Mélissa decided to take her sister back to the Manor. She thought that perhaps seeing her daughter and sleeping would soothe her nerves. Mantis, to forget about her deception for a moment, spoke to her sister about the ceremony, which would take place the day of her 20th birthday. Mélissa was nervous, but impatient. Her sister would lead the ceremony and ink the tattoo, symbolizing her powers sealed. Mélissa would also choose a taken name in the days following the ritual.
Hella and Amen stayed at the venue, waiting for OX. When he got out of the room, his two fellows welcomed him coldly.
Hella: What happened with Mantis?
OX: Let me explain…
Hella: She ran to us then burst into tears!
OX gasped. He didn't expect this to happen, and felt terrible.
Amen: That's how you let them treat your wife?
OX: The blame is all mine. The… The Kalmageddon asks for Revna to be the next leader… as soon as possible.
Hella and Amen were genuinely shocked. They didn't think they would dare to bring up that kind of subject.
OX: And Mantis refused.
Hella: And you didn't defend her?
OX: Well, I… I said that I'll let my decision be known. I wanted to buy time!
Amen: So you acted like a leader instead of a father and husband. OX, it's your daughter they've been thinking and talking about! Behind your back! Do you realize how creepy that is? Mantis acted like a mother, she wanted nothing but to protect your child. She needed support and you weren't there.
All three went back to the Manor, not talking to each other. OX could feel it, Mantis was in a very bad mood, and hurt. He felt horrible, and lost. His first move was to go upstairs, guessing that Mantis was in their room. He met Mana on his way. Unless Amen and Hella, he greeted him calmly.
Mana: Mantis told me everything. OX, she needs you more than the Kalmageddon does, so does Revna. My friend, please think carefully before taking any decision you might regret.
The Pastor walked past him and locked himself in his room. OX slowly opened the door to his and Mantis's room, only to find her sitting on the edge of their bed, and her coat lying on the floor. She held her daughter's plush in her delicate hands. The Hellbull sat beside her and tried to speak, but she lifted up her hand, asking for his silence.
Mantis: I'm pretty sure you know how I feel right now. My dear, I already told you I didn't like family and duties to be mixed together, but after what happened tonight, this went too far.
She turned to him and took his hands.
Mantis: By marrying you I accepted to be part of the Kalmageddon, but our Revna asked for nothing. I'm your wife but also our daughter's mother, can you all blame me for acting like so? I want only the best for her, I want her to be free to choose her path.
OX: Dear, I understand you. But I have to admit I'd feel honored if our daughter succeeded me.
Mantis: We're not royals, succession isn't that important. The brothers don't like me, what will they do if Revna end up becoming their leader? I don't trust these men, I'm scared for her!
OX: They'll have to respect her since they're the ones who are asking for her. Kalma will look after her. Just imagine, my love. She'll be respected by all, her future would be assured. She will be well taught, by the best and wisest, and me of course.
Mantis: Her future belongs only to her, we're only here to guide her and not choose for her! Once she'll be assimilated to the Brotherhood, who will she face? Her father or the old leader? What your brothers will be capable to do to her?
OX: I trust the brotherhood and they trust me. Revna will be able to discover her powers, and learn to control them.
Mantis: That she can do with us! And it's not trust I saw when Franck spoke about their problem you weren't even aware of. Kalma and the entire Council hadn't seen it coming either. We must take this decision together and I won't let the Kalmageddon decide for us. OX, I want our little girl to live a normal life!
OX: Anne, she can't live a normal life among people, she's a monstress! What will other children think about her at school? Will she find a job easily? You can pass for a regular human, Anne, but neither Revna nor I can! Monsters and humans don't go that well together and you know it! Among our brothers, in other dimensions she won't be judged for being a monster.
Mantis: I don't want to fail her this way!
She gasped. Words came out suddenly and she knew she had gone too far. She hurt the Minotaur like never before. She tried to apologize but he wouldn't listen. He left the room, and Mantis remained alone, broken.
Somewhere in another dimension, a sorcerer with red hair and a long blue coat smiled devilishly.
The evening of the next day, OX and Mantis still didn't talk to each other. Mantis had tried to speak to him, but he remained deaf to her calls. He even slept in his old room that night. In her mind came memories of that day when the monsters arrested her, thinking she was a foe, and the Hellbull denying her. That same suffering from 10 years ago got her again. These dark thoughts tainted her mind as she was reading a story to little Revna. A tear ran down her cheek.
Revna: Mother, why are you crying?
Mantis: I did a bad thing my love, and I regret it very much.
Revna: What?
Mantis: I hurt your father. I didn't want to. But don't you worry my dear, everything will be fine.
