A Call in the Dark

"A Call in the Dark"

Sebastian stood in the grand hallway of his castle, his towering frame a silhouette in the dim light cast by the torches that lined the walls.

The rain pattered against the long windows, a soothing refrain that filled the silence of the castle.

Sebastian's steps echoed softly as he walked down the hallway, his gloved hand trailing over the Paintings and decorations that adorned the walls.

His long black hair cascaded down his back, framing his pale face and sharp features. His black eyes seemed to gleam in the low violet light.

Sebastian's facial features were perfect, a flawless combination of sharp angles and soft curves. His high cheekbones were accented by the light, casting shadows across his angular jaw.

His nose was straight and strong, adding an air of power and authority to his face. His lips were full and curved in a perpetual smirk, their color a deep, cherry.

The crow looked up at Sebastian with its glossy black eyes, its head tilting slightly to the side. In a surprisingly human voice, it said.

"My lord, you should know the young woman has been playing with me again. She has no sense of personal space." The crow ruffled its feathers in irritation, clearly annoyed at being treated like a toy.

Sebastian chuckled softly to himself, his lips curving into a wry smile. He knew exactly who Midnight was referring to.

"Ah, Alice. Always so full of life, and with no respect for boundaries," he said, stroking the crow gently with his gloved fingertips.

"Did she look as beautiful as usual?" he asked, continuing his slow walk down the hallway, Midnight perched on his arm. The rain continued to pour outside, the sound of its steady patter a counterpoint to their conversation.

Midnight bristled at Sebastian's question, its feathers puffing up in irritation. "She looks the same as always, of course," it said, its voice hinting at a touch of jealousy.

"Why do you ask? Do you find her attractive?" It turned its beady eyes on Sebastian, its head tilted to the side in an almost human gesture of curiosity.

Sebastian chuckled again, amused by the crow's attitude. "Of course not," he said smoothly. "I was just wondering.."

Sebastian continued to walk down the hallway, Midnight still perched on his arm. He looked thoughtful as he spoke.

"You know, Midnight, I don't have time for such mortal concerns as feelings or attachment," he said, his voice firm. "I've been alive for centuries, and I have no attachment to any mortal. I am a grim reaper, not a love-struck fool".

Sebastian chuckled at Midnight's comment, his lips curving into a smile. "Jealous, are you now?" he said, his tone light and playful.

"No, there is no space in my heart for such meaningless feelings. I take their souls, not hold their hearts. I am a grim reaper after all."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "I don't have time for sentimentality, Midnight. My duty is to take souls, not to fall in love with them. It would be foolish to get emotionally attached to those who will pass away eventually."

Midnight shifted impatiently on Sebastian's arm, its feathers ruffling in irritation. "You keep saying the same thing, Sebastian," it said, its voice filled with impatience. "We get it, you're a hardhearted grim reaper with no time for love or emotion. But do you have to keep repeating it?"

Sebastian's eyes darkened slightly at Midnight's words, a flash of anger crossing his face. He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the crow, his gaze intense.

"Watch your tone, Midnight," he said, his voice low and warning. "I am the one in control here, and you would do well to remember that. I have no patience for insolence."

Midnight instantly regretted its words, its feathers deflating as it averted its gaze. "Of course," it mumbled, its voice now humbled. "I apologize, My lord. I spoke out of line."

Sebastian's eyes softened at Midnight's apology, his anger quickly fading. "I accept your apology," he said, his voice returning to its usual smooth tone. "But do not challenge me again like that. You may be my companion, but I will not tolerate disrespect. Understand"?

The night outside the castle was a calm one, the only sound being the steady patter of raindrops against the windows and the surrounding hills. The trees swayed slightly in the breeze, their leaves glistening with rain water in the intermittent flashes of lightning that occasionally cut through the darkness.

The sky was dark and overcast, with not a single star visible in the endless expanse of black. The air was cool and damp, the scent of earth and wet leaves filling the night air.

The small village of Dewberry was almost invisible in the darkness of the rainy night, its houses blending into the surrounding landscape. However, one small house stood out amongst the others, the soft glow of candlelight shining through the curtains of the windows. This was the house of Alice.

