《• Planet Earth Realm
- Seattle, WA• 》

{•Narrator•}

The young retail worker sat in the interrogation room, the FBI jacket handed to her by her uncle still around her shoulders. She was covered in dirt and mud stained parts of her clothes, as the Seattle rain was still merciless so she was still cold despite changing clothes at the hospital.

Her hairy vampire friend helped come up with a clever alibi, and set up everything accordingly to how it was rehearsed.

She wiped some of the leftover mud from her cheek with the sleeve of the jacket.

During the search, agents found her unconscious by the lake near the forests, but uninjured, not far from a previous crime scene that took place months ago.

Medics examined her before she was bought to the FBI headquarters to get her statement.

Two agents then walked in to the interrogation room, sitting across from her while setting a cup of hot chocolate in front of her.

"Thank you," she said quietly as she sipped some.

"How are you feeling, Tania?" One agent asked.

"Better.... I'm-I'm just tired...." she said.

"We'll make this quick so you and your boyfriend can head home," the other agent, a female, said. "He and your uncle are waiting for you outside."

She nodded.

"We understand it must be traumatic for you, but is there any way you can describe what happened?" the female agent asked.

Tania feigned a frown and looked down. "A-All I can remember is leaving from work and heading to my car in the mall parking garage...."

"Yes, that's where we found your car abandoned, and personal belongings on the ground," the other agent said.

"Did you happen to get a good look at whoever grabbed you?" The female agent asked.

Tania shook her head. "I had a sack thrown over my head the entire time.... I was never able to see anyone's face, and then it all just went dark....." Tania explained. "I did hear a woman's voice, but..... Before I knew it, I woke up in the woods....."

The two agents looked at each other.

"I-I'm sorry, but, I wish I could be of more help...." Tania said sadly. "Everything is all a blur..."

"Its alright.... Its possible the trauma from this ordeal as blocked most of your memories," the female agent said softly. "Why don't you give yourself some time, and then you can call us once you have some sort of information on your captors."

Tania gulped and nodded, fidgeting with the plastic tab of her cup.

"Could... Could the same people that tried to kidnap me also have done something to Lynette?" Tania tried. "I-I mean, she worked in the same mall.... A-Are they the same people who drained those bodies...?"

They looked at each other, then back at Tania.

"Its possible.... However, we have no further information on her search," the female agent said.

"Well, aside from Miss Smith's boyfriend, Trevor Collins, listed on some domestic disturbance calls throughout the years, a few ER visits as well," one of the agent said. "Some cops and medical professionals were taking bribery from him and his father apparently, hence why no action was taken, but those cops are being investigated, as if the father. Traffic cameras did also capture him and his friends chasing Miss Smith the night she disappeared... What happened afterwards in that alley to everyone is a mystery we may never understand....."

Tania gulped and nodded.

She knew the truth, however. She knew it wasn't some serial killer or anything like that. Trevor Collins's murder was justified, same for the ones of his sick buddies. They hurt her friend, and for that they all paid dearly for it.

However, in order to protect Obsidian and her friend, she knew the script she had to follow.

"Has there been any news on Lynette's search yet, though?" I asked.

The female agent frowned. "I'm sorry, hun.... Your uncle and everyone in the unit did everything in their power to find her. Searched the woods, the surrounding towns, the mountains and cliffs, dragged the lakes and landfills.... Even gone as far as looking near the Canadian borders and oceans....." she said.

"I'm afraid we don't know where Lynette Smith could be. Unfortunately, her case has gone cold with no leads in months, and she has to officially be declared dead....." the other agent said sadly.

Tania sniffled and nodded, looking down.

"Why don't you go home? Wash up, get some well needed sleep," the agent added. "If there's any updates on anything, we'll call you."

Tania nodded, standing up with her cup as the agents escorted her out.

Her uncle waited outside the door for her, hugging her close and relieved that his niece is safe and sound.

Her boyfriend waited outside in the lobby for her, and once Tania saw him she almost cried.

"Chase," she whimpered and rushed to him as he got up and caught her in his arms.

"Thank god you're okay, T...." Chase said, holding his girlfriend protectively in his arms.

