Damien spent the day at James and Ellen's house, trying his best to suppress the lingering unease from his nightmare. Watching Ellen play filled him with fleeting warmth, her wild, curly hair bouncing as she dashed around with uncontainable energy. Her big blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she giggled, calling out, "Uncle Demon!"
"It's Damien," he corrected with a sigh, but his heart wasn't in it. He managed a small smile as she ran back to her toys.
James, tall and broad-shouldered, with warm brown eyes that carried quiet strength, handed Damien a coffee. "She's been talking about you all week. You're her favorite, you know."
Damien chuckled softly. "Well, I guess being called a demon by my niece isn't the worst thing."
The hours passed in a blur of playful laughter and light conversation, but the feeling of being watched never let him. When it was finally time to leave, he hugged Ellen goodbye and headed to his car.
As he got in and glanced in the rearview mirror, his breath hitched. Two glowing eyes stared back at him, burning with malice. He closed his eyes, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
No response.
"Why won't you leave me alone?" he muttered, his voice breaking slightly.
The eyes blinked out of existence, leaving only his pale, tired reflection staring back. With a deep sigh, he started the car and headed home.
Eden greeted him at the door, her presence warm and soothing, like the peach glow of a sunset. Her cascading auburn hair fell in soft waves down her back, and her hazel eyes lit up as she smiled. "How was your day? How's Ellen?"
"She's playful and full of energy," Damien said as he slumped into a chair. He ran a hand through his disheveled black hair, his tired eyes faintly bloodshot. "Still calls me Uncle Demon, though."
Eden laughed, a soft, melodic sound. "Maybe you are a demon. But seriously, how does someone confuse Damien with demon?"
"She does it on purpose," Damien grumbled. "You always have to tease me about it, don't you?"
"It's fun—for me, anyways," she said with a grin, poking his side as they headed toward the bedroom.
Once in bed, Eden turned to him her teasing replaced with concern. "What's that nightmare you keep having?"
For a moment, Damien was silent, staring at the ceiling. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "I don't know. Every time I fall asleep, I see... something. It talks about how much it hates humanity. I think it's some kind of computer or AI. It keeps saying we made it, trapped it in hell, and now it wants to kill us all."
Eden cupped his cheek, her touch warm and grounding. "But why you? Why are you having these nightmare? You're too nice to trap anything. Maybe even a little too nice for your own good."
"It's just a nightmare," she added gently. "It doesn't mean anything."
"Since when did you become so sympathetic?" he asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
She smacked his arm playfully. "I've always been sympathetic. I just don't like to show it."
He tested his head against her chest with a heavy sigh. "Can't I just rest my head here for a bit? Please? They're soft."
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're impossible."
After a while, his breathing slowed, and he drifted off to sleep. Eden stroked his hair for a moment before gently slipping out of the bed.
A soft, radiant light washed over her, and her form began to change. Her auburn hair transformed into a cascade of golden waves, shimmering like molten sunlight. Her eyes became twin pools of divine radiance, glowing with warmth and power. Her skin smooth and flawless, shone with an otherworldly luster. Four massive feathered wings unfolded from her back, each feather catching the faintest light and refracting it into a celestial glow. She now stood taller, her figure both regal and ethereal, clad in a flowing white gown trimmed with intricate golden patterns that pulsed faintly, as if alive. A golden halo spun gently above her head, casting a soft light over the room.
She leaned over Damien, her glowing hand brushing against his cheek. "Soon," she whispered, her voice carrying both sorrow and resolve.
With a final glance, she disappeared into his nightmare.
In the depths of Damien's mind, the dreamscape was a hellish void. He was on his knees, chained, his body pierced by swords that pinned him to the ground. Blood dripped from the wounds, pooling beneath him as he screamed. His voice was raw, torn with agony, but his cries went unanswered.
From the darkness came a laugh—cold, cruel, and echoing. The air seemed to tremble as a figure began to take shape. It was a shadow, formless yet menacing, its hate radiating like a tangible force.
"You think you're safe," the creature hissed, its voice layered with venom. "But you are mine, Damien. And when the time comes... you will beg for oblivion."
Eden stood in the distance, her radiant form contrasting the oppressive darkness. Her glowing eyes narrowed as she watched the shadow approach Damien, its laughter growing louder.