* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Castlevania: Dark Haven (Alternate Ending) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I give credit to the people who created Castlevania's bad Carrie ending. Now I'm writing a version of the story which I wish was written out there or at least finished. If you like, I'll continue. Note: If you are a Carrie Fan and want more stories on her, go to CFAS (Carrie Fernandez Appreciation Society). It can easily be located on yahoo by searching Carrie Fernandez. Chapter 22 * * * * * * * Break Away * * * * * * * Fate conspired to arrange their battle. Entangled by destiny, or was it fate? The gods paved a field for their battle. Silence reigned supreme in the air. So silent was it, that one could hear the howling winds, the sound of their own labored breath and the rustling of their cloak. The eyes of four entwined for battle. The time of speeches had ended. Of four, only two could walk away alive. Where the victor would avoid untimely death, and the loser would suffer the consequences. A fair trade in exchange to save the world, or witness its corruption. The snow fell ever so softly to its destination lead by mother Earth. The scenery never changing, white and plain which complimented inexistence, as they stood like statues. Lifeless figurines, yet appearance can be deceiving. Carol moved aside to avoid conflict. Sean had foreseen such an event would likely happen. Devised a plan even, that should it come to be, she should journey ahead without them as they distracted them. Regardless if they triumphed or failed, every second that ticked away would allow Dracula's forces to grow and strengthen. Already, skeletal remains covered in white had risen from the very ground which they stood upon one by one. Evil never fought fairly. Eyeing the victims. . . Enemies left and right with crystal clarity, Jun one eye back regarding Carol. She nodded her head slightly, she knew the plan. Smirking a bit, she had one less thing to worry about. Since Carol knew remembered that discussion, she wouldn't have to dwindle upon the subject. Inhaling a deep breath, she twisted her free arm in an extravagant pattern. The roaring winds howled fiercely, as the elements shot all round like an aura. The snow moving so fiercely, it provided a kind of smoke screen. It effected all, except Death standing indifferently. "You must go now! We'll be right behind you shortly!" Jun yelled, as she held tight to her current state. She herself could not keep them at bay forever. But she trusted she could do such a small task. After all, was she not destined for great things? Soon as the forced change of weather came, Carol sprinted amongst confusion and eye blinding blankness. "We'll be there as soon as we can!" shouted Sean as he warded off could be pursuers with a few swings covering her back. She continued to run blindly leaving them behind till she was but a shadow in the storm, to nothing to onlookers. Carol only hoped that they would be alright. Even after traveling with them for such a short period of time, she learned that she could depend on their abilities. With that, she had faith in them. *Please be alright. . .* as a last thought in Carol's mind while clenching her cross closely to her heart while reaching a familiar looking door. A quick charge of magical energy, and the obstruction was blown off its hinges. She disappeared within the darkness with a whirlwind of emotion soon after. All traces of her disappeared not long after the settling of the intense barrage of snow. Staring at the direction she had ran off too, the two companions were grateful it had worked, with a small smile adorning their face. Even Jun's slightly exhausted one could tip her lips up a bit. She knotted her cloak more tightly around her neck. It was kind of chilly in the aftermath. The snow gave way slowly around her proximity until figures could be made out. First reappeared Death as he could be seen brushing off bits and pieces of frost on his cloak nonchalantly. Then reappeared Rosa looking non too happy of what the two had pulled. Then slowly, as the snow settled further Jun and Sean raised an eyebrow. At least a hundred undead stood trapping them in the center. As they looked on, more could be seen slowly rising from the surface. It looked like they wouldn't be going anywhere soon. Pinned were they, cage like. "This is the end of our journey isn't it Sean?" she spoke smoothly. Sorrow beneath the way she spoke it. "That it is, Jun. That it is. But I will not surrender till the last moment. I'll go down in a blazing glory!" He chuckled a bit as Jun soon followed with her almost manacle laughter. It was contagious, even if death himself stared at him in the face with amusement. Soon, the laughter died shortly as it became sorrowful. "What is it that you find so funny my friend? Regretting your stay already?" spoke the reaper. The gleam of his blade frostier than usual yet still as deadly. Switching hands he gave a questioning gesture. "We chose to come here of our own free will. . ." He chuckled some more. Gazing back at his long time companion, he stared but a moment. "If you beg for mercy, I would extinguish your life quickly." Death gave off a egotistical smile with a