After eating breakfast in the dining room, Zalvo arrived at the manor. He gathered his two sons in the living room. "What's the latest news?" he inquired.
"Mother hasn't returned yet after performing the ritual," Corbin replied.
A puzzled expression appeared on Zalvo's face. "How long she's been gone?" he asked.
"More than 48 hours already, Father," Nathan replied.
"Let's wait for another day," Zalvo said. "Did she already instructed you on what to do after three days that she can't return?" he asked his youngest son.
"Yes, Father. Mother instructed me to put her body in the special coffin so that her body can be preserved," Nathan responded.
"Good, you know what to do already," Zalvo said, he was pleased with Nathan's answer. "Anything else?" he asked them.
"None as of the moment, Father. Everything is running smoothly here," Corbin replied.
"Okay, I'll retire to my room upstairs for a few minutes. If something comes up, just inform me," Zalvo said and rose to his feet and went to the staircase.
"Aren't you going to visit Mother in the ritual room, Father?" Corbin asked.
"Later, after I'm done resting," Zalvo answered and climbed the stairs.
Nathan looked at his older brother and asked, "Do you want a repeat of our swimming session in the basement? It's super fun, right?"
Corbin smiled. "Yeah, but not today, bro. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Okay," Nathan said and stood up. "I'm going to the ritual room to check everything there, do you want to go with me?" he asked.
"Later, bro. I will go to my room first. I'll join you later," Corbin replied.
"Okay, I'll go now," Nathan said and went to the secret door leading to the hallway located underground.
Corbin smiled while watching his brother's retreating form. His younger brother is always been close to their mother. He witnessed how sad and heartbroken his mother was when Nathan died at such a young age and she was also extremely happy after Nathan's resurrection.
He cut his reminiscing and left the living room, going to his room upstairs.
Meanwhile...
Nathan already reached the secret room and exited, he was now walking in the hallway, going to the ritual room.
When he reached the room, nothing new, still the same thing. His mother and the unconscious guy were still lying in their beds. No movement on their bodies.
He was wondering what happened to his mother in the netherworld? Why does it take her so long to return?
He grabbed the chair and put it on the bed beside the unconscious guy. "Grandpa, how are you? Can you hear me? Please move your toes or fingers if you can hear me," he said.
He observed his toes and fingers, still no movement, he released a deep sigh.
He began to talk in a low voice. "Grandpa Terros told me that your name is Graven. Do you know the old man Terros? He was imprisoned in the next room. Don't worry, he's still safe and alive because I asked my mother to make him my butler and she agreed. As for you, if you will not work hard to come out of your prison wall then they might bury you alive if they see no worth in you.
But just in case, you will wake up suddenly and you might go berserk and starts wreaking havoc and revenge in this place, do it properly. No need to destroy this beautiful place and the other people who are living here and you got to understand that I've been nice to you so far, delivering you news about your people.
You can say that I've been keeping you company for a while during your loneliness and isolation. By the way, I haven't told you my name yet, I'm Nathan, the youngest son of the vampire couple who died when a kid and come back resurrected.
Well... there is much to say about me... things are not what it looks like on the outside. Just so you know, I'm also an outsider in this family but I used my head wisely. And you know what, I'm still not able to use my powers and I can't walk under the sun because my skin will get burned. I will get burned alive like a roasted chicken. So, yeah... I'm pretty much dependent on my surroundings right now and in this family's grace.
And you know what?
Mother Sylvia is the best mother in the world. I grow up without a real mother, we did, the two of us. And Mother Sylvia doted on me. Actually, the whole family is kind to me and accepted me fully as their family member. Ironically, I feel at home here even if it's not my real home. Do you get the hint now... who am I?"
Nathan paused for a moment and continue his speech.
"But I can't say my real name because we are now in the enemies territory. Bu based on my lengthy speech... I hope you already have a guess about my true self... brother..." he whispered. "We arrived in this place at the same time..." he added.
Nathan released a deep sigh. "Don't be upset that I can't do anything to help you... because as you know... I don't have my power right now... I'm just like a powerless mortal trying to survive surrounded by enemies in every corner. If I'll act rashly and out of the ordinary, my mother's men will corner me and I'll be dead. So, yeah... let's find a way out of this place soon!" he whispered.
Nathan stopped talking and stood up. "I cant' talk to you any longer, my brother and father is here, they might hear me talking to you. I gotta go!" he said and walked towards the door and exited.
Meanwhile...
In his prison wall, Graven heard everything. Hope arises in his heart after hearing the voice that always talks to him. He can finally conclude with certainty that the one who always talks to him was his brother Luke.
Based on the conversations that he heard while in his unconscious state. He got a feeling that his brother's spirit found a host, a body that he had inhabited for a while. And the owner of the body was the son of the woman who seemed to be the mistress of the house.
He's been wondering why the guy always talks to him and called him grandfather several times. He got confused for a while. But now that his brother finally revealed himself to him, everything looks clear now. They both come to this place in a different condition, he was unconscious while Lukes's spirit found a host. And the reason why his brother can't do anything is that... just like him, he was also powerless.
He wondered where is the cursed King now? Did he survive the fire or he was also captured just like him and Luke?
How long he has been in this situation? He had lost track of time. At some point, due to his desperation, he thought that he will never get out from this dark wall and die alone in desolation.
He's been waiting for a long time in the dark...
Emotionally and mentally tortured, hearing everything but can never do anything.
His heart broke the moment he heard the desperation in Grandpa Terros's voice. He finally had a grasp of everything after connecting all the dots together.
He had a feeling that the reason why he's like this is because of the cursed King! He sealed his soul in a dark place and immobilized his body. He can't open his eyes, he can't talk, he feels like he's a dead man. And for him, it's absolute torture to endure day by day.
He wants to leave this dark place behind and burst out into the surface. He wants to return home to Laura's side and caress her baby bump. He missed her so much!
He was in a state of despair after hearing that Grandpa, Horace, and Veronica were also caught by the enemy. His situation is already worse, the captivity of the people close to him, made things even worst for him, he thought it's already the end for him and the others. He felt hopeless and incompetent.
But now that Luke is with him in the same place, it would be a matter of time, and his suffering will finally come to end.
Since he can't do anything, he can only nurture the tiny hope that was given to him by his brother a while ago.
Grasping that tiny glimmer of hope, holding on to it like it's his last form of salvation.
...
Outside the ritual room.
Nathan visited Grandpa Terros.
"How are you doing here?" Nathan asked.
"Excellent, my lord, due to your grace. Thank you!" Terros said.
"Good!" Nathan remarked.
"I'm looking forward to serving you, my lord. So that I can repay your kindness," Terros spoke.
"That will happen, soon," Nathan stated.
Terros cleared his throat. "My lord, how's everything going in the ritual room? Does your mother already return from her voyage to the netherworld?" he inquired.
Nathan shook his head. "Not yet, but my father and brother is back," he answered.
"Ah, okay..." Terros replied. "Thank you for answering my inquiries, my lord..."
"Don't mention it," Nathan looked the old man in the eye. "I want to ask you a question. If things comes to worst, would you willing to sacrifice your life for Graven's safety?"
Terros nodded his head. "Yes, for my lord, I will do everything," he replied without hesitation.
"Good!" Nathan said and left the room.
A frown appeared on Terros's head after the young lord left the room.
"What does Lord Nathan meant with his question?" Terros asked aloud.
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