Chapter 101: DRACULA'S HEART
Dream watched Retribution and Isobel disappear into a rift she didn't expect was possible considering she had ensured no one could pass through the barrier.
Retribution being able to pass through the rift easily was the sign she needed to realize how exactly dangerous he was.
With nothing left to do, Dream returned to the sanctuary to find Geralt finally free, with Liam and Joseph awake.
"You are here. Don't tell me you granted his wish," Geralt asked Dream with a frown on his face as he tried to bottle the rage within him.
"Yes I did," Dream replied curtly, not in the mood for Geralt's little game.
"Dream. How could you_"
"I believe I have allowed you to act freely the way you want. Do not mistake it for weakness Geralt," Dream warned, the words of Retribution still leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
"You two," Dream said, directing her words at Liam and Joseph. "What was the cause of your battle and why did you fight? And how did you both lose?" Dream asked, her question drawing attention from the still waiting demigods, clan masters and high ranking officials.
They all waited behind, awaiting Dream's return and the conclusion of their discussion.
"Follow us. You both should give us a complete briefing on the battle. With that we should be able to know a thing or more of our potential enemy," Geralt was quick to take the rein and center of attention.
With Dream putting him in the place as well as Retribution, Geralt could not allow anyone else think less of him and compromise his authority and image amongst the others.
Geralt returned to the conference room expecting others to follow behind so they could resume the meeting.
The top members of the meeting, to avoid tinkering the already ticking time bomb followed behind Geralt as they made their way into the conference to feed the wounded Geralt's bruised ego and prevent him from doing crazy things in his fit of anger.
Within the conference room, Liam narrated his battle experience to the man he had once fought a battle against and dominated. And how the second round of battle between them had been far different from their first experience.
----
"Where is this and who are you?" Isobel asked the old man after entering the sanctuary. A place of marvel to her that defied all logic.
"Come with me and with time all your questions will be answered," Retribution assured Isobel, taking her to his castle away from prying eyes.
"What answers do you have to give that made you come to these castle? Where even is this place? Who exactly are you?" Isobel asked for the final time, her guard up. Although she still felt the connection with the unknown man, she wasn't going to allow it make her drop her guard.
Retribution slowly transformed back to his original face and physique as the phantom mask came reverted Aaron back from his fake identity of Retribution to his original identity. "We have met before. I'm from the knowledge I have gathered, I'm your_"
"Brother." Isobel completed Aaron's words, tears in her eyes as she embraced her brother passionately.
"How did you? I couldn't recognise you. And from the way Dream treated you as well, she couldn't recognise you either," Isobel, still in her brother's embrace asked.
"You know Dream? It seems you know a lot more than me," Aaron said amused at how much his sister could know.
"I know a lot more than you. While dad and mum kept you in the light, I was told a lot of things. From what that demon explained to me, it's likely because my curse is lesser than yours and so my growth rate is higher," Isobel replied, finally piecing everything together.
"Although, they will be shocked to see you," Isobel muttered, checking the castle with awe. With her guard down, she could finally enjoy the scenery.
"Where is this?" Isobel asked.
"The sanctuary. The actual sanctuary, not the cheap copy the demi gods made," Aaron couldn't help but brag to his younger sister, unknowning to him that his harmless bragging will result to him being pooled to a circumstances he didn't want a part of.
"Did you just say the sanctuary? As in the sanctuary that every race in the universe sought for?" Isobel asked, shock etched in her face.
"So you also know about it," Aaron said, feeling a bit smugged.
"Of course I do. It's link to Dracula," Isobel said with restrained excitement.
She quickly divulged every single piece of information given to her by Lyrith.
"So you are saying Dracula, a vampire primogenitor, and my great grandfather has his heart hidden somewhere within the sanctuary. And to free him we need the infinite blood pool, his heart hidden somewhere within the sanctuary and his body tucked into the void? And also I have a curse placed on me. The curse of soul huh?" Aaron asked his sister, just to ensure he was up to date.
"Yes. We have gotten one out of the three things needed to revive great grandfather," Isobel nodded her head excitedly.
The prospect of being able to bring a relative back to life was one that brought excitement to the young vampire queen.
"Two actually. I have the infinite blood pool as well," Aaron spilled the beans, a smile plastered on his face.
"Oi system. Is everything she is saying truth? Is that the curse you were talking about? The curse of soul?" Aaron asked his system telepathically, just to ensure his sister's story didn't have any holes.
[Yes. It's true. That's the reason you have five vampire bloodline. Your reliance on me is now getting out of hand]
"I'm not relying on you. I'm just making sure you have a use. I'm not receiving any reward from you for two months remember? Can't have you lazing around," Aaron countered.
"Now brother. We need to find Dracula's heart. That should be the first step to resurrecting him," Isobel smiled sweetly, prepared to turn the sanctuary upside to search for Dracula's heart,"
"I don't think that's necessary. I can get it faster and easily. Can't have you turning my sanctuary upside down," Aaron was quick to cool the burning flames of motivation his sister had, as he stepped outside the castle once more.
He closed his eyes, controlling the sanctuary like an extended limb as he searched for Dracula's heart within the sanctuary.