Chapter 23

Arsenio watched as the chateau formed in front of his eyes, the translucent little structure looking even more eerie surrounded by the dense fog that settled around it. Arsenio wanted to scream, snap Athena out of it but he could do nothing. 

He watched as Athena walked closer still, and stretch her hand out to trace the pattern on the wooden door. Finally, she opened the door. 

The fog grew thicker still, the stench of rot and death growing stronger. The structure came to life, losing its translucency the minute Athena stepped inside it. And then for just a second the dense air cleared, and there it stood.

Arsenio recognized it for what it was the minute he saw it. 

A Sarrafas.

A Sarrafas was the living memory of a person. It was not a ghost but it was something close to it. I formed when dark blood was shed in a truly despicable way. Whatever had happened here must have been a true horror in itself. Something very bad happened here, something unspeakable. 

The Sarrafas stood there, its lips bright red a string contrast to the dark charred skin that wrinkled. Multiple scars carved on its skin, still bleeding like the wounds were merely carved yesterday. The hair on its burnt head were sparse as they matched the black teeth it sported in its wide cruel smile.

But, there was something about those eyes. Like it lacked humanity that it once held. Like it was dead before it even was killed or became a Sarrafas. Like its cruel death was a mercy on the Sarrafas. 

Despite everything, for one second Arsenio found himself wondering what the Sarrafas must have gone through. 

"Nagis" It said.

The specs of moonlight fell on it revealing its true form. It took the form of a beautiful woman with the most beautiful cherry blossom hair and piercing black eyes. And then just like that the doors closed, as an evil laughter echoed from with the closing walls of the chateau.

A mist rose from Lake Richen as it came to life. Multiple shapes of water slowly walked out of the lake forming a circle around the translucent structure. They dissipated and reformed into one large wave when the circle completely and just as suddenly the chateau was lost, taking Athena with it. 

Arsenio finally found that he could move, so he screamed out loud. 

"Daniel, Freda!" over and over again trying to guide them to where he was.

The fear and anxiety woke them up instantly. Within moments they were by his side.

"It's Athena.. a Sarrafas took her."