Chapter 3. The reality.

Sebastian and Susanna walked around the shopping mall, apparently having a casual conversation, but the truth was way too different.

"What is this heritage you spoke about?" curiosity sounded on her voice.

"It's something you should have noticed several years ago, but the moment I started to look for you and…" there was a small pause; he was omitting something "…contact you, it became more notorious"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sure you've noticed some strange things around you. Perhaps shadows or you could see things that pass right next to you and then disappeared" he waited until the girl nodded "they are reflexes of the many things existing in this universe and most humans cannot see them"

"Aliens!" she joked.

"It's good to see you keep that sense of humor…"

"You mean that the Serafer family is able to see… energy projections?"

"That is correct" he remained silent for a while, thinking about what he just said.

"And that accelerated because I was in contact with you?"

"Yes, I made sure it awoke. That way, everything will be easier for our contract to be fulfilled" Sebastian was more serious than usual and she couldn't help but think that he was hiding something. Still, she didn't have much interest in that topic; she was afraid of what could happen and the more she could postpone it, the better.

The next day, Susanna's classes started. They were the kind of courses she would have to take in order to manage the company and make sure she was at the same level of the other stockholders. She was afraid and she reproached herself for it. She had faced worse difficulties, so a couple of economy classes couldn't be that bad.

She had to take different classes: business administration, modern economy theory, negotiation, language and commercial laws. It was like a semester at college, but instead of her studying political philosophy like she used to, she was learning about practical business situations. A change she couldn't avoid.

Sebastian made sure she had the best professors he could find. Some of them taught on prestigious universities and others were genius at what they did. He also made sure high executives from AstraZeneca kept her informed about the company's stocks and movements. Those classes were done at the Serafer residence, where Susanna remained the whole day, studying and getting used to her new duties. After two weeks of intense courses and different "virtual simulations" she finally understood how to manage the business, at least in theory, and at the same time her mind was entertained. Nevertheless, she had trouble sleeping and she woke up a couple times during.

Some of those times, Sebastian made her tea so she could relax and sleep well, while he told her stories about his life at the beginning of the century or details about the fancy mores during the Victorian era; bedtime stories she soon considered as the best part of the day.

She paid attention to all her lessons; it wasn't like she was there to get a grade or a diploma. This was real life and any mistake could bring negative consequences for her company.

"Good morning, Milady. I'm glad to inform you that you don't have any activity nor class scheduled for today. You are free for the whole day" said Sebastian right after entering the room and approaching her to gently wake her up; if there was something he had learned well during the past months, was to not wake her up abruptly or opening the curtains... no, that wasn't a good idea at all, unless he wanted a pillow or a shoe thrown at his head.

"Really?... what time is it?" she slowly woke up.

"It's 9 AM"

"Then let me sleep a couple more hours"

"As you wish, but keep in mind that you could take the opportunity to learn something else about your family" the butler tried to persuade her.

"That can wait until 12, let me sleep…" she put a pillow on her face so she could sleep again.

By midday she woke up and made up her mind to research about her families past; she was sure there would be something on that history which could be useful to understand why and how everything had started. She headed to the study on the second floor, where Sebastian had prepared a series of files, books and photographs.

The place was decorated just like her grandfather left it, with a classic and rustic style. The walls were made of dark wood and an elegant desk was in front of the window, with a unique view of the garden and the horizon. There were also a couple of photographs in those walls, but Susanna asked Fer to take them away and the only remaining frame was the one with her grandfather's image, staring at her while she worked.

Once she was at the study, she checked all those documents, diaries and notes made by her late ancestors. She looked for some information that could explain why all that happened to her family. At the same time she learned many things about her family and felt some kind of identification with them, not only because they looked alike, there were some perceptions and opinions she shared with them. And then, for the first time since she arrived to that house, she took a look at the photos in the living room, now knowing who those people were.

The next day was rather normal, nevertheless Susanna couldn't possibly imagine about her butler's plans for her. Everything appeared in order and his attitude didn't change, but Sebastian was waiting for the perfect moment to show her the scope of their contract and give her a least a small taste of the things she would have to face.

