by CSyphrett and Martin Maenza
With a sudden swing of the door, Simon Belmont burst into the next room, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Rose Psychic took a quick glance at the elegant settees positioned in front of the roaring fireplace and the magnificent windows, all while sprinting alongside him. Ghosts let out mournful moans, their icy hands desperately attempting to impede their progress. But Belmont skillfully lashed out with his whip, effortlessly dispersing the ethereal obstacles, as he kicked open the doors leading to the stairs.
Gracefully sliding along the metal railing, Belmont reached the bottom of the stairs in one fluid motion. Rose immediately bridged the gap with a single step, barely registering the door swinging open before Belmont pushed her through onto three steps leading to a small yard. Standing before them was the gate to the garden maze, cunningly guarded by imposing, carved hedge dogs.
“Take five,” Belmont suggested, walking over to the gate and gazing intently into the garden.
Rose curiously tilted her head. “Did you once call this place home?”
Belmont glanced back at her before refocusing his attention on the garden. “No. Just killed a lot of monsters around here. Place attracts them like dead men draw flies.”
Rose nodded in understanding. “I’ll take your word for that.”
“Ready?” Belmont asked.
Rose responded with unwavering determination. “Yes.”
Belmont cautioned her, his voice laced with concern. “This part might get a little tricky, so I need you to stay right behind me, no matter what happens.”
Rose nodded once more. “Understood.”
With a decisive turn of the key, Belmont unlocked the gate to the garden. Stepping inside, he ventured down the central pathway, turning left and then right until they arrived at a door. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open, beckoning Rose to follow as they delved into a labyrinthine maze of twists and turns, leading them to yet another door, this one adorned with an intricate crest.
The sound of clanking metal and the menacing hum of a chainsaw echoed through the air, persistently shadowing every move of their journey. Yet, Rose could not catch sight of the unseen source, her trust firmly placed in Belmont as he pushed open the second door, revealing an eerie underground crypt. They descended the stairs cautiously, Belmont taking the lead with Rose silently trailing behind. Abby Cable had spoken of this side of Belmont, but Rose had never truly believed it until now.
“Vampires,” Belmont muttered, his eyes scanning the ceiling.
Suddenly, two figures clad in tattered clothes plummeted from above. In a swift motion, the male vampire lunged at Belmont, who evaded the attack with nimble agility, swiftly driving his hand into the back of the assailant’s neck. The vampire crumpled to the ground, defeated by Belmont’s quick reflexes.
“Nice moves,” Rose said, watching in awe.
Belmont nodded, his eyes scanning the crypt. “Stay sharp. There’s more lurking in the shadows.”
“I can handle this,” declared Rose.
As if on cue, another vampire lunged at her from the dark corners of the crypt. Rose watched in awe as her vampire adversary, a female in a dirty frock, then disappeared into a misty cloud, bats swarming around her. With a focused mind, Rose summoned the Symbol of the Seven onto the wall, creating a barrier that caused the bats to collide with it before launching themselves toward the misty cloud. Emerging on the other side, the cloud revealed the woman vampire trapped within the shimmering embrace of the symbol.
“Vampires are relentless,” Belmont remarked, a grim determination in his eyes.
Belmont drew his sword and stabbed his vampire with precision, the blade piercing through the undead creature. As it desperately tried to pull itself up the blade to reach him, despite being impaled, Belmont poured a flask of flaming liquid onto the servant. The vampire writhed in agony before exploding in a burst of fiery torment.
Curiosity burning within her, Rose carefully held her vampire at a distance and asked, “What was that liquid?”
“Holy water,” Belmont replied simply.
Efficiently dispatching the female vampire in the same way, Simon Belmont then approached the solitary coffin resting on the platform at one end of the crypt. Pulling the lid off and allowing it to crash onto the floor, he shattered the wooden bottom with a forceful punch.
“We’re going to have to cross through some tunnels and then work our way up into the proper tower,” Belmont informed Rose. “The spider-women will be active in the tunnels, so keep your eyes open. They hang from the ceiling, possess a poisonous spray, and usually carry weapons. The cavern is their exclusive domain until we reach our exit.”
“Is there anything else I should be prepared for?” Rose inquired.
“Bats and spooks,” Belmont replied. “Ready?”
“Yes,” said Rose, nodding determinedly.
Belmont leaped into the seemingly never-ending depths of the coffin.
***
Joshua Cantrell clapped his hands together, scanning the area with a frown. He noticed that two of his friends were conspicuously absent from the group. “Has anyone seen Tim and Kirk?” he asked, a touch of concern in his voice. Gray Murphy shook his head while absently rubbing his hands in the grass.
“I believe they went thataway,” Alfred Twitchell pointed toward the nearby admin building. “It seemed like they had some business to tend to there.”
Josh ran his hand through his brown hair, a mixture of annoyance and worry etched on his face. “Let’s go find out what they’re up to.”
“Haven’t we done enough already?” Murphy protested, his tone resigned.
