In one of the abandoned hills far from Bastian City, there lay a small village nestled between heavy woods. Heavy rain poured from the dark sky, casting an ominous gloom over the land. Water flowed down the narrow streets, carrying mud and debris down the slopes. Thunder roared, as if the sky itself was threatening to split open.
Dozens of shadowy, barged in stealthy in the village like phantoms, their figures barely visible against the thick curtain of the rain. They moved from one house to another, sharp blades held by each one of them, silently promising to paint the land red.
They burst through the doors of the villager's homes and brutally slaughtered anyone they found, men, women or children without hesitation.
In one of the houses a child was hiding in the corner of the room, crouching behind a blood splattered cupboard. The clocked man was about to leave after mercilessly slaughtering his entire family, when he heard a soft sob from the dark corner of the room. A flash of lightning illuminated the room for a moment and he finally caught the sight of a small trembling boy behind the cupboard.
The child had his tears streaming down his cheeks pitifully. He was shaking so violently at the sight of gore that he had wet himself.
The hooded man's mouth curled into a sinister smile and said, "So much fear," He whispered. "You'll be perfect to feed my dark stone." And then, he struck again.
Blood-curdling screams echoed through the entire village, but no one was close enough to hear them on an isolated hill.
After the massacre, hooded shadowy figures gathered in a muddy square.
Some of them held buckets in their hands, when one of them stepped forward and looked inside the bucket, the man asked, "Is that all we've gathered?"
"Yes… it seems there weren't many children in this village. We've collected the women's hearts as well, enough to brew a few more potions."
"Hmm.. children's hearts carry the purest fear, but the women's sorrow-laced souls will also suffice. Let's move. The master awaits. Bastian will not be an easy target with that clever king and his son. But the harvest there will surely be far more… satisfying." With that the group slowly disappeared as if to become one with the shadows.
The same night, far away from the village that had been massacred, a beautiful woman stirred restlessly in her sleep inside Blood Moon Academy. Her room was shrouded in darkness, with the only source of light coming from the window whenever lightning struck. The raindrops pelted heavily against the arched glass windows, echoing through the room.
Evelyn was in her bed, drifting somewhere in dreamland, where she found herself once again in Ivan's room in the academy. The room glowed softly with the light of two candles burning on either side of his bed.
She stood beside the bed, facing Ivan, who towered over her, wearing nothing but his black robe. His robe was slightly parted at the top, revealing his hard, well defined chest muscles.
She wore a delicate white satin nightgown with a matching robe draped loosely over her shoulders. Her hair flowed freely down her back, her breath came in soft and shallow waves. Her beautiful blue eyes moved from his beautiful face to his long, elegant fingers as they reached up, slowly close to her face to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. All the while, his gaze never wavered, holding her with an intensity that made the world around them feel like it had disappeared.
"I..Ivan," she breathed his name, barely more than a whisper.
She swallowed when he slowly wove his hand into her hair, dragging his fingers through smooth, silken strands before moving his fingers up to hold her delicate chin with a tenderness that sent shivers down her spine. His other strong arm slipped around the curve of her waist, drawing her in, like she was meant to be there.
As he stepped closer, she lifted her head to keep her eyes on his, lips parting instantly when he lightly pressed his fingers on her chin.
His burning gaze fell on her parted lips for a moment then he leaned closer only to hover just above her lips. "Tell me… Evelyn," he whispered, his voice like dark velvet, making her shudder hearing her name being called out by his sinful mouth for the very first time.
His hand let go of her chin and slid down to her neck, brushing her hair over her shoulders, exposing her smooth milky neck. His lips then moved towards the shell of her ear, and he asked, "How should I punish you?"
Evelyn's breathing became harsh as he slid down his other hand to her waist and tugged her closer till there was barely any space left between them. She arched into him subconsciously, her body betraying her like she wanted to merge with him. Her hands went to grip the front of his robe tightly and she tilted her head to the side, lips parted, neck exposed, as if offering herself completely by giving him clear access.
And as she felt his warm breath fall over her neck, she knew what was coming next. So she closed her eyes, caught between anticipation and fear.
But the moment she felt his mouth part near the crook of her neck, Evelyn's eyes snapped open.
She was jolted out of her slumber and was greeted by the sound of heavy rain and a roaring sky outside her window. Her breathing was ragged and her heart thundered against her chest as if trying to break free.
Her eyes scanned the room, trying to take in her surroundings, to confirm where she was and if anything was amiss. When all she only found was stillness, she let out a deep, calming breath and closed her eyes.
She leaned against the headboard with her hands covering her face and whispered, "Why do I keep dreaming about him?" Her question was heavy with frustration and something else that she couldn't name.
"First, it was a man with eyes like his… and now.." She cut herself off, shaking her head. "No! Whatever this is, it has to stop! This can't go on…" Even as she said that, she didn't know how to stop.
She briefly recalled his warning, his words echoing in her mind: 'The minute I find you show any signs of clinginess… that's when you pay the price.'
Slapping both her cheeks lightly with her palms, she muttered, "Get a grip, Evelyn! Remember why you're here"
Then her eyes suddenly hardened with resolve and she murmured, "From now on, I'll stay away from him as much as possible. Don't look at him, don't ask him anything, and only speak when related to studies!"
Nodding to herself, she took another deep breath and turned towards the window, watching the violent storm raging outside. After a few moments, she lay back down on her bed, hoping for sleep to take her again and make her forget anything related to Ivan.