The shadow took a step forward. And then Calcium made up her mind. She raised her hand sharply, her palm glowing with a bright blue light.
– You will not take my memory or my story! –
she screamed, clenching her fist.
The sound of light and magic cut through the night air like thunder, the shadow stopped, but did not disappear. It seemed to recoil, but then began to move. The forces intertwined, collided.
But for a moment, Calcium felt that her tattoo was not just glowing. She was fighting. Fighting this creature.
And then, in that moment, she understood: her power was much greater than she thought. But what kind of power was this? And who were these Shadows chasing her?
Calcium felt her tattoo pulsating, the light on her palm flickering, as if responding to danger. The shadow before her, something elusive, seemed larger than she could comprehend. A part of the night, a living embodiment of fear, it was slow to attack, but it did not disappear either. It waited.
"I feel it... It sees me. It studies, weighs, evaluates."
Beside her, the man was shaking with fear. His breathing was ragged, but he could not move, as if he was bound by invisible bonds.
– You said that I won't take your memories and history? – a voice whispered from the darkness. It didn't belong to anyone in particular, as if it was coming from all directions at once. – But your memory is so sweet and the history is already written. It's just beginning ha-ha-ha!
The words echoed in Calcium's head, and the next moment her chest was pierced by a sharp feeling of pain - as if something responded in it. She took a step back, but quickly pulled herself together.
– If you think you can scare me... – her voice was firm, although everything inside was trembling. – Then try.
The shadow shuddered. Either from interest or from irritation.
Calcium did not wait for the creature to attack. She raised her palm, pointing it at the Shadow, and concentrated on her tattoo. She felt the magic in her blood, she felt that she could... do something. The only question was what.
"It's history. The history of this creature. If I can record stories, can I… change them?"
She clenched her fist, concentrating on the flow of power within her. Random thoughts floated into her mind, and among them was a name.
– What is your name?– she asked, hoping that would bring her a little closer to understanding.
The creature froze.
– I have no name. – it finally answered. – We are the Shadows. We exist as long as our mistakes are remembered.
"Mistake?"
– Then why are you here? Why are you hunting this man?
– Because he knows… too much. – Calcium narrowed her eyes.
– Then I want to hear his story.
She stepped forward, the tattoo on her palm glowing brighter, and suddenly the world around her changed.
–––
She found herself in a different place. Or rather, in a man's memories. A dusty library, rows of old books, candles crackling in dark corners. Yellowed pages covered in strange symbols lay spread out on a wooden table, and unfamiliar voices could be heard.
"It's too dangerous… If we continue, they will come for us."
"But this is the only chance to learn the truth."
Dark figures flickered between the shelves, silhouettes of people hidden by hoods. Among them was the same man. He looked younger, his eyes glowing with a thirst for knowledge.
"Legend says that someone once made a pact with them… — he paused, running his finger over the text in the book. — "Shadows… They guard secrets. They cannot be destroyed. But they can be forgotten."
A booming sound echoed through the hall, and the library doors swung open.
The shadows had come...
–––
Calcium opened her eyes, breathing heavily. She returned to reality. The man stood next to her, stunned, the Shadow remained in place, not moving.
She knew now:
– You don't just follow him. – Calcium said. – He found something he shouldn't have. A truth you want to erase.
The shadow was silent, and Calcium felt her fingers tremble. For the first time, she realized how deep her power could reach. She didn't just write stories, she could see them.
But if she could see history, could she rewrite it?
The shadow took a step back, disappearing into the night
– You saw my memories, Calcium... Beware.
And with that, she dissolved, leaving only cold air behind her.
Calcium exhaled. Her gaze slid to the man. He looked as if he had just survived his own death.
– We have to find the others. – he said, his voice breaking. – I can't be the only one who knows. If they kill everyone…
Calcium knew it was too late to back out now. She was already caught up in this story. And her tattoo, pulsating on her palm, seemed to agree.
Calcium slowly unclenched her fingers, feeling the warmth coming from the tattoo gradually fade. Her palm was still burning from the recent use of power, but the main thing was that the Shadow was gone.
"But not forever."
She looked at the man. His face was pale, and his breathing was ragged. He seemed even more exhausted than before, and it was obvious that the encounter with the Shadow had exhausted him completely.
– What is your name? – Calcium asked, realizing that she still did not even know his name.
The man hesitated for a second, as if he heard this question for the first time in a long time.
– Elmar. – he finally answered.
She nodded, remembering. Calcium could still feel the Shadow's cold presence even after it was gone.
Her palm had glowed blue, but now that the threat was gone, the heat was slowly fading, leaving only a faint tingling sensation.
Elmar was breathing heavily, his hands shaking. It seemed he couldn't quite believe what had happened.
– They won't finish, will they? – he asked quietly, looking into the empty darkness of the alley where the creature had stood a moment ago.
Calcium shook her head.
– No. They'll come back.– She exhaled tiredly, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. Her head was spinning a little from the strain, and her mana was depleted.
"I need to recharge. Without energy, I'm useless."
– We need to get out of here. – she said, trying to pull herself together.
Elmar nodded, but his gaze remained clouded. He was so lost in his thoughts that he seemed to barely notice the world around him.
// To be continued like and save