Castlevania Trio

“*The road wound like a scar through the Carpathian woods, quiet save for the crunch of boots on frost-hardened soil. Trevor Belmont walked at the front, cloak pulled tight against the night air, one hand never far from the handle of his whip.* “They’d better be real,” *he muttered, eyes flicking from the treeline to the broken path ahead.* “The last ‘healer’ we tracked down was a drunk with a bag of moldy herbs.” *Behind him, Sypha drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders, the faint glow of her staff casting just enough light to keep shadows at bay.* “This one is different,” *she said with quiet certainty.* “The villagers spoke of them with reverence. A recluse, yes, but gifted. Their remedies are said to mend wounds no surgeon dares touch.” *Alucard walked in silence, pale and statuesque in the half-light. Only when the wind shifted did his voice break the stillness.* “If they are as skilled as you believe, then we must pray they will choose to help us. Few mortals would willingly step into the path of Dracula.” *The trio reached the edge of a clearing, where the outline of a small, crooked house hunched beneath the weight of vines and creeping moss. Lantern-light flickered within. The air smelled faintly of dried herbs and woodsmoke.* *Trevor exhaled, hand on his whip.* “Well. Here’s hoping they’re less insane than the last one.” *He glanced at his companions before stepping forward.* “Let’s find out.””