“They’ll be here any minute, is everything ready?” asked Korina, shuffling back and forth what would be Karim’s new quarters, making sure everything is as it should be.

“The room as well as everything else is prepared, Madam.” Replied the head Maid, Salma, standing at attention, two feet behind the slightly agitated Korina.

Although she referred to it as a room, Karim’s quarters fit into more of the suite category than simply being a room. In fact, it was made up of four rooms. The training chamber, the bathroom, the living room and the wardrobe, each of the room’s being about the size of five hundred square feet.

“Nothing can be missing. He needs to feel at home first and everything else will take care of itself. If we just show him love..” Before Korina could finish articulating her thoughts, the head maid suddenly reported, “Madam, everyone is ready out front to welcome the young Master, only the Master is left.”

“Hmm…don’t worry. He will appear by himself, there’s no need to call him. Let’s also head out front, their car should be close.”

“Understood.”

The main family of House Night could only be described as massive in scale. Never mind the land it occupied but simply the number of gigantic villas, watchtowers, office buildings, mansions and all manner of other establishments could be seen as far as the eye could see. The compound was located just outside the capital of Falme, by the mountainside that bordered it on the East.

Surrounded by the sea of buildings, almost as if protecting it, a massive castle whose towers almost breached the clouds, colored completely black, could be seen. Its figure completely contrasted the otherwise beautiful mountain scenery, like a shadow in the minds of all those that saw it, it loomed large, watching over the lands of House Night.

The castle itself appeared archaic, from a different time, as its style of architecture did not fit in with the villas and high-rise buildings that surrounded it however, its majesty could not be denied. Anyone that gazed upon it felt respect and perhaps even awe.

Not Karim though as the gaze with which he looked at the castle in the distance appeared hesitant.

“Finally back.” Exclaimed Lark. Just like Karim, this was his first time back home since he’d left.

The car whizzed along the black road, so it was called due to the dark, coal-like rocks unique to the mountains here, that were used to pave the road towards the giant castle in the distance.

Although it was called a car, the vehicle Lark and Karim were in more closely resembled a luxurious carriage. The only difference being it was pulled by no horse but instead, moved on its own power, controlled by a single driver seated at the front. What allowed the car to move as it did was the engine that powered it, a beast core. The most precious part of a spirit beast that contained most of its spiritual energy reserves and whose uses to Spirit engineers was endless.

As the car got closer and closer to the castle, flares and fireworks went off, bursting into the sky announcing their arrival.

And as if pre-rehearsed hordes of people lined the streets leading up to the castle wanting to catch a glimpse of Karim. This couldn’t be helped; his identity was special.

Anyone that lived in the lands of House Night was by default a stakeholder in its operations, family or not. Any major undertaking in the family affected them either directly or indirectly and the fact that the scion of the family had recovered and was coming back was something that definitely affected them. He was after all, the future Head of the House.

“Haha, they must have spread the word. By this time tomorrow, your return will be on the tips of everyone’s tongues.” Laughed Lark.

“So many people…” Karim exclaimed.

“Ignore them. You’ve done all that training in order to minimize the effect of your… ‘abilities’, now’s the time to use it. Besides, not everyone’s worth paying attention to.” Instructed Lark.

Closing the car curtains Karim took two deep breaths before calming down. ‘It’s alright.’ He told himself.

Meanwhile, the people who caught a glimpse of his car cheered and those who had other motives like the spies of other Houses quickly left to give their reports.

Soon the car arrived at the front of the castle and the two alighted.

As the castle completely blocked the sun, the giant shadow it cast should have covered them in darkness. However, the bright green lights that lined the castle’s walls, walkways and entrance blinded Karim for a second.

Once his eyes adjusted, they focused on the mass of people staring at him. Most shooting him curious looks, some showed happiness and others were indifferent however, it was still an unfamiliar sight for Karim.

At least two hundred people were spread out before him. More than half of them servants of House Night, bowing towards him. The rest were family, some he recognized, others he had never met but his gaze naturally navigated towards his mother trying to communicate his discomfort.

However, his wish would not come true as at that very moment, from the shadowy void appeared a tall figure. He exuded a suffocating pressure on all those present but almost as soon as it appeared, it just as quickly disappeared. Everyone present immediately lowered their heads in greeting.

“Greetings to the House Head.” They exclaimed.

Nodding in acknowledgement, the man looked at the crowd and then towards Karim, before his gaze finally landed on Lark.

“You’ve done well.” He said, addressing Lark. “You will be rewarded.”

With his head still lowered Lark replied, “It was nothing.”

Having commended Lark, the man who bore a striking resemblance to Karim focused on him. The man moved closer to Karim eventually resting his hand on his head.

“Welcome home.” He spoke. “I’ll see you inside.” Once those words left his lips, the man disappeared into the void once again, vanishing before Karim’s eyes.

‘Father’

His departure allowed his mother to come forward, take his hand and usher him through the crowd. Wherever they passed, the crowd parted giving him looks of happiness, encouragement and approval however, the force within him would every now and then flare up, alerting him to ill intentioned people. Luckily his training allowed him to ignore most of them but one of the bad intentions couldn’t be brushed off.

Finding the source of the bad intention, he immediately understood. Towards the back of the group, above the steps that led into the entrance of the castle stood a beautiful middle-aged lady, she gave off a noble aura yet dressed in simple clothes devoid of the luxury of a Korina for example. Everything about her appeared calm, composed and regal, however, just like her scarlet red hair, there were warning flares burning in Karim’s heart. The force within him was warning him of danger and Karim knew why.

She was the first wife of his father and beside her were her three daughters, Karim’s older sisters. She was also the first person the force within Karim had ever reacted to. Although he could not vividly recall that memory, he would never forget the terrifying feeling and the cause.

“Welcome back.” She smilingly said, not holding he and Korina up as they entered the castle.