Arin's breath was unsteady. The voice in the void wrapped around him like a cold embrace, tempting, relentless.
"Do you want to escape?"
The unseen figure extended its hand—a pale, almost ghostly shape materializing from the abyss. A choice lay before him, one that could rewrite his fate.
Then—
Warmth.
Soft hands pressed against his back. A familiar scent. A heartbeat close to his own.
"Arin," Evelyn's voice broke through the darkness, steady and full of warmth. "You don't need to listen to them. We're here. I'm here."
The abyss wavered.
Then another voice—sultry, teasing.
"Oh, don't be so serious, Evelyn," Lilith chuckled, appearing beside him. "Maybe our dear Arin is finally ready to embrace the darkness. And if that means a new side of him emerges…" She trailed a finger along his arm. "I wouldn't mind."
Arin exhaled sharply. "Lilith—this isn't the time."
A soft giggle.
"Is it ever the time?"
The abyss cracked. Light spilled through.
Seraphina's voice followed. "Stay focused, Arin! Whatever that thing is, it's trying to break you!"
The unseen figure sighed. "Tch. A shame."
And just like that, the abyss shattered.
Arin gasped as he stumbled forward—straight into Evelyn's embrace. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, grounding him, filling him with a warmth that chased away the lingering shadows.
She whispered, "You scared me."
He held her closer. "I'm here. I won't lose myself."
A throat cleared.
Lilith smirked. "Romantic. But aren't we forgetting something?"
A presence stirred nearby.
A new figure stood at the edge of the battlefield—a woman, draped in flowing midnight robes, silver hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes glowed like twin moons, filled with an emotion Arin couldn't quite place.
She stepped forward, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Arin," she said, voice smooth like silk. "I've been waiting for you."
Evelyn tensed. Lilith raised an eyebrow. Seraphina remained silent, watching.
Arin frowned. "Who are you?"
The woman placed a hand on her chest, bowing slightly.
"You may call me Celestia."
And just like that—his fate changed once more.
---
[TO BE CONTINUED...]