"Why?" This question echoed in his mind, gradually transforming into distant echoes, as his consciousness teetered on the precipice between wakefulness and slumber."You won't make it," his father's voice echoed in his head, jolting him back to reality, and his eyelids fluttered open.It was enveloped in darkness, his senses still cloaked in a haze. He blinked repeatedly, attempting to acclimate to the obscurity that surrounded him.Where was he? A multitude of questions swarmed his thoughts, but they were all met with an impenetrable silence, and the pervasive darkness disoriented him.The soft, cushioned fabric beneath him pressed against his back, a familiar sensation that managed to penetrate the confusion. Amidst the uncertainty, he detected a scent he had grown accustomed to.His room. He was in his room, but why was it shrouded in such darkness? The scent of his bed sheets reached his senses, their soft fabric that usually offered solace, ruffled underneath his skin.He slowly
"Ahh," Liara sighed as she stood before the library entrance. The sliding glass door offered a clear view of the library's interior, with people scattered throughout, some engrossed in their work, others engrossed in quiet conversations.She contemplated stepping inside, a ritual she repeated daily, but it never got easier. Liara was painfully shy, and the idea of being the center of attention made her nervous. Even the thought of someone looking at her sent shivers down her spine.Her body tensed, hands clenched into fists, trembling as she gazed at the library. The noise around her faded into the background as she became oblivious to her surroundings.Her tension was so palpable that her nails dug into her skin, drawing blood, which fell to the floor with a quiet splash. Her heart raced, threatening to break free from its confines.'This is tough. Why does it have to be like this?' She chastised herself internally, scrutinizing her own inner struggle. "Why can't I just be normal lik
"That must be it!" Her eyes widened with intrigue, her pupils dilating as a sense of achievement washed over her.However, this was merely the tip of the iceberg. Since embarking on this research, the more she delved, the more mind-boggling questions erupted in her mind.For instance, who was the woman, and what role did she play in all of this?When it came to the history of Gallatheum, only two nations were directly implicated: Thallasia and Dornavia.The connection between Thallasia and Dornavia, and the resources they shared, was common knowledge, evident in their intertwined histories. The alliance had been forged due to the shared resource of Gallatheum.But what was the true narrative behind this alliance? How did it all come to pass?A swarm of questions buzzed around Liara's thoughts, each more perplexing than the last. Her determination knew no bounds; giving up was not an option. Her curiosity had reached its peak."Oh, come on, Liara!" She brought her palm to her forehead,
Elin gracefully slipped her backpack off her shoulders, effortlessly selecting a seat opposite Liara. A fleeting glance at Liara accompanied her reach for the cup on the table, capturing Liara's attention before she took a sip.'Did everyone just fancy drinking people's coffee around here?' Liara mused, a subtle frown dancing on her face.After a hearty swig of the coffee, Elin released a deep breath, placing the cup back on the table with a gentle thud.Her gaze lifted to Liara, an inquisitive expression in her eyes, a subtle motion for Liara to take a seat.Liara swallowed nervously, cautiously settling into the chair before Elin, earning a smile that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.Elin's intentions remained an enigma to Liara. Why was she here?"Hey... um... you don't have to worry; I won't tell any...""Worried?" Elin interrupted with a chuckle, cutting Liara off.Liara squinted, her curiosity escalating, the situation growing more bewildering with each passing moment.
Behind the fence, a building loomed, darkness enveloping it, with no sign of life. It didn't seem like anyone had been around this part in a long time. Overgrown weeds surrounded the building, a tall tree fallen over a vehicle parked in front. The tree was still rooted, its branches growing through the car and around it. It was now nature's abode.Liara stood there, transfixed by the looming house before her, her mouth agape, heart pounding in her chest, breaths escaping her control."You know, if this... if this is about what happened earlier, I... I swear, I didn't mean it... No one's going to know. I'm not going to tell anyone," she stammered, her palms already clammy as she pleaded.Elin's stern gaze held, a cold silence enveloping them. She turned away, seemingly indifferent to the desperate plea."Follow me," Elin commanded, slowly opening a broken part of the fence. Crouching, she slid through, one hand maintaining a firm grip on the rusty barrier.Liara, her world a whirlwind
Nothing ever made perfect sense with Elin. One moment it could feel like a smooth ride, where you get to relax, feel safe. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right? Well… The next thing you know, you're scared for your life, everything is scary, and the ride's getting rough and bumpy.At some point, she thought she knew exactly what Elin wanted. It was harmless, and she seemed like a sweet person. So she thought.Elin had always looked out for her; she became the only friend she ever made in camp. Well, due to circumstances anyway. Plus, how they met was never coincidental; it was mostly planned.Maybe stumbling upon her in her vulnerable moment, where she was having it steamy with that guy, wasn't planned after all. But Elin found her."I believe the video wasn't enough to quell your curiosity," Elin said with a stern expression, maintaining a distance as she stared at Liara."I'm sorry, what?" Liara's confusion deepened, prompting her to take a step further towards Elin.Elin sighed.
Life, transient and uncertain, eternally follows this pattern. The unlucky perish before truly embracing existence. Death, indiscriminate and callous, arrives in various forms—natural, tragic accidents, or… at the hands of a fellow human.Here he was, his back against the hard ground gazing upwards, the serene blue sky mirroring his turmoil—a stark contrast to his dire circumstance.He remained acutely present, keenly attuned to his surroundings, yet a surreal haze enveloped him. Despite his mental alertness, his mind drifted; vision blurred, and strength ebbing away.Yet, the relentless agony coursing through every fibre of his being, served as an unyielding reminder of his desperate plight.Gasping for breath, breathing had become a struggle; inhaling raspingly he clenched his jaw tightly, enduring the searing pain. Veins protruded, eyes bloodshot, and each gasp a painful escape through gritted teeth, his jaws locked in a relentless grip against the torment.'How long has it been?'
He adjusted in his throne, his jaw cradled in his fist, elbow resting on the throne's arm rest—a skeletal structure with protruding arms, palms outstretched. His eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, orbs of yellow radiance, while an azure crystal embedded deep into his chest, softly illuminated his form in a rhythmic, ethereal glow. "Hmm, he struck the mark," Arcanis murmured to himself, fixated ahead, his pupils resembling molten lava on the verge of eruption. "Even if unintended, I'm oddly impressed," he remarked, easing into his throne of bones, chin stroked in contemplation. "But I wonder, how far will he exploit this vulnerability?" he pondered, tilting his head in curiosity. ____"How did my life spiral into this… horror?" he reflected in the midst of the eerie silence."Oh... right; a promise," the thought emerged, dissipating into the recesses of his mind. Images of his parents, smiles fading like wisps in the wind, briefly swept through his consciousness."Maybe death is