"Agent Richards, just to run a few things with you before you go," the female agent called for her college.

"Right, one sec," he said, then turned to his niece and her significant other. "Tania, Chase, I'll be right back."

They nodded as he stepped out.

"Are you okay? What happened to you?" he asked his girlfriend. "How did you end up in the woods?"

Tania pursed her lips before reaching into her pocket and pulling out the brooch she had been given before she left.

Tania smiled softly before looking up at Chase.

"You probably wouldn't believe me when I tell you...." she whispered.

Chase looked at her in confusion as she looked up to meet his eyes.

"I'll tell you everything when we get home.... What I have to say should stay only between us....."

***

《• Void Realm - Blackwell Castle, Obsidian Empire •》

{•Alister•}

I sighed as I sat at my desk, pondering in thought. I was dressed and ready, but needed a moment to mentally prepare myself again.

I looked down at the letter in my hand, which I had saved for many years, still sealed with Lieseil's own stamp.

I knew the contents. I knew who the the delicate handwriting belonged to. I knew its purpose, whicj in the end was not necessary, but would help in finding out origins lost in time and into the sea and Void.

It was her final words to them, when she realized that things at one point were going to take a dark turn, and had to make sure there were no loose ends, had anything were to happen.

To:
The Lost Brothers

I sighed as I then looked at the stone in front of me, which my niece trusted me with.

The stone that was to save him.... Who Eloise left for her child to one day find....

Its funny how in the end, the events play perfectly as Eloise hoped for.

Her child came back to save us all. The brothers found themselves in Obsidian like they were meant to. The Visigoth's met their bloody end. Lieseil was freed.

Only reason she ever took precautions were to work as a failsafe in case something ever went wrong.

She may not have been an oracle, but Ellie just always knew.....

However, Remington made his choice, as did his brothers, and who was he to make them...

"You were always the brains of our operations, Ellie...." I said, looking down at the letter. "You were also the one that always gave us hope as well.... We wouldn't even be here without that hope...."

I then held the letter against the flame of the candlelight, letting the flames flicker and clink to the paper before placing it against the metal ash tray.

I watched as the letter burned.

"I'll be watching over all of them, little sister.... I promise you..." he assured placing his hat over his head.

He watched the envelope slowly burn to ashes before taking his cane and exiting his room.

{•Remington•}

I grunted as I tried to work on my tie again.

Damn it... Why can't I ever get this right?

"Do you need some help?" A voice spoke and I turn to see Sebastian standing there, a black band tied over his arm.

I grunted in defeat and pouted a bit. "Yes...."

He smiled softly and walked over, helping me with the tie.

"My little brother is to be crowned King of the Obsidian Empire in less than a month, and he still needs someone to help with his neck ties," he said jokingly.

I scoffed. "Its not my fault they're hard to do...." I grumbled, looking away.

He smiled softly, looping the tie. "How is she doing?"

I sighed, looking up as him. "As you'd expect.... She's putting on a brave face....."

"That's like her... Like her father.... I'm still shocked we never noticed any similarities when we met her, she's like him in so many ways, stubbornness included," he said, making me chuckle softly.

He then sighed quietly.

"Though I can only imagine what she's going through right now," he said. "New Year's Day, and she has to bury her mother..... Someone she spent her entire life resenting because she didn't know the truth until recently... All after fighting a hell of a battle...."

I frowned softly.

Days passed since the battle. Luckily, most of Blackwell Castle was repaired enough for us to return once again, so we've all been staying there while parts of Warhol Manor was still needing time for repairs and reconstruction, since it took heavy hits from bombs and shells.

After obtaining more of Lieseil's powder, Lieseil, Sebastian and I took a few men with us to Oblivion and retrieved Lady Eloise's casket and tombstone, in order to have her buried in the Blackwell Cemetary.

Its what Queen Mother would have wanted...

It's been emotional of course for everyone, Dream especially.

Alister and Hermes have also been affected emotionally, considering they also never had the chance to bid their little sister goodbye before childbirth and the pain of separation from her daughter took a toll on her heart.

