Castlevania: Awakening

Chapter 15

As Gabriel turned towards the voice, his expression darkened. He knew that Zobek had come for Laeleth.
All the softer, more human emotions in him had faded as he was faced with his old enemy. Contempt and rage had crept over his soul once more as he now only feared for Laeleth’s well-being.
The fiery flames had been reignited in his eyes as his vampiric nature had returned in full force.

“I thought I would find you here,” Zobek began with a slight chuckle. “After all you led me straight to you.” His face twisted into a pleased smile.

“You have no claim to her, Zobek, and you will never have her,” Gabriel’s voice rang out clearly in the stillness of the woods. He was not intimidated by Zobek’s composed demeanor or his articulate, conceited words.

Laeleth had backed away slowly towards the tomb’s entrance, clasping at her medallion unconsciously. She knew that Gabriel would stop at nothing to keep her safe, but she dreaded the encounter nonetheless.
She had only witnessed a brief display of Zobek’s potential power. If he was truly as formidable as Gabriel feared then this would not end well.

“Oh I think there may just be a little deal we could work out,” Zobek gloated in return as he stared at Gabriel with his cold, grey eyes. “After you left me in the village… is that any way to treat an old friend?” he asked in a wounded tone as he began to pace in front of them.

Gabriel’s posture was stiff and unflinching as he held his arm out ready to draw his sword. He stood protectively between Laeleth and Zobek, eyeing the treacherous knight with a steel resolve. Even after all these years Zobek’s tactics had not changed. He had always attempted to manipulate Gabriel’s moral nature.

The forced smile had not yet left Zobek’s sharp and austere face. “I mean you no personal harm, Gabriel. I only want the girl,” he spoke with a sneer as he shifted his gaze towards Laeleth.
“Come … hand her over and I can provide what it is you seek.”

Gabriel’s lips were firm and set. He clenched his right fist, his heart pounding deeply within him. Zobek would not betray him again for any temptation.
“Never, you bastard,” Gabriel spoke vehemently; his hand now gripping the hilt of his sword. “There is nothing you can offer me that would be worth her life.”

Zobek nodded as though he understood and closed his eyes briefly. He then held up his hand in a sign of peace and with the other reached into his breast pocket.
He slowly pulled out a large, round gem and presented it to Gabriel. A self-assured look rested on his face as though this relic he possessed could now change Gabriel's mind.

Laeleth regarded it curiously and with awe. She knew without question this was the gem that they had sought in Ezareth’s tomb. All of her doubts instantly dissipated as she now knew it truly existed. She remained fascinated as she stared at it. The gem certainly seemed as magnificent as she had imagined.

It was a pale cream color; its appearance that of a milky hue.
As the sun refracted through the sparse trees the stone caught the light and made it appear all that more brilliant and dazzling.
It was of an opal type as the smooth surface was dotted in multi-colored flecks. One could easily become hypnotized by its mesmerizing display of color and concealed power.

“Let us not be hasty, my friend. I do believe this is something you would desire greatly,” Zobek spoke in a soft and beguiling tone. “It just so happens to be the key to whatever you could wish for. This stone holds the universe - the destiny of whoever wields it. It is said that one can even bend fate to their will.”
Zobek held up the gem as his voice rose in stirring oration. It could not be denied that he had a rather eloquent and convincing speech about him.
He rested his eyes on Gabriel once again as he concluded, “Is that not what you seek - the power to finally be able to control your cursed lot? All of these years, Gabriel, of hiding, of being hated, of torturous regret - your wretched curse could finally be at an end!”
He held out the opal once again and it sparkled beautifully in the gaining light of day.
“You could either embrace the peace of death that I know you have craved for so long … or … you could once again live as a mortal man - however you would so choose.” Zobek spoke more softly now as he studied Gabriel carefully.