The night when my whole life changes! Something changed the night I met him. I was just a regular guy, drifting through a predictable life, mostly without a stable job and income and also an orphan without any inheritance, until a single encounter shattered the calm and plunged me into something I couldn’t understand.
It started on an ordinary evening, in the heart of the city, when a sharp wind picked up, carrying a sense of unease. The streets were nearly empty, and I was on my way home from my job as a professional sleeper. My mind was preoccupied, when I felt it—a presence. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as if someone’s gaze was digging into me.
Turning, I found a man watching me from across the street, standing under the flickering glow of a streetlight. Tall and still as a shadow, his eyes locked onto mine, intense and unnervingly steady. My heart thudded hard against my ribs. He was beautiful, but there was something… otherworldly about him, a quiet power radiating from his calm stance. And despite my fear, I couldn’t look away.
Our eyes met, and in that single instant, I felt a pull—magnetic, like he was drawing me in, seeing straight through me. Every nerve screamed to move, to leave, but my body betrayed me. I was rooted in place, helpless.
Before I knew it, he was crossing the street, each step measured and deliberate, his gaze never breaking from mine. And as he got closer, the air grew colder, sharper, like he carried winter with him. I took a breath, steadying myself, but he was already close—too close.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said, his voice low and smooth, each word dripping with an odd sense of authority.
The way he said it made me bristle. “Mate, I can take care of myself” I replied, though my voice came out weaker than I’d intended. I was a man, I needed to act like one.
He tilted his head, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips, like he found my answer amusing. “I’m not so sure,” he said softly, and his eyes seemed to darken, drawing me further into the depths of whatever spell he was weaving.
I swallowed, unsure whether to be flattered or unnerved by the way he looked at me, like he knew every secret I’d ever kept. “Do… do we know each other?”
“You tell me.” His stare lingered on my face, searching, assessing. “Sometimes we don’t recognize what’s right in front of us, Daniel.”
My heart skipped a beat. “How do you know my name?”
He chuckled—a low, rich sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “There’s much I know about you, more than you might imagine.”
It was such a ridiculous statement, and yet coming from him, it felt… true. My mind raced, searching for logic, for an explanation, but he was already stepping back, his face half-hidden by shadow, leaving me with the unsettling sense that he’d told me more than he’d meant to.
“Wait,” I called, but he shook his head, a soft smile brushing his lips.
“We’ll meet again, Daniel,” he murmured. “Sooner than you think.”
And before I could say another word, he turned, fading back into the darkness, leaving me standing there, alone under the obscure glow of the streetlight, heart pounding.
---
That night, his face haunted my thoughts, every detail etched into my mind as if he’d branded himself there. I couldn’t shake the way he looked at me, how he’d said my name like it was a song he’d been waiting to play. Exhausted, I finally fell asleep, tossing everything off as I assumed he was some weirdo stalker. Unfortunately, my peace didn’t last.
I found myself back on that empty street in my dream, the same shadows pooling around us as I caught sight of him—watching, waiting, like he’d never left. The air was cold, sharp enough to slice, but his gaze… it burned.
I could feel him, every part of him—his closeness, his presence, his beauty, the brush of his fingers along my cheek, icy yet electrifying. I tried to speak, to pull away, but I was frozen, caught in a web of tension, desire, and fear.
“You’ll see me again,” he whispered, his breath ghosting over my skin, leaving me breathless.
When I jolted awake, his touch lingered, as real as the sheets tangled around me. I gasped, looking around the room, but it was empty, save for the chill that clung to the air. I still tossed it off, it was obviously my mind playing tricks with me after sleeping the whole day as a professional sleeper, or was it not?
