Mirror of Fate time travel au

[idraax]

"You don't want to go in there," came a voice from Trevor's right. He turned and immediately brought his cross up, opening it so the tip slid out a little.

There was a vampire in front of him, with pale hair that fell to mid-back. Trevor stared, eyes drawn to the dark, grey scar that peeked out from underneath his green leather coat.

"And why not," he snapped, shifting into a more combative stance.

The vampire sighed, staying where he was. He looked relaxed, hadn't even moved to lay a hand on the large sword at his side.

"It ends badly for you."

There was something in his eyes, sharp, raw grief mingled with a faded sort-of anger. His eyes flicked down to the gauntlets, still nowhere near the sword.

"And why should I believe you?"

He should stake the vampire, run him through the heart. Something held him back, pity perhaps? It looked like someone already had and had hated him enough to bring him back.

He didn't have time for this. He had to find his father and kill him, erase the shame on their family name. He walked past the vampire, but was stopped by a metal hand on his arm.

"Your father will kill you," the vampire said, voice steady.

He froze, cold dropping down his spine. No one but the Brotherhood was supposed to know that. How did this vampire find out?

The vampire tugged him away from the path and towards a pile of flat stones, pushing him down gently with a hand.

"I have been where you are," he said, taking a seat opposite. "Your despair, your anger, I have felt it. But this is not the way, Trevor Belmont. Taking this path will not end well for you."

The way he said his name, full of loss and yearning....something welled up inside him and he swallowed, blinking hard.

"Who are you?"

Trevor stared at the vampire's jaw line, the long-faded scars that glimmered faintly in the fading light. His features seemed familiar. It was almost like looking into an inverted mirror. He felt as if he was on the verge of a realization, one that would shake the foundations of his world.

"I am Alucard," the vampire said after a long silence.

Trevor frowned. That didn't ring quite right. It slide off his tongue with a faint trace of awkwardness, as if he still wasn't used to shaping its syllables.

"Your real name if you please"

Alucard wasn't his real name, not even close. Trevor had a feeling he knew what it was, but he wanted to hear it from the other's lips.

The vampire frowned, golden eyes dissecting him. Trevor felt laid bare, all of his secrets exposed. The temperature around them dropped, the light slipped away faster and the twilight around them began to come alive.

"I was once known as Trevor Belmont," the vampire said finally.

Oh

This was his future in front of him. It was surprisingly handsome. His future needed to comb his hair though, Trevor could see a few stray leaves peeking out from within the pale strands.

He knew, deep inside, that the vampire wasn't lying. The way they moved was too similar, though his future self's movements were more graceful. The evidence of all the years that separated them. How long had he been like this, a creature of the night? Why had god brought him back?

"Call me Alucard," the other said. "To avoid any confusion"

He nodded. "I assume him killing me is how I become you?"

Had his father hated him that much? His hands tightened on the cross, as if it could keep that future away. But, no, it was right in front of him and the look on Alucard's face was enough of an answer.

He swallowed, looked at the sky. The pale pink glow was almost gone. Stars had begun to shimmer. Around them, the sounds of the night grew louder as undergrowth rustled.

"Yes," Alucard said eventually. "Go home, go be with your wife and son."

There were two choices laid before him now. One where he dies and becomes the vampire before him and one where he goes back. He wasn't entirely sure that this was what he was walking towards, but turning back was tempting too. The shame on his family name could not stand though and no matter what this vampire said, he had to rectify it. He had to move forward, it was all he could do.

"Thank you for your advice, " he began and the grief in Alucard's eyes deepened.

"No, Trevor Belmont, " the vampire said. "I will not let you make this mistake."

Suddenly, he was much closer, picking the cross from Trevor's tight grip and tossing it away.

"Hey," Trevor protested, trying to rise. Alucard held him down. The metal of the gauntlets dug into his shoulder as he tried to push against the weight.

"You will die," he said, voice low and intense. It thrummed in his bones and made him shudder.

"She will die," he continued. "You will never know your son. You cannot confront him.

The grief in the tone tugged at his heart, brought a wave of tears to coalesce in his throat. Sphya

He imagined her dead, motionless in a pool of blood. Simon, growing up alone and never knowing his father's touch or his mother's love. But, Dracula was a evil that could not be allowed to exist. He had to stop him.

He closed his eyes. The weight of the choice pressed deep into his heart. All of his life had been leading up to this. He couldn't just turn away. He didn't have a choice; he had to go.

"I can't," he said. The anguish in his voice clear. "I must confront him."

Alucard stared at him for a long time. Above them, the night blackened. The surrounding air grew colder and he could feel himself start to shiver slightly. The sounds of the night ebbed way into the background.

"Very well," Alucard said eventually. "But you will not do it alone."

He let Trevor go and finally put a hand on his sword. The gauntlet creaked as he clasped the hilt. Trevor rose, stooped to pick up the cross and turned. He wasn't quite sure if he should turn his back on the vampire, but Alucard didn't seem inclined to harm him.

