Music Recommendation: Ethereal Descent- Ivan Torrent
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A portal shimmered with an alluring radiance, an ethereal gateway seemingly poised to transport her to a realm beyond mortal comprehension. Its incandescent brilliance beckoned, offering a warm and inviting light that mirrored the tiny glimmer of hope nestled within her heart.
Yet, with each weary blink, that light faded, gradually succumbing to the encroaching darkness that enveloped her, stripping her bare.
Light and darkness, forever at odds, could never coexist, even though their existence relied on one another.
Diana's heart skipped a beat as the bitter truth washed over her. That dwindling light, that faltering portal, represented her sole thread of escape. Yet, it appeared to be slipping away, as if time conspired to grant her a mere glimpse of possibility.
"What manner of entity are you?" She whispered, her voice no more than a frail breath, worn thin by exhaustion.
No answer met her plea, causing Diana to clench her teeth in frustration. "What purpose do you hold for me? Why have you dragged me into this forsaken place?" She bellowed, defying the rebellion of her own beleaguered lungs.
This was her final bastion of sanity, teetering on the precipice of dissolution.
This was precisely the malevolent desire of the abomination that held her captive.
Her descent into the abyss.
It reveled in the gradual erosion of hope, the calculated torment designed to push her towards the embrace of hopelessness and madness until surrender became her only choice.
And begrudgingly, against her own volition, it was succeeding.
Irony dripped from her lips as a melancholic smile curled upon them, self-mockery dancing within her weary eyes.
She knew better, yet she found herself ensnared within its insidious trap.
The weight of her despair settled upon her, suffocating her spirit. The mere thought of escape eluded her, plunging her into the depths of desolation.
"I wonder how many souls you have ensnared to attain such mastery. Care to share your twisted expertise?" She sneered, her voice dripping with bitterness.
Met with a resounding silence, her smile wavered, replaced by a desperate plea tinged with desperation. "If you choose to remain silent, I implore you, release me from this torment. I beg of you."
The burden of her suffering had become unbearable. Death, swift and merciful, seemed a more desirable fate than enduring the sadistic torture that held her captive.
In a sinister display of aggression, the entity's grip tightened around Diana, constricting her with a vengeful force. It slithered upward, coiling around her delicate neck, its intent nearly suffocating her very existence.
Diana's desperate gasps for air were met with a metallic tang, her lips stained with trickling blood, a testament to the unbearable torment she endured. Tears welled up in her eyes once more, her every breath strained, as her body fought against its relentless grasp.
Summoning the remnants of her strength, she mustered up the courage to speak, though her words were punctuated by gasps and spitting. "Why do you harbor such anger?" She managed to inquire, her voice trembling and fragile.
The entity's response emerged as a hoarse whisper, a disconcerting chorus of voices converging into one. The cacophony reverberated through Diana's mind, causing a dull ache to throb within her skull. The weight of its words settled upon her, sinking deep into her consciousness. "Any ordinary child would have perished under the immense energy I have drained from you," It taunted.
Diana's body stiffened, her heartbeat skipping a beat as she absorbed the entity's proclamation. If only it truly comprehended the depths of her resilience. If only it understood the indomitable spirit she clung to, her unwavering determination to forge an unyielding resolve in the face of impending doom.
Yet, in that moment, as the specter of death loomed over her, she found solace in the notion of release. If freedom eluded her grasp, she would prefer an end to her suffering. However, she vowed not to reveal this vulnerability.
Recalling the wisdom of a sage, she understood the necessity of camouflage―feigning weakness when strength coursed through her veins, and projecting strength when vulnerability threatened to consume her. It was a dance of deception, a strategy to endure, to outmaneuver her oppressor.
With an indignant snort, she concealed her inner turmoil, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she uttered, "Ah, the joys of being being blessed with luck, I suppose." Disgust etched deep lines on her face as the metallic tang of blood tainted her mouth.
In that moment, she knew she had suffered a severe injury, perhaps even a broken bone.
"If fortune truly favored you…" It trailed off as its tendrils coiled around her delicate neck, eliciting a groan of pain from the young girl. Yet, in a sudden twist, it flung her to the ground as if repulsed by her presence. "You would not have been consigned to this wretched place."
Diana's body collided with the unforgiving floor, causing her to emit pained groans. Each breath she struggled to take was accompanied by a persistent cough, as if her lungs were begging for respite. And then, a warm cascade trickled down the side of her head.
Blood.
Tears welled up in Diana's eyes, her desperate attempts to contain them futile. They spilled over, mingling with the pain that wracked her body. The agony became unbearable, and her whimpers escaped involuntarily.
