Bloody Tears - Part: 07

“So, you are the fool who has found one of my treasures.” A powerful voice echoed through the darkness, its tone both dark and elegant, like that of a noble lord, “What is your name child?” The voice demanded.

Not knowing what else to do, I attempted to speak. However I could not manage to pull forth a single word from my mouth. ‘Why can’t I speak? Am I dead? Is that why it‘s so dark?’ My soul trembled as I attempted to figure out what was going on.

“What is wrong, child? Are you so overwhelmed by my power that you have become unable to muster forth even the simplest form of speech?” The voice mocked, “Come now. Tell me your name child.”

Once again, the unknown voice commanded me to speak. This time its tone was much lighter, almost like that of a parent who was trying to make their child feel better and confess to a mistake they had made. So, I gathered all of my strength, and finally was able to speak, “Artur...Artur Remus is my name.” After having stated thusly, I felt the hold around my vocal cords loosen, almost as if I had broken free of a binding spell.

The disembodied voice lightly chuckled as the silhouette of a body appeared to me out of the darkness, “So you say that your name is ‘Artur Remus’? You should know better than to lie child.” The voice’s tone had become harsh, and demanding once again as the silhouette moved closer, “I will ask you one last time child. What is your name?”

Looking directly at the silhouette I gave a small smirk, “Isn’t it a bit rude to ask for someone else’s name before giving your own?” While I held the smirk, I quickly realized how bad of an idea is was to talk back in such a fashion, when I had just barely released the restraint on my vocal cords. ‘Too late to take back what you just said now, idiot. Hopefully whoever this is will just let it slide.’

The silhouette began to laugh softly at first, but then soon it began to turn into roaring laughter as the silhouette moved closer and closer, until finally I was able to see the features of the one who had been speaking to me. It was a man who stood quite tall with a pale complexion, a pointed nose, silver-white hair, was clad in an all black suit and cape with red trimmings and embroideries, and was clean shaven except for a well groomed mustache and goatee, “It appears that you are correct child.” He laughed, as he almost mockingly smirked at me and bowed, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am the lord of the castle that you all call, ‘Castlevania’, Count Dracula.” Lifting his head upward, the count stared at me as his eyes changed from blue to red, “Now, child, ‘What is your name’?”

Frozen in fear, I was unable to control my voice, “My name...Is Arthur Renard.”