The night was approaching and Susanna's classes were already over, as well as the strenuous paperwork, so she took a couple minutes to relax; she still had about an hour before dinner and she decided to have a whiskey in the rocks but as soon as she sat in the leather couch, Sebastian entered the study. He had a pair of folders in his hands and his usual calm expression.

"How was your day, young mistress? Someone told me you're doing great in business and administration classes"

"I'm tired… but all this circus will worth it" she took a sip from her glass, looking serious because that was the mask she learned to use so she could hide her fears and anguish after the past experiences.

"I know it will" Sebastian smiled evilly for an instant "and I believe it's time we start working on that little something you want to destroy…" the demonic seal suddenly felt warm in Susanna's neck; she knew what he meant.

"I assume you already have information and whereabouts of those people"

"It would be better if we start with the basics… there's something you should know"

"Why am I not surprised that you didn't tell me everything, demon?" she tried to make her voice sound as rude as possible; her guard was up.

"To be honest with you, I was waiting for the right moment to tell you this. I didn't consider it adequate to tell you all, because of the nature of this information.

"Nice excuse!" she said sarcastically, crossing her legs while sitting in the couch "or perhaps this task is way too difficult for you?" she arched an eyebrow, knowing that Sebastian's pride was very susceptive.

"Listen…" he approached her with steady steps and that demonic glow in his eyes, threatening and challenging "fulfilling the contract will take some time, as I said before, so you better start trusting me" he stood in front of her, looking down at her as an indicative of the deal they had. A gesture to make her angry.

"Sure, especially because that attitude of yours if worthy of all my trust… let me remind you that avoiding some details makes you a liar and… from a legal perspective, that could even cancel the contract" she didn't move from her seat and just leaned on the back of the couch as an answer to the butler's attitude, who leaned over her. Now their faces were very close.

"I considered that this information would affect you on a negative way" and suddenly his voice pitch was lower "humans are so fragile that I could almost feel sorry for you. Don't worry, I won't consider your pathetic psychological state anymore. Let's see if what you show isn't only a facade, Miss"

"You are an insolent…" Susanna wanted to punch him in the face, but she didn't know exactly why. Without any doubt his comment was hurtful, but Sebastian's attitude was haughty and challenging, and at the same time she detested his closeness, not because she disliked it; on the contrary, it was a sensation she enjoyed more than she wanted to reckon.

"Hmm… whatever…" he laughed evilly right before putting the right hand on her head.

Susanna felt immediately a swirl all round her, as if she was falling from a cliff and the room disappeared. Now everything was dark and dry, like hollow. She tried to yell, but she failed. Nothing was heard there, nothing but her voice in her own head. Perhaps that was it; the end, and Sebastian had claimed her soul.

She always pictured heaven as a joyful place, filled with light and her beloved ones near, while hell as an uncomfortable place with different tones of red all around, and where the worst punishments were felt, but since that moment she thought that, maybe the worst thing would be staying in that place; a black and empty limbo, where time couldn't be calculated and alone… alone for all eternity, trapped in her own thoughts that would turn into executioner with each passing moment; every passing hour. Susanna felt anguish and had difficulty breathing. There was sweat in her forehead and her wands ached. She wanted to run but her legs didn't move. It was the end.

Suddenly, a laugh and a voice were heard.

"The end?" he laughed again "no way. Let's say that this is just an... intermediate space; a dimension created so you can see what I know.

Susanna couldn't speak and Sebastian's voice was inside her thoughts. They would have to communicate through her mind, apparently.

"Sebastian? What the fuck?" she was in despair

"As soon as you get used to this darkness we'll begin" his voice was calm but she continued with the panic attack; now she was afraid of being trapped there with the demon "don't be afraid. I won't harm you"

"Get out of my mind!"

