Depends

As the explosion's echoes faded, Mark emerged from the smoke-shrouded house, Lucia's limp form cradled in his arms.

The bright night light emitted by the moon began to shine clearly after the ceasing of the storm.It cast an eerie glow on the scene, illuminating the carnage that littered the grounds.

Mark's Crusaders awaited him outside, their faces etched with concern and curiosity. With a nod, they presented him with the fallen comrades, their lifeless bodies strewn like puppets cut from their strings.

Mark's voice rang out, clear and commanding, "Arise!" The air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy as the deceased warriors stirred, their wounds knitting together with an unnatural speed.

The leader's eyes widened in awe, his query tumbling forth, "Who was the one you carried out, Mark?"

"A human," Mark replied, his tone low and enigmatic. The leader's surprise was palpable, his words spilling out in a rush, "A human? Living among demons? What sorcery is this?"

Mark's gaze narrowed, his explanation measured, "I took her into my custody to unravel the mystery. Her presence here, among these creatures, suggests she's no ordinary mortal."

The leader's eyes probed Mark's, seeking answers, "Will you end her life when you're done?"

Mark's response was a calculated whisper, "It depends." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving his Crusaders to ponder the enigma.

The next day, Lucia's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze darting wildly about the unfamiliar room. She was bound to the bed, her struggles futile against the restraints.

Mark entered the room, his stride calm, his eyes fixed on her frantic form. "I apologize for the bonds," he said, his voice low and smooth, "but I had to ensure you didn't flee upon waking up."

Lucia's panic was clear for all to see as her breath began coming in short gasps.She tugged against the ties desperately trying to free herself.

Mark's gaze pierced Lucia's like a dagger, his eyes blazing with an intensity that set her heart racing like a wild animal. His voice, low and even, was a gentle breeze that belied the turmoil brewing beneath.

"You're an enigma, Lucia," he stated, his words dripping with intrigue. "A human living among demons, yet seemingly oblivious to the danger that surrounds you." His eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, as if searching for answers to a question he hadn't yet asked.

Lucia's mind reeled, her thoughts tangled in a web of confusion. She struggled to recall her past, but her memories seemed to evaporate like mist in the sun.

Her head spun, her vision blurring as she tried to make sense of Mark's words. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog, but it only seemed to thicken.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes darted wildly about the room, as if searching for an escape from the prison of her own mind.

Mark's smile was a cold, calculated gesture, his eyes glinting with a knowing light. "Don't play dumb, Lucia," he whispered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I know you're hiding something."

He leaned in closer, his voice taking on a menacing tone. "I never knew why so many demons would keep a human on that island. They seemed to be guarding you, protecting you. But why? What secrets do you hold?"

As he spoke, his eyes seemed to bore deeper into her soul, as if searching for the answers he so desperately sought.

Lucia's heart raced, her mind reeling as she tried to make sense of Mark's words. She felt like a pawn in a game she didn't understand, with Mark holding all the pieces.

The air was heavy with tension, the silence between them oppressive. Lucia's breathing was ragged, her chest heaving with each breath. She felt trapped, caught in a web of secrets and lies. And Mark, with his piercing gaze and menacing tone, seemed to be the spider at the center of it all.

As Mark's words spilled out, his eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, his voice weaving a spell of intrigue. "I encountered a legion of demons on my quest to find the island, their lips sealed tighter than a tomb.

Yet, I uncovered a sinister secret- the island was a training ground for demons but upon arriving there myself I noticed it was teeming with too many ancient and powerful demons to be a mere training camp.

The question echoed in my mind like a mantra - why would they converge on this island, and what was their reason.Were they all interested in you?"

His gaze pierced Lucia's, as if daring her to reveal the secrets he refused to believe she was totally ignorant about.

Lucia's struggles against the restraints grew more frantic, her body straining against the bonds that held her captive.

Her voice was a desperate cry, laced with anguish. "You claimed you weren't my enemy, yet I'm bound and helpless! I don't know who I am, except that my name is Lucia. What more do you want from me?"

Mark's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a whisper, his words laced with an unsettling intensity. "I scoured every database, and the truth I uncovered was more chilling than I ever imagined. You're a ghost, Lucia, a mere specter with no presence in the world."

The silence that followed was suffocating, the only sound was the soft creaking of the restraints and echoing of Mark's ominous words like a death knell.

Mark's hand flashed out, a glint of steel in his grasp. Lucia's heart skipped a beat as he rose from his seat, the knife dancing across her skin with a feather-light touch. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes fixed on the blade's gentle caress. Then, with a swift motion, he severed her bonds, freeing her from her restraints. The knife clattered to the floor, and Mark turned to leave, his stride relaxed.

"Don't beat yourself up too much if you can't recall anything yet," he tossed over his shoulder, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Lucia rubbed her chafed wrists, her gaze following Mark as he paused in the doorway. He turned back, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"By the way, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."

Lucia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with confusion. Was this guy a psychopath? One moment he's threatening her, the next he's acting like they're old friends? She opened her mouth to question him, but her stomach growled loudly, betraying her hunger.

With a hesitant glance, she followed him out of the room, her eyes fixed on him warily, her thoughts whirling with uncertainty. What was she getting herself into?

Was she walking into a trap, or was Mark genuinely trying to help her? The questions swirled in her mind like a maelstrom, but her hunger and curiosity propelled her forward, into the unknown.