Y/N POV

The castle was behind us now. Lady Dimitrescu was dead. I'd decided to keep hold of the crystallised statuette that remained of her. I'd noted the similarities from hers and her daughter's deaths to that of the Mold, perhaps once we'd finally got Rose back and escaped this place, I'd be able to study the statuette and come to a conclusion.

There was also that strange flask baring what I believed was the insignia of House Dimitrescu. Ethan picked that up and from there we were free to exit the chapel, leaving Dimitrescu's body behind and heading out into the snow outside.

(I might a light blunder in the last chapter, thinking the door lead directly into a cave. I've gone back and fixed that.)

Stepping outside, I shivered lightly at the cold. Walking we found a drawbridge leading back to the castle however there was nothing we could use to lower it at this end. Shortly after, we came to a wooden door with two torches on either side.

There was a lock on the door however I just stated "Stand back." Raising my handgun, I fired, shooting the lock off its hinge and causing the door to open from the force revealing a dark cave behind it. 

The two of us slowly began to make our way into the darkness. Keeping our handguns at the ready since we still needed to find ammo for our other guns. We kept going, paddling through a narrow pool of water.

Emerging from the water, we found ourselves at a staircase that was once more lit by torches. Ahead of us we saw a door and I could just about make out the sound of chanting, as we drew closer, I began to pick up on what was being said.

"Great ones. Here our voice together as one in reverence. Be called on thee, within the endless dark to deliver us into fate's hands. As the midnight moon rises on black wings, so we make the sacrifice. And await the light at the end. In life, and in death, we give glory Mother Miranda."

This kept up as we approached a small wooden door, pushing it open we found ourselves met with that strange hag we'd seen in the village, she stood in front of an altar, repeating the chant over and over to herself.

Me and Ethan approached, standing directly behind her as Ethan said "Hey, remember us? We almost died up in that castle. Tell us, what is going on around here?" The old woman turned, giving us a blank expression before she slowly tilted her head and asked "How can a man be 'almost' dead? That's a question for the wise."

Ethan sternly snapped "You know what I mean, and I still haven't found Rose. Where did Mother Miranda take her?" The hag let out a laugh before replying "You're both too late! Or maybe 'almost' too late?"

At this point I had lost my patience as I snapped "Enough games! Answer the damn question!" The hag gave me a stern glare "The child will be sacrificed, life for life." Ethan commented "What kind of sick medieval shit is this? She's just a baby!"

The old woman stepped towards a giant stone carving on the wall. There were four crests surrounding the outside, one of which I recognized as the insignia of House Dimitrescu. In the second was a pillar or something like that and underneath, quite small, I saw something that made my eyes narrow. A logo that resembled that of Umbrella, but why would that be here? It had to be some strange coincidence.

Image of the carving:

I listened as the elderly woman explained "The crests of the four bloodlines may open the path you seek." Ethan asked "Will you please stop talking in riddles. I just want to find my daughter." The woman stepped closer, quietly saying "It's only a riddle if you don't know the answer."

She abruptly let out a laugh and slowly began walking away. Me and Ethan studied it for a moment, Ethan said "Wait a moment, that looks familiar." I didn't know if he was getting the same similarities I was.

We turned just to see the woman exit through the door we'd come through. Ethan called after her. "Hey! Hey. wait!" She ignored us though and closed the door behind her, locking it. My attention instantly turned to the alter she'd been stood at.

It was adorned with candles, at the head was a picture of a woman holding a baby in her arms, I assumed the woman to be Mother Miranda, I'd only seen her briefly and both those times she had a mask on so I couldn't be sure.

In the centre, just in front of the picture was a small box. I reached out and slowly opened it to find a strange key, with wing-like things extending out of it. As strange as it looked, it seemed important so I felt it best to keep hold of.

Image of the Winged Key:

I spoke up to Ethan. "Hey Ethan." As he turned to me, I explained "I found this key." Ethan nodded "Good, maybe it unlocks this gate, I can't get it open any other way." Looking up, on the other side of the room was a wooden gate with an assortment of bones and feathers on it.

Shrugging, I commented "Worth a shot." With this new key, I approached the gate and inserted it into the lock, it fit perfectly and with a twist, the latch holding the door shut came loose allowing us to push it open to reveal yet another staircase which we instantly ascended.

