The shrine shook with the sound of roaring wind. Leaves tore from branches, swirling in the darkness like frightened birds. Anna fell to her knees, clutching Mark’s leg, her lips trembling as though prayer could not escape them. Helen, the old woman who had guided them here, raised her scarf over her head and prayed aloud, her words desperate, cracking with fear.

From within the dark glow, a figure emerged—tall, familiar, sorrowful. John. His ghostly form stood behind Mark, calm but heavy with grief. His old uniform, always neat, hung perfectly on his body. The cap rested on his head as it had for the ten years he guarded the billionaire’s mansion gate.

Mark’s heart pounded against his ribs. His throat closed, his voice breaking.
“John… brother… are you here to help me—or to take me away?”

The shadow that haunted the shrine hissed, its laughter bitter and sharp.
“You have no right here. This battle is mine.”

But John lifted his hand. The ground trembled softly, and his voice—firm, deep, and unshaken—cut through the night.
“Mark is my brother. His fight is mine. If he must face death, then he will not face it alone.”

Mark’s chest tightened. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he whispered, “Brother… for ten years you stood at my gate in silence. For ten years I called you servant when you were my blood. Forgive me.”

John’s eyes softened, his ghostly face shifting into something almost human, almost smiling.
“You were blind, but not wicked. Today, you see. And today, you must prove your love.”

The shadow roared, its form expanding, towering above the shrine.
“Prove love? Love cannot break an oath made with death. She swore to me. Her soul is mine forever.”

Anna pressed her face to the ground, sobbing bitterly.
“Yes, I was foolish! Yes, I swore to you! But I did not know love then. I only know it now—with Mark. My heart is his. My life is his. I take back the vow!”

The shadow laughed cruelly, rattling the trees.
“You cannot take it back. You swore by blood. Only blood can break it.”

Mark’s fists tightened. His body shook, but his voice cut through the storm.
“Then let it be my blood. If blood must be given, take mine. Take all of me—but leave Anna.”

Anna screamed, clutching his shirt.
“No, Mark! Don’t say that! I cannot lose you.”

He lifted her face with trembling hands, his tears falling into her hair.
“Anna, I cannot live knowing you are bound to death. Better that I die freeing you than watch you suffer.”

John stepped forward, his ghostly form beside Mark.
“You are not alone, brother. If blood must be given, then let it be ours together.”

Mark shook his head fiercely.
“No, brother. You already gave your life once. I cannot let you give again.”

But John’s expression hardened.
“We are blood. And blood is never divided. If we must break this curse, we do it as one.”

Helen fell to her knees, crying out to the heavens.
“God, have mercy! Save them!”

The shadow raised his arms, his voice a thunderclap.
“Then give your blood, Mark. Give it now. And watch your family line die with you.”

Mark clutched John’s Bible in one hand and Anna’s trembling fingers in the other. His voice shook but grew louder, stronger, cutting against the storm.
“John, Lilly, Anna… hear me! I will not die here. I will not surrender. This shrine will not bury my family. This curse ends tonight!”

The Bible began to glow faintly, the words shimmering across its pages. The truth shall set you free.

The ground split open. The shrine’s walls cracked. The shadow screamed, writhing in rage.
“You cannot defeat me! Her oath is stronger than your love!”

But then, from the fissure in the earth, a soft, clear voice rose—the voice of a child.

It was Lilly.

Her small figure appeared between Mark and the shadow, holding her old teddy bear. Her eyes were calm, filled with innocence yet carrying wisdom far beyond her six years.
“You are wrong. Love is stronger than death. I was only a child when I died, but even I know that truth. My brother’s love will break this curse.”

The shadow staggered back, its form flickering like a flame in the wind.
“No! She swore to me! She belongs to me!”

Lilly pointed her tiny hand toward Mark and Anna.
“She belongs to love. She belongs to life. And we will not let you take her.”

The shrine shook violently. Stones split. The shadow’s roar filled the forest as he lunged toward them.

Mark lifted the glowing Bible high, shouting with every ounce of strength.
“By truth, by love, by blood—we break this oath tonight!”

A blinding light erupted. Anna cried out. John roared. Lilly’s voice echoed like a bell. The shadow shrieked, his form twisting, burning, breaking into shards of darkness that scattered into the night.

Silence followed. Only the sound of ragged breathing, tears, and the heartbeat of the earth remained.

John turned to Mark, his voice gentle, proud.
“You have proven love, brother. You have broken the chains.”

Mark collapsed, sobbing, wrapping Anna tightly in his arms.
“Thank you… John. Thank you, Lilly. Rest now.”

But John did not smile. His face darkened, his voice lowering to a warning.
“No, Mark. The battle is not over. The shadow is not gone. He has only weakened. He will return… and when he does, he will not come alone.”

The air grew cold again. The forest whispered like restless souls. Across the river, a voice rose—darker, deeper, heavier than the shadow’s.

“You broke the first chain, Mark Brown… but now you have awakened me.”

The shrine fell silent, but the weight of doom pressed down heavier than before.

Mark held Anna close, staring into the darkness across the river. His body trembled, but his heart blazed with resolve. He had faced death, confessed his blindness, and reclaimed his brother. He would face what came next—no matter the cost.

And in that moment, Mark understood: his wealth, his mansion, his power meant nothing. Only love, blood, and truth could carry him through the storm still to come.