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Chapter 46: A Family Brought Back Together

The air was thick with an unsettling silence as Mike, Heidi, and Jim stepped through the crumbling castle gates.

The once impenetrable barrier had vanished — a sign that Jim's freedom from Nosferatu's control had weakened the dark magic binding it.

The vast corridor inside was dimly lit, the cracked walls lined with ancient portraits of twisted, monstrous beings. Shadows danced across the stone floor, the echoes of Nosferatu's laughter still faintly lingering.

Heidi (looking around nervously): "This place is like a nightmare brought to life."

Jim (grimly): "That’s because it is. This whole world is built from fear and despair. But we don’t have time to admire the horror show. Naomi’s still here.”

As they cautiously moved through the castle, Heidi's curiosity got the best of her.

Heidi (turning to Mike): "By the way, Mike, how did you break Nosferatu's hold on Jim? He looked… completely gone."

Mike glanced down at his hand, a faint golden light still flickering from his fingertips — the remnants of the energy he had used.

Mike (thoughtfully): "When I spoke to him, I wasn’t just using words. I was pouring my positive energy into him — a reflection of our friendship, the moments we shared, and the belief I held that he was still in there."

Jim listened silently, guilt flickering across his face.

Mike: "But it wasn’t just ordinary energy. It was the power of our experiences — the hope, determination, and resilience we built over these six months. That’s how we unlocked the Resolve Form."

Heidi’s eyes widened.

Heidi: "Resolve Form? Yeah! So that's what it was called?"

Mike (nodding): "It’s a manifestation of the determination we’ve carried all this time. The longer we fought, the stronger our resolve became. It was that energy that helped free Jim."

Jim clenched his fists.

Jim (softly): "And it saved me. You could’ve given up, but you didn’t. I’ll never forget that.”

Jim then, led them through the winding halls of the castle, pausing only when they reached a massive iron door.

Its frame was engraved with eerie symbols, and the atmosphere grew colder with every step.

Jim: "She’s in here. I remember this place all too well."

With a powerful shove, Jim forced the door open.

Inside was a vast, dimly lit room filled with countless black coffins. They were piled in haphazard rows, their ancient lids sealed shut. The oppressive energy in the room was suffocating.

Heidi (whispering, horrified): "There are so many... Did Nosferatu trap others too?"

Jim nodded.

Jim: "These aren’t just coffins. They’re prisons. Nosferatu used them to torment his victims, draining them of their essence, both physically and mentally."

Mike clenched his jaw, anger bubbling within him.

Mike: "We need to find Naomi. Fast."

Heidi, overwhelmed by the sheer number of coffins, approached one hesitantly. She placed her trembling hand on the lid, but before she could pull away, a faint glow emitted from her palm.

The golden energy of her Love-Trust-Devotion Form shimmered.

Heidi (surprised): "What…?"

The lid of the coffin creaked and slowly opened. There was a corpse.

Creeped out by it, she still recklessly went on searching other coffins.

Jim was regretting the fact thinking of the possibility that Naomi was no more.

Jim muttered. "If... she... is... gone, how will I explain that to Edward. Even though he is no more, he can never rest in peace."

He took a deep breath.

Jim(trembling): "I don't want that."

But more than that something was going on inside him. It was his own personal feelings about not wanting to lose her.

He remembered how her inventions were helpful for them to scan data about the enemies, recording strengths, repairing their spaceship, etc but her presence somehow made him feel war.

He somehow was emotionally connected to her. With her, it seemed like he wasn't the only one looking after Mike and Heidi, but with her, it seemed he had got a partner.

But Mike whispered to him calmly patting him. "I understand. But don't give up hope yet. Trust her."

That's when—

Heidi opened up the right coffin after a lot of trial and error.

And inside, pale and fragile — was Naomi.

Naomi’s body barely moved, her breathing faint. Her complexion was now a ghostly pale, and her long, red hair was tangled and lifeless.

Heidi (tearfully): "Naomi!"