"Larisa has been up to her wits preparing for the wedding and coronation.... She wants every detail to be perfect.... Lord Lieseil has been a help, of course, same for Alister," Sebastian said, trying to calm me as he finished my tie. "Shy as well. Emerson is also working on the wedding dress now that he's finished Dream's portrait.... Billie is going to do your wedding coronation portraits."

I looked up and smile. "That's good to hear.... I can imagine Larisa is going insane with the floral arrangements and such, however, since she's always a perfectionist."

Sebastian nodded quietly as he took my jacket and handed it to me. "She's confessed to me about her past... I assume her occupying herself is to overcome the grief she's suppressed...."

I frowned, putting on my jacket and letting him help adjust and button it..

"She was only 5 when she fled the Transylvanian realm to Obsidian due to a massacre there decades ago.... Her entire coven was exterminated....." he said. "She is the sole survivor...."

My eyes widen in shock. "She's not of Obsidian...? I-I always thought...."

"When I met her at the Blackwell Finishing School for Girls, she only didn't tell me because she didn't know how, and it hurt her too much," he explained, then taking the black funeral band similar to his from the top of my dresser and wrapping it on my upper arm like his.

"My god... She was only a child, I-I can't even imagine the trauma...." I frowned.

He nodded. "I know you have plans to travel with Dream after your coronation and wedding..... Personally I plan to do the same as well with Larisa....." he said. "We could use the break as well..... Lieseil and the Warhol's are here, Emerson can also keep things in check.... For the most part..."

I chuckled at his comment, then nodded. "I understand....."

He nodded. ".... To think that it really is over....."

I looked up at him. "Mother and Father would be relieved.... They would be proud of you....."

He looked down at me, then smiled, before suddenly pulling me into a tight hug.

"Sebastian...." I mumbled, a little surprised.

"Sorry..... I'm just glad you and Emerson are alright," he said, holding me close.

I pursed my lips, relaxing in his arms as I hugged my brother back.

"I'm glad you're alright, too....." I mumbled.

We continued holding each other when...

"Hey.... Make room for me....." a voice and we turn to see Emerson stood there with a pouted look.

He was already dressed in his black attire, top hat included, and black funeral band tied to his arm as well, along with a red stargazer pinned to his jacket and holding two more in his hands.

We chuckled and pulled him into our hug, Sebastian hugging us close as we clung to him.

"Even if things are now peaceful, I'm still keeping my promise to Mother and Father, as well as myself," he said, looking down at us. "No matter what, I will do everything in my power to keep you both safe....."

I smiled up at him as Emerson rested his head on my shoulder, also smiling up at our older brother.

Emerson then pursed his lips. "Did we really. "Did we really make the right choice?"

Sebastian and I looked at each other, before I took a deep breath.

"I haven't had a Fever Dream since I became a vampire..... Even when I was half vampire, I barely had any nightmares...." I said. "Now that I'm back, I feel better, even more than before I was killed...."

Sebastian looked a little worried, but kept a calm face.

"Dream gave the stone to her uncles for safe keeping..... Lord Lieseil will know what to do if I ever lose myself, " I said. "Plus.... We already done so much with ourselves ever since we woke up on that beach.... Remembering something long lost to us won't do much good...."

They looked at each other before Sebastian smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"When did you suddenly grow up so fast?" he said.

I smiled up at him, and that's when I somehow knew we were gonna be okay...

We then hear a knock at the door before Andrew walked in, also in his funeral attire.

"My lords... We're ready," he said with a bow. "Duchess Shy already went to check on Princess Dream."

"Thank you, Andrew," I said, then looked over as Emerson then pinned the stargazers to our jackets, Sebastian adjusting his coat and hat for him.

"Let's go, shall we?" Emerson said, and we all walked out.

{•Dream•}

I sighed as I adjusted a strand of my hair, Leda making sure my dress was on right, as well as adjusting my pins and badges.

(Picture: example of Dream's current gown)

I then looked down at the stargazer in my hand.

I never thought I'd be here right now.... Attending my own mother's funeral.....

Almost a year ago, I was an abused orphan who believed her parents just didn't want her and left her for dead.

Now, I'm a princess who's father had to sacrifice raising her, right after her mother died giving birth minutes before, just so she and her land could survive....

Its not fair.... She should be here, alive..... Here with me and my father.....

