The two eventually made it out and to a hilltop, overlooking both castles as they crumbled to rubble.  It was tough.  Once Richter felt they had safely distanced themselves, he laid Gwendolyna on the ground gently and knelt by her side.  Despite all of the action, she did not stir.  He began to fear the worst.  

“Richter…” Maria spoke up.  “Is she…?”

Richter looked over Gwen, searching for some sign of life.  Without a beating heart, he knew not how to check to see if she was still with him.  Her body was as cold as ever.  No air filled her lungs.

“I… I cannot tell…”

Maria nodded solemnly.

Richter stared down at her, brushing the soft, copper bangs away from her face.  She looked as beautiful and peaceful as she did when she slept, but his view of her began to grow blurred as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

“Maria, I swear, she was an angel,” he said, not looking away from the vampiress.  “Despite her curse, there was no darkness within her.  Even as awful as I had become, even when I treated her like she was a sworn enemy to our kind, never once did she give up on me…  I remember, when we first met, she asked me to save her.”  A bitter laugh followed these words.  “‘Tis ironic… Between us, I’d say she ended up being the savior…”

He shook his head in an attempt not to allow his emotions to get the best of him.  He raised her wounded hand to his lips to place a tender kiss on her knuckles.  Closing his eyes, he whispered a silent prayer for her before drawing a deep breath and continuing.

“God forbid, should she…  Should she truly be gone…”  His voice wavered, not even wanting to consider that possibility.  “May He have mercy on her soul.  For if one like her cannot make it to Heaven, there is not a chance for any of us.”  He raised his eyes, looking out towards the falling castles as they brimmed with tears.  “I pray Alucard has made Dracula pay for what he has done to all of us.”

“I hope he makes it,” Maria said.

Richter noticed how she twisted the hem of her dress.  He knew not how the two had become acquainted with one another, but it was clear she cared for him.

“I trust he will,” he assured her.  He prayed such a sweet girl would never have to feel the pain of losing one she loved to Dracula.

The pair fell silent as they watched the wreckage, both searching for some sign of Alucard.  Richter continued to stroke Gwen’s hair, thinking back on all the times she’d done the same for him.

In those silent moments, Richter’s mind began to wander again.  His cheeks burned with shame when he thought about all the pain he caused.  He was mortified as the reality of the past year set in.  Resentment, grief, and fear of a destiny unfulfilled had given the curse just enough footing to allow him to become the perfect puppet for the very one he was sworn to defeat.  This would be his legacy- the Belmont who went mad and resurrected Dracula.  A blemish on the family name.  Because of him, Maria had to endure a year of endless searching which led her to such a frightening place, Alucard had to face his own father, and Gwendolyna…  God bless her.

Perhaps the most devastating to him was that he would have to live with the vile way he once treated the woman who believed him to be her salvation from the darkness that she had no control over.  She looked to him, and he used her.  He degraded her, taunted her, defiled her.  Yet she endured it all, because she loved him.  Even when he swore to her that she was incapable of such love, her feelings never faltered.  He may have warmed up to her over time, but that didn’t erase his remorse now that he was in his right mind.  The brief moments they shared before leaving the castle were not nearly enough time for him to tell her how much she meant to him.

More than anything, he wished he could have the chance to love her properly, to love her like she had always loved him.  He knew not if he could blame everything on the curse.  ‘Twas his own apprehension that could never permit him to return her feelings, the fear of betraying the traditions he clung to of what a Belmont should or should not be…  Those same ideals that had gotten him into this mess to begin with.

Speaking of traditions, he no longer found himself worthy of the whip he wielded.  He had abused it, treated it like a toy, and soiled it with his wicked ways.  Part of him wondered if it punished him for that by taking his precious vampire since he refused to do it himself.  Whatever the case, he knew it belonged in his hands no longer.  Anyone was better suited than him at this point.  Giving it to the next Belmont seemed out of the question.  With both the women that he loved gone, he was certain there would be none to succeed him.  Part of him found some sort of relief that this would end with him.  After what he had done, he could not find it in himself to thrust that destiny upon another.

“So, you made it.”

The sound of Alucard’s voice grabbed Richter’s attention.

“Alucard!” Maria exclaimed.  “I’m glad you’re all right!”

Alucard responded with a curt nod.

“I’m sorry,” Richter said, guilt so profound that he found himself blurting out an apology before anything else.  “‘Tis my fault you had to fight your own father.”

“Fear not.  I had my own reasons for destroying him.”