grave, yet polite tone. Both he were referring to shook their heads. An answer he expected from the humans he so hated. He would expect something no less. That fire, that desire to live, survive was strong. To extinguish it would be the highlight of his day. "Very well. I will show you the greatest nightmare. . ." he whispered to the unkind air. His voice confined within the recesses of the wind. The skies darkened in holy matrimony with his mood and heeded his intent. Rosa was quick to follow his lead. Four souls are entwined in fierce combat. The time of peaceful resolve was over. Not that there could be one to begin with. ~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~ For how long she had run, she hadn't a clue. All she knew was that if she kept running, no one would be able to catch her. Though some previous obstacles hindered her movements to a degree, her will power was strong enough to force the adrenaline through her legs resulting in a tireless wake. She wouldn't look back, and she had no reason why. But deep down, she knew the odds of victory. . . To return might hurt her even more if it were proven true. Taking only slight moments to capture her surroundings as they zoomed pass her view, she was lost. Yet as she kept running, she never reached a dead end. It was as if some invisible force was guiding her in the right direction. As she was about to turn another corner, she bumped into a stranger. Collapsing on her back on the stony floor below, she winced as old wounds reopened. Looking up at her guest, she found a tall business looking man with suit case in hand and glasses. Tipping his hat, he spoke. "Well even though I said we would never meet again, it seems ironic that we should once more under such circumstances." He offered a hand to her. The mans character was to be questioned, but he held no underlying suspicion towards Carol. It was strange with that smile he had plastered on his face, and they had never met before. . . But if they did, maybe he could fill in the holes in her memory? Taking the offered hand, he clasped it before hoisting her up on her feet. "Do I know you?" "I would hope so." He said still in the same demeanor as before. "But since you have forgotten me, your friend here then I shall refresh your mind. . ." For a few moments, Renon was running the pros and cons of twisting the truth. He never outright lied about anything, but wouldn't always tell the truth either. He would twist them into half truths, which was not really a lie, but did contain some honesty within its confines. After some quick debating, he decided to continue on with his usual introduction. "Since you have trouble placing my face, maybe this will help. I am the demon, Renon. But please do not take this as incentive to destroy me. You see, I sell things to travelers venturing in the dark castle. But-" "But it's pathetic but one needs gold. . . even in hell these days. . ." she found herself speaking out loud. "Ah I see you do remember bits and pieces of me. It seems it was not a total waste after all saving you. . ." She raised an eyebrow at this. "You, saved me?. . ." "Ah yes, you were quite a mess when I found you. Just lying there on top of concrete supports. From the looks at the time, it seemed you had an untimely fall. You were very lucky indeed that you didn't have too steep of a fall." He chuckled at that. It was not very comforting to hear, as it made one edgy. She was about to ask how she had arrived in the Villa, when he answered her question before it surfaced. "I sensed the presence of more human beings, but I'm afraid they do not know of me as I fear they might. . . How should I put it? Act differently to our kind?" He gave it some thought, but decided it was best not to do business with them. Their companion which met an unfortunate accident. . . was not the kind of customers he looked for. Looking back at the girl, he found her with genuine interest to take in every word he spoke. But looking at his watch, he noticed he had spent more than the time he desired in this plane of existence. After all, for every precious minute he wastes here talking, is one less minute he could be spending making profit. Time is money after all. It wasn't hard for him to judge the better of two choices. "Well look at the time! We shall finish this talk another time." Tipping his hat to her, he picked up his suitcase and began walking in the opposite direction. "Wait! I still have questions I need answers to!" she ran after him, which was only a few feet away. Even in such a short duration, it was sufficient for him to dissolve into white mist, which quickly disappeared. In desperation she lunged at him. All she grasped in her hands was nothing, as they caught empty air. She stood there a few moments in silence with head hung low, before she slowly stroke her eyes with her sleeves. She was determined to finish what lay ahead. She took but a light step forward in her mind, before her feet picked up the rhythm to venture forward. The small string of fate continued to lead her on. Hidden was what it would lead her to. * * * * * * * * * * End of Chapter 22 * * * * * * * * * * Authors Notes: Just getting this chapter out. I'm taking my time on this story now, snce it's near the end.