Chapter 21: Letting Go

Awoken by the sweet chirping sounds of the birds outside, he slowly fluttered his eyes open and gently rubbed them. He stretched his short limbs and opened his jaw widely, making a silent yawn. But aside from the birds, there's another thing that made him awake early this morning.

The boy got up and rushed towards the door. Carefully, he opened it and went out of his room. The faint footsteps he's hearing are coming from the living room where he's heading right now. He jumped and climbed the terrace and looked downwards.

"Ren?" He sleepily called.

He saw his friend dressed differently than her usual maid uniform. She was wearing a jacket and pants with a baseball cap.

And as for her, she was about to reach for the doorknob when she heard the boy's voice that made her flinch.

"Where are you going?"

She slowly turned around, "Y-young master... Good morning! Are you hungry? Or do you want company in the bathroom?" She nervously asked.

The boy shook his head, "No, I'm not going wee-wee. I wanna know where you're going, Ren."

"Err... I'm... I'm going to water the plants-yes! Yes, I'm going to water them..." Bullets of sweat started to form her forehead.

The boy blinked, "But it's morning, the sun's so bright outside..."

Ren nodded, "Yes, it is."

He furrowed his brows, "You can't water the plants, Ren."

"W-why not, young master?"

"You're a vampire, remember?"

She stood frozen as she realized the lame excuse she gave which exposed her lie. Knowing this, she quickly got on her knees with her face on the floor.

"F-forgive me for lying, Young master! I've committed such a grave sin! Please punish me for this!"

The boy blinked few times and tilted his head.

"I don't understand what you're saying, Ren..." He jumped and landed on the sofa and walked towards his friend, "But I just wanted to know where you're going."

"R-right! I was about to sneak out to go and watch the football championship live in the sports arena. I really wanted to support my favorite athlete that's why I secretly bought a ticket for this day to come." She explained while showing the ticket to him.

The boy took the ticket and stared at it in awe, "Ren..."

"Y-yes, young master?"

"Please take me with you!" His eyes sparkled in excitement.

"E-eh!? B-but young master, i-it might be dangerous for you!"

The boy pouted as his eyes drooped, "If Cal finds out about this, you know what will happen, right?"

Ren gulped.

"But if I'm with you, you don't need to worry about getting scolded. We're in this together, Ren!" He giggled which sounds so pure that could melt anyone's heart and convince them to do his bidding.

With that, Ren sighed in defeat, "Alright, alright. I'll take you with me. But unfortunately, I only have one ticket, young master."

The boy made a mischievous grin, "Who says I'll be using the ticket?"

***

Heading towards the arena entrance, Ren cautiously gazes around her surroundings while she was in the line. It was her first time going out in broad daylight while being surrounded by humans all around. Good thing she applied a lot of that protective lotion or else she'll burn and turn to ashes in no time.

"Ticket." A strictly-looking huge fellow glared at her, demanding the small piece of paper which costs a bit expensive.

She smiled awkwardly after handling the ticket. And when the coast is clear, she quickly walked towards the huge stadium as excitement fills her entire system. She was taken back to reality when she felt the movement on her backpack.

"Oh, I'm sorry, young master. Are you alright?"

"Finally, I can breathe!" The boy sighed in relief as he came out of her backpack with his small body.

Now, Ren's not the only one who's feeling the thrill. This is the first time he went out to see the world outside his big house, as well as the first time he's being surrounded by people other than his vampire family. Unlike his friend, the boy doesn't need any coat nor thick pants to cover his skin. He just wears a yellow shirt and blue shorts, and a bonnet to cover his unique silver-white hair.

Soon as they get in their seats, it didn't take long before the competition starts.

"There he is! My favorite athlete!" Ren pointed at the good-looking man who always gets the ball in the net.

And when that happens, the crowd gets wild by screaming loudly with smiles on their faces, especially the ones waving the blue flaglets. As for his friend, Ren, she also does the same. She's raising her fists in the air whenever that athlete gets the score for the team.

All these things were new to him. But what made it special and unforgettable is the way how those players pass and toss the ball with their strong and long legs. Not only that, it seems like this boy also observed each player's effort to get the ball with all their might even running around catching their breaths and even bathing in sweat. Not to mention the dirt on the ground every time some players get tripped. But they don't even mind at all.

"Ren..." He called and glanced at her, "Thank you for bringing me here!" He smiled brightly.

Ren grinned as a response.

