Castlevania: Awakening

Chapter 5

In the throne room of the great castle the vampire sat alone - lost in his contemplations.
A silver chalice containing ruby liquid was in one frightful hand; the other, with claw like talons, clenched the arm rest.
It had been five days since Laeleth’s return to the village and he had thought of nothing but their parting.

How was it she still remained in his memory, invading all his thoughts like an ever growing cancer?
How could someone so innocent and pure see anything besides a monster in him?
Her grace and kindness – surely it could not all be feigned?

Ever since that day he had consumed the curse he had lost all faith and hope in humanity; realizing that he would never see his own salvation.
Her blameless life and his redemption had stood here within his grasp.
His chance had been presented, and he had refused it.

He recalled the day that Garrett had ended his life in this very place.
If it had not been for the ranger’s arrogance and devoted pride Gabriel would never have been aware of Laeleth.
Did he truly feel some obligation towards her? He had after all been the reason her father was gone. Gabriel could have stopped Garrett but had allowed the man to choose his own fate.

Gabriel cast the goblet away from him in disgust as his mind clouded. He rose from the seat and began to walk through the castle.

This castle had been his fortress - his eternal tomb.
Already abandoned when he had arrived here, he cared not for its past. It had simply provided him a place untouched by the vile presence of living souls.

It was bleak, dark, forsaken, and tragic - much like his life. This place suited him and he never intended to leave.

As he walked through the somber hallways the torchlight flickered weakly on the walls. The soft leather of his boots made no sound upon the torn and thinning carpet.
Passing a large mirror no reflection shone back from it; no shadow stretched from his imposing form.

He eventually found himself in the room where Laeleth had stayed. It was as empty again as it had been before she came. The window was still open and was allowing the late afternoon sun to stream gently through the air.

Beams of light floated beautifully around the room as though her warm spirit still remained.
Her very own light had broken through his darkness.
His dismal life had seen a dawning light of hope and it had pierced his heart with its painful truth.
In only a brief moment he had felt human again.

She had given that to him and he had rejected it - rejected her.

He stared out the window over the land below. Nothing was in view except for the rising pines and the ominous, jagged mountains. A lone hawk was circling in the currents above the tree-line. No sound could be heard except the gentle rustle of the wind wafting through the room.

As he shut the window the chamber grew dim, much like his heart when he had chosen to shut her out.
As he turned to leave he noticed something unusual.

Approaching the bed he saw the crimson and silver dress neatly laid out. The magnificent ruby glittered faintly in the dim light. As his frightful hand stroked the fabric slowly he recalled that night she had worn it.
How soft and warm she had appeared! She was so utterly alluring and full of innocent life; the virtuous and heavenly blood that pulsed so softly against his chilled and deathly lips.

But then something else caught his weary eyes. He saw tucked within the neckline one single starflower.
She had surely left it intentionally for him to find. He picked it up and studied it thoughtfully.

What had possessed him to show her any kindness?
Why was she any different than anyone else?

He had always felt indifferently towards Laeleth and her brother although he had aided in keeping the village safe from the evil creatures that surrounded it.
It had been the least he could do after their most fearless and able ranger, Garrett, had so rashly ended his own life.