"........,"

"(Y/N)...?"

The name lingered in the silence, echoing off the brick walls of the now-empty alley.

My mind whirled with the creature's ominous words, and despite my doubts, a gnawing sense of urgency gripped me.

There was no time to waste.

I had to return to the Guild immediately.

I clutched the bouquet tighter, feeling the delicate petals crumple slightly under my grip.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, the familiar sensation of teleportation washing over me as the world around me shifted.

In an instant, I was back at the Guild.

The comforting, familiar surroundings should have calmed me, but an unsettling silence hung in the air.

Not the kind of silence that always lingers around these parts.

Not the comforting silence I got used to.

No.

I hesitated, taking a moment to steady myself before calling out, "Honey...? I'm home!"

No response.

A knot of anxiety tightened in my chest.

I walked through the hallways, my footsteps echoing off the walls.

"Where is everyone?" I muttered to myself, worry etching into my mind.

My heart pounded louder with each step.

"(Y/N)?" I called again, louder this time, but the only answer was the eerie silence and the distant sound of frantic voices.

Approaching the kitchen, the source of these sounds, the commotion became louder.

Pushing open the door, I was greeted by a chaotic scene.

The children were distressed, their faces pale with fear and confusion.

The room was in disarray, dishes shattered on the floor, and the air was thick with panic.

Alissa was crying, clutching a bloody ragged piece of cloth to her chest.

Laon was trying to maintain some semblance of order, his voice shaky as he gave instructions.

Bun-Bun hopped nervously around them, his usual confidence replaced with anxious energy.

"Children, what happened?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the chaos.

They all turned to me, a mix of relief and desperation in their eyes.

"Master! It's (Y/N)," Laon cried out, his voice trembling. "He's... he's not well. We don't know what to do!"

My heart sank as I pushed past the children, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of (Y/N).

The sight that met me was worse than I could have imagined.

(Y/N) was nowhere to be seen, just a pool of blood and stains along the floor.

Just as if something, or rather someone, was dragged along these tiles.

A dark, slimy substance coated almost everything around, too, adding to the horror.

My eyes followed the gruesome trail that led toward the master bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest.

"What the hell happened here?" I whispered, my voice trembling with dread.

Alissa pointed with a shaking hand in that direction, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. "He's in there. It's in there... It's not Dad, it's using his body!"

My blood ran cold.

I walked along the trail of blood and the slimy substance, my mind racing with every possible scenario.

"Stay here," I ordered the children, my voice firm despite the fear clawing at my insides. "Do not come in, no matter what you hear."

'I need to keep them busy somehow...'

With that thought in mind, I summoned a scroll, its ancient parchment unfurling in mid-air before the children, glowing with a soft, ethereal light.

"This is your new assignment," I said, addressing the kids. "You need to decode this scroll by the time I return. Do not fail me."

The scroll floated down to Laon, who caught it with a rather hesitant expression. "We'll do our best, Master."

I knew they probably were still shocked, but this task would keep them occupied and out of harm's way while I dealt with any threat.

"Work together and stay focused."

That being said, the children nodded, determination replacing the fear in their eyes.

Then, they hurried off, leaving me alone.

Turning around, I approached the master bedroom, the air grew thicker, the oppressive presence I had felt earlier now almost tangible.

The door was slightly ajar, a dim, eerie dark light spilling out from within.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open, bracing myself for whatever awaited inside.

The sight that greeted me was something out of a nightmare.

(Y/N) was sprawled on the bed, his body writhing and convulsing.

His eyes were open, but they were glazed over, unfocused, and filled with a haunting emptiness.

Tendrils of dark energy snaked out from his body, pulsating as they wrapped around him like serpents.

I stepped closer, my heart pounding in my chest. "(Y/N)!" I called out, my voice shaking. "Can you hear me?"

There was no response, only a guttural growl that emanated from deep within his throat.

I clenched my teeth, anger and fear mixing into a volatile cocktail.

The creature's words echoed in my mind.

❝ YOUR IGNORANCE WOULD BRING WITH IT A DARKNESS THAT EVEN YOUR LIGHT CANNOT ESCAPE. ❞

The tendrils seemed to sense my presence, lashing out towards me.

I dodged them, my mind racing for a solution.

But then, the movements of (Y/N)'s body came to a halt.

The thing seemingly in control of him turned to face me, its eyes gleaming with a sinister hunger.

It grinned, (Y/N)'s features twisted into a grotesque mask of malevolence.

❝ AH, THE BELOVED ARRIVES, ❞

It hissed, its voice a chilling mockery of (Y/N)'s.

"Let him go!" I demanded, my grip tightening on my staff as I began to channel my magic.