Just by watching these, the boy became unconsciously fascinated that his eyes sparkle as well whenever athletes get the ball inside the net. They were thrilled and had fun until the match ended. Time flies fast that it's already noon when they head back to the manor.

Much to their surprise, what awaits them is the ominous aura and the glowing red eyes glaring at them.

"Ren..." A serious and deep voice calls her which sent chills to her spine, "Where. Have. You. Been?"

She gulped, "C-Cal, I-I can explain!"

"Explain?! To think that you even brought the young master with you! Have you forgotten? He's only three! What if something bad happens to him?! Do you realize how mu--"

"Cal..." The boy gently pulled the hem of his polo, "I want a football." He smiled innocently.

Everyone was silent that it suddenly came out of nowhere.

The vampire called Cal cleared his throat and knelt in one knee while holding the boy's shoulders.

"Young Master, you must be tired. You should rest to your room now and we shall talk ab--"

"No." The boy shook his head, "I want a football, Cal. Can I?" He gazed at him with those puppy eyes that no one can resist.

And with that, Cal sighed in defeat, "Alright, I shall get you the best football there is, young master."

The boy jumped and hugged him, "Yay! Thank you, Cal! Oh, and..." He gently moved away, "Please don't scold Ren. It was me who insisted to go with her. And she showed me something that I wanna learn!" He said in excitement.

And of course, how can he resist that gentle innocent smile that keeps reminding him of the queen. Just listening to his soft giggles washed all his worries away. And they were enough for him to forget what he was mad about earlier.

Then, the boy gazed at his friend and raised his thumb up. Ren chuckled and did the same, mouthing the words "Thank you" with her lips.

***

"What?"

It seems like he has gone deaf the moment those words came out of her mouth. It also feels like time has moved a lot slower the moment he heard her.

"Please young master, let me go..."

"What are you saying, Ren? Why are you saying that?!" Rae held her shoulders, furrowing his eyebrows.

Ren gently held his hand, "Young master, listen to me... I know how much this is hard for you, and what I'm asking is something heavy... But, if you didn't do this, you'll suffer more in the future. And I don't want that to happen."

"But why does it have to be this way? I don't want to forget you, Ren. You're asking me the impossible."

She shook her head, "It's not impossible, young master. I believe in you, more than anyone else in the world... That's why, before it's too late, I want you to let me go-- or this will be used against you."

"Stop it..." Rae shook his head, "No more... Please don't say it! I don't want to, I don't want to forget my friend!" Tears started to well up to his eyes.

"Young master, please listen..." Ren grabbed his collar, "You have to... You have to let me go, but it doesn't mean forgetting... It's about setting yourself free!"

"I don't understand... What are you talking about?"

"I can feel it, Young master... Whenever you recall my death, I can feel the sorrow, the regret, and remorse... All these negative energies, I don't want them to devour you..." She placed her hand on his chest, where his heart is.

"By letting me go, you're getting rid of them too. So please, it's time to stop condemning yourself..." Ren placed her head on his chest.

As for the lad, he knows, he saw it. His friend's about to cry and chose to hide her tears. Up until the afterlife, he made her worried. She kept insisting to let her go. But whenever he thinks about it, he can't help but feel bitter and his heart throbs in pain.

"Easier said than done..." He mumbled.

"I know..." Ren said, "It wouldn't be easy... but it's for the best..."

Rae closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "I'll try..."

She gently moved away and smiled, "That's the first step."

He was about to say something when suddenly, they heard a strange scream echoing around.

"W-what was that!?"

Ren kneel down and touched the ground, "Seems like it came from the dark side of this realm." She said, "I can sense another life near it. Do you have anyone else with you, Young Master?"

Someone came to his mind, "Miss Grosvenor!"

"You have to hurry, this entity seems dangerous enough."

"Miss Grosvenor is not that weak. I'll go because she's my responsibility too."

"Then head straight north. You'll see the end of this side towards the entrance of the dark one. There, you'll find her."

Rae nodded, "Thanks, Ren."

"Wait, young master!" She said before he goes, "Please think about what I told you."

The lad looked down, who seems to be hesitant. But to give her a response, he nodded. Then, he rushed towards the direction she pointed out. Running as fast as the wind goes.

***

"Give... them back..."

Black smoke smoldered from this dark slime that appeared before them. In each step it takes, there's a crackling sound as its head kept on twisting.

Its grave voice continues to call out, "GIVE THEM BACK TO MEEEEE!!!"

This entity raised its arm and became larger, swinging it towards them. Quickly, Aria grabbed Nathalie and dodged the attack.

