Lana
I woke up in the middle of the night with a strange feeling.
This house was usually quiet, with only the occasional rustling of leaves outside. But tonight… something was different.
A chill ran down my spine.
I peeked outside the window, only to see complete darkness enveloping the forest. It wasn't just the usual night—this darkness felt thicker, heavier, unnatural.
It felt like something—or someone—was watching me.
My heart pounded harder. I tried to ignore it and pulled the blanket over me again, but just as I closed my eyes—
Creak.
I held my breath.
That… That wasn't the wind, was it?
I hesitated, then peeked under the bed. Because, you know, what if a monster was hiding there, ready to drag me into another dimension?
Nothing. Well, at least I was still alone in this room but the sound was getting closer.
Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.
Someone… or something was walking outside the house.
Please, don't let it be that bear again.
I wanted to scream for Kaelith or Sylas, but I knew they were probably outside. So, I did the only thing that made sense in this situation—
I grabbed my pillow.
Because, oh dear god, a pillow is obviously the best weapon in a terrifying moment like this, right?
Then—
Knock.
A soft, deliberate knock echoed through the front door, but enough to make me jump out of bed.
Who the hell would be knocking at this hour?!
I held my breath and pressed myself against the wall, hoping whoever was outside would give up and leave. But my hope shattered when the knocking turned into something much worse—
Claws scraping against wood.
Okay. That's enough. I'm done.
With trembling hands, I crept toward the bedroom door, peeking into the hallway.
Nothing. Just shadows flickering under the dim candlelight.
I had to check the front door. Maybe… maybe it was just a curious wild animal. Yeah, that had to be it, not a bear, right? RIGHT?!
But as I got closer, a chill crawled over my skin. Something was wrong.
I bit my lip.
If I was going to die tonight, at the very least, I wanted to know what was about to kill me.
Slowly, I cracked the door open—just a little and there he was.
A tall, dark figure stood just beyond the entrance, his posture almost inhuman. His face was hidden behind a carved wooden mask, but his eyes…
Glowing. Red. Eyes.
They stared at me, unblinking, as if he could smell my fear.
I froze.
"I smell a human." His voice was deep, raspy as if it echoed straight into my bones.
Wait, wait—WHAT?!
I slammed the door shut and locked everything I could.
Okay, Lana, don't panic. This is just an assassin coming to kill you. No big deal.
Except, of course, I panicked. I had never been hunted like this before!
I crawled under the table. That seemed like a safe spot, right? WRONG.
Of course, I won't hide here and the footsteps grew closer.
I regretted it. I regretted ever opening that door and seeing that figure.
Heart racing, I grabbed the nearest weapon I could find—a pan from the kitchen.
Yes. A pan.
Because if I was going to die, I might as well go down fighting in style.
Screech. Screech.
His shadow stretched under the door. He was right there.
I held my breath.
"Lana…"
MY HEART NEARLY EXPLODED.
How the hell did he know my name?!
I had to do something. Anything. This was my chance to prove it. That I wasn't weak. That I wasn't just a helpless human.
If I couldn't even face one enemy, how the hell was I supposed to survive this world?!
The second the door burst open, I swung the pan with everything I had.
CLANG!
The pan slammed against his mask, the impact vibrating through my arms.
For a split second, he actually staggered back.
Oh my god. It worked?!
But then—
He laughed. Low. Deep. Amused.
And before I could react, he moved.
Too fast.
A sharp pain slammed into my stomach, sending me crashing to the ground.
The pan slipped from my fingers. My breath hitched, pain blooming in every nerve.
I coughed, trying to push myself up, but he stepped closer, towering over me.
He didn't even have to hurt me badly. He had barely done anything, yet I was already struggling to move.
"I'm going to enjoy this," he murmured.
I trembled.
No. No, no, no!
I was supposed to be strong. I was supposed to fight back. I wasn't supposed to break this easily, but the frustration swelled inside me, overwhelming everything.
And before I could stop it—
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Dammit. Dammit, dammit, dammit! I wasn't strong enough. Becoming strong wasn't as easy as I thought.
No matter how much I wanted to fight, no matter how much I tried— I was still just a weak human.
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
I hated this. I hated feeling powerless. I hated this world.
As he raised his hand, ready to attack again, Then—
A loud roar echoed from outside. A gust of wind howled through the room, followed by a silver flash slicing through the air.
THUD!
The dark figure was sent flying, slamming into the wall with a sickening crack. He let out a low, guttural growl, his masked face tilting up just as Kaelith stepped inside.
Kaelith barely spared him a glance, his sword dripping with thick, dark blood that sizzled upon hitting the wooden floor. His brown eyes were void of emotion, sharp as the blade he wielded.
Sylas strolled in right behind him, twirling a dagger between his fingers. His usual smirk played on his lips, but there was a glint of something dangerous in his gaze. "Tsk, tsk. You really picked the wrong house to break into, buddy."
The masked figure let out a ragged breath, his glowing eyes flickering between the two elves. His body twitched, trying to push himself up, but Kaelith moved before he could.
SLASH!
Kaelith's sword met flesh. A deep wound opened across the intruder's chest, spilling black ichor that reeked of something foul. He choked, a strained wheeze escaping him.
"Who sent you?" Kaelith's voice was low, deadly.
The masked man coughed, but despite his injuries, a chuckle bubbled up from his throat. "You… think you've won?" His voice was hoarse, laced with something unsettling. "She's already marked."
My breath hitched.
Kaelith's expression darkened. "What did you say?"
The man let out another laugh, his body convulsing as if something inside him was breaking apart. "You can't protect her forever."
Before anyone could react, his body stiffened, then—
CRACK!
His entire form twisted unnaturally, bones snapping in ways they shouldn't. A second later, his flesh crumbled away like ashes caught in the wind. Within moments, there was nothing left of him. Just a black stain on the floor.
Silence fell over the room.
I could only feel the burning in my chest. The frustration. The humiliation.
I thought I was ready. I wasn't.
I thought I could fight. I failed.
Kaelith slowly turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You thought you could fight." His voice was calm, almost indifferent. "How foolish."
My breath caught in my throat.
Sylas chuckled, tilting his head. "Well… that was dramatic. But hey, at least you tried, right? With a pan"
I clenched my fists, shame burning hotter than the pain in my body.
Damn it, I have let them see me cry and fall apart.
To be continued…