A week passed since their encounter with the Caztels. Emerald lived without a single worry, though occasionally, dreams left him sleepless. As the days counted down, the pre-arranged time arrived. He gathered a handful of clothes and packed his bags. The clock ticked as usual, Emerald waiting for Genna's call. After a few minutes, he saw a hand beckoning him through the mirror. Without further hesitation, he stepped in.
He was pulled out of the dimension on the other side by Genna, finding himself in a clothing shop—but not the same one they'd visited a week ago. Emerald stepped out and started walking, looking for Genna, when she materialized in front of him. As soon as he saw her, Emerald blurted out, "What am I supposed to do in here? Didn't you say you were going to take me to your home?"
"Yeah, I did," Genna replied, her energy radiating a sense of accomplishment.
"Then why the hell are we in London?" It didn't take Emerald long to deduce their location from the distinctive architecture.
"You know, sometimes, knowledge can be threatening, you understand, kid?" Genna said, a hint of worry in her voice at his quick observation.
"It's a simple calculation, though. What are we doing here, anyway?"
"Well, I thought we should go for a movie before heading into some fantasy."
"A movie? I'm not interested." Emerald was clearly eager to see the land of vampires.
"Why would I care if you like it or not? Just kill some time, that's all I need you to do." Emerald looked at Genna with a grumpy, old-man face. He knew Genna had him by the neck now; one wrong decision could endanger his loved ones.
Emerald was utterly engrossed in eating every last one of the snacks Genna had bought him, while Genna and the entire hall were captivated by the film. A fine drama, one might say, a romantic feel-good movie. It didn't take long for the snacks to disappear. After that, Emerald began to scan the theatre, amazed to see that almost everyone was a couple, utterly absorbed in the film. He decided to give it a shot himself, starting from the middle. It took Genna some time to rouse Emerald from his slight slumber at the movie's end.
They exited the theatre and began walking. Emerald was in a hurry to see Genna's home world. As they walked, Genna glanced at Emerald, seeing how happy he was, and a slight curve, almost a smile, appeared on her usually composed face. After a few more steps, Genna guided him to her apartment.
"So, practically, you have more wealth than the richest man in the world?" Emerald ventured, making an assumption after evaluating his time with her.
"A little, not the kind you expect, though."
"I see, 'a little,' huh?"
Without wasting any more time, they proceeded with their travel, again through the mirror dimension. They arrived at an estate she owned. Emerald explored it like a child, running all around the castle, a solitary fortress nestled deep in the woods.
"Madam Genna, is this your home? I mean, it's cool, really, really cool!" Emerald asked, childlike excitement shining in his eyes.
"Nah, it's not. This is just a castle I got from my mother for my 21st birthday. I don't really use it, but suit yourself," Genna replied.
"A gift, considering it's your family, I can see that," Emerald said, his voice laced with sarcasm, but ending with a hint of genuine excitement. "Anyway, how far are we?"
"Not quite, a couple of hours' walk."
"Single or double?"
"Single, for sure." Genna chuckled, knowing how much of a worrywart Emerald was.
"So, was this castle used by some kind of lord or king back in the day?" Emerald asked, settling comfortably onto a couch. It didn't even reek of mold or dust; it was perfectly clean. He concluded it must be magic.
"I don't really know that. Anyway, take any room you want," Genna said, giving him the green light to rest for the day. "If you're scared to be alone in this huge castle, I don't mind sharing the bed for a night, what do you think, boy?" Emerald's face instantly went red.
Emerald got up and headed upstairs to explore more. The brick-laid castle seemed like something out of a fantasy, the woodwork exquisite. It didn't feel like it was hers, to begin with.
Emerald found a room for himself and lay on the bed. He stared at the ceiling, remembering how Genna had managed to get him a whole week off from home: "a special seminar campaign for some top-class students." Saying it out loud, he began to crack up. He didn't even realize he had fallen asleep. The exhaustion simply led him to sleep. The sun did its job again, and Emerald woke up earlier than Genna had anticipated. He was waiting for her at the entrance.
"No way, have you made breakfast, kid?" Genna asked, assuming she could make it up to him.
"Yeah, suit yourself, I made extra some for you," Emerald replied. Genna went to the kitchen and looked gloomy at the sight of the burnt omelette and bread, adorned with a five-star decoration. She ate it anyway and then went somewhere else.
Emerald waited for her to show up. He heard an engine revving from below the castle. To his surprise, she appeared at the front with a Porsche. Emerald's jaw dropped. He got in and asked, "Where did you get it?"
"It was in the shed with some others."
"You got more? That's sick!"
"I told you, I'm a little rich."
"Where are you going to drive this?" Emerald asked, pointing to the dense forest surrounding them. Genna just looked ahead and smiled.
"You can't drive this shit through the mud; the car will be no good, madam," Emerald expressed his worry as a car enthusiast. Genna just smirked again and hit the pedal. The first things Emerald noticed flying off were the bumper and bonnet. Soon, the front and side glass began to crack. The side mirrors had been lost long ago.
Genna drove him deep into the forest, to a completely unknown place. The light was shrouded, and raindrops and dews still wet the ground and leaves. Genna got out and walked further, placing her hand out into the empty space. Emerald checked some interior features of the car and then got out. He looked at the car one last time; the tires were ripped out, it was running on alloys, and the red paint now remained as scattered dots. Emerald casually sprinted towards Genna but crashed into a glass shield and fell down. Genna burst into laughter.
Emerald got up and took some time to reboot his senses. "Now what? How are we supposed to get inside this thing?"
"Well, humans can't get in, but I can," Genna replied.
"I know that damn well, but how am I supposed to get in? You said you had me covered!"
"Well, I've got you, but it needs some time." Genna asked Emerald to hold her hand, and as she did, she looked into his eyes and said something. With a sudden reaction, both Emerald's and Genna's palms were swiftly cut. Emerald pulled his hand back, saying, "Ouch!" The blood flowed but healed remarkably quickly. He looked at her and asked, "What the actual fuck did you just do now?" Genna just smirked. Emerald's worries escalated now: a remote forest, a vampire standing in front of him, and she had just hurt him. What's next? Is this the end?
As Emerald stared at her, a mixture of shock and unease washing over him, Genna whispered, "Now I have become you who is pure by heart, and you have become me who is pure by life. We are one with soul."
(To be continued)