The Darkness Within
I stood alone in the dark forest, the figure's words echoing in my mind. Face my fears. What did that mean?
As I looked around, the trees seemed to loom over me, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching out to grab me. I felt a sense of unease, as if something was watching me from the shadows.
Suddenly, I saw it. The shadow within myself. It was growing, spreading its dark tendrils throughout my body.
I tried to push it away, but it seemed to be a part of me. I felt its presence spreading through my veins, like a cold, dark liquid.
And then, I saw Riven. He was standing at the edge of the clearing, his eyes black as coal. He was surrounded by a halo of darkness, and his presence seemed to draw the shadows around him like a magnet.
"Lila," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You've been chosen."
Chosen? What did that mean? And what purpose?
Riven began to move towards me, his eyes fixed on mine. I could feel the darkness within me growing stronger, as if it was drawn to him.
"Riven, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You've been chosen to join me," he said. "To join the darkness."
I felt a surge of fear. What did he mean? And what lay ahead?
As Riven reached out to touch me, I felt a flash of clarity. I knew that I had to resist him. I knew that I had to fight against the darkness within me.
And so, I did.
With a fierce determination, I pushed back against the darkness. I pushed back against Riven's influence.
And slowly but surely, I began to feel myself returning to normal. The shadow within me began to recede, and Riven's grip on me began to loosen.
I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I had done it. I had resisted the darkness.
But as I turned to face Riven, I saw that he was no longer there. He had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint whisper of darkness.
And then, I heard it. A faint whisper in my ear.
"The darkness is within you," it said. "And it will never truly leave."