"Just listen to the sound of my voice… relax and you will see what I'll show you about the past" she tried to breathe and calm herself, but it was difficult. She felt insecure and way too conscious of her own mortality; a sensation that was more frequent every day "focus in the sound of my voice and it will be over soon" there was an echo inside her head "It will be difficult, but it's necessary for you to know what you have to do. After all, you cannot fight mirages, so you better see the truth" a moment later she calmed down and she could see a small light in the distance, and it became bigger and bigger "alright, let us begin"

And then Susanna was in the middle of an elegant living room with a beautiful wooden piano and a man with an antique suit playing it, as if he was trying to translate the tune I his head with his hands. It was night and the place was well illuminated. The wallpaper was dark blue and combined with the fine decorations that appeared from another era.

"1880, Stockholm, Sweden" Sebastian's voice was still in her head "that man is your 3rd great-grandfather"

The man had her eyes on the keys, but her mind was somewhere else. He had a nostalgic aura that made him look distanced from reality if that is what that vision actually showed.

Someone knocked on the door a couple minutes later and three men spoke with him but nothing could be heard from the conversation. Then, they went out as soon as the man took his hat. The next vision was on a dark street where the four men quietly walked until they reached a big and mysterious house. I looked like a simple house, but there was something odd about it. They knocked the door and entered. After that, the scene showed the same men along with other three; seven in total. They walked down some stairs and the one in the front carried a torch to light the way down.

The 3rd great grand-father walked right behind the man with the torch. Their places couldn't be random. Perhaps they followed a hierarchy expressed with actions and not words; everything looked as if it was taken from a movie edited without sounds and cut scenes.

Then, they appeared on a basement, on a round table and speaking silent words. Apparently it was a common conversation but a few moments after that, the leader took a book and read it for his companions.

The next scene was in the same living room from before, where the piano looked as another protagonist. In that room, Susanna's 3rd great grand-father was hugging a younger boy of perhaps 18 years old.

"That's your great great grand-father. A boy who will change your family's luck forever and ever" Sebastian's comment sounded like a curse.

Another scene showed the father and the son with those other men in the basement. It looked as if several years had passed and not the young boy was a young man and he was sitting next to the leader. They were talking and apparently exchanging ideas, although the younger one was leading the whole discussion. After that, another scene where the 3rd great grand-father wasn't there anymore and the group of men was gathered, although something was different.

The doom was darker and barely illuminated with candles. There was also a big book and some parchments in the table, which had a big vessel on its center as well. They stood in their places while the 2nd great grand-father spoke some words and held a black pearl in his right hand, and a sand clock in his left one.

"Interesting, right?"

"Are they… summoning a demon?"

"No… as you already know, those ostentatious rituals and ceremonies are not necessary to summon us. They are asking for something. An orison.

"What are they asking for? Sebastian sighed and Susanna was pretty sure that he had an irreverent smile on his face.

"What all humans want: power… but look closely, something is about to happen"

And then the fire in the candles extinguished and the darkness filled the place, although the black pearl shone. There was a purple shine which turned exactly into seven rays of light.

Seven sparks that hit each men in the chest as if they were burning. Their faces showed hurt and for a moment, howls of agony and pain were heard inside that basement. An impressing scene, not just because of the pain, but for the environment of the place; spooky and hot, while a black shadow flew around the men in pain.

It was a feminine silhouette whose face could barely be seen, but his eyes were all black, no pupils, like a black balls only covered by the eyelids, and then it looked at Susanna, as if she was conscious of the witnesses in the scene. Her lips moved like she was trying to tell the girl something, but there was no sound.

The girl felt her heart stopping for a moment as that evil glare pierced into her, and the movements on her lips were perfectly memorized by Susanna. A horrible sensation that didn't compare at all with the first time she met Sebastian. It was ten time worse and more terrifying.

"Enough of this images. Let's go a little forward" Sebastian's voice was firm. Evidently he noticed what happened.

"What was that?"

"A fallen angel. But we still have much more to see"

They appeared on a different place. A garden filled with flowers and a table. A beautiful scenario behind a big and fancy house where a party was being held. A lot of people was there, but in the garden, two men walked: the 2nd great grand-father and a younger boy.

"My great grand-father?"

"That is correct. Listen to what they are saying, it's important"

Both men walked in the garden, approaching a small path surrounded by bushed that looked like walls.