The following morning, I woke with the image of the strange burned into my mind, as vivid as if I’d just seen him. That intense, almost otherworldly look in his eyes kept replaying, refusing to let go. I tried to shake it off, but every time I closed my eyes, he was there—like a phantom in the corners of my thoughts.Throughout the day, nothing felt real. Conversations blurred, routines felt mechanical. I was on autopilot, sleepwalking through my life, haunted by thoughts of him. His face, his voice, the way he seemed to know me, as if we’d met somewhere in another life—it was intoxicating. And it was terrifying even though I tried not to think about it.By nightfall, my obsession had deepened, morphing from curiosity into something darker. I started hearing things in the quiet moments—footsteps just behind me, a breath so close it sent shivers down my neck. I’d whip around, pulse pounding, but there was never anyone there. Shadows seemed to stretch and shift in unnatural ways, leavin
The nagging sense of dread only deepened after that night. Every shadow felt too close, every sound too loud. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—was always watching me.My sleepless nights turned into restless days, and as the city outside continued its usual bustle, I delved into an entirely different world. Late nights at the library, dim-lit corners of obscure websites, anywhere I could find whispers of the things lurking beneath the surface, I wanted to be sure that I was not losing my mind. Most of it felt like nonsense, ancient folklore and children’s tales. But the more I read, the more these so-called legends started to feel… uncomfortably familiar. Beings who lived on the fringes of our world, creatures who slipped in and out of human lives, feeding off them, binding themselves to them.One night, I stumbled on an article about a local legend: a cursed protector, a being who appeared human but was anything but. It was said he was bound to a single soul—a “
After the attack, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to my apartment alone. So, here I was, walking through the dimly lit streets, led by the man who had saved my life. Every nerve in my body felt raw and exposed, every sound sharper, every shadow darker. I glanced at him, the man who was, in some twisted fate, bound to me. And for the first time, I felt more trapped than protected.We reached an abandoned building on the outskirts of town—a sanctuary he called it, one of the few places “they” couldn’t breach. He opened the door, and I followed him into a shadowed, quiet space filled with the faint smell of incense and old wood.“Stay close,” he murmured, casting a wary look around the room, though I saw no one but us. “There are rules you need to understand.”Rules. The word settled heavily in the room, filling the silence between us with its weight. I’d grown up following rules, but none of them had prepared me for this.He leaned against the wall, his face unreadable but his gaze i
The darkness finally receded, and I gasped, pulling in a sharp breath as I stumbled forward. My protector’s arm was around my waist, holding me upright as my legs wobbled beneath me. I blinked, trying to adjust to my surroundings, and realized I was no longer in the city’s desolate streets.We were in a vast, underground lair, a place both eerie and majestic. Shadows danced across the stone walls, lit by soft blue flames in sconces that lined a long, narrow hallway stretching ahead. I could feel the strange hum of power in the air, something ancient and alive, tingling against my skin.“Where are we?” I asked, my voice echoing off the cavernous walls.“This is one of our sanctuaries,” he replied quietly, his eyes scanning our surroundings as though expecting a threat to materialize at any moment. “Few know of it. Fewer still can enter.”There was a tension in his posture, a sharp alertness that matched the barely concealed fear in my own heart. I didn’t feel safe here—not with him, no
The cold air hit my face like shards of glass as I sprinted through the dense forest, my heart hammering against my ribs. Every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves sent my pulse spiking. They were coming. I didn’t know how many, but I could feel their presence closing in—dark, menacing, and unrelenting. We managed to escape just to be chased again"Daniel, move faster!" Rigel's voice roared from somewhere behind me, his tone sharp and commanding. It wasn’t like his usual calm demeanor. He sounded... panicked. I turned backwards slightly and saw how he still looked strangely handsome even as he rushed behind me. Branches tore at my skin as I stumbled over roots, my lungs burning with every gasp. I wanted to shout at him, to demand answers, but there wasn’t time. The air grew heavier, the kind of oppressive weight that only came when they were near. A sudden growl shattered the night. My body froze instinctively, but Rigel grabbed my arm and yanked me forward with terrifying strength.
