The Heart Keeper’s Fury

Tia woke up to a different kind of morning.

The air inside Ramelan House felt… charged.Like a storm was brewing, but it wasn't a storm of rain or wind. It was a storm of magic.

The walls still hummed, but now, the house itself seemed to pulse with life, like it was holding its breath — ready to protect, ready to fight.

Tia slipped out of bed, heart racing, still reeling from last night's revelation. She ran a hand through her messy hair, trying to gather her thoughts.

The Heart Keeper.The house had chosen her.The echoes of that ancient book still echoed in her mind. "She is here."

What did that even mean?

She stepped into the hallway, but before she could get far, the house shifted.The floor beneath her feet swirled like water.

Tia yelped, but before she could fall, a sudden force caught her — the walls seemed to wrap around her, steadying her.

A voice echoed in her head.

"You are not alone, Heart Keeper. I am with you."

Tia froze."Who's—"Her words caught in her throat.The air seemed to hum again, this time louder, clearer.

The house.The house was speaking to her.

In the living room, the rest of the squad was already gathered — and they could feel it too. Something had shifted.

Ba'zaroth's usually casual stance was rigid, his tail flicking nervously.Deadbeat was holding his ghost-scythe like it was a staff of destiny.Lady Eugenia floated in a circle, her gaze faraway, as if listening for something no one else could hear.Mr. Floofers? He was playing with his tail, completely oblivious, but for some reason, his eyes were glowing.

Tia stepped into the room."Is everyone feeling… that?"

Ba'zaroth nodded slowly, his eyes darkening."The house is waking up. I felt it last night."He grinned, fangs flashing."This place is more than just haunted, Heart Keeper. It's alive. And it's waking up for you."

Tia blinked, trying to wrap her mind around it."How do I... even control it?"

Deadbeat twirled his scythe lazily, his voice casual."You probably can't yet. But you will soon. Trust me. You're the one the house chose. You've got weird powers coming your way."

"Great," Tia muttered. "Just what I need. More weird."

But as she spoke, a sudden gust of wind rushed through the room — furnishings shifted.The grand mirror on the wall shimmered, a faint image of a shadowed figure flickering in its depths.

Tia's heart stopped.

"That's him," she whispered.

Ramelan House seemed to groan under a new kind of pressure.The walls felt tighter. The lights flickered. The temperature dropped.

Ba'zaroth's ears perked up."Brandon. He's coming."

Ellis stepped forward."Do you think he knows about… the Heart Keeper?"

Deadbeat grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes."Of course he does. He's not stupid. He probably sensed it. And he's not gonna sit back while his prize slips away."

Suddenly, the front door slammed open.And there, standing in the doorway, was Brandon.

But not alone.Behind him was an army.

Shadowy figures, cloaked in darkness, moved like fog behind him.They were soul hunters — magic-wielders who collected lost souls for profit. Evil, ancient, and extremely dangerous.

Brandon's smile was predatory as he stepped inside."Well, well… the Heart Keeper finally shows herself."

Tia clenched her fists."Get out, Brandon."

He laughed, the sound echoing through the house."Oh, sweetie. I'm not here to negotiate."

With a snap of his fingers, the soul hunters charged forward, their eyes glowing with malicious intent.Tia felt the air thicken with dark magic. The ground beneath her feet cracked open, shadows creeping up like dark fingers.

"NO."

Without thinking, Tia reached out.Her hand glowed with golden light.A surge of power exploded from her, sending a shockwave of energy through the room, slamming Brandon and his army back.

The house roared.

The walls groaned in approval.The mirrors cracked, and their reflections twisted into angry spirits that screamed at the intruders.

Brandon stumbled, fury flashing across his face."You think this house can protect you?" he spat."I will take everything from you. Heart Keeper or not."

The ground beneath their feet shifted again.A massive doorway opened in the wall, glowing with dark energy — a portal to the underworld.

Brandon smirked."Come, my soul hunters. Let's finish this."

But as the army moved toward the portal, the air snapped.Tia's heart raced — and suddenly, she understood.

The house was listening.

Tia thrust her hand forward again.A massive golden barrier erupted from the floor, blocking the entrance to the portal.

"You will not touch us." Tia's voice was firm, resonating with an otherworldly force. She had power now. Real power.

Brandon stared at her, his smile faltering for the first time."What—"

But before he could finish, the ground beneath his feet shuddered.The house itself rose up, whispering in a voice no one had ever heard before.

"Protect."

Suddenly, the house was alive.Bookshelves shifted, blocking Brandon's path.Chairs flew through the air, knocking the soul hunters down.Windows shattered open to reveal gusts of wind that swept enemies off their feet.

Brandon's army scrambled, but Ramelan House didn't relent.It was no longer just a building.It was a fortress — its Heart Keeper, its true protector.

Tia stood firm, eyes blazing with determination.The house was hers.And no one would take it from her.

"Leave," Tia commanded, her voice unwavering.

Brandon growled, backing up."You're not finished, Heart Keeper. This isn't over."

With one last glare, he and his soul hunters retreated through the portal, which slammed shut behind them.

Tia stood there, breathing hard, as the house slowly calmed.The golden light faded, and the walls settled back into their usual state.The warmth returned to the air.

Ba'zaroth stepped forward, giving her a proud look."You did good, kid."

Deadbeat leaned in, whispering to Tia with a grin."See? I told you the house would have your back."

Tia collapsed onto the couch, still shaken but grinning."Is it always like this?"

Lady Eugenia floated in, giving her a wink."Welcome to being the Heart Keeper. Now we get to defend the house together."

And for the first time since this madness began, Tia felt a strange kind of peace.

She was home.And she was ready for whatever came next.