**WARNING - LARGE AMOUNTS OF SPOILERS AHEAD!**

~~Who are Alucard and Maria?~~

Alucard is the son of Dracula and a human woman, Lisa. He spent his early childhood raised by his loving mother, but she was tragically killed in witch trials. He was then raised by his father to become a force of darkness. He eventually realized that his father's way was not his way, and teamed up with Trevor Belmont (Castlevania III) to overthrow his father. This accomplished, he submerged himself into a deep slumber. After the events of Dracula X, Alucard felt the stirrings of Dracula's power again, and awoke to stop his father once more (Symphony of the Night). He met Maria while journeying through his father's castle.

Maria is sister-in-law to Richter Belmont, the man that defeated Dracula and saved the villiage women (including his finacee, Annette) in Dracula X. Once he freed Maria, however, she helped him fight with the aid of her five animal companions. In Symphony of the Night, Richter mysteriously dissappears on a full moon, and Maria goes to investigate. She finds Dracula's castle again and explores it on her own, using her magical abilities and her (now grown up) animal companions to help her. She meets Alucard in Dracula's castle.

~~What about the relationship?~~

Maria is originally confused by Alucard, sensing both human and vampire in him. She tenatively accepts him in the beginning. Alucard initially doesn't know quite what to think of her, and keeps aloof. They meet again and again in the castle, eventually proving to each other that they are both capable warriors and fighting for similar causes. Maria enlists Alucard to help her find her brother-in-law, Richter. Alucard begins treating her like a lady.
By the end of the game, Alucard becomes emotionally attached to both Maria and Richter. He dares not show much affection for Maria because his cursed bloodline rests heavily on his mind. Maria, however, develops quite an attachment to him, especially after he saves Richter. I like to think that their affections are mutual.

~~Why?~~

Because I'm a hopeless romantic. ;) I randomly ran across both Lament of Innocence and Symphony of the Night in a local game shop, bought them both, and fell in love with them both. LoI had such a wonderful tragic love story, but SotN had a heroine that kicked the crap out of monsters (!!). I'm a big fan of strong women who can still keep their femininity.
I fantasized about a budding romance between Alucard and Maria while playing the game, and was suprised and pleased that in the "best" ending for the game, Maria runs off after Alucard! She states that she "can't let him dissappear from my life." I love it! :D There's a big hiatus where Alucard doesn't show up in the games (between Symphony and Aria of Sorrow), so I think they at least spent a few happy years together. Perhaps loving and then losing her helps shape the cold and aloof Genma Arikado? I like to think so.

~~What's a Fanlisting??~~

A fanlisting is basically a list of fans for a certain person, show, movie, actor/actress, singer, game, etc. to come together and build the biggest listing of people from all around the world who are fans of that subject.

~~Credits and Props~~

To Ayami Kojima (artist/character designer, for making such wonderful art... you inspire us all!
To Koiji Igarashi (producer), for your dedication and vision in making Castlevania such a great series
To Michiru Yamane (composer), for the gorgeous music to play and create by
To Konami, for sponsoring some of the best games out there

Art is © Ayami Kojima and Konami, Castlevania and all characters © Konami