The air inside the refuge felt heavy, charged with a strange energy that made my skin tingle. It was as if the walls themselves pulsed with life, whispering secrets I wasn’t meant to hear. Shadows flickered and danced along the stone corridors, cast by the dim glow of lanterns hung at uneven intervals. Rigel limped ahead of me, his injuries bandaged hastily but still bleeding through in places. He didn’t complain, though his clenched jaw and the tension in his shoulders betrayed the pain he was in. "Where are we?" I asked, my voice bouncing off the walls. "A sanctuary," Rigel said without looking back. "One of the few left." The corridor opened into a vast underground chamber, its ceiling soaring high above us and lit by a strange, glowing orb that hovered in the center. The space was bustling with activity—people moving quickly, their faces pale and strained. Some carried weapons I couldn’t name; others clutched books bound in leather so old they looked ready to crumble. I felt
The sanctuary was filled with screams, roars, and the clash of steel. I could barely hear my own panicked breathing over the chaos. The walls shook violently, loose stones falling from the ceiling as the enemy forced their way inside. “How do they even keep finding us?” I growled in confusion.“Keep moving!” Rigel barked, dragging me through the crumbling halls. His grip was bruising, his pace relentless despite his injuries. Around us, defenders fought desperately against the onslaught of grotesque creatures. These weren’t the same shadowy figures that had chased us before—they were larger, their monstrous forms fully solid. Clawed hands and gaping maws lunged at anyone in their path, their shrieks chilling me to the bone. We rounded a corner, only to come face-to-face with one of the creatures. Its red eyes gleamed as it let out a guttural snarl, raising a blade-like appendage. Rigel shoved me aside just as it swung, the blade slicing through the air where I had been standing mom
The figure stepped closer, its silhouette taking form in the dim light. As it moved, shadows seemed to cling to it, curling and shifting like smoke. My heart pounded so loudly I thought it might burst. Rigel was rigid beside me, his hands glowing faintly as he prepared to fight. “Stay back,” Rigel growled, his voice low and threatening. The figure chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that sent a shiver racing down my spine. “Oh, Rigel,” it said smoothly, the shadows receding just enough to reveal a man with sharp features, piercing silver eyes, and an unsettlingly calm demeanor. “Always so quick to bare your teeth.” “Lucian,” Rigel spat, his tone dripping with venom. Lucian. The name carried weight, even though I’d never heard it before. “And you must be Daniel,” Lucian said, his gaze shifting to me. His voice softened, almost as if he were addressing a frightened animal. “The one everyone’s been talking about.” I swallowed hard, taking a step back. “Who are you?” “Who I am is less
The world felt wrong. Something had shifted—something irreversible. The moment the temple fell into darkness, the supernatural world knew. Across realms, in the deepest corners of the world where shadows whispered secrets, the air changed. Something new had awakened. Or rather—something very, very old. The council was the first to sense it. The moment Daniel disappeared, the High Seers’ sacred flames went out. The oldest vampires found their blood turning cold. The fae felt the balance of magic shift. Even the rogue leader, miles away, staggered, clutching his chest as the dark power he had once served was drowned out by something much greater. Something he didn’t recognize. For the first time in centuries, the supernatural world was unified—not by alliances, not by treaties, but by a singular, overwhelming terror. Daniel was gone. And something else was in his place. Rigel’s Desperation “Bring him back!” Rigel’s voice was raw, hoarse from shouting. He was still kne
Daniel had never felt so clear-headed. So strong. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he wasn’t drowning in fear or doubt. He wasn’t fighting against something he couldn’t control. He was the control. Power thrummed through his veins—dark, intoxicating, and endless. He could feel the ancient force within him, guiding his steps, sharpening his thoughts. He stood at the head of Veyron’s army, gazing down at the battlefield stretched before him. A sea of supernatural warriors stood at the ready—creatures of the night, rebels who had long abandoned the council, and shadows that slithered through the ground like liquid death. And yet, despite their numbers, Daniel knew exactly where his eyes were drawn. Rigel. Standing defiantly, sword in hand, eyes burning with something painfully familiar—love and fury, hope and heartbreak, all at once. “Daniel,” Rigel called, voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “You don’t have to do this.” Daniel tilted his head, taki
The Darkness Takes HoldDaniel had never felt so clear-headed. So strong.For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he wasn’t drowning in fear or doubt. He wasn’t fighting against something he couldn’t control.He was the control.Power thrummed through his veins—dark, intoxicating, and endless. He could feel the ancient force within him, guiding his steps, sharpening his thoughts.He stood at the head of Veyron’s army, gazing down at the battlefield stretched before him. A sea of supernatural warriors stood at the ready—creatures of the night, rebels who had long abandoned the council, and shadows that slithered through the ground like liquid death.And yet, despite their numbers, Daniel knew exactly where his eyes were drawn.Rigel.Standing defiantly, sword in hand, eyes burning with something painfully familiar—love and fury, hope and heartbreak, all at once.“Daniel,” Rigel called, voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “You don’t have to do this.”Daniel tilted
The Moment of SurrenderDaniel didn’t struggle.The moment he let the darkness swallow him whole, a cold, terrifying stillness settled over his body. It wasn’t painful. It wasn’t violent.It was acceptance.For weeks, he had been fighting—clawing, screaming, breaking—trying to hold on to something that was never meant to last. Trying to fight a war he had already lost.But this?This was peace.Veyron stood beside him, an eerie smile curling at the edges of his lips.“Finally,” he murmured. “You understand.”Daniel turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of Rigel in the distance. He could still hear the echoes of his voice—pleading, furious, desperate.“Daniel, please!”But it was too late.The choice was already made.Daniel let out a slow, steady breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again—they were completely black.Rigel’s DevastationNo.This wasn’t happening.Rigel’s hands were shaking. His lungs burned. His heart was shattering inside his chest.“Daniel!” he roar
The Moment Everything ChangedRigel’s body shook violently, the invisible force crushing his throat. He couldn’t breathe.Daniel’s voice was distant, panicked, but Rigel couldn’t focus on anything except the burning pain in his lungs.Veyron was going to kill him.The realization sent a violent surge of magic through Rigel’s veins.With sheer, desperate willpower, he twisted his hand in a cutting motion, summoning a burst of white-hot energy. It shattered the unseen hold on his body, and he dropped like a stone, coughing violently.Before he could recover, a shadow loomed over him.“You’re persistent,” Veyron murmured, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “I respect that.”Rigel spat blood onto the ground and forced himself up, his entire body aching. “Go to hell.”Veyron simply smirked. “Oh, I plan to. And I’m taking Daniel with me.”Rigel’s chest tightened. His heartbeat was loud, deafening. He turned his gaze toward Daniel—who hadn’t moved.He was just standing there.Frozen. Shaken.
Daniel sat in silence, his hands gripping the arms of the stone chair as the council’s voices echoed through the grand chamber. The walls of the ancient hall loomed around him, adorned with tapestries depicting wars, betrayals, and supernatural history—stories that now felt disturbingly familiar in his mind. Because this wasn’t just history. It was his history. And Rigel’s. He risked a glance at Rigel, who stood beside him with his arms crossed, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might shatter. He hadn’t said a word since Daniel had told him the truth—about the vision, about their past, about the curse that seemed to wrap around them like an inescapable noose. And Rigel was terrified. Not of Daniel. But of losing him. The council members, seated in a crescent of towering thrones, spoke in low, urgent tones. “If he was a danger then, he will be a danger now.” “The prophecy has warned us time and time again—his existence alone could tip the balance.” “Can he truly r
The first signs of trouble were whispers on the wind. Scouts returned with strange reports—villages abandoned overnight, entire factions bending the knee to a force moving in the shadows. Something was coming. Daniel and Rigel were still on the run, hiding in the crumbling remains of an old monastery, when their latest ally—Jorin, a former supernatural bounty hunter—came rushing in, breathless and wide-eyed. “We have a problem.” Rigel stiffened. Daniel, who had been sitting by the fire, barely reacted. He hadn’t been sleeping. Not really. The blackouts were getting worse, the whispers louder, and every time he closed his eyes, he feared he’d wake up covered in blood again. Jorin’s gaze flicked between them before he spoke the name that sent a cold chill through the room. “Veyron is alive.” Rigel’s breath hitched. Daniel frowned, slow and detached. “Veyron’s dead.” “Apparently not,” Jorin muttered. “And he’s not alone. He’s got an army.” Daniel exhaled sharply, running a han
The Rumors BeginThe first signs of trouble were whispers on the wind.Scouts returned with strange reports—villages abandoned overnight, entire factions bending the knee to a force moving in the shadows. Something was coming.Daniel and Rigel were still on the run, hiding in the crumbling remains of an old monastery, when their latest ally—Jorin, a former supernatural bounty hunter—came rushing in, breathless and wide-eyed.“We have a problem.”Rigel stiffened. Daniel, who had been sitting by the fire, barely reacted. He hadn’t been sleeping. Not really. The blackouts were getting worse, the whispers louder, and every time he closed his eyes, he feared he’d wake up covered in blood again.Jorin’s gaze flicked between them before he spoke the name that sent a cold chill through the room.“Veyron