Miria and the others appeared on the outskirts of a vast, isolated estate, surrounded by ancient trees and light mist. The manor stood in the distance, imposing and silent.
"Where are we?" Marlie asked, looking around.
"And more importantly… who does this estate belong to?" Diana added, frowning.
Miria smiled mysteriously.
"Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough."
Katrina crossed her arms.
"Alright… but what are we waiting for?"
"Them," Miria simply answered.
Suddenly, an intense light appeared nearby. It grew brighter until it became almost blinding, then vanished. Bryan, Eiden, Axel, and Ray stood there, loaded with all the luggage.
"Okay, now that we're all here, we can go," Miria declared.
The group advanced toward the manor. The closer they got, the more comments flew.
"It's… huge," Gale breathed.
"And beautiful," Isabella added. "It looks like a castle."
"Honestly, I've never seen a place this majestic," Ray said, whistling.
"It must cost a fortune to maintain," Bryan added with a wry smile.
They arrived in front of the large front door. Miria stepped forward and made precise gestures in the air, as if drawing invisible runes. The door opened by itself with a soft creak.
"Wow… it opens on its own?" Axel exclaimed, impressed.
Miria chuckled.
"No. It's by magic, and that's exactly why I chose this place. Not only is it big enough for all of us, but there's magic everywhere around the estate. Very ancient magic. It makes this house a true fortress… well protected and well equipped."
"Wow…" Marlie repeated, eyes wide.
Miria laughed softly.
Inside, the entrance hall was vast, with a high ceiling and majestic chandeliers.
"The house looks to be in very good condition for such an isolated place," Eiden observed.
"As I was saying, it's equipped with magic," Miria answered. "Not only to protect it… but also for something else."
She pointed in a direction. Everyone turned and stood open-mouthed: a broom was quietly sweeping the floor… all by itself.
"No way… seriously?" Gale breathed.
Miria smiled and invited them to follow her. They began climbing the grand central staircase. At the first landing, the staircase split in two: one to the left, one to the right.
"It's… just like in fairy tales," Diana murmured.
As they reached the level of the two staircases, Ray turned to Miria.
"You told us you'd tell us who this place belonged to."
Miria gave an amused smile.
"Of course."
She turned toward the large portrait hanging on the wall, still covered by a cloth. With a wave of her hand, she made the fabric slide. The cloth fell.
A total silence fell over the group.
In the portrait, Asher was smiling, dressed in clothing from another era. Beside him stood a woman dressed in the same style. She looked exactly like him… except that she had brown eyes and long black hair.
"But… Miria, is that you?" Diana stammered.
"No," Marlie interjected. "Miria doesn't have those eye or hair colors."
"Yes, but she looks so much like her," Ray added.
Miria remained calm.
"Well… let me introduce you to Miria. The sister of my great-great… I don't even know how many 'greats.' Let's just say she's the sister of my great-grandfather. I don't know exactly how many generations back it goes, but also… Asher's first love."
Bryan whistled.
"I've always heard about her… but seeing her with my own eyes is completely different."
"Yes, I know it can be unsettling," Miria answered. "But everything has its reasons. Follow me."
She climbed the right-hand staircase, followed by the group. Katrina was about to follow them, but she remained frozen, hypnotized by the portrait. She studied every feature of the painted woman, as if something was deeply troubling her.
"Katrina?" Klaus called softly. "Are you coming?"
She startled, nodded, and joined him.