“It… must have been painful for you.”

“Indeed,” said Alucard before taking a deep breath.  “But you must always remember that the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing…”

After a stoic moment of staring off across the horizon, Alucard’s eyes returned and settled on the woman that Richter still held.

“What of her?”

“I…”  Richter swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.  He instinctively pulled her closer to his chest.  “I do not think she made it.”

“A legendary vampire hunter such as yourself should recognize she is not gone,” Alucard said.  “If she was, there would be no body to hold.  What caused this?”

“I fear the whip drained her life,” said Richter.  “I've heard it’s known to do that.”

“The whip?” asked Alucard.  He looked down to the whip that hung from Richter’s belt. “… ‘Tis the same whip that Trevor Belmont once used?”

Richter nodded.

“Surely, you did not use it against her.”

“No!  ‘Twas her who wielded it to protect us after an ambush,” said Richter.

“I see,” he said.  “Weakened from exposure, I imagine.  ‘Tis impressive that she was even able to control it.”

“Indeed…  Alucard, if she’s only weakened, do you think blood would restore her strength?” asked Richter.  “Though, I do not know how difficult it would be to find something out here.  I'd offer her mine if it would save her, but she’s not consumed human blood.  I wish not to make her do so against her will…”

“Do not even consider it,” the dhampir warned.  “If true, it’s likely she only survived your family’s whip because she has not tainted herself by feeding on man.  It would appear the full curse never took hold.”

“She does have remarkable strength,” Richter said.  “Even as I bled before her, she kept her composure as she tended to me.”

Alucard reached into his pocket, pulling out a small glass vial.

“I found this elixir within the castle walls,” he said.  “Perhaps it can be of use instead.”

Alucard passed the vial to Richter.  He quickly popped the top and tipped it to her parted lips, careful not to let any of the potion go to waste.  His breath was bated as his brimming eyes gazed down at her for any sign that she was conscious.  Each second that passed without any response was torture.  Just as he was beginning to lose hope, the hand of hers that Richter still held squeezed his, causing him to gasp.

“Gwen?”

Pale pink lips then moved.  Her murmurs were inaudible, but that alone was enough for Richter to rejoice.  He held her in his arms, bringing his lips down to hers as he squeezed her.  Unable to mask his emotions any longer, teardrops freely rolled down his cheeks onto hers as he kissed her.

“Come, Alucard,” Maria whispered, tugging his sleeve.  “Let us grant them a moment.”

The two had distanced themselves by the time Richter eased off Gwen’s lips.  She struggled to open her eyes, but her face softened the moment they cracked open enough for her to see the face of the man she loved.

“Lord… Belmont…?”

Her voice was feeble as it spoke, yet it was more powerful than the loudest organ.  Hearing her again was even more beautiful than any sonata she had ever played for him.  He grinned and shook his head at the sound of that ridiculous title.

“I'm here, Gwen,” he assured her.  “We’re okay.”

“Richter…?”

The sound of his given name made him beam.  “Yes, Gwen?

“What happened?” she continued.  “Where are we?”

“You fainted, but we got you out of the castle.”  He eased off of her a bit to hold her up and point at where Castlevania used to be.  “Look!  You did it!  You made it out.”

Brows furrowed, and she lifted her head to look around.  A small gasp followed.

“My God,” she whispered, straightening up.  “It's gone…”  She directed her attention back to him.  “Dracula was defeated?”

“He was.  Alucard stopped him.”

Her head lowered.  “I see…”

“I’m sorry…  I understand how difficult this must be for you,” said Richter upon noting her demeanor.  “Losing the home that you've known for centuries.”

Staring off into the distance, she nodded.  Though it was indeed fortunate that her sire had been defeated, a sense of sorrow gripped her heart.  She had lived within Castlevania for lifetimes.  She knew not what the world outside was like these days.  The thought alone frightened her.

“Please, return with me and Maria,” he said.  “It’s no castle, but I’m sure you’d feel right at home at the library inside of the Belmont Estate.”

Gwen laughed at this, causing Richter to laugh along with her.  He pulled her to his chest and rubbed her arm.

“‘Tis such a relief to see your smile again.  I was so worried I lost you.”

His lips pressed to her temple and gave her a tight squeeze.  A shaky breath of relief was let out before he rose to his feet and helped her to hers as well.

“Thank you, Alucard,” said Richter.

“Yes, thank you,” Gwendolyna said as she clung to Richter’s arms.

