Chapter XXVIII

"Oh my God! Alec!"

My trembling hand clutched the candle stand—the very artifact that had become my weapon.

Alec staggered back, his eyes wide with shock and pain. The silver edge of the stand had struck true, piercing his chest. Blood oozed out, a crimson river that stained his shirt, pooling in the hollow of his collarbone. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and he clutched at the wound, his fingers slick with gore.

My own scream echoed through the hall, a primal wail that reverberated off the stone walls. I had not meant to harm him—had not known that the shadow's whispers would twist my love into a blade. But now, as Alec's lifeblood seeped through my fingers, I was both executioner and mourner.

His eyes locked onto mine, a mix of betrayal and disbelief. "Why?" he choked out, his voice a rasp. "Oxyvi, why?"

I had no answer. The candle stand slipped from my grasp, clattering to the floor. The shadows seemed to close in, their tendrils reaching for me, urging me to finish what I had started.

"I didn't—" my voice cracked. "I didn't know—"

But Alec's gaze hardened, and he pushed me away. "Ignorance is no excuse," he said, his words a blade sharper than any steel. "This curse should end, Oxyvi. With or without you."

And as the castle trembled, its very foundations shaken by our tragedy, I vowed to undo what I had wrought—to fight the darkness that threatened to consume us both. Alec's blood stained my hands, and the shadows whispered their approval. In the haunted silence, I cradled Alec's head, my tears mixing with his blood. 

My breath came in ragged bursts, my heart a drumbeat of fear. "Why?" I demanded, my voice echoing through the haunted hall. "Why do you want him dead? What has he done to you to deserve this?"

The shadows shifted, their tendrils reaching for me. As it touched my cheeks burning sensations erupted on my skin and I started to push my hand into Alec's injury.

"No" I screamed in horror as I don't have any control over my hand. Alec grabbed my hand in his icy grip his eyes glared at me and from another hand he took out his defensive knife and scratch my skin in his defense.

"Oxyvi, run from here" Alec coughed out more blood. 

"Like me running from here will solve any problem, remember why we are here?" I whispered. Tears rolling down my skin rapidly and I realized something. 

My mind raced. Alec was no longer just a man; he somehow was a catalyst—a pawn in a game. The castle itself seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my choice. I could end it all—end Alec's life and perhaps free myself from this nightmare. Or I could defy the shadows, seek answers, and end all of this.

"I won't kill him," I said, my voice trembling but resolute. "Not like this. There must be something. I want answers, whatever you are, give a rest to all of this chaos"

And from the darkness, a chilling laugh—a sound that scraped against my sanity. "Then run, little mortal," the voice taunted. "Run I like to chase." 

As soon as i heard this the same disfigured shadows of my nightmare erupted out from the darkness, and I did... run.

"Fight it!" Alec's voice cut through the haze. "Remember who we are!"

My breaths came in ragged gasps, my heart a tempest of guilt and fear. The grand hall of the cursed castle seemed to warp—the shadows dancing like phantoms, the candle stand no longer a weapon but a mere artifact glistening with the green flames.

Alec stood before me, unharmed. His eyes held confusion, not accusation. The blood that had stained my hands was a figment of my imagination—a cruel trick played by the shadows that haunted my mind. I checked on him moving closer to him and forcing my hands on his chest and unintentionally unbuttoning his shirt.

"Why?" Alec's voice was gentle, his concern genuine. "What's wrong, Oxyvi?"

I tried to speak—to explain—but the words eluded me. The shadows whispered, their voices a chorus of malevolence.

"Kill him," they urged. "He will betray you. He will destroy you."

But I shook my head. I don't love Alec, but I feel some deep connection with him I can't just kill him, I couldn't stand seeing him in pain. I couldn't harm him—not like this, not ever. Deep down I realize that I yearn for him and i don't know just why? does he feel this turmoil of emotions too?

"I won't," I whispered, my voice a fragile thread. "Not like this. There must be another way."

I glanced at Alec; his eyes still filled with confusion. "Alec, we need to go from here immediately" His gaze hardened at me, and he grabbed my hand tight. "We are not going anywhere from here until we find the answers."

"Don't be ridiculous Alec, I just saw something, a vision and i don't want it to become a reality might this be the warning to not to cross the line. Please listen to me and let's leave the palace alone." 

"You can tell me about your vision in between our investigation. Remember I am the one who can give you orders not the other way..." He stopped abruptly and looked upward as something dripped down on his cheek. 

I followed his gaze and my heart stopped, eyes wide in horror. I took a step back but got restricted by Alec's grip. He immediately pulls me towards his side and body came down with the loud thud and then there was an intense silence, an eerie disturbing silence. 

"Fuck it." Alec muttered. The body was of one his guard that has accompanied us inside.

We both saw from the corner of our eyes that another guard flew away in distance as he shouted for help.