Harry and I faced off against Roy, now a vessel for the malevolent spirit. His power was visibly amplified, with every strike carrying immense force. Despite our best efforts, the pressure was overwhelming. Roy sneered, his expression twisted with malevolence. "You can't defeat me!" he taunted. I gritted my teeth, pushing myself to the limit in a desperate counterattack. Despite the intensity of my efforts, a sense of futility gnawed at me.Meanwhile, Yolanda was engaged in a fierce magical duel with Ethan and Lisa. Yolanda's magic was formidable, and despite Ethan and Lisa's best efforts, they were clearly at a disadvantage. Each of Yolanda's attacks was laced with a chilling malice. She sneered, "You low class magicians are no match for me!" Ethan and Lisa kept trying, striving to find a way through her relentless onslaught.Peter faced the resurrected servants alone, wielding a seemingly modest staff that looked insufficient, yet each strike was precise and effective. Despite their
However, my parents were resolute in their decision to stay at Joseph Castle. Rose gently caressed the shattered furniture, her eyes shining with a determined light. "This is our home. No matter what happens, we can't abandon it." Joseph stood beside her, his expression steadfast. "We can't run away from this. We have a duty to face whatever comes. This is our responsibility to the Lucas family’s main home."I looked at them, torn between concern and understanding. "Dad, Mom, this place isn't safe for you right now. You need a comfortable place to rest." My mother shook her head gently. "Ryan, you must understand. This is our home, our sanctuary. We can't just leave it behind, not even for a day. We've neglected this place for too long, and now we must stand by it, as it's filled with your childhood memories." My father added with determination, "Don't worry. The two castles are on the same land. If anything happens, we can quickly come to each other's aid. You, young ones go to Ryan
Having learned of Neil's whereabouts, I finally set aside my anxiety and turned to discuss the events of the previous day with the others. When Yolanda came up in conversation, I couldn't help but ask, "What is Yolanda really up to? Why would she let Roy die? Didn’t she anticipate the consequences of her actions?" My tone was filled with confusion and disbelief. Yolanda's behavior was so baffling that it defied logical explanation.Ethan pondered for a moment before responding, "Perhaps she believes Roy has outlived his usefulness, or that he was merely a pawn in her scheme. Once he no longer served a purpose, she saw no reason to keep him." His hypothesis made sense, yet it was unsettling. A sorceress adept at manipulation would likely have even more sinister plans behind the scenes.Lisa seemed to share this sentiment and added, "Something must have changed in Yolanda’s plans; otherwise, she wouldn't have discarded Roy so readily. Perhaps she discovered a more crucial objective else
Seeing the adorable expression on Neil's face, I couldn't help but ask, "Neil, is there anything else you've always wanted to do? We can make it happen together." I was eager to know his dreams, his deepest desires, so I could do everything in my power to fulfill them.Neil thought for a moment, a hint of shyness in his voice as he replied, "I've always wanted to travel to a faraway place, to see different landscapes, experience different cultures. But I've never had the chance..."Hearing this, I gently cupped his face in my hands and said earnestly, "We'll go together, no matter how far. I'll be by your side." Tears glistened in Neil's eyes as a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He was so overwhelmed with happiness that words seemed to escape him.Because of my impatience, we decided to hold the wedding just a week later. As the day drew closer, our lives became increasingly hectic. Although Ethan, Harry, Lisa, and Peter had initially tried to dissuade me, they eventually cho
A few minutes later, we finally managed to get in touch with Maria. Everyone gathered around the television in the living room as her familiar face appeared on the screen. Her expression was tense, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation. As the video call began, the room was filled with an intense atmosphere; no one dared to breathe as we awaited Maria's guidance. Her presence felt like an anchor, slightly easing the anxiety and fear that had been gripping our hearts. Maria's voice came through the screen, carrying a weight of seriousness: "Ethan, tell me everything. I need to know every detail."Ethan wasted no time in recounting the entire situation to Maria, detailing everything from Neil's sudden disappearance to our fruitless search within the castle. His voice was steady and calm, as if narrating a battle whose outcome had already been decided. Yet, we all knew deep down that the outcome of this battle was far from certain. As Maria listened to Ethan's account, her e
When Harry and Peter heard Neil's voice, they immediately asked with palpable urgency, “Neil, where are you? Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” Their voices were filled with anxiety and concern, as if just hearing Neil’s response would empower them to rush over and rescue him from Yolanda's clutches. However, Neil’s reply only deepened their heartache. His voice trembled with a hint of tears, and although he tried to sound brave, the strain and helplessness in his tone were unmistakable: “I… I’m okay… I’m fine.” But that faint, quivering voice, laden with unspoken pain, made each of us clench our fists in silent rage, a helpless fury burning within our hearts.Even Maria, who had been watching intently through the video call, couldn’t hold back any longer. Her voice, laced with both fury and a chilling threat, cut through the tension in the room: “Yolanda, you’d better not harm Neil in any way.” There was a deep loathing in her tone, a clear warning underscored by the knowledge of just
