Noir
Chapter 43

I stared intensely into the face of my enemy, his features etched with the weight of his actions. The room was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. Memories flooded my mind, as vivid as a movie playing before my eyes. I could almost smell the musty scent of the old oak tree, its rough bark pressing against my skin as I sought refuge within its embrace. The feeling of loss engulfed me, like a heavy fog, as I emerged from my hiding place only to replace my Mother gone. I pleaded with the foliage, hoping for a sign, but was met with nothing but solitude. And now, standing here, face to face with the man who had altered the course of my life, the hatred within me simmered like a boiling cauldron. His voice, smooth as velvet, cut through the silence, sending shivers down my spine. The room seemed to darken as he chuckled, the sound echoing ominously. "You remember me," he sneered. "You've grown, but still remain lost, just as you were when you left the safety of that tree. You're still searching, longing for someone to show you the way."

My immediate reaction was a surge of rage, causing my clenched fists to tremble. But I forcefully suppressed the violent notion, pushing it deep down within me. His words reverberated through my mind, striking a resonant chord that echoed within my core. I briefly questioned if there was any truth to what he had just uttered. Had I been deceiving myself all this time, believing that I possessed enough strength to navigate life independently? Determined to stay focused, I refused to let his words distract me.

With unwavering composure, I spoke, my voice unwavering. "You're mistaken," I retorted firmly. "I am not lost, nor am I seeking guidance. However, I am in search of answers."

His eyebrow arched in amusement, his expression mocking. "Answers, little Eton? Answers about how you can wield control over the elusive shadows? Answers about your ability to meld seamlessly with the encompassing forest? Answers about your proficiency in hunting down the monstrous creatures that dwell in darkness, devoid of any remorse?" His laughter permeated the room, filling it with a mocking symphony. "Oh, dear girl, you still have much to comprehend," he taunted.

Squinting my eyes, I took an assertive step forward. "Challenge me," I declared. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, unveiling a set of immaculate, pearly teeth, interspersed with razor-sharp incisors. "Very well," he conceded. "Embrace the ancestral Cyprian vampire blood that courses through your veins, and uncover the truth of what you *truly* are."

At his words, an icy shiver crawled up my spine, causing the fine hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. "What do you mean, embrace the Cyprian vampire blood that courses through my veins and discover my true nature?" I asked, my voice unwavering despite the tendrils of fear tightening around my heart.

Another sinister laugh erupted from the depths of his chest, resonating through the air like a haunting melody. The sound alone sent a chill through my bones, igniting a sudden instinct to flee. Yet, I compelled myself to remain rooted in place, determined to confront the terror that threatened to consume me. "How do I accomplish such a daunting task?" I inquired, my voice steady even as the tendrils of terror coiled tighter.

He closed the distance between us, his piercing gaze drilling into mine, as if searching for something hidden within. "You must embrace your shadow self, the part of you that harbors great darkness," he asserted.

The room seemed to grow colder with each passing moment, as though the very air had turned frigid. A peculiar energy surged through my veins, an eerie pulse that seemed to awaken a dormant darkness within. "You must be prepared to confront the beast that resides within you, young Eton," he whispered, his warm breath brushing against my ear, a stark contrast to the chill that gripped me. "Only then will you truly be liberated." Instinctively, I took a step back, burdened by the weight of his words pressing down upon my shoulders. "And if I am not willing?" I inquired, my voice trembling, barely audible.

His smile widened, a macabre expression that sent a shudder coursing through my entire being. "Then you shall forever remain a mere echo of the person you were destined to become." His hand tenderly grazed my cheek, the touch sending a surge of electricity racing through my body. "You must decide. Which path shall you choose?"

I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply in an attempt to steady my racing heart. "Remember," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the thunderous beats echoing within my chest. "Once you choose to confront the shadow, there is no turning back."

Seconds later, when I reopened my eyes he was gone.

Alone in the building, I stood there, lost in thought, my heart racing wildly. I struggled to comprehend what he had just said, the weight of his words like a leaden cloak upon my shoulders. He spoke of darkness, of a beast within me, and of a choice that would change my life forever.

Shivering, I forced myself to take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of mold and decay. I tried to convince myself that it was all just a twisted nightmare, a figment of my imagination. But I knew, deep down, that it was real.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

With my insides trembling, I made my way over to an old folding chair, long forgotten within the building. Slowly, I lowered myself onto its hard metal surface. Afterward, I stared at the concrete floor, watching a spider crawl across its broken and pitted surface.

The choice was mine to make. I could ignore the darkness, bury it deep within me, and continue to live my life as if nothing had changed. Or I could embrace it, face it head-on, and discover the truth of who I truly was. The thought terrified me, but it also filled me with a strange sense of determination. I'd never been able to shake the feeling that there was something more to my existence, something waiting for me just beyond the veil of what the world had shown me I was. Closing my eyes again, I leaned back in the chair, letting out a shuddering breath. I knew what I had to do. I had to replace a way to confront the darkness within me, to confront the beast that resided within my soul. I had to replace a way to embrace the Cyprian blood that coursed through my veins, and uncover the truth of what I truly was. But, was that what I truly wanted? Did I *want* to face the same inner beast within me, that I had seen Noir wrestle with?

And how was it, I wondered, that I carried Cyprian blood within me? So many questions and no answers-or rather there were answers, but did I want them?

Standing up, I straightened my posture, squaring my shoulders. I had a choice to make. One that was my destiny. Would I be evil, or good.