A few hours earlier... at Windless Mountain.
Elva's eyes sparkled in gladness upon witnessing Veronica's return to the room, bringing along with her the first person that she had rescued which is no other than Grandpa Terros!
"I'll take my leave now!" Veronica said and vanished from the room in the blink of an eye.
Elva went to Terro's side and handed him a glass of water. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
Terros smiled brightly, as a huge sense of relief take over his senses. "It's nice to be back here, goddess! A big thanks to you and Veronica, I am now a free man again! Without your help and guidance, rescuing us would take a long time and I'm not sure if we're still alive during that time. We owe our life to you and Veronica! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!" he said in a grateful voice.
"Don't mention it!" Elva responded with a smile. "Do you want to stay here and wait for Graven and Luke or do you want to stay in the terrace and breath fresh air?" she asked.
"I'll just stay here, I'll wait for the others to arrive," Terros replied excitedly.
"Okay, take your time. Just feel at home. I'll go to the kitchen and prepare some refreshment," Elva said and left.
Terros stayed in the room feeling nervous and restless, walking back and forth on the floor. Earnestly hoping that Veronica can successfully bring Graven back to this room.
A few minutes went by.
Suddenly, Veronica appeared in the room with Graven's unconscious body that was now lying on the bed.
A dazzling smile of elation erupted on Terro's face after seeing Graven in the same room with him. "Home at last!" he gushes in delight and went to the bed. He looked at Veronica. "Good job, daughter!"
Veronica smiled. "One more to go!"
Terros nods his head and gave her a thumb up.
Veronica disappeared from the room.
Terros whispered in Graven's ear, "Son, good news! You and I are currently inside Veronica's room at the Windless Mountain. We're already safe here! Hang in there, we will get you out of your dark world. I know you're out there, trapped somewhere. I'm sure Elva can find a way to bring you back!" he said in a loud ecstatic voice.
Graven heard Grandpa's happy tone delivering him the good news. Huge relief washed over him - after hearing that he's already back in the Windless Mountain together with Grandpa, the end of the dark tunnel looks closer now.
He's excited and looking forward to breaking into the surface anytime now.
"Son... Veronica was back in the vampire couple's home to rescue Luke. They will be here any moment. I can only celebrate after they're back here safe and sound," Terros added.
The last few minutes of waiting are nerve-wracking for Terros.
Elva entered the door and her eyes lighted up after seeing Graven on the bed. She rushed to his side, looking closely at his face, she know right away that there's something wrong with him. Veronica informed her beforehand that when Graven arrived at the enemy's territory he was unconscious and never woke up even once. She glanced at Terros. "How long he's been this way?" she asked.
Terros sighed deeply. "Ever since I saw him in the enemy's territory. His strange condition baffles sme. His situation puzzled me deeply and I have a hard time figuring it out in my head, he's technically not dead but also not alive? That's one thing that I don't understand with his condition. What could be the problem?" he asked the deity, feeling confused more than ever.
Elva's brows knitted together in confusion as she began examining Graven's body from top to bottom. "His skin looks normal to me, no signs of rotting or abnormalities. I think something underneath his skin is causing him to be like this, making him unconscious for a long time. Wait here, I'll prepare the healing room and see what can I do to help him..." she said.
"Yes, please, goddess! You're the only one who can save Graven!" Terros declared.
"I'll see what can I do, but I'm not going to promise you anything," Elva said and exited the room.
She appeared in the healing room a few moments later. She waved her hand and another bed appeared beside Luke's bed. She and Veronica discarded the bubble yesterday and just allow Luke's body to lie on the bed in a relaxed manner.
She left the place and went back to the room.
Upon her return, Veronica was already there holding the magical vase in her right hand.
Veronica smiled brightly. "Hooray! I succeeded in rescuing everyone! I'm so happy today!" she roared in high spirit, her happiness filling the entire room.
Elva and Terros smiled at each other.
"I'm so proud of you daughter! Thank you for saving us. You and Elva are our savior!" Terros said in an appreciative voice.
Elva smiled and said, "Well done Veronica! You didn't disappoint me!"
"Let's have a feast to celebrate this happy occasion!" Veronica said merrily.
