Tears streamed down her cheeks as she kept running towards a familiar antique shop. Ignoring the pains she felt in her legs and the stares of the people, she pushed the doors open.
"Leave. Can't you read? The closed sign is right there." An elderly man grumbled, his voice a low murmur as his gaze remained fixed upon the newspaper spread before him.
"Didn't my words register in your ears? I told you to leave― Adria?" His words faltered, his eyes widening as he suddenly noticed the disheveled figure standing before him.
Disregarding the name he addressed her as, she strode resolutely towards him, cradling Diana in her trembling arms, "Please, I need your help…" Her voice quivered, intermingled with the steady stream of tears that traced down her anguished face.
His brows furrowed with concern as his gaze fell upon the sickly pallor of the child in her embrace, "Hold on."
With purposeful determination, he swiftly crossed the room, his path unwavering, until he reached a discreet door tucked away in the corner of the antiquated shop. In hushed tones, he silently beckoned Adriana to follow, his eyes conveying a sense of urgency that brooked no delay.
The door had been cunningly concealed, a masterful camouflage that could easily elude the casual observer's notice. Only the keenest of eyes would unveil its location.
Leading the way, he forged ahead, his steps measured, while Adriana followed closely from behind, her grip on Diana tightening as she took in her surroundings. The air hung heavy with the familiar scent of citrus, invading her nostrils and sending a shiver up her spine.
This place, though not unfamiliar, evoked a cynical response within her. It harbored a trove of memories, both cherished and tainted, woven intricately into its very fabric.
Here, amongst this walls that housed relics of the past, she had experienced the spectrum of emotions–joy and sorrow intertwined, heartwarming moments juxtaposed with the disheartening, and the indelible imprint of dread that clung to her like a haunting presence.
And, lurking beneath it all, lay the darkest depths of horror, an aspect that sent a chill down her spine.
Her thoughts were abruptly shattered by the piercing creak of the door, jolting her back to reality.
"Come in," grumbled the aged man, his voice heavy with years of wear.
Adriana cautiously stepped forward, her gaze sweeping the room until it settled upon the bed, where she hastened to place Diana.
A surge of fear and despair overwhelmed her as she beheld Diana's unnaturally pallid complexion.
A primal rage surged within her, an overwhelming urge to release her fury upon something, anything.
She yearned to unleash a scream, to demand answers from the divine forces that seemed determined to inflict further turmoil upon her already chaotic existence.
Had the torment she endured in the past not been sufficient?
Did the Gods derive sick pleasure from her suffering, relishing in her pain as a twisted form of entertainment?
Why did they toy with her life, treating it as a mere plaything for their own amusement?
What grievous sin had she committed in her past life to deserve such relentless punishment?
Unbeknownst to Adriana, the first teardrop escaped her eye, tracing a delicate path down her cheek. Soon, an unstoppable torrent followed, cascading down her face, forming a reservoir of anguish within her.
In the midst of her turmoil, she remained eerily silent, her countenance betraying an unsettling impassivity, save for the solitary stream of tears that painted her visage.
Observing this, the old man sighed wearily, "Cease your crying. She shall survive." He uttered with a touch of nonchalance, only to be met with a resounding silence.
Exasperated, he proceeded to access Diana's vital signs, but his examination was abruptly interrupted, "Adria, what happened?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.
"S-Sylvain… I am unsure," Adriana stammered, her voice laden with uncertainty. "This morning, we awoke, she appeared well. However, during our conversation, something triggered a severe panic attack."
"A panic attack?" Sylvain interjected, his face etched with perplexity.
Adriana swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Y-Yes. Yet, she swiftly regained composure. I ventured outside momentarily, confident that she had regained stability, only to return to find her lifeless form."
At his behest, silence enveloped the room as Sylvain continued to scrutinize Diana intently, a profound expression etched on his face.
An unexpected stillness filled the air, as if time itself held its breath, until Sylvain finally broke the silence with a weighty question, "How long do you believe you can elude him?"
Adriana felt her heart plummet within her chest, "I have no idea what you're insinuating."
Sylvain paused briefly, allowing his words to hang in the air, "You know precisely who I refer." He stated firmly.
Adriana pressed her lips together, her resolve hardening, "I refuse to entertain this subject any further, Sylvain."
"Yet, don't you think Diana deserves to be informed? You know her better than anyone else. You understand how much she despises being kept in the dark." Sylvain implied.
Adriana clenched her teeth tightly, "Yes, she does deserve to know. However, for her safety, I would rather shield her from the truth."
"Adria, you―"
"Do not address me by that name." Adriana snapped, her tone laced with an edge of warning.
"How do you expect to confront the future if you persistently evade your past? Tsk, you're displaying cowardice." Sylvain retorted venomously, his words cutting through the air without remorse.
He knew the weight of his words, understanding that she needed a jolt of reality to shatter the illusion she had woven around herself– a harsh and chilling reality check.
Adriana let out a bitter laughter, her voice tinged with sarcasm, "Cowardice? You believe I am being cowardly? Fine." Rising to her feet, she met his gaze with determination. "I care not for the perception or judgement you have placed upon me. If I must bear the label of a coward to protect the safety of my child, then so be it." With those words, she spun around, striding purposefully toward the door.
