Chapter 1: The Awakening
A sharp pain jolted through my chest, piercing me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I gasped, clutching at my heart, my mind racing with fear as an ominous presence seemed to envelop me in the dead of night.The moon, a deep crimson orb hanging in the sky, cast an eerie glow that illuminated my surroundings in surreal hues of red, blue, and gold. Its light flickered unnaturally, painting the world around me with a haunting, ethereal beauty that felt more sinister than serene.Silence descended like a heavy blanket, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant cry of an owl. Yet, beneath the quiet, I sensed a stirring—a presence that made every nerve in my body prickle with unease.Suddenly, shadows danced at the edge of my vision, morphing into dark, winged figures that circled above me. Their feathers glistened with an unearthly sheen, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. Fear tightened its grip on my heart as their mournful cries echoed through the night, sending a chill down my spine.A scream—a guttural, inhuman sound—shattered the stillness, and the forest erupted in flames. Heat licked at my skin, the air thick with smoke and the scent of burning wood. In an instant, the world around me dissolved into chaos as I found myself thrust into unfamiliar waters, surrounded by sharks that prowled with predatory grace.A monstrous shape loomed beneath the surface, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. Panic surged through me, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I fought against the relentless pull of the ocean. Just as despair threatened to overwhelm me, figures emerged from the depths—with haunting beauty and deadly intent, and a , its serpent-like form coiled with ancient power.They attacked with swift, calculated movements, their intent clear: to drag me into the abyss. I struggled, gasping for breath, feeling the icy grip of fear tighten around my heart. Darkness closed in, threatening to consume me whole.Then, as suddenly as it began, I awoke—my body drenched in sweat, my heart pounding against my ribs. The pain in my chest had subsided, but a strange mark burned on my skin—a faint, glowing sigil that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.