" Elena, I am sorry that you have been waiting for me." Massimo stated as guilt gnawed at him as he fumbled for his keys, his hands trembling slightly. Elena was wearing her night lingerie and a gown, her eyes red and puffy from her tiredness.
"Massimo, where have you been and are you drunk? Do you know that I have been worried and sick?" Elena demanded, her voice breaking with emotion. Massimo opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. His vision blurred, and he felt his knees buckle. He collapsed to the floor, the world around him fading to black. " Massimo, please wake up, wake up...." Elena placed soft slaps on his chicks as he carried him upstairs. When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his living room. The familiar surroundings of his home had been replaced by a surreal landscape, one that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. He found himself standing in a vast, open field, the grass a vibrant shade of green that seemed almost too bright to be real. The sky above was a deep, endless blue, dotted with stars that shimmered like diamonds. Confusion washed over him as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. "Where am I?" Massimo whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Massimo, Massimo, are you okay? " A soft, melodic voice answered. He turned to see a figure standing before him, a woman with flowing silver hair and eyes different from humans. She wore a long, ethereal gown that shimmered in the starlight. "Who are you? What's happening? Where am I?" Massimo asked, taking a step back. The woman smiled gently. "I am Selene, the guardian witch of the realm between worlds. You have been called here because you seek answers, and because your heart is troubled," Selene stated. Massimo felt a surge of frustration. "I don't understand. Why me? What is this place? Is this real or am I just dreaming?" Massimo inquired. " It is real my son," Selene stated as she rose to her feet with her support from the long stick. Massimo's mind raced as he tried to process her words. "But why? Why have I been drawn here and this is not where I first came when I was drawn to this realm?" Massimo inquired as he sat upright. "Because your heart is torn, You are searching for something that eludes you, something that lies just beyond your grasp. It is this yearning that has brought you to this realm," Selene replied softly. Massimo's thoughts turned to Elena, to the pain he had seen in her eyes before he collapsed. "My wife... she doesn't understand what I'm going through. She thinks I'm losing myself." Selene nodded. "And, are you? Are you losing yourself in your search for answers?" Selene inquired. Massimo looked down at his hands, his mind filled with doubts and regrets. "I don't know. Maybe I am." Selene stepped closer, her eyes piercing through his confusion. "You must decide what is truly important to you, Massimo. The answers you seek, or the life and love you have in the real world. Only you can make that choice," Selene stated. Massimo felt a lump form in his throat. But what if I can't find a balance? What if I lose everything? Massimo inquired. Selene's gaze softened. "That is a risk you must be willing to take. But remember, the answers you seek may not lie in this realm alone. Sometimes, the greatest truths are found within yourself." Selene stated in a calm voice. "Wait! I need to know more. How do I find the answers?" Massimo called out, reaching for Selene as Selene's form began to fade, her voice growing distant. "Trust in yourself, Massimo. The answers will come when you are ready." When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on his matrimonial bed as Elena, his wife, was kneeling beside him, her face pale with worry as she placed a cold towel on his forehead. "Massimo, are you okay? Please, say something." Elena stated before Massimo blinked, disoriented, and slowly sat up. "Elena... I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened." Massimo stated with a hoarse voice. She helped him to his feet, her hands trembling. "You collapsed. I was so scared. What’s going on with you and have you even started drinking? What is up with you?" Elena inquired. " What is it? What is the time? I must be late for work?" Massimo stated. He was met by the rays of sunshine through the curtain. " It's 6:30 am already. " Elena stated to Massimo as he made his way inside the lavatory before he paused, his hand on the bathroom door, but didn't turn to face her. "I'm fine, Elena. Just tired and sorry about yesterday," Massimo stated as he closed the door behind him. Elena sat up, the worry clear in her eyes. "Tired? Massimo, you haven't been sleeping properly for weeks. You missed work again yesterday. Your boss called." Massimo's jaw tightened. "I know. I'll deal with it." He turned on the tap, the rush of water momentarily drowning out her voice. Splashing cold water on his face, he tried to shake off the exhaustion. "I didn't expect you to understand, Elena. This is important," Massimo murmured under his breath as he allowed the warm water from the shower to drip down on his body. " He just snobbed me off after worrying me the whole night that I did not get any sleep at all and that is all that he had to say to me. " Elena cursed under her breath before she wore her slippers and strolled out of the room to go head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Massimo her husband. Massimo was lost in his thoughts as water poured down on his body when his thoughts were brought back to reality by the sudden phone call. " Elena, Elena, sweetie..." Massimo called out, but there was no response, making him make him wrap his body with a towel before coming out from the lavatory.Massimo emerged from the lavatory, still drying his hands with a towel, when his phone buzzed insistently on the dresser. He glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number flashing. With a sense of unease, he picked it up and answered."Hello?" he said cautiously, given the phone number he was unfamiliar to him.A deep, gravelly voice responded, sending a chill down his spine."Massimo Ricci?" The other end inquired. "Yes, this is Massimo. Who am I speaking to?" Massimo inquired, trying to compose his voice. The voice on the other end was calm yet commanding, with an undertone that suggested he was not to be trifled with."You do not need to know who I am. What matters is that I have something you need."Massimo's heart raced. "What are you talking about?""I believe you're searching for relics. Meet me at the address I have just sent you. You have five minutes. Come alone." The voice said, its profound tone echoing through the phone. Before Massimo could ask any questions, the li