"Apollo!" She called and turned her right ring into a golden gun and fired few shots on it.

The entity screamed as it felt the pain from her bullets. But those shots weren't enough to take it down.

"It's useless! That monster is already dead!" Nathalie said which reminded her of the realm she's in.

"YOU WILL PAAAAY!!!" Like it has gone mad, the entity kept on swinging its arms. Seems like it doesn't care anymore whichever its fist landed to. And whenever it comes contact with the ground, the plants wither.

Noticing this, Aria took Nathalie's hand and ran.

'I need an opportunity to shot its head. The weakness might be in there.' She thought.

But just then, she saw the huge shadow over them which forms the shape of a hand. Knowing what's going to happen next, Aria gazed at her friend.

"Nathalie!" In a nick of time, she pushed her away before the hand landed on that spot.

Nathalie's small body flew in such impact.

"Aria!!!"

Thick smoke of dust-covered her vision but when it finally faded, she saw her friend's body being taken by the monster. The entity grabbed her waist and the more she struggled, the more she felt the pang of pain on her system. It seems like her life has been draining away. Not only that, there's something more that makes it hard for her to breathe.

'This feeling...' Aria gazed at her left hand and saw some purple veins spreading around, 'Poison!' She clenched her fist and aimed her gun towards its head.

'Aria! Hang in there!'

'Apollo, give me strength to take this down.'

'You got it!'

And while she was gathering her energy on the gun, she suddenly heard a familiar voice calling to her.

"Miss Grosvenor!"

She unconsciously looked back and saw Rae running in her direction. He noticed she's going to fire an attack and so he nodded, as if telling her he's there to support her. And like they understood each other, Aria nodded as well.

"Apollo, let's go!"

'On it!'

"GIVE THEM BAAAACK!"

The entity opened its huge jaw and was about to eat the lass when she pointed her gun on its mouth and fire the golden beam. It screamed in pain and threw the lass elsewhere. Good thing, Rae made it in time and caught her in his arms. He noticed how the poison's been spreading on her body as he gently lay her on the ground.

"IMPUDENCE!" The entity's body slowly regenerates from the damage it took. But doing so caused more crackling sounds than before.

"This sound..." Rae blinked, "Why do I feel like I've heard it before?"

"YOU!" Its gaze landed on the lad, "A VAMPIRE! I SHALL DESTROY YOU!" The monster crawled towards them.

Aria was about to prepare for another shot when Rae spreads his arm before her.

"Wait, hold your fire."

She frowned, "That monster is going to kill us."

"I'll handle this. Trust me..."

Looking into his eyes, she sees not a glimpse of fear nor wavering. Knowing this seems like he has a plan in mind. And before she knew it, she was already laying her gun downwards.

"I'll back you up."

"Thanks." He smiled before walking towards the dark entity.

"HOW DARE YOU SHOW UP IN FRONT OF ME, YOU SCOUNDREL!" The entity raised its huge hand, ready to squish the lad at any moment.

But Rae looked at her with no hint of fear, "Isabella... Ciella..."

The entity paused upon hearing those names.

"You know them, right?"

"HOW DID YOU--"

"You're their mother, this I am certain..." Rae added.

'Just as I thought, those cracking sounds... They came from that memory...' He recalled the time where he witnessed how the witch died in front of Isabella, as she jumped from the tower.

But the entity aggressively moved closer towards him. Aria was ready to shoot it again but Rae kept on giving hand signals not to do so.

"WHAT... DID YOU DO TO MY DAUGHTERS?!" It suddenly grabbed his neck and pinned him down to the ground.

Rae groaned, "I didn't do anything... But, I've got to save Ciella!"

"WHAT HAPPENED TO HER? ANSWER ME!" The ground slowly crumbles as its heavy hand continues to push him down.

"King Alucard... has her... I'm going to save your daughter..."

"AND WHY SHOULD I TRUST A VAMPIRE LIKE YOU!? YOU'RE ALL THE SAME! I'LL MAKE SURE EVERY LAST BIT OF YOUR CLAN WILL SUFFER!"

Rae struggled, "I know... how much you hated us... And you don't need to trust me that easily... But I'm going to keep my word... to Princess Isabella..."

"LIAR! DON'T EVER THINK I DIDN'T KNOW HOW MANIPULATIVE YOU VAMPIRES ARE! I WON'T FALL FOR IT TWICE!"

Aria was ready to pull the trigger anytime. But her vision's starting to get blurry as the poison in her veins slowly spread her system.

