Episode 19

Narrated by Roberto

I sought to understand more about the hospital incident Vincenzo had mentioned, so I spent some time in my private library. There, I uncovered an unexpected fact: hybrids are natural leaders, exerting influence over those weaker in spirit and physical strength. In some instances, their power is comparable to that of a typical alpha. Hybrids are exceedingly rare, due to laws forbidding romantic relations between wolves and humans. The prohibition makes sense, hybrid individuals are like humans with superhuman abilities and disease resistance. Still, I'm curious whether their lifespans match those of wolves. With my vast collection of ancient tomes in disarray, searching for answers becomes frustratingly futile.

I shout—attempting to vent frustration at my own lack of organization—only to realize a single candle is lit upon my return to the room where Elizabeth is.

My worry grows; she has less than an hour, yet she's shown no sign she'll return. I cling to hope that she'll find her way back.

As hope fades when the candle dies out, Elizabeth remains unmoving. Gritting my teeth, I brace myself to tell her father time's up and she hasn't come back.

"Roberto, where's Elizabeth?" Vincenzo bursts in uninvited before I can step out to break the news.

"I... I don't know how to say this—” He gives me a look of rising panic before he's raced over to where Elizabeth lies.

"Elizabeth, WAKE UP," he bellows in desperation. She wouldn’t hear him even with a loudspeaker. Turning to me, his eyes burn with accusation; he believes I’ve done something to her.

"Vincenzo, I explained I'd open the door but she must find the way back on her own," I tell him.

"But you assured she'd definitely return today," his voice cracks with tears.

"I don't know what to say. She'll remain asleep indefinitely. No way to awaken her unless she finds the exit herself. I'm truly sorry." I apologize, preparing the spell to move her body home, where she'll lie dormant until death. A small consolation is she'll live the life she desired in her eternal dreams.

Narrated by Elizabeth

"DAMMIT, stop walking and answer me!" I shout at myself, my other self keeps walking, ignoring me completely, growing more irritating by the moment.

"What do you want from me?"

"Simply to understand that I am you. Even if I leave, we won't be you anymore." She stops, gazing at me with the yellow eyes of a wolf.

"I don't grasp what's happening here." I sit down on the ground amid the bothersome darkness.

"Yeah, I'm you, always have been, won't leave to erase us both. I am your grievances, frustrations, inaction, and worst of all, your cowardice and feebleness. But I refuse to go back to becoming a stranger with no connection to the past." I know she's right, yet I am scared of myself.

"I'm at a loss—"

"Make your choice quickly, our time's up and I know you have enough strength to free us," she says. Actively reflecting, I embrace her tightly, whispering an apology for denying my past and fears. Embracing my truth, the darkness dissipates and my other self melds into me with a wide smile.

I follow a path filled with light, feeling lighter than ever. I remember I need to return to my family, to Athos, and tell him I now remember everything, even things I shouldn't without Roberto's help.

At last, I find the door, which appears decayed and disused. Time's run out, but something within may open it.

"Think, ELIZABETH," I urge myself, grasping the pendant necklace Roberto gave me. Could it be the conduit to return?

"Concentration... focus on the goal," I think positively. The pendant is my link to reality, my bridge back home. "Mathes needs me, my father's suffered in my absence, I must be there when Athos awakens." Speaking Latin without realizing, I chant, "AD QUOD SIT." As I utter the phrase, the necklace warms, the door shines, I open it and am engulfed by a blinding light, then I'm in freefall, unafraid, certain I'll return to those who love me...

Narrated by Vincenzo

It's been precisely three hours since Elizabeth's allotted time expired. I'm aware because I glance at the clock's hands every minute, hoping time might reverse and prevent Elizabeth's perilous mental journey.

Roberto's ready to relocate her sleeping form to her bedroom, preserving her vegetative state through enchantment. I dread informing Mathes his sister won't awaken, and I question if I can even believe it. My anger initially targeted Roberto, but he warned about the risks. As her father, just a year since her return, I refuse to accept I've lost her again.

I'm tidying her room with a maid who looked after Elizabeth as a child, ensuring all is accessible for Roberto's spell. It feels selfish, but I can't simply allow her life to fade.

Re-entering the cabin, I see Roberto's astonished, agitated expression. Did Elizabeth pass? No, he was supposed to sustain her life. Rushing in, Elizabeth sits in the armchair, drowsy. Embracing her, I call her name, almost doubting her presence.

"Please say something," she looks at me oddly.

"I'm tired and hungry," she speaks without regard for me, seemingly surveying her surroundings.

"Elizabeth, is something wrong?" She gazes at me, then bursts into tears out of nowhere.

"Have I... truly returned?" she sobs.

"Of course you're back, I'm right here," I reassure as she embraces me back.

"Sorry to intrude, but how did you return?" Roberto's curiosity is piqued, still taken aback at her awakening against all odds.

"I used your necklace as a bridge to reconnect my mind to my body," she seems slightly altered, but perhaps it's my imagination.

I take her home and task my maid with assisting her. As I prepare some soup to replenish her energy, I find her contemplative, gazing out her window.

"Here's your meal," I say, and her eye's spark dims.

"Thank you, father, I remember everything, even how I ended up in your territory," she almost devours her food.

"Is that what troubles you?"

"Yes, among many other things."

"Care to share?" I won't press her; she must share on her terms. I'm curious about the wretch who took her from me, but now's not the time.

"Not now," she requests, "I need to process everything before we talk. Right now, I just want to sleep." She hands back her tray and slumps into bed, immediately falling asleep.

Her return fills me with joy, yet I sense her mental journey will change her. Change is part of life, she's no longer a child but a grown woman. Left to my Supreme duties, which I've neglected for two days, I return to my office, swiftly engrossed in work. Someone knocks, and it's Roberto.

"Vincenzo, I need to discuss Elizabeth," he begins. Paid already, I expected him gone.

"Speak up, Roberto. I'm quite busy."

"I wish to stay and understand her return, to study your race. I only need your consent." He hesitates, expecting my ire for using Elizabeth as a study subject, but I'm curious myself.

"You may start your research. Now leave me to work," I dismiss him, and as he shows gratitude and exits, my focus returns to the overwhelming tasks at hand.

Narrated by Samuel

I arrived early at Elizabeth's home, only to receive the worst news imaginable: she's in a coma from a spell. Rage against the inept caster and her for risking her recollections surged through me.

Upset, I decided against returning home, lest I tear my room apart in my rage. Instead, I roamed the forest, transformed into my wolf form, releasing my anger by hunting down every creature in sight, from birds to rabbits—killing solely for the sake of it. After expelling my fury, I went home to clean up and dress.

Now I'm headed to the hospital, intent on ending Athos's life with his pillow. A cruel smile comes unbidden as I approach his room. The reception blocks me, so I bluff a word with Alec to gain entry. Reluctantly, they allow me a mere five minutes—enough.

I approach Athos's bed with purpose, but as my hand touches his pillow, a nurse enters. I feign a casual chat about old hunts as she informs me he's due for tests. I leave, cursing my failed attempt—they have no idea how lucky they were.

Raging, I stomp through the streets, receiving odd glances from passersby. As dusk sets, I decide to revisit Elizabeth's home for an update.

Greeted by a maid, I inquire about Elizabeth's condition. Astoundingly, she'd awakened only three hours after the declared deadline, merely exhausted. My inner beast yearns to lash out in delight that she's returned to me, significantly brightening my evening.

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