The Empty Mirror
Chapter 19: Breastfeeding
In the perpetual gloom of the imposing fortress, my consciousness rises once more, challenging unfathomable abysses. A deep void looms over my being, sensing the absence of those once-crimson eyes that scrutinized me with relentless intensity. Loneliness swirls like a dark cloak, and I desperately yearn for the presence of his company as he remains distant from this oppressive place.
From the shadows of the main floor, near the majestic entrance, I rise, clutching with determination the mauve cloak that provides me with meager doses of refuge and comfort. I gaze attentively at the faint light filtering through the forsaken windows, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sun, a promising oasis in this dim abode.
Despite the hope that such a prospect kindles in my chest, I quickly dismiss the idea of tracking it down. My journey must continue without delay or distraction.
Once again, I wrap myself in the peculiar robe and, with sumptuous caution, partially open the heavy castle door, entering the sinister forest that surrounds it, where shadows come to life, and concealed ancestors lie hidden.
Clay artifacts rest protected in the recess of one of the windows, a secure sanctuary where they find shelter. However, my right hand tenaciously clings to the sharp fragment of clay that I rescued, like an unsettling talisman linking me to the strange and ominous tale that has led me to this point of enigmatic mysteries.
Carrying a modest supply of provisions wrapped in makeshift fabric, an unsettling affliction envelops me as I depart without uttering a word or undertaking any action. An invisible force seems to inhibit my ability to act or influence my surroundings, as if the shadows themselves conspire against me.
In this accursed place, the whispers of darkness intertwine with the creaking of twisted branches, creating an oppressive atmosphere that seeps into the most intimate recesses of my being. As I progress along the narrow, tangled path, my thoughts become increasingly dark and inscrutable, as if the arcane forces of this land infiltrate my vulnerable mind.
I wonder what secrets and horrors await in this labyrinth of shadows. What unknown forces lurk behind the ancient walls of this castle, silent witnesses to countless tragedies? Uncertainty takes root in my mind, fueled by the unsettling echo of my own footsteps, resonating like a lost lament in the forgotten corners of this macabre enclosure.
Must I confront the mysteries surrounding me or hastily escape, abandoning all I possess and seeking refuge in the certainty provided by sunlight? Fear and attraction intertwine, and though my heart beats wildly in the face of the unknown, I cannot help but feel a strange fascination for the shadowy abysses that surround me. In my tireless quest for answers, I find myself trapped in an internal dialogue, questioning the very essence of my sanity.
However, I am constrained in my ability to express myself adequately, lacking the precise knowledge to do so correctly. I rely on instinct and make decisions based on what I deem most appropriate at that moment. Additionally, I must confront new signatures in the forest, generating an unease I cannot evade.
The firmament appears tranquil and clear as the sun ascends on the horizon, marking the beginning of a new day. Around 7 a.m., its radiant presence manifests as if it had never faded. However, an unease lingers within me, fearing that at some future moment, it may vanish...
I continued my pilgrimage southward, tracing my path along the road leading to the lake. Once there, I noticed how the clay piece in my hands suddenly became more solid and firm. Was this the long-awaited result my being had anticipated? I contemplated the idea of cradling the clay between my fingers to see if the peculiarity of that forest could affect it again, yet I did not foresee such a remarkable change. Despite witnessing similarities in past times, this phenomenon continued to bewilder and disquiet me equally.
The clay, now completely dry, urged me to proceed to the next stage of my journey. My plan wove itself into the exploration of the forest's surroundings, searching for new elements that could satisfy my purposes. The enigmatic nature of the place fueled a deep sense of intrigue and wonder within me. I advanced cautiously, aware that each step brought me closer to the unknown and the unsettling. Every rustle of the branches and every whisper of the wind seemed to convey clandestine and dark deeds, feeding the fear rooted in the depths of my being.
My thoughts intertwined among the dancing shadows swaying between the majestic trees, while an unsettling oppression relentlessly seized my spirit. The forest, in its mysterious wisdom, seemed to breathe with its own pulse, enveloping me in an oppressive and threatening atmosphere. The distorted echo of my steps, accompanied by the accelerated beats of my heart, created a sinister symphony that resonated in the deepest recesses of my mind.
As I ventured into the surroundings, nature transformed into an increasingly twisted distortion. The trees, in their twisted majesty, took on grotesque forms hiding lugubrious tales beneath their deceptive appearance. Pale creatures lurking in the darkness, invisible to mortal eyes, seemed to spy from the shadows, while incomprehensible whispers slid silently through the recesses of my mind, heightening my unease and paranoia.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
I continued my advance with utmost stealth and meticulousness, carefully exploring the ground for dried branches, stones, and withered leaves. I even claimed a fragment of tree bark, sensing that its mere presence would afford me some form of shelter in this maddened world. I won't delve into details about this task, as I have immersed myself in similar endeavors on previous occasions, deeming it superfluous to repeat the explanation once more. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that, in this instance, I have managed to gather a considerable amount of such elements, a dark and fascinating collection that induces a sinister vertigo within me.
Having completed my task, I returned to my refuge, a structure erected with autonomous vigor in the vicinity of the lake. Despite the body of water displaying dazzling magnificence, spanning approximately seventy meters in length, I did not experience fear or disturbance in the face of its majesty. On the contrary, a tranquil serenity enveloped me in its proximity, as if the crystal-clear waters radiated a benevolent and comforting energy.
However, my ignorance persists regarding the true depth of the lake, and that enigmatic uncertainty, as indecipherable as the aqueous body itself, whispers ancient revelations that disturb my psyche and challenge my judgment. Something extraordinary hides in the folds of its depths, as expected in such mysterious cases. Despite its colossal magnitude, its presence becomes almost elusive, veiled by the thick vegetation that surrounds it, as if nature itself attempts to conceal its magnificence from profane gazes.