“You should know better,” Josh responded firmly. “‘Bulldog’ Pike is out there looking for trouble, and it’s sacred our duty to keep him away from it and keep ourselves out of it as much as possible.”
“Besides,” Twitch added, “Tim still doesn’t fully understand the extent of his newfound abilities. They might be overly confident in dealing with whatever they’re facing.”
Murphy let out a defeated sigh, conceding to their reasoning.
***
Kirk Pike paused, his brow furrowed as he attentively examined the floor. Tim Hunter couldn’t make out what Kirk was searching for, but he had a sinking feeling that they were heading toward the infirmary. Glancing at the door to the room, he squinted, convinced he spotted a shadow lurking behind the pebbled glass. Suddenly, Kirk tensed, indicating that he had witnessed the same thing.
Without a word, Kirk silently made his way toward the door, flinging it open with a swift motion. Tim followed closely, positioning himself beside Kirk. As they surveyed the room, they noticed that Patsy Ambrose lay peacefully in her bed on one side, seemingly undisturbed. Everything appeared normal, except for the slightly upturned window. Curiosity piqued, Kirk approached the window and peered outside, his expression betraying nothing but neutrality.
Satisfied that they were alone, Tim closed the door cautiously and moved into the room. His eyes fell upon a pile of clothes next to Patsy’s bed, and upon closer inspection, he realized it was her nightgown.
Before he could react, Patsy abruptly sat up in bed, and in that very instant, Tim instinctively dived to one side as a blazing fireball struck the door with a deafening crash. Another fireball was unleashed toward Kirk, who skillfully dodged it with grace and precision.
Patsy, having only pretended to sleep and still wearing her regular shirt and jeans, glared at her foes with a fiery determination. Flames danced in her eyes as she conjured two more fireballs, ready to launch them with venomous intent.
“Give it up, Patsy!” Kirk called out, his voice attempting to reason with her. “You can’t beat the both of us!”
“You two won’t get in my way!” Patsy spat, her voice seething with anger. With a swift motion, she hurled the fireballs directly toward Kirk, but they missed their mark, shattering the window and sending shards of glass flying.
Tim couldn’t help but wish he had that protective clothing now, as they found themselves on the verge of an intense and dangerous showdown. He ducked, narrowly evading yet another fireball, as Kirk swiftly moved aside. Tim’s mind raced, formulating a plan, and he gestured sharply in Kirk’s direction.
In an instant, a dazzling blue burst of energy slid along Kirk’s body, causing his clothes to morph into a sleek metal shell. Vibrant shades of red, white, and blue adorned the armor, along with a stylized red eagle depicted on his chest. The effect was a stunning tableau that caught Tim’s breath, representing an outer manifestation of Kirk’s inner strength and heroism.
But there was no time to dwell on Kirk’s transformation. A similar burst enveloped Tim as he skillfully slid under the safety of the bed. His protective clothing was a metal-plated cloak of deep blue reminiscent of the vast night sky, embellished with stylized stars. It was his version of a wizard’s robe, a manifestation straight from his wildest imagination.
Kirk couldn’t contain his astonishment, his excitement palpable in the room. “This is absolutely wild!” he exclaimed, running his gloved hands over the gleaming armor. “Tim, how on earth did you manage to do this?”
Tim Hunter, still trying to catch his breath, was just as flabbergasted as Kirk Pike. “I honestly don’t know!” he admitted, his voice tinged with wonder. “It was pure magic, Kirk. Pure magic.”
Patsy, undeterred, propelled herself from the bed, charging directly at Kirk. Sensing her attack, Kirk spun on his feet and intercepted her with a swift kick. Patsy crashed to the floor, emitting a dull thud. Unfazed, Kirk completed his turn, adopting an en garde stance, prepared for any further assault.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the door. “Is this a private party?” bellowed Josh Cantrell, drawing their attention.
“Oh, man,” Murphy groaned. “We’ll be in detention until the year is over.”
“You’ll be dead first!” Patsy snarled, hurling fireballs furiously toward the door.
“Kami Nomi Kai!” Josh shouted in response. Instantaneously, the enlarged boy’s fists blocked the fireballs before returning to his sides so fast that it looked as if the fireballs splattered against an invisible wall before dissipating into thin air.
“Hey, Patsy!” Tim shouted from his hiding spot beneath the bed. Unable to resist the urge, Patsy turned her gaze toward him, only to be momentarily blinded by a sudden flash of light emanating from Tim’s open hand.
***
Simon Belmont and Rose Psychic slid through the narrow tube, their bodies moving effortlessly as they dropped into the illuminated cavern. With support beams strategically placed to hold up the rocky roof, the rest of the cavern maintained its natural appearance, adorned with rough columns formed from solid rock. Belmont took the lead as always, occasionally pausing to listen intently before picking up his pace.
