Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 133: The Prophecy and the Quest

Less than an hour later, as the moon rises high in the sky, casting its silver light over the Castle of Endless Night, Aleksandr and I make our way to the grand library. My nightmare still clings to me like a shroud, and I need answers. The ornate wooden doors creak open, revealing the room’s majestic beauty. Towering bookshelves line the walls, filled with ancient tones and scrolls that seem to whisper secrets from centuries past. The scent of old parchment mingles with the faint aroma of incense, and the warm glow from the chandeliers casts a golden light on the polished floors.

There is piano music coming from inside the library, an unfamiliar but happy song, light and cheerful, a huge contrast to the amate and gothic surroundings of the castle.

As we approach, I see that the piano player is Mircea, wearing a lovely pale yellow dress and her blue and red tasselled head scarf. She has to sit quite far from the plano to accommodate her swollen belly, but she plays with the ease of a pro. Anya is lounging on the chaise lounge a few feet away, engrossed in a book.

“Mother, Mirces,” Aleksandr greets them as we enter

Mircea abruptly stopsp

playing swinging around to face us. She and Anya both look concerned as they see the worry etched on my face. Mircea’s dark eyes sparkle with curiosity, while Anya’s gaze is sharp and penetrating as she lays down her book. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“What’s wrong, Arianna?” Mirces says, her tone light, trying to lift the mood. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost”

I force a smile, the memory of the nightmare still vivid in my mind. “I wish it were just a ghost. I had a nightmare, and it felt so real…

Aleksandr squeezes my hand reassuringly. “Another one of her prophetic dreams, we dream

We need to talk about it. There might be more to this than just a bad

As we settle into the plush chairs around the large, intricately carved table, I recount the nightmare in detail. The serene wedding, the horrifying transformation, the bloodbath…every vivid detail. Mircea’s playful demeanor shifts to serious concern as she listens, while Ama’s eyes narrow in thought.

When I fin

I finish, silence fills the room, heavy with the weight of my words. Mircea is the first to berak it. There’s something you should know, I’ve heard of a prophecy… a long time ago. I never understood its meaning until now.”

Aleksandr leans forward, his interest piqued. “What prophecy?”

“When I grew up in the village, there was an old man who everyone thought was crazy,” she says thoughtfully. “Most said that he was mad, but I knew better. His insane ramblings were visions, prophecies- not his own, but from books he had read in his youth, when he was a thrall.”

“A thrall?” I ask, my curiosity piqued

“The human servant of a vampire,” Anya answers, her voice cart. “Go on with your story, Mimen.”

“The old man would talk for hours on and about how in his younger years he served the undead vampire family who lived atop the mountain, this family, years

“Yusaf,” Aleksandr says, his icy blue eyes flashing with recognition. “His name was Yosal. The young villager fell into our service at the age of twenty two after he attempted to sneak into the castle to steal our riches. In his attempt to sob us, he destroyed several priceless paintings and ornaments. We dismissed him after ten years, when his debt was paid.”

“Exactly,” Mircea says, “He would ramble on and on about the hours he spent dusting the library shelves, and sometimes reading the scrolls and spell books. One particular scroll caught his attention.__”

Miren stands and walks to one of the towering bookshelves, her fingers tracing the spines of the books until she finds what she is looking for. She pulls out an ancient scroll, its edges worn and yellowed with age. This prophecy,” she says, unrolling the scroll carefully, complex, but it speaks of a dual–natured being and a legendary artifact needed for a transformation.”

passed down through generations. It’s long and

We other around

as she unrolls a beautifully illuminated scroll, the parchment covered in intricate illustrations and flowing script. She begins to read:

“In the time of twilight, when night and day are entwined,

A being of dual naturen shall arise entwined.

Blood of the undead and shadow of the wraith,

A transformation awaits, fraught with peril and faith.

To bind the elements, an art fact must be sought

A chalice of ancient power, with sacrifice wrought.

Chapter 133: The Prophecy and the Quest

Only the Scribe of Blood knows the secret way.

To fuse the elements and keep darkness at bay.

The path is fraught with danger, the way obscured,

But with allies troe, the quest endured.

Seek the Fiery R

Realm, where the Scribe resides,

Through flaws of gol, where destiny abides,

Only by this journey can the balance be restored,

And the heart of the beloved healed, forevermore.”

he key to my transformation, and we need to embark on a

The room falls silent as Anya’s voice fades. The prophecy is clear: as I suspected, the Blood Scribe is the key to quest to find the artifact mentioned.

“We need to go to the Fiery Realm, Aleksandr says, determination in his voice. We need an audience with the Blood Scribe. There’s no time to waste.

Mircea nods, her expression serious. “Pyra must accompany you on this quest. As a priestess of the Blood Scribe, she can help gain you an audience

Anya’s gaze is steady as she looks at me. “Time is of the essence. We must act quickly. Take Konstantin too, he is an excellent fighter.”

Discussions follow about who will accompany in on this dangerous quest. It’s decided that Luka, Konstantin, Aleksandr, Bloodbane, and Pyra will join me. Each har a role to play and strengths that will be crucial for our success.

Luka, ever the loyal friend, stands beside me. I’ll be there, Arianna. We’ll get through this together.

Konstantin nods, his face set in determination. “We’ll protect you, no matter what.”

Bloodbane, with his deep understanding of the blood wraith ways, adds, “I know the dangers you face. I’ll guide you through them.”

Pyra, with her 5ery determination, smiles reassuringly. Till get us into the Fiery Realm. Leave that to me.”

Creating a portal into the Fiery Realm is no small feat, with the Fontaine clan controlling the borders. We don’t have time to contact Dmitri Fontaine, but Pyra in confident that she, as Fiery realan denizen, can open up the portal that we need. She steps forward, her hands glowing with a golden–red light, “Stand back.” she instructs. This portal will take us directly to the Fiery Realm.”

We watch in awe as Pyra’s magic takes form. A fiery portal materializes before us, glowing with a mesmerizing blend of gold and red. The heat emanating from it is intense, yet it feels welcoming, like the embrace of a warm Ere on a cold night.

Pyra turns to us, her eyes filled with determination, “Ready!

1 nod, feeling a mix of fear and resolve. “Let’s do this.”

One by one, we step into the portal. The flames surround us, and for a moment, it feels like we are being consumed by tire. But then, just as quickly, the sensation passes, and we find ourselves standing in a new world.

The Fiery Realm stretches out before us, a land of molten rock and towering volcanoes. The sky is a brilliant orange–red, the air filled with the scent of sulfur and ash. The ground beneath our fert is warm, the beat radiating up through our boots,

“We’re here.” Pyra says, her voice filled with both excitement and caution. “Be careful, everyone. The fiery realm is rife with hidden dangers, and we must stay alert.”

As we take in a surroundings, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. The prophecy has set us on this path, and now we have to see it through. The Blood Scribe arwaits, and with her, the answers we need to save Aleksandr and ful511 my destiny.

The my aheal will be perilous, but with my friends and loved ones by my side, I know we can face whatever challenges lie ahead. Together, we will find artdact, meet the flood Scribe, and ensure my transformation is safe. There is no turning back now.

Blood Relations