Darkness wrapped around him, thick and suffocating—like the air itself had turned to stone. Aray tried to move, but his legs wouldn't respond. The sheer weight of stillness was terrifying, and the echo of his breathing bounced endlessly through the void.
Then, a faint light appeared in the distance—cold, flickering, calling to him from somewhere unreachable.
He stepped forward. The ground beneath him cracked like glass.
"Hello?" he called out.
No answer. Just silence—until a low, hissing growl broke through the stillness. It grew louder, deeper. Something was watching him. Something not of this world.
The ground gave way, and Aray fell.
He screamed, but no sound came. When he hit the floor, there was no pain—just an icy chill that crept deep into his bones.
He stood, and saw it.
The ruins.
Exactly as they had been: moss-covered stone, ancient carvings, and that heavy, lurking dread that clung to the walls like mold.
"No... it can't be…" he whispered.
A scraping sound spun him around.
It was there.
The creature—part serpent, part spider—emerged from the shadows. Larger than before. Its slick, black scales shimmered in the dark, and its thick, clawed legs moved with unnatural speed. Its crimson eyes burned like coals, fixed on him. Its mouth curled into something too much like a smile.
"No. Not again…"
Aray stumbled back, falling hard.
The creature advanced, shaking the ground with every step. Its fangs, long and dripping with black venom, gleamed in the dim light.
He tried to stand—his legs refused. Desperately, he looked around for anything to defend himself, but there was nothing.
"Stay away!" he shouted, his voice cracking.
The creature tilted its head, amused, its grotesque smile widening.
It lunged.
Aray flinched, bracing for the impact—but it never came.
Instead, something cold slithered under the skin of his left arm.
He gasped and looked down.
The mark.
Black, pulsing, crawling beneath his skin like roots searching for something to devour.
"What… what is this?"
The creature hovered over him, grinning. Then, its gaze shifted—to the mark.
And something changed in its eyes.
Recognition.
It hissed—and the hiss became words.
"You are mine…"
The voice was deep and ancient, like it had crawled out of the depths of the earth.
"I'm not!" Aray shouted, trying to claw the mark off with his other hand. But it wouldn't fade. The pain only grew.
The creature laughed—a sound so twisted it froze his blood.
"You will always be mine…"
Its mouth opened wide, revealing a darkness that swallowed the light, and it lunged again.
This time, Aray couldn't look away.
Darkness consumed everything.
He woke with a strangled gasp, bolting upright in bed. Sweat drenched his body. His chest heaved.
His left arm was bandaged, tight and clean—but he swore he could still feel the mark pulsing beneath.
The door flew open. Elisa rushed in, eyes filled with panic.
"Are you alright? I heard you scream."
Aray met her gaze, unsure what to say.
"Just... a nightmare."
She came to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It was just a dream. I'm here."
He nodded. But his eyes stayed locked on his arm.He knew better.That wasn't just a dream.The voice still echoed in his head:
You are mine…
Then, Elisa began to dissolve—like sand slipping through his fingers. The room faded. Reality crumbled.
And he fell again.
"NOOO!"
***
He jolted awake again, breath ragged. Pain pierced his side as he tried to move. He froze.
It took him a moment to realize—he was still in his room. A cool breeze slipped in through the window, carrying birdsong and rustling leaves.
Aray blinked slowly, sinking into the mattress.His left arm ached. Deep and constant.And then, exhaustion pulled him under again.
"You're awake?"
Elisa's voice pulled him back. He turned his head toward her. She sat beside him, holding a damp cloth. Her face, usually calm and steady, was pale, eyes ringed with exhaustion.
"How long…?" His voice was dry, raspy.
"Three days," Elisa said gently, placing the cloth on his forehead. "I thought you wouldn't wake up."
He tried to sit up, but the dizziness pinned him back. His arm was wrapped in fresh bandages—but the cold radiating from it hadn't changed.
"What happened...? How...?"