'I've trained myself to be immune in any poison, but this one's different...' She thought, enduring all the pain she's feeling.

She gazed at her shaking hands, then to Rae who's been pinned down by the huge entity.

'Normally, I would've shot this monster a bunch of times. But when he asked me not to, my body suddenly reacted on its own...' She recalled his face when he seriously requested her.

'Whenever I look into those deep ocean eyes, for some reason, I feel like I'm losing all doubts... Like I can rely on him, how he'll turn the tables which I look forward to. And right now, even I want to shoot that monster, I kept being swayed whenever he asks me not to. What's... gotten into me? Is this the effect of poison?'

The entity was about to crush the lad when a portal suddenly appeared.

"That's enough! He's telling the truth, Liliana." A firm voice said as a figure emerges from it.

"BERNADETTE..."

"Long time no see... It's such a shame to meet you again like this, here in my domain, Lily..."

"BERNADETTE, WHY ARE YOU SAVING THIS SCOUNDREL'S LIFE? HE'S A VAMPIRE!"

"But he's not one of them. He's not an Alucard." She shook her head, "That young man is a Dhampir, a Van Helsing."

"WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?! THEY'RE NOTHING BUT SCUMS WHO MADE OUR LIVES MISERABLE! YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, BERNADETTE! YOU KNOW MY SUFFERING BETTER THAN ANYONE!"

"I do." Bernadette calmly replied, "And like you, I suffered by their hands. I was dying but ironically, I was also saved by vampires. Those are the Van Helsings... I vowed to return the favor, but it seems like Alucard has no regard even to his own clan. The vampire who saved me died with his hands. And this lad, he has to live." She glanced at Rae.

"WHY... WHY ARE YOU TAKING HIS SIDE???"

Bernadette flashed a sad smile, "Because he's our only hope, Lily. He's the only one who can defeat the King of Malice..."

The entity glanced at the lad, it seems conflicted after everything that's been said.

"NO..." Slowly, its huge hand has been removed from him.

Rae gasped as he gently caressed his neck.

"ARE YOU... REALLY GOING TO SAVE MY DAUGHTERS AND TAKE HIM DOWN?"

The lad gazed into her eyes and nodded, "Yes, ma'am... I won't back down, I'll fulfill my promise."

After a few moments, the entity has finally made up its mind.

"FOR MY DAUGHTERS... I'LL LAY MY HATRED DOWN... BUT IF YOU FAILED, I'LL MAKE SURE TO DRAG YOU DOWN TO THE PITS OF HELL!"

"I understand..."

"I'll take it from here, kid." Bernadette said, "You'd better take that girl with you." She pointed at Aria who's in bad shape.

"Miss Grosvenor!" He rushed towards her side and carried her.

While this is happening, Aria glanced at Nathalie for the last time. The girl smiled at her as she waved goodbye. Before they entered the portal, she saw a woman appeared behind Nathalie, hugging her.

'That must be her mother... I'm glad they're finally united...' Unconsciously, her lips arc, forming a smile.

As for the lad, before they entered the portal, he gazed back at the entity for the last time. He will be lying if he says he doesn't feel sorry for her. After all, he saw with his own eyes how King Alucard abused her. And he knows her pain too.

'Please... Save my daughters... Set them free...' He heard a sad and gentle voice coming from within as he gazed at the entity. And that must be Liliana, after all, it's still her inside the dark slime figure.

"I will." He smiled. Then, he entered the portal which returned them back to the cottage.

"Young master!" Everyone was expecting them. And it was obvious in their faces how glad they are, seeing them safe and sound.

As he gazed back at Aria, the purple veins on her body suddenly faded. And the pain she's been enduring disappeared as well.

"Ms. Grosvenor, are you alright?" He gently put her down.

"I'm fine, the pain is gone." She checked every part of her body and there are no traces of the poison.

"What happened, Young master?"

"Did you pass the trial?"

Rae glanced at the portal, "No... not yet..." Then he gazed back at them, "There's something I need to finish." the lad glanced at the crow, "Frisca, please take me to Primo."

"Wait! Don't tell me you're going to fight him again?"

"I have to, Gray... I have to settle the score." He flashed a gentle smile.

Gray was about to protest when Aria grabbed his shoulder, giving him a 'trust him' look.

"Whenever you're ready, Vampire King." Frisca opened another portal.

"I'll be back, don't worry." Rae grinned before he was swallowed by the portal.

