The pounding of her heart reverberated through her chest, fueling her frantic sprint. The forest around her was cloaked in an eerie darkness, obscuring any path to safety. A bone-chilling silence enveloped the air, broken only by the sound of her ragged breaths and the crunch of leaves beneath her feet.

As she sprinted, her head snapped back, scanning for any sign of her pursuer. The icy wind whipped against her face, and the long white dress she wore billowed around her. The delicate feet were now bare and bloodied from the desperate race.

A voice, both familiar and haunting, echoed behind her. "Don't run, Ada. I'm trying to help."

She dared not look back, her voice trembling as she replied, "Leave me alone."

But there was something strange about her voice, something that betrayed her own recognition. It was as if her words had transformed, regressing her to a fragile child. And the attire she wore added to the confusion-how did she end up in this white gown, the one gifted by her grandmother on her fifth birthday?

Strangely, the darkness of the forest was punctuated by the ethereal presence of roses. They bloomed in abundance, forming thrones of delicate petals. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of roses, creating a surreal juxtaposition to the ominous atmosphere.

"Please, Primrose," the voice pleaded. Hoarse as it was, it brought no assurance, no thought of sympathy.

"Back off, you monster! I know you're only after the Luna Pearl. You never loved me," she shouted, her voice filled with defiance.

Yet, the second set of footsteps echoed in perfect synchrony with hers, drawing closer and closer.

"It wasn't me," the voice protested. "I didn't mean to harm anyone. Let me explain."

"No!" she screamed, her terror mounting. "Leave me alone."

And then, like an unwelcome omen, her peculiar companion arrived. Misfortune. It had never left her side. Especially on such occasions where trouble loomed or death threatened, this friend of hers would always emerge.

She barely had time to register him closing on her when she stumbled on her own feet, her ankle twisting painfully. She cried out in agony, grasping her injured leg, and a scream that remained trapped inside her signified her hunter's imminent arrival. Closing her eyes tightly, she braced herself, unwilling to witness the talons tearing into her, draining blood from her pallid flesh, ripping her heart from its fragile cage. In her desperation, her fist clenched tightly around the small pendant hanging from her neck.

"Grandma... Help me..." she murmured, a tear escaping down her hot, sweaty cheek. Her energy waned, and she tightened her grip on the Luna Pearl.

"No... Ada..." the haunting voice cried out her name.

Her surroundings started to descend into a murky darkness. The wavering shadows closed in, and the ferocious screams of her pursuer mixed with the deafening thunder of earth-shattering explosions. The ground beneath her gave way, and she found herself teetering on the edge of a precipice. Desperate, she screamed with all her might, fingers clawing at the crumbling earth to hold on. But in an instant, her grip faltered, and she plummeted into the void.

In the blink of an eye, her back collided with an unyielding object, eliciting a sharp whimper that escaped her lips.

Ada woke up gasping for air, her body drenched in sweat, and her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. Disoriented and trembling, she stared up at the wooden ceiling above her. She struggled to sit up, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

Just moments ago, she had witnessed her worst nightmare come to life–Gan Gagagore, the reason why she was cursed. The reason why she was alone. The reason why she was not allowed at home.

"Oh, you're back, I see."A voice, rich and familiar, cut through the chilling silence, pulling her from the depths of her fear.

With several blinks her eyes finally adjusted to the dimness and a figure took shape before her. It was a tall man, dressed in flowing tunic robes, exuding an air of grace and authority.

Relief washed over her as she recognised the voice and face. It was Auden , her brother dressed in the fine attire he would wear for the ceremony. Ada struggled to sit up as she tried to regain her composure.

"How long was I out? " she asked, her voice a little horse as her throat felt dry.

"Not long enough to miss anything interesting." He replied.

Interpreting her needs as though he could read her mind, Auden extended a silver goblet brimming with water. At first, the goblet seemed alien to her touch, but realisation quickly unfurled within her mind. This was the Crepusculem, a realm apart from the mundane world of Normies, where silver was not mere decoration but a revered custom. Ada accepted the goblet with a thirst that was more than physical, drinking deeply as Auden gently supported her, guiding her to an upright repose.

She realised she had been lying flat on the wooden floor. Her gaze darted around the room, recognising the familiar trappings of her brother's study, a place once she had used to spend her free time reading. Her attempt in steadying her racing heart wasn't helped by the pungent scent of burning spices that seemed to be lingering in the room. The only deep breath she had taken made her sneeze involuntarily.

"What's that smell? It's hard to breathe in here." she commented, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her robe. Auden 's smile remained, but he shook his head as he readied himself to get off the floor.

"Audy?" confused, she held him by hand stopping him mid tracks.

"You drank a lot, Ada. You even refused to go back home because, apparently, you have an elf there?" Auden raised an eyebrow, his tone a blend of amusement and exasperation. "And then, well, you passed out. So, I figured I'd bring you here. Thought you'd be pleased to come back home." he explained, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"You didn't look too good waking up. What happened in your dreams?" he inquired.

Still sitting on the floor, Ada contemplated whether to reveal what she had seen. However, she opted to keep it to herself. Her brother wouldn't understand it anyways; he had no idea of what deals she had with Gan.

"It's nothing. Just this hangover I guess," she answered massaging her temple to better sell the lie. In reality she was feeling more sober than she ever had been. Her brother didn't seem entirely convinced, but he didn't press further.

The room exuded an air of serenity, dimly lit by the gentle moonlight, filtered through the open window. Its soft, silvery glow painted ethereal patterns on the aged wooden floor. In the farthest corner, there sat a cushion and a low table. Above it a lone, floating candle danced with the air's movements, its flame flickering in rhythm with the night. A sand dial sat next to it, more than half of it was gone down through the rapid current of powdery sand kept flowing non stop. It wouldn't stop till the bottom half was filled anyway.

"How long has it been again? Seven years? Since you're gone. You seem to have forgotten a lot of things about home," he added.

Ada did not know what to say. It had obviously been seven years. They both knew. The look on Auden 's face did not suggest he really needed an answer. He was just reminding her, as he always did whenever he got the chance, that she had left him, even without a final farewell, seven years back.

Realising that he wasn't going to get an answer, Auden just shrugged as he got back to his feet and walked away, giving more space for his sister to breathe.

Apart from the candle and the sand dial a few more peculiar items littered the wooden table top. A silver-coloured smoking metal jar, fragments of chalk, colourful silk sheets, a matchbox, and several cartons of spices were there scattered unattended. It was a tableau that defied explanation and Ada doubted the smoke coming out of the metal jar to be the culprit for tingle in her nose.

Her eyes darted around the room till it settle on the lone window to a side. Out in the a radiant full moon hung expelling the darkness of night. It cast a serene illumination over the room, birthing ghostly patterns of shadows woven into the wood below her. Slowly getting onto her feet Ada made her way to the open window. The cool, night breeze played with the frill of her blouse, creating a soft, delicate symphony of rustling fabric.

Her gaze drifted downward, beyond the window's sill. The temple grounds were aglow with a cascade of colourful lanterns and the effervescent energy of a festival. People in their finest attire moved like confetti, their laughter and chatter creating a distant, melodious hum.

It was as if the world beyond that window had been painted with the vivid hues of life itself. The vibrant garments, like splashes of paint on a canvas, celebrated the rich tapestry of the culture's traditions. The soft music of a distant flute serenaded the night, adding a touch of enchantment to the scene.

A sudden realisation struck Ada, pulling her gaze away from the festivities. She turned to face her brother, Auden , who was now seated behind the low table. He appeared to be rummaging through some sack-like bags.

"It's full moon today..." she exclaimed.

"Seventh full moon of the year," he replied rather nonchalantly.

"Isn't it the ritual ceremony today? " Ada inquired, her voice filled with dawning recognition. Confused, she met her brother's gaze." Wait. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be there? " she asked.

Auden quirked an eyebrow, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh, so you still remember some things from your previous life."

He left the bags behind and stood up from his seat. Ada's eyes began to discern the details of her brother's attire. The rich crimson fabric, intricate patterns of magical creatures etched on it in golden thread, he looked imperial. It struck her as peculiar as she distinctly remembered the casual jeans and T-shirt he had been wearing, when they had met at the alleyway before embarking on that unexpected drinking session.

"It's not much fun out there. Me chanting nonsense to myself so I wouldn't attract bad luck - that's too classic for my taste. I just wanna hang out with you here till..." He paused looking back to the sand dial. "Well, we have about a minute and a half before he joins in." He grinned.

"Who?" 

"You'll see. And I can guarantee you, you're gonna be pleased to meet his."

Something felt off about this whole ordeal but Ada seemed unable to put her finger on it. "Who. Auden!"

Instead answering her Auden gave her a one last toothy grin before his eyes shutting closed. His goofy grin disappeared in seconds as he straightened his posture, murmuring something to himself.

"Ooh, I smell trouble. Seriously dude. What's even all this about?" She was getting anxious. This did not feel right.

His murmuring cut off abruptly and his eyes fluttered open back locking them with hers. She noticed a difference in them that was quite hard to miss even from afar. They had changed colour from the deep ocean blue they held to a nasty poisonous green.

Suddenly a faint memory of a certain pair of emerald eyes flashed before Ada, making her agape, taken aback.

"Why won't you just wait and see for yourself?" His voice rasped, those eyes sending daggers piercing her soul, compelling her to shield her eyes from the ominous radiance emanating from him.

Then only it dawned on her. Auden appeared more sombre than she had ever seen him, his eyes meeting hers with a vacant gaze, devoid of any emotion. It was as if his very essence had been drained, leaving behind an empty shell.

"You know what Ada, I have always hated the dark. I have always hated being alone. The feeling of being forgotten and left alone to the darkness makes me want to burn down the world."

Her brother then proceeded to step out of the table and started unrolling the carpet laying before it, his sister watching him wide eyed. It didn't take her too long to realise it to be the same maroon jute carpet that had been laying there over decades. Auden and her used to read books, lying next to each other when they're still kids.

"Audy I—"

"Shh.." He shushed her up. "Listen. Once you're gone I was alone. Bored. And the responsibilities of an heir—oh they drain me like nothing else."

Her brother went on his fingers swiftly working to roll the jute, the carpet revealing something Ada was not prepared to witness.