"I found you at the forest's edge. Muffin was curled up beside you, purring like nothing happened."She sighed, somewhere between relief and frustration."You were burning with fever. And your arm…"
Aray swallowed.
"What about my arm?"
She hesitated.
"When I undressed you to treat the wound, I saw these black marks... I've never seen anything like it. I've tried everything—ointments, potions, even mom's old remedies. Nothing helps."
Just hearing about the marks sent a chill down his spine. He shut his eyes, trying to recall what happened in the ruins. The details were fuzzy—but the creature's fangs, the pain—that was crystal clear.
"It's nothing," he said, voice flat. "I just need rest."
"Nothing?" Elisa stared, incredulous. "Aray, you almost died out there! You can barely move! What were you doing in those ruins?"
The question hit like a slap. But he couldn't tell her.
If he did, she'd want to go there herself. He couldn't risk that.
"I was just… chasing Muffin. He ran inside, so I followed."
She looked at him like she knew he was lying. After a long pause, she exhaled and softened.
"Reckless as ever… You know the forest isn't safe. But still…"She placed a hand over her heart."Thank you… for bringing him back."
He let out a weak chuckle.
"Of course. That cat's worth everything, huh?"
"Sometimes more than you," she said with a smile, though her eyes betrayed her worry.
A faint meow echoed from the corner of the room.
Muffin.
Curled in his usual spot, he lifted his head with disinterest.
"There's your hero," Aray muttered, pointing. "He's the one who saved me."
Elisa raised an eyebrow.
"What, is Muffin a knight now?"
"You'd be surprised. That furball jumped on a monster's face and clawed it like a demon. If he hadn't... I wouldn't be here."
She laughed briefly—but then grew serious.
"A monster? Aray, what did you see out there? I need to know what hurt you. If I'm going to help, I need answers."
Aray bit his tongue. The heat rose to his cheeks.
"Probably a fever dream. I don't remember clearly."
She didn't look convinced—but let it go.
"Rest, then. I'll make you something to eat. But you better tell me what happened, soon. That mark… it's not fading. If it's poison, time matters."
She left.
Aray stared at the ceiling. Closed his eyes.
But the image of the creature was still there.
He glanced at his bandaged arm. Tried to move his fingers—pain shot up his side.
Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.
"What's happening to me…?"
From the corner, Muffin meowed softly.
Aray smiled weakly.
"I hate to admit it, but… I owe you my life. Thanks, Muffin."
The cat tilted his head—as if he understood.But then, something changed.
His eyes locked onto Aray's arm.His fur stood on end.
He growled.
"What now...?" Aray backed away, startled.
Muffin leapt from his bed, approaching slowly, body low, growling at Aray's arm like it was a threat.
"It's just my arm. Calm down—"
But Muffin wouldn't. He hissed again. Fierce. Ready to strike.
Aray's heart pounded.
The room felt colder. Just like the ruins.
He looked down.
The bandages were… darkening.
"No…"
Suddenly, Muffin bolted from the room, tail puffed, vanishing through the door.
Aray was left alone, in silence.
"What… is happening to me?"
The door burst open.
Elisa entered, holding a bowl of steaming soup.
"What was that noise? Why did Muffin run out?"
"Nothing..." Aray lied quickly, pulling the blanket over his arm."Probably just saw a shadow or something."
She stared at him, but didn't press.
"Here. Eat. You need your strength."
He tried to lift the bowl, but his left hand trembled. Elisa noticed, sat beside him, and helped him drink in silence.
"Are you ever going to tell me the truth?" she whispered.
Aray looked up, surprised by the gentleness in her voice.She looked so tired—but her eyes were still warm. Still... hers.
"I just don't want you to worry. I'm fine."
She studied him for a moment, then stood.
"You've never been a good liar, Aray." She paused at the door. "Whatever this is... don't carry it alone. I need to know what hurt you. Because if that mark doesn't stop spreading… we may need to consider amputating your arm."
And with that, she walked out.
Aray stared at the wall.
Sunlight poured through the window. It should have been comforting.
But all he felt… was dread.