Chapter Four: Journey to the North; Elysia's Adventure Begins and "A Mysterious Mansion and a Sinister Encounter.

At the far end of Zafirae stood an old, abandoned wooden dock. Thick fog surrounded the long pier, making it look eerie and desolate. Standing alone at the dock was Elysia, holding a large black bag, waiting for someone.

In the distance, she spotted a small boat approaching. As it neared, Elysia stepped forward to meet it. The boat came to a stop, and a strange-looking being stepped out and walked toward her.

"How are you, my lady ???" the creature greeted her with a smile.

"Zandro, thank you for coming," Elysia replied with a relieved smile.

Zandro was the first being she had ever saved from the governor's cruel men. This dock was where she had helped him escape, knowing it was abandoned and no longer visited by the people of Zafirae.

Zandro took Elysia's bag and placed it inside the boat. Then, he reached out his hand to help her climb aboard.

Zandro had chestnut-colored skin, white eyes, and sharp teeth protruding from the corners of his mouth. His face resembled a pit bull, with whiskers growing along his jaw. He was short, standing only about three feet tall, and wore a short emerald-green tunic with torn blue pants. A blue hat covered most of his brown hair. His right leg had been replaced with a wooden limb, allowing him to walk properly.

The boat was rectangular in shape, with a small roof at the back and a tiny lamp hanging from one of the posts. Purple curtains draped from each corner, and a small bench was attached to the boat's side.

As they sailed across the vast ocean, heading toward a land inhabited by various creatures, Zandro spoke.

"It has been a long time since we last saw each other, my lady," he said.

"Yes, it has, my friend Zandro," Elysia replied.

"Why are you traveling to that place ???" Zandro asked.

"I need to seek help from another friend. The governor is oppressing us," Elysia said, her voice heavy with sadness.

"That governor is truly wicked," Zandro muttered.

"Where exactly are you going ???" he added.

"I'm heading to Seth Orman—the Northern Forest," Elysia answered.

"No... Seth Orman ???" Zandro's face turned pale with fear. "My lady, you must be careful. That place is ruled by Lord Draegon."

"Who is Lord Draegon, Zandro ???" Elysia asked.

"Lord Draegon is the ruler of the North. He is the strongest and bravest leader of the vampires in Seth. He has cousins who govern other regions—Rile in the South, Belsic in the East, and Welry in the West. They are just as powerful as the ruler of Seth," Zandro explained.

"Be very careful, my lady. That land is filled with strange creatures that could bring you danger," he warned.

"Don't worry, Zandro. I promise to be cautious. Thank you for your concern," Elysia reassured him with a smile.

As they continued their journey, Elysia saw islands covered in thick mist. They looked like massive stones rising from shallow waters. It was the first time she had seen such a place, and she was amazed.

"This place is beautiful, Zandro! What is it called ???" she asked excitedly.

"This is Savab Adası—Blessing Island. We're heading to one of its islands," Zandro replied.

"Why is it called Savab Adası ???" she asked.

"Because it is a place of miracles. It serves as a gateway to different destinations, and we will use it to reach Seth much faster," Zandro explained.

"Really ??? That's amazing !!! I can't wait to get there !!!" Elysia exclaimed with excitement.

They reached an island with dark plants growing all around it. At the center was a passage that looked like a cave, with bluish-green water inside. As they entered, Elysia suddenly felt a strange vibration beneath the water.

The water began to swirl, pulling them into the cave. Elysia gripped the boat's post tightly, while Zandro simply laughed.

"My lady, don't be afraid. This water will carry us to the other side. This cave is a portal to Seth," Zandro said, smiling.

A few minutes later, a bright light appeared at the end of the tunnel. When they emerged, they found themselves surrounded by tall trees. They docked on the shore of Seth, where Elysia turned to her friend and embraced him in farewell.

"Goodbye, Zandro. I hope we meet again," she said sadly.

"Take care, my lady. May you be safe on your journey. And don't forget to ride the giant snail," Zandro said with a grin.

"Don't worry, my friend," Elysia replied.

She stepped into the dense forest of Seth. As she walked, her eyes widened in shock when she spotted an enormous snail. She had never seen one so big before.

The giant snail had a dark greenish-black body, blending in with the leaves around it. Its rough, bumpy skin resembled that of a crocodile. It had long, pointed antennae and a pair of large, beady eyes. On its back was a massive pinkish shell with tiny windows. At the top of the shell, small glowing lanterns hung from its surface.

