As the family approached the towering gates of the Vampire Chateau, the air grew thick with a crushing sense of dread. Safari and Angeleva had de-transformed to save some energy.
The sky darkened further, the crimson moon shrouded behind swirling clouds. The very ground beneath them seemed to pulse with an ominous energy.
Zack, already weary from healing, clutched his chest. His breathing grew ragged as a cold wave of fear swept over him.
"I... I don’t like this," he stammered, his hands trembling.
Olive’s stoic demeanor faltered. The unsettling presence gnawed at her mind, dragging her into the depths of anxiety. "Something’s wrong. This... this planet is cursed."
Jen's usual optimism faded. She hugged herself tightly, her legs feeling weak. "It feels like the air is... watching us. Waiting for us to fail."
Even Ian, who typically masked his fear with jokes, stood frozen. The camera in his hands trembled uncontrollably. "No commentary can cover this... it’s like my thoughts aren’t my own."
It was as if the planet itself whispered to them, feeding on their doubts. Each step forward weighed heavier than the last. The chateau’s gates loomed like the mouth of a beast, eager to devour them whole.
But amid the crushing fear, two figures remained unshaken.
Safari gritted his teeth, tightly gripping his Devil Hammer. His mind echoed with memories of battles and bloodshed, but even this felt different — it was a fear that dug into the soul. Yet, he held firm. "Stay together! We can fight this!"
But no one moved.
His words fell on deaf ears. The family stood paralyzed, their gazes empty. The fear had sunk too deep.
For the first time, Safari felt helpless. He clenched his fists, frustration burning in his chest. "No… not like this. We’ve fought monsters. We’ve survived impossible odds. Why can’t I reach them?"
And then, a soft voice pierced through the tension.
"Safari…"
It was Angeleva. Her eyes glowed faintly, as she stepped forward. Her delicate wings shimmered with golden light. Despite the gloom that surrounded them, she radiated warmth.
"Leave it to me," she whispered.
Safari watched, uncertain but trusting. Angeleva spread her wings wide, their radiant glow pushing back the oppressive darkness.
The air grew lighter, the shadows retreating. Then, without hesitation, she carefully wrapped her wings around the family.
The soft feathers, infused with warmth, gently enclosed them in a protective embrace. One by one, the family felt the weight of their fear begin to lift. The trembling subsided. The whispers that plagued their minds faded into silence.
Safari was taken aback. The sight before him was breathtaking — Angeleva, her wings glowing like a divine guardian, holding their family together in a cocoon of comfort.
Feeling a surge of resolve, Safari stepped forward, placing his hands on their backs. "I’m here too," he said firmly, his voice steady. "We’re all here. Together."
The words echoed, sinking into their hearts.
Zack, still teary-eyed, clutched Safari’s arm. "You’re right. We’re not alone."
Olive straightened, determination flickering in her eyes. "We’ll face this. Whatever it is."
Jen exhaled deeply, the fear no longer holding her. "And we’ll stick together. Like family."
Even Ian, with a shaky smile, lifted his camera. "And I’ll document every second of it. The fear, the courage… everything."
Angeleva smiled softly, her wings gently brushing against them. "We will protect you. Safari and I will stand as your shield. No matter what."
For a moment, there was peace. The family stood united once more, their bond stronger than the darkness around them. Safari, his heart swelling with gratitude, gave Angeleva a brief nod.
"Thank you," he murmured.
But their moment of solace was short-lived.
With a sudden, deafening groan, the massive gates of the Vampire Chateau creaked open. An ominous wind howled through the entrance, beckoning them inside.
Safari and Angeleva exchanged a determined glance. "Let’s finish this."
The family stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the monstrous lair. The air within was heavy, the walls lined with twisted gargoyles that seemed to watch their every move. The dimly lit corridors twisted endlessly, an unsettling maze of shadows.
But as they ventured deeper, the castle itself seemed to stir.
"What's happening?!" Olive cried, as the ground beneath them trembled violently.
A pulse of dark energy erupted, and before anyone could react —
CRACK!
The floor split open beneath Safari and Angeleva.
"NO!" Jen screamed, reaching out, but it was too late.
Safari and Angeleva plummeted into the abyss, their figures disappearing into the darkness below. The echoes of their descent reverberated through the castle.
The family rushed to the edge of the gaping chasm, panic and disbelief etched across their faces.
"Big bro! Big sis!" Zack cried out, his voice trembling.
But there was no answer.
Only silence.
And then, the walls around them shifted. The castle, as if alive, sealed the chasm shut, trapping Safari and Angeleva within its depths. The remaining family members stumbled back, their fear reignited.
"They’re gone," Olive whispered, dread consuming her.
But deep below, separated in the darkness, Safari and Angeleva landed in separate chambers.
And the castle had one purpose —
To break them.
To test their weaknesses.
To drive them into madness.
The eerie silence that followed Safari and Angeleva’s sudden fall was unbearable. The family stood frozen, trembling as the oppressive darkness of the Vampire Chateau pressed down on them.
"They’re gone," Zack whispered, his voice quivering.
Olive clenched her fists, her heart racing. "This place… it’s trying to break us."
Jen’s eyes welled with tears. "No... Big bro and big sis would never leave us behind. They’ll find a way back. Right?"
But before anyone could respond, the castle answered for them.
A low, guttural whisper echoed through the shadows. The walls seemed to breathe, their cracked stone faces twisted into devilish grins. The whispers grew louder — fragmented, incoherent, but undeniably sinister.
"Weak..."
"Abandoned..."
"They will never return..."
"You are nothing without them..."
The voices crawled into their minds, slithering through their thoughts like venom. Every word chipped away at their resolve.
Zack clutched his head. "S-Stop it! Get out of my head!" His knees buckled, tears streaming down his face.
Olive staggered, her breathing ragged. Her normally composed demeanor shattered as the whispers twisted her memories. "They’re trying to make us believe we’re alone…"
Jen shook violently, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. "I don’t want to hear this! Big bro and big sis… they promised! They’re our family!"
Ian, who had desperately been filming the entire experience, suddenly dropped his camera. His hands shook, his wide eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. "I-I think I’m done with the documentary! C-Cutting the scene, folks!" He gave a weak laugh, trying to mask his terror. "Haha… Th-that’s a wrap!"
But his voice cracked, betraying his fear. The whispers, relentless and cruel, continued.
"You will break."
"No one will save you."
"Just like before."
Ian’s breathing quickened. "W-Why am I still hearing it?! I said cut!" He frantically pressed imaginary buttons on his camera. "Cut, cut, CUT!"
Yet nothing changed.