Reception Shadows
As Fernando and I squared up, his eyes blazing with resentment, the air shook with tension. I was reminded of the complex web of lies that had caught us both by the weight of his stare.
With a knife-like cut through the quiet, Fernando said, "Natalia, my dear. You should have known better than to defy me."
I straightened my shoulders, not going to be intimidated by what he had spoken. "I'm through with your games, Fernando. I refuse to enable you to rule me any more."
But doubt bit the edges of my resolve even as I spoke. Fernando was an expert manipulator, so I knew he wouldn't give up easily.
"You think you can just leave me?" I got goosebumps down my spine when Fernando laughed resonantly across the warehouse. "Natalia, you are mine. And you shall always be."
Across from me Richmore stiffened, fury locking his jaw. Fernando, she is not your property. She was never.
Fernando looked to Richmore and his face darkened. Richmore, always the knight in shining armor. Still, you are powerless to keep her safe from me.
Fernando surged forward before I could answer, his sword flashing in the low light. My pulse hammering in my chest, instinct took over and I escaped his assault.
Defiance echoing in my voice, I yelled, "You can't win, Fernando." We are not going to let you to ruin us.
Fernando, though, was unrelenting; his blows became more powerful and faster every second. Richmore was by my side, his own sword poised in defence, but I could see the strain on his features.
Richmore said, "We have to end this," above the din of fighting. Cooperatively.
We nodded and charged Fernando, our blades colliding in a steel tornado. But I had a nagging suspicion that something was wrong even as we battled.
I noticed motion out of the corner of my eye as the fight continued. A shadowy person, their very presence chilling my spine.
I said, just heard above the mayhem, "We're not alone," to Richmore.
Realising, Richmore's eyes grew wide, and we all turned to confront the approaching danger. But the person pushed forward, their face hidden by shadows, before we could respond.
Whispering "Natalia," their voice shivered down my spine. You are doomed.
And the figure disappeared into the night, those eerie words lingering long after they were gone.
I was left wondering what further mysteries were waiting to be discovered in the shadows as the dust settled and the sounds of war subsided. And knowing Fernando was still out there, I knew our battle was far from done.
Fernando gently dropped his blade, a cunning smirk curling his lips as his laughter reverberated throughout the warehouse.
Fernando: Natalia, even if you prevailed this round, our fight is far from over. No pity the next time we cross paths.
Relief and terror mixed in my heart as Fernando turned to go, his last words hanging in the air like a curse.
Fernando, you won't ever break me, Natalia said. I shall never return to your dishonest methods.
Fernando simply laughed, though, his voice full of resentment.
Fernando: That will be discussed, my dear. Give yourself one last opportunity to join me and experience the power that lies ahead. Never again make the error of refusing.
I squared up, my determination becoming stronger with each step he took away from me.
Natalia: Fernando, I will never join you. I would much prefer pass away than be enslaved to your darkness.
Though he quickly covered it up with a smirk, Fernando's eyes flashed with rage.
Fernando: Natalia, suit yourself. Recall, nevertheless, that you chose this. And you will be sorry.
Fernando left me feeling a shadow of dread as he disappeared into the darkness.
Richmore moved over next to me, his face worried.
Richmore : Is Natalia doing okay?
Nodding, I braced myself for the unknown that awaited.
I'll be okay, Richmore, says Natalia. Anything comes our way, we can handle it together.
But skepticism gnawed at the margins of my thoughts even as I said the words. Fernando was reminding everyone of the perils that lay in the shadows with his threats.
I promised to be myself no matter what obstacles arose as we got ready to leave the warehouse behind. And knowing Richmore was at my side, I knew we could handle any storm that arose.
Richmore looked directly into mine as we left the warehouse, his eyes looking for comfort in the middle of the residual doubt.
Richmore : Natalia, I have to know. Your loyalties are where? Will you really betray me as Fernando has said?
His comments sank through the confusion whirling in my head and made me face the reality.
Richmore, I promise you my wholehearted support. Fernando has foretold that I will betray you, but I will never. I love, I trust, and I ally with you. We shall get beyond any challenge on our way together.
Richmore softened in his countenance, a glimmer of relief flickering in his eyes.
Richmore : Natalia, thank you so much. I trust in our relationship and in us. But we have to keep an eye on things. Fernando is not to be taken lightly.
Fernando's mocking comments reverberated in my head as we emerged into the crisp night air. My voice defiantly rang as I turned to face the night.
Fernando, stop spewing out such garbage and meaningless phrases, Natalia said. All that envious you are of is our relationship. Richmore knows I adore him, and you're the one who's lost.
I was uncomfortable, though, even as I was speaking. Fernando's warnings hung about like a shadow, a reminder of the perils that lay beyond the shadows.
I had a nagging sense that our fight with Fernando was far from over as we vanished into the night. And the stakes increased higher, the shadows darker, and the danger more apparent than it had ever been.
Richmore's voice pierced the night, his words laden with worry, as we vanished into the deep of doubt.
Richmore : Natalia, I worry about the future. Can we really believe Fernando is making no real threats? That we are immune to his schemes?
My heart burdened with the weight of our common load, I turned to face him.
Natalia: We have to be watchful, Richmore. Fear, though, cannot win. Fernando cannot defeat us individually.
But doubt bit the edges of my determination even as I said the words. Fernando's shadow hung huge over our lives, his blackness ready to swallow us whole at any moment.
I had a strong sense that our fight with Fernando was far from done as we disappeared into the darkness. And the risk became more obvious and the stakes greater than they had ever been.
We were still a long way from home, I realized as the night descended around us. And I could only pray that we would come out of the darkness uninjured, Fernando waiting to attack at any time.