Chapter 28 -"Shadows of Deception".

“You… you monster! Why did you do this?” Eira’s voice broke, her body trembling as tears streamed down her face. “You were so friendly to me before… why would you do this? Why?” Her gaze locked onto the shadowed figure, a girl standing across from her, laughing coldly.

“Hahaha, oh Eira, you’re so funny,” the girl sneered, her laughter echoing with a chilling malice. “You really thought I cared for you? When I first saw you in the observation room, I was thrilled by the pure despair radiating from you. It was truly… fascinating to observe,” she chuckled darkly. “I honestly didn’t think you’d survive. But heaven, it seems, had other plans. So, when you came to the capital, I played the part of a friend, made you smile, healed that broken spirit. All so I could see that pure, exquisite despair on your face again.”

Eira’s fists clenched as she listened, rage mingling with sorrow in her heart. “You’re cruel… inhuman…” she whispered.

The girl only laughed harder. “Oh, it was worth it! The demons I summoned to destroy your family, the sacrifices I made… all for this moment! Seeing that look on your face again… it’s delicious!” Her laughter reverberated, filled with twisted satisfaction.

“This… this isn’t the end!” Eira’s voice was fierce, her heart blazing with determination. “I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done!”

Suddenly, the scene shifted, disorienting her. Eira blinked, confusion flickering across her face. “What… why did it change? I didn’t even get to see her face properly…” Her mind reeled, trying to process the abrupt transition. “She said my family was destroyed. No… I don’t understand!”

The atmosphere around her grew darker, the ground splintering and broken, scattered with bodies as far as she could see. Eira’s body moved on its own, her expression serene, almost lifeless, while devastation surrounded her. This version of herself looked older, more mature, yet colder and void of emotion.

Powerful figures hovered above her, expressions etched with resentment. An elderly man floated forward, his voice thick with fury. “You heartless monster,” he spat. “You’ve slaughtered innocents, stolen their powers, committed unspeakable crimes… and now, you want to absorb the world’s core to destroy everything? We won’t let you!” He raised his weapon, aura blazing, as he joined the ranks of powerful warriors, all prepared to make a stand.

Eira’s calm gaze swept over them, a chill emanating from her as she whispered, “Noise.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

With a flick of her hand, the world around her shattered. The sky split open, and the earth trembled under her command, chaos erupting in her wake. Her face remained eerily composed, almost as if she were no longer human. Observing herself, Eira’s mind raced, struggling to comprehend the cold detachment that had taken hold of this version of herself.

“What… what happened to me? Why am I like this?” Her thoughts swirled, fear mingling with confusion. “Is this a memory? No… it can’t be. This… this isn’t who I am!”

Just as her mind reeled with questions, the scene shifted once more, and darkness lifted. Eira gasped, blinking in confusion as she found herself lying in a familiar bed, draped in sheets with intricate patterns. Her surroundings slowly registered as real, the vividness of her nightmare fading, yet lingering in her mind like a shadow.

She touched her chest, feeling her heart racing as her breaths came in shallow gasps. “Haa… haa… It was just a dream,” she whispered, trying to calm herself. “It looked and felt so real… I almost believed it.”

A soft snore reached her ears, drawing her attention to a figure seated near her bed. Lindy, her devoted maid, had dozed off, her features softened in sleep. Relief flooded through Eira’s heart, knowing she was safe, that it had all been a terrible illusion.

Moments later, Lindy stirred, her eyes opening slowly. Realizing that Eira was awake, her face lit up with relief, and she rushed over, wrapping Eira in a gentle hug. “Thank goodness you’re alright, Lady Eira! Don’t scare me like that again,” Lindy whispered, holding her tightly. “If you do that again without permission, I’ll report it all to Madam Seraphina!” Her tone was stern, but her embrace was filled with warmth.

Eira hugged her back, comforted by her maid’s presence. But the lingering sense of dread haunted her thoughts. She remembered how she’d lost control in her dream, unable to move her body while feeling every emotion. “Lindy…,” Eira began softly, pulling back to look into her maid’s eyes. “Where’s big sister Mira? Did she make it out of the tower safely?” A flicker of worry clouded her face.

Lindy’s expression softened, and she released her hug, taking a steadying breath. “Yes, Lady Eira. Lady Mira returned safely,” she reassured her. “Your older sisters were so grateful for her bravery, they even offered her ten thousand gold as a reward. But Lady Mira refused,” Lindy added with a gentle smile, her eyes warm with pride.

Eira felt her heart swell with admiration. “Oh… that’s such a relief,” she murmured, feeling a renewed fondness for her sister. Mira had risked so much, all for her, and that knowledge brought a gentle warmth to her heart.

As Eira and Lindy continued their quiet conversation, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. Valeria, her eldest sister, was approaching. She had come with the intent to apologize and to finally introduce herself properly to Eira, as circumstances had prevented it before.

“Eira, may I come in?” Valeria’s voice called softly from the other side of the door, her tone laced with a hint of hesitation.

Startled, Eira glanced at Lindy, who nodded and rose to open the door. Valeria stepped inside, her poised demeanor masking the nervousness beneath. She regarded Eira, her gaze lingering as if seeing her truly for the first time. The guilt and tension in her posture were barely hidden.

Taking a steadying breath, Valeria smiled gently, though her nerves remained evident. “Eira, I’m sure you can guess, but I’m here to introduce myself properly. I’m your eldest sister… but if you’d like, you can call me ‘elder sister.’”

Eira studied Valeria, noting the effort in her words and the genuine sentiment behind them. Her sister’s presence was calming, and a warmth she hadn’t anticipated filled her heart. A slight smile played on Eira’s lips as she replied, “But… can I call you ‘big sister’ instead? ‘Elder sister’ sounds a bit too formal.”

Valeria blinked, taken aback, before a soft chuckle escaped her lips. She nodded, her tension easing as she responded, “Of course. ‘Big sister’ sounds perfect.”

In that moment, the bond between them felt genuine, a sense of belonging forming amidst the lingering shadows of the dream. And for now, Eira let herself feel a small bit of peace, surrounded by those who cared for her, knowing that she wasn’t alone.