Third Person's POV
"There's no point in fighting me, Storm. You are fully aware that you cannot kill me," Shadow told Storm as he choked him, pinning him against the wall.
"What the fuck did you do to Cassandra? She was getting better earlier, slowly healing, and then she suddenly died!" Storm asked his own father, anger evident in his eyes.
"Why are you blaming me for something I didn't do?" Shadow replied, smirking afterward. "Do you know what makes you so weak, son? You're too attached to people. Having so much to protect makes you even weaker."
"Shut up! You know nothing about human emotions because you're not human!" Storm added with emotion.
Shadow laughed at the sentiment and glared at his son. "Then what makes you think you're human? Remember, my blood runs in your veins!"
"I refuse to believe that. I will never, never accept you as my father!" Storm replied and lunged at Shadow with a punch, which he swiftly avoided.
"And what was that earlier? What was that look you were giving the new kid?" Shadow asked Storm, causing him to pause his attacks.
"What are you talking about?!" Storm asked, his face devoid of emotion.
"The look in your eyes when you were looking at that girl earlier. It was somewhat familiar yet different at the same time," Shadow teased him with a devilish smirk.
"Touch a strand of her hair, and I will make you regret it," Storm warned, giving him an intense glare.
Shadow laughed, raising both of his arms in a sign of surrender. "Calm down, you're blaming the wrong person."
"Damn it!" Storm cursed loudly as he roughly combed his hair in frustration.
"Even if you won't believe me, I swear I didn't do anything. It was even sad for me as well when Cassandra died like that. It was such a waste of powerful energy," Shadow said and quickly disappeared into the air. Storm's knees began to betray him, and he fell to the cold ground, slowly digesting the truth that Cassandra was no longer alive.
"Hey, Storm!" Kyle arrived just in time and assisted him in getting up and walking.
"Where is she?" Storm asked, his emotions not visibly displayed.
"I took her back to her dorm earlier, hoping she's asleep," Kyle replied with a deep sigh.
"Why?" Storm sensed that something was troubling Kyle's mind.
Kyle sighed deeply before answering, "It's just that... I think Eveline was hallucinating earlier. She told me she saw her friend."
"Friend?" Storm asked, being supported by Kyle as they walked, blood seeping from his wounds.
"Yeah, the name was... What was it again? I think it was something like Ranz. I concluded it was a friend from Quilak, as the name doesn't ring a bell to me," Kyle replied.
"Ranz..." Storm murmured in the air, his mind filled with tangled thoughts.
Eveline's POV
I can't seem to fall asleep as my mind is filled with tangled thoughts. The events that unfolded earlier are still hard for me to process. Taking a deep breath, I finally decide to get up from my bed and make my way towards the balcony, hoping the fresh air will help clear my mind. Stepping outside, I am greeted by the cool night breeze and the symphony of nocturnal creatures. I take a step forward and lean against the balcony railings, gazing up at the star-studded sky.
Lost in my thoughts, I murmur softly, "Renz..." fixating my eyes on the largest star that shines almost in proximity to the moon.
"Why are you still awake?" Storm's sudden appearance startles me. He hovers in the air for a moment before landing gracefully on my balcony.
"You're wounded..." I mumble, my eyes taking in his appearance. His wounds are still fresh, but now treated with ointments. The band-aids and bandages seem to have been removed, perhaps by his own doing.
"Can I..." Storm begins, his voice filled with a struggle.
"Do you want my blood?" I ask, my tone filled with warmth and concern.
"If you'll allow me to," he responds gently, surprising me with his calmness. My heart skips a beat at his words, and I find myself captivated by his presence.
"Of course, I would," I answer after a moment of silence, my gaze fixed on Storm. He takes a slow step towards me, his hand reaching out to touch my face. As his fingertips make contact with my skin, a tingling sensation runs down my spine, sending shivers through my body. His eyes lock with mine, intensifying the connection between us.
In that moment, time seems to stand still. The world around us fades into the background, and all that exists is the energy passing between us. I feel a mix of anticipation and vulnerability, unsure of what this exchange may mean for us.
Storm's touch is gentle yet firm, his hand warm against my cheek. His eyes hold a depth of emotion that is both captivating and mysterious. I find myself drawn to his presence, my heart beating faster with each passing second.
