Dark magic

Valeria walked briskly through the quiet corridor, her heavy boots clicking against the polished marble floor. She wasn't sure what had compelled her to leave her own room. Perhaps it was the way Sylphina had trembled every time their eyes met or the faint blush that had crept up the Omega's cheeks as she stammered through every response.

It was ridiculous, really. Sylphina acted as though Valeria might pounce at any moment, and for some reason, the thought twisted in Valeria's chest. She pressed a hand to the spot as though that might calm the uncomfortable feeling.

"She's too afraid of me," Valeria muttered under her breath, her words echoing softly in the empty hall. She glanced at the stained-glass windows lining the corridor, their vibrant colors distorted by the moonlight. The flickering torchlight cast long, distorted shadows that danced like living creatures on the walls.

She had no one to blame but herself or, rather, Valeria's original self. This body was steeped in a legacy of fear and cruelty, a reputation that preceded her and settled like a suffocating cloak around her shoulders. The real Valeria had terrorized the entire kingdom, and even now, her actions still haunted those left behind.

But Sylphina... She was something else entirely. Her fear had a kind of innocence to it, tinged with defiance and intelligence Valeria couldn't help but admire. Still, it wasn't as though she could suddenly explain herself. What would she say? Sorry I seem like a monster, but I'm actually just a socially awkward CEO who died cooking ?

Valeria let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. The sound startled her in the stillness, and she immediately glanced around to make sure no one had heard.

She lingered near a tall window, watching the silvery moonlight spill over the castle gardens below. Her mind wandered to the meal she'd shared or, more accurately, forced upon Sylphina. The Omega had eaten cautiously, clearly on edge the entire time, but there was something undeniably endearing about her wide, wary eyes and trembling hands.

Valeria bit her lip, frustrated. She wasn't used to thinking about anyone like this. She wasn't used to feeling much of anything, to be honest. Her previous life had been too consumed by work, and now her current one seemed determined to fill the gaps with chaos.

The sound of approaching wheels pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see Sylphina exiting her room, carefully maneuvering the small food cart down the hall. Their eyes met, and the Omega froze, her grip tightening on the cart's handle.

"Y-Your Majesty," Sylphina stammered, bowing quickly.

Before Valeria could respond, Sylphina straightened and practically bolted down the corridor, the wheels of the cart squeaking in protest at her hurried pace. Valeria stood there, watching the Omega's retreating figure with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"She acts like I'm a plague," Valeria muttered, shaking her head. She wasn't sure whether to laugh or sigh.

Deciding she'd had enough wandering for the night, she turned back toward her room. The walk was short, but her thoughts continued to churn. She opened the door and slipped inside, closing it firmly behind her.

The chamber was quiet, save for the soft rustle of the curtains in the evening breeze. Valeria walked to the bed and sat on the edge, running a hand over the luxurious fabric of the sheets. They were impossibly soft, and the mattress felt like it could swallow her whole. It was a far cry from the utilitarian cot she'd been used to in her old life.

Lying back, she stared at the ceiling, which was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and swirling constellations. For a moment, she allowed herself to relax, letting the tension seep from her shoulders.

But her reprieve didn't last long. The weight of her situation crept back in, and she sat up abruptly. She needed to learn more about her new body specifically, how to wield its power.

Valeria closed her eyes and tried to recall what she knew about the original Valeria's magic. Dark magic, the most feared and misunderstood of all the elemental arts. She'd read about it in the novel, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different matter.

Stretching out her hands, she focused on the sensation of energy coursing through her. It felt faint at first, like a distant hum, but as she concentrated, the hum grew louder, resonating through her veins like the pulse of a living thing.

"Alright," she muttered to herself. "Let's see what this body can do."

She envisioned the shadows in the room gathering around her, bending to her will. The torches lining the walls flickered, their light dimming as the darkness in the corners seemed to grow thicker. Slowly, tendrils of black mist began to rise from her fingertips, curling and twisting like smoke.

A shiver ran down her spine. The magic felt alive, almost sentient, as though it recognized her touch. It was cold and sharp, yet strangely comforting, like an old friend she hadn't seen in years.

Valeria extended her hands further, and the tendrils obeyed, snaking out to wrap around the legs of a nearby chair. With a flick of her wrist, the chair lifted into the air, hovering for a moment before she carefully set it back down.

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Not bad," she murmured.

Encouraged, she pushed herself further. She willed the shadows to take form, imagining a simple shape a sphere. The mist gathered and condensed, forming a perfect, black orb that hovered just above her palm.

But as quickly as the magic had obeyed her, it rebelled. The orb pulsed violently, and Valeria barely had time to react before it exploded into a cloud of dark energy. The force sent her sprawling backward, and she landed unceremoniously on the plush carpet.

She groaned, sitting up and brushing her hair out of her face. "Alright, maybe not that easy."

The room had returned to normal, the shadows retreating to their natural places. Valeria sighed and climbed back onto the bed, feeling both drained and exhilarated.

For all her struggles, she couldn't deny the thrill of wielding such power. If she could master it, she might stand a chance in this world. And if she could somehow use that power to right the original Valeria's wrongs...