A hooded stranger, wearing all black, was walking towards the four, and then stopped just a few meters from them.

   “The Vampiress’ Staff was gifted only to Princess Maria, daughter of the last monarchs of the Kingdom of Iacob Mihaianu,” said the stranger, with a less haunting version of the voice from earlier. “If any of you were affiliated with her uncle, the Vampire Lord Marcu, you would all be eliminated, so as to protect the staff from falling into the wrong hands. But, I had sensed that some of you were close to Her Majesty herself, most especially the boy.”

   Having mentioned him got Jonathan staring at the hooded stranger, taking a few steps forward with caution.

   “Jonathan, stay back!” warned his mother.

Maria, undeterred by the stranger’s suspicious presence, stormed her way towards the stranger.

   “Jonathan, wait!” she said to him. Standing next to Jonathan, she then faced the stranger, and said, “Who are you, and what is this place?”

   “Your Highness,” said the stranger, as she was pulling back his hood.

   “I know you!” exclaimed Maria. “You served as one of our maids at the castle!”

   “I may look like Margaret,” she said, “but I am only a manifestation to serve on her behalf, in case she is deceased. I believe that Jonathan‘s generation who use computers call it an ‘avatar?’”

   “What is a computer?” asked Maria, facing Jonathan.

   “It‘s like a phone, but much bigger, and more powerful,” said Jonathan.

   “It seems that you have so much to show me once we’re through with our quest,” Maria said to Jonathan, with a huge smile of anticipation.

Maria, facing the manifestation, then asked, “But, what is this place? It doesn‘t seem to be the hills where we dwelled.”

   “You are all in my domain, a world parallel to yours,” said the manifestation. By touching the Vampiress’ Staff, as part of protocol, you were all brought here to validate the identity of the holders. With your uncle still roaming in your world, I needed to make sure that the staff remained safe, until you were able to claim it.”

   “Ma’am, may I ask you a question?” asked Nicolae.

   “Ah, yes!” exclaimed the manifestation. “Nicolae, father of Jonathan, and husband of Sorina. You were the one who discovered the scroll that I left in her Highness’ castle.”

   “Oh?” exclaimed Nicolae.

   “Yes,” said the manifestation. “It saddened me that the full prophecy was lost in time, so it brought me great joy that the script was finally discovered.”

   “I was glad that we were able to find the scroll,” said Nicolae.

    “But, speaking of which, do you know the whereabouts of the purple gem?”

   “This?” said the manifestation, magically bringing out the gem in her hand. “You guessed correctly if you thought that the Vampiress’ Staff is underpowered without it.”

Then, she turned to Maria.

   “But, before I can give it to you, your Highness,” she said, “I need to show you a sample of your full vampire powers.”

   “But how?” asked Maria.

   “Look behind the parents,” said the manifestation.

   Maria and the Fiers turned around, and, just behind Nicolae and Sorina, stood a tall wooden stand with a large yellow scroll over it. Maria proceeded to unfold the scroll. What she saw piqued her curiosity, but also confused her.

   “These are illustrations,” she commented, as she saw illustrations of what looked like different poses of a person holding the Vampiress’ Staff, with written commands for triggering a handful of spells.

   “As you can see, your Highness,” said the manifestation, “this scroll will show you how to cast the most important of spells: blasting foes with a powerful beam, reconstructing wrecked structures... which you’ll need to cast on the castle to validate the prophecy, and enchanting your clothes so that you may transform into creatures without being naked.”

   Now, Maria was more intrigued, determined to understand the illustrations fully. She pressed her hand between her lower lip and chin, looking through what she could.

   “May I try some of these now?” she asked.

   “You may, your Highness,” said the manifestation. “Now, catch the gem!”

   She tossed the gem towards Maria, falling into her hands. Maria, holding it between her fingers, stared at the gem in awe, fascinated by its purple color.

   “Father of Jonathan,” she said to Nicolae, “may I have the Vampiress’ Staff?”

   “Of course, your Highness,” said Nicolae, handing the staff over.

   “So, how do I apply the gem?” asked Maria.

   “Put it up here,” said Nicolae, pointing at the top between the bat wings. “The gem should float in place on its own.”

   “Really? That is odd,” commented Maria.

As soon as she placed it at the top of the staff, the gem began to glow, and the staff started to levitate. Maria let go of the staff, and took a few steps back to observe the phenomenon before her. The Fiers got closer to Maria to have a better look.

   “So just like that, the Vampiress’ Staff is powered up?” Maria asked the manifestation.

   “Yes, your Highness,” said the manifestation. “Now, take the staff, and I shall give you your first set of tests.”

Thus, Maria grabbed the staff, causing the levitation to stop.

“You have read how to enchant your clothing for easier transformations, your Highness?” asked the manifestation.

   “Yes, I have,” said Maria.

   “Do it now,” instructed the manifestation.

   Maria followed the instructions on the scroll, from the poses to the ancient chant, and successfully casted the spell on herself.

