Chapter 7: Meeting with a Mysterious Person
The night sky in Everia Castle is filled with dim stars, but the atmosphere is still filled with tension. Eric and Celeste, who have just had a night full of intrigue, are now in a small, hidden meeting room, where they meet the mysterious man who sent the secret message earlier.
Eric sat quietly, though his mind was racing. Celeste stood by the small window, making sure no one was following them. Both of them knew that their steps were becoming increasingly dangerous, especially with the possibility of betrayal from within their own families.
The heavy wooden door creaked, slowly opening. The man who had appeared in the secret room before was back. His face was still hidden by the black hood, and his movements were calm but full of alertness.
"I don't have much time," he said directly, without preamble. His voice was low, almost a whisper, but every word was full of pressure.
Eric stood up, his eyes sharp. "You gave me a clue about my family. Now I want answers. What happened in the Everia family?"
The man nodded slowly, then took a seat across from Eric. He removed his hood, revealing the face of a middle-aged man with a scar on his right cheek. The man's eyes were calm, but there was something inexplicable about them—as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"My name is Alden," he said softly. "I was once a personal advisor to your father, Duke Alaric. But that was many years ago before everything changed."
Celeste, who heard that, immediately looked at Alden suspiciously. "If you are my father's advisor, why did you leave the castle? Why did you appear now?"
Alden took a deep breath before answering, "Because I know too much. And people like me, who know too much, are never welcome in a place like this."
Eric frowned, feeling that the answer was insufficient. "What do you mean by 'too much'? What is going on behind all this?"
Alden looked directly into Eric's eyes as if judging whether he could trust the young man. After a moment, he finally spoke.
"The Everia family is in the middle of a much bigger political game than you can imagine," he said. "Leon and Seraphina don't just want to overthrow you as heir. They are part of a much bigger plan, one that involves more than just the throne."
"What do you mean?" Celeste asked, now starting to get worried.
Alden continued, "There are forces outside the kingdom who want to destroy Ferothar from within. They see the weaknesses in this family—discord, ambition, and distrust. They use Leon and Seraphina to achieve their goals. And… your father may not be entirely free from their influence either."
Eric felt his body tense. "My father? Are you saying that he was involved in this betrayal?"
"Not necessarily," Alden replied quickly. "But I'm sure he knows more than he lets on. You have to be careful, Eric. Your enemies aren't just Leon and Seraphina. You're up against something much bigger."
Silence fell over the room. Alden's words were like a bomb exploding in Eric and Celeste's minds.
"Why are you telling me all this?" Eric asked finally. "What do you want from me?"
Alden stood, looking at them with a serious look in his eyes. "I want nothing from you, Eric. But I know that you are the only hope for the Everia family. If you don't act now, everything will be destroyed.
Not just your family, but the entire kingdom of Ferothar."
He took a small scroll from his pocket and handed it to Eric. "This is a map to where you can find the answers. But be warned. This journey will not be easy, and your enemies will try to stop you."
Eric accepted the scroll with trembling hands. He felt like he was holding the key to a world full of painful truths.
Alden stepped back, ready to leave. But before he left, he said, "Remember, Eric. Trust is your strongest weapon, but it can also be your greatest weakness. Choose wisely who you trust."
And with that, Alden disappeared into the shadows of the night, leaving Eric and Celeste with more questions than answers.
In Eric's heart, a determination began to grow. He knew that this was just the beginning of a long and dangerous journey. But he swore that, no matter what, he would protect his family—or at least, the people he could still trust.
Eric thought hard, he didn't think that his regression would be so different from the past he had gone through.
He sat silently on an old wooden chair in the corner of the room. Alden's words kept ringing in his mind, like a hammer hitting the wall of his beliefs. This regression gave him a second chance, but everything felt more complicated than he had ever imagined.
In his past life, his enemies were clear—foreign kingdoms, jealous warlords, and outright betrayal. But now, the threat comes from within: his own family, the home that should be his sanctuary.
"Why is it different…" Eric muttered softly, more to himself. "If I came back to fix everything, why does this path feel so much harder?"
Celeste, who was standing not far from him, heard the murmur. She looked at Eric with a confused expression. "Eric," she said carefully, "what do you mean by 'go back'?"
Eric paused, realizing that he had said something he shouldn't have. However, seeing Celeste's trusting gaze, he felt there was no point in hiding the truth from his sister.
"Celeste…" Eric took a deep breath. "What I'm about to tell you may be hard for you to believe. But listen to me carefully."
Celeste frowned, coming over and sitting across from Eric. "Just tell me, Eric. I want to know."
Eric looked at him seriously, then said softly, "I experienced something unusual, something that cannot be explained by common sense. I… I went back in time."
Celeste froze, her eyes wide. "The past? What do you mean?"
