“Alfred, when you say your master’s realm, do you mean Heaven’s Gate?” Thaddeus questioned.

“No, Heaven’s Gate is but a minuscule existence in my master’s realm. My master is the creator of worlds,” he explained, switching from his British accent.

“Alfred,” Thaddeus gulped. “Who is your master.”

“The one you call Zeus in your language. He is the ruler of gods, the First Sovereign, the Stormbringer, the Protector of the Divine Realm, the Breaker of Fate, and the Alpha Suprema.”

Alfred listed the titles so quickly that he didn’t have time to remember them all. This was all too unreal. His throat was dry, and his temples throbbed like jackhammers. His breathing was erratic, and his heart pounded to the rhythm of a beating drum to the point where he thought he would die. Then, everything went black,

When he awoke, he was being dragged by six people dressed in grey tunics. He tried to fight against them, but he was too low-level. Instead, Henry carefully took in his surroundings, paying extra attention to what they were wearing. All six of them had pins that were a half sun and crescent moon. However, the pins differed in two ways. First, each of the six pins had varying numbers of stars. Second, three of them had pins with a golden sun and a dark crescent moon. Two others had dark sun and bright moon. The last person had a dark sun and moon. As a needle was shoved into his neck, Henry swore to take revenge in his next life.

Henry jolted awake, he wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he noticed it was night outside. He felt groggy but realized his arms and feet were unbound. Feeling the chilly air nipped at his skin, he glanced out the windows. In the distance, he saw mountainous snowy white peaks that reached beyond the wispy clouds. Above him hung a rustic chandelier, which dim light filled the room. If not for the warmth of the large fireplace the lodge would be too dark and cold. From the best he could tell, he was being held in a ski resort.

“Welcome to the Twilight Family, Kappa Ursae Majoris," came a soft feminine voice. Turning his head, he saw people sitting in chairs. Their faces were hidden behind shadows. "From now on you should answer that name when in service to the family. I’m sure you have questions; I promise to answer them in due time. The Twilight Family is known for its neutrality between daylight and night. We value temperance, austerity, and the pursuit of knowledge."

"Can I have a glass of water?" Henry said his voice scratchy.

The feminine voice gave an inaudible order. Seconds later, a maid brought him a cool glass of ice water.

"Feel better? You had a panic attack," the shadowed woman comforted.

Henry nodded affirmatively, so she resumed speaking.

"I am the Twilight Family Sun and my partner the moon. By now, I’m sure you’ve noticed our pins. The sun represents the lawful and the moon represents chaos. Together we manage the Twilight Family, this way the family will remain neutral. The stars represent your level of authority, as you can see, we each have nine stars. We are the only nine stars in the family. Earlier the Grand Philosopher gave you a brief overview of the alliance. Although many consider us the neutral family, you can find neutral people in each family, just like you can find good and evil in each family. The Grand Philosopher is also the sole 10-star among the three families. There I believe that will do for now,” Sun said in a warm melodic voice.

“What questions do you have for us?” came Moon's uninterested masculine voice.

"Am I going to die," Henry nervously responded, still apprehensive about his situation. But he decided to ask the two questions he dreaded the answers to most.

"No, as long as you keep your mouth shut," Moon laughed.

"No, you're safe here. But, discretion is tantamount to one's survival," Sun explained enigmatically.

"Then thank you, for selecting me. As a member of the family, what are my responsibilities?" Henry hesitantly asked his second question.

The woman smiled behind her mask, her eyes twinkling with a knowing light. “We're not a family of assassins. Your responsibility, like the rest of the family, is to investigate, research, and understand this energy source and its capabilities. We are mainly scholars, seekers, and sometimes, mediators. We do not seek to dominate but to understand and, where possible, harmonize.”

Sighing in relief and feeling slightly more comfortable he asked more questions, “So, our purpose is to prevent the Day or Night families from dominating the energy source. And what's our role in Heaven's Gate?"

“That’s a rather crude way of putting it, but yes,” Moon agreed. “As far as Heaven's Gate it's not just a game, but another planet. We study it, learn from it, and occasionally, we guide neutrality for justice's sake," she explained.

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“Or our own,” Moon proudly added.

“What’s my alignment” Henry asked.

“Ultimately, that’s for you to decide. But from what we’ve seen, you are a person who prioritizes their freedom, for the good of your citizens and friends,” Sun advised. “Now any other questions, before you meet your new family members?”

Henry shook his head.

“Then follow us,” she smiled.

She led him out of the lodge to the main hall. They stopped before a large, ornate door. "Behind this door, you'll meet the rest of your family. They are eager to meet the newest member," she said, her hand resting on the doorknob.