The massive creature stopped in front of Elysia and greeted her with a warm smile.

"Where are you headed, my lady ???" the snail asked.

"Turu, can you take me to Lux Ormanı—the Mansion Forest ???" she asked.

"Oh! You mean the only mansion in this entire forest ???" the snail clarified.

"Yes, I think so," Elysia replied.

"Then hop on !!! Just open the door to my house and step inside," Turu said with a friendly grin.

Elysia entered the shell and was amazed. The interior looked like a small house, complete with furniture.

She peeked through the windows and watched as the forest sped past them. To her surprise, the giant snail moved as fast as a racing vehicle. She had always thought snails were slow, but in this strange land, that wasn't the case.

Within minutes, they arrived in front of a massive mansion.

- - -

Elysia stood in front of a massive mansion, feeling overwhelmed by its towering structure. The mansion was painted black with green accents on the pillars. There were plants in the front yard and a black iron fence surrounding the property. Small lamp posts with cylindrical bases made of pinkish cement stood beside the fence.

She peered through the gates, trying to see if anyone was inside.

"Hello? Is anyone there ???" she called out.

"Grandma Morwenna, it's me, Elysia !!!" she shouted again.

Minutes passed, but no one responded. A strong wind suddenly blew, causing the small gate to creak open. She hesitated—should she wait for an invitation, or step inside? Before she could decide, she found herself already within the property. Her feet had moved on their own, as if she had been hypnotized. Realizing this, she continued toward the mansion's entrance.

Just as she was about to knock, the door opened by itself—without any wind pushing it. Startled, she cautiously stepped inside.

"Grandma Morwenna ??? Is anyone here ??? " she called.

Before she could speak again, a man with glowing red eyes appeared in front of her. In an instant, he grabbed her chin and lifted her effortlessly with one hand. Her feet dangled above the floor.

"Who are you ???" he asked coldly.

"A... a..." she stammered, struggling to breathe through the black bandana covering her face.

"I should just kill you—" the man threatened.

"Stop, Vlood !!! She is my guest !!!," an elderly voice interrupted.

The man turned to see who had spoken. Upon seeing the old woman, his red eyes faded. He let go of Elysia, and she fell to the ground, gasping.

"Grandma Morwenna," Elysia whispered, rubbing her sore jaw.

"Elysia, how have you been ??? I knew you were coming," the old woman said with a warm smile.

They moved to the living room, where Elysia sat on a soft, pink sofa. The antique wooden chairs around her had intricate carvings. A pink rug with gold designs covered the floor beneath a wooden coffee table. A chandelier shaped like a vase hung from the ceiling, its many glass pieces glowing like lamps. The windows were adorned with brown drapes, and the walls were painted a deep wooden color with framed paintings hanging on them.

Grandma Morwenna placed a white porcelain teapot on a round tray, along with two small cups. She poured a chocolate-colored drink into each cup and handed one to Elysia.

The old woman observed Elysia's expression. She saw sadness in her eyes, as if carrying a heavy burden.

"You Seem Troubled, Elysia," she said gently.

"Grandma, there's a big problem at the orphanage. The governor is pressuring us to pay for the land. I don't know what to do. If we lose the orphanage, the children will have nowhere to go," Elysia said, her voice filled with worry.

"Don't worry, Elysia. I will help you," Grandma Morwenna reassured her with a smile.

"Thank you so much, Grandma !!! I will repay your kindness. If I have to work as a servant in this mansion to pay you back, I will," Elysia said, holding back tears.

"If that is what you want, I won't refuse," the old woman said kindly.

"Are you serious, Grandma ???" a voice interrupted.

Elysia turned to see the man from earlier—Vlood—reading a book. He had deep brown eyes now, but she clearly remembered them glowing red before. His features were striking: straight eyebrows, a sharp nose, and lips with a soft pink hue. His face was delicate, almost feminine, yet his body was undeniably strong. His shoulder-length curly hair framed his pale complexion. He looked around twenty-five years old.

He wore a black outfit with white dots as a design. The long sleeves covered his arms completely, and a high-collared inner shirt concealed his neck. His black pants and polished shoes matched his attire perfectly.

Elysia was puzzled by his expression—it was blank, unreadable. She felt like he was studying her, trying to read her mind.

Grandma Morwenna sipped her drink and smiled.

"I feel comfortable with her. I live alone in this mansion, so having company would be nice," she explained.

