A week had passed since the trip.
Honestly… it had been something unforgettable.
But today was different.
Today, I had a date with Alya.
She had been busy working nonstop, and this was the first time in days we could actually see each other properly.
— What should I wear…?
I stared at my clothes for a moment.
— Now that I think about it… everything I own is black. How depressing.
I let out a long sigh and picked the most elegant outfit I could find.
I wanted to look my best for her.
After all… she was the person who had supported me the most.
— Alright… time for a shower.
I stepped into the bathroom.
But every time I closed my eyes…
I saw it.
That massive portrait.
Miss Eclipse.
— No… maybe I was just hallucinating.
I shook my head and finished quickly.
After getting dressed, fixing my hair, and putting on some perfume…
I was ready.
Meanwhile, at Alya's house…
— This dress looks perfect for my date.
Kim watched her and sighed dramatically.
— Good thing you already forgot about Dark… since he has a girlfriend and we lost our chance.
Alya let out a soft laugh while brushing her long hair.
— What are you laughing at?
She quickly looked away, hiding her smile.
— N-Nothing… just remembered something funny.
Kim flopped onto the bed.
— Good luck, sis. I'll stay here suffering.
Alya giggled again.
— You'll never stop being childish, huh? Anyway… I'm leaving.
She walked out of her room.
Then out of the house.
Kim sat up instantly.
— Alright… today I'm finding out who stole your heart.
She grabbed her phone.
— Xia… meet me at the park.
— Got it. I'll be there.
At the park
I looked up…
And froze.
Alya was standing there.
Wearing a beautiful floral dress in shades of orange that perfectly matched her hair and eyes.
She radiated warmth.
Her smile…
It was unreal.
— A-Alya… I… don't even know how to say this, but… you look beautiful.
My cheeks burned instantly.
She laughed softly.
— You're so cute when you blush, dear Dark.
She took my hand.
— Come on… let's take a walk.
Meanwhile…
— What dress is your sister wearing? —Xia asked.
— Orange… with flowers.
They scanned the area.
Then—
— Hey… isn't that—
They both froze.
— DARK?!
Kim literally dropped to the ground.
— Isn't your sister older than us?!
— She is!
— THEN WHY IS SHE ON A DATE WITH DARK?!
— I DON'T KNOW—LET'S GO!
They ran toward us.
— ALYA!
Kim launched herself at her—
—and missed.
Face first into the ground.
— Pfft—HAHAHAHA! —Alya and Xia burst out laughing.
— Don't laugh! And why are you with Dark?!
Alya blinked.
— Um… because he's my boyfriend?
Silence.
— …Oh.
Then—
— WHAT?!
Alya covered her ears.
— I said he's my boyfriend!
Kim and Xia turned toward me with murderous intent.
— Why her and not us?!
I shrugged slightly.
— Well… she's kind, warm… and… I don't fully understand love yet, but… she makes me feel it.
They rolled their eyes.
— That's so cheesy. Let's go.
— Yeah, let's not ruin their date.
Alya smirked slightly at Kim.
Kim grabbed Xia and dragged her away.
— Finally… —Alya sighed, laughing.
— Yeah… they're something else.
— So… where to first?
— Ice cream.
The Date
We walked together, hands intertwined.
She ordered for both of us.
— Chocolate and vanilla.
I smiled.
— You remembered.
— Of course.
We sat on a bench.
The world felt… peaceful.
For once.
— You're still as cute as back then, Dark.
I blushed again.
— T-Thanks…
She gently touched my cheek.
Her smile…
My heart raced.
— Y-Your smile… it's beautiful. Everything about you is.
She blushed too.
— You're not very good with compliments, huh?
— Not really… but I try.
She laughed.
— That's exactly why I like you.
Then softly—
— I love you… so much that I want to stay with you forever.
I leaned closer.
And kissed her.
Soft.
Warm.
Real.
— I forgot how sweet your lips are…
My face turned completely red.
— That's not fair… you're the one making me nervous.
She pulled me in again.
A deeper kiss.
More intense.
— You like taking control, huh?
— Maybe.
Later…
We bought food.
She paid.
— You didn't have to—
— I invited you. Besides… you don't have money.
I froze.
— …Was that an insult?
She panicked.
— No no no no! I didn't mean it like that!
She pouted.
— Aren't you too old to do that?
Smack.
— Never say things like that to your girlfriend!
— That hurt…
She kissed my cheek.
— Sorry…
We sat down and ate together.
I rested my head on her shoulder.
— This… feels nice.
I want this to last forever…
Night falls
We said goodbye with one last kiss.
Then I got a message.
— Dinner at Won ho's house again.
I hesitated.
The last time…
wasn't pleasant.
But still—
— I'm going.
At Won ho's house
Everything seemed normal.
Too normal.
— Maybe I'm just paranoid…
I started eating.
Then—
I froze.
The food…
It had a face.
Distorted.
Watching me.
I looked around.
Everyone else's plate too.
— Of course…
Then—
A whisper.
Right next to my ear.
"Dear fallen angel… tonight begins the ritual…"
My body tensed.
— "…Þaanir Qel'vethra'is."
(The Night of the Blood Bath.)
I stood up abruptly.
— Where are you going?! —Xia called out.
I didn't answer.
I ran.
Downstairs… chaos
Xia tried to follow—
— AAH!
She fell.
— Are you okay?!
She uncovered her arm.
Burn marks.
Finger-shaped.
Deep.
Violent.
— What the hell is this?!
The candles melted into grotesque shapes.
Birds.
With teeth.
— Something's wrong… —Minho whispered— and Dark knows it.
The door slammed.
Wind flooded the house.
Darkness thickened.
Outside—
Hundreds of crows.
Watching.
Screaming.
And there…
She stood.
Miss Eclipse.
Her dress made of pages written in blood.
Her violet eyes glowing.
She raised a finger to her lips.
Silence.
— We have to go after her—!
Before Minho could finish—
All five collapsed.
Screaming.
Runes carved into their skin.
Then burned.
Sealed.
They lost consciousness.
Upstairs…
I followed the shadow into a dark room.
— Who are you?
— I am everything… and nothing.
The voice was everywhere.
— Tonight… the ritual begins.
Blood started flowing from the walls.
Crows slammed against the window.
Their beaks dripping blood.
Teeth inside their mouths.
— I'm not afraid of you anymore.
— You should be.
The ceiling flooded.
Blood poured over me.
The window shattered.
The crows rushed in.
They tore at my flesh.
Feeding.
I tried to escape—
Slipped—
Fell down the stairs.
— Miss… Eclipse…?
Everything blurred.
Pain.
Blood.
Then—
Her.
Standing there.
Smiling.
— P-Professor…
She raised a finger.
Silence.
Her smile…
Was wrong.
The last thing I saw—
Before everything went dark—
Was her licking the blood from her wrist.
— Sleep well, my dear ones…
—and you… feast.
Her voice echoed softly.
The house drowned in blood.
The crows devoured.
And in the darkness…
She smiled.
Then vanished.
Leaving us behind.
Broken.
Unconscious.
And perhaps…
on the edge of being consumed.