Episode 17

After my parents left the study, I embarked on my investigation into the enigmatic fireplace. I pulled out various books from the libraries in my study and began to read, yet found nothing on the subject.

Hours later, I remembered seeing that fireplace elsewhere when I was a child – in my parents' house.

"Why do they have that strange fireplace in their house?" I pondered as the memory surfaced. "Should I delve deeper? My parents are hiding something, and it's a sizeable secret."

I went through every book in the study in hopes of finding even a hint about the fireplace, but my search was fruitless.

In the evening, I took my car and raced out of my mansion. As I drove, I realized there was one place where I could find the information I needed – my parents' mansion.

After a lengthy drive, I finally arrived at the mansion, alighted with caution, and entered like a thief in the night, making my way to their library.

Once there, I began my hunt for information, reading book after book until I finally stumbled upon one that held some answers. I began reading it without delay and discovered the secret of the fireplace.

This was no ordinary fireplace; it was forbidden in this world as it served as a direct portal to the infernal realm. Only guardian vampires of the royal family and, of course, the royal family itself, were authorized to possess such a portal. Yet here it was, in my parents' house and Francesco's.

"I don't understand why these fireplaces are here," I thought, bewildered. "My parents owe me a lot of explanations."

As I became privy to this, I pondered the fireplace's presence in that mansion and read on, eventually discovering the incantation to open the forbidden portal.

Once I finished the book, I contemplated the entirety of my discoveries, realizing the answers I sought lay beyond that portal.

"I must go through the portal," I resolved.

I closed the book, tucked it into my bag, and left the mansion undetected. Back at my mansion, I reopened the book and flipped to the incantation, reading it repetitively until it was etched in my memory. Knowing my parents were to visit some business associates and friends in three days, I strategized on how to enter their mansion and plotted every detail.

Three days later, my parents came to say goodbye. After they did, they got into their car and drove away.

As soon as they were out of sight, I took one of my cars to their mansion, knowing it would be empty, not even the servants in sight.

Upon arrival, I entered and headed straight for the living room where the fireplace stood. Once in front of it, I began reciting the incantation, fixating my gaze on the fireplace.

"Patefacio sursum! Portus magicus, qui daemones et lamias ad mundum infernum gubernas, rogo ut aperias et transeas. Portal iungens lucem tenebris, oro. ¡Patefacio sursum!" (Open up! Magical portal, you who guide demons and vampires to the infernal world, I ask you to open and let me through. Portal that binds light with darkness, I beseech. Open up!)

Finishing the incantation, I cut my hand and approached the fireplace, letting my blood drop onto the logs, which ignited upon contact into obsidian flames. I stepped back at the sight of the strange fire but then moved closer and watched as the logs burned to ashes.

As the fire died, I stepped into the hearth and began fading away, starting with my feet, feeling as though the black flames were consuming me, but oddly, I was without pain.

When I reopened my eyes, I was astonished by everything I witnessed, the place I had arrived at. It was like a city more advanced than any of ours, but most striking was the view of Earth in the sky.

Wandering through the city left me increasingly amazed by everything I saw, including the fact that all the passersby were either vampires or demons.

Walking by a clothing store, I caught my reflection in the window and noticed my eyes had changed to a red hue, and my fangs were more prominent.

I leaned closer to the glass, inspecting my transformation and peering inside the shop, where I saw a woman resembling my wife yet different.

I wanted to enter immediately upon seeing her, but I couldn't; perhaps she didn't recognize me, had no idea who I was. So I decided to keep exploring the city.

As I continued to survey the streets, one detail truly captured my attention.

On the doors of a grand mansion was a familiar crest – identical to my family's. Drawing closer, I noticed someone exiting the house. Approaching this individual, he spotted me, seized my neck, and pulled me into the mansion.

"What are you doing here?" the man demanded, seemingly both shocked and angered.

"Who are you?" I asked in confusion as he addressed me like he'd known me all along.

"I'm your Uncle Xavier. How did you arrive at the infernal realm?"

"I came through a portal at my parents' mansion," I explained.

"What exactly are you doing here?" he queried.

"I'm searching for my wife. I'm almost certain she went through a similar portal. Is it possible she's somewhere here?" I inquired.

"You're married?!" he exclaimed, surprised and appearing somewhat frightened.

"It's a long story, but yes, I am married."

"Is she dead?" he asked, which left me perplexed.

"Dead?" I repeated, not comprehending.

"Yes, people from the other side only arrive here when they die," he clarified. "This is hell."

"I don't believe she's dead, but I assume that she came through the portal severely injured," I speculated.