CASTLEVANIA: DIRGE OF TWILIGHT

Chapter 1

Torajiro sprinted through the bustling streets, tightly gripping Sugita's hand as they weaved through the throngs of people. They passed by the warm glow of restaurants, the inviting aroma of grocery stores, the lively chatter of ramen shops, and the vibrant colors of food stands. It was Christmas, December 25th, a day of celebration for the Isamu household. Not only were they commemorating the birth of Christ, but they were also honoring the momentous occasion of the twins becoming the next heirs to the Shadowsteel Katanas.

The festive atmosphere was abruptly shattered when robed figures stormed their home, summoning monstrous creatures that wreaked havoc and death. The Isamu family members fell one by one, including their beloved mother and father.

"I-It's okay, Sugita... It's okay, we are gonna make it..." Torajiro, only fourteen, tried to reassure his thirteen-year-old sister. His voice trembled with fear and panic, betraying the calm facade he attempted to maintain. They ran past crowds of civilians, desperately trying to blend in and evade the cultists who might still be pursuing them.

Sugita's eyes were wide with terror, her body trembling as they continued to run. She wanted to say something to comfort her brother, to calm them both, but words failed her.

Suddenly, they collided with a tall, pale man dressed in a suit, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders. The impact sent them sprawling to the ground. Torajiro groaned in pain, quickly drawing the Shadowsteel Katana from its sheath.

"Are you one of the cultists?!" he demanded, his voice a mix of anger and fear. Sugita stood up, still shaking, her eyes fixed on the stranger.

The man shook his head slowly. "Call me Genya Arikado. I fought alongside your mother, Chiharu, in 1999 to assist the Belmonts in America to defeat Dracula. You two have grown... Torajiro and Sugita."

Torajiro's grip on the katana loosened as recognition dawned on him. "A-Arikado-san?.."

From that moment on, Arikado took the twins under his wing, raising them as his own. He trained them rigorously and supported their education, becoming a father figure to them.

Torajiro, though skilled with the blade, was nervous and hotheaded. Sugita, on the other hand, was sweet and energetic, preferring to use a variety of weapons. Despite their differences, they shared a deep bond forged through their shared hardships.

Torajiro faced relentless bullying at school. His tormentors pushed his head into toilets, wrote on his face when he fell asleep, soaked the inside of his bag, stole his lunch money, and mocked his sketches. Sugita often had to intervene to prevent her brother from retaliating and getting into trouble. Torajiro was not very sociable, preferring to immerse himself in video games about zombie apocalypses and studying historical wars.

Sugita, in contrast, was outgoing and often took on leadership roles in school activities. She enjoyed using talismans and spells, and while she trained with her Shadowsteel Katana, she did not obsess over it like her brother. She tried to cheer Torajiro up with playful teasing, hoping to lift his gloomy spirits.

As time passed, the constant bullying and the weight of being one of the last descendants of their clan took a toll on Torajiro. He became a snitch, finding sadistic pleasure in getting his bullies into trouble. He grew more disciplined and serious, but also more closed off.

Sugita remained worried about her brother's mental health. Despite her efforts, Torajiro never opened up about his internal struggles, not even to Arikado, who grew increasingly concerned.

When Torajiro turned sixteen and Sugita fifteen, they were officially recognized as vampire hunters by the Church. Their first mission was to investigate the mysterious reappearance of Dracula's Castle in 2016.

"Wasn't that thing sealed into the solar eclipse by the Hakuba Clan?" Torajiro asked blankly as he and Sugita stood before Arikado's desk.

Arikado nodded solemnly. "Yes, that is true. But we don't know why it has reappeared. That is why you two are being sent to investigate. I wish you both good luck. Remember your training throughout the battles you will face, both mentally and physically."

The Isamu twins stood before the foreboding castle, its unnerving beauty casting a majestic yet haunting atmosphere. The structure loomed ominously, shrouded in shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of the past. Torajiro glanced at his sister, giving her a determined nod. "I'm ready to tear flesh and grill what's left of them alive, and have the heads of those cultists served cooked fresh on a platter. How about you? Are you ready, Sugita?"

Sugita sighed and shook her head, poking her brother's left cheek in an attempt to lighten his serious demeanor. "Yes, of course. But revenge is not the right thing. It's about preventing others from suffering the same fate."

"Enough of that, let's just go..." Torajiro interrupted, his voice edged with impatience.

He gestured for her to follow as he stepped onto the bridge leading to the castle. Sugita heaved another worried sigh but followed her brother, both of them steeling themselves for the challenges ahead.

The castle's entrance loomed before them, its massive doors creaking open as if inviting them into its depths. The air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant howls of creatures lurking within. Torajiro's grip tightened on his Shadowsteel Katana, his eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement.