The days that followed their unsettling encounter with Lilith were heavy with tension. Aria could feel her body shifting further, and it frightened her. The pulsing mark on her neck was no longer a faint throb; it was a constant presence, growing hotter and more insistent with each passing hour. She tried to ignore it, to focus on the journey ahead, but her mind was clouded with sensations she couldn't escape.
Every step felt like a struggle. Her limbs were heavier, her breaths labored. She felt weaker than ever before, yet paradoxically, her senses were sharper. The sound of Mira's voice, the scent of her hair, the warmth of her presence—it was all amplified, overwhelming her in ways she didn't understand.
Mira noticed the change, of course. "You're not eating enough," she said one morning as they broke camp. "You're pale, and you've barely touched your rations."
"It's not food I need," Aria muttered, though the words escaped her before she could think. She froze, her heart pounding.
Mira frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing," Aria said quickly, shaking her head. "I'm just tired. Let's keep moving."
---
The Ruin Beckons
The entrance to the ruin they had discovered in the royal archives loomed ahead, shrouded in overgrown vines and shadow. The air around it was heavy, as if the place itself exuded a sense of foreboding. Aria shivered, though she wasn't sure if it was the chill in the air or the constant burn of the mark on her neck.
"This must be it," Mira said, stepping forward with her sword drawn. She glanced back at Aria, her expression one of concern. "Stay close."
Aria nodded, though her legs felt like lead. Each step toward the ruin sapped more of her strength, and she couldn't deny the gnawing emptiness growing inside her.
The moment they stepped inside, the world seemed to shift. The air was thicker, almost suffocating, and the faint glow of ancient runes illuminated the walls.
"It's a trap," Mira whispered, her eyes scanning their surroundings.
"No," Aria said, her voice distant. "It's... alive."
She didn't know how she knew, but the ruin pulsed with a faint, almost imperceptible energy. It called to her, resonating with the mark on her neck. She staggered forward, her hand brushing against one of the glowing runes.
"Aria, don't—" Mira's warning came too late.
The moment Aria's fingers made contact, the rune flared brightly, and a surge of energy shot through her. She cried out, falling to her knees as the warmth inside her became unbearable.
"Aria!" Mira was at her side in an instant, her arms wrapping around her shoulders.
Aria gasped for breath, her body trembling. The hunger was unbearable now, clawing at her from within. She clung to Mira, her nails digging into her armor.
"I... I can't..." Aria's voice was barely a whisper.
---
A Moment of Weakness
Mira helped her to her feet, supporting her as they moved deeper into the ruin. The corridors were narrow, the air growing colder with each step. Aria leaned heavily on Mira, her breaths shallow.
"You're getting worse," Mira said, her voice tight with worry. "We need to get out of here."
"No," Aria said, shaking her head weakly. "We're close. I can feel it."
Mira hesitated but didn't argue. She tightened her grip on Aria, guiding her through the twisting passages.
Finally, they emerged into a large chamber, its center dominated by a pedestal holding a cracked, ancient tome. The air hummed with energy, and the mark on Aria's neck burned brighter than ever.
"This is it," Aria said, her voice trembling. She stepped forward, her hand reaching for the book.
But the moment she touched it, a wave of darkness erupted from the pedestal, engulfing the room. Mira drew her sword, her stance defensive as shadowy figures emerged from the walls.
"Aria, get back!" Mira shouted, but Aria was frozen in place.
The shadows lunged, their forms twisting and writhing as they descended upon them. Mira fought valiantly, her blade cutting through the darkness, but the figures seemed endless.
Aria fell to her knees, her strength failing her. The hunger was consuming her now, an all-encompassing void that threatened to swallow her whole. Her vision blurred, and the sounds of the fight faded into the background.
"Aria!" Mira's voice broke through the haze, filled with desperation.
And then, as if answering an unspoken plea, the mark on Aria's neck flared. A burst of crimson light erupted from her, sending the shadows recoiling. The energy was intoxicating, flooding her senses and momentarily dulling the hunger.
Mira stared in shock as the shadows dissipated, leaving the room eerily quiet. "What was that?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Aria didn't answer. She was too focused on the warmth coursing through her veins, the faint echo of Lilith's voice whispering in her mind.
---
The Price of Power
They left the ruin in silence, the ancient tome tucked safely in Mira's bag. Aria stumbled as they walked, her body trembling with exhaustion.
When they finally stopped to rest, Mira helped her sit down, her expression filled with concern. "You're not telling me everything," she said, her voice firm.
Aria looked away, shame washing over her. "I don't know how to explain it," she admitted. "It's like... my body is changing. And this hunger—it's consuming me."
Mira frowned. "What kind of hunger?"
Aria hesitated, her cheeks flushing. She couldn't bring herself to say it, but the answer was clear in her eyes.
Mira's expression softened, and she placed a hand on Aria's shoulder. "We'll figure this out. Together."
But as Aria leaned into Mira's touch, she couldn't ignore the growing fear inside her. The mark, the hunger, the power—it was all tied to something darker, something she didn't fully understand. And the more she fought it, the more it consumed her.
Lilith's words echoed in her mind: "Embrace it, and you'll find the strength to control it. Resist, and it will consume you."
Aria closed her eyes, her resolve wavering. She didn't know how much longer she could hold on, but one thing was certain—her journey was far from over, and the hunger was only the beginning.