The Phantom Man

XXV - The Feast of Death

Twenty long years had passed in the Castle of the Absents' jail, and Juan was still imprisoned. Now, he was an old man with long white hair and grayish tattered clothes on. Somehow, the wicked magic of that place prevented him from creating path or time portals to escape. While Philip tasted love for the first time, Juan was immersed in the dungeon's bottom, waiting for the right moment to escape or to die trying to accomplish his mission.

During all those years, Juan and the other two prisoners had been forced to assist Klaus and his entourage from darkness. The warlocks were constantly counting on the support of the visions of the blind seer, Peter Sanford, to let them know where they could look for more victims.

Janda was responsible for curing the Basnets that had been injured in battle. She always prepared balms and potions with snakes, spiders and scorpions' venom to help the murderer wizards kill in silence. Juan, on the other side, taught them some potent spells to immobilize opponents and to have control over nature's power, as well as the enchantments described in the book.

After a while, Juan didn't care about passing on that knowledge anymore. The thing that kept him alive was the will to meet prince Philip again, and teach him to defend himself from his opponents. Silently, the wizard studied the enemy's maneuvers, foreseeing it as an advantage to his future pupil. But there was only one problem left: He didn't have a clue on how he would manage to escape that prison. Juan would have to figure out an efficient plan, for if he was captured, nothing would steer him clear from death's path.

One day, the blind seer had a premonition, and said to Klaus that a great operation was being prepared by the inquisitors to finish once and for all not only with him, but with all the sorcerers. Angry, for that meant to Klaus that he would have to solve that situation before scheduled, he and his creature of the shadows crossed a portal that led them directly to the inquisitor's headquarters, in order to find out more details. He ended up returning a few hours later, with their chief as his hostage.

As soon as Lorenzo, the same man that had killed Juan's family, had his hooded removed from his head, he got scared at seeing so close not only the Basnets, but also their horrendous Doppelgängers. Klaus' monster danced his sharp claws on the victim's neck, while Klaus asked him questions, which answers would lead to the death of many. In the beginning, Lorenzo tried to resist. But after enduring continuous threats, and having drunk the potion of truth prepared by Janda, he couldn't react any longer, and revealed the main witch hunt operation that would sweep Europe. It would start in Leon, France, where there had been multiple reports of witchery.

"So, Lorenzo, you created your fame for having arrested the legendary mage Juan as well as for killing his family mercilessly."

"It happened many years ago, and because of that I was promoted to Inquisitor's Chief. But, please, I beg your forgiveness. I'm not aware whether you are Juan's relative or friend, but I beg you to forgive me."

"Beg forgiveness to him, personally. The mage is here. Fratello, bring Juan here immediately."

Juan climbed up the stairs not knowing what waited for him. He was stepping out of the secret entrance escorted by the creature, when he saw the man that had killed his family. He stood static as he confronted that being who had taken away everything he had. Skinny, with hair falling over his eyes and the beard reaching his chest, Juan said with teary eyes:

"How could you do that to my family? They were just kids, and my wife Gertrudes never did any harm to anyone."

"I'm sorry, wizard. Forgive me, I beg you. Are you a member of this clan?" The man asked, free from his arrogance and full of fear.

Not answering and vested in anger, Juan stared at the man. Then he raised his arms, despite the chains that kept them shackled. Lorenzo was lifted and his head got stuck on the ceiling of the Castle of the Absents. The wizard pronounced some words that evoked nature's power. Everyone heard thunders, saw lightning bolts flashing in the sky, and felt the cold wind howling. The curtains moved against the furniture and it seemed like Juan would split the murderer in two when one of the warlocks came from behind him and hit the mage's head with a candleholder. Juan fall fainted on the floor.