We woke up in Veros and stretched. Before we went anywhere we decided to eat breakfast. We entered a shop that sold pastries and danishes along with milk and orange juice. After eating and resting for an hour to an hour and a half we decided to get going. I took the map out again.
" So what's on the agenda for today Justin " asked Mairead
" Well girls, it looks like we've conquered everything in the Eastern part of Transylvania. So we'll begin the next part of our journey going to the West " I said
" So we might pass by Jova again " asked Lisa
" Yes, we'll probably pass by there again " I said
" We should see the Reverend again. Maybe him and the Clergymen can help us with supplies and all " said Orla
I think we were all in agreement of Orla's suggestion to return to Jova.
" That sounds like a great idea Orla '' said Chloe
So we packed up and began making our way to the West and to return to the town of Jova. We left Veros and retraced our steps while battling enemies through Veros Woods, The South Bridge, and Jova Woods. It was an hour in but we managed to return to Jova. We returned to the church where the Reverend was happy to see us again.
" Hello once more, how has your journey gone '' said the Reverend
" It's been something '' said Chloe
" Yeah it has '' said Hayley
" May I be of any help to you at all. Ask any questions and I might have an answer. Tell me of your journey " said the Reverend
" May we have more supplies " asked Deidre
" Of course, the clergymen will take care of that. Just drop your knapsacks on the ground. The clergymen will fill up your knapsacks " said the Reverend
Just realizing that Chloe's and Hayley's knapsacks had Dracula's body parts in them. I spoke.
'' Reverend, we've visited 2 mansions and have 2 of Dracula's bodyparts. That being the rib and heart " I said
The Reverend seemed interested.
" So it was as I thought. Dracula's aura still plagues this countryside. I'll tell the clergymen to be careful of Hayley's and Chloe's knapsacks since they contain Dracula's remains " said the Reverend
" We thank you very much " I said
" It's not a problem. You all must be very hungry. You may return to the Great Hall where the clergymen are preparing soup and bread. Eat and regain your strength. The clergymen and I will refill your supplies " said the Reverend
" We thank you Reverend " said Lisa
" It's not a problem " the Reverend said
So we ate our meal. And like our previous meals the meal was delicious. As we finished up the clergymen presented our knapsacks to us and stocked us with more food and water. Just then the Reverend came in the Great Hall.
" You all say you possess Dracula's heart " the Reverend asked
" Yes we possess the heart " Hayley said
" Alright then, when you're ready to leave you may. But I would also like to say that the paths you will follow on now will be either forks in the road or paths that will all tie together in the end. Regardless of what happens to you both. Since you all will have to go through 2 navigations of those through the countryside. I'll drop a hint for you. The ferryman at the Dead River will reward you if you show him the correct items. Dracula's Heart may be of interest to him. As well as a Crystal " the Reverend said
" What kind of Crystal do you have now '' the Reverend asked
" We have a Blue Crystal, we traded for it in Aljiba from a Crystal Trader '' said Mairead
" A Blue Crystal might be wise to carry now instead of a White Crystal. I do know of a Crystal Trader in the town of Alba "
" Really '' said Hayley
" Yes, though I don't know what Crystal he possesses. He's in Alba though so I'm sure you'll be able to find him '' said the Reverend
We finished our meal. With our knapsacks full again of supplies we felt there was no reason for us wasting any more time in Jova. So we left the town of Jova and had to fight panthers in the distance. We were able to defeat them. Once that was done we came across a pit of marsh. Looking at the map, it looked like we were in Belasco Marsh.
" Where do we go now " asked Orla
" Do you have laurels on you " I asked
We all dug laurels out of our knapsacks.
" We have to eat these for protection from the marsh " I said
So we broke a piece off and began eating laurels. Once we swallowed I asked the girls to follow right behind me. We jumped in the marsh and didn't feel a thing. We continued straight ahead and got out of the marsh just as our temporary invincibility of the laurels wore off. We walked down the path and found the ferryman on his barge. Realizing what the Reverend told us about him. We all huddled up and decided what item to show him. Whether it was the Blue Crystal or Dracula's Heart. At the end of the discussion we decided to show him the Blue Crystal. We approached the ferryman and I showed him the Blue Crystal of ours. He waved us aboard.
" I'll take you to a really nice place " the ferryman said as he softly laughed
So we went aboard his barge and he rowed us to the shore. As we got off we could see a town in the distance. We entered the town. I took the map out and it said we were in the town of Alba.
" This must be where that Crystal Trader the Reverend said is " said Deidre
" I think it is " said Lisa.
So we walked around town before we spotted an individual who wore the same kind of colored clothes that the Crystal Trader in Aljiba wore. We walked up to him.