She didn't notice the Hellbull, listening to her conversation. Still hurt deep inside, he left without a sound, forsaking his intention to speak with Mantis. His wife was right, for the happiness of their little girl they would stay all together. He sighed. He knew that one day such dispute would happen, and this time he didn't know what to do. One thing was assured though: nothing would progress if they both stayed silent. He decided to go to the living room, where Mr Lordi was, sipping some Pepsi as usual.
Mr Lordi: Did you speak to her?
OX: I just couldn't. She regrets it deeply, I'm sure of it, but I just… couldn't.
Mr Lordi: OX, I don't know if she meant her words, but there's a thing you can be sure of: she loves you.
OX: That I begin to doubt… Why can't she see that I only want what's best for our daughter?
Mr Lordi: Every parent does. It's just not her ideal of the best. She wants Revna to be normal, though both herself and the kid aren't. She wants for her what she never had as a little girl. Don't try to impose your choice, there must be a solution to your dilemma.
OX: Perhaps, I didn't find it yet. The only thing I know is that among my brothers and their offspring, Revna won't be judged for being a monster. I want my daughter to be what she truly is without any fear.
Mr Lordi: I understand you, and here is what you don't want to happen to her, because it happened to you. You're not that different from Mantis in the end, you want the exact same thing in a way.
OX: You're right my friend. I'll try to speak to her again.
Mr Lordi: That's the spirit. Here, have some Pepsi.
They drank from their bottles and relaxed for a moment.
Mantis was still with Revna when Amen and Mélissa entered the room. The little monstress' face brightened when the two approached and hugged her tightly.
Amen: Ready to sleep my sweet?
Revna: I am, Uncle Amen.
Amen: You know, once there was another little girl that loved being hugged goodnight. Today she's a lovely woman who will soon turn 20 and earn all her powers.
Mélissa: Sweet memories!
Mantis smiled before that tender display and Revna began to laugh with Amen doing funny faces. Mélissa turned to her sister.
Mélissa: OX still refuses to speak to you?
Mantis: I'm afraid so. I tried to apologize. I even reconsidered my opinion about what he said about her future.
Mélissa: You must love him very much to do that.
Mantis: With all my heart.
Mélissa: Be strong sister, everything will be fine.
They hugged each other tenderly and smiles lit up their faces. Mélissa had grown into such a kind and smart young woman. Mantis tightened her embrace.
Revna: Mother, who is this man next to me?
Mantis: What…? Who dear? I see no one.
She didn't say a word more. Something brutally hurled Mélissa backwards, and she landed painfully on the wall, knocked out. Amen rushed to her and Mantis searched for that invisible opponent, her shadows ready in her hands.
Amen: Mélissa! Please wake up.
He shook her lightly, but she stayed unconscient. The Mummy stood up and watched with Mantis the silhouette of a man appearing in a dark corner of the bedroom. This man was rather tall, and was wearing a blue coat with a silvery collar, and his hair was red and messy. Amen's anger grew when he recognized the man.
Amen: Kalmaged…?! Piece of shit! Help! Come here guys!
With one hand, the sorcerer silenced him by wrapping some of his own bandages over his mouth. He didn't stop there, and impeded his limbs, again with more bandages. Amen fell loudly on the ground, unable to move and to shout. He watched Mantis transform into her snake hybrid form, and place herself between the sorcerer and her crying daughter. She hissed, darkness twirling at her feet, venom dripping from her fangs.
Mantis: Leave my daughter alone, you son of a bitch!
She fought against Kalmaged with her shadows, trying not to hear the cries of her daughter. Kalmaged dodged them, laughing madly. Full of hatred, she gave him a turn in his jaw, making him lose his balance. Angered, he decided to use a little trick he learnt from the fifth book of Octavius. Both of his hand outstretched towards Mantis, and a black thing escaped them. It hit Mantis violently, gluing her wrists and ankles to the wall. To her surprise, her shadows vanished and she felt extremely weak. She heard Amen's muffled screams, and tried to get rid of this black thing. When she looked in front of her, she saw Kalmaged, looking at her hungrily. He gently stroked her cheek.
Kalmaged: Well, well… At least OX has very good taste in women…
She shivered in disgust, and it's with her heart filled with pain that she looked at her daughter. The little monstress struggled in the arms of the sorcerer, giving him little slaps.
Revna: Bad guy! Father will crack your skull and Mother will beat you with shadows!
Kalmaged: I highly doubt it my child, stay still!
Mantis: Revna! REVNA! You won't go away with this alive you bastard!
But it was too late, the sorcerer had disappeared with her daughter.
Shortly after, Mr Lordi, along with Mana and Hella, came into the room. The Doll immediately kneeled besides Mélissa to check if she was alright, and Mana began to free Amen from his bandages. The Lord approached Mantis and inspected that black thing that bounded her. He nodded.