"You would not have been sent to me," The entity sneered, relishing in sadistic amusement as it savored her cries.
Through her blurred vision, Diana caught sight of a radiant portal that steadily diminished with the passage of time.
Her window of opportunity was closing.
A sudden, hoarse laughter erupted from the entity, sending shivers coursing through Diana's fragile form. "You must be a forsaken child, dispatched by the Gods as a scapegoat. I can hardly blame them. You are far too feeble and fragile for one of your lineage. Finally, after all these years, my patience has been rewarded."
As the entity's words fell upon her ears, Diana pressed her lips together. Her tears continued to flow unabated, yet she summoned the strength to rise unsteadily, leaning on her wounded head to staunch the bleeding. Strands of her golden hair now bore the crimson hue of blood, while sweat drenched her entire being.
She was weary. Yet, a flicker of hope, fragile as it was, buoyed her spirit. With faltering steps, she ventured towards the dwindling light, only to be halted by the entity's voice.
"Are you listening?" It drew closer, its proximity unsettling. "But how can this be? No one from your bloodline has ever awakened their magical affinity at such a late stage, and your mana appears feeble. It almost feels too good to be true." Pausing, it shifted its attention to Diana.
Diana's spine stiffened, even though she could not discern its eyes, the weight of its gaze bore down on her.
A discomfort like no other.
Drawing nearer, the entity compelled Diana to retreat in fear. "You must be a defect, much like myself. I wish you could return and convey my regards to everyone, but alas, you shall not leave this place unscathed."
Diana's eyes turned cold at the notion of being compared to the cruel abomination that stood before her. "I know not of the family you speak of, nor of the feud that festers within. Nor do I have any inclination to acquaint myself with your problems, your hatred, or the disdain you hold for those who have wronged you." She declared, taking cautious steps backwards to put as much distance between them as possible.
To think she had endured such torment for the sake of strangers she had never known.
Why should she pay a debt she did not owe?
Suffer such agony for people she had never met?
"And do you think I care?" A chilling laugh echoed from the entity. "It would bring me immense satisfaction to have at least one of your kinfolk, bearing the blood of that wretched family, pay the price. Each and every one of you deserves retribution for the misdeeds of that wench." Its final words were but a whisper, yet Diana caught every syllable.
Though she was but a child, she recognized the folly that underpinned the entity's words held.
Her mother had once warned her that her outspoken nature would one day land her in trouble. She had tried to temper herself, but even she could not suppress the anger coursing through her veins.
"Truly, it is the fool who succumbs to vexation, and the simple who are slain by jealousy. You harbor such malevolence and grudges that they have become the very essence of your existence. Yet, setting aside your physical appearance, do you not comprehend the worthlessness that consumes you? Forsaking the notion of exacting revenge upon someone who may already be lost to the grave?"
"How dare you?!" The entity advanced, causing Diana to retreat further. "Who do you think you are?!"
"I am the individual upon whom you seek to unleash your wrath," She responded, her voice devoid of emotion, though her hands trembled with fear. "Do you not feel ashamed? To seek revenge upon a mere child? And then what?"
Diana's perception of the entity underwent a profound transformation as her fear gradually subsided. In that moment, she realized that it was no different from any other individual, driven by its own impulsive desire and tainted by the same range of human emotions.
Rather than an outwardly being, it manifested as a repulsive reflection of humanity itself.
Mockingly, the entity emitted a laughter devoid of mirth, akin to a blade scraping against concrete. "Ashamed?" It sneered. "Why should I be? What is there to feel shame for? Why should I be burdened with remorse for spilling the blood of those who stripped me of everything? Why should I be ashamed of the monstrous form I have acquired? No one offered apologies for the transformation they forced upon me."
Diana's countenance turned solemn, and she interjected. "That's not entirely true; they did not take everything from you." Her words hung in the air, laden with an unspoken truth.
The entity, now intrigued, swiftly transitioned from curiosity to rage upon overhearing Diana's faint murmur, "You still cling to your own naivety."
Enraged, its tendrils slithered menacingly towards Diana, who recoiled in fear. "Wait," She pleaded, her voice trembling, "I―" But before her desperate pleas could find completion, she felt a rush of air, followed by her body colliding with the chilling surface she had grown all too familiar with.
Diana remained dazed, the excruciating pain still reverberating through her body. She was certain her ankles had been sprained, if not broken. Bruises marred her once unblemished skin, her lips and cheeks swelled from the impact. Weakness and agony coursed through her, rendering her unable to rise.
If there were any doubts lingering within her, they were now obliterated.
Today marked the culmination of her journey, her life on the precipice of extinguishment.
In a state of surrender, she closed her eyes, tears streaming down her battered cheeks as memories of her mother's tender countenance flooded her mind. The image of her mother, forever adorned with a warm smile, grew vivid.
Regret consumed her very being.
If she had known the path of her existence would thread, she would have cherished every moment with her mother. Olivia and Aunt Marianne, two individuals who had shown her rare kindness in a world of indifference, deserved a deeper expression of gratitude.
The air hung heavy with an oppressive silence, broken only by the entity's voice resounding through the void. "You… Why does your appearance bear familiarity?" its words pierced the air, causing Diana's weary eyes to droop under the strain, yet the entity persisted, muttering to itself in a manner that intensified the throbbing ache in her head. "How could it be… No, It cannot be!"
Diana eyes drooped, her brain barely able to process its words, but the entity continued to mumble to itself, its voice worsening Diana's aching head. "How could…? No… No, it couldn't!"
Diana couldn't help but conclude that the entity had descended into madness.
Though perplexed, she mustered her remaining strength to cast a feeble gaze upon the radiant portal, squinting in the process. It dawned on her that the entity, in its unwitting ignorance, had hurled her into the very heart of the glowing circle, casting an eerie crimson tint upon her ghostly white dress, now stained with her own blood. In its foolishness, the entity had unwittingly presented her with an easier path to escape.
How foolish indeed.
This was her moment of opportunity. However…
Diana gasped for air, every movement sending waves of agony through her muscles. Would she be capable of seizing this chance?
"You! Diana…" The entity's voice, raspy and laden with amusement and disdain, reverberated, sending a chilling shiver down Diana's spine.
Summoning what little strength remained within her, Diana rose from her prone position, her trembling arms barely able to support her weight. "H-How do you know my name?" She inquired, her voice faltering.
The entity drew closer, yet rather than addressing her query, it uttered, "Diana, daughter of Degenhart. To witness your descent to this pitiful state… truly lamentable."
Degenhart? Who was that? Diana's mind raced with confusion.
Casting a sidelong glance at the portal, her path to escape a mere few steps away, she retorted, "I'm afraid you have mistaken me for someone else."
"Impossible. I have long awaited this moment, to finally gaze upon that defiant countenance of yours."
Defiant countenance? The audacity…
Indignant, Diana spoke, her breaths heavy and labored. "I am not sure you realize how utterly disturbing you sound. You remind me of my landlord."
"How amusing. Different vessel, same voice. But enough with these frivolities. Today, you shall meet your demise." It proclaimed, its word oozing forth with calculated deliberation, instilling fear within Diana, who, unable to stand, found herself crawling back in terror. "Should you cross paths with the Divine, convey my regards to them. Alas, I shall never have the pleasure of beholding their visages."
Without a moment's hesitation, it surged forward with inhuman speed, its sole focus fixed upon Diana, whose face had paled in sheer terror. The entity reveled in these moments, savoring the fear it incited―
"Ahhhhh!" The entity emitted an ear-piercing shriek, its sound so sharp that it threatened to rupture Diana's eardrums.
Diana trembled, her eyes tightly shut and her hands shaking as she desperately covered her ears. Bewilderment washed over her, and she cautiously opened her eyes, expecting to face the entity once more. However, to her astonishment, she found nothing but an empty space before her.
What had just occured?
Had the entity disappeared?
Goosebumps prickled her skin as she noticed a brilliant red glow amid the surrounding darkness, a presence that seemed to watch her intently, waiting.
Then, a realization dawned upon her, filling her with both amusement and wonder. A smile, tinged with mockery, graced her lips as she whispered, her words carrying through the darkness, "You cannot tolerate the light." Her voice reverberated, resonating in the void.
It was the only reasonable explanation, She thought.
However, her words seemed inconsequential to the entity. It responded in its unpleasant, course voice, its words laced with promises, "Diana, daughter of Degenhart. Prepare yourself, for you shall bow before the sound of my name. That, I assure you."
"As I said before, you must've mistaken me for someone else." Diana insisted, but her plea for understanding fell upon deaf ears. The crimson glow no longer flickered, indicating that Diana stood alone.
A shiver crept up her spine as adrenaline surged through her veins. Her knees weakened, and a series of sobs escaped her trembling lips.
The thought of what could have transpired had the entity not cast her aside sent a chilling wave through her body. If possible…
The portal enveloped her in its warm light, embracing her battered and bruised form, providing a semblance of comfort and security. But not before allowing her a glimpse of an indistinct figure lurking in the shadows, silently observing her.
…This was an experience she longed to banish from the depths of her memory.
Forever.