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Erica's P.O.V
What I had been longing for, I finally had. We spent the whole day together like a family, catching up on lost time.
As night fell, we all retreated to our rooms.
"My lady, good night," Thomas said, bowing slightly.
"Wait," I called after him. "Can I ask something?"
"Of course, my lady."
"I noticed... my kidnapper seemed to know you. And he said something about 'your master returning.' What did he mean?"
Thomas hesitated, then lowered his gaze. "Asher is my brother. He got involved with Lucifer and became one of his trusted men. He was all the family I had left, so I followed him — blindly, not knowing the depths of the evil he served.
When I met Azreal, he showed me a better path. Together, we saved many lives. Asher... he never forgave me for turning against him. He cut all ties with me. We've been enemies ever since."
"That's... so sad. Do you still care about him?" I asked softly.
"I care. I worry for him every day. I always hoped he would change. I've tried to reach him, but every time... it ends in battle."
"I admire you," I said sincerely. "Not many people have that much patience."
"Thank you, my lady. But I shouldn't trouble you more. Good night."
"Good night," I replied, watching him leave and quietly close the door.
Left alone in my room, I climbed into bed and blew out the candle, letting the darkness cradle me into sleep — ready for another happy day.
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Erica's Dream
I found myself standing alone in the heart of a vast forest.
I wore a silky nightgown — one I didn't remember putting on — and in my hands, I clutched my father's sword, the same one I had pulled from a man's face some nights ago.
The trees stretched endlessly around me, towering shadows under a cold, restless sky.
A sudden rustling from the bushes made me turn. I stepped closer to investigate, but a sharp owl's cry shattered the silence, followed by a mighty wind that whipped the forest into a frenzy.
I turned to leave when the sounds intensified — whispering bushes, howling beasts, the wind shrieking like a spirit in agony.
And then I heard it: Asher's voice, cold and echoing, surrounding me from all sides.
"Very soon... you will be in my hands..."
He repeated the words, over and over, the menace in them sending chills through my bones.
Heart pounding, I ran — but tripped on a stone.
The trees blurred as I struggled to my feet. The wind howled louder. Eyes — dozens of them — blinked open in the darkness, watching me.
Panic drove me forward.
I reached a roaring waterfall and plunged into the water, thinking it might save me. But the river itself seemed alive, pulling me down with cold, merciless hands.
The water turned red.
Blood.
I fought with everything I had and somehow dragged myself to the shore, gasping, trembling.
There, on the sand, lay a body — headless.
Despite the terror clawing at me, I staggered toward it.
Something about it... familiar.
Before I could get closer, footsteps crunched behind me. I turned, sword ready, but out of the fog, a severed head rolled to my feet.
It was my father's.
Blood dripped from his lips as he whispered:
"My child... run."
The voice broke me.
Tears blurred my vision. I barely saw the giant sword that swung out of the mist, smashing the head into a bloody mist.
I stumbled back, frozen in horror.
A scream tore through the air — Thomas' scream — raw and full of agony.
I turned... and there he was.
But he was changed — pale, monstrous, madness burning in his eyes, long bloody claws extending from his fingers.
He lunged.
I barely had time to react, swinging the sword wildly and slicing off his arm. But the severed limb twitched and leaped onto my body, trying to choke me.
I stabbed it desperately, killing it — and when I looked again, Thomas was gone.
The darkness crept closer.
I felt breath on my neck — cold, invasive — but when I turned, no one was there.
Claws raked across my back, hot blood spilling from fresh wounds, but still, no attacker in sight.
Panicked, I ran — and collided into someone.
Thomas.
The real Thomas... or was he?
"Thomas... is it really you?" I gasped.
"My lady... it's me," he said, eyes wide with fear.
I wanted to believe him. I threw myself into his arms.
"But I've always been here, my lady," he whispered.
The words chilled me.
I pulled away.
The darkness surged, and a giant claw shot out of it, snatching Thomas away. His screams echoed into the void.
I turned to run — but claws burst from the earth, dragging me into the darkness too.
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With a gasp, I jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I was back in my room — safe.
Or was I?
"It's just a dream," I whispered to myself, trying to calm the storm inside me.
But deep down, I knew:
It wasn't just a dream.
It was a warning.
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