" Step out of the car," a sharp voice stated from the other end."Hello?" he said, his voice tinged with curiosity and caution."Massimo, climb down from your vehicle, now." a gruff voice ordered on the other end, devoid of any pleasantries."Who is this and how do you know my name?" Massimo demanded, his heart rate picking up. But before he could get any answers, the line went dead. His instincts screamed at him to drive away, but something compelled him to comply.As soon as he opened his car door and stepped out after he found his tire, one down, a sharp blow struck the back of his head. The world spun, darkness closing in rapidly. He barely had time to register what was happening before everything went black.When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a small, dimly lit cabin. The rough jostling of the cabin told him it was moving, and the steady clop of hooves outside indicated it was being carried by a horse. He tried to move but realized his hands were tied behind his
Massimo was staring at Detai with sharp eyes as he laughed out loud as he tried to untie himself, but the rope was tight, and there was silence, and Detai's chest was bleeding from the arrow that went through his chest and fell near Massimo and, with a little strength, helped Massimo to untie him, and it was not long that Massimo was free but Detai was taking his last breath. Massimo's breath came in ragged gasps as he cradled Detai's head in his lap, his hands pressing desperately against the wound in Detai's chest. Blood seeped through his fingers, warm and sticky, a stark reminder of the reality unfolding before him. Detai's eyes, once so vibrant with life, were dimming, his breath shallow and labored. "Detai, stay with me," Massimo pleaded, his voice breaking. "You cannot leave me. We still have so much to do." Detai's hand, trembling and weak, reached up to grasp Massimo's. "Massimo," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "You must... finish this." Te
The streets were quiet in the early afternoon as Massimo walked home, his mind still reeling from the events of the day. The loss of Detai weighed heavily on his heart, the pain fresh and raw. He barely noticed the people he passed, his thoughts a tangled web of grief and determination. His surroundings seemed muted, as though the world had lost some of its color.He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the figure following him until it was too late. A strong hand suddenly clamped over his mouth, and he felt a piece of cloth being pressed against his nose and mouth. He struggled, panic surging through him, but the grip was too strong. A sickly sweet smell filled his nostrils, and darkness quickly overtook him.When Massimo regained consciousness, he was disoriented, his head throbbing. He tried to move, but his hands were bound tightly behind his back. The air was thick with the smell of dust and mildew, and the dim light cast eerie shadows on the walls. He was in a wareh
The living room was dimly lit, the flickering glow of the television casting long shadows on the walls. Elena sat on the edge of the couch, her fingers anxiously twisting the edge of a blanket. The evening news played in the background, but her attention was fixed on the door, her mind racing with worry. It was past midnight, and Massimo had still not returned home.The clock on the wall ticked steadily, each second amplifying her anxiety. Elena picked up her phone for the tenth time, checking for any missed calls or messages. Nothing. Her heart pounded as a thousand scenarios flashed through her mind, each more troubling than the last. Massimo had been distant lately, his work consuming him. But he had never stayed out this late without at least sending a message.Suddenly, she heard the sound of the front door unlocking. Elena's heart leapt into her throat. She jumped up, rushing to the entryway just as the door creaked open. There stood Massimo, his face a mask of exhaustion and wo
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow over the table where Massimo, Elena, and the Guardian sat, eating breakfast. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes filled the air, a comforting contrast to the tension that lingered from the previous night's revelations. As Massimo lifted his cup to take a sip, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen and saw his boss's name flash across it."I need to take this," he said, standing up and moving toward the living room for privacy. Elena watched him go, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She turned to the Guardian, who sat across from her, his expression calm yet alert. Massimo answered the call, his heart already heavy with the foreboding tone in his boss's voice. "Hello, Mr. Stevenson.""Massimo," Mr. Stevenson's voice was flat and formal, lacking its usual warmth. "I hope I did not catch you at a bad time."" No, it's fine," Massimo replied, his eyes darting back to the kitc
The evening was still, the calm before the storm. Massimo, Elena, and the Guardian were in the living room, discussing their next steps in the ongoing battle against the dark forces. The house, fortified with ancient wards, felt secure but there was a lingering tension in the air, an unspoken awareness that safety was temporary. Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of glass breaking. Massimo jumped to his feet, his heart racing. "What was that?Before anyone could react, the front door burst open, and several figures in black masks stormed in. The Guardian was the first to respond, moving with lightning speed to intercept the intruders. "Stay behind me!" he commanded, his voice a mix of authority and urgency.Massimo grabbed Elena's hand, pulling her close. "Elena, stay with me. We need to get out of here."But the attackers were relentless. They moved with precision, clearly well-trained and intent on their mission. One of them lunged at Massimo, a blade glinting in
"Massimo! Help! Somebody, please help me!" Elena cried out, her voice filled with desperation.Massimo, who had been sitting in his study, poring over the ancient journal that he was given by Detai, heard her scream and immediately sprang to his feet. His heart pounded in his chest as he raced down the hallway to their bedroom. His mind was flooded with fear and worry; the memory of the recent incident flashed on his mind. Massimo burst into the room, finding Elena clutching her stomach, her face contorted in agony. "Elena! What’s wrong?" he asked, his voice shaking with concern as he rushed to her side.Elena's eyes were wide with pain and terror. "It hurts, Massimo. It hurts so much," she gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks.Massimo gently lifted her into his arms, feeling the tremors that wracked her body. "Hang on, darling. I’m getting you to the hospital."Just as he was about to carry her out of the room, two of the guardians, who had heard Elena's screams, appeared in the