"Let's go"

---

Alucard knew the castle well enough to guide them around the traps. Trevor followed him, cross gripped tightly in a hand. He hadn't needed to use the cross yet. All the creatures of the castle were staying well out of their way. Though, there was a black shape that had been following them for some time.

"Wait," Trevor said, stepping closer to Alucard. There was no heat coming from him and his skin seemed to be a shade grayer. Was he hungry?

Alucard stopped, turned to look at him curiously. Trevor's eyes slid to the black, tattered figure in the shadows and Alucard frowned.

"Come out," he said, drawing his spiked sword out slightly. It emanated a strange sort of energy and Trevor took a step away from it, drawing his own weapon. He let the chain go slack in his hands.

The tattered black creature floated out to hover in front of them and Alucard hissed sharply. It's face was a white mask, with faint cracks upon the surface.

"This was not supposed to happen," it said.

The voice was in his head and he clutched the cross tighter. Beside him, Alucard growled and took a step forward. His fangs shone in the light.

"No. That fate will not happen."

He drew the sword and fire flickered down along its length. The spirit hovered there as he slashed at it and white chips broke off of its mask. It melted back into the dark and Alucard stood there, chest heaving with air he didn't need.

Trevor stayed where he was. Whatever that thing was, it was clear that Alucard didn't like it. He was staring in the direction it had gone, hand still clenched around the sword. It was still on fire and Trevor could feel its heat, even from this distance.

"What was that?" He asked, walking over to Alucard.

With a quick movement, Alucard sheathed the sword, the flames vanishing as soon as the blade touched the sheath.

"A spirit. One that has always caused trouble. No matter, it shouldn't bother us now. Come"

He turned and walked further down the hallway.

---

Eventually, they reached the top floor. Alucard looked at him as if he wanted to say something, but he visibly bit the words back and turned towards the doors. Large and ornate, with an embossed dragon rising from flame, they loomed over Trevor. His fate lay beyond.

He tightened his grip on the cross and nodded to Alucard.

"I'm ready"

Alucard nodded back, still frowning, and pushed the door open. The room beyond was empty. Their footsteps echoed, sending up small clouds of dust.

Trevor glanced around as they went further in. It didn't look like anyone had been here for quite some time. Were they in the right place? He looked back at Alucard, questioningly.

Alucard took a breath, let it out slowly and spoke.

"Gabriel Belmont," he said, voice loud and clear. "We know you are here."

Black mist descended on the room. It swirled around them before condensing in a single spot and vanishing.

"No one has called me by that name in a long time."

Calm, with an undercurrent of rage, the voice was like nothing Trevor had imagined. The Lord of the Castle was a head shorter than him and looked as weary as Alucard. Both were dressed in similar outfits, elaborate open coats, fancy belts and plain pants.

"No," Alucard said. "I would imagine not."

He stepped closer to Trevor and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Meet your son," Alucard said and Trevor gaped at him. What was he doing? This wasn't the plan. He tried to move and Alucard's grip tightened. The claws of his gauntlets tore into Trevor's coat slightly.

"Trevor Belmont, son of Gabriel and Marie Belmont," Alucard continued. "You can look in the mirror for proof."

Alucard's grip hurt his shoulder, but the desperation in his voice stabbed into his heart. How long had he lived, unable to join his family? How much must have Dracula hated him?

Alucard gestured towards the mirror with his free hand and all of them turned to look. The tattered spirit hovered in front of it for a moment, before drifting aside as the mirror began to glow. The glow consumed them all, showing their pasts, their present and future that would never come to be.

His heart hurt, his throat clogged and face wet with tears as he stumbled back. Dracula's life lay before him, full of pain, despair and anger. His own future, Alucard's past, was full of grief and uncertainty. The world's end flickered in front of him, a swollen sun and a last, desperate wish. The world changed again, the past, present meeting.

He tore his gaze away from the mirror, looked at Alucard who was flickering.

"Alucard!"

Alucard smiled at him and the years of pain and grief vanished from his face. It was beautiful.

"The future is changed," he said. "I no longer need to exist. Thank you"

He hugged Trevor then, gripping him close before moving back to look him in the eyes. The knowledge of years passed between them then, of centuries lived and centuries lost. Time's weight pressed down on him, drove him to his knees. Alucard knelt in front of him, gripped his face.

"Take care of our family, all of it," he said, a final wish.

"I will," Trevor promised, still stunned by the depth of a life lived.

Alucard smiled at him, kissed his forehead and vanished. His sword clattered to the ground, a final gift and Trevor picked it up, slowly getting to his feet. Across from him, Dracula got to his feet, wobbly with surprise.

They stared at each other for a long time. The knowledge of their past and potential future hung between them, nearly tangible. Trevor pondered his promise, studied the vampire before him and came to a decision.

"Come on father, let's get to know each other."