"I will be watching," Vlood muttered, eyes still on his book.

After their conversation, Grandma Morwenna led Elysia to her new room, which was near Vlood's.

Inside, she was stunned by its beauty. A large white bed with four posts stood in the center, draped with thin white curtains. The mattress, pillows, and blankets were all made of silk with golden embroidery. The headboard was attached to a white wooden wall with a golden lamp hanging beside it. A small white cabinet with golden details stood nearby, along with a large window covered by ivory curtains. The ceiling's edges were lined with gold, complementing the room's pinkish walls and snowy-white floor.

Elysia set her bag on the floor, mesmerized by the luxurious surroundings. She had never seen such a beautiful room in her life. As she admired everything, she didn't notice someone watching her from behind.

"Strange..." a cold voice said.

Elysia spun around to see Vlood leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on her. His face remained expressionless.

"I can't smell your blood... and I can't read your thoughts. How unusual," he said.

"Huh ???" she replied in confusion.

"Who... are you, really ???" he asked, stepping closer to her.

"I'm Elysia," she said with an awkward smile.

"My grandmother seems to have plans for you. I wonder if she's thinking of..." Vlood muttered, trailing off.

"Are you the chosen one ??? My cousin will definitely make things difficult for you. I need to test your character before deciding whether to do the same," the young man said coldly before walking away from the girl.

"Huh ??? Chosen one ??? What does that even mean ??? He's so mysterious… Never mind," Elysia muttered to herself.

The next morning, Elysia woke up early. When she got out of bed, she noticed a white dress hanging in a large wardrobe, which was placed a short distance away from her. The dress was made of cotton. The upper part was long, reaching her lap, and had a curved hem at the bottom. It had vertical buttons running down from its V-shaped neckline. The dress also had long sleeves, which she folded up slightly. The skirt reached all the way to her feet.

After taking a bath, she put on the dress. She made sure her necklace was hidden beneath the fabric. Standing in front of the mirror, she examined herself. The dress suited her well, but she looked even more stunning without covering her face with a scarf.

Seeing her own reflection frightened her, so she quickly grabbed a black scarf and covered the lower half of her face. She couldn't explain why, but she always felt uneasy when she didn't wear the scarf. She knew that her beauty could bring her trouble.

After dressing up, she tied her long hair into a braid. Since her hair reached down to her waist, she felt like Rapunzel from the fairy tale.

At the bottom of the wardrobe, she found a pair of golden shoes. Each shoe had a round design on the tip, with vertical lines running toward the front. The front part also had carved leaf patterns. The shoes were beautiful and matched her dress perfectly.

When she put them on, she was surprised—they fit her perfectly, as if they had been made just for her.

A few minutes later, she stepped out of her room. Outside, she saw Vlood, who was looking at her with a blank expression. Elysia decided to greet him.

"Good morning," she said with a smile.

"Strange… Why do you cover your face with a scarf ???" Vlood asked.

"Ah… um, it's because I have a lot of acne, so I just cover my face," she lied.

"Is that so ???" Vlood replied, sounding unconvinced.

"Ah… well, I should go clean now," Elysia said quickly before hurrying away.

"What are you hiding ??? I'll find out soon enough," Vlood muttered coldly, without even a hint of a smile.

Elysia quickly walked away from him. By the time she reached her room, they were already far apart. Suddenly, she felt a cold wind surrounding her. She shivered as a chill ran down her arm.

Startled, she turned around—and there he was again. Vlood stood behind her, his eyes glowing red as he stared at her. He grabbed her arm tightly, ignoring her pained expression. He pulled her outside, and she instinctively clung to the doorframe, fear rushing through her body.

"W-What are you doing ??? Let me go !!!" she said, trembling.

"I'm taking you to Obsidian Belsic (Death in East)," Vlood answered.

"Huh ???W-Why ??? What am I supposed to do there ???" she asked, still terrified.

"Grandmother is not here. She had something important to take care of and will be gone for a week. She left you in my care," Vlood said coldly.

"Oh… I see. I guess she trusts you, so I don't have to be afraid of you," Elysia replied, her fear slowly fading.

Vlood looked at her.

He saw her smiling—her expression was pure and innocent.

For some reason, he felt lighter, as if her presence was easing something inside him. The red glow in his eyes disappeared, and for the first time, he smiled slightly.

Perhaps… she really was the special person his grandmother had mentioned.

He let go of her arm and helped her into his black car.