At the top we found another door covered with metal bars, next to it was a lever. Ethan went up and gave the lever a pull, the sound of gears turning, what we found on the other side was a definite surprise.

A giant arena-like area. For statues lined its exterior, each one showing a king sat on a throne. Ethan asked "What is this place?" I shook my head and replied "I don't know." The area surrounding the area was shrouded in fog, we could just about see the castle off in the distance.

There was a set of stone stairs going down out of this arena, we began making our way down them, across a crumbling stone bridge. It was at this point, we heard the familiar growls of nearby Lycans.

We both raised our weapons and looked around, straight away we spotted a few approaching us from behind, weapons in hand. We were still running low on ammo following the whole Dimitrescu battle so instead of wasting any more fighting, we took of running.

Behind us, we could hear the Lycans pursuing as we reached another wooden gate decorated with bones and feathers. Using the key from before, I inserted it into the lock, releasing the latch before quickly forcing the door open.

Me and  Ethan ran through the gate, quickly slamming it shut behind us before any of those monsters could slip through. As soon as the door was shut and the roar of Lycans began to die down, me and Ethan both turned around, getting a look at what was in front of us. 

It was a strange sight, two rows of stone pillars ran parallel to one another leading up to a large stone structure in the centre of this chamber. Me and Ethan both stepped towards it slowly and cautiously before jumping when a familiar voice addressed us.

"There you both are. I had a feeling you would pop up here." Turning we saw the Duke sat back in his trailer, watching us expectantly with that same jovial smile as before. We both approached him, Ethan spoke up.

"It was all worthless." The Duke raised an eyebrow and commented "Is that so? I assume you've picked up something of value." I noticed he was gesturing to the yellow flask which Ethan was still holding. He held it up, saying "Not sure if it's of value but..."

He trailed off as the Duke said something which made me narrow my eyes. "Why, you have your daughter right in your own hands." I asked in a confused tone "What are you saying?" The Duke made a gesture with his hand as he said "Take a closer look."

Upon inspecting the flask, we discovered that on one side was a label, covered in dust. Ethan wiped a part of it away to reveal the word 'Head' written across it in black lettering. This in itself was confusing, however when we rubbed away more, we soon wished we hadn't.

'Rosemary W.'

That's what was written on the side! Ethan dropped the flask to the floor in shock and terror, I just placed a hand over my mouth as my eyes now widened, muttering to myself. "Oh my god..."

The Duke commented in a calm tone "That flask seems to contain her head." Ethan dropped to his knees, reaching out to the flask, muttering "No... Wh-wha?" The Duke began "Rose is-." Ethan yelled "Don't say another word! This, this is impossible! This just can't be!"

I barely managed to say "How, how could this happen?" The Duke explained to Ethan "You daughter's essence is still intact. Her powers are truly unique." Me and Ethan were both still in shock, Ethan picked the flask up though and asked "Who, who could even do this?!"

The Duke reassured "She can be saved you know." I exclaimed at him "Saved?! From this?! Are you insane?!" The Duke remained calm though and said "There's a house with a red chimney on the western side of the village. Go and seek out the man who lives there. Then we can continue our conversation."

Ethan snapped "Quit holding out and get to the damn point!" The Duke just grinned and asked "You don't have to trust my words. But do you have any better options?" We both looked down at the flask, I quietly said "Little Rose..."

The Duke said "It's up to you two. The customers are always right, after all." Ethan looked up and spat "You'll PAY if I find out this is a lie." To that the Duke just let out a laugh. Ethan muttered "Fucking joker."

I calmly said "Let's go. He's right, we don't have any other options." Ethan nodded "Okay." We began making our way in the direction of the village. I had no idea what was going on here. But there was one thing I didn't know.

Soon I would experience one of the most strange occurrences of my life...

Author's Note: And that's it for this chapter, there will be one or two more before we reach the House Beneviento part of the story which should be fun since Donna along with Heisenberg will have interesting roles in their story. I'm taking creative liberties while still remaining true to their characters. I hope you like those chapters, I also hope you liked this one as well and as always, thank you for reading.