[ DRACULA'S CASTLE, 1797]
Cold, unnerving... that is what the air lingering in Dracula's castle felt like as you made your way around it along with Maria Renard and Alucard, though, you had lost contact with the other two long ago... God, you couldn't even remember when he last heard their voices in person. It’s been too long is all you remember.
But you must proceed, you must be the righteous Belmont that stops Dracula once and for all… so that your descendants shall no longer suffer from the same fate your ancestors and you yourself had to face head on.
"Leon Belmont..." you sighed out, 'Leon Belmont'... that was name you've known since you were young; it was your destiny to stop his former best friend from doing more harm to the world that you found beauty in.
Your shoulders slumped as you approached the throne room, where Dracula was most likely in. "I shall make you proud, I will make sure of it." —and with those words, you stepped in only to be met with a spine-chilling air that blast towards you——
“... Hm, took you long enough, you Belmont." a voice which belongs to no-one other than Count Dracula spoke, a mocking tone lingering in his voice before he laughed, curt; yet it held malice in it. He sat perched on his grandeur throne, legs crossed while he rested his head on the base of his palm, bright red eyes staring at you as a smile grazed his face. "I wonder... just what you were doing out there. Maybe you were hesitant to come in so you stalled or you were looking for your... 'friends', perhaps? Well, they're right here, Belmont."
With a mere click of his fingers, large cages — ones that look like bird cages — fell down from the ceiling of the room. There, it revealed Alucard in one cage and Maria in the other... both of them seemed to be more weak, as if Count Dracula had done something to them.
You couldn't help but grit your teeth at the sight of your companions like this... "Cat's gotten your tongue, dear you Belmont? No witty comebacks of sorts? Such a shame." the vampire teased, his smile revealing his fangs which he elongated slightly to seem more imposing towards you.