Eric looked at his sister with determination. "I've lived this life before, Celeste. I've been through it all—saw the destruction of our family, the fall of the kingdom, and lost everything. But somehow, I was given a second chance to come back to this age. To make things right."
Celeste was silent for a long time, trying to process Eric's words. Her face alternately showed doubt, shock, and uncertainty. "How can I believe a story like that? Eric, is this a joke?"
Eric shook his head quickly. "No, Celeste. This isn't a joke. I know it's hard to believe, but think about it. Everything that's happened lately… how could I have known some things before they happened? How could I have guessed about Leon and Seraphina?"
Celeste fell silent again, starting to connect the dots that had been confusing her. "So… this is all because you knew what was going to happen?"
"For the most part, yes," Eric replied. "But things have changed. This regression… it's not the same as what I've experienced before. Like Alden earlier, and what he said about a greater external threat. In my previous life, I've never met anyone like him."
Celeste stared at Eric with a mixture of disbelief and awe. "So, you came back to fix our future?"
Eric nodded. "I came back to protect you, our family, and this kingdom. But now I realize, I can't do it alone. I need your help, Celeste."
Celeste took a deep breath, trying to calm her still chaotic thoughts. "If everything you said is true… then I will help you, Eric. I don't know how you came back, but I do know one thing: I believe in you."
Eric smiled slightly, feeling a little relieved. "Thank you, Celeste. You're the only person I can trust completely right now."
Celeste nodded firmly. "So, what are your plans now?"
Eric rose from his chair, clutching the map roll Alden had given him. "We need to move quickly. The longer we wait, the greater the chance that Leon, Seraphina, or even an outsider will find what we're looking for first."
"Does this mean we can't trust Dad either?" Celeste asked cautiously.
Eric was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I don't know for sure. But for now, we have to go on the assumption that no one can be trusted, except you and me."
Celeste nodded, though there was worry in her eyes. They knew that every step they took from now on would be high stakes. However, one thing was for sure: they had to keep going, no matter what.
This regression is no coincidence. For Eric, this was the biggest test he had ever faced.
Eric and Celeste leave the secret chamber with a stronger resolve. However, Eric is constantly haunted by the possibility that even their father may not be entirely trustworthy. Although it is difficult, he knows that to save his family and his kingdom, he must stick to what he knows and dig deeper.
Their steps took them outside the castle, where the cold night air enveloped their bodies. Eric held the map scroll tightly in his hand. Alden had given him a clue, but there was no guarantee that it would lead to the answers he needed.
"Eric," Celeste broke the silence, her voice soft but full of concern. "Are you sure about all this? About who we should trust and who we shouldn't?"
Eric stopped walking and looked at his sister.
"There's nothing I can be sure of, Celeste. But what I do know is that we can't sit still. Every decision we make carries a risk, and I will take it, no matter what."
Celeste nodded, though there was fear in her eyes. "Alright. So what do we do now?"
Eric unrolled the map, revealing mysterious markings carved on it. "Alden said this clue would lead us to the truth. But I'm not sure where it leads."
As they examined the map, heavy footsteps sounded behind them. Celeste immediately turned her head, her eyes sharpening. "Eric… there's someone."
Eric quickly grabbed the hilt of his sword, preparing to face the threat. From the darkness, emerged the figure of an old man in a long gray robe. His face was covered by the shadow of the hood of the robe, revealing only a long white beard and eyes that radiated wisdom and mystery.
"Calm down," the man said in a deep, calm voice. "I am not an enemy."
Eric narrowed his eyes, not lowering his guard. "Who are you? Why are you stalking us at this time of night?"
The man approached, his steps slow but confident. "My name is not important, but I know the Everia family better than you think. I have been watching this family for a long time."
Celeste looked at the man suspiciously. "What do you mean? Are you part of those conspiring against us?"
The man chuckled, his voice echoing in the night air. "No, Miss Celeste. I am here to help you. There is much you do not know, and your time is running short."
Eric kept his grip on the hilt of his sword, but he was beginning to feel that this man was not an immediate threat. "Then speak. What do you know?"
The man held out his hand, revealing a strange symbol hanging around his neck. It was similar to the Everia family crest but with an additional, different engraving—something Eric had never seen before.
"This is your original family crest before it was altered by your ancestors," the man said. "There is a dark history hidden behind the name Everia, and I am here to make sure you learn the truth before it is too late."
Eric felt his blood boil. The symbol felt familiar, yet foreign at the same time. "What do you mean? What happened to our family?"
The man looked at Eric with a serious look. "There was an ancient pact made by the founder of your family, a pact that brought wealth and power to Everia. But that pact came at a great price—and now, the time has come to pay that price."
Celeste was shocked, her eyes widening. "Agreement? What do you mean? Who made this agreement?"
The man took a deep breath. "The founder of your family, Everius Valentinus. He made a pact with an entity whose power surpassed human understanding. The entity granted him great power, but it demanded a sacrifice—the souls and loyalty of his descendants."