Without thinking, Heidi reached down, cupping Naomi’s face with both hands. The golden energy from her touch flowed into Naomi, radiating warmth.

Just as Mike had done with Jim, Heidi channeled her feelings — the friendship, the memories, and the unwavering belief that Naomi could wake up.

Heidi: "Please… come back to us."

The energy surged, enveloping Naomi like a protective light. Her breathing steadied, and her eyes flickered open.

Naomi (weakly): "Heidi…?"

Heidi (sobbing in relief): "You're awake!"

Jim rushed to Naomi’s side, tears welling in his eyes.

Jim (softly): "Naomi…"

She slowly sat up, her frail body trembling.

Naomi: "Jim? Mike? You’re… all here?"

Without hesitation, they embraced her, the warmth of their bond overwhelming the lingering coldness of the room.

It wasn’t just a reunion. It was a family brought back together.

_ _ _

After a few moments of relief, the harsh reality returned. Naomi's body was weak, her frame thin from the torment she had endured.

Mike and Heidi explained everything that had happened — the months of fighting through the Nightmare Dimension, the battle against Lilith and the werewolves, and the determination that brought them here.

Naomi listened intently, but her hands trembled as Jim spoke of his time under Nosferatu's control.

Jim (guilt-ridden): "Nosferatu used me. He used my strength to serve him. But you… you suffered the most, Naomi."

Naomi’s expression darkened, the memories of her captivity haunting her.

Naomi: "He… he took my blood. Every day. It wasn’t just to weaken me. He wanted to break me. But I held on… because I believed you all would come for me.”

Jim’s heart ached. He gently took Naomi's hands, his resolve burning brighter.

Jim: "And we did. You’re safe now. I swear, I won’t let him hurt you ever again."

Tears welled up in Naomi's eyes.

Naomi (softly): "Thank you… all of you."

For six months, she had endured daily torment.

Nosferatu had drained her blood, treated her like nothing but a lifeless vessel.

And now—

She was finally free.

Mike (smiling softly): “It’s good to see you again, Naomi.”

Heidi (grinning, playfully nudging her): “You lost a lot of weight, huh?”

Naomi let out a weak chuckle.

She had almost forgotten what it felt like to laugh.

With a small smile, she leaned into Jim’s embrace, holding onto him tightly.

Naomi (softly): “…Thank you for coming back for me.”

Jim tightened his grip around her.

Jim (determined): “Always.”

But there was no time to celebrate.
Nosferatu’s castle shook violently.

A deep laughter echoed through the walls, sending chills down their spines.

Nosferatu (mocking): “So, you finally found your dear friend. How touching.”

Mike and Heidi stepped forward, shielding Naomi.

Heidi (gritting her teeth): “Shut up, you freak.”

Nosferatu’s voice grew sharper.

Nosferatu: “Are you truly so naïve? Do you think I would let any of you leave here alive

Mike (determined): "Jim, Naomi’s still weak. You need to get her out of here."

Jim’s eyes widened.

Jim: "What? No. I’m not leaving you two to face Nosferatu alone."

Heidi: "You have to. She needs you. She’s still recovering, and Nosferatu’s power will be stronger than anything we’ve faced."

Jim’s hands clenched into fists. He hated the thought of abandoning them.

But one look at Naomi — her fragile state, her trembling form — was enough.

Jim (resolute): "I understand. But you two better come back."

Mike (smiling faintly): "We will. Count on it."

Heidi nodded.

Heidi: "And when we do, we’re celebrating. No more nightmares."

Jim then looked at Naomi, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Jim (softly): “I’m getting you out of here.”

Naomi hesitated.

Naomi: “But—”

Jim shook his head.

Jim (firmly): “I’ll fight with them next time. Right now, your safety is my priority.”

Naomi’s eyes softened.

Naomi (quietly): “…Okay.”

Jim carefully lifted Naomi into his arms, her head resting weakly against his chest.

With one last look of determination, he turned and vanished into the shadows, escaping through the winding halls of the castle.

Now, it was just Mike and Heidi.