"Evil has already consumed this land."
Gina's voice was low, almost swallowed by the wind as she walked beside Dylan through what remained of the village.
The earth was scorched black. Trees stood like skeletons, their branches brittle and lifeless. Not a single leaf remained. Not a single bird sang and not a single hut was spared. Everything was burnt to ashes.
Bodies lay scattered across the ground — hollow, shriveled, as if their very life force had been ripped out of them and burned away.
Gina clenched her fists.
"The demons have returned stronger than before," she continued. "And this time… defeating them in this world may be close to impossible."
Dylan didn't respond.
His boots crushed ash beneath his steps.
"Go and investigate what the demons are up to," he said calmly, ignoring her earlier words.
Gina stopped walking.
"So you're still going to do nothing about the human girl?" she asked, her tone tightening. "You're just going to stay by her side and watch?"
Silence.
"If you continue like this, then I will—"
"No." Dylan's voice cut through hers like steel. "Know your place, Gina."
The air between them grew heavy.
"Do you truly think so little of me?" Dylan's crimson eyes shifted toward her. "Or do you also believe I protect Ellen simply because she is my fiancée?"
Gina lowered her gaze but said nothing.
"The kingdom comes first in my heart," Dylan said quietly. "Always."
Gina studied his face as if searching for doubt. For weakness.
But she found none on the face of this cold man, always wearing a cold face.
"You may go."
She bowed and disappeared into the shadows.
Moments later, another figure emerged from the darkness — a man dressed entirely in black.
"Elias."
"My lord."
"Investigate what the demons were doing at Yant Park this night."
Elias bowed.
"Also," Dylan added, his voice lowering, "keep an eye on Gina."
Elias hesitated. "Do you suspect she intends to—"
"I'm not certain," Dylan interrupted. "That is why you will watch her."
Elias nodded once and vanished into the shadows.
Dylan remained alone in the ruins.
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Ellen…"
****
When I woke up the next morning, my body felt heavier than usual.
Luckily, it was still weekend. I didn't think I could face school today.
After taking a bath, I stood in front of the mirror.
Slowly, I lifted a strand of my hair.
White.
Not fully — but enough.
First the endless nightmares.
Then purple eyes.
Now… this.
What exactly is happening to me?
I opened my wardrobe and took out my medication. My fingers trembled slightly as I swallowed the pills and chased them with water.
As if that would fix whatever this was.
I tied my hair into a ponytail, carefully hiding the white strands beneath darker layers.
Grabbing my phone and earphones, I left for a jog.
Maybe running would clear my head.
The streets were quiet.
I ran until my lungs burned and my legs felt weak. Sweat clung to my skin.
I stopped at a small shop to buy water.
The cashier stared at me.
Not curious.
Not confused.
Terrified.
I ignored him. I was used to strange looks since childhood.
After paying, I turned to leave—
—and crashed into him.
Of course.
The weird guy.
"Hey, Mr. Grump," he called cheerfully.
I didn't have the energy to deal with him.
He slipped past me into the store to buy water, and I used the chance to escape.
But before I could run far, he caught up easily.
"You shouldn't ignore someone who's apologizing," he said. "I'm sorry about last night."
I was about to snap back at him—
—but something felt wrong.
People passing by were staring at us.
No.
At me.
Their expressions weren't normal.
They looked… uneasy.
"Why are they staring?" I asked, suddenly uncomfortable.
"You really are a weirdo," he said, amused.
I glared at him.
"I'd say they're captivated by my handsome face," he continued casually, "but judging by their expressions…"
He tilted his head toward a parked car beside us.
"…you might want to look at your reflection."
My heart skipped.
Slowly, I walked toward the car.
And looked.
My breath stopped.
My eyes—
They weren't crimson anymore.
They were purple.
Not faint.
Not subtle.
But vividly, unmistakably… inhuman.
And for the first time—
I felt afraid of myself.
I stumbled backward, my breath uneven.
"Why are my eyes like this…?" my voice trembled. "Am I… a monster?"
The word tasted bitter.
Before i could gather my thoughts, Dylan appeared before me, moving faster than i could process. He grabbed my wrist.
"Clover—"
"Don't touch me!" I shouted, yanking my hand away as if his skin burned mine. "Don't come near me!"
Fear was clawing inside my chest.
I turned and ran.
Dylan didn't try to come after me as if he understood my emotions at the moment.
And I was glad.
I ran.
I didn't stop until i reached Old Mr. Gareth's library — the small, hidden hut on the edge of town.
I burst inside.
Mr. Gareth looked up from behind his counter, his old eyes widening in shock.
"My child… what has happened to your eyes?"
"Please," i whispered, barely holding myself together. "Can I use the secret library?"
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
I rushed toward the hidden door and pressed the concealed button.
The door slid open.
I hurried inside.
The ancient shelves stood tall around me.
Dust floated in the candlelight.
I ran to the shelf where the mysterious book had once rested.
Gone.
It was gone.
The book wasn't there.
My heart dropped.
"No… no, no…" I said broken
I searched the shelves, pulling books down one by one, my movements frantic. Pages scattered across the floor. I checked every corner, every hidden slot.
Nothing.
I found nothing.
It looked as if the book have vanished into thin air.
As if it was never in existence.
Exhaustion overtook me, and i collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face.
"Why does everything bad keep happening to me?"
Just as my vision blurred—
I noticed it.
I spotted it.
The book.
Resting calmly on the very shalf I had just checked before.
My breath caught.
Slowly, i stood and approached it as if it might disappear again.
I calmly grabbed it.
The cover felt colder than before.
I flipped it open.
Flipping through it, hoping to find something.
Hoping to find an answer.
Blank.
Everything was blank.
Nothing.
Every page.
Every single page.
The words that once filled it — gone.
Erased.
"No… that's not possible…" I stammered .
I rushed to the candle and held the book over the flame, angling it to see if hidden ink would appear.
But nothing.
Nothing at all
Just empty pages staring back at me.
As if the truth itself refused to reveal itself.
Defeated, i sank to the floor again, clutching the heavy book against my chest.
Moments later, i stepped out of the secret room and approached Mr. Gareth.
"May I borrow this book?" i asked softly.
He stared at me strangely, as though he knew exactly what was going on. As if though his time was up. But he still passed me I sweet smile and said.
"Yes… you may."
"Thank you." I said.
I walked out of the hut.
The moment my foot stepped onto the floor outside—
The library vanished.
Gone.
No hut.
I slowly turned but I was terrified and at the same time amazed by the sight before me.
No sign of wood or stone.
Only empty land.
My blood ran cold.
I stared at the space in horror before turning and running as fast as i could.
When i reached home, i froze at the sight before me.
My parents stood in the living room.
Helen was behind them.
All of them staring.
At my eyes.
My mother took a slow step forward and gently held my hands.
"What happened to your eyes, dear?"
I tried to speak.
Instead, tears fell.
"I'm a monster, Mom," I whispered, breaking down. "I'm not sick."
My mother pulled me into a tight embrace.
"You are not a monster," she said firmly. "You are my child."
My father wrapped his arms around us both.
Helen wiped her own tears silently.
I cried until exhaustion overtook me.
Slowly… my eyes closed.
And just like that the night passed.
Morning light touched my face.
For a moment, I prayed it had all been another nightmare.
I tried to move.
But I noticed arms were wrapped around me.
I turned slightly.
My mother lay on one side.
My father on the other.
Helen slept on the couch nearby.
They had stayed with me all night.
My chest tightened.
So it wasn't a dream.
Carefully, i slipped out of their embrace and walked quietly to the bathroom.
I stared at the mirror.
Hesitated.
Then looked up.
Purple.
Still purple.
Not fading.
Not changing.
I inhaled slowly.
After a quick shower, i decided that I wouldn't go to school.
I don't want to go to school looking like I weirdo.
I have to call Jane so that she won't be worried.
At the same time I remembered Dave.
If he see me like this what will be his reaction I thought.
Will he avoid me.
Or will he find me weird.
I really felt very bad.
After my bath, I heard breakfast with my family and spend the rest of the day with them.
We laughed.
We talked.
Helen refused to leave my side.
For a few hours, i almost forgot.
Almost.
But deep inside—
I knew.
Something had awakened.
And it was not done with me yet.