Eric gripped the map tightly, his mind in turmoil. "And now, the entity has come to collect?"
The man nodded. "Right. And that's why your family is torn apart now. Leon, Seraphina, even your father… they were all just pawns in a much bigger game."
Celeste felt her body weaken, but she tried to stand up straight. "Then what should we do? How can we fight something like this?"
The man looked at them with a determined look in his eyes. "You must find the hidden artifact that can break the pact. The map is the first clue. But the journey will not be easy. Your enemies are already moving to find it first."
Eric and Celeste exchanged glances. They knew that this was the beginning of a journey more dangerous than they had ever imagined. But they had no choice—they had to protect their family, no matter what the cost.
"Then lead the way," Eric said finally, his voice full of determination.
The man smiled faintly, then turned, walking into the darkness of the night. "Follow me. Your time is almost up."
Eric and Celeste follow the mysterious man, leading them deeper into the shadows of the Everia family's dark past. Behind every step, there is a mystery waiting to be revealed—and a threat ready to destroy everything.
The night sky grew darker as Eric and Celeste followed the mysterious man through the cobblestone streets outside the castle. A cold wind blew, rustling the leaves of the towering trees around them. They stopped in front of an ancient ruin hidden behind thick undergrowth.
The man pointed to a large stone door that was almost covered in moss and weeds. "This is the door to the answers you seek," he said, his voice echoing in the silence of the night.
Eric took a step forward, eyeing the door warily. Strange carvings were carved into its surface, resembling symbols on the map he had brought. He pulled out the map and compared it. "This fits," he murmured, then turned to the man. "How do we open it?"
The man smiled faintly. "That is your job, Eric Valentinus Everia. Your blood is the key."
Eric was stunned for a moment, then drew his sword. He scraped the tip of the sword across his palm, letting the blood drip onto one of the symbols on the door. Slowly, the sound of a mechanism moving was heard, and the stone door began to open with a heavy creak.
Behind the door, a dark hallway stretched out. The walls were filled with ancient carvings that emitted a faint blue light. A mystical atmosphere filled the air as if the place had been waiting for their presence for a long time.
The man stepped in first, followed by Eric and Celeste. They walked slowly, down the seemingly endless hallway. Each step felt like stepping into a past full of secrets and suffering.
"This place…" Celeste whispered, her eyes darting around in awe and fear. "This feels like something we shouldn't have found."
The man stopped in front of a large room that opened up at the end of the hall. Inside was a large altar with blue light swirling around it. On top of the altar, a sword of the magnificent design lay, emitting a very powerful aura.
"That is the sword of your family's founder, Everius," the man said. "The sword used to seal a pact with an ancient entity."
Eric stared at the sword with mixed feelings. "And this… can break the pact?"
The man nodded. "But not without consequences. Whoever holds the sword will face the ultimate test. If you fail, you will lose everything—soul, body, even your very existence."
Celeste looked at Eric worriedly. "You don't have to do this, Eric. We can find another way."
But Eric didn't answer. He stepped forward, approaching the altar. The sword's aura grew stronger as if trying to draw him closer and push him away.
"Eric!" Celeste called him again, but he kept moving forward.
When his hand was about to touch the sword, the blue light suddenly turned blood red. A rumbling sound filled the room, and a large shadow emerged from behind the altar, forming a hideous figure with eyes glowing red.
"You have come, heir of Everia," the creature's voice echoed, deep and menacing. "You seek the truth, but are you ready to face the price you must pay?"
Eric froze, his body tense. The creature stepped closer, its shadow covering the entire room.
"If you want to break the pact," the creature continued, "you must fight me. But remember, every decision you make will have consequences that you cannot avoid."
Before Eric could respond, the creature attacked him with great force. A blast of red energy sent Celeste flying backward, while Eric tried to defend himself by drawing his sword.
"Eric!" Celeste shouted, but her voice was drowned out by the roar of battle.
Eric stared at the creature with eyes filled with courage. "If this is the price I have to pay to save my family, then I will not back down!"
He attacked the creature with all his strength, but his attack only managed to scratch the shadow's body a little. The creature laughed loudly, his voice echoing.
"You are still too weak, Eric Valentinus Everia!" the creature shouted, then launched a counterattack that sent Eric flying into the wall.
Celeste tried to get up, but her body was shaking from the energy that filled the room. She could only watch as her brother fought desperately against the creature.
However, when Eric was about to lose consciousness, suddenly the mysterious man's voice was heard from behind the darkness.
"Use that power, Eric. The power that only you have because of your regression."
Eric paused, his eyes wide. "How do you know about that?"
The man stepped forward from the shadows, but this time his face was visible. A knowing smile was etched on his face, and his eyes shone with the same light as the creature.
"Because I'm the one who sent you back."
End of Chaptee...