Even I was unaware of its existence until I reached the abrupt slope descending to its shores, revealing before my eyes a panorama that evokes contradictory emotions and fuels my insatiable curiosity.
Allow me, in my quest for clarification, to shed light on certain details: the path I traversed, with a mixture of caution and determination, is located approximately 2 kilometers south of the somber castle, while the route opening towards the slope is situated about 1.5 kilometers westward, where silhouettes whimsically dance.
As I descended into the journey, exploring the twists and turns of the path leading to the lake, I noticed the distance gradually diminishing, nearing the 1-kilometer mark. However, it is crucial to emphasize that these estimations are shrouded in a fog of uncertainty, given that multiple variables and possible routes between different landmarks complicate precise measurement.
I must underscore that only on my initial journey was I blessed with the opportunity to verify such information, as, until this present moment, that possibility has not reappeared before me, plunging me into the shadow of hesitation. An unsettling presence, an inexplicable anomaly, stood before my eyes, challenging all logic and human understanding, plunging my mind into an abyss of confusion and despair.
It was an impenetrable enigma, an inscrutable mystery that defied all limits of our rationality, greatly hindering the estimation of the time needed to traverse the domains of this mysteriously arcane entity. I found myself immersed in a sinister web of disquieting variables, where the very terrain took on a hostile nature, and the challenge of advancing in those cursed areas far surpassed our limited understanding.
Every step I took, every decision I made, was imbued with an uneasy restlessness that enveloped me like a dark veil, weaving a web of shadows on my path. Moving along the lake's shore, where shadows came to life, and esoteric murmurs intertwined in unspeakable tales of doom, had no parallel to the previously traced path I ventured. The discrepancy was evident and directly influenced the duration of my torturous journey, instilling in me an unsettling discomfort due to the lack of control over the time it would take to cross that terrifying precipice.
Upon concluding my monologue, in which I had replaced the mundane search in the forest with something considerably more intriguing and captivating, I felt an ancient chill running down my spine, as if they were distant echoes of an ancient and forgotten progression, resonating in the dark recesses of my mind. Animal vitality seemed to have regained its presence, but at what cost. Whitish squirrels frolicked nearby, their eyes shining with a malevolent curiosity that seemed to emanate from the darkest abysses of the surrounding entity, bearers of a hidden and sinister heritage that transcended our assimilation.
Within the depths of my being lay a profound unease as I contemplated the possibility that these creatures, drawn by a shadowy influence, had desecrated the bow and drill, vital artifacts for my survival in this world of mysteries and pallid beings. Though I had desperately hidden them among the thickets, blindly trusting that no profane shadow would dare defile them, I now faced the consequences of my reckless assurance. The weight of uncertainty and fear bore down on me as I momentarily left a pile of sticks and stones, plunging into an abyss of insecurity when undertaking the unsettling task of examining their condition, as if unraveling the dark and perverse mysteries hidden in the very essence of these objects, revealing the sinister marks left by time and the presence of the unknown.
My trembling hands rested upon the bow and drill, while my gaze delved into the depths of their condition, anxiously seeking to unravel the arcane vagaries hidden in their enigmatic form. In a fearful sigh, I discovered with relief that they remained unharmed, a small spark of hope ignited amid the oppressive darkness that enveloped my existence, like a fleeting beacon in a stormy sea.
Nevertheless, that momentary joy failed to dispel the disquieting shadow that loomed over me, the constant sensation that horror lurked at every turn, patiently awaiting the opportune moment to unleash its monstrous and twisted influence. With steady steps and deep conviction, I traced my path to where I had previously lit the fire, aware that there I would find a fleeting respite amidst the abyssal blackness that surrounded my steps.
Immersed in the vastness of the firmament, I ventured into the shadowy domains of the forest, caressed by a blend of anticipation and deep unease, as if nature itself jealously guarded its darkest secrets in every hidden corner. With meticulous skill, I began to gather twisted branches and dry leaves, selecting each one with sumptuous precision, knowing that the choice of these elements would be the key to the success of my labor in this hermetic and enigmatic world.
Drawing upon the accumulated wisdom throughout the ages, I turned to the ancient method of the bow and drill to kindle a spark amidst the shadows, invoking an ancestral connection with the primordial elements. The fire came to life with an ominous roar, releasing its glow into the density of the distant foliage, distilling an ancient energy that seemed to imbue the air with a halo of ancestral mystery and an enigma yet to be deciphered.
This time, ignition proved surprisingly more fluid than in my previous attempt. However, the process still required a dose of patience, as I had to maintain a delicate balance between the vulnerability of the nascent fire and the voracity of the faint lattice surrounding it. It was as if I were dancing on the edge between the fragility of the fiery rebirth and the maelstrom of shadows lurking in the vicinity, eager to devour the faint light daring to defy their dark dominion.
Gradually, I incorporated the dry branches and leaves into the fire, feeding its crackling with meticulous dedication. The flames rose, dancing with an unsettling vitality at the heart of the surroundings, as if they were beings endowed with their own life, eager to unleash something hidden in the depths of the surrounding darkness.
With each addition, the fire took on unusual strength, its flaming tongues writhing like restless entities seeking to release veiled masks in the innermost shadows. On this occasion, I made the wise decision to allow the intensity of the fire to diminish, letting the smoldering embers glow with a latent force, like a harbinger of the storm to come, a tense calm that hid an impending, sweeping anger in her tits?.