Two hours later.

Everyone gathered around the living room to discuss Ivy's condition inside the forsaken castle.

Jegun cleared his throat and looked at everyone's faces. "Well, since everyone is already here, let's start the discussion," he said.

"The problem we have right now is that the golden dagger was also missing along with Ivy. I'm sure that whoever got Ivy also got the golden dagger. The suspect is no other than the vampires living inside the castle because one of my boys saw a vampire entering the castle carrying a woman in his arms a few minutes before he discovered our escape, that was also the moment everyone was looking for Ivy in the nearby areas," Ramza said.

"I'm going to look for another weapon that we can use just like the golden dagger," Zemeth said.

"I will volunteer to enter the castle to save my sister!" Kate spoke bravely while looking at her granny.

Esmeralda sighed. It looks like she can no longer delay it. "I'm going back inside the castle too. I will accompany Kate," she finally said.

A dazzling smile erupted on Kate's face, she went to Esmeralda's side and hugged her tightly. "I know it! I know that you can't say no, Granny! I'm so happy, thank you so much!" she roared.

"We have now two brave women volunteering to enter the castle," Jegun declared. "The next step is to find a way how to get the boys inside the castle so that we can speed up Ivy's rescue. Much better if we can enter the castle undetected by the vampires," he said.

Esmeralda looked at Jegun. "I will try to go back to the castle and see if I can use my power to see the blazing barrier outside the castle. Would you like to join me?" She invited him.

"Sure, let see if I can use my power," Jegun replied.

"Okay, we will go back to the castle after your return. We will arrive at midnight when everything is already quiet to avoid detection by the enemies," Esmeralda said.

Jegun nodded his head in agreement.

"I will accompany you guys," Immortal Vearah offered.

"Great! The more the better," Jegun replied.

"Kate and Ramza you stay here and watch the house for me," Vearah said.

"Sure!" Ramza grinned.

"Okay, Granny," Kate responded.

"I'll go to the island to see my boys. Then find another golden dagger for the mission," Zemeth said.

"We will accompany you to the island," Jegun and Ramza said in unison.

"Okay," Zemeth replied.

"Alright, since we already have a preliminary plan then we shall execute them. And we will have a meeting again on what to do for the final plan," Esmeralda said. "This meeting is adjourned!" she said rising to her feet.

Esmeralda and Vearah left the living room going to their respective rooms.

Kate went to the kitchen to prepare dishes for lunch. While Jegun, Ramza, and Zemeth went outside the house to open the portal that will take them back to the island.

Outside the house.

Ramza holds the portal relic in his hands and commanded it. "Portal...take us back to the island!"

The neon portal opening suddenly appeared in front of them.

Ramza looked at his companions. "Let's go!"

The men entered the portal opening...a few seconds later...the portal vanished as if it didn't exist at all.

~

Back on the island.

The portal opening opened up near the beach. The men stepped into the white sandy shore.

Zemeth's gaze sweeps the entire area. He was greeted with a stunning beach and endless stretch of white sand and tropical trees lined up near the seashore. He marveled at the bluish looking ocean and smiled, he was sure that if Ivy will see this place she will be amazed. The island is pristine, like a hidden paradise in the middle of nowhere.

"Guys, Zemeth is back!" Ogeme shouted.

The rest of the boys exited the house and greeted their comrades. They gathered around Zemeth, their faces were overflowing with gladness and happiness after seeing that their leader was now back on his feet.

"Welcome back, bro!" the boys roared in unison.

Zemeth eyed each one of them. "Are you guys okay here on the island?" he asked.

"Yes, this place is awesome!" answered Bhork.

"The island is magnificent! We have fun swimming the bluish ocean, catching fishes in the sea, hunting wild animals in the forest, and just chilling around while waiting for you to recover from your injury," Dredo elaborated.

"This place is a paradise for me!" Simuz enthused.

"It feels like we're just having a vacation on an exotic island," Ogeme raved.

Zemeth smiled, pleased with the boys' response to his question. "I'm glad that you were having fun here on the island while waiting for my recovery," Zemeth grinned. "Tomorrow morning... the three of us Agran, Grandfather Jegun, and I will leave this island to see our benefactor. I will present Agran to our benefactor as evidence that we already completed our mission. After that, they will give us the payment for our services. So, guys...wait for us here...that's all!" he said.

"Okay, we will wait here for sure!" the crowd erupted excitedly and began to disperse.

Zemeth caught sight of Agran and Ella nearby. He went to their side. "How are you, kids?"

Agran smiled. "We're doing fine. We're glad you're already cured of the poison!" he replied.