I then felt Leda put her hand on my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts....

"I know this must be hard for you... Believe me, it was difficult when I had to wake up only to bury my own mother after I survived the plagues...." she said.

I looked up at her sadly.

"It may not look like it, but... It does eventually get better.... " she said consolingly.

I took a deep breath. "I know.... I just wish that I still had the chance to meet her....." I said. "See her again.... Be a family with her and my father..... Hell, she'd even help plan my wedding, like every other mom would...."

She gave me a sad look before holding my hand.

"If it helps.... She will be at peace knowing all you accomplished, and how you and your father have been reunited after so long," she said.

I smiled softly and nodded. "Yeah.... Leda, thank you, for always being there for me, ever since the very beginning."

She smiled at me as we pulled each other into a hug.

That's when Shy walked in, smiling and wearing a similar black gown and a stargazer pinned to her dress, black lace veil over her hair.

"You look beautiful," She smiled, walking over.

"Thank you... You do, too....." I said softly, then looked down at my hands, fumbling with my ring.

She gave me a sad smile before walking over. "This is a good thing you're doing for your mother...."

I took a deep breath and looked up with a small smile. "When I saw her in that Oblivion pond.... She had such a peaceful aura..... She was so beautiful, and kind.... She was strong when she was alive, too, I can tell...." I said, feeling tears.

Shy smiled as she and Leda consoled me.

"Sounds like someone I know," Shy smiled teasingly.

I chuckled bashfully and smiled as I looked down at the flower in my hands.

"I know I didn't know it at the time, but..... I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for hating her and my father for so many years......" I said, wiping a twar away.

"Oh, sweetheart.... You can't fault yourself for any of those past feelings," Shy said. "You were put in one horrible situation after another, and the truth was hidden from you..... Even your father doesn't blame you...."

I sniffled and took a deep breath. "Like I was telling Leda, she... She'd probably be here, getting to know me more.... Reuniting with my dad, and my uncles.... Helping Larisa plan the wedding...."

Shy and Leda smiled as I composed myself.

"At least we got her back home.... To bury her on her land, like she should have been....." I assured myself.

"Her death wasn't in vain.... Keep that in mind," Shy said, holding my hands.

I nodded. "You're right...."

Just then there was a knock at the door and we turn to see Chase enter and bow to us

"Your highness.... Duchess...." He said. "Everything is ready to begin. Your father asked me to escort you."

I nodded. "Thank you, Chase.... We'll be right out...."

He nodded and stepped out.

Shy then turned and pinned the stargazer on as Leda then placed a similar lace veil over my head, pinning it in place.

"Let's go," Shy said as we all then exit the room.

***

"Arms at the ready!!" Captain Sixx shouted.

All the soldiers, both Blackwell guards and Warhol Stars, dressed in black uniforms like everyone else, raised up their swords into an arch as they stood across each other, making a path from the chapel doors.

Sebastian, Remington, Emerson, Andrew, TJ, and Chase carried my mother's casket. It was left closed, but cleaned and polished again, along with the 3 Obsidian flags with the founding seals draped over her.

I walked behind with my father and uncles, carrying bouquets of stargazers in our hands.

Larisa and Shy walked behind us, along with other major leaders.

We walked quietly to the Blackwell Cemetary that was across from the chapel.

Everyone wore a traditional black band or tie around their arm, but also had stargazers pinned to their shirts and jackets, since it was a flower that officially symbolized my mother, as well as the love between her and my father.

We entered and I watched as they put her coffin over the hole before joining the crowd.

That's when the archbishop, alongside Genevieve and High Priest Mars, began to say a speech, along with blessings andprayers and stuff, the usual funeral stuff.

I ended up tuning most of it out. I guess as a kid I became numb to the funerals of my foster parents who were killed or missing.

Well, now I know the real cause of death for them all....

This one felt different, however. There was the dull ache I've been so used to since I was little, but at the same time there was now this painful emptiness in my chest.

I didn't realize I blanked out until I felt someone hold my hand and gasped softly, looking to see it was Remington, looking at me worriedly.

"Are you alright?" He mumbled softly under his breath.

I gulped and nodded, taking a deep breath.