"You're gorgeous," he suddenly says, his words hanging in the air. Before I can fully process his compliment, Storm leans closer, his lips inches away from my skin. There is a moment of anticipation, a pause in the world around us.
As his lips meet my skin, a jolt of sensation courses through me. I can feel the warmth of his breath against my neck as he takes a sip of my blood. It's an intimate act, a mingling of our essences, and in that fleeting moment, the world around us fades away.
Time seems to stretch, as if caught in a suspended state, and all that exists is the connection between us. The touch of his lips on my skin sends an electric thrill through my veins, igniting a fire within me. It's a mix of pleasure and vulnerability, an exchange that transcends mere physicality.
While he sipped my blood, I could feel something warm trickling down my skin. It was as if he was shedding tears, though I couldn't see his face to be certain. As he had his fill, he leaned his head on my shoulder, as if surrendering to his emotions. His hands slowly reached around my back, pulling me closer into a warm embrace.
"S-Storm...?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion, attempting to loosen his grip on me.
"Can we stay like this for a little while?" he murmured softly, his words barely audible to anyone but me.
I couldn't find the words to respond, so I simply allowed him to hold me. I sensed that Storm was grappling with the pain of Cassandra's loss. In that moment, all I could offer was comfort and support. I wrapped my arms around him, returning his embrace, and began to gently pat his back, hoping to provide solace and healing.
"Can you help me with something?" he suddenly asks, releasing our embrace and turning to face me. His expression is serious, yet his long, wet lashes glisten with tears, giving him an unexpectedly adorable and attractive look.
"Tell me the details, and I'll do my best to assist you," I reply, my voice filled with determination.
"It's not a simple task, but I've been searching for the Gemstone of Energy, and I haven't been able to find it anywhere," he confesses, his frustration evident in his voice. I nod, recognizing the name from Zenia's notes.
"That's the same gemstone mentioned in Zenia's papers. Unfortunately, we don't have a clear description of what it looks like, making it even more challenging to locate," I explain, empathizing with his struggle.
"That's exactly my dilemma. I desperately need that gemstone to have any hope of defeating him," Storm says, his eyes burning with intensity. Although he is looking into my eyes, I sense that his thoughts are drifting elsewhere, consumed by his mission.
"I will help you," I reply, my determination unwavering. Storm takes a deep breath, his gaze shifting towards the vast expanse of the night sky. I join him, contemplating the beauty of the moon and stars above.
"I hadn't planned on involving you in all of this, but there's something I feel compelled to share with you," Storm confesses, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. His attention remains fixated on the celestial canvas above us.
"It's alright. I've grown weary of idleness myself," I respond, my eyes still drawn to the luminous glow of the moon.
"But you mustn't act recklessly. If you ever find yourself in danger, promise me you'll retreat," he implores, his tone filled with concern and caution.
I pause for a moment, taking in his words and acknowledging the genuine care he holds for my well-being. Despite his own struggles, he is mindful of the potential risks involved in our shared journey. With a reassuring smile, I turn to face him.
"You sound like a completely different person," I playfully tease, watching as Storm shakes his head in response.
"And haven't you noticed? You're changing too," he remarks, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Am I?" I ask, genuinely perplexed by his observation.
"Yes, you've become warmer, more compassionate," he explains, his eyes studying me intently.
"Wasn't I warm before?" I question, a hint of amusement in my voice.
"No, not quite. You had an air of danger surrounding you," he replies, his words laced with a touch of admiration.
"Coming from someone who embodies danger itself," I retort with a grin, feigning astonishment.
"I assure you, I'm not," he responds, a playful smile gracing his face. I roll my eyes at him in jest.
"Oh, but you are," I insist, enjoying the banter between us.
Storm laughs, the sound filling the night air. There is a sense of camaraderie and lightness in our exchange, a welcome respite from the weight of the challenges ahead. As we continue our conversation under the moonlit sky, I am reminded of the transformative power of friendship and the unexpected ways in which we can change each other for the better.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I awoke to the sound of someone singing—a melodic lullaby that gently filled the air. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I rubbed my eyes and surveyed my surroundings. And there he was: Renz, sitting at the edge of my bed, his voice trailing off as he noticed my awakening.
