Back in the castle's library, sitting in a comfortable armchair while everyone else was asleep, Klaus was increasingly curious about the power contained in the book he had stolen from the monks. Many copies of the oldest manuscripts, some forbidden to society, filled the extensive shelves that stretched high in countless rows. Candlesticks illuminated the one that was most valuable to him, though. The warlock was carefully holding the Book of the Dead with both hands. Next to him, on a tea table, there was a bottle of the finest vintage of an Italian wine. Klaus sipped the precious liquid from a full chalice. It helped him to keep warm in the cold of the winter nights.

"Those who once lived in flesh and bone, but at some point, got lost on the way, have a chance to return. Not as matter, but in a volatile form as light as air, until they find a recently lifeless fresh body to receive them. In order to make it happen, there is a spell that, when read aloud, summons those spirits from the very world that the living beings fear so deeply," the wizard read the text aloud, eager to learn, and, at the same time, a little drunk due to the intoxicating drink.

Unexpectedly, the door opened, and a wind blew, bringing something amazing. Even though Klaus was used to death and the darkest charms, he was startled for being taken by surprise.

"Master, I never thought that one day I would witness the one who caused so much fear to many, feeling fear himself."

"So, were you?" Klaus asked seeing the owner of the voice, that meant to him a breeze of fresh air, materializing beside him.

"It seems that the book is getting on your nerves. Does it say anything interesting about him?"

"In fact, it says many things. Let me read it to you so that you'll understand the power we have in our hands. Close the door, will you? We should better keep everything in secret. Servants can wake up anytime and listen."

The Doppelgänger held out his right hand and the wizard heard the wind shutting the door.

"An extinguished flame can be lit again. However, once it is burning, it won't last long unless it is hosted by a new body. One life for another is the price of return. Mors similis est ventum. Vos potest redire!" he read the Latin words that meant "Death is like the wind. It may return".

"In that case, is it possible to bring back those who are long gone?" The creature asked with curiosity in his terrible voice.

"Absolutely!" Klaus answered, with eyes wide open. He had figured out a great number of opportunities to be explored. "I have a plan. But before, I'll read this book until the end. I can't believe how lucky I am to have all this knowledge in my hands."

Klaus kept on reading. He was memorizing the spells and sipping the best wine from his cellar when something strange happened. A strong light illuminated the shelves up to the point that they became as transparent as glass. Klaus turned his head slowly to the side, and so did the creature. The light became stronger and suddenly took over the wall next to the wizard. A portal opened. And then the warlock and his creature saw two beings walking hand in hand throughout the portal.

"Klaus, my dear son!" He recognized the proud voice at once.

"Would you like me to do anything, master?" Fratello was ready to act.

"Tell your shadow that he cannot fight against us. We have a message, and you should just listen to it very carefully."

"Father? Mother?" The tears of a boy, held back for so many years, suddenly poured from his eyes, hidden for so long in forgotten memories.

"We're here, son. Your Mama and Papa... Your parents!" Klaus's mother answered, eager to talk to her son.

"Have I brought you back because I used the power of the book? How did you come here?"

"No, Klaus. Our visit has nothing to do with the book. We have been watching you for a very long time, and we would like to ask you to stop with this madness. All you're doing is messing with the other side. No one is supposed to overpass the line that divides your world from ours, son," his mother said. Her voice was full of worry.

"What is done for the good of humanity is not supposed to be changed, whatever the way. Life is a learning experience and death is a rest. That is why the monks kept the manuscript carefully hidden for so long. The portal that separates the two worlds is not to be opened. Many will come after you, my son, if you don't stop right now what you're doing." Giancarlo warned Klaus. He was in great suffering, because he knew that what his son was doing would have consequences.

The beastly creature approached Klaus' parents. He wanted to check if the couple represented any kind of threat to his master. Like a wolf, Fratello pointed his nose towards them as if to smell his prey before the attack. But there was no smell at all, not of fear, not of pain, emotions that he could spot easily.

"Keep this creature of the darkness away from us, Klaus!" His mother ordered. She was still a very strong-minded woman, much more resolute than her husband.

Klaus recalled at the same moment how powerful his mother's demands were.

"Get away from them, Fratello! Leave us alone," the warlock immediately said to the beast.

The monster turned into black smoke and slipped under the door.

"You must teach your slave good manners, son," Bianca warned him.

"He enjoys serving me. I consider it useful, but only to a certain point."