"What is it you want to tell me, father?"

"You are not a child any more, and you should know certain things. Things about our family, the kind of knowledge that passes on with every generation. It is a secret that goes from father to son, and in the past few years, is more valuable than ever"

"Are we going to talk about business? Really? Father, we are in the middle of my mother's birthday party, can't we leave this for later?"

"It's not about business" his voice was authoritarian and the boy immediately understood how important this thing should be "you are part of the Serafer family. We have a lot of history behind us. Sweden has always been our home and since you were a child, I've taught you to love it. I trust your studies in chemistry will be useful when the time comes"

"They will, father"

"Someday you will be the head of the Serafer family, and as such you will have to bear great responsibilities, not only as a family man. There is a secret that we treasure and that you shouldn't trust to anyone else, not even the woman who one day will be your wife. You can only mention this to your son; your heir" the boy's face looked gloomy as they kept walking "we are part of a group… a bunch of men who want to change the world"

And then they met the other 6 men who were present during that scene at the basement.

"I would like you to meet mister Janssens, Guillot, Schneider, Reznik, Crawford and Soler. Although you already knew some of them"

"Good afternoon" the boy's voice was trembling.

"My son… these are my best friends, as I've already told you, but they are also my allies; my brothers with whom I will change the world. We'll show you…"

They all approached the boy and walked next to him as they told them about what they did in those meetings they had, but before that, they quoted:

God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?

— Nietzsche, The Gay Science

"Nietzsche?"

"That's correct, boy" said one of the men "we've killed God, and not only us, but everyone around us. We have been blind for a long time; humanity has been. We are not the only creatures in this world, do you think those things you see are just your imagination?" the boys had a terrified look in his eyes "of course they aren't. We all see them, and that's because you have the gift. We all have a gift given to us by "one of them" Perhaps we are not strong enough yet. We humans are weak by nature, but inside us there is something the rest of the creatures don't have, and that's why this power was given to the seven of us"

"Seven?"

"That's right, each of us have a different gift and we got it after many generations of research, so one day we'll be able to redeem ourselves; to change history that has been stained in the name of God.,. a God that we killed long time ago, but that still exists and doesn't care about us"

"You mean that…"

"It's time to get free of those stupid rules. We now have the power and the allies we need" another man explained.

After that the scene changed again. It was a dark night on the streets of an unknown city, a couple years after that meeting with the young great grand-father, who now was running very fast. He was desperately looking for an address. He carried a back pack filled with papers and in his hand he had the number 304 written down.

That was the number of the house he broke in, without anyone seeing him. He went up the stairs, careful to not make any sound until he reached the main dormitory where his father was sleeping. He hesitated a little and with his shaking hand he took a knife from his jacked and stabbed the man on the bed.

Drops of blood flew everywhere and a scream of pain could be heard, but not for long. The cuts were precise and direct to the main veins, so the man dies almost instantly, ad right before the servants could enter the room, the boy left the room by jumping from the window, running away to not come back anymore.

It was a cruel scene; a son killing his father, and after that al scenes were as violent as that one; deaths and murders, intrigues, betrayals and more violence. The great grand-father's family had been haunted and persecuted for many years. The tortures were cruel and Susanna felt dizzy as those images reached her eyes. It was a terrible past she already knew about, but looking at it with her own eyes was very, very different.

She finally understood what was behind all that. Her ears buzzed and she felt nausea. Everything became blurry as the violent images appeared, infernal creatures, disturbing images and the worst of mankind was in front of her eyes, but right before losing consciousness she heard Sebastian's voice.

"Welcome to reality…"

Hi guys!

Well, I think this one was quite dense, but I love it. Also, my recommendation would be to listen "The truth" by The Calling while reading that part where Sebastian shows her those images. I actually wrote this part thinking about this song so I feel like it's a complement for this fanfic, so if you have the time, check it out.

Also, that fragment from Nietzche is real. Quite interesting, by the way, but I adapted it to the story, so I cut some parts.

Please, feel free to leave any comments or suggestions.