Eamon leaned forward, his eyes shadowed with seriousness.
"Yes. My grandpa's former bond, an owl, brought a letter with him. It said that to know more about my grandpa's past, I must find a man named Thorneval."
Arthur's heart skipped a beat. He spoke quickly, his voice low, almost desperate. "Could it be the same person?"
Eamon's gaze didn't falter, but his brows furrowed. "I don't know. But I must leave now. As you said, a royal knight is coming to town tomorrow. The army must already be searching for me. I need to get out of here before they arrive."
Helena gasped, clutching her hands tightly in front of her chest. "But Eamon…"
Eamon turned to her, his voice softer but firm. "Please, Helena. I need to leave. I have to lift this curse, and I can't stay in one place forever. If I do, I'll only bring danger to everyone around me."
Arthur suddenly sat upright, his face tense with decision. "I have a request, Eamon."
Eamon tilted his head. "What is it?"
Arthur inhaled deeply, steadying his heart. "I wish to come with you."
Both Helena and Eamon's eyes widened in shock.
"What… no way," Eamon said, shaking his head vigorously. "I can't take you with me, Arthur. It's far too risky."
Arthur leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table with white knuckles. "But I can't stay here either, Eamon. I need answers too. And maybe… maybe we are searching for the same person."
Eamon slammed his palm against the table, his voice sharper. "Finding Thorneval might be your goal as well, but you don't understand the curse that I carry. The whole purpose of this curse is to keep me away from people. Do you get that? I can't risk your life!"
Arthur's eyes burned with defiance. "But you've survived a new moon night before, haven't you?"
Eamon's face darkened. His voice dropped to a heavy whisper. "It's not that simple, Arthur. With every Obsidian Seraph I kill, the creature that hunts me during the new moon grows stronger. Each battle worsens the curse. I can't take the risk of you being near me when that time comes."
Arthur rose to his feet, his voice rising with him. "I am ready to take that risk! My father died when I was six. My mother protected me after that, but when I was ten, she died too. And the way she died—I'm sure someone killed her. I was too small, too weak, to do anything. The doctor took me in… he became my third parent. And now he has died as well. Do you understand what that means, Eamon?" His voice cracked, trembling with emotion. "I carry the weight of four parents' deaths on my shoulders. Four! And I still don't know why it happened. I need answers. I need to find Thorneval. Even if you don't take me with you, I'll leave this town and search for him on my own."
The room was silent for a long moment. Eamon stared at him, jaw clenched, frustration burning in his eyes. Finally, he let out a guttural cry of irritation. "Arghhh, you are so damn annoying! Fine. I will take you with me. But listen to me, Arthur—once we find this Thorneval, you will return to this town. That's my condition."
Arthur's face lit up, relief flooding him. "Yes! Thank you."
Helena, who had been silent, finally let her emotions slip. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "Arthur…" The thought of him leaving the town, leaving her, pierced her heart. Yet deep down, she knew Arthur needed this. He needed to find his truth, just as Eamon needed to break his curse. Helena swallowed her sadness and wiped her tears away, forcing a smile.
"So," she said softly, her voice trembling but playful, "you both plan to leave me here in the town? Well, don't worry. Someone has to stay behind to protect this place, right?"
Arthur and Eamon looked at her at the same time, and their voices overlapped. "Yes."
For a brief, fleeting moment, the tension broke. All three of them laughed together.
Arthur then grew serious again. "I also wanted to tell you both one more thing."
Helena tilted her head. "What is it, Arthur?"
Arthur exhaled, his face steady as he revealed the truth. "My name… is not Arthur. That was a name given to me by the doctor. My real name is Damien Xandryss."
Helena's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What? How could you hide something like that from us?"
Damien gave a faint, almost embarrassed smile. "The doctor said it was to protect me. So I never told a soul. But… I trust you two. You are my first real friends."
For a moment, the room was silent again, but this time it was filled with warmth. Then Eamon laughed, shaking his head.
"Well then, Damien sir," he said with mock formality, "let's pack our things and leave. Let's meet at the north gate this evening."
Damien nodded firmly in affirmation. Without another word, he left to prepare.
As the door closed behind him, Helena could no longer hold her emotions. She covered her face with her hands and wept. Her shoulders trembled, her tears spilling freely.
Eamon stepped closer, gently patting her head. "You should have told him how you feel. He deserves to know."
Helena shook her head, her voice muffled by sobs. "No, Eamon. He has found a purpose. I don't want to stand in his way. I love him so much that I'll wait for him… even if it takes a lifetime."
Eamon looked at her with a mixture of pity and admiration. "Strange thing, this love is."
He stayed by her side until she calmed, then walked her back to her house. When she was safe inside, he turned and went back to his own room, his thoughts heavy with the weight of both curses and secrets.
Evening came.
The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold. At the north gate, Eamon arrived with his bag slung over his shoulder and Skarn padding loyally by his side. Helena walked beside him, her steps slow and heavy.
Damien was already there, waiting. His bag was packed, his stance firm, his eyes steady.
He bent down on one knee and placed a hand on Skarn's head. "I'm coming with you, buddy," he whispered with a small smile.
Helena forced a chuckle, though her throat burned with tears. "Take care of yourself, Arthur—sorry, Damien."
Damien laughed softly. "Yes, Helena. You take care too. I'll be back soon."
Helena's lips trembled. "Yes. I will be waiting."
She couldn't stop herself anymore. She hugged Skarn tightly, burying her face in his fur as tears fell. "I'll miss you, little guy."
Skarn whimpered, his eyes glistening as if he understood her pain. "Woof… woof."
Helena let go of him and turned to Damien. She threw her arms around him, clinging desperately. "I will miss you too, Damien."
Damien stood awkwardly, not fully understanding the weight of her emotions. He patted her back lightly and replied, "Yes… me too."
Finally, Helena stepped toward Eamon. She wiped her tears and tried to smile bravely. "And you, Mr. Smartypants. Please take care of yourself. And I trust you with Skarn and Damien. I want all three of you to return to this town once you achieve your goals."
Eamon placed a hand over his heart, his voice steady and solemn. "I will protect Skarn and Damien with my life. And once I lift my curse and uncover the answers we seek, I promise I will return. I came here for a vampire, but I am leaving with two good friends."
Her lips quivered, and before she could speak, all three of them came together in a tight embrace. Skarn barked, and Eamon picked him up, pulling him into the hug as well.
For one moment, they were not cursed, not hunted, not burdened by grief. They were simply friends, holding onto the bond they had built.
At last, Eamon, Damien, and Skarn stepped onto the road leading out of the town.
Helena stood at the gate, watching them disappear into the distance. Tears streamed down her face, but a smile lingered on her lips.
She waved goodbye, whispering to herself with trembling hope.
"I'll be waiting."