I am going to rewrite this chapter, saw an advice that gave me some insight on why i felt the novel chapter felt lacking.
And i am very grateful for that... So guys here is the rewrite for the chapter
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Barry's grandfather, worn out by frustration and worry, sat in his favorite armchair, staring at the empty space where his grandson once stood. The old man's eyes, filled with a mix of concern and disappointment, seemed to bore into the very spot of the room.
He couldn't understand why his foolish grandson had to leave, especially after all the warnings and lectures.
As the hours ticked by, the aged man's anger turned into despair. After all, he had always known Barry was different. Right from the moment when he took him in - that he had a certain spark within him, one like no other.
But he had hoped, prayed even, that Barry would learn to control it, to live a normal life, and stay away from this dark life. Now, it seemed those hopes were slipping further and further away.
Meanwhile, Barry walked through the streets, feeling the pressure from his grandfather's disagreement. He knew at the very least, he had let him down but he couldn't stay trapped in that house forever.
The world outside was vast and full of mysteries, and he was determined to explore them - after all, he already spent his past life cooped up in his room.
Not knowing or feeling what the outside world felt like. It just felt suffocating to him, it drove him mad... it became worse when he finally remembered, remembered a life that existed no more!
He thought as he turned a corner, he stumbled upon a small, quaint shop.
The sign above the door read "Madame LeRoux's Curios and Antiques." Barry's curiosity got the better of him, and he pushed open the door, stepping into a world of wonders.
Inside, the shop was dimly lit, with shelves upon shelves of strange and exotic items.
There were taxidermied animals, ancient artifacts, and mysterious trinkets that seemed to hold secrets of their own.
Barry wandered the aisles, running his fingers over the items, feeling the weight of history and magic.
Madame LeRoux herself stood behind the counter, watching Barry with a knowing gaze. She was an old woman, her face lined with age and experience, but her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.
"Welcome, young one," she greeted, her voice low and soothing. "I see you're looking for something. Something that calls to you, perhaps?"
Barry hesitated, unsure of what to say. But Madame LeRoux's warm smile put him at ease, and he found himself opening up to her.
"I'm just looking," he whispered, while his eyes wandering the shelves. "I'm not sure what I'm looking for."
Madame LeRoux chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Ah, I think I know exactly what you need," she said, before disappearing into the back room.
She returned with a small, leather-bound book. The cover was worn and cracked, the pages yellowed with age. Barry could feel the power emanating from it, a strange, pulsating energy.
"This is an ancient tome," Madame LeRoux grinned, her eyes glinting with excitement. "It holds the secrets of the past, it is perhaps, the best thing for someone of your immense powers."
Barry's fingers itched to touch the book, to open it and enjoy the wisdom layered within. But held himself back, a sense of caution.
"It seems you can see through me then, but still I don't know," he blurted out, hesitating - unsure, if he should trust her.
Madame LeRoux smiled, her eyes knowing. "Ah, but I think you do," she teased, her voice barely above a whisper. "You can feel it, don't you? The power, the knowledge that draws you in. It's calling to you, and you're drawn to it like a moth to flame."
Barry nodded, feeling a sense of recognition. Yes, he could feel it in his vein. He felt the power coursing through his veins, calling onto him, pushing him to take the next step.
So he decided to push through, not without some precautions though. After all, he can't be caught lacking - atleast not right now.
"Great Sage,("Yes, sir") 'please run a full scan of this place and this woman, just to be sure, ("Affirmative"). With a feeling of determination, He instructed Great Sage.
As he reached out and took the book from the lady, feeling the weight of it in his hands.
As he opened it, the pages fluttered, letting out a whisper of the secrets and ancient knowledge, stored within it.
Madame LeRoux smiled, her eyes sparkling with approval. "Ah, I knew you'd be drawn to it," the old lady asserted . "Now then, let's see if you're able to understand the secrets within."
As Barry began to read, the words on the page seemed to come alive, revealing a world of magic and wonder. He felt himself being drawn into it, it could be defined as something surreal.
The hour passed and blurred, as Barry devoured the book, learning secrets and spells that he never knew existed. Madame LeRoux watched him, a sense of pride and satisfaction on her face.
"You're a natural," she exclaimed, as Barry finished the last page. "You have a gift, my boy. A natural born power that can be harnessed and honed."
Barry smiled, feeling a bit of excitement and anticipation. He knew that this was a small taste, that there was so much more that he could do. But that's not something that this lady needs to know.
He left the shop shortly after, with the book clutched tightly in his hand, Barry felt a sense of excitement. "So what exactly is her deal? ("After conducting a thorough scan of the area, I sensed no issue or potential risk from her - saved from the fact that, she is a witch and that this place seems to contain some enchantment.").
