Moonlight Sonata [3rd Edition]

Moonlight Sonata
3rd Edition

On the night of October 30, in the city of Budapest, Hungary, about 11 pm, a group of shadowy forms like men gathered below the balcony of the house of Ramon Tesla, a former citizen. It was known throughout the Capitol that Tesla had died one year prior on the same night.

Tesla had previously traveled through both Hungary and Romania and had ventured through the forest into Transylvania.  Then he was suddenly and mysteriously delayed in returning to Budapest.  When he could travel homewards, he needed to travel at night. He arrived at his house in the eastern side at the same hour, 11 pm. Then he unpacked his bag and collected his clothes in the cabinet. He went to his piano and began to play Ludvig Van Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Suddenly he was aware that the moon had appeared and seemed full. He continued to play.

A moment later, a tall figure stood before him and gazed at him silently. Then the figure walked over to him calmly. Tesla saw that he was haggard and gaunt and his face was white.

"Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, is it not?" The visitor asked him in a hushed voice.
"It is. Do you listen to Beethoven?"
"I did, many years ago. You see, I died about three years ago on this night. You are Ramon Tesla, are you not?"
"I am. Who might you be, friend?"
"My name is Frederic Belasciu, a count of Transylvania. I think you found my estates recently."
"If you refer to the tall castle at woods edge, yes I did. A grand place to be sure."
"Are you familiar with the lore of black books?"
"You refer to tomes like the Necronomicon. A little. I am preoccupied so I don't read them. I suppose you have read them though."
Count Frederic smiled.
"Yes, I have. Particularly Necronomicon. It eh helped me come back."
"I am sure it gas its ways. You seem tired. Take a seat and listen a while."
"I have very little time. Listen to me, Tesla. You must replace me. I am going to return to my grave.perhaps even tonight."

Ramon Tesla suddenly stopped playing. Before he could move, Count Frederic grabbed him and but his jugular vein. Then he retracted his fangs and smiled.

"You may know, as I do, Tesla, that Jesus lied. 'To conquer death, you only need to die .' There is no eternal life. From tonight you may have two or three tests more to live. I am sorry for you but I had to do this. I wish you well."

Count Frederic vanished as suddenly as he came. That night, Ramon Tesla died. The night if his concert he revived. His audience were the shadows of Frederic's realm.