Leon Stalks Aliya-1

Leon closed the door to his room behind him, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion and nerves. The dining hall had been nothing short of a battlefield for him, a minefield of glares and silent accusations. Though he had managed to defuse the tension with Aliya, he knew the resentment in the eyes of those around him wasn't going to vanish overnight. He was the despised eldest son of the Alaric family, and no single act of kindness could erase years of damage—damage he hadn't even caused but now had to carry.

He staggered to the bed, its grand frame and soft mattress a stark contrast to the turmoil in his mind. Leon sank onto it, staring at the ornate ceiling. His thoughts spiraled, replaying the events of the day like a chaotic reel: the moment he had been pulled from his gamer's chair into this world, waking as Leon Alaric, the suffocating tension of the dining hall, and the innocent trust in Aliya's tear-filled eyes.

"This… this is insane," Leon muttered, his hands covering his face. "How am I supposed to survive this? I'm not even the main character!" His voice cracked in frustration. As Basil, he had been in control, the omnipotent player. But now, as Leon, he was trapped—a hated figure in a world that seemed intent on his demise.

Sleep eluded him, the weight of his predicament pressing heavily on his chest. After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, Leon sat up, his eyes wandering to the large window overlooking the estate. The moon cast a pale glow over the garden below, painting it in shades of silver and shadow. The cool night air wafted through the window as he opened it, hoping for some relief from his swirling thoughts.

As his gaze swept over the grounds, a flicker of movement caught his attention. Squinting, he noticed a small figure sneaking through the garden paths. His heart skipped a beat when he recognized the delicate form and dragon-like features of his youngest sister, Aliya. She moved cautiously, her small frame barely making a sound as she hurried toward an old, decrepit building at the edge of the estate.

"What is she doing?" Leon whispered to himself. His curiosity quickly turned to concern. The building was one he vaguely remembered from the game's lore, a neglected structure left to decay over the years. It was said to be unused, a relic of a bygone era.

Without thinking, Leon grabbed a cloak and quietly slipped out of his room. He couldn't let Aliya wander into a place like that alone, especially at this hour. As he descended the stairs and made his way through the garden, he stayed in the shadows, careful not to alert anyone—least of all Aliya.

He followed her from a distance, his steps light and calculated. Aliya's movements were deliberate, as if she knew exactly where she was going. She reached the building and disappeared inside without hesitation. Leon hesitated at the entrance, staring at the dark doorway. Something about this felt off, unsettling even. Why would a little girl sneak into an abandoned place in the middle of the night?

Minutes passed, and there was no sign of Aliya emerging. The uneasy feeling in Leon's chest grew heavier with each second. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. Steeling himself, he stepped inside, his footsteps echoing softly in the empty space. The air inside was thick with dust and the faint scent of mildew. Moonlight streamed through broken windows, casting eerie patterns on the cracked walls.

"Aliya?" Leon called out softly, his voice barely above a whisper. There was no response. He moved further in, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he ventured deeper into the building, a strange sensation washed over him. The air felt heavier, charged with an unfamiliar energy. Shadows seemed to twist and dance around him, though there was no wind to disturb them. Leon's unease turned to dread.

Then he saw it.

At the far end of the room, bathed in an otherworldly glow, was a sight that defied explanation. Leon's breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened in shock. Whatever he was looking at was beyond anything he could have imagined.