As soon as Harry finished speaking, a palpable force seemed to grip the room, leaving everyone in a state of stunned realization. The expressions on each face revealed a sudden clarity, as if the pieces of a complex puzzle had just fallen into place. Harry’s insight dispelled the doubts and confusion that had clouded our minds, connecting everything into a coherent narrative. Yolanda’s plan wasn’t merely about a battle of strength; it was a calculated assault on our psychological vulnerabilities. By targeting what we held most dear, she aimed to manipulate our decisions and actions. Neil, though unsuited for combat, had become Yolanda’s most lethal pawn precisely because of his fragility.My thoughts began to drift back to the moment when Yolanda and Neil first crossed paths. I remembered how Neil, in a desperate attempt to defend himself, had used a magic potion that ended up wounding Yolanda. At that moment, Yolanda had been closing in on Neil, her eyes gleaming with malice, as if s
Ethan immediately shook his head, dismissing the idea: "No, that's out of the question. The evil spirit is far too dangerous—we can't take the risk of activating the magic box first. The consequences would be catastrophic." His tone was firm, carrying a clear warning rooted in reason. It was evident that this plan was far too reckless to consider. Lisa added, “We have no solid evidence or precedent to guide us on the possibility of trapping the evil spirit in an animal or corpse either. If it fails, the consequences could be disastrous. And as for trying to lock it in Yolanda, she’d likely retaliate with dark magic before the spirit even takes hold, and could easily transfer it to someone else. Yolanda would never allow herself to be cornered like that.” Her analysis made the plan seem even more perilous and impractical, leaving us with little hope of its success.Peter's sigh hung heavy in the room, his voice barely above a whisper as he said, "It seems like, in the end, we're left
Harry stood in the shadows, a subtle smile playing on his lips, his eyes radiating calm confidence. “Of course,” he replied, raising an eyebrow with that trademark mix of humor and certainty, as though he had the situation effortlessly under control. Harry was always like this—composed, astute, unwavering—seemingly born with the spirit of a fighter who refused to bow to fate. I looked at him, filled with gratitude and relief. The bond between us had long surpassed life, death, and honor; no matter the crisis, he was always there.As he turned his gaze toward Ken Yimo, a ripple of relief ran through me. Yes, Ken Yimo had indeed gone to Harry rather than taking some darker course of action. Unable to contain myself, I asked, “Ken Yimo, I’ll admit, I’m glad you actually brought Harry. Now, what about Neil?” My voice betrayed a hint of urgency, a worry that was impossible to hide. Neil’s condition had been weighi
Ken Yimo simply gave a cold smile, completely dismissing my warnings. There was no trace of pity or warmth in his eyes as he turned and walked out of the cell. I stood there, helpless and furious, watching him leave, fully aware that I was trapped here and powerless to stop him. As the heavy door slowly closed behind him, a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me, and despair and anguish surged in my chest. I was locked in this cold, isolated cell, surrounded by thick stone walls that shut out even the faintest trace of light, leaving me in total darkness. There was no way to reach out, no phone, no tool to call for help. My thoughts began to be consumed by the shadows, yet Neil's face lingered in my mind, refusing to fade. Would he, once again, fall prey to Ken Yimo’s control and cruelty, triggering another episode of sleepwalking? The thought twisted my heart with an unshakable sense of dread and fear. As night fell, darkness engulfed
I stared at him, unwilling to waste words. Instead, I asked directly, “Where’s Neil?” The question was like a weight pressing on my chest, and this man before me was the only one who could answer it.Ken Yimo’s expression was one of indifference, as he replied coolly, “Neil? He’s resting. He’s very simple-minded. As long as I tell him to stay put, he won’t wander off. So, unlike with you, I don’t have to keep him chained up.” His words dripped with a detached cruelty, as though Neil were nothing more than a toy he could control at will. My fists clenched involuntarily, and a simmering anger began to burn within me.I knew then—Ken Yimo must have done something to manipulate Neil or force him into submission. I wanted to press him further, but Ken spoke first, a sly smile twisting across his face. “Ah, but it seems that when kids grow up, they’re not so easy to keep
“I’ve had enough.” Finally, my patience wore thin. Soft tactics weren’t working, so it was time to be firm. I stood up, bundled Neil up tightly in his blanket, ignoring his struggles or pleas. Before long, Neil was sitting at the small table, his head poking out from the blanket while the rest of his body was wrapped up snugly—held there by my bear hug, replacing any other form of restraint.I should have done it this way from the start. It saved time, kept the food warm, and, most importantly, even though he was wrapped in a blanket, I could still hold him close, care for him, protect him—letting him sit on my lap and lean against me.“Wow.” Seeing his eager expression, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. “I know you love these dishes, so I made them just for you. What do you want to eat?”"My favorite pasta.""My favorite pancakes."
