Chapter 46: Thrill

As Elaine's vision faded to black, she felt herself being pulled into a swirling vortex of energy. It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her mind not being in control only followed what she could hear, distant voices whispering in the void, as if they were guiding her to some unknown destination.

After what felt like an eternity, the darkness began to recede, she felt her body descend into a transcending space and Elaine found herself standing in a place that seemed otherworldly. The air was thick with a sense of tranquility and unending peace, this was not the world she knew, this was some place free of beasts like Skylar and evil witches like Meredith.

The surroundings were filled with an ethereal light. She looked around in awe, walking around slowly and admiring the beauty of this world, she wished she could bring her people here to all live in peace but that was impossible.

She suddenly heard a familiar voice, a voice that has always been stuck in her mind since that very day, she was very shock and she realized she had entered a realm beyond the mortal world.

As she took a few hesitant steps forward, she looked at the figure that stood in front of her, It was her mother. She smiled with a warmth and tenderness that Sapphire hadn't seen in years.

She was fixed at a spot after taking a few steps, unable to believe her eyes, it was really her mother, the one she tried so much to protect but wasn’t successful.

"Elaine, my dear, you've come," her mother said, her voice like a soothing melody. By her mother’s side, she saw her father stand with a big smile on his face.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to save you and protect you mama, I’m sorry” Elaine said with her eyes welling up with tears and her body trembled with so much emotion.

Tears fell from her eyes as she rushed into their open arms. This was the reunion she had longed for since their tragic passing. She allowed herself to be enveloped in their warmth and she held them for all the times she missed them but they weren’t there for her. Her mother held her tightly, while her father placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Is this...is this real?" Elaine asked, her voice trembling as she slightly let go of them.

Her father smiled and nodded, she was so happy that she’s getting to speak to them again after such a long time of waiting.

“What is this place” she said as she looked around one more time as she still couldn’t fathom the beauty of the realm.

"This is the place where souls find peace, where love never fades. We've been waiting for you, Elaine." Her father said with a smile on his face.

“Can I stay here with you” she said.

“Not forever Elaine, you can spend some time but you best be on your way soon if you want to make it back to your people” her father said.

“Come on Hugo, she can stay for a while we haven’t seen her in ages” Penelope said and Hugo finally agreed.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Elaine spent what felt like an eternity with her parents. They talked, they laughed, and they shared stories of the world beyond. They assured her that they were watching over her, even in their absence.

But as the moments passed, Elaine began to remember the crisis back in her own world the hybrids, her people, and Edgar. With a heavy heart, she turned to her parents.

“Father, you have fought the hybrids before?” Elaine asked knowing she could get some insight from her father as he was a soldier.

“Yes I have, the first wars against the vampires, back then I was younger and followed my father into war, the hybrids are very strong creatures but their weakness is even greater than their strength” Hugo explained and she listened keenly.

“What’s this weakness?” Elaine said as she anticipated what her father would say which would bring this unnecessary war to an end and render Skylar dead once and for all.

“Fire, hybrids can only die if they are burnt to death, same as human hounds. They all share one thing in common with the pureblooded vampires, their hunger for blood” Hugo paused for a while as he noticed that Sapphire was a bit confused.

“The sun kills the vampires and fire kills other creatures vampires make with other species” Hugo concluded and this time she was very clear on it.

“I see” she said as she stared into blank space, this just got a whole lot more interesting, she thought to herself.

"I can't stay here, at least not yet. I have a people to protect and a war to fight,not yet" she said standing up from where she stood.

“Are you sure about this Elaine” her mother said as emotions filled her eyes.

"There are people who need me, who are counting on me." She replied and her smiled with great pride in her heart that her daughter was now a woman who make decisions of her own and not let her mama change her mind.

Her parents exchanged a knowing glance and nodded in agreement.

"You are strong, Elaine and you have a destiny to fulfill. We will always be with you, guiding you from within." Her mother said holding her two hands in her own.

“You have power more that you could ever imagine, harness it and let it be part of you” Hugo said holding her in his arms as they hugged gently.

“And how will I do that?” She said as she remembered how difficult it was for her to do tap into the energy that helped her make the ball of ice.

“The spirit of our ancestors will guide you, that is what you should believe” her father said smiling reassuringly.

“I’ll keep that in mind” She said her eyes filled with emotions as she knew she will soon be apart from them again.

“Good bye Papa, Good bye Mama” she said letting the tears flow down her eyes as she smiled a painful smile.

She gave them a long hug and after disengaging she took few steps backward and she watched them disappear into thin air, she burst into tears of both joy and pain.

Elaine was once again enveloped in the swirling energy, she felt her body once more go through the vortex which was the gateway to other realms. She felt herself being drawn back to her own world, leaving behind the realm of the departed.

As she opened her eyes, she was back at the gate, tears still filled her eyes and she held Edgar tightly as she sobbed in his arms.

“Shh… It’s alright, I’m here with you” he said as he held her tightly waiting for her to calm down, he knew what she had seen because he heard her whisper the words, Papa and Mama. If he had the opportunity to see his mother one more timemaybe he would even cry and sob worse than she was doing right now because he loved his mother from the depth of his house, his very soul resonated with her existence and their connection, otherworldly.

She finally stopped and she felt her power rush through her, her father had open her mind to be able to posses the power of all the alphas that had come before her. Her strength and the love and wisdom she had gained from her parents filled her witte urge for revenge and Justice.

“We’re ready for this war” she said as she looked up at Edgar with an expressionless face.

“You sure?” He said wanting to make sure she wasn’t just acting based on her emotions.

“Of course I am” she said with an excited look in her eyes.

“Then let’s do it” he replied his whole body filled with the thrill that was about to come.