Out in the hall, Fratello heard his master's words. The creature narrowed his eyes. He was beginning to have second thoughts. Maybe he should not trust so blindly his master. As Fratello climbed down the stairs, he was suffering for being expelled from the library, let alone the things he heard behind the door. He thought that Klaus should treat him better, considering that not only he dedicated his total obedience to the warlock, but also, if not for him, then his master wouldn't benefit so much from all the dirty job the creature had to do alone.

"I have to confess that I'm speechless. I've never anticipated that you would return someday. When I stole the book, it never crossed my mind the thought of bringing you back from eternity. Unless you wish so. Would you like to be alive again?" Klaus asked with some persistence in is voice, for he wanted to have his parents back.

It seemed that the man with a corrupted mind and an evil soul had come to the realization that there was still some love left in his heart, after all.

"Never!" His mother answered in a high-pitched tone. "Have you heard what we've just told you? Don't cross the line that divides the two worlds! You ought to bear in mind that there will always be someone stronger than you are, and that every human being is not only made of flesh, but also of blood. For this reason, no one is safe of losing their life, sooner or later."

"What do you mean, mother?"

"That even someone immortal is bound to die if someone more powerful crosses their way."

"You should listen to your mother, Klaus. You'd better recall that young and obedient boy to whom I taught how to forge tools. Leave those selfish desires behind. Ambition is so deeply rooted in your heart! Pursue happiness, my son. Marry a good woman and have children of your own! We'll be more than happy if you start a normal life, as it should always have been."

Although he was overjoyed to meet his parent again, Klaus didn't agree with them at all. He didn't feel like giving up on his ambitions and power.

"We have to go now... Do not forget our words. Burn that book before it is too late. Or make it return it to the monks' temple. It'll be safer there. Let the dead rest in peace."

Klaus bowed his head thoughtfully as his parents waved goodbye. They entered the portal that opened in the library. Bianca and Giancarlo believed that they had accomplished their mission, but they were mistaken. Little by little, the passage of light faded away as the library materialized to its original format. Everything went back to normal, including Klaus' greediness.

Fratello crossed through the wall, eager for news.

"That couple were my parents, Fratello. It felt good to see them again. I miss them a lot. But, unfortunately, I won't be able to attend what they asked me for. I have gone too far already. I can't stop now."

"I always agree with your choices, master. I will be ready for the mission you assign me to."

"Then listen carefully to my plan."

The warlock told his hideous brother his plans. He had already memorized the necessary spells. Afterwards, the warlock and his Doppelgänger headed to the cemetery. Klaus completely ignored his parents' warnings. He considered that, since he was a living and breathing human being, he should follow only his desires. He would never take advices from dead people, whoever they were.

Once they were before the tomb of three Basnet warlocks, whose lives Klaus had taken some time ago in the Castle of the Absents, Klaus pronounced the words that the Book of the Dead had taught him.

"Silene! Maurizio! Belami! I command you to obey me! Come to this world, where there is no darkness!"

Pronouncing ancient magical words, Klaus gave back to the three dead warlocks the energy he had drained from them after their deaths. He now had creatures at his disposal, capable of crossing time. According to the Book of the Dead, those who inhabited the kingdom of Hades were not ruled by the laws of time and space. Therefore, they were fully capable of going to different eras, things that Klaus couldn't do. Only Juan knew how to create time portals. The old wizard had always respected the natural laws, until the day he had to save Philip by sending him to some place in future. Right after that, Juan transferred his powers to the young man before he died. He knew they would be safe with Philip, for he had taught him the dangers of using such skills irresponsibly.

"My plan is in action. I will send the Basnets to the future so that they'll find out when and where the son of the king of the wizards is living. This way, they will pave the way for my triumphant arrival. I shall not leave any stone unturned until I find my most valuable prey." The warlock and the dark creature celebrated his future victory.

"Silene, you are the strongest of you three. You have the mission to lead the group. I want you to travel through the centuries until you find the exact time the young wizard is living. You three must get everything ready for my arrival. You all have regained your powers, so you can easily rule the kingdom of humans."

"Thank you for bringing us back, master."

The Basnet warlocks bowed their heads and listened quietly to the warlock's promises.

Klaus was happy. Everything was going according to his plans.

In the future, the time when Philip was living in, heavy dark clouds filled the city's sky. The Phantom Man had a feeling that his enemies were already arriving. And they were bringing a lot of anger.

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