"Enchantment for what exactly?, ("The magic seems to be used for concealment and hiding. I believe you weren't affected due to your natural resistance to magic.")
'That's very interesting, though it means that, she won't be a threat to me then. Good then, cause i didn't want to have to get rid of her, she seems like a sweet old woman'."
He muttered as he walked away, but he was sure that he would return to this Madame LeRoux, after all there seemed to be some surprise waiting for him.
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---The Allen Family Compound---
As Barry returned home, he knew that he would have to face an intense lecture from that old man.
His eyes would narrow, his voice would take on a tone of authority, and his words would be laced with warnings and cautions.
But that would have to wait, since he remembered now. How he came to this world, what he could do here, and what he was... well he remembered most of it.
Some of the memories involving that whole wishing event, was still a bit blurring, he would say - Almost foggy even to him.
The mansion's grand foyer seemed to stretch out before Barry as he drew every bit closer, like it was challenging him to stand up for himself and his decisions.
He thought as Oliver, his attendant approached him in a hurry. He couldn't help but wonder what has happened now.
"Well boss, you finally did it." Oliver smiled as he came to stop before me. "Your old man is pissed, and it got even worse when he heard, that you left the compound."
"Well, I needed to think and clear my head," I rolled my eyes, as I thought, Speak of the devil and he will appear - well in this case, it's more like think of the devil.... all while retorting Oliver's words, "Where is my Grandfather then, still brewing in his anger?."
"He is in the study boss, and he awaits your presence. Said there are somethings that needs to be discussed." Oliver reported to me, as he gave a slight bow.
So I too, begin to move after taking a deep breath. My destination- the old man's study but not before I commanded him to keep the book, that I obtained from the witch's store.
I can't have that old man's terrible wife seeing it, now can i?.
--- Some moments later
I heard as I was debating whether to enter now or later."If you're going to enter, then enter boy. If not beat it." A commanding voice came from inside in the room.
Ironically, that was all I needed to hear before I decided to enter the study.
Henrik sat straight as I entered, his eyes gleaming with a mix of concern and expectation.
"Barry, my boy, take a sit. Let's talk then" Henrik demanded, his voice low and measured as he sized me up. "I know you're ambitious kid, and I know you want to make a name for yourself in this world." He proceeded while his voice dropped lower, "But i will tell you the truth, you're playing with fire and you will get burned. Tampering with forces you don't fully understand, is a one way ticket to death."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of defiance, considering my newly gotten abilities. "I know what I'm doing, Gramps," I rebuked, my voice firm. "I've been studying, learning, and planning. I'm not that naive little boy still wet behind the ears about danger, I know the risks and I'm willing to take them."
After all, who could possibly know more about this world and all, it's many hidden danger than me? The answer is nobody. I silently thought as I observed my sitting grandfather.
Henrik's expression softened, his eyes filled with a deep affection for his adoptive grandson. "I know you're capable, Barry," he quietly explained. "But this world.. the world is full of hidden dangers, lingering hatred and stuff of nightmares and it's not something to be trifled with - It will stop at nothing to ensnare any foolish enough to underestimate it and its danger."
As Barry's adoptive grandfather, Henrik had a deep affection for the boy and would normally support his every decision. Not such a good thing, but he raised the boy from young.. so he saw nothing wrong with his parenting methods.
Hence, even if it pains him, he cannot and will not allow his beloved grandson to be involved in this life.
Barry nodded, knowing that his grandfather words were not just warnings of an old man, but also an advice from the old vampire's own personal experiences and struggles.
He believed that Henrik had walked the fine line between power and danger for centuries, and that his advice was born of a deep understanding of the supernatural world and place of care for him.
"I appreciate your concern, Grandfather," Barry asserted, his voice calm. "But I need to do this. I need to take control of my own destiny and forge my own path."
"How long can you protect from the dangers of this world then," he declared as he stood up to look at his grandfather. "After all, I already know what you are and how the supernatural world works to an extent - Don't I?, so why should live in fear?."
Henrik's eyes searched Barry's face, looking for any sign of doubt or uncertainty. But he couldn't find one, the boy was serious, he should know. After all, he raised him since he was nothing but a swaddling snot.
"Hmm the answer, my boy. Is that I will protect you for as long as I can, even if that will cause you to hate me," Henrik declared
Henrik's disapproval was not just about Barry's involvement with the supernatural creatures of world. It was about the risks he was taking, the potential consequences of his actions, that fact that any mistake could cause him to be gone forever.
As the silence between them grew, Barry knew that his gramps wasn't going to agree anytime soon. But he would continue down the path he had chosen, no matter the consequences.