The team of four was with the last group of men on the way to their village. All of them had insisted on the two couples returning to the towns to deliver the good news and receive the villages' thanks. It was the least they could do, as every one of the survivors knew it would not have possible without their aid.

It had been the same throughout the travel back. Each village had offered them what food or goods they could spare. The only problem was that Alucard and Eva were never comfortable entering the towns. It was one thing for the fighters to accept aide from a dhampir and a nephilim, but quite another for the average villager to see and not lose their mind over.

The last village they approached was David's. Much to everyone's surprise, the man insisted that they all come and share in the news. He was adamant that he would shield Alucard and Eva from any unwanted scrutiny. Eva was not as shocked as Alucard since the man had already approached her after the battle to thank her for saving his life. His attitude change represented a change that had happened to all the men. It was hard for them to question her when they could have well died without her, and that didn't count the rest of what they had seen.

They two couples agreed to spend one evening with David and the few men from his village. It was a celebration, to be sure, but the mood was still somber. The relief and gratitude from all the villagers were palpable, but so was their grief at all that had been lost to gain the victory. At least they knew they could rest easier knowing most of the threat had been removed. Life would never be easy for them, but it would no longer be a waking nightmare every day.

The next morning, the two couples left with more thanks, and two extra horses. David had been happy to help them gather the resources when he found out they would not all be traveling together for long.

Adrian and Eva had already filled their saddlebags and were riding the horses instead of in the cart as usual. The villagers had gathered to send them all off as they rode away.

It wasn't until they were more than an hour down the road that the silence was finally broken, Trevor looked over at Alucard with a frown. "I know we will be going our separate ways soon enough, but before we do, I think it's about time we had that talk."

Alucard looked over with a frown that quickly turned into rueful aggravation when he realized what the hunter was on about. Trevor ignored it as he continued. "Tell me, have you really taken blood from Eva?"

Eva tried to hide her blush with a frown at the reminder of the previous uncomfortable conversation. Alucard was frowning as well, but it quickly turned into a smirk as he answered. "A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."

Sypha had to hide her laugh behind her hand, while Eva tried to cover her whole face with the hand that wasn't on the reins. Trevor's eyes widened slightly before he gave the other man a look of disgust. "So you still insist it has something to do with, you know, that?"

By that point, Eva had heard enough. She tried to control her darkening blush as she interrupted. "Trevor, please. I appreciate your concern, but I give you my word that Adrian is not using me in any nefarious ways. Unless you count intimacy outside of wedlock. If so, then you have plenty to look into in your own backyard."

Trevor's look became slightly horrified before he looked back over to Sypha. She gave him a cheeky grin that made him roll his eyes before he finally sighed and turned back to Eva. She had to bite her tongue to keep from saying something about his slight blush when he shrugged. "Fine, I'll let it go. Just know that we may stop by at any time to check up the two of you. If I find things have changed, expect retribution."

Alucard rolled his eyes at the hunter. "Of course, that is if you aren't too drunk to stand."

Trevor's blush disappeared as he glared at the dhampir. However, he wasn't given a chance to respond as they had finally reached the crossroads where they would be separating.

Eva felt tears prick her eyes as she thought about going back to the castle without the two of them, but she also knew it would be pointless to ask them to stay. They were both wanderers. She smiled at the thought that they suited each other, despite how it sometimes looked.

When they halted in the middle of the road, Eva guided her horse to Sypha's side of the cart and sidled up close enough that they could give each other a hug. When they parted, the Speaker gave her a smile. "Do not worry that this will be the last we see of each other. I have a feeling that many adventures await us all."

Eva chuckled and shook her head. "You can have all the adventures you like. I'm ready for things to chill a bit."

Sypha gave her a confused look. "Chill? Winter just ended."

That drew a laugh from Eva that she quickly tried to stifle. "I just meant it would be nice not to worry about dying for a bit."

Sypha's eyes brightened as understanding dawned on her. It was just one more turn of phrase her friend had that was unusual, but not shocking. She reached out and squeezed Eva's fingers once again as she smiled. "I'm sure you'll get your wish. I have no doubt that Alucard will ensure you are safe."

Eva smiled in return before she leaned over a little and raised a brow at Trevor. "Don't worry, I'm sure Sypha will keep you safe too."

Trevor rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "Oh god, not you too." They all started laughing at his expression, Trevor included.

However, they also knew they still had a long way to travel, and the times were still dangerous, even without random demons roaming the night. Eva guided her horse back to Adrian's side and waved at the other couple as they headed the opposite direction. When the two that remained turned back toward the castle, he spoke up in a soft voice. "Sypha was right. Don't worry that we won't see them again. Something tells me that no matter what Belmont says, they will visit occasionally."

Eva smiled over at him. "I know. We should probably fix up a room for them whenever they come." Her eyes then widened, and she gave him a grin. "We should also make sure to have extra rooms cleaned. I bet that it won't be more than a few years until they have a new arrival that slows things down a little."

He gave her a confused look that turned into horrified shock as he understood what she meant. "May the Lord have mercy on the world if there are to be more Belmonts. At least if they come from him."

Eva snickered. "Unless they are to be Belnades."

Adrian chuckled. He agreed that it was just as likely. Their conversation after that turned to things that still needed to be done around the castle. Though Adrian's thoughts did turn to wonder if their own lives might be changed soon. It was something he hadn't thought about before, but he was shocked to find he wasn't opposed to the idea. It might be pleasant to hear childish laughter fill the halls of the castle once more. It hadn't always been dark and dreary, and if he had any say, it would not be like that for much longer.

Already it was much brighter than it had been with the addition of the smile riding next to him. That thought made him grin. Despite the pain, they both had a happier future now, and he planed to make the most of it.

A/N:And so it has ended. I still have a lot of plans for these two, so expect that sequel to start within the next month. I am still busy on other stuff as well, so expect a slowdown for all my posts until after the first of the year, but have no fear that this story will go untold. I hope you are all looking forward to the next installment! Please feel free to let me know what you thought of this adventure. Cheers!