"A figure in the night,

Silent as a wraith,

His purpose, cold and stark,

To claim what soon shall break.

The dark, relentless call,

Of death's cold embrace.

His eyes, like endless night,

See all that's been and all that's to come,

His touch, as cold as ice,

Taking all that life has spun~"

Alice suddenly blushed as she remembered the last time she had seen Sebastian. The memory of his sudden appearance from behind the bushes still made her heart flutter.

That moment had been so unexpected, and Sebastian had been so incredibly handsome, with his dark hair and intense gaze.

But she quickly shook herself from the memory, forcing herself to focus on her knitting once more.

Despite her efforts to push the memory from her mind, Alice couldn't deny the fact that she had started to fall for Sebastian.

It wasn't the first time she had felt this way about a man, but there was something different about Sebastian. Perhaps it was the air of mystery that surrounded him, or perhaps it was the way he seemed to consume her every thought.

But whatever the reason, Alice knew that her feelings for him were quickly becoming more than just a passing infatuation.

Alice continued to knit, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Sebastian. She suddenly chuckled a little to herself, remembering how soft his hair had looked.

"I bet his hair is softer than mine~" she muttered aloud, amused by her own train of thought. But she quickly shook her head, realizing how silly she was being. Sebastian was an immortal being, a grim reaper. She had no business falling in love with someone like him.

As Alice continued to knit, her mind went back to Sebastian once more. She knew that he was only interested in her because he wanted her soul.

It was his duty as a grim reaper to take the souls of mortals when their time came. But despite this knowledge, Alice couldn't help the feelings that were blossoming within her heart.

As Alice continued to knit, her mind went back to Sebastian once more. She knew that he was only interested in her because he wanted her soul. It was his duty as a grim reaper to take the souls of mortals when their time came.

But despite this knowledge, Alice couldn't help the feelings that were blossoming within her heart.

As soon as Alice saw the amethyst glow, she knew what it meant. Sebastian was close by. Her heart fluttered in her chest, a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She quickly got up from her chair, her knitting forgotten.

She went to the window and pushed aside the curtain, her eyes scanning the rainy night outside. But the darkness and the rain made it impossible to see anything beyond the light of her small garden. She frowned in frustration, desperate to see if Sebastian was really there.

Sebastian stood in the shadows behind Alice's house, hidden from view. The darkness and the rain afforded him the perfect cover. His black eyes glimmering in the night.

He was drawn to her, despite himself. She was a mortal, doomed to die like all humans, but there was something about her..something that he couldn't quite define.

As Alice stood at the window, peering into the darkness outside, she felt a sense of anticipation and anxiety. She couldn't shake the feeling that Sebastian was nearby, and she was both excited and terrified at the thought.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she continued to look out into the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. But the rain and the darkness made it impossible to see anything beyond her little garden.

Alice reluctantly turned away from the window and went back to her chair. As she sat down, her eyes fell on something. A particular envelope caughtIt was made of high-quality paper, thick and decorated with finely cut edges.

She picked it up and examined it closely, noting the simple but elegant designs, with floral motifs. The invitation was a single golden color on a cream background, and it looked very formal.

Alice's eyes widened in surprise as she listened to Midnight read the words from Sebastian, her heart racing in her chest. She couldn't believe that he had sent her an invitation to his castle.

As she listened to the words, a mix of emotions washed over her. She was intrigued, excited, and more than a little bit scared. "Sebastian van Mortem To Lady Alice,

Amid the shadows where the night whispers its secrets, I extend to you an invitation to the Castle of Forgotten Time.

One evening, in a place where life and death hold no boundaries.

I hope you will honor this gesture with your presence,

For the world shifts when shadows meet the light.

Location: Castle van Mortem, atop the abandoned hill

Time: Tomorrow, when the moon rises to claim the sky

It would be my honor to accompany you through the night.

Sebastian van morten"

She looked at Midnight, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "He wants me to come to his castle…" she breathed, her voice filled with both awe and trepidation.