The voice echoed in Hazel's mind, a haunting whisper that refused to fade.
"How… How are you me?" she stammered, feeling the unique aura that surrounded the voice.
"I am you—just a darker version," he replied with a low, dark chuckle.
"Why do I have a darker version?" Hazel pressed, determination creeping into her voice. She needed answers.
"I will be back Hazel Arman"
"Arman… Wait!" Hazel attempted to call out to the voice, but it vanished. "Arman… is that supposed to be my surname," she thought, pushing herself off the cold ground. The chill of the dungeon lingered as she approached the small window, gazing at the full moon illuminating the night sky.
"Why do I have a darker version of myself? Who am I in this reincarnation?" she wondered, her mind racing with questions.
…
After a week without food or water, the dungeon door finally creaked open.
"You can both come out now," a guard said, his tone as devoid of warmth as the stone walls surrounding them.
Hazel and Amber exchanged bright smiles, relief flooding through them. They longed for a bath and a return to their duties.
"Once you've cleaned up, follow me. Madam Nora has assigned a new task for you both."
As they stepped out of the dungeon, the guard's words lingered in their minds.
"I hope this new task isn't dangerous," Amber murmured.
"Me too," Hazel agreed, glancing at her friend with concern.
…
After their bath, they found the guard waiting for them, gesturing them to follow.
"Where is he taking us?" Hazel wondered anxiously.
"Yeah, where are we going?" Amber echoed, both their eyes fixed on the guard's sturdy shoulders as he led them.
They arrived at the front door. As the guard opened it, Hazel's heart raced.
"The front door!" she thought, eyes wide in shock.
The guard revealed a beautiful expanse—a lush grassland with a garden overflowing with strawberries.
"Wow…" Hazel breathed, unable to resist the beauty of the scene. She turned to Amber, excitement shining in her eyes.
Amber nodded, a knowing look passing between them.
"You are to scrub the fence and the ground," the guard instructed, gesturing for them to begin.
They immediately set to work, the guard watching them for a moment before turning to leave. As soon as he was gone, Hazel rushed to Amber.
"Did you notice? There are no gates!" Hazel exclaimed, her voice tinged with agitation.
"I know! There's no way out!" Amber replied, her shock evident.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" a cold voice interrupted them.
"Shoot!" Amber whispered. They quickly returned to scrubbing.
As Hazel cleaned the walls, she noticed a strange glow emanating from them. She stepped back, glancing at Amber, who was equally surprised.
"Amber, is the wall supposed to glow while we're cleaning?" Hazel asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.
"So the prophecy was right," Amber murmured, eyes wide.
They turned at the sound of footsteps, spotting Madam Nora approaching with two guards, her gaze fixed on Hazel. A chill ran down Hazel's spine as their eyes met.
"Get her," Madam Nora commanded, a twisted smile on her face.
Hazel felt rooted to the spot, fear washing over her. "Let me go! I don't know anything about the prophecy!" she shouted, desperation lacing her words.
"Take her!" Madam Nora laughed, her eyes gleaming with malice.
The guards blindfolded Hazel, carrying her to an unknown destination. Her heart raced in fear of what awaited her.
As the blindfold was removed, Hazel blinked against the dim light and realized she was in a room bathed in red, surrounded by candles and knives. She looked up to see Madam Nora's delighted expression.
"Oh, Hazel, my dear, you hid so well," Madam Nora said, tracing her fingers along Hazel's jawline.
"Madam Nora, I swear I didn't hide anything!" Hazel trembled, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It seems you're unaware of the prophecy. Why else would I bring so many slaves into my mansion? The bearer of the prophecy must be under my roof," Madam Nora replied, her smile widening.
"I'm not a bearer of any prophecy!" Hazel protested, praying silently that she wouldn't meet the same fate as the maid she had seen upon her arrival.
"It seems you're mistaken. Inside you lives a powerful demon, and I want him—use the last drop of your blood, I don't care!" Madam Nora shouted, her voice rising in mania.
"There's nothing inside me, I swear… Ahhh!" Hazel screamed as pain surged through her, Madam Nora beginning her incantation.
After an hour of chanting, the demon still didn't emerge.
"If you don't come out, I'll drain her blood! I don't care about the backlash!" Madam Nora screamed, advancing with her knife.
"This is it. My end. If only I were stronger… If I get another chance, I swear I'll become stronger," Hazel thought, closing her eyes and waiting for death.
Suddenly, a protective shield enveloped her, keeping Madam Nora at bay. Hazel looked up, and the moment she looked down her eyes turned pitch black .
The voice of a thousand demons echoed, "How dare you tamper with what belongs to me?"
Madam Nora's excitement was palpable as she saw the demon has finally decided to come out. "Come to me! Use me as you wish. She doesn't even know you're here!" she beckoned, her voice dripping with desire.
"Nora Rashvier, don't you dare summon me, and don't attempt to tamper with this body," he warned, causing the lights and candles to flicker ominously.
"Whether you accept or not, you must possess me!" Madam Nora shrieked, her eyes burning with lust as she chanted darker magic.
He regarded her as if she were a joke.
Seeing Hazel being possessed by the demon and gazing at her with indifference infuriated Madam Nora. Desperately, Madam Nora unleashed a powerful spell, draining her own energy.
He noticed Hazel's body weakening, rage boiling within him. He elongated his claws, slashing at Madam Nora's neck.
"Ahhh! What did you do to me?" she screamed, feeling her power fading rapidly.
"I poisoned you. Nora Rashvier, I will return," he declared, vanishing with Hazel's body.
Hazel opened her eyes to find herself lying at the base of a tree. "I was at Madam Nora's… she wanted to kill me! Am I dead?" she thought, stretching out her hands to see her pale skin. "If I'm not dead, where am I? How did I get here?" She surveyed the forest around her, confusion flooding her mind.