Julian could not believe his eyes. He was back at the graveyard where it all began. But he was alone this time. There was no Loretta. And no Nancy. He shivered as the cold harsh breeze clashed against his skin. His eyes scanned the area as he walked around. Everywhere was quiet. The leaves on the ground made a crunching sound as he stepped on them. He approached a gravestone and sat on it. He ran his hand through his hair as he tried to access his situation. What was going on? Where was Nancy? He remembered trying to attack Loretta and now here he was. Alone. No allies. No means to defend himself. He raised his hand and stared at it. The hand which held the powerful sword moments ago. Now, it grasped nothing. Clenching his knuckles, he let out a series of curses under his breath. Once again to his infuriation, Loretta had put him in a tight corner. Why was she doing all of this? From what he knew, she had the chance to end his life back then and then wait again till the next century. So why didn't she? Why was she stalling? Was this all fun to her? Julian glanced around the graveyard again. Was this another one of her mind games?
Just then, a green mist suddenly filled the area. Julian quickly got up from the graveyard and stood at alert.
"What could it be this time now? " He muttered.
The snapping of a twig was heard in the distance. Then came footsteps. Julian swallowed as the sound drew nearer. The silhouette of a man soon appeared within the green mist. Julian squinted his eyes as he tried to identify the unknown figure.
"Hello?" Julian called out.
"Julian?" The figure called back.
Julian's face went pale as he recognized the voice. It was painfully familiar.
"Father?" He said in disbelief.
Julian walked towards the figure. His steps were calculated as he partly anticipated this to probably be another mind game. But a part of him wanted to be wrong. He didn't know why, but that part of him wanted it to really be Sergio standing there. But just as he got near the figure and the mist cleared, he was proved wrong. He halted as his heart nearly left his chest.
Standing in front of him was the decayed form of Sergio Fernandez. He was missing a nose, an eye and his lips were gone, showing yellow crooked teeth. An earthworm slithered from his empty eye socket and dropped to the floor. He growled and began to advance towards Julian. Julian stepped backwards in rapid fashion.
"Young man," The corpse moaned. "Welcome back."
"Get away from me!" Julian cried out.
"No," It responded, yellow drool dripping out of its lips. "You belong here. With your mother. Join her. She's waiting for you. "
It smiled cruelly and suddenly increased its steps. Its deformed face creased as it stretched its hands towards Julian.
"She's waiting for you!" It shrieked again. This time the voice came out in a high pitch.
"Stay back!" Julian cried out again.
As the corpse drew near him, he reared back and kicked it against the side of its head. The force of the impact took its head off its shoulders and sent it into the far distance. The headless body collapsed to the ground, twitching uncontrollably.
Julian turned around only to see the same decayed form of his father standing mere inches away from him. The corpse grinned maliciously. Julian stood petrified with shock. Wasn't this the same corpse he just decapitated with his foot mere seconds ago?
"How—"
Before Julian could finish his sentence, the corpse grabbed him by the neck and began to choke him. Julian tried to pull its hands away, but he discovered to his dismay, that they were locked tight.
"Join her!" It shrieked, a wicked smile adorning its rotted face.
----------------------------
Loretta smiled as she stared at the black whirlpool ahead. It had been hours since she had thrown Julian inside it. As she sat on a large gravestone, she tapped her foot on the ground gently. Things were going pretty well at the moment. This was entertaining for her. If all went according to plan, Julian would be broken mentally. Broken enough for her to strike the killing blow.
Beside her, Nancy grunted and struggled to get out of the chains.
"It's no use," Loretta sighed, shaking her head. "Those are no ordinary chains."
Nancy ignored her and kept on struggling. An amused smile graced Loretta's face. She stood up from the gravestone and crouched in front of Nancy.
"You are quite the stubborn one," She said, running her hand through Nancy's hair. "Feisty and smart too. I can see why the Thalatian fancies you. A pity this romance will inevitably end in tragedy."
"Screw you." Nancy spat with venom. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at Loretta.
Loretta sighed and stood up.
"It's so sad you cannot understand that this is for the greater good." She said.
Just then Loretta sighted the sword nearby. The very sword Julian had dropped. She walked towards it and picked it up. A sharp cry escaped her lips as she felt the heat from the sword sear her palm. She winced and tossed it away. Nancy cried out as it nearly hit her.
"I almost forgot how much harm that cursed object could deliver." Loretta mumbled as she massaged her now sore palm.
It was meant to come as a whisper, but Nancy heard her words. At that moment, she realized something. There was still hope. The sword could not be destroyed as Loretta couldn't touch it. All Nancy needed was one person. From her lying position on the ground, she strained her neck and turned her face towards the portal.
"Julian!" She cried out.
Loretta turned her attention from her palm and gave Nancy a confused look.
"You do realize that he cannot hear you." She said, folding her arms.
Nancy ignored her and screamed again. This time, with all her might.
"Julian!"