"You all may now pay your respects for our beloved Lady Eloise of Lieseil, " the archbishop announced.

My father and I stepped up first, his hand on my back as we approached.

I gulped nervously and looked up at my father, who kept a stoic face as he set a garland of stargazers on top of the coffin.

"Rest now, my beloved....." My father murmured, placing the stargazer bouquet over her coffin.

I pursed my lips as I stood with him, placing my own stargazers alongside his, and then standing back.

"You're free now, Mom....." I mumbled, feeling tears pool my eyes.

My uncles were next, trying to keep it together as they paid their respects.

I watched as everyone placed their own flowers, majority being stargazers
A few like Remington and his brothers thanking her for protecting them long ago.

Soon she was lowered to the ground, given a gun shot salute, similar to military burials back on Earth, only the rifles were shot into the air 7 times, soldiers pausing before shooting the air 4 times, and then another pause before 7 more gunshots rung into the air.

Genevieve then waved her hand as the hole was filled and patched with grass and stargazers, similar to how it was back in Oblivion, and candles decorating it as well.

"Are you alright?" Remington asked as I walked over to her grave.

I looked over, seeing him and my father stand behind me, along with my uncles.

I took a deep breath, wiping away a stray tear.

"I just never really thought that if I were to ever find out who my parents were.... A funeral and a kingdom didn't exactly come to mind....." I said, crossing my arms and looking down.

They were quiet as I looked at my mother's grave.

"I know deep down she never wanted it to end this way.... However, if she hadn't made her sacrifices, the Obsidian Empire would have ceased to exist....." I said. "

"She would be proud of you, Dream....." Alister assured as I looked over and then walked over to everyone.

I pursed my lips and looked down, holding my pendant in my hands.

"It is getting late, and some of us should go hunting..... Shall we call it a night then?" Emerson asked as he stood with Shy and Larisa.

"Not yet...." I said, looking over as everyone stared curiously.

"Dream?" Remington asked, looking at me with furrowed brows.

"There's one thing I need to see..... Something we have all neglected and forgot about...." I said looking back at her mother's tombstone. "Its time I see it for myself in person......"

"See what?" Larisa asked, confused.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

"The Beginning of the End....." I said, looking back at everyone.

They all looked at me in confusion. Even Emerson looked lost.

I then looked back at my father and uncles.

"Take me to where she died.... Take me back to my home....." I said to them.

***

(Picture: Lord Bartholomew Lieseil's file, along with a close up of his castle as an example for what Lieseil Inc. Castle could look like.)
(Note: couldn't find a proper photo or drawing/art piece to represent, so I had to zoom in for a reference.
🎨Art work created by XO Billie & Emerson Barrett)

Lieseil Inc. Castle.

Built into the Lieseil family, formerly White, in the late 1600s in Void's Years, funding most of the schools and hospitals in Obsidian and the Void Realm as the family help find the empire itself, eventually joining forces with the Blackwell Dynasty and Warhol Stars.

It was in the outskirts of town, once standing majestically over the land.

Now, all that stood of this Ground Zero was a shell of what should have been my home....

Collapsed rubble and stone, ash and soot, and pieces of burnt furniture here and there, barely even much structure left behind. Bits of broken glass and metal scattering the ground. Faded rebel grafitti littering the little bit of wall that remained.

A broken scene lost in time after a great tragedy.

I walked down the familiar hallway, not much left of it, as Remington and Alister walked behind me, Remington holding my hand.

Everyone else stood around the entrance examining what was left and seeing what could be salvaged, despite most of everything being gone due to the elements or looting.

I then found the familiar door and slowly pushed it opened, letting out a shudder of shock.

The bed barely remained standing, the frame collapsed and in shambles. The other furniture was covered in ash and looked melted. A familiar bassinet stood nearby, also in horrible condition.

I frowned as I observed the room, remembering everything I saw from my necklace as I held it in my hand, whether from dreams or from visions.

Eloise dying. My father left broken. Alister looking frantic. The maid, Clarissa, sacrificing herself in front of Alexander to buy us more time. My infant cries echoing throughout the room and castle. The fires destroying everything around us.

I then felt hands on my shoulders and look to see Remington looking at everything sadly.

