Castlevania Nocturne: A Guardian's Tale (Part 2)

A Common Enemy

One Year Later

1792

Emmaline Țepeș kept a silent watch under the shadow of the moon.

Standing ever still and vigilant, her ears were tuned to the surrounding forests and her eyes  honed on the band of revolutionaries gathered within  the circle of stones.

"They claim it's the natural order. They're born rich, and we're born poor. And that's just the will of God. It's the natural order for them to get rich by milking us dry with impossible rents and unpayable taxes." A youthful voice  rose above the crackling bonfire. Maria Renard, the leader of  the revolutionaries in Machecoul and Emma's direct descendant, spoke boldly and fearlessly to her peers of injustice and tyranny. 

The light of rebellion flared in her eyes."My mother  hasn't paid her taxes for years now because she's just too poor. Sooner or later they'll send around their  bully boys. And you all known what I mean by that."

Emma knew it as well. It was the reason she stood guard for Maria and her group , as she had years  ago with  like minded rebels across the ocean. She scanned her surroundings for movement. Her sight was keener than her ears these days, though nothing stirred in the forest but leaves in the wind.

Emma locked eyes with Richter, who  casually reclined against a tree on the opposite end.  He gave her  a quick smirk and amused look,  perhaps thinking this whole thing was entertaining.He admired his sister's courage, and was more than willing to guard her. Especially if it meant potentially fighting vampires.

"They thought it would stay like that until the end of time. Well, the king thought it was his divine right to be king, but you know what happened to him? He's been arrested. The government in Paris has overthrown the monarchy and declared a republic. "Maria raised her fist to the sky. "To hell with the natural order. No more kings, no more aristocrats! Vive la Révolution!"

"Vive la Révolution!" The rebels chorused and Emma's voice almost rang out among them. As much as she denied it, she knew she was still a revolutionary at heart. She fought alongside and defended the Americans in their war for independence, even saved George Washington's life! Her heart stirred with her French brethren, but she listened to sense and kept silent. The Abbot of Machecoul knew of her involvement , not only as Maria's protector but also as a storyteller whose memories of a victorious revolution stirred inspiration within the rebels' hearts. He did not need to know her sympathies lay with them too, for her own safety and that of her mother's.

Emma tensed, gripping the hilt of her sword. Her eyes caught the movement in the trees, circling them. Richter noticed them too, and shot Emma a warning look. We've got company.

Four marauding vampires sprang from the shadows, snarling and hissing at the group like ravenous beasts, but when they tried to lunge at their prey they were jolted back by the protection spell etched within the stones and the surrounding earth.

The legendary Vampire Killer cracked in the air like the strike of a dragon's tail, splitting  one marauder's head in half and killing him instantly.

The revolutionaries murmured frightened, but Maria kept them calm. "Stay close. Stay in the circle. Don't run into the woods." Drawing  from her Arcane magic she summoned her divine phoenixes.

The fight was three on three. Emma, Richter, and Maria confronted the vampires utilizing their skills and prowess to overcome them. Richter lashing his whip and tossing knives pinning one against a tree, Maria's phoenixes swooping at her command carving into the vampire attacking her.