Chapter 6: The Secrets of Pompeii

The weekend morning in Naples was cloaked in a thin layer of mist, the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius faintly visible in the distance, like a silent sentinel. Giovanni stood at the apartment door, staring down at the anonymous note—"The secrets of Pompeii are far more dangerous than you imagine. Beware the eyes behind you." He furrowed his brow, a flicker of unease stirring within him. Since hearing the rumors about Sophia and Isabella's families, he'd grown more guarded about everything around him: *"Do their families really hold secrets? Or is this just a coincidence?"*

"Master, you look troubled," Arethia's voice emerged from the ring, laced with concern. "Is it because of that note?"

Giovanni nodded, keeping his voice low. "Not just the note… Sophia and Isabella too. They were so eager yesterday—I can't shake the feeling they know something." He lifted his gaze to the distant street. "Do you think this note could be connected to them?"

Arethia fell silent for a moment, her tone turning serious. "Master, the minds of mortals are always hard to read. Their behavior yesterday was indeed unusual, but we have no proof yet. What do you plan to do?"

Giovanni took a deep breath, clenching his fists. "Whatever's going on, Pompeii might hold clues my father left behind. I have to find out." He paused, adding, "But if they do have hidden motives, I'll need to stay cautious."

At that moment, light footsteps echoed from the street below the apartment. Sophia and Isabella appeared before him, dressed in casual sportswear, backpacks in hand, as if they'd been ready for this all along.

"Giovanni, good morning!" Isabella waved first, her smile as bright as the sun. "We heard you're heading to Pompeii, so we came to join you!"

Sophia offered a gentle smile, adding, "Pompeii can be a dangerous place. Going alone is too risky—we can help you." Her voice was soft but carried an unshakable firmness.

Giovanni froze, the classroom whispers flashing through his mind: *"Mysterious organization… big secrets…"* He narrowed his eyes, testing them. "Why are you so eager? Coffee and cake yesterday, and now tagging along today… How do you know so much?" His tone held a hint of suspicion, his gaze shifting between them.

Isabella pouted, putting on an innocent face. "Oh, come on, you're so paranoid! We just want to help a friend—there's no special reason!"

Sophia sighed softly, her expression softening. "Alright, Giovanni, I'll admit it's not entirely out of curiosity. We've heard rumors about Pompeii, something tied to an ancient secret. We think… your father's situation might be connected to it." She paused, lowering her voice. "We just want to help you find answers."

Giovanni's heart jolted, his father's scorched letter flickering in his mind. He stared at Sophia, searching her face for any sign of deceit. "How do you know about my father?" His voice deepened, torn between trust and wariness.

Sophia avoided his gaze, speaking quietly. "We've heard family tales about your father being part of a dangerous archaeological project. We… have our own reasons for wanting to uncover the truth." A trace of pain lingered in her voice, as if she were hiding something.

Isabella patted Giovanni's shoulder, breaking the heavy mood. "Don't overthink it! With us around, it's way safer than you stumbling in alone!" She glanced at Sophia with a wink. "Right?"

Giovanni fell silent, weighing the risks and benefits in his mind. Arethia's voice chimed in his head again: *"Master, their words are half-truths. You can let them come, but don't trust them completely."* He nodded, forcing a faint smile. "Fine, we'll go together. But I have one condition—if danger strikes, you follow my lead."

"No problem!" Isabella agreed instantly, grinning like a triumphant fox.

Sophia nodded gently. "Deal."

The trio boarded a bus to Pompeii, the ride steeped in an awkward silence. Giovanni sat by the window, watching the scenery blur past, his mind churning with questions: *"What are their families hiding? Is this trip to Pompeii really a coincidence?"* Arethia remained silent within the ring, occasionally letting out a soft huff, clearly unimpressed with these "companions."

The bus arrived at Pompeii by noon. The sun scorched the crumbling stone walls, a faint sulfurous scent hanging in the air, lending a subtle oppression. Sophia pulled a hand-drawn map from her backpack, pointing to a marked spot. "According to my research, this was once a hidden temple. It might hold some clues."

Giovanni took the map, frowning. "Where did you get this? It's not something an ordinary person could find." His tone carried suspicion, his eyes fixed on Sophia.

She hesitated, then smiled lightly. "Some old books from my family—I flipped through them as a kid. Don't read too much into it." Her casual dismissal didn't fully ease Giovanni's doubts.

Isabella cut in, "Oh, come on, Giovanni, you're too suspicious! With me here, there's no way you'll fall into any traps!" She patted her chest confidently.

Following the map, the three navigated through a stretch of ruins to a small, unassuming temple. Its entrance was draped in vines, the stone door etched with faded runes that exuded an ancient, eerie aura. Giovanni crouched to inspect it, thinking, *"These look like the Trojan runes Dad studied… Could there really be a clue here?"*

"This place doesn't seem simple," Sophia said softly, a flicker of tension in her eyes. "We need to be careful."

Just then, a low rumble of footsteps sounded in the distance, like a pack of stalking beasts drawing near. Arethia's voice burst into Giovanni's mind: *"Master, enemies are approaching! Get ready to fight!"*

Giovanni shot to his feet, turning toward the sound, and whispered to the girls, "Looks like our plan's been spotted. Brace yourselves for trouble."

Sophia swiftly pulled a spray canister from her bag, gripping it tightly, her face stern. Isabella drew a collapsible iron rod from her waist, flashing a grin. "I've been itching to stretch my legs!"

The air thickened with danger as the footsteps grew louder. Giovanni clutched the bronze ring, whispering inwardly, *"Dad, is this the trial you left for me? I won't back down."* He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead.

Beyond the window, the shadow of Vesuvius loomed faintly through the mist, like a pair of hidden eyes silently watching it all…