Darkness

"You shouldn't be here."

Her voice reverberated into my ear sending a chill down my spine. The voice both sounded pleasant yet terrifying. My body instinctively reacted to the danger I'm facing by jumping to the side. But as I looked back there was nothing there.

I quickly surveyed the room in case the person went into hiding. There were pillars supporting the ceiling by the side of the walls, but as I checked the shadows illuminated by the lanterns, there was nothing there.

"Whoever you are, I'm ready."

I took a martial stance, one I've honed for years during my time in college. I've spent countless hours practicing my own style of martial arts, self-defense is like second nature to me.

I kept my eyes open for any movements but there wasn't anything in this room. Not even insects.

I stepped back to where I was previously, my back facing the door. I lowered my stance, and relaxed my body, making an opening for anyone to attack. I kept my body poised for any ambushes, but nothing came out. Feeling restless I turned back toward the massive door. The giant dragon's face leering its dark eyes into me. The design of the dragon makes it seem like it's alive as if no matter where I go, it would look at me.

Left with no choice, a feeling of being watched kept me alerted, I placed my hands back on the handle since the first time I did, the woman talked.

And to my guess, the voice came back.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The voice was enchanting, at first it sounded cold and revolted, like someone entered their room when they're not permitted to. But now it sounded soft and clear.

I kept my hands on the handle, my mind racing for an answer. An answer that won't somehow anger the individual speaking to me. As I was coming up with a solution, I remembered what Seph told me.

'It's here to test everything. From skills to even your character. It's best to always keep your guard up.'

This might be the test she was talking about. I cooled my mind and relaxed my breathing. I strongly held on to both of the handles with my eyes closed, and I spoke.

"I'm Luke, and as for what I'm doing here. I accidentally stumbled upon this place by sheer luck while trying to look for my friend. I don't mean any harm, and I'll quickly leave once I check my friend isn't here."

"…"

The voice was quiet. Sweat started to trickle down my forehead as I started to feel restless. I opened my mouth to add a few more but the voice finally talked back.

"I see… then… why do you smell like him?"

"Huh?"

I opened my eyes to the weird question she asked and as soon as I opened them a beautiful woman with white hair and brown eyes was in between my arms, her gaze staring deeply into mine.

"I, uh."

I stammered my words as she began to move closer to me. She was standing in the air, her body covered by a red silken dress the extra cloth fluttering everywhere like it's alive. Her arms relaxed to her sides, her body still and unflinching.

She moved closer her face was now directly right in front of mine, a millimeter distance between our noses. I continued to stare into her but suddenly her beautiful hazelnut eyes turned transparent blue matching mine.

A look of realization was on her face as she backed away from me. Her body now standing on the cold stone floor.

She stood there, her gaze blank as if lost in thought. I couldn't help myself but feel nervous, her eyes were still staring directly at me menacingly.

Finally breaking the silence for what felt like hours I said.

"Umm, are you okay?"

The white-haired woman flinched her expression vague.

I was still holding onto the handles, but the thought of removing them came up which might make the woman disappear, but as I tried to let go, my body didn't listen. Instead, it gripped harder making the knuckles of my hands turn white.

"Huh?"

Distracted by my body not listening to me, I didn't realize the tears falling on my arms.

I looked up to see a woman weeping quietly. Her face didn't show any emotion as tears were pouring down her face, but her eyes, her eyes alone showed the immense sadness inside them.

Words wouldn't come out of my mouth as I watched the woman cry in front of me. A feeling of hopelessness swelled within my body as if all my strength disappeared.

Before I did anything, the woman walked up to me. She placed her hands on my face cupping my cheeks gently. Her emotionless face finally changed as a relieved smile was on her lips.

I couldn't help but stare at her beautiful face. A voice inside me was telling me to hug her, to keep her by my side, to never let her go.

My vision began to blur as tears began forming. An overwhelming wave of sadness erupted and a pain indescribable ravaged my heart.

The woman finally let go of my face, this time wrapping her arms around my neck. her bountiful figure pressing against my chest.

The hold on the handle finally loosened and my hands were finally free.

Without hesitation, I reciprocated her hug. My right arm wrapped around her back and my left around her thin waist.

I lifted her up gently and placed her head on my shoulder as I placed mine on hers.

Her arms tightened around my neck her touch comforting.

We stayed in that position for who knows how long before she finally let go.

"It seemed her plan worked."

"Plan?"

A baffled expression was on my face as I reacted to what she said. Her eyebrows furrowed from my response as she placed her hand on her forehead and sighed.

"It worked, but not as we intended."

"Did something happen to me?"

From her words, I was definitely someone that lived here before. With the way Seph reacted to my question, there's something I'm not aware of.

The woman looked at me her gaze conflicted, like a mixture of sadness, relief, and anger.

"Yes… for now open the door and head inside."

She turned around her voice coming to whisper as the lower part of her body started to turn transparent.

Seeing her disappear I couldn't help but panic.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

She looked at me a light in her eyes.

"Don't worry… I'm still here. Just enter through that door and you'll find some of the answers to your questions."

I looked at her hesitant to answer. Just like that time, I was with Nyx, I don't want to see her disappear.

"Okay…but, I'll still see you right?"

"Fufu, yes."

"Then, I'll see you."

She looked at me and smiled before disappearing completely. Just like the time when Laura was adopted I felt like a part of me was lost.

I took a deep breath to recollect myself and grabbed hold of the handles once more.

With little to no strength the doors caved in, and a bright light covered my vision.

As soon as the light disappeared, I found myself standing in darkness. Everywhere I look there was nothing.

"Where am I…"