave Richter’s father an affectionate slap on the back before turning back to Richter.

“Farewell, dear Richter. We shall meet again soon.”

With that, he moved on to bid farewell to Maria. And in turn, Richter’s father approached.

Richter fell silent once more, feeling slightly more nervous. He could feel the old man’s gaze on him, searching his face with an eerie scrutiny.

“...Father,” he said hesitantly.

“Son,” Father replied with a nod. He paused a moment, and then sighed. “There is so much I’ll have to revise about your portrait… You’re not allowed to change your hair again until I finish it, understand? Nor your species. If I get halfway to completion and you suddenly become a werewolf or some such thing, I shall kill you.”

Richter frowned. “That’s your concern?!”

“That, and the stinging nettle in the garden. Although, on a more serious note…” He chewed his lip. “Regarding the Vampire Killer. I’m going to speak with some of our cousins on the Belmont side of the family, see if they can’t take it for safekeeping.”

“Good,” Richter sighed. “I do respect the Vampire Killer and all she’s done, but… I do not want that temptation anywhere near this family. Not anymore.”

“I understand.” Father pulled Richter into a close embrace. “Be well, my son. You three be good to each other, and I shall see you soon.”

Richter nodded. “Yes… Goodbye, Father.”

Father stepped away, leaving Richter’s mother to bid farewell next. She said little, wrapping her arms around him immediately- And then gave a quiet gasp.

“Oh, you’re so cold! Here, take my shawl.”

Richter frowned. “But Mother-”

“No, I shan’t hear any protests,” Mother insisted, as she removed her shawl. She threw it around Richter’s shoulders, drawing it close around his neck and fastening it with her shawl pin. “There you are. Now you’ll be nice and toasty.”

“Mother…” Richter muttered, feeling his lip tremble slightly.

Mother gave a reassuring smile. “It’s alright, dear. We’ll meet again.”

“But I… I don’t want to leave,” Richter found himself blurting out. “Not again. I have been away for too long…”

“Oh, Richter… I am truly sorry,” Mother said with a sigh. Again, she pulled Richter into a hug. “I understand why you must go. But I want you to know that, no matter what, you will always have a home here.”

Richter sniffled, and nodded. “Y-Yes. Thank you, Mother. Farewell.”

Finally, only Annette remained. She approached Richter quietly, gently taking his hands in hers- So soft and warm, far gentler than he deserved.

“I wish you didn’t have to go, my love,” she said quietly. “You will write, won’t you?”

“As often as I can.”

“Then I shall look forward to hearing from you, and I will be sure to write in return. And… I shall love you always,” she added with conviction.

Richter nodded. “I shall love you as well, even from afar. And- And tell the children, too. I want them to know that they will always be dear to me.”

“Of course.”

Annette reached up, pulling Richter forwards for one last kiss- Gentle, chaste, more tender than even the day of their marriage. After what felt like both an eternity yet no time at all, Richter pulled away.

“I must go,” he announced with reluctance. “Farewell, Annette. Farewell everyone. I… I am sorry. For everything.”

Richter climbed into the carriage, and set out, watching his family wave farewell. Maria put a hand on his arm as their hometown disappeared behind the trees for the last time.