The Uno Lupa Curse

My father's face drained of colour, his expression twisting into a bitter mask. "How did you…?" he faltered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lima's smirk grew wider. "Remember, Basilisks are renowned for their poison potency.

Though this is a curse having elemental differences, they still share distinct characteristics."

Gradually his tone turned sombre. "This curse is truly formidable. Upon learning of it, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for your family's plight. Its rarity necessitated consultations with my superiors and extensive research through ancient texts to grasp its origins."

Lima's gaze locked onto my father's, "This curse is incurable, doomed to force you both into a tragic confrontation. Only one will survive."

My father's eyes dilated in terror, his face deathly pale. "You're lying," he whispered, his trembling voice betraying his desperation.

Lima's expression remained impassive. "I assure you, Gillette, I speak the truth. The Uno Lupa Curse is precisely as I described.

You also can't deny your familiarity with it. Our intelligence reports state you've sought counsel from shamans and even attempted to consult an Immortal to help you with the curse."

His expression, slightly mocking. "Or have you and Matthew not been pursuing this futile quest for years?"

My father's face contorted in anguish, his words caught in his throat.

Uncle Matthew's voice cut through the tension, his tone sharp and incisive. "Wilfred, is collaborating with The Corrupted Ones truly the best shot at breaking this curse?"

Uncle Matthew's deep-cutting tone sliced through the air, striking Uncle Wilfred's very core. His gaze dropped, unable to meet anyone's eyes, his shame, and guilt palpable.

"And you, Lima," Uncle Matthew continued, his voice unwavering," are you amusing yourself? Who revealed to you that the Uno Lupa Curse is incurable?"

Lima's expression remained stoic, but a fleeting glimmer of surprise danced in his eyes.

"The ancient texts, Matthew. Those same sacred writings that recorded the curse's origin and its irreversible nature."

Uncle Matthew's piercing gaze remained fixed on Uncle Wilfred, his words laced with a mix of accusation and desperation.

"What of the Eldris Prophecy? Does it hold no significance, no promise of hope?"

Uncle Wilfred's hesitant voice broke the silence, his eyes still downcast. "I had no choice, Matthew. The Great Abyss offered a solution, a chance to shatter the curse."

Aunty Gloria's eyes blazed with indignation as she turned on Uncle Wilfred. "Keep quiet! Gillette's been consumed by this curse for twenty years, searching for a cure for you both.

How could you abandon hope and seek help from these depraved outsiders?"

Her voice cracked with emotion. "He's sacrificed everything – his relationship with his child, even the pain of his wife leaving – all to find a solution. And you've thrown it all away!"

Aunty Gloria's words cut deep, and I felt a chill run through my veins. My knees buckled, and I slumped to the floor, reeling from the revelation.

The truth hit me like a tidal wave: my father's distance wasn't indifference, but desperation. And my mother… she hadn't passed away; she'd left us. The weight of this knowledge crushed me.

A maelstrom of emotions engulfed me, leaving my mind reeling. I lay on the floor, disoriented and numb. But then, a soothing warmth enveloped me – Aunty Gloria's gentle touch.

"Sam, I know this is overwhelming," she whispered softly, her voice a calming balm to my frazzled nerves. "It's a lot to absorb, but please don't let it consume you.

We need you to keep a cool head, now better than ever. Things are precarious, and we must get through this together."

Her words resonated within me, yet her concern was eclipsed by the turmoil raging inside. The revelations swirled in my mind: Father's curse, Mother's abandonment, Uncle's betrayal… Everything I thought I knew was either a lie or a distorted truth.

As I fought to regain composure, Uncle Matthew's gentle hand on my shoulder offered comfort. His empathetic eyes met mine. "Samantha, we'll face this together."

But Lima's detached voice shattered the moment. "Sentimental reunions won't alter the situation. The Great Abyss's offer remains the only viable solution."

Aunty Gloria's gaze held mine, her whisper barely audible. "We'll discuss this later, Sam. For now, let's focus on the present."

I inhaled deeply, steeling myself. Aunty Gloria was right; emotions had to wait. The curse, the Great Abyss, and Lima's true intentions demanded attention.

With renewed determination, I stood up, my eyes locking onto Lima's. "What does the Great Abyss demand in exchange for breaking the curse?"

Uncle Wilfred's eyes widened, overwhelmed by guilt. "Samantha…" he began.

But my father's frail voice interrupted, a desperate croak. "No!"

Aunty Gloria's firm tone complemented Father's outburst. "Lima, whatever deal you made with Wilfred, Samantha can't be the real price. Spill it out!"

Lima's smile wavered, his composure momentarily shaken. He regained his poise, a calculated glint in his eye.

"Ah, Gloria, always direct. Very well, I shall elaborate on the terms. Samantha is indeed part of the deal, but not in its entirety."

My father's face contorted in desperation, his eyes wild with a hint of madness. "What have you done, Wilfred?" he demanded.

Uncle Wilfred's guilt-ridden gaze locked onto mine, his voice laced with regret.

"Samantha, I swear I never meant to harm you. I was desperate to save our family from the curse. I'd rather die than kill my brother, so I sought solutions wherever I could."

The unspoken truth hung in the air until Uncle Matthew's calm voice broke the silence. "So… you used us in the deal, didn't you?"

Uncle Wilfred's eyes dropped, shame etched across his face. "Yes, Matthew… I had no other choice."

Lima's laughter echoed through the room, his eyes gleaming with malice. "What a moment! Matthew and Gloria, do you have any idea what price tags are attached to your heads?"

He paused, relishing the revelation. "To be honest, your inclusion is the real game-changer. Without you, Samantha alone wouldn't have been enough to seal the deal.

But unexpectedly, a demand for your heads came, and the price was astronomical, which made the wager balanced."

His grin widened. "I was astonished to discover your true identities. Royalties, indeed."

Uncle Matthew's cold voice cut through the tension. "Cut the crap, Lima!"

Lima's smile faltered, but he quickly regained his composure. "Very well, Matthew. I'll proceed. Do you all agree to the deal, benefiting all parties involved?"

Aunty Gloria's response was resolute. "No, we won't agree!"

Lima's expression turned sinister. "I didn't want it to come to this, but it seems it's the only way to resolve this." His voice dripped with menace as he snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, the figures lined up at the back advanced towards us, their hands on their respective weapons. To