John stood before the doorway in the dimly lit corridor.
He clasped his hands behind his back, his voice a low rumble. "You two know… I've wandered for many years. People thought I was mad. But no—I've been waiting for this day. And it has its reasons."
Jack and Mira exchanged a glance.
CLICK!
John placed his hand on a specific stone in the wall, and a golden symbol shimmered to life in the darkness.
RUMBLE!!! The ground beneath their feet vibrated.
A massive section of the floor slid open directly before them, revealing a deep, yawning tunnel.
Jack's eyes widened. "The exit wasn't the door… it was under the ground!?"
John offered a faint smile. "You don't know who I truly am. I've built many fortresses to stand against the Vampires. This is just one of them…"
Mira narrowed her eyes, suspicion lacing her tone. "If you were so capable, why didn't you save everyone back at the shelter? If we could have reached this place, no one would have had to die!"
John fell silent.
His face became pensive, a shadow of sorrow passing over his eyes. "You wouldn't understand. I am no longer the man I was back then…"
Mira clenched her fists, her voice tight. "Spare me! You're just making excuses!"
John pursed his lips, starting to say something but then stopping himself.
—
"Enough, you two."
Jack interjected, his voice weary but firm. He leaned on his sword, a dull ache throbbing through his body. "I believe John will have a valid explanation later. But right now, we should move before more Vampires arrive… I'm still quite drained from that last attack."
Last Light in his hand emitted a fading glow, as if it too needed rest.
The three of them looked at each other.
John nodded. "Let's go. There are things I want to show you."
—
They descended the secret staircase.
Above them—the battle raged on. Screams, the clang of metal against metal, and the pungent smell of fresh blood filled the air. It seemed the fate of the fortress had already been sealed.
—a few seconds later—
THUD!
The hidden door slammed shut, cutting off all sound from above.
Their journey had only just begun.
The stone steps spiraled downwards, leading them deeper into the earth. The echo of their footsteps reverberated in the narrow space, creating an atmosphere of silence and mystery.
Jack looked down at Last Light, the faint light from its blade reflecting in the darkness like a lone flame in the night.
Jack glanced at John, then at the sword in his hand, and spoke. "John, this sword was originally yours. I heard you say it chose me, but still… it belongs to you. I don't feel comfortable holding onto it like this."
John chuckled, his voice raspy but warm. "Nonsense, lad, keep it. If it weren't for you and this blade, all three of us would be worm food up there. An old man like me couldn't wield it for more than two minutes even if he wanted to."
Mira frowned, recalling the image of John back in the shelter. When he had held the sword, his entire body had trembled as if his life force was being drained.
Mira: "That's right, I remember back at the shelter, you looked like you were about to die just from holding it."
John nodded, his pace slowing slightly. "Indeed. Last Light burns the life force of its wielder… terribly so. A normal person holding it for too long would collapse instantly. Their heart would race madly, their chest would feel like it's being crushed."
Jack fell silent, looking at his hand gripping the sword hilt. He tried to focus on the sensation—but instead of pain or fatigue, he felt warmth.
Jack: "Is that so… But I actually feel quite comfortable. It makes me feel… light and warm. I've never felt anything like this before."
John paused for a moment, looking at him with an unreadable expression. "You truly are special, lad. A sword created to destroy Vampires… wielded by one. It's hard to believe Last Light chose you."
Silence fell between them, each lost in their own thoughts. They continued deeper into the darkness. And perhaps, the answers to all these mysteries… awaited them ahead.
Jack slowed his pace, his gaze becoming thoughtful.
Jack: "So, what am I supposed to do now…? Besides the image of my wife and children, I can't remember anything else. I don't know why I became a Vampire, but I know I've been 'one of them'… for a very, very long time. Like centuries."
Mira turned to look at Jack, her eyes sharp as if scrutinizing every subtle expression on his face.
Mira: "What about the memories of 'Jack the Butcher'… do you still remember those?"
The question was like a cold blade piercing Jack's mind. His entire body stiffened slightly.
Horrifying images instantly resurfaced—the maddening thirst for blood, the desperate screams, the cold corpses lying in the darkness. Despairing faces, those who trembled before his blade… They all seemed to be screaming in his mind.
Mira didn't take her eyes off Jack, waiting for his answer.
Jack subtly tightened his grip on the sword hilt, his fingernails digging into his skin. A small pain compared to the guilt that weighed on him.
He didn't know how to answer. Jack swallowed hard and said, "I… I remember. I can't forget. I don't deny it. I will always remember, engrave it into my mind… So that I never become that disgusting thing again."
The air seemed to thicken slightly.
Mira said nothing, simply turning her head and continuing forward. But from Jack's perspective, she seemed to be hiding something. A secret she wasn't ready to reveal.
John watched them both with the seasoned eyes of someone who had witnessed too many ups and downs. He chuckled softly, breaking the tense atmosphere.
John: "Ha ha… Alright, alright. Let's keep moving. You two are in for a surprise."