Mr Lordi: Dark matter. Typical Kalmaged. It drains strength away, leaving you as weak as if you were agonizing. Do not move.
He took his axe and it slightly glowed. The sharp edge of the blade collided with the dark matter, and shattered it into pieces. As soon as she was free to move, Mantis kneeled next to Amen and her sister, trembling with fear and sadness.
Mantis: Are you alright?
Amen: I'm fine. Mélissa has been knocked out, I hope she's fine too.
Mantis: He took her away… My child…
Heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor, and OX appeared in the room, breathless.
OX: What happened? Where's Revna?
Mantis threw him a deadly glare, and raised slowly, her gaze never leaving his. The Hellbull felt her burning rage through his own tattoo. He immediately understood what happened.
Mantis: Where were you? Where were you when your family needed you?! Where were you when I was ready to listen to you and forsake my ideals? Kalmaged came here first and took Revna with him! He has chosen your camp for you! My child… Gone…
She left without saying a word more, also leaving OX wordless. On the moment, he cursed himself.
Mana: We'll find her my friend, that's a promise.
Following the example of Mantis, OX left silently and locked himself up in his old room. The monsters felt really bad for them, and were determined to get rid of Kalmaged, once and for all. But for now, they had to focus on Mélissa. Hella had placed a pillow under her head, and a wet cloth on her forehead.
Hella: She'll have a pretty bad headache but nothing dangerous. I'll take care of her. Amen, can you lift her up to her room?
The Pharaoh took Mélissa in his arms with great care, and followed Hella.
OX was sitting before his desk, his face in his hands. Suddenly, he wiped away every object with his arm, some breaking on the floor. Looking at the ring he was wearing on his left hand, he took a radical decision. He'll show his wife what he's worth.
Night had already fallen a long time ago. Mélissa was still asleep in her bed and Amen had dozed off, sat on the chair nearby with his head resting on the covers. OX was still locked up in his room, and the rest of the Monster Squad along with Mantis, were in the living room trying to find Kalmaged's lair. His castle being in another dimension, that was switching places with others, made it a difficult task for the monsters. Like they did with Mantis, Kalma and Mr Lordi used quartz crystals with a map. Mantis, on the other hand, used her link with her family and meditation. Mana was searching breaches between the Earth and other dimensions, and Hella was sometimes bringing food and drinks, in addition to spending time with Mathian.
OX had taken his decision, and was perfectly aware of what he was doing. Glancing one last time at his wedding ring, he waved his other hand and a portal of light appeared in front of him.
Mantis' tattoo began to burn, and she knew exactly what was going on. She immediately stopped meditating.
Mantis: OX is trying to leave! We have to stop him!
She immediately ran along with Kalma and their fellows to the Hellbull's room, and they glimpsed him standing before the portal, looking straight in front of him. This vision brought tears in Mantis's eyes.
Kalma: OX, my brother, don't do this!
Mantis: Darling, please…
The Minotaur glanced at his wife, with sadness in his eyes. Then he took a step forward and entered the portal, his massive frame blurred by the blinding light.
Mantis: NO!
The portal disappeared and the Necromancer fell to her knees, and Kalma tried to calm her down. This was too much for the young mother. After being berated during the meeting, then losing both her husband and only child, she was on the verge of losing her mind.
Mantis: It's all my fault! If I just shut up nothing would have happened!
Kalma: Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault. I'm pretty sure he went after Kalmaged. Don't worry, we'll find them.
Hella: But how did he know which dimension to go?
Mr Lordi: Oh no, he didn't…
Mantis: What?
Mr Lordi: He didn't go after Kalmaged, he's surrendering himself to him in order to find Revna! He'll wander the dimensions until Kalmaged catches him!
Mantis: We have to find him before it's too late! Kalma, please tell me you can do something.
Kalma: I think I can. Our chances are weak, but I'll try anyway. I promised we'll bring them back.
Hella: Mantis, you should get some rest, that would soothe your nerves.
Mantis: I guess it'll do me good.
Mana: We'll help Kalma the best we can.
Mantis climbed the stairs slowly, the wood cracking under her feet. She walked past Mélissa's room, and stopped to throw a glance in. Mélissa and Amen were both asleep, and Mantis smiled tenderly, knowing her sister safe. She entered the room she used to share with OX, and closed the door. She laid herself on her husband's side of the bed, and rested her head on his pillow. It was the first time they disagreed so strongly, the first time they doubted their mutual feelings. Yet at this very moment she'd give anything to have him back, to have her little family gathered in the living room of the manor sharing tender moments. Her eyes closed slowly, the last tears falling on her cheeks.