   “Good,” commented the manifestation. “Now, your transformations will be swifter from now on. When you change, you shall turn to smoke, then a creature, and vice versa.”

   Maria didn’t turn to smoke in her previous transformations, so that was new information for her to take in.

   “So, this was part of the test?” asked Maria.

   “Yes, your Highness,” said the manifestation. “Now, for the final test.”

   The manifestation paused, and took several steps back till she had all four of the individuals on sight.

   “I have fulfilled my purpose, and I must bid you all farewell,” said the manifestation.

   “Margaret, please don’t leave me,” begged Maria. “Things hadn’t been easy since I woke up beyond my past life. You had always been my favorite maid ever since I was little. Please, come with us.”

   “I can’t, your Highness,” said the manifestation. “The real Margaret had died a long time ago. I am merely a manifestation.” Holding Maria’s chin up, who was feeling sad and dispirited, she added, “But, don’t worry. You’ll never be alone for you have your new people, and a new family who care about you.”

   Maria, with that in mind, took a good stare at the Fiers, especially Jonathan who was making his way towards her. The pair could see the thankfulness on each other’s faces, smiling.

   “We don’t have enough time, your Highness,” said the manifestation, fading to dust. “As I go, my domain shall cease to exist as well. You must use the staff to return to the castle. Don’t let the darkness consume you all.”

   And with those final words, the manifestation was no more, as what was left of her shattered with the wind.

   “So, she’s gone forever?” wondered Sorina.

   “Seems to be,” said Nicolae.

   “Do you know the spell to cast for this case?” asked Jonathan.

   “I’m still studying it,” said Maria, searching through the scroll.

   “Your Majesty, you need to do it now!” screamed Sorina, pointing.

   Ahead of them, the evening sky gradually turned to black, with shadowy smoke consuming everything in its path towards the four.

   “I got it!” bellowed Maria.

   She stepped back and casted a spell that tore open a portal.

   “All of you, get in!” she ordered the Fiers, staying behind till she was able to evacuate everyone.

   But, after grabbing the scroll, and just before she should join the Fiers, the floor under her split open, trapping her right foot in. The darkness, much to her horror, drew closer and closer with every passing second, prompting Jonathan to jump back into the dying realm.

   “Maria!” he screamed, running back in to save her.

   “Jonathan, wait!” Sorina bellowed.

   But, before the parents could run back in, the portal shut completely, entrapping their son and Maria in darkness. The realm was so empty, no sound, not even Jonathan screaming out to Maria, could be heard. With no floor to stand on, the pair were descending at a slow pace, making casting another spell to tear open a portal difficult.

   Jonathan paddled his way towards Maria and grabbed her. The pair were now descending together, slowly consumed by the darkness.

   Then, suddenly, the gem on the Vampiress’ Staff began to glow, but, unlike before, the purple light emitting from the gem expanded till it completely consumed both Maria and Jonathan.

   The pair were now in a light realm, standing on a floating platform on their knees. They hugged each other, relieved to see each other alive.

   They looked around, and saw the restored portal just above them.

   “How can we get up there?” wondered Jonathan.

   Maria unfolded the scroll for answers, but quickly realized that she didn’t need it.

   “I have an idea,” she said, folding the scroll and handing it, and the Vampiress’ Staff, over to Jonathan. “Place yourself on my back, and cross your arms over my shoulders.”

   “Are you sure?” asked Jonathan, feeling a bit hesitant.

   “Don’t worry,” said Maria. “Just trust me.”

   Jonathan did as he was told.

   “Now, hold me tight,” said Maria, as she transmorphed into a giant bat.

   In her contemporary form, she took a quick look at the portal, spread her wings, and flew towards it. She dashed through the closing portal and into the castle’s hall, changing back into a human so she could grab Jonathan before hitting the floor.

   “Are you alright?” she asked Jonathan.

   “I’m fine,” said Jonathan. “You?”

   “Fine,” said Maria, with the pair smiling at each other.

   “Jonathan!” bellowed Sorina.

   Sorina and Nicolae ran towards the pair to hug them on their knees.

   “No one is injured?” asked Nicolae.

   “We’re fine,” said both children.

   The parents and the pair helped each other get back on their feet.

   “Your Highness,” said Sorina, “are we going to announce your return to the village?”

   “We can help spread the word on your behalf, your Highness,” said Nicolae.

   “Don’t worry,” Maria said to the parents. “I need to rest, and find the time to study the scroll.”

   She proceeded to take the items back from Jonathan, and, with her hands full, hugged the parents. “All of you have done so much for me as it is,” she said. “Thank you.”

   The parents, in return, placed their hands on Maria’s back, hugging her.

   Soon enough, the Fiers started heading home, but not without Jonathan saying his goodbye to Maria.

   “Take care of yourself, Maria,” said Jonathan, as the pair hugged each other tightly. “Hope to see you soon.”

   “The same, Jonathan,” said Maria. “Call me tonight.”

   “I will,” said Jonathan.