"Renz..." I uttered, my voice filled with surprise as I stared at him.
"Did I wake you up?" he inquired, standing up and taking a moment to observe my room.
"So, it wasn't a hallucination after all. Renz, how is it possible that you're alive?" I asked, rising from my bed.
"Allow me to clarify a few things. Firstly, my name is not Renz. Secondly, I exist in a realm between the living and the dead. You could call me a mid-spirit, for lack of a better term. And lastly, I came here out of curiosity to understand how you are able to see me. Normal individuals under a curse would never possess such an ability," he explained, his fingers delicately brushing against my possessions.
"What do you mean you're not Renz? Why do you look exactly like him, then?" I questioned, my confusion mounting.
"Well, I don't have an explanation for that. This is simply how I appear. But I am not the person you believed me to be. My name is Henrick. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he replied, briefly meeting my gaze before winking mischievously.
"Henrick or whatever your name is, how did you become a mid-spirit? I've never heard of such a thing before," I stated, trying to comprehend the situation. As he finished inspecting my room, he turned to face me, shrugging his shoulders.
"I don't know much myself. When I awakened, I found myself in this state. I've traveled through seven kingdoms, conducting research on my own existence before arriving here. I'm still in the midst of uncovering the truth," he responded, taking a step closer, narrowing the space between us. I looked up at him, realizing he was taller than me, and the resemblance between him and Renz was uncanny. Even the small mole on his nose was there.
"You truly resemble Renz," I couldn't help but comment.
"Could you please stop doing that? I've already told you I am not the person you're referring to. Besides, I'm here to ask for your help," he said, his expression serious.
"What kind of help do you need?" I inquired.
He smirked before replying, "Ah, it's nothing major. I simply wish to engage in conversations with you from time to time, if you'll allow me. You see, it's my first time interacting with someone other than myself." He shyly rubbed the back of his neck and glanced away, a gesture reminiscent of Renz. It made me hope that he was indeed the person I yearned for.
"Of course, I would be more than happy to talk with you," I responded with a warm smile.
"Yes!" he exclaimed, jumping for joy. "That means we're friends now, right?"
I chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll pop up here and there then. Looking forward to our future conversations, my friend..." His expression brimmed with genuine delight.
As he turned to leave, I suddenly grasped the full meaning of his words. "Wait, but please don't 'pop up' when I'm in the bath!" I playfully warned him, my smile radiating warmth. The comment caused a faint blush to color his cheeks.
"Of course not, that goes without saying. I'll be on my way," he replied, and just like that, he disappeared before my eyes.
I couldn't quite understand why, but merely seeing him and engaging in conversation brought me immense happiness and contentment. Even though he insisted he wasn't Renz, a part of me clung to the hope that he was. Perhaps, in my longing, I was trying to convince myself of that possibility.
"Hey, why are you smirking all by yourself?" I was startled when Storm suddenly entered my room.
"How did you..." I couldn't finish my sentence when he spoke up.
"I entered through your veranda as usual. But..." He narrowed his eyes, making his way towards me with a suspicious expression. I couldn't help but take a few steps backward as he continued to advance, eventually cornering me against the wall.
"Why do you look so happy, though?" he asked, his deep voice revealing that he had just woken up.
I stared deeply into his eyes, observing the demon within them. I was no longer afraid of it, unlike the first time I encountered it. Storm seemed taken aback by the intensity of my gaze, though he didn't display any emotions, his actions briefly betrayed his surprise.
"Storm... I saw Renz. I was talking to him before you came in," I honestly confessed.
"Renz?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Yes, the person you killed during the red hour. He exists in a state between the living and the dead. Although he insists he isn't Renz, something inside me suggests otherwise," I explained. Storm took a step back, processing what I had just revealed.
"Could it be possible, though?" he pondered, a serious expression crossing his face.
"But I saw him and spoke to him! Do you think it was all just my hallucination?" I exclaimed, my frustration evident.
He gently held both of my arms, sensing my agitation, and soothingly rubbed them. "Calm down. I believe you. Nothing seems impossible in the world we live in. However, we need more information. Let's conduct some research about him. But remember, don't get your hopes up too high. There's also a possibility that it's not him," he advised, his words bringing a smile to my face. Just knowing that he believed me was enough.