"Sure! But let's bring Graven and Luke's spirit in the healing room first. There still so many things left to do," Elva said.
"Okie Dokie!" Veronica replied.
Elva touched Graven's arm and they vanished from the room, they appeared in the healing room a moment later.
Terros and Veronica entered the room.
Elva looked at Veronica and said, "Go ahead, release Luke's spirit from the magical vase so that he can finally return to his original body..."
"Okay," Veronica replied.
Terros and Veronica went to the bed where Luke's body was located.
Veronica removed the cover of the vase and said, "Luke, we are now inside the healing room at the Windless mountain. Leave the vase now and enter your original body!"
A cloud of smoke came out of the vase and floated in the air for a few seconds then entered through the nostrils of Luke's body and disappeared completely.
"It's done!" Veronica said. She placed the vase in the cupboard.
"Let's allow Luke's spirit to be re-acquainted with his body, it may take a few minute or hours for him to wake up," Elva stated.
Terros covered Luke's body with the white clothe and went to Graven's side. He looked at the deity. "Is there anything I can do to help you? I'll do anything for Graven," he said, wanting to offer his help.
Elva addressed her companions. "I'll do anything I can do to diagnose Graven's problem. I'll stay here the whole day running several experiments on him just to uncover the reason why he become like this..." she explained.
"Alright, just call us if you need our help. I'll go to the kitchen to prepare a delicious meals to celebrate this happy occasion!" Veronica said animatedly.
Elva smiled. "That's sounds good!" she replied and nods her head.
Terros cleared his throat and said, "Ah, goddess, can I go home to my place for a few hours? I miss my house, my plants and animals so much! I'll return here later to extend my help if you need one."
Elva nods her head. "Sure!"
Terros scratches his head. "Ah, can I also inform Graven's men and his family that he's already safe and recuperating here in the Windless Mountain?"
Elva heaved a sigh. She knows that the old man is very excited to share the good news with everyone, she can't say no to his good intentions. She cleared her throat. "Tell them the truth that he's currently unconscious and we're trying our best to help diagnose his problem and help him to recover. But it might take a few days, weeks, months or even years to see any result. Rest assured that I will try my best to find the remedy to his perplexing condition," she explained.
Terros nodded his head and said, "I understand, Elva. I'll tell them the truth. I won't sugar coat my words when it comes to Graven's real condition."
"Good!" Elva replied. "You may go now..." she said and shifted her attention to Graven's body on the bed.
Terros glanced at Graven for a few seconds before leaving the room.
He went to the kitchen and talked to Veronica. "I'm going to visit my place and deliver the good news to Graven's family. I might drop by in the market. If you want me to buy something for you just give me a list because I'm forgetful sometimes..." he offered.
"Nice! Wait a moment, Grandpa, I'll make a list of the stuff I want you to buy in the market for me..." Veronica said and went to her room to get a pen and paper.
Terros picked up a red apple from the platter, washes it on the sink, and began munching on it, liking its sweet and crispy texture. He continues eating another apple while waiting for Veronica to finish her list.
A few minutes later.
Veronica handed her list to Terros. "Do you need money to buy those stuff?" she asked.
Terros shook his head. "No need. Horace will take care of the money stuff for me. He will have someone buy your grocery list in the market for me," he said.
"Okay. Come back soon!" Veronica said and turned her attention to the ingredients that she was preparing for lunch.
"I might be late in returning this afternoon, is that okay with you?" Terros asked before leaving.
"No problem. I need those stuff for cooking a delicious dinner tonight," Veronica replied and continue cutting the veggies on the wooden chopping board.
A few seconds later.
Terros vanished from the room after he finished eating the apple.
Meanwhile...
Back in the healing room.
While caressing her baby bump, Elva stared at Graven for a long time.
She lowered her head and whispered in Graven's ear. "Welcome back! You need to wake up soon. Your family and your men are waiting for you. I'll help you recover every step of the way. So, hang on Graven. Everything will be alright..."
Graven heard Elva's soothing voice, comforting him. 'Thank you, goddess!' he said, always grateful for her help.. At the same time, he was also wondering why the goddess is always eager to help him.