Zemeth looked at Ella's sad face. He knows why she was sad, it's because her sister was trapped inside the castle again. "Ella, don't worry, we will rescue your sister," he told her reassuringly.

"When and how?" Ella asked.

"Kate and Esmeralda volunteered to go back to the castle to help rescue Ivy. We're still in the process of finalizing our plans. Rest assured that once our plan is already in motion, we will get your sister out of that forsaken castle," Zemeth assured her.

Ella's face brightened up a bit.

"Ah, by the way... Ella... In the meantime, you will go to the mountain and stay there with your sister Kate. Grandfather Jegun, Agran, and I will go somewhere. We are going to meet our benefactor tomorrow. We will be gone for a few days... I'm also going to look for another weapon with a similar function as that of the lost golden dagger," Zemeth explained.

Ella and Agran looked at each other.

"I'll take my leave now," Zemeth said. He walked towards the house to join his buddies.

Agran noticed the sadness in Ella's face. "Don't be sad, I'm only gone for a few days. We will see each other again after I come back," he said.

Ella sighed. She's not sad about Agran leaving the islands for a few days, her sadness was meant for her sister that was trapped inside the castle. She's extremely worried that her sister was already suffering at the hands of the vampires inside the castle right now and no one can help her. "I'm worried about my sister Ivy," she replied.

"Don't be sad and don't worry too much about your sister. Zemeth and the boys will find a way how to rescue your sister. Let's just stay optimistic and hope for the best," Agran said trying to cheer her up.

Ella smiled upon hearing the concern in his voice. "Thanks, Agran for cheering me up," she said.

Agran smiled and rubbed her back. "Don't be tired of me because I will stay by your side to cheer you up for the rest of your life," he smiled and winked at her meaningfully, his eyes spoke volumes.

Ella giggled. "Pft! You're so amusing! Why do you always have to shower me with your sweet words? Where did you learn that?" she asked, amused.

"Secret..." Agran said. "But anyway, when the heart wants to express what it feels, words just came out naturally," he added.

Ella hit him on the arm. "You're so silly!"

"I'm only like this when I'm with you," Agran stated sweetly.

"Whatever!" Ella rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, pulling him to the kitchen. "Let's start preparing the dishes for lunch!" she said.

"What's our menu for today?" Agran asked.

"Let's just make a delicious fish soup with green leafy vegetables and roast the three chickens that they caught yesterday! Let's celebrate today because Zemeth was already cured from the deadly poison!" she stated.

"Okay, you're the boss!" Agran smiled and pinched her nose.

They walked towards the makeshift kitchen at the back of the house and began preparing the dishes. Agran boiled the banana in the cooking pot, while Ella washed and prepared the fishes and the vegetables.

Ogeme entered the kitchen. "Is there anything I can help you with guys? I'm at your disposal..." he offered.

"We're going to roast the chicken..." Agran replied.

"Okay, I'll make the fire and I will help you roast the chicken," Ogeme offered.

"Great!" Agran spoke.

Fifteen minutes later, the mouthwatering aroma of roasted chicken filled the air inside the kitchen.

Another one hour and thirty minutes went by.

The fish soup, boiled bananas, and roasted chickens were already served appetizingly on the table. Ella placed the fork and spoon on the plates.

Ogeme went to the house to inform everyone that lunch is ready.

The men exited the house and proceed to the kitchen. They gathered around the long wooden table and devoured the delicious dishes with great appetite.

Half an hour later.

The plates and serving dish were empty. Everyone's stomachs were full. After thanking Ella, Agran, and Ogeme for the delicious lunch, the men left the kitchen going back to the house to continue discussing their plan in rescuing Ivy.

Agran and Ella were left in the kitchen to deal with the dirty dishes. They began cleaning the plates and the table.

One hour later, they were done cleaning everything in the kitchen.

They looked at each other.

"I'll be gone for a few days, I'm going to miss you," Agran whispered.

"I'm going to miss you too!" Ella replied with a coy smile.

Agran was about to hug Ella but he was interrupted by Zemeth's presence in the doorway.

"Ella, get ready. You're leaving the island within fifteen minutes. You will leave with Ramza and Grandpa," Zemeth informed her.

"Okay," she responded.

Zemeth left the kitchen after he informed her.

Ella looked at Agran. "I'm going upstairs to my room to pack my meager belongings," she uttered.

"Okay, take care of yourself," Agran responded sadly.

"You too!" she replied with a smile.

A few minutes later.

Ramza activated the portal outside the house.

Agran watched as Ella, Grandpa Jegun and Ramza entered the portal opening and disappeared inside.

The portal opening vanished after a few seconds.

Agran proceeds to the seashore with heavy steps, feeling lonely and sad while staring at the calm ocean. He already missed Ella's presence!