27

Lunara felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her, the urgency of the question gnawing at her resolve. *If I lie, I die.* The thought echoed ominously in her mind as she pondered how to respond. She knew she had to tread carefully, for the voice above her was powerful and unforgiving. Time was of the essence, and she could sense the impatience radiating from him.

With a deep breath, she steadied her voice, knowing she had no choice but to be honest. "I—I don't know…" she stammered, the vulnerability of her admission hanging in the air.

"Hmmm…" The voice hummed thoughtfully, and as the crimson eyes vanished momentarily, a shiver ran down Lunara's spine. When they reappeared, their intensity remained, but there was a newfound curiosity in the way they regarded her.

"I thought so," he said, his tone laced with a mix of amusement and condescension. "A being like you can't summon me. The last thing I remember was being ganged up on and dying. I thought this was the afterlife."

Lunara's heart raced at the revelation. So, this entity had experienced death, just like she had. It was a reminder of the fragility of life and the thin veil that separated existence from oblivion. "So, you're saying you're dead?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Indeed," he replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But this is not the afterlife you might imagine. This realm is a reflection of your fears, your desires, and your struggles. It is a place where the boundaries of life and death blur, where the souls of the lost come to confront their truths."

Lunara felt a chill wash over her. This was not just some random encounter; it was deeply tied to her own journey, her own battles against darkness and fear. "If you were once alive, then how did you become this… entity?" she pressed, driven by a need to understand.

The crimson eyes glimmered with a mix of nostalgia and bitterness. "I was betrayed, just as you may have been. I became a vessel for the darkness, a guardian of secrets and power. But the price of that power was steep. I lost my identity, my purpose—now, I exist to guide those like you who seek strength."

Lunara absorbed his words, the weight of their implications settling heavily in her mind. She was not alone in her struggles; others had faced similar fates, and perhaps there was a path forward for both of them. "Then help me," she urged, her voice firm. "Help me understand this darkness, and I will not shy away from it. I will embrace my true self."

The figure regarded her with an inscrutable expression, the shadows swirling around him. "Very well. But know this: the journey will not be easy. You will face trials that will test your very essence. Only by confronting your deepest fears can you hope to reclaim your power."

Lunara nodded, determination igniting within her. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, to confront the darkness, and to seek the truth of her existence. This was not just about survival; it was about transformation and reclaiming her destiny. She would not falter. She would rise.