***

Soon as he opened his eyes, he was standing in the same spot where they left him. Primo was still there, waiting for his return. But there's something changed in him. If his eyes aren't playing tricks on him, there are black veins spreading on his cheeks. And his eyes, one of them have turned black and dark. The ominous dark aura that surrounds him became thicker and stronger.

'What happened here while I'm gone?' The lad thought.

"And here I thought you cowardly ran away, young prince." He mocked.

"You know better than anyone that I'm not like that, Primo," Rae smirked.

"You've gained such confidence, I see." He scoffed, "I don't know what that witch told ya, but no matter what, you can't escape your past forever!" Soon as he spreads his arms, Rae was once again swallowed by the darkness.

The lad closed his eyes and took a deep breath, 'Liliana... she managed to set her animosity aside for her daughters... Even though she suffered greatly through their hands, she's willing to go such lengths, placing her bets on a stranger like me... I shouldn't disappoint her...'

He clenched his fists, 'If she can let go of the painful past... SO DO I!!!'

When he shot his eyes open, he's in a different place.

'Sand?' He thought, gazing on the ground. Then, he heard the sound of the waves. As he looked forward, the sea was before him. The small beach where his misery started.

"Young Master, are you alright?" The small bat called as it moved closer to his face.

"P-Primo..?" He seems flustered not until he felt a pang of pain in his side.

Looking to his right, blood gushed out from his missing arm.

'It hurts! It hurts so much!' He bit his lower lip, enduring the pain which felt so real.

Then, he heard someone laughing, "This is the end, son of the Vampire Queen!"

Moving his head up, he saw Levi approaching him with that menacing look. And for some reason, his body trembled so much. It was then he only realized how his body slowly moving away from the vampire before him.

'Wait! What's happening? I can't control my body!'

"Please stop this..." His voice suddenly came out even he doesn't intend to speak, "King Alucard is just using you!"

'This is not what I wanted to say!'

"Do you really think I don't know?" Levi scoffed.

'I must fight and stop him!'

Levi grabbed his face, "Any last words?"

'NO!'

"Get your filthy hands off him!" A familiar voice exclaimed which came from above.

From behind, Ren jumped and used her arm to strangle Levi and drag him with her. And while this is happening, she glanced at the lad and smiled.

It feels like time has moved slowly as their eyes met. And with those lips, she mouthed:

'Thank you and goodbye... Young master...'

Knowing what's next to come, tears welled up his eyes.

'REN NO! STOP!' He tried to reach for her, but he can't move a single muscle.

'MOVE, YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE!' He struggled, 'I'VE GOT TO STOP HER, I'VE GOT TO SAV--'

Rae paused when their eyes meet again. She was still smiling, without any traces of fear, hesitation, and regret.

'Ren...'

And after that moment, time resumed as she jumped higher, carrying Levi with her as his body was about to self-destruct. Knowing this, Ren took him as they fell on the sea. After few seconds, a loud explosion occurred and the waves splashed strongly in their direction.

"REEEEEEEEEN!!!"

'I understand now...' The lad was standing, watching his younger self wailed at the death of his friend.

"I finally understand now, Ren..." Her smile flashed inside his mind.

'No matter what I do, you'll choose to save me. You won't hesitate to sacrifice yourself for me... Your death... your choice... your kindness and your company... I won't forget them all for as long as I live!' Rae clenched his chest as tears flow nonstop.

"Thank you, Ren..." He gazed above and smiled.

And right after that, he heard some shattering sounds as the walls around him were torn to pieces like glass. And once again, he's standing in the vast darkness. But someone was there with him, Prince Vincent, who's standing with his back facing before him.

"Primo, you came to test me, right? You wanted me to be prepared before facing Alucard."

He chuckled, "Well done, Young master... You've found my motive... The Alucard is my family in blood, but the Van Helsing will always be my home."

"Primo..."

"There's one last thing, I want to show you..."

The prince started walking and he followed him. But Rae noticed there's something wrong with his friend.

"Primo, wait!" He grabbed his shoulder and pulled him. He was surprised at what he saw.

The Prince's features have gone worse. There are cracks forming his face which are not there earlier.

"Primo, what's happening to you?"

"We don't have much time, Young master. What I'm about to tell you is more important than my situation. This is nothing compared to that."

Rae was about to protest, but seeing the desperate look in his eyes made him decide to grant his request. And so he nodded.

Primo smiled, "Thank you. Listen carefully, Young master... Because you need to understand how the Alucard powers work."

The prince placed his hand at the top of his chest, "And it all started in us..."