Chapter 10: The key to the portal of space.

Finn was silent for a moment, carefully choosing his words before continuing:

"After the dimensional portal closed, not only did Prince Nolan and his minions remain on earth, some distant vampires did not receive the information, nor were they able to arrive in time to pass through the portal."

"The prince has gathered everyone to the castle in the mountains to fight together against humanity's revenge. One night, the prince heard the voice of the Creator. He told the prince that he had left the key to the space portal. If we find it, we have a chance to reach a new land."

"The key to the space gate?" Uri whispered in surprise. "Is there that key?"

"I don't know, but we believe in it to have a living hope, better than no hope," Finn replied sadly.

Uri thought for a moment, then wondered. "For three thousand years, no one has found that key. Why don't you guys find another way?"

"Our previous generations sought to compromise with humanity so that we could live peacefully with them. But with deep hatred, they don't give us a way to live; they want to push us to death."

"Just as vampires once despised humans, so humans regard vampires as just animals." Clement put his hand on Uri's shoulder. 

"Don't be sad; this is cause and effect. Humanity has inherited the aggressiveness of vampires and is losing its humanity, so sooner or later, humanity will receive retribution. Remember, no matter the situation; you must not lose your humanity. Without humanity, the consequences you will receive will be dire."

"Thanks for the advice, Dad!" Uri took Clement's hand. Clement's feelings and words deeply moved him.

Finn waited for Uri and Clement to be quiet before continuing his story. "Can't find another way, so we try to find the key to the portal of space. It is our only chance to live. But I don't know if we'll find it before they kill us all."

"What characteristics does that key have?" Uri asked. "I want to find it, too."

Finn smiled softly. "For generations who have searched for it for three thousand years without finding it, you and I are unlikely to see it until now. I don't expect you to find that key, but I'll tell you about it."

"You've always had hope, so I want to keep hope too." Uri knows Finn is right. They had searched in vain for the past three thousand years; he wanted to find it was very hard. "But without hope, we have no purpose in life."

"Genesis hid the key to the portal of space in a chest of pure gold and lay somewhere on earth. As for the shape of the key, he did not tell Prince Nolan."

"Finding a golden chest hidden somewhere on earth is impossible." Uri lamented. "Why is Genesis so harsh?"

"Maybe this is more of a punishment," Finn said.

Uri suddenly remembered a name Finn mentioned in his story. "Prince Nolan once gathered them all in one place. So all the vampires left on earth are the ones living in that mountain cave?"

Finn waved his hand. "No, that's not all. After a while, when the humans became more and more powerful, they attacked the castle of the Vampire King. We are too few. Moreover, Genesis has taken away our power, so we can't go against humanity."

He sighed and continued: "Prince Nolan ordered everyone to go to many places to hide from human pursuit. Three thousand years have passed since then, many generations have been born, the earth has changed, the castle is gone, and I don't know if the prince has any descendants."

"Therefore, it is. Are you still in contact with the other groups?" Uri wondered.

Finn honestly replied: "Although we are scattered, we have always lived in small groups to support each other, and between groups are still in contact from time to time when necessary."

Finn answered all the questions Uri asked. So Uri didn't ask any more questions but turned to look at Clement. In the dark, he half-closed his eyes but listened intently to Finn's story.

"Dad, can you help me find some old books in the city library next time you come here?"

"Of course it is." Clement looked in the direction of Uri's voice. "What book do you want?"

"Old books about vampires and Genesis; the older, the better," Uri replied.

Finn asked Uri in surprise. "You heard everything from me and your dad. Why are you still looking for books?"

"I want to know what humanity has written about us in the ancient books, and I also want to understand more about Genesis. The older the book, the better." Uri replied in a low voice.

"I understand what you mean." Clement pushed the heavy backpack towards Uri. "This is food that can last for a week. I'll find old books and bring them here for you."

Uri received the backpack. "Finn taught me how to fish and hunt, so you don't have to bring me food all the time."

"If I can avoid the Red Leaf organization, I will come here. I and your mom and Anthea miss you so much."

Uri sadly said, "I miss our family too. I want us to live together like before. I want to continue going to school."

"Uri." Clement felt his heart ache as if someone had stabbed him with a knife. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I didn't give you a good life like other human children."

"It's not your fault; it's the vampires' fault. Our generation is responsible for what the previous generation did, which I don't blame humanity." Uri reassures Clement.

"I want to see you live happily with our family and become a doctor as you dreamed of," Clement said, his voice choking, the corners of his red eyes brimming with warm tears.

Uri reached out his hand to wipe the tear from Clement's cheek, his voice trembling. "Don't worry, Dad. I will try to live a good life and not let the Red Leaf organization catch me. Tell my mother and Anthea how much I love our family. Thank you for raising me for the past eighteen years; thanks, Anthea, for always being a good sister to me."

Clement stood up, hugging Uri tightly. The child he held eighteen years ago in his arms is now taller than him, more potent than him.

"It's too late; I have to go back. If I wait until morning to return, the Red Leaves will find out that I left the house."

"Yes, Finn and I will take you to the edge of the woods."

Clement let go of Uri, pushed open the wooden door, and stepped out. The forest was still pitch black, the dense canopy of trees obscuring the night sky with only a few twinkling stars.

It was so dark that Clement couldn't even see his fingers. He carefully placed each footstep on the ground, covered with moldy leaves. Finn and Uri followed Clement; they could see in the dark, so their steps were light.

Uri watched as Clement fumbled with each step; he gently pushed Finn's hand in a signal. Finn understood. He took Clement's arm and lifted him off the ground with Uri, walking like the wind toward the forest's edge.