"I thought you had recognized the signs, but evidently, I was mistaken." Sylvain's words halted her in her tracks.
"What do you mean?" Adriana questioned, her eyes narrowing at him with a mix of disdain and curiosity.
"Don't you see? Diana possesses a natural affinity for magic." Sylvain revealed, his gaze shifting toward Diana.
An all-encompassing silence followed his revelation, enveloping the room in its profound embrace.
The room remained enveloped in an eerie stillness, yet it was Adriana's giggle that pierced the silence, "Sylvain, I am in no mood for jests." she retorted, brushing an invisible speck of lint off her skirt with feigned nonchalance.
"If you believe I speak solely for entertainment, then explain the disarrayed symptoms Diana has been experiencing," Sylvain responded bluntly.
Noting Adriana's silence, he pressed on. "You understand the nature of the blood coursing through her veins. The mana she vehemently rejected as a child is somehow resurfacing within her. And at an alarming rate, I might add. Tsk."
"It is an exceedingly rare occurrence. Ordinarily, if a child rejects mana at a young age, there is a 98.9% chance that they will never possess it. The remaining 1.1% accounts for exceptionally rare cases, in which some individuals succumb to the shock of the overwhelming mana. The stronger the bloodline, the more excruciating the experiences becomes," He explained, adjusting his glasses as he turned to look at Adriana.
"And her lineage is incredibly potent. I can scarcely fathom the pain she must have endured before losing unconsciousness in this manner. The panic attack she experienced could have been a result of that shock." He analyzed, raising his palm above Diana's forehead.
"The duration of her unconsciousness is uncertain. It is not within my power to determine. All I can do is provide her with daily energy boost, as everything else lies beyond my reach." he continued, his words accompanied by a golden glow emanating from his hand, casting a halo-like illumination upon Diana's golden locks.
"I'm certain that from my explanation, you can grasp the cause for my concern. For, from this point forward, we should anticipate the formation of a connection bond between them."
Adriana shook her head in denial, despite the undeniable reality unfolding before her. Her voice trembled, barely audible as she whispered, "He will take her away from me."
Sylvain furrowed his brows, attempting to interject, "Adria, you know he―"
"You know him no more than I do, Sylvain," She interrupted, her fingers crumpling the fabric of her skirt in distress, "I know the man I fell in love with. I know the depths of his obsession and the cruelty he is capable of." Her words came out brokenly, laced with pain.
"Leaving him was enough reason to make me suffer. If not worse." Adriana whispered, her voice filled with resignation. Slowly, she shut her eyes as if hoping to freeze time and escape the inevitable, "I cannot defy fate, can I?"
Sylvain pursed his lips, his concern deepening as he gazed at her.
Sylvain and Adriana shared a history, one that stretched back to their earlier days when they had no one else to rely on but each other.
He had witnessed the transformation she had undergone, from a tenderhearted child to a woman hardened by the world.
And now, burdened with the weight of motherhood, she faced even greater challenges.
He was grateful that despite growing up in an abusive environment, she had become a loving and nurturing parent, surpassing the shortcomings of her own upbringing.
A chilling laugh escaped Adriana's lips as she her eyes slowly opened. "Living a normal life was nothing more than a fleeting dream." she remarked, her voice devoid of emotion.
"The Gods can be cruel, Sylvain. The only blessing they bestowed upon me was my child." Adriana stated impassively.
Sylvain's brows furrowed with worry. "Adriana…"
"Please take care of Diana. I will return." She said with a forced brightness in her smile, before turning and walking away.
A wave of concern washed over Sylvain's chest. He couldn't help but feel the growing distance between them, both in her words and demeanor.
Yet, he understood that Adriana needed space. She needed time to gather her thoughts and find a way through the turmoil within her.
And he was willing to grant her that. It was the least he could do.
His gaze shifted back to Diana's unconscious form, gradually regaining color as the energy he provided flowed into her.
"Awaken, for a dreadful storm is brewing," He murmured, his eyes flicking to the clock ticking away the seconds, "I wonder how she will weather this tempest."
…
It was only midday when Adriana left the antique store, yet a palpable darkness seemed to envelop everything around her.
The atmosphere was heavy, weighed down by a somberness that permeated the air. The once vibrant blue sky was now obscured by murky, swirling clouds of a dark gray hue.
The wind howled relentlessly, showing no mercy to the scattered commoners who hurriedly sought shelter. The streets echoed with sounds of coachmen yelling at passersby, their urgency mirroring the chaos unfolding.
Amidst this pandemonium, Adriana stood still, her gaze fixed on the scene of turmoil. Clasping her skirt and tucking strands of her hair tightly to protect them from the harsh gusts, she observed the world in disarray.
One by one, raindrops began to fall from the sky, descending upon the few remaining pedestrians left who scurried for cover. The rain showed no mercy, its relentless downpour adding to the chaos.
Adriana closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the sensation of the rain on her skin. She breathed in deeply, taking in the earthy scent that emerged after a rainfall.
A small smile curved on her lips as tears mingled with the raindrops, streaming down her cheeks.
Good.
It seemed that even the heavens shed tears alongside her.