" Are you a Crystal Trader " I asked
The Crystal Trader then smiled at us.
" Yes I am " said the Crystal Trader
Deidre handed me the Blue Crystal.
" I'll gladly exchange my Red Crystal for your Blue Crystal " said The Crystal Trader
So the exchange was made. We parted ways soon after that. We hit a few more shops in Alba to buy more Garlic and Laurels. After that we left Alba we ventured into Sadam Woods and battled with skull dragons and harpies. After the battle we continued on into Storigoi Graveyard. At the end was another gravestone. But it was a sole gravestone. I asked one of the girls for another bulb of garlic. I dropped the bulb of garlic in front of the grave and another merchant appeared. This one instead of the lime green cloak wore an orange one.
" I'll give a silk bag to help you live longer " said the merchant
He gave us the silk bag and soon after he faded away.
" I think I've seen enough for today honestly " said Meav
" I think we all have Meav, but we need to press on " I said
So we hit a dead end at the grave and we turn around and walked back to Sadam Woods. We noticed the fork in the road and went in the other direction. We ended up in the town of Ondol. With it getting dark we reached another church. We unpacked and unwound in the church. We ate and drank and relaxed for the first time in what seemed like hours. As night descended we stretched out on the benches and slept.
The next morning we woke up and had plenty to eat. Once we were full of energy we continued on our way as we left Ondol. And in the distance was the 3rd mansion.
" What mansion is this one Justin " asked Hayley
" I believe this is Bodley Mansion Hayley " I said
" Well whatever it's called, it's still another mansion '' said Deidre
" Agreed, let's get the 3rd body part " said Mairead
So we entered and we were charged by knights with spears. We were able to defeat them. Once more we heard the voice of Simon Belmont. And in front of us Simon's spirit materialized.
" I'm very proud to see that you've made it this far. My advice for this mansion is to rely on Holy Water. It will greatly help you in this mansion. Finally to begin, go up in this mansion " Simon said, pointing his hand to the stairs in front of us
And with that Simon faded away. So up we went while continuing to battle with knights and skeletons. We reached the top of the mansion and it seemed like we reached a dead end. But seeing how we had reached many dead ends on our journey. We took out our Holy Water and threw it against the wall. The wall had crumbled down. We had to battle more skeltons. The tougher variety mind you. We walked on for what seemed like hours until we reached another dead end. We once again took out our Holy Water and threw it against the wall. And in the distance we saw another wooden stake merchant. We walked up to him.
" Care to buy a wooden stake " he said
We did. Before we left the merchant spoke.
" When you reach the resting place of the 3rd body part. You won't have to retrace your steps. It was a long way to find Dracula's 3rd body part I'm sure for the 8 of you. But the return to the entrance shouldn't be too bad '' said the merchant
" Thank you for your help '' said Lisa
So we found a small hole to fall through. We only fell a few feet. After getting ourselves up and brushing ourselves off. We took a row of steps down and we walked the other way and in the distance we could see the orb resting on the pedestal that housed Dracula's 3rd body part. So we walked and approached the orb. Deidre gave me the stake and I rammed the stake into the orb shattering it. I took the bag that housed the 3rd body part which was his nail. You know, a nail that grows on a finger. I thought that was ridiculous. The rib and the heart were alright. But a nail. I think the women showed their disgust as much as I did because it felt like we had gone through this mansion tired as anything , all for Dracula's Nail. Oh well we got what we came for.
'' We've got the nail here, who wants to carry it " I said
" I will Justin " said Orla
I handed the bag with the nail in it to Orla and she stuffed in her knapsack. After that we went back to the row of stairs and walked up them. To the left we noticed a platform to jump on. And so we did. It has also had a row of stairs and we climbed up them. Followed by another row of stairs. Though it looked like a dead end ahead we continued on and we walked through the wall at the end. And surprisingly we ended up at the entract to Bodley Mansion. We left through the entrance door and we returned to the town Ondol. After resting and eating for a few. We returned to Sadam Woods.
" Not exactly life at the Ceili' has it been girls " I said, trying to lighten up the mood since we had dragged ourselves all over the Transylvanian countryside
" No not really Justin " Chloe said
" Well we've got 2 more mansions left " said Meav
" I can't wait for this to be over with " said Mairead
" I think we all are a little stressed Mairead " said Lisa
I was glad there were no disturbances we had to face on our way back to Alba. We ended up calling it a night at the church in Alba. We unpacked and unwinded. The ladies stretched out on the benches and slept. I stayed up for a bit but eventually joined them in peaceful slumber. If nothing else for tonight. We were past the halfway point of this journey together. I shoved those thoughts out of my mind as I slept peacefully.