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A quiet breeze flowed through the chilling nighttime air, cutting through trees as the pale moonlight shined down. A man, standing in the snow, dawning a blue coat and long flowing brown hair stared up at this moon, as if searching for something. After a moment the man sighed, looking down clenched in his fist was a whip that had been left unused for the entire night. It was… quiet, serene even.
Yet the man seemed so frustrated.
He ran a gloved hand through his hair. He needed to turn back, lest he not find his way home. So he went back, tracing his footprints that had been left in the snow.
Soon he arrived home, the town was near silent- as was to be expecting given the time of night. The creatures of the night might not have been as frequent as they had been… what was it… four years now? Yes, that long. The villagers… they still had a fear of the night, understandable but this man… he was their protector of sorts.
He wonders how the rest of the country feels about them, if they even know of him at all.
He entered his home, small but homey with… surprisingly elaborate decor on the inside- his grandfather had insisted on putting his touch in his grandchild’s home… a strange man he is. He had expected for a lack of light when he entered but was met by the soft glow of candle light. Sitting at the table was the man’s love, a women with blonde hair and a simple yet elegant green dress on.
“Annette, what is it that keeps you up this late?” the man spoke, confusion lining his voice.
The woman, Annette, closed her eyes for a moment before they opened again “... you’ve been gone for a while Richter, I was beginning to fear for your safety… it is hard to find rest in that mindset” her words were soft and her tone relieved, like a great weight had just been lifted off her shoulders knowing her husband had returned home safe and sound.
Richter Belmont let a smile form on his face “Ah, you need not worry my love I will not be taken down that easy, if I can defeat Dracula then any other creature is not a problem” the mention of the count had him pause, it was still so strange to think about it. It almost felt like yesterday when he faced the vampire at the young age of nineteen and now… he was a young man, with a wife and a far easier life than he ever expected to have...
For now. In order to provide he had been working as a sort of freelance hunter, not only protecting others but being paid for it. However over time things have become more peaceful… by no means a bad thing, he really… shouldn’t see it as one no. However, it is a strange experience to know that your destiny… it had been fulfilled, those sorts of stories and pre set paths never really detail about the after do they? What happens to the young hero once their main quest is done? Are they doomed to just fade into obscurity?
Annette seemed to recognize the look on the vampire hunter’s face, a soft sigh leaving her lips “since you’ve returned, let us have food and rest… you need it”
Richter snapped out of his thoughts and gave a nod towards his wife, rest… that sounded good right about now.
“Richter…”
The voice was deep… familiar… yet his thoughts felt hazy, he couldn’t… he couldn’t place where he heard it before.
“The forest… make haste...”
Richter awoke from his slumber with his only memory of the dreaming being those words. He still couldn’t place a face to the voice. Something urged him to move, to leave, something was wrong. He noted the woman still fast sleep by his side… he’d be back before she’d realize he’s gone. He leaned over and placed a light kiss on his forehead before quietly rising from the bed, he got himself dressed and grabbed the vampire killer, holding the whip in his hand for a moment before attaching it to his belt.
Where… what was he even to look for? He had long since entered the forest, a lantern in one hand to guide his way through the darkness. It has felt like hours yet… nothing. Perhaps it really was simply a dream. Was he really that desperate for action he’d jump at the words of a dream?
“So you have arrived”
The words rang clear as the young man entered a clearing. The voice seemed to come from everywhere, yet nowhere. He couldn’t find a source but there was no mistaking it… that was the voice from his strange dream.
“Voice! What is it for that you bring me here?” He called out, a hand reached down to the vampire killer, not unhooking it just yet but ready if it came to that.
“Boy, do not be so alarmed. It is only help I offer… if you are willing to listen”
Richter shifted stances, lowering his hand and taking a more relaxed pose. The snow crunching under his feet due to the movement. Perhaps it was foolish to let his guard down, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle he was sure.
“Ah, so you listen to reason, good”
Why did that voice continue to sound so familiar? It’s like something was blocking him from fully recognizing it…
“You are Richter Belmont correct? The vampire hunter who killed Dracula as your clan does every century if my memory serves me well” a nod “well Belmont, I’m sure a man such as you must be so at peace knowing your duty has been fulfilled!”
Fulfilled huh… “Of course, with my destiny completed it is a simpler life I lead” his tone betrayed his thoughts, the thoughts of someone who has conflict with such a resolution.
“Hmph, such empty words. You must long for the days when you were important, anyone would. To train all your life only for it to go to waste after one battle… it’s truly a sad existence for your clan not even mentioning those who miss out on the dark lord’s resurrection…”
The voice… his words were cutting, hitting a spot he wasn’t sure how it even knew existed. Richter looked down briefly, before looking back up a forced expression of confidence on his face “my father, my grandfather and the rest of my family… they all lead lives worthy of their name regardless of who faced in their struggles” that part rang true, he would not let his family be doubted but… “as for myself, whether or not I am remembered matters little”
“You say this, but you don’t believe it do you? You’re afraid. Afraid of the world forgetting you. Of forgetting your accomplishments. Soon no one will pay any mind to the one named Richter Belmont”
Any words the brunette had died in his throat.
“I’m correct aren’t I? Don’t deny it. I can help you in your struggle… if you’ll just comply with me”
Richter’s throat felt dry as he spoke up once more, his voice low “what is this help you offer? And it’s price for that matter?”
“It’s simple, a way for you to be remembered for eternity… but I’d need to be more directly involved to bring the plan to life. Simply… touch the orb, it is a great tool”
And at those words a glowing orb appeared in front of Richter, he considered those words… to be remembered… then… Annette would be well off with such a thing behind them. Yes, this… this could work. In this moment of weakness, of his inner demons being ripped out into the open it became fact in his mind that this will work.
He touched the orb.
And all he saw from then was darkness, with a haunting laugh being heard until… nothing.
Annette woke up the next morning alone. Not sign of where her beloved husband had gone, not even a note. It was alone she stayed for a year… until the vampire hunter she gave her heart to would return.