I rambled on while watching the stars twinkle silently in the night sky. The breeze caressed the woods outside the tent, and the night was as gentle as a dream. Unconsciously, fatigue crept into my eyelids, and finally I fell into a deep sleep in the stillness of the night.I didn't know exactly how long I slept until a beam of morning light shone through the transparent tent roof and shone on my face, waking me up from my slumber. In a daze, I blinked, as if last night's worries and hesitations were still swirling in my mind. But the scene that came into my eyes next completely turned all my imaginations upside down.“Neil!!! what are you doing?!” I instantly came to my senses and sat up with a jolt. Right in front of me, Neil was kneeling beside me, head bowed, with a serious look on his face as he tried to help me with my natural morning reaction. He didn't look hesitant at all, as if it was a matter of course.
My heart sank, realizing that it wasn’t just innocent childish behavior—it was a desperate search for affection, a need to please, a struggle to win more care and love from Ken Yimo. In that moment, I suddenly understood that Harry's words might have been true—their relationship was far beyond a typical father-son bond.I struggled to steady the emotions stirring within me, and looked up at Neil’s innocent face. He probably didn’t recognize the true meaning behind those gestures—their intent was not simply familial love, but a deep, almost physical craving for attention, a kind of dependence on being favored. A quiet ache settled in my chest as I wished with all my heart that he would never be caught in that dark emotional whirlpool again.I smiled softly, gently steering the conversation back to where it had started. "So, to get back to the point, I am your one and only, aren't I?" On this quiet night, I
"Yes, every day." Neil nodded firmly, his tone pure, almost childlike."Then, is this kind of missing me something unique?" I pressed on, as though I were hoping to hear a one-of-a-kind answer from him."Unique?" He blinked, looking as though he didn’t quite understand the meaning of the word.I patiently explained, "What I mean is... is this something that only I experience? Like, the way you miss your dad—does it feel the same as the way I miss mine?"Neil shook his head slightly, his voice soft as he replied, "It's different. I miss Ryan more."A flicker of delight stirred within me, but I kept my expression neutral and asked, "What about compared to your elder brother and your little brother? Is it different with them too?"Neil thought for a moment before nodding with certainty. "Yeah, I miss Ryan the most.""So, only I,
As I processed Harry's bombshell, I turned to Ethan and asked, "Have you checked if Fred Yimo is really Ken Yimo's biological son?"Ethan's expression turned serious as he pulled out his phone. "I'll have someone look into it now."Peter furrowed his brow, clearly skeptical. "You suspect Fred Yimo might be adopted too?""I actually hope so," I replied firmly. "It's a lot less messy than the unethical theory.""Ken Yimo really isn't simple," Harry remarked on the phone, sounding almost impressed. "When I was around, Fred was a bit more relaxed. But the moment I left, he turned into a mouse—didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, but a little bit “sticky” though."I let out a cold laugh. "Doesn't that completely clash with the surveillance cameras he set up at home?"Peter nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. Which of these sides is the r
As Peter and I sat off to the side, watching them laugh and chat, a tangle of emotions stirred within us. The scene was heartwarming, yet there was an undeniable sense of loss. Here we were, two grown men, holding our glasses, sitting on the fringes of this cozy gathering, as if the world had forgotten about us.Peter let out a heavy sigh. "Why does it feel like I'm drifting further away from my own precious one?" His gaze lingered on Nick and Neil, a hint of sadness in his eyes.I took a sip of my drink, my voice low. "It feels like everyone else is getting closer to Neil than I am." The words left a sting in my chest, as though something inside me had been pierced.Ethan, overhearing our conversation, smiled softly and leaned in to offer a quiet word of reassurance. "Don’t rush," he said gently. "You’ll grow closer in time." He set down his soup spoon, his demeanor calm and wise. "When the bond is strong, n