"Its unbelievable how..... All of this happened right under our noses..... We never had a single clue...." he said, looking down at me. "Unbelievable how, at one point back then, for just a few moments, you and I lived in the same exact world, at the same exact time, and.... No one ever knew...."

I smiled sadly and placed my hand over one of his.

"What would life have been like if I stayed and grew up in Obsidian, though?" I said, wondering oitloud to him. "Would we have still crossed paths? Been together?"

"Or would you be arranged to marry some other strange scrawny prince from another realm?" he joked, making me laugh softly as I nudged him a bit.

I took a deep breath and we walked back out and to the grand staircase, going down the stairs and then placing my hand on a section of wall that was somehow still standing, charred pieces of a portrait hanging from the wall.

Despite the canvas being singed, I can still tell it was of my mother and father.

Everyone looked around the place, sifting through the debris and observing what was left of the castle.

"Oooh," Emerson mumbled curiously as he held up a head bust covered in soot in his hands, earning a scolding smack in the arm from Shy.

"A building older than Obsidian itself, and this is all that is left of it," my father said solemnly, observing the wreckage of his home.

I frowned as I tried tothink of something, before deciding to ask.

"Sebastian...." I said, looking over at him, everyone looking in my direction.

"Yes?" he asked, stepping up

"If possible, how.... How soon can you have repairations started for Lieseil's Castle?" I asked him.

Sebastian's eyes widen a little as Remington and Emerson looked at him, but then he pursed his lips and looked around.

Everyone also seemed a little surprised.

"Well.... I may need someone to come inspect the grounds, determine the beat course of action..... I can summon contractors and inspectors for tomorrow morning...."

"Having some knowledge in architecture myself, however.... The remaining support looks too damaged to repair around it, and the exposed structure left to the elements worsened the damages....." Emerson said, looking at some of the charred walls and crumbling stone with a frown, the head bust under his arm. "If it were up to me... I'd start on a clean slate, from the ground up...."

I pursed my lips and looked up at my father, who held a similar look in his face.

"I suppose that is the only option then..." he said.

"You two are more than welcomed to stay at the Blackwell Castle until the construction is complete," Sebastian assured. "After all, you are family...."

Lieseil nodded his head. "Thank you... It means a lot that you take us in when we need shelter most....."

I continued to look around and Remington walked over to me.

I sighed softly, as I crossed my arms.

"To think..... This was gonna be my home....." I mumbled softly. "I was supposed to grow up here, with my family, with a future already set in stone....."

He frowned sadly and held my hand.

"Its always been your home..." he said. "And you still have a future..... You and I especially....."

I smiled at him, when a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Remington and I.... Do we really have a future....?

"He's right.... Once the walls have been built once again, you can call this place your home, like it should be," My father said, pulling me from my thoughts.

I smiled at him as he held an arm around me, my uncles walking forward.

"We will survive.... We always do in the end......" he assured me.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

"For Mom...." I said to him.

He smiled and held my face in his hand.

"For Mom," he repeated to me as he held me close.

I took a deep breath as I took a final look around.

"Its getting late.... We should head back home," Larisa spoke, linking her arm with Sebastian's.

We agreed and began walking before Sebastian suddenly sighed and stopped walking.

"Put it back, Emerson....." Sebastian scolded sternly, punching the bridge of his nose.

I furrowed my brows as we all turned around to see Emerson standing there, his hands behind his back and looking innocent.

He then looked at us, and then groaned in annoyance before putting his hands back in front, showing the head bust he tried to take with him.

"I never get to have any fun...." he grumbled with a pout as he put it down and walked over to us.

I chuckled softly and shook my head as Remington laughed to himself before we continued to leave.

However, as I walked out of the castle ruins, clinging to Remington's hand, my mind was stuck on a thought that was gnawing at me.......

~~~~~

🎨 art by spooki_jay on Instagram 🌹

Only a few days until Sebastian & Larisa officially tie the knot!! 💒💐💞

This story is slowly coming coming to an end. I hope you all have enjoyed the journey!! 🌻

🎹 Currently in Sapph's playlist:

Marina & the Diamonds
"Savages"

♡~ sapphire.