Castlevania Nocturne: A Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak: Devourer of Light

Emma woke from Tera's joyous shouting.

"We've got them!"

She sprung awake, nearly shoving Richter out of bed by accident, and scrambled to Amalie's bedroom where Annette and Richter met up, still in their nightgowns. "You've deciphered the book!?" She excitedly tapped her foot.

"We have." Tera confirmed. "The machine cannot be destroyed. It has been made in hell, forged by a powerful, powerful evil."

"And you're partying because?" Richter scratched his head.

"Because even though we can't destroy the machine, it can be sent back to hell. This book will enable me to create a portal." Tera explained. "And then we just need you, Annette, to use your powers to push the machine through it."

"So, we need to open a door to hell to save everyone. Right." Richter yawned.

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions as they say." Emma remarked. "What could possibly go wrong?" She glanced around the room, noticing someone missing. "Where's Mother?"

"She went to the Abbey to get Peter so he could travel with you to Jocasta." Tera explained. "She hasn't returned." Both Emma and Tera got a bad feeling about it.

There came a frantic knock at the door. Emma rushed to answer it. It was Peter and Mizrak. Both held horror on their faces. "What the hell is going on?" demanded Emma. "Peter where is-?"

"The Abbot has Maria!" Mizrak exclaimed panicked. "He's going to sacrifice her to Erzsebet."

"What!?" Emma snarled, glancing at a horrified Tera.

"And he's captured Amalie." Peter coughed. "He imprisoned her beneath the Abbey. Please, you must act before it's too late!"

"My daughter!" Tera bellowed in a mother's rage.

They quickly dressed and readied for battle. Emma garbed herself in her mystic's cloak, blouse and long skirt, with her sword at her belt.

There was no time to second guess the plan, it was now or never.

"Emma, you must stay behind." Tera said. "You're still injured."

"I don't care!" Emma raged. "He has my mother!" Mizrak and Peter glanced at each other shocked.

"You'll be no help to your mother in this state." Richter kept her back. "Remember you promised her to leave."

"That was before she got fucking captured!!"

"Emma, she wanted you to be safe." Annette reinforced. " By upholding your promise, you're aiding her." She held Emma's shoulder. "Your time to fight will come, but it is not now. Honor your mother zanj's request by leaving when the carriage arrives."

Emma lowered her sword distraught. She knew they were right.

Richter took her hands into. "We'll rescue her, I swear, and Maria too."

She nodded with tears in her eyes. "Go. There's not much time." She hugged Tera and Richter, watching despondently as they left in all haste with Mizrak. Emma leaned against the wall sobbing. If Peter weren't there, Vance would have comforted her.

"You must be strong my child." Peter took her hand. "And not give up hope. God will protect her, as He does with his faithful angels."

Emma blinked shocked. "You know she's an angel?"

"Yes." Peter nodded solemnly. "From the moment I met her, I knew her true grace. I've met an angel before, who saved me from a certain death long ago when I was a hedonistic youth. He changed my way of thinking and set me on the right path."

"Once you see one, you can recognize them anywhere." Emma smiled through tears. "And you kept the secret all this time."

"Of course." Peter chuckled. "A miracle was sent to Machecoul, and I knew it was my purpose to protect it, by not revealing her."

"Thank you. Peter." Emma wiped her tears. She told him about the carriage. "Amalie wished for you to go with me. "

"That is what I shall do." Peter smiled. "We shall face the unknown together."

Emma rubbed her shoulders. "Is it just me, or is it getting darker outside?"

"Good Lord." Peter's eyes widened in horror. "Look at the sun!"

"You're not supposed to look at the sun, Peter!" Emma blinked. "It'll burn your eyes."

"No! Do you see it! It's darkening!"

Emma narrowed her eyes and looked up at the sky. "What on earth...."

Emma, is there supposed to be a solar eclipse? Vance asked weary.

No. I don't think so. Emma's glyphs prickled. I have a bad feeling about this.