Eternal Echoes: A Dance with Darkness

This guy is crazy...

"Do NOT call me crazy!" he bellowed. "Centuries! Centuries I have wasted upon you, watching you grow, rediscovering your secrets, waiting for you to gain enough strength to carry out my plans..." He trailed off.

"What do you mean by centuries?" I replied skeptically. "And what makes you so sure that I would help you?"

He chuckled. "Do not ever think you are capable of deceiving me, Ember. I always know where you are, what you're thinking, what breaks you, and what makes you give in. I am aware of all your failures, even the ones you have long forgotten." He moved closer. "So do not even dare to think you are smart enough to mislead me."

I became cocky. "Obviously, if I am the only person who can help you, then when I say no, I mean it when I say I will not help you. You can imprison me. You can torture me. But you cannot kill me."

Another uncontrollable laugh erupted from the figure. "Not kill you? I honestly couldn't care less whether you live or die. It's merely an inconvenience when you die. However, you always turn back up, making it quite easy to track you down."

"I always turn back up?" I replied inquisitively. "What are you talking about?"

The cloaked man let out a long, frustrated sigh before turning away in exasperation. As he grumbled under his breath, I saw an opportunity to escape. I had spent most of my life running from him, so why not a little more?

Suddenly, his voice rang out, "You cannot run from me, Ember."

Before I could react, I felt his icy grip around my throat. Despite my efforts to leave him behind, I had only managed to run straight into his clutches. Gasping for air, I struggled as his hold tightened and he pushed me against a nearby building. "Found you."

Desperately, I grabbed at his wrist and managed to croak out, "Who are you?"

My name is Lucien, and you are coming with me," his voice was stern. "You are mine."

"No!" I croaked, unable to speak any further. Rage gripped me at his possessiveness.

He brought his head closer to mine, but I still couldn't see any details of his face. "Why do you say no, my dear? Don't you want to come with me?"

Panic overwhelmed my senses. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't speak. I was convinced that at that moment, I would die.

"You humans are quite entertaining when you are inches away from death," he said. "The way you squirm, the way your minds race, unable to keep a clear thought in your little heads."

I was filled with disgust as he disapprovingly stated, “Pathetic,” before dropping me to my knees.

"My people can tear through yours like tissue paper." His voice agitated. "How can someone like you be placed in a world like this? So filthy and dishonorable. No pride, no strength--only weakness and beggary."

I struggled to focus on his speech, my coughing interrupting every inhale. Finally catching my breath, I blurted out, "Why do you speak as if you're so superior? What are you, some kind of demon?"

The comparison to a demon seemed to amuse Lucien, prompting him to chuckle. "My dear Ember, I am far worse than what you humans perceive as a demon."

A wave of anxiety swept over me, my instincts confirming the truth in his words. Nausea crept in as he laughed at my vulnerability, mocking my very existence.

"You fail to recognize the mysteries that surround you. Many are convinced that humans are the sole inhabitants of the universe, attributing unusual events to ghosts, ghouls, or demons. However, I exist in a realm parallel to yours, hidden in plain sight. A place you have unknowingly crossed paths with countless times and will inevitably encounter again. Your presence in my world will grant me increased power and strength, abilities beyond imagination that will inspire envy in all who witness them.” Lucien delivered his speech with unwavering confidence, but I had tuned out by then.

I was still trying to process the bombshell he had just dropped. What was he talking about? How could I possibly have the ability to do what he was asking of me? I couldn't wrap my head around it. He called me a weak human, yet claimed I possessed some extraordinary power. It was a conflicting thought - on the one hand, I was curious to understand how I could have such abilities, but on the other hand, I feared becoming a mere puppet if I did.

Interrupting his speech, I asked, "What do you mean I exist in a realm parallel to yours? Are you talking about another dimension?"

Lucien's cloaked head turned sharply in my direction. "Have you ever wondered why you are so different from everyone else?"

I remained silent in response to his question. Naturally, I had always questioned how and why I possessed the ability to do things deemed impossible.

As Lucien seemed poised to launch into yet another lengthy monologue, a streetlight to our left began to flicker. The sudden movement of light drew our gaze in that direction, where we noticed a figure standing beneath it. Judging by the figure's height and build, it was clear that the individual was male.

"Let her go!" The stranger demanded, his voice exuding unwavering confidence.

Lucien instantly grew angry at the intruder's presence. "What are you doing here?" He hissed.

I found myself wondering about the connection between the two, as it was clear that this was not their initial encounter.

As the enigmatic man approached, his eyes came into view. They were a mesmerizing shade of green, accented by a deep yellow hue around his pupils. His gaze intensified as he sternly commanded, "I said, let her go, NOW." The stranger's voice resonated with authority and determination.

As he approached, a sense of security washed over me. It was as if I could finally let my guard down in his presence. There was something about him that exuded trustworthiness, despite the fact that I didn't know him at all. A strange connection seemed to exist between us, one that defied explanation. It felt as though an invisible force was drawing us closer together, intensifying as he neared.

I found myself gazing at him, transfixed like a deer in headlights. His presence was mesmerizing, and I couldn't resist taking a step towards him. However, my actions seemed to anger Lucien, who forcefully pushed me back against the building, causing my head to collide with the wall with a jolt.

Lucien made a swift escape, with the enigmatic man hot on his heels, leaving me to collapse to my knees. I clutched my head, overwhelmed by an indescribable pain that pulsed through my forehead with each heartbeat. The rhythmic thumping of my heart reverberated in my ears, intensifying the agony.

Suddenly, a hand rested on my shoulder, jolting me from my daze. Startled, I remained still, focusing solely on the excruciating pain that consumed me, blocking out everything else around me.

"Are you alright?" The handsome man asked, his voice filled with concern.

"My head is killing me, but I'll be fine," I replied, looking up at him. My heart skipped a beat as I stared into his beautiful, worry-filled eyes.

"You have a pretty good-sized bump on your head already."

A wave of embarrassment washed over me as I hurriedly composed myself. The man before me flashed a charming smile, revealing his impeccably straight, white teeth.

"Thank you for chasing Lucien away," I expressed my gratitude. A brief silence followed as he gazed intently into my eyes, causing my cheeks to flush once more. Clearing my throat, I asked, "Who are you?"

"Aiden."

"I'm Ember."

He laughed. "I know who you are."

"How does everyone here know who I am?" I questioned, feeling perplexed and aggravated.

"This is not the time or place to answer that, my love," Aiden replied, casting a glance at the shadows that enveloped us. He extended his hand to help me up.

Typically, being called "my love" by someone would instantly enrage me. However, inexplicably, it did not bother me when Aiden said it.

When our skin made contact, a powerful, electrifying sensation surged through my body. It was a thrilling feeling that I didn't want to end. Just as I was about to ask about this sensation, Aiden began to speak.

"You are still as beautiful as ever," he said, causing my heart to falter as he gently caressed my cheek and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I found myself speechless as Aiden continued to stroke my cheek and gaze deeply into my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder why his touch sent shivers down my spine and left me yearning for more. Why did my mind feel like it was in a fog whenever he was near?

Aiden continued smiling at me.

"Why do you call me 'love'?" I finally managed to say after staring at him for a long time. It wasn't exactly the question I had intended to ask, but it was the one that slipped out.

His smile persisted as he replied, "You will find out soon enough." He paused, then added, "When I find you."

His words left me feeling perplexed, and I continued to stare at him, feeling like a lovesick preteen.

Aiden began to lean his head towards mine as if he were about to kiss me. With each inch he closed the distance between us, my heart pounded in my chest. A rush of heat flooded my face and my breath hitched in my throat, while butterflies danced wildly in my stomach. I held my breath in anticipation as his lips hovered just inches from mine...

When I woke up.