As Kazuki stepped into the dimly lit building, an uneasy feeling washed over him. The flickering light above seemed out of place, the only source of illumination in an otherwise silent night. His instincts screamed danger, but he ignored them, his curiosity driving him forward.
The air inside was thick, the silence almost suffocating. Kazuki cautiously walked through the room, his footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. Furniture, covered in dust and shadows, filled the space—but no sign of life. He narrowed his eyes, whispering to himself, “Why is this place lit but empty? Something doesn’t add up.”
Deciding to leave, he turned towards the exit when something caught his attention—a lone book on a shelf, precariously balanced as if on the verge of falling, yet stubbornly refusing to drop. Intrigued, Kazuki approached and reached for it. He pulled gently, but it remained fixed. Suddenly, a soft grinding noise echoed through the room.
Kazuki tensed, scanning the area. His eyes widened as part of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden passage. Without hesitation, he stepped into the dark corridor beyond.
The passage was narrow, the air colder. He pressed forward, the darkness around him deepening until a faint purple glow emerged ahead. Moving closer, he saw them—a group of people, standing motionless, each wearing identical masks. The masks glowed faintly, their embedded gems casting eerie reflections on the walls.
“What... is this?” Kazuki muttered, his voice barely audible. He turned and noticed more masks, carefully arranged on a table, their gems pulsating like tiny hearts. A cold realization struck him—these people were being controlled.
Suddenly, the group began to move, filing through a large, ornate doorway. Kazuki followed at a safe distance, the passage leading back outside—to the fountain at the heart of Mirkdusk. His eyes widened. “So that’s why the city is so lively during the day... but who’s controlling them?”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
He slipped away unnoticed, making his way toward the city gates. The guards stood rigid, their eyes vacant beneath the same glowing masks. Approaching cautiously, he confirmed his fears—they, too, were under control. Without wasting a moment, he scaled the wall, landing softly on the other side.
“What is happening here?” he whispered, his mind racing.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind whipped around him. Kazuki looked up, eyes narrowing. A figure descended from the sky, seated on a cloud that shimmered like spun silk. His golden hair glowed under the moonlight, eyes gleaming with an unnatural light.
The man smirked, his voice echoing with an arrogant confidence. “My apologies for not introducing myself.” With a wave of his hand, a freezing blizzard swept across the city, snow blanketing everything in a matter of moments. “I am Nolan Van Darkheart. God of Frost, firstborn of Aetherius, God of the Skies, and Solara, Goddess of Light.” He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. “And I am Selena Darkheart’s brother.”
Kazuki’s eyes narrowed behind his mask. “What do you want?” he demanded. “She told me she wants to be accepted again.”
Nolan laughed coldly. “So, that’s her plan? She really believes she can earn acceptance by marrying you?” His golden eyes glowed brighter, the blizzard intensifying around them.
Kazuki stood his ground, fists clenched. “What’s your point?”
Nolan’s expression hardened. “I know you seek answers, mortal. You’ll get them... if you can knock me down.” He raised his hand, and the snow swirled around them, forming a colossal, hollow sphere of ice. “This will be our arena. No one will hear you scream.”
Kazuki shifted into his fighting stance, dark magic enveloping his fists, lightning crackling at his knuckles. “Then let’s finish this.”
Nolan smiled, a predator ready for the hunt. “Show me what you’ve got.”
TBC
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR!!!!: Hey everyone! I'm sorry for not uploading this week. School has kept me busy, and I've been brainstorming ideas for the upcoming chapters. Thank you for your patience. I really appreciate it!!!! :)