Their journey led them to a pit with multiple platforms encircling the inner wall. Belmont effortlessly leaped from one platform to another, his movements filled with grace and precision. Pausing on the other side, he offered Rose a helping hand to safely cross the gap. Navigating through the treacherous path, they turned right and headed toward a lift, which was located just beyond a conveyor belt. Belmont cautiously paused as sharp blades came crashing down, skillfully leaping on the belt and allowing it to carry him to the other side, deftly avoiding two more blades. With ease, Rose followed his lead. Finally, they boarded a rusty red lift, anticipating the journey to the next level.
Their adventure was not without its challenges, as they traversed four more caverns in a similar fashion. Spider-women descended from the ceiling, their webbing intended to impede Simon and Rose’s progress. However, their efforts were in vain, as the two emerged victorious in every encounter. Belmont easily cleared a flight of bats, guiding Rose toward a numbered red platform on a rail.
“We ride this platform until we reach a switch station of sorts, and then we get off and board a blue platform that will take us to the end of the line. Finally, we’ll take a lift to reach the final floor of the underground and find the exit into the main keep,” Belmont explained, his confidence unwavering. “Any questions?” He glanced at Rose. With a determined shake of her head, Rose signaled her readiness to proceed.
Without hesitation, they stepped onto the red platform, instantly feeling the rush as it propelled them through the dark tunnel. Simon and Rose maintained a cautious demeanor, aware that danger could lurk around any corner. The platform rattled along at a brisk pace, the echo of Belmont’s whip crackling through the air. As the stop approached, the adventurers skillfully jumped onto the flat stone surface. A sign stood nearby, but it was obscured by layers of dirt and grime, rendering it illegible.
Belmont checked his watch. “We have five minutes until the other platform arrives,” he informed Rose, his gaze fixed on the overhead track.
Suddenly, Rose became aware of ethereal shapes floating around the switch point. Sensing danger, she extended her mind, tracing the Symbol of the Seven in the air. In a mesmerizing display, some of the shades burst into swirling mists, vanishing into thin air.
Belmont squinted at Rose, impressed. “Nice work. Those shades won’t be bothering us anymore. Now, let’s hop on the next platform. We’re nearly there.”
Gently grasping Rose’s arm, Belmont guided her onto the glowing blue rectangle that had come to a halt before them. As they stepped onto the platform, it suddenly surged forward, propelling them toward their destination. The underground world seemed to have no end, but Rose couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement. She turned to Belmont, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the cavern.
“Have you been through something like this before?” she asked, her voice barely audible over the clatter of the platform.
Belmont nodded, his expression grave. “Many times. This is just the beginning. The real challenges lie above. Stay close, and we’ll make it through.”
Rose nodded, determination in her eyes.
“Our final stop will be on the top floor,” Belmont informed her. “But before that, we’ll take a brief respite once we leave the underground.”
Simon Belmont stood at the edge of the platform, his ears attuned to the echoes reverberating through the surrounding tunnels. A blue signpost whizzed by on their left, signaling their imminent arrival. Gradually, the platform’s velocity waned. “Get ready,” he said as the platform came to a complete halt before a small alcove.
With Belmont leading the way, Rose noticed the familiar presence of a red lift nestled in a corner. He gestured for her to join him, extending a hand to assist her. Moments later, the lift began its ascent.
Tapping into her psychic abilities, Rose reached out with her mind. Faint but discernible, she detected the presence of numerous entities lurking along their planned route. And amidst them, a human mind loomed far above them, sending shivers down her spine. The formidable beings were unmistakably waiting for Belmont and her — of that, there was no doubt.
“You mentioned Actrisse,” Rose interjected, her voice laden with curiosity.
“Witch,” Belmont replied tersely. “Specializes in crystal magic. She usually works with a fellow named De Ries.”
As the lift grinded to a halt, Belmont pressed forward without hesitation. The rustling of the spider-women, their eerie presence palpable, surrounded the adventurers. Their eyes darted around, alert to any signs of danger.
“The spiders won’t make this easy for us,” Belmont warned, his voice steady. “Stay close behind me and watch my back. If I become trapped, pay attention to the clues that will lead us to a sun door — that will be our exit.”
“Of course,” Rose replied.
For a short but tense while, the adventurers scoured the dimly lit underground tunnels in search of the first clue. Moving cautiously, their ears attuned to the chittering sounds echoing through the murky depths, they pressed toward their ultimate goal. Suddenly, a swarm of spider-women descended upon them, attacking with their wicked pole arms and venomous sprays.
Rose found herself quickly encircled and separated from Belmont by the swift onslaught. Remembering her training, she hastily invoked the Symbol of the Seven, enveloping herself in an invisible dome of protection. Shields of divine energy shielded her from further venomous assaults, but she realized that she could not advance without first dealing with the menacing spider-women blocking her path.
“Belmont, a little help here!” Rose called out, her voice carrying a note of urgency. Belmont swiftly turned, his whip cracking through the air to fend off the advancing creatures.
“Stay close, Rose! We’ll clear a path together,” Belmont shouted, his eyes scanning the surroundings for the sun door. As they fought off the relentless swarm, the dim light of the cavern reflected the determination in their eyes. The underground journey was turning into a battle of wits and magic, and the duo was ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.