Okay, I only recently became a fan of the Castlevania series,  so there
may be a lot of mistakes in this fic. If (when) you find one, email me some
constructive critism. Do not flame me, please, as I will ignore  you and
possibly try to embarass the flamer.
         - moiraine@apexmail.com

Castlevania: Souls Divided
By Moiraine
Chapter 1

     Reinhardt Schneider glanced around his cottage for what he 
knew may be the last time, making sure he had everything. Certain that he 
had gotten everything, he shifted the small pack on his back to be sure 
the straps were comfortable. He was stalling, he knew, but he had not
expected the news of attacked children and strange disappearances to grow so
suddenly. Still, that did not change his destiny. Resolutely, he turned and
left the small cottage where he had spent the last ten years of his life.
     Outside, Castlevania loomed, not far from the village he  lived near.
Before the castle, Reinhardt could see the Forest of Silence, the forest he
would have to move through to reach Castlevania, where the real threat was
even now stirring. Count Dracula Vlad Tepes. The name alone made Reinhardt
shudder in mixed revulsion and hatred. He started toward the Forest, on a
quest that was all too familiar to the Belmont family.
     Reaching the forest, he glanced about him. Nothing moved, but Reinhardt
walked forward slowly. Still, nothing stirred and Reinhardt started to run,
hoping to make good time through the forest. As he ran, he suddenly caught
a flicker of motion out of the corner of his eye. Stopping quickly, he spun,
looking for the source of the movement. Nothing. He turned again, but still
saw nothing but trees. He then heard a sound, a footstep, behind him, but
even before he could turn, he felt a sharp point dig into his back, just
behind his heart.
     "Don't move, Undead," a low feminine voice murmured behind 
him, "Or else--" The point almost hard enough to break his skin. 
Reinhardt drew his breath in in a sharp hiss sound.
     *Not even in the damned castle yet and already captured*, he thought
angrily, *Wait-- what was that she called me? Undead?*
"I am no vampire, woman," he said, and nearly cursed when the point dug
even deeper into his back.
     "Don't call me 'woman'. I have a name. As to being Undead or not..."
The voice paused, considering. "I'm going to put a drop of holy water on
your neck. Stand still, please." The sharp point left his back and Reinhardt
felt a drop of water running down the back of his neck and then a touch of
cloth wiping the water away. "Okay," the voice said, "You are human. You can
turn now; I only needed to verify what you are."
     Reinhardt turned, and looked at the the woman sly enough 
to ambush him after ten years of training. She was small; no more than five
feet tall certainly, and slender. Yet her body was well-muscled and graceful.
Her skin was very light, accented by the wavy black hair that fell down 
her back. Her eyes were a clear, pale green, wide-set above a small nose and 
pink,  heart-shaped lips. Beautiful, but dangerous-she was well-armed. 
She carried a small pack on her back and looked like a villager, but 
Reinhardt could see a short sword, a small crossbow and a small quiver
bristling with arrows, all  hooked to her belt. In one hand she held a
silver staff that was topped by two blades that curved together to make a
'6' shape. In the opening between blades, there was a glowing blue crystal
that looked suspiciously like a sapphire. She wore no armor, but only a blue
skirt that stopped an inch or two above the knee over a white body suit.
     "I apologize for ambushing you like that, but...," she
trailed off, blushing slightly. "My name is Celeste."
     "I understand. My name is Reinhardt Schneider. I'm here to kill
Dracula. You should leave this place." At that last, Celeste's chin rose 
and her eyes flashed angrily.
     "I will do nothing of the sort. My brother and sister were kidnapped
by Dracula. I will save them. I have every right to be here."
     "You risk more than your life here. Are you sure you want 
to try?" Reinhardt asked, but he had an idea of the answer he would get.
     "And let you try to find them for me? My brother and sister look
nothing like me. Besides, they are my family, not yours." After a pause 
she continued,"Two fighters stand a better chance than one. Perhaps we could
 accompany each other?"
     "Very well...Celeste." Reinhardt sounded resigned, but he was secretly
pleased. Castlevania might seem less forboding with a companion, and she
had already proven she was fast and sly. *But if her siblings are used against
her...* Reinhardt shook his head. Wondering about what may happen was
useless, he knew. So he turned, and after a moment she fell in beside him
and they walked together toward Castlevania. As they walked, they talked,
learning about each other. And as their friendship was sealed, 
Castlevania loomed above, blocking the sun and seeming to frown down on the
two young vampire killers.

End of Chapter 1