“‘Tis good to see the two of you together,” he said.  He focused his attention to Gwen.  “Have you now your answer?”

Richter and Maria were confused by this question, but Gwen hid her giggles behind her hand and nodded.

“I do.  Thank you.”

“Alucard,” said Maria.  “What will you do now?”

He turned away from them at this inquiry.

“The blood that flows in my veins is cursed,” he said as he once again looked out over the wreckage that was Castlevania.  “‘Twould be best for this world if I were to disappear forever.”

“I… see,” said Maria.  All of her enthusiasm disappeared with these words.

“Farewell then,” he said without looking back.  “We'll not meet again.”

Before another word could be spoken, he began to walk away.

“… Alucard...”

Maria took a few steps behind him, but stopped and instead watched as he disappeared.

Those painful words that Alucard had said were things that Gwen had felt for as long as she could remember, feelings that she only quit believing once Richter helped convince her otherwise.  She looked at Richter and nudged him.  He quickly understood.  After a nod, he looked to Maria.

“Don't you want to go after him, Maria?” he asked.

At first, Maria did not respond.  Her eyes were fixed in the direction Alucard had left as she considered what Richter had said.  After a moment of deliberation, she turned back.

“I'm sorry,” she said with tears in her eyes and a shake of her head.  “I can't let him disappear from my life.”

“It's all right,” Richter assured her.  “Go after him.  Perhaps you can save his haunted soul.”

She nodded at his words.

“Thank you, Richter…  Fare thee well.”

Richter tipped his head.  “And yourself, dear lady.”

Maria gave the two a smile before leaving to catch up with the dhampir. 

When she was out of sight, the two turned to watch the last rays of the sun as they disappeared on the horizon. 

“I’m so proud of you, Gwen,” he whispered to her.  “You’ve gotten so brave since we first met.”

“I…  I just can’t believe I’m free,” she said as she leaned against him.  “I could have never done it without you.”

Richter pulled Gwendolyna in for a tighter embrace. 

“Nor could I have survived this place without you.”

He pressed his lips to the top of her head.  A few seconds passed before a smile crossed his face and he looked down at her.

“So…  Have you been practicing behind my back?” he teased.  “Your aim improved.”

Instead of joking along with him, her face grew serious and she broke away.

“Richter,” she said.  “About that.  I… I fail to understand.”

“Understand what, my love?”

“By skill alone, I would have been unable to face that succubus,” she said.  “If I recall, you have told me the whip does not heed anyone outside of the Belmont clan.”

“Indeed, it does not,” he replied.  “Not without first deeming them worthy.  I dare say you were worthy.”

A weak laugh rose from her as she lifted her blistered hand.

“Well, it must have been conflicted.  Somehow, it heeded my wish to protect us despite rejecting my body.”

Richter took her the back of her hand into his palm, careful not to cause her any additional pain.

“Worry not about that,” he said.  “Vampire or not, you handled yourself like a true Belmont.”

With a bashful giggle, she leaned in for another hug, burying her face against his chest.

“That said,” he lowered his lips to her ear to whisper.  “I think you should be a Belmont.”

She lifted her head, knitting her brows at his statement.

“… How?”

“How else?” Richter asked.  When she shook her head in confusion, he laughed.  “Gwendolyna, I would like to take you as my wife.”

Her eyes went wide, glistening like gold in the faint light of the setting sun.  A bright smile broke on her face.

“… Really?  You want to marry me?”

Richter’s own sapphire eyes shimmered just as much as he stared back at her.  Her beauty left him speechless for a moment, overwhelmed him to the point he wanted to break away, but he kept her gaze as he proceeded.

“Of course.  I love you as much as I know you love me,” Richter proclaimed.  “And I want to spend the rest of my days giving you all the love you have been deprived of for so long.  Those few moments when I thought I had lost you were among the worst I’ve experienced.  As long as I live, I do not wish to be without you again.”

“Nor do I wish to ever be without you.”

Their gaze remained as he leaned in closer, only breaking once he closed his eyes to press his lips upon hers.  The tenderness of the moment had her melting in his arms, and he was happy to support her as he deepened the kiss.  At times like this, he envied her lack of breath.  Minutes weren’t enough.  He wanted to kiss her forever, but he had to part all too soon.

“Come, return home with me,” he urged.  “We can discuss our future once we are rested.”

With a smile and a nod, Gwendolyna took Richter’s hand, allowing him to lead her to the rest of her blessed eternity.