Taking a deep breath, Henry nodded. The door swung open, revealing a room bathed in soft, ambient light. Inside, a group of people, all wearing the same grey robes and pins, turned to face him. Their masks were off, revealing faces of various ages and expressions of welcome.

"Henry, welcome to the Family," they chorused.

The warmth in the room was palpable, and for the first time since the strange events began, Henry felt a sense of belonging. These were people who lived in the shadows of two worlds, just like him. Many of them were people he recognized from television. There were billionaires, millionaires, politicians, military officers, tech visionaries, movie stars, athletes, musicians, artists, scientists, and even colleagues he recognized from work.

As he mingled, listening to their stories and about research, Henry realized that this was just the beginning. The Twilight Family was more than just a group within a secret society; they were a bridge between the worlds. Here, in this room, the lines between reality and virtuality, between Earth and Heaven's Gate, were not just blurred; they were intertwined, a tapestry of infinite threads and possibilities.

The room was filled with plates of appetizers, a culinary metaphor for the family itself, rich in flavor, and harmonious in their diversity. The uncorked wine flowed freely like conversations. There was also a large sheet cake adorned with the insignia of the Twilight Family, and several presents with heartfelt greeting cards.

After the party, Henry was led to his room in the resort. Laying on the bed, he tried to log out but had no luck. He also tried to contact Alfred but to no avail. This meant it was the real world, and he traveled from Austin to a virtual space, to the Alps. If the public found that portal travel was real, or any of this was real, it would shake the foundation of society. Even more terrifying was what other virtual things existed in the real world. As he considered the worst possibilities, there came a knock on the door.

Opening the door, Sun walked into this room, “How are you handling all of this?” she asked concerned.

Henry answered truthfully. “Being transported from Austin to wherever this is mind-boggling. Can you tell me what other virtual technology exists in the real world?”

“Ah, yes that is everyone’s favorite question, followed by where we are located. To answer your first question, only portals work for now. However, many people are researching how to bridge the virtual and real. Including your parents,” Sun said sadly.

“My parents?” he repeated, stunned to hear her mention his parents. That was the last thing he expected.

"Your parents were founders of our Family. They were the first sun and moon,” she explained, her voice laced with a mixture of respect and sorrow. "Your father was a brilliant computer scientist, and your mother notable neurologist. Together, they were at the forefront of deciphering the mysteries of the energy stone by NASA. They worked alongside Dr. McElvaney on ‘Project X.’” Taking out a picture she showed it to him, “See I was there too, I served as one of your mother’s lab assistants.”

Henry saw his parents in the photo with smiling faces, standing next to Dr. McElvaney, and his Uncle Mike. In disbelief, he repeated. “My parents founded the Twilight Family?”

“Yes, they guided us through a sea of uncertainty. At least until they were murdered. Their research was so advanced it threatened the balance of the families. They were light years of everyone else, including Dr. McElvaney. Your parents were exceptional in every way,” Sun praised.

“So, you’re telling me my parents’ deaths weren’t an accident. Instead, they were murdered because their breakthroughs put them in danger. The car accident was a targeted attack to silence my parents to slow the Twilight Family’s discoveries. I am correct so far. If so, why are you telling me all this now?” Henry demanded.

“Correct?” she nodded.

“Okay, then explain why my Uncle Mike is in the photo. He told me he didn’t meet my parents until they moved to Charlottesville,” Henry asked in confusion.

“That man served as our military liaison. He served as the Judge Advocate General assigned to report on us. It was there he developed a close relationship with your father. Your father tried to recruit him to the Twilight Family, but ultimately Angol the Demon Star chose the Night Family.”

“Wait Uncle Mike is in the Night Family?” Tonight’s revelations were coming hard and fast as Henry. He barely had time to process one surprise when another came.

“Yes, Angol the Demon Star commands the Lawful Evil faction in the family. Your uncle, while a lawyer, never left the military. His sole purpose is to ensure the military maintains control and stability. That also included his military directive to monitor you,” Sun announced.

“Now that you’re a member of Ordo Raven, you were bound to find out. There are portraits of your parents throughout the manor after all. And your uncle is bound to reach out at some point. He may attempt to recruit you to the Night Family. I’d rather you hear from your family than another. I want you to know your parents’ legacy lives on,” she explained.

Henry felt a surge of emotions – grief for his parents, anger at their fate, and a growing sense of purpose. The revelation about his parents' lives and deaths filled his determination to honor their memory.

“Get some rest, you have a busy day tomorrow,” Sun said walking out the door. As he passed the door frame, she smiled, “By the way, we’re on the World Xenia.”