The sterile bite of antiseptic clawed at Aysha's throat as she gasped for air, her head a pulsing haze of pain. Blinking against the dim light, the room around her came into focus—metallic machinery beeped ominously, each sound slicing through the fog of her thoughts. The tang of sterilized linens hung thick in the air, making her stomach churn.
Sitting up sent shockwaves through her body; every nerve screamed in protest as she yanked the tube from her arm. Where am I? The thought echoed louder than the ringing in her ears. The last thing she remembered was the stage—the sharp pain slicing through her before darkness swallowed her whole.
Groggy and disoriented, Aysha swung her legs over the side of the bed. They trembled beneath her as she staggered to her feet, bracing herself against the cold wall. The door loomed ahead, an ominous portal to the unknown. As she pushed it open, the hallway stretched out endlessly, shadows dancing in the flickering light.
Hoping to see familiar faces, she moved.
Unease prickled at her skin. She wandered aimlessly through the corridors, the sterile environment suffocating. Faces passed her by—each stranger's eyes narrowed with guarded curiosity, whispers trailing like shadows.
"That's her," one voice hissed.
"The one from the ritual?" another questioned.
"She's finally awake," someone marvelled.
Each whispered comment pricked at her like needles, deepening her confusion. Who are these people? she thought, panic bubbling beneath her skin.
Following the blinding light that beckoned her outside, she collided with a solid form, her already shaky balance throwing her to the ground. Her head throbbed as she looked up to see a tall, toned woman sneering down at her, red eyes glinting with malice. The sun blazed behind her, blinding Aysha and igniting a flare of irritation.
"Watch where you're going, 'veil,'" the woman spat, her lips curling in a contemptuous smile.
Aysha pushed herself up, legs trembling. "I didn't mean to—"
"Of course you didn't. Judging by your dazed look, you don't even know why you're here," the woman interrupted, a smirk creeping across her face, as if savouring Aysha's confusion.
"Naymoi, stop it!" a blonde girl interjected, rushing between them.
Aysha's chest tightened, her heart racing as she scanned the crowd for familiar faces. "Why? She's nothing more than Therion's new bed warmer!" Naymoi shouted, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Naymoi! She just woke up after being out for a week! You think she's aware of anything?" the blonde girl snapped back, anger flickering in her eyes.
As their argument escalated, Aysha barely registered their words. Her mind spun, confusion morphing into panic as whispers echoed around her.
"Everyone except the newcomers knows, Rebecca. She's just a veil, a week behind training. While we've been preparing for the veil's first shift, she's just been… well-rested."
"Exactly she's been out for a week, it wasn't her choice, she's probably the most confused out of all of us, Therion said he'll explain things after she's woken up, but here you are, causing a scene when you can see she's clearly out of it!" Rebecca shouted.
"Why should I care about her current state? We've been training like dogs' day and night. She's no more than a bed maiden, she'll be gone the second he decides to feed on her heart!" Naymoi roared.
My heart? The revelation sent icy fingers of dread through her. Naymoi's sneer deepened as she leaned closer, her voice a venomous hiss.
"You may have survived the ritual, but without proper training, you'll die ten seconds into your shift." Her laughter cut through Aysha like a knife. "But let me tell you a little secret: I've been his bed maiden longer than anyone else here. Once he tires of you, I'll be right back where I belong."
A primal rage ignited within Aysha, blurring her vision as the world spun around her. Naymoi's taunts drummed in her ears, a relentless assault.
"He'll grow tired of you, just like the rest. You might think you're special, but you're just a stepping stone for him to unleash his powers."
The crowd loomed larger, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and disdain. Aysha's thoughts spiralled. All she had wanted was to escape her impoverished life, to belong somewhere. Instead, she found herself cornered, confused, vulnerable, and desperate for support—a protector now laid bare.
"What is this commotion about?" a booming voice cut through the tension.
The crowd parted, revealing a bulky figure flanked by two imposing men. Aysha's heart raced at the sight of him—tall, tanned, and commanding.
"Lord! Naymoi has lost her mind," the blonde girl exclaimed. "The girl just woke up, and she's been spewing nonsense since!" Rebecca shouted as she confided in the man.
Aysha's gaze darted to the man, warmth blooming in her chest, though fear gnawed at her.
"How is it nonsense when we've all been told the prophecy!" Naymoi shouted.
"Ah! The veils probably have never heard the prophecy before" she laughed, her voice dripping with disdain.
"On the zenith day of the crimson moon's embrace,
A prophecy unfolds. Leaving no room for grace,"
"Eyes, that tell tales of fate's decree.
As White as pearls from the depts of the sea
A soul destined to save the other
Will find themselves intwined with another."
She began, the crowd hanging on her words.
"Naymoi!" Therion demanded, his voice like thunder.
Naymoi fell to her knees, yet defiance flickered in her eyes.
"In this union of two, a choice must be defined,
A devouring, a path one cannot decline.
For the looming war, when darkness brings pain,
To avoid extinction, the champion must preva-."
With a solid hand crushing down on her windpipe, a cracking noise was heard through the now silent crowd as Therion's hand tightened around Naymoi's neck.
The words clawed at Aysha's mind, recalling the old crone's warnings from years ago, in that moment time froze, and she was transported to that day, the now her watching as the old crone spoke to the three little ones.
"Heed my words young souls, as I stare into the eyes of the past, the present and the future, let this stay with you, when the heart blooms, a sacrifice is called forth, when the heart become one, will all be seen, look into their eyes and the end you shall be seen."