The Vampire King's expression grew serious. "Then what I suspected must be dealt with swiftly." He turned to the group, "Okay, you six, come with me." He led them through a hidden doorway, down a winding staircase, and into a secret chamber. From a magically sealed box, he retrieved a stone, pulsing with an inner light. He offered it to Raven. "Take this, it will show you the way."
Raven, confused, held the stone carefully. "What is this?"
"It's a magic stone," his father explained. "It will help absorb the siren's magic. There are four parts. I have one. One is with Jing Li, and one is with Zhao, that is, Fang's father. The other is with the mysterious Master Tao." He paused, looking intently at Raven, "I gave mine to you. Fang will get his from his father. Jihu, you are responsible for getting it from Jing Li." He made a subtle gesture towards Jihu, a slight nod of understanding that only Jihu and Raven seemed to grasp.
Raven, confused by his father's gesture to Jihu, decided to focus on the task at hand for now. "What about the fourth stone?"
The Vampire King's face hardened. "That fourth stone will be the most difficult to obtain. You must be as intelligent as Master Tao himself to retrieve it. If you cannot answer his question, he will take your life force. Be extremely careful."
A chill ran down Raven's spine. "No matter what, I will do it," he declared, his voice firm. "I will go alone and get that stone. I will pass all the tests I have to. I will save this world."
"Why alone?" Jihu protested, stepping forward. "We're in this together. We're friends. We'll fight together. Why would you say that?"
Fang placed a hand on Raven's shoulder, his expression earnest. "Yes, Raven," he said, "We're best friends, we've been together since childhood. We've had good times together, and we'll face the bad times together too. We'll fight together." He looked at Raven, his eyes filled with loyalty and affection. The bond they shared, forged in the fires of childhood, would not be broken. They were a team, and they would face whatever lay ahead, side by side.
The air hung thick with tension, the scent of damp earth and something ancient filling the cavern. Jihu and Fang, both clad in leather armour and wielding swords that gleamed faintly in the torchlight, were discussing a plan, their voices low and urgent. Suddenly, Ri emerged from the shadows, her voice sharp and defiant.
"Where are we?" she demanded, her eyes flashing. "Do you think we are girls, so we can't do anything? We are weak? Don't forget, we also have magic like you."
Jihu sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know you have magic, Ri, but if you go there, our lives will be in risk, and if you join us, your life will be in danger also."
Before Ri could retort, Ash, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet, interjected with a childishly earnest tone, "But the earth is ours, right? Now our world is in danger. What do you think? If we were really very scared, we wouldn't have gone to the mountains with you. We've joined hands with you knowingly. We know how far we have to go. Knowing that, we came here, not for the greed of adventure."
The weight of their words was palpable. It was true, they had volunteered for this insane mission, knowing the odds were stacked against them. They weren't naïve children seeking thrills.
Shu, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. Her gaze was direct and unwavering as she addressed the figure looming in the shadows – the Vampire King. "Sir," she said, her voice clear and surprisingly calm. "I know we are humans, we may not be able to help your people much, but we will do our best because now our world is in danger. We have to do it. I hope you understand why we want to do this."
The Vampire King, his features sharp and regal, regarded her with a gaze that seemed to pierce through to her soul. Then, surprisingly, a gentle smile touched his lips. Like a father, he raised a hand and touched Shu's head, his touch surprisingly light. "I know, dear," he said, his voice a low rumble. "You have done me a great favour. At one time, I also thought that people were very selfish, but you have returned my love to me, dear. I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life. Okay, you go. I agree. And I know that if you go, my three sons will never be in danger. I hope and believe this with all my heart."
Just as a wave of relief seemed to wash over the group, a voice, cold and laced with disbelief, cut through the air. "But Father…" Raven, one of the Vampire King's sons, was about to protest, but his father silenced him with a single gesture.
"Whatever decision I've made, I've made," the Vampire King said firmly. "Ri, Shu, and Ash will go with you both to Master Tao's residence."
Raven, Jihu, and Fang glanced at each other, speechless. They had expected arguments, resistance, not this strange acceptance.
"And you, Shu…" a sweet voice, light as a feather, spoke from behind. "Thank you. Thank you for returning me to my love. I will be able to live with my son for a few more years because of you. You are very good. I hope you pass this war… I wish all six of you long life. I am a mother, so I can do just that for you." It was Raven's mother, her face radiating warmth despite the grim circumstances.
The Vampire King broke the heavy silence, stating, "Okay, we will talk to you more tomorrow. You both go rest some time. You must leave for Mr. Tao's residence tomorrow morning."
With a collective nod, they dispersed, each going to their assigned chambers. Despite the gravity of their situation, they found themselves strangely at peace. They had been heard, their courage acknowledged. As they drifted off to sleep, they knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger, but they would face it together, their resolve strengthened by the unwavering support of those they had chosen to fight alongside. They would face it with magic, with hearts full of determination, and with the hope of a future where their world would be safe once again.