The entity laughed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

❝ YOU THINK YOU CAN BANISH ME SO EASILY? HE IS MINE AS MUCH AS HE IS YOURS, HIS BODY IS MY VESSEL. ❞

I raised my staff, the air crackling with energy as I prepared to strike. "I won't let you have him. I will take him back, no matter the cost."

The entity's grin widened, its eyes glowing brighter.

❝ THEN COME AT ME, BELOVED. LET US SEE IF YOUR LIGHT CAN OUTSHINE MY DARKNESS. ❞

As I focused on absorbing more Mana, preparing to unleash a powerful blast of magic, a horrifying realization struck me.

If I attacked, I wouldn't just harm the entity-I would harm (Y/N).

The entity had no physical form apart from (Y/N)'s body.

My hand trembled as I lowerd my staff, the Mana I had gathered dissipating as tears welled up in my eyes.

I stood frozen, torn between my desire to save (Y/N) and the fear of hurting him even more.

"How could I almost hurt him?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "(Y/N)... I'm so sorry..."

How had I almost hurt the person I loved most?

My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor, my heart breaking at the thought.

The entity paused, its twisted grin faltering as it observed my tears.

For a moment, it seemed genuinely confused.

Puzzled by the tears that escaped my eyes.

❝ HEY, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU CRYING...? ❞

It asked, its voice losing some of its previous malice.

I couldn't muster a response, my sobs choking me as I struggled to breathe, my heart aching with the weight of my helplessness.

The entity's eyes softened, its demeanor shifting as it seemed to absorb the depth of my despair.

❝ LOOK, ❞

It said, stepping closer.

❝ I'LL LEAVE HIM ALONE FOR NOW. JUST... DON'T CRY. ❞

It approached me cautiously, almost hesitantly.

It reached out, cupping my face with (Y/N)'s hands, its touch surprisingly tender despite the horror it had wrought.

❝ SMILE FOR US, BELOVED. ❞

It whispered, its voice now soft, almost pleading.

I stared into the entity's eyes, my tears still flowing freely.

The juxtaposition of the dark presence and the gentle touch was jarring, but there was a glimmer of hope in its words.

"Please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Please let him go."

At my words, it blinked slowly as if contemplating my plea.

❝ FINE, ❞

It finally said, its voice a mixture of resignation and curiosity as it looked away.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

❝ BUT KNOW THIS, BELOVED. I WILL RETURN. AND WHEN I DO, THERE WILL BE NO PLEAS TO SPARE HIM THE PUNISHMENT OF MAKING ME STARVE. ❞

With that, the dark tendrils slowly retracted back into (Y/N)'s body, the oppressive aura dissipating.

(Y/N)'s eyes fluttered shut, his body going limp as the entity released its hold on him.

I caught (Y/N) before he could fall, cradling him in my arms.

Holding him close, tears of relief streamed down my face as I felt his steady, if weak, heartbeat.

"(Y/N)," I whispered, stroking his hair gently. "I'm here. You're safe now."

He stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of recognition and relief. "Winter..."

"Yes, it's me," I murmured, my voice choked with emotion as I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Rest now. I won't let anything happen to you."

As I rocked him gently, I glanced at the door, relieved to see that the children had obeyed my command and stayed away.

The room was quiet, the darkness having retreated with the entity.

I carefully laid (Y/N) down on the bed, making sure he was comfortable.

I brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, my heart aching at the sight of him so vulnerable.

Running my fingers gently against (Y/N)'s cheek, he stirred again, his hand reaching up to grasp mine.

He rubbed his face against my hand, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Winter..." he murmured, his voice weak but filled with affection.

"I'm here," I whispered, my own filled with tenderness and relief. "I'm right here."

He held onto my hand tightly, his eyes searching mine. "I knew you would come for me."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I leaned closer, pressing my forehead against his. "And I always will. No matter what, I'll always find you."

He smiled faintly, a small spark of his usual strength returning. "You always seem to be this stubborn."

I chuckled softly, a mixture of relief and love filling my heart. "Only when it comes to you."

"Only when it comes to you," I repeated, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "I would do anything."

"........," 

Only when it comes to you.

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╰┈➤ ❝ [Ɒσи'τ fσяɢєτ τσ vστє αиɒ cσммєиτ!]

₊❏❜ ⋮ ⌒(A/N): Thank you so much for reading this chapter! ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

"........," 

And remember, folks, if your significant other starts spewing dark slimy substances and growing tendrils as well as speaking in an ominous voice, it might be time for an exorcism—or at least a really good therapist! 😅

Happy reading! >ᴗ<

ִֶָ๋𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