[Scene:] A secluded monastery outside Vatican City.
1.1 The Sanctuary of Faith
Nestled amidst mountains outside Vatican City, an ancient and serene monastery lay hidden. Its walls were weathered, overgrown with ivy, exuding an aura of secluded tranquility. Far from the din of modern society, the air was filled with the sacred scent of incense and the fragrance of earth.
Eleanor Vance sat in a simple nun's room, a vibrant vineyard visible through the window. In her hand, the shard of glass, "The Tears of the Virgin Mary," from the Normandy church, emitted a faint, warm glow.
She knew Alistair would soon find the Normandy church and the shard. The love energy within that shard was the best counter to his formidable algorithmic power. She needed to buy time.
Father Rafferty, the aged scholar of ancient lore, sat opposite her. His gaze was benevolent, but a subtle worry flickered in his eyes.
"Child, do you truly believe this sacred relic can protect you?" Father Rafferty asked softly. "The power of the Thorne family is beyond mortal comprehension."
Eleanor gave a bitter smile, setting down the shard: "Father, I am not seeking protection. I am seeking help to completely sever all my ties with the supernatural domain."
She knew that as long as any trace of supernatural power remained on her, Alistair would find her. She needed to become utterly mortal to truly vanish from his world.
1.2 The Tutor's Command and Mortal Struggle
Just then, the monastery's ancient wooden doors were violently flung open. The hinges shrieked, and splinters flew.
Outside, Alistair Thorne, accompanied by Lydon and several elite Thorne guards, surged in like a dark tide. His black suit was a stark contrast to the monastery's sanctity, his gaze cold and sharp, immediately locking onto Eleanor.
"Eleanor Vance." Alistair's voice echoed through the hall, carrying undeniable authority. "Do you truly believe this mortal bastion can deter the Thorne family's pursuit?"
Father Rafferty immediately rose, blocking Eleanor.
"Mr. Thorne," the priest's voice was calm and firm, "This is holy ground, under the Vatican's protection. Please respect the faith and refrain from worldly violence here."
Alistair didn't spare the priest a glance. His gaze pierced through the priest's body, fixing directly on Eleanor.
"You left the 'Tears of the Virgin Mary' to tell me that you betrayed everything I taught you." Alistair's voice held a trace of offended fury. "You chose to defy me with this fragile faith."
Eleanor met his gaze bravely, her eyes devoid of fear, only deep sorrow.
"I choose to become mortal," Eleanor declared firmly. "I choose to completely escape your and the Thorne family's curse."
1.3 The Clash of Supernatural and Faith
Alistair extended his hand, and an invisible force instantly enveloped the entire monastery. The holy icons inside began to tremble, red liquid seeped from the eyes of the Virgin Mary paintings on the walls, and the air filled with oppressive supernatural energy.
"Mortal?" Alistair scoffed, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. "Do you believe you can escape everything I've given you? The residual Core Algorithm within you is enough to make you stand out like a lighthouse among ordinary people."
He walked towards Eleanor, each step exuding suffocating pressure.
Father Rafferty suddenly spread his hands, and a faint golden glow emanated from his body. The ancient sacred runes within the monastery were activated, and a pure power of faith began to contend with Alistair's supernatural might.
"Mr. Thorne!" Father Rafferty's tone carried a warning. "This is holy ground! Your power will be weakened!"
Alistair's steps faltered slightly; he did indeed feel his power suppressed. But this suppression only ignited a deeper rage and possessiveness within him.
"Weakened?" Alistair's lips curled into a bloodthirsty smile. "Very well. Since you choose to defy me this way, Eleanor. Then I will let you witness firsthand how fragile faith is before absolute power."
He abruptly raised his hand, and a black beam of light shot towards the priest. Father Rafferty had no time to react. Struck by the beam, his body flew backward, hitting the wall with a heavy thud. Cracks appeared in the monastery wall, and the priest coughed up blood, losing consciousness.
1.4 A New Clue in the Chase
Eleanor watched the injured priest, her eyes filled with pain and despair. She knew she couldn't let anyone else be hurt because of her.
"Alistair!" Eleanor cried desperately, "Stop! I'll go with you! Don't hurt anyone else!"
Alistair ceased his attack, his gaze once again fixed on Eleanor. He walked toward her, extending his hand, intending to touch her cheek.
Eleanor abruptly stepped back, evading his touch.
"You cannot touch me," Eleanor's voice trembled. "I cannot be further contaminated by your curse. All traces of the supernatural domain within me have been purged."
Alistair's brow furrowed slightly. He again sensed Eleanor's deliberately suppressed supernatural aura. She seemed to be genuinely trying to sever the connection.
"What did you do?" Alistair asked in a low voice.
Eleanor closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek: "I went to the Ancient Rites of Samos. I sealed all supernatural imprints related to you within the Eye of Samos."
The Eye of Samos! This was an ancient and mysterious supernatural artifact, rumored to be capable of sealing all supernatural powers.
Alistair's eyes flashed with shock. He had not expected Eleanor to take such a drastic measure. She had sealed everything connected to him into an ancient artifact he could not touch.
He violently grabbed Eleanor's wrist, his grip so strong it felt as though her bones might shatter.
"Do you think this will rid you of me?" Alistair's voice was a low, hellish whisper. "The Eye of Samos can only be unsealed by me. You will forever, forever be my prisoner!"
Alistair forcibly dragged Eleanor out of the monastery. He knew that now, the goal of the pursuit had shifted from finding Eleanor to finding the Eye of Samos and how to unseal it.
Author's Note:
Thank you for your continued readership and dedication to the consistent quality of this novel. Alistair's pursuit has escalated once more. Now, he must not only reclaim Eleanor but also find and unseal the mysterious "Eye of Samos"! The clash between ultimate possessive power and the struggle of mortal faith will ignite even fiercer sparks in the next chapter. Stay tuned!
By: KHChing