VALERIA | Trevor Belmont x OC

Chapter one

-Into the Dark-

**Chapter 1: Shadows in the Night**

The crackling of the hearth fire echoed through the dimly lit tavern as the autumn wind howled outside. A tall figure sat at a table near the corner, his cloak stained with dust and blood, his eyes sharp beneath a mane of untamed hair. Trevor Belmont—a hunter, a wanderer, and perhaps the last hope against the growing darkness that threatened Wallachia. He sipped his ale slowly, his ears tuned to every hushed conversation in the room.

The village of Valmira had become a sanctuary for rumors, whispered fears of monsters lurking in the woods, taking livestock, and, more recently, people. Trevor had heard it all before—the dread that always preceded the true horror.

"Another missing," a man's voice muttered from a nearby table. "Last night it was the blacksmith's son. Went out for firewood and never came back."

Trevor kept his eyes forward, uninterested but listening. Missing children. It was always the missing children.

"Something in the woods," another voice whispered, softer. "It's not just wolves. Something else is hunting out there. We need someone—"

"I don't need the village drunk overhearing our business," a third man interjected, clearly aware of Trevor's presence. The speaker's voice was tight with contempt, but also fear.

Trevor smirked into his mug. Let them whisper. It wouldn't be long before someone came begging for help. It always happened like this.

The door to the tavern creaked open, sending a gust of wind and leaves scattering inside. Trevor glanced up, the shadow of a figure crossing the threshold. She stepped into the light, her silhouette revealing a slim, confident frame, her eyes flashing with a cold determination.

She wasn't from the village—that much was clear. Her clothing was practical, designed for movement and battle rather than comfort, and her hand hovered dangerously close to the sword strapped to her back. Her dark hair was tied in a braid that fell just past her shoulder, and a streak of silver caught in the firelight, suggesting that her youth had been hard-won.

The tavern grew quiet as she approached the bar, her gaze sweeping the room as if assessing everyone within. She ordered a drink, her voice low and firm, before her eyes landed on Trevor.

She approached his table without hesitation, her presence drawing a few curious glances. Trevor raised an eyebrow as she stood before him, her face unreadable.

"You're Belmont, aren't you?" she asked, her voice sharp but not hostile. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Who's asking?" Trevor leaned back in his chair, his usual nonchalance on full display.

"My name is Valeria," she said, her expression unwavering. "And I need your help."

Trevor tilted his head slightly, studying her. She didn't look like the desperate villagers he was used to dealing with, but there was something in her eyes—something fierce and unrelenting. It was clear she wasn't here to beg. She was here because she had no other choice.

"That so?" he said, taking another sip of ale. "And why should I help you, Valeria?"

Her jaw tightened slightly, but she didn't flinch. "Because the creatures plaguing this village are not ordinary beasts. There's something far darker at work here. Something I can't face alone."

Trevor set his mug down, his eyes narrowing. He had faced darkness before—more times than he could count. But the way she spoke, the certainty in her voice, made him pause. "You seem to know a lot about it for a stranger."

Valeria met his gaze without hesitation. "I've been tracking them for weeks. Whatever it is, it's not just a mindless monster. It's cunning. And it's gathering strength."

Trevor studied her, his mind turning over the possibilities. She wasn't lying—he could see it in her eyes. But he'd learned long ago not to trust anyone too easily, no matter how desperate they seemed.

"And what exactly do you want from me?" he asked.

"You've fought things like this before," Valeria said, her tone even but urgent. "I need someone who knows how to kill them. Someone who isn't afraid."

Trevor chuckled darkly. "Afraid? No. Tired? Yes." He leaned forward, his expression serious now. "What makes you think I care about what happens to this village?"

For the first time, a flicker of something crossed Valeria's face—something close to desperation, but she masked it quickly. "Because it's not just about this village," she said quietly. "It's spreading. If we don't stop it here, it will devour everything in its path. And then it will be too late."

Trevor sighed, running a hand through his hair. She wasn't wrong. The darkness had been spreading, creeping into every corner of the land, and he knew he couldn't outrun it forever.

"Fine," he said, standing up and grabbing his cloak. "But if this turns out to be a waste of my time, I'm leaving you to deal with it."

Valeria nodded, her expression grim. "I wouldn't have come to you if I didn't think you were the only one who could help."

As they left the tavern, the wind howled louder, carrying with it the distant sound of something unnatural—a low, guttural growl that echoed through the night. Valeria's hand went to the hilt of her sword, her eyes scanning the darkened street.

Trevor glanced at her as they walked side by side. She moved with the grace of someone who had fought her way through more than one battle, and he couldn't help but wonder what kind of life she'd lived to end up here, hunting monsters in the dead of night.

"You're not just a hunter, are you?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Valeria's jaw tightened, but she didn't look at him. "No. But that's a story for another time."

Trevor didn't press her. They both had their secrets.

And soon enough, they would have to face whatever was lurking in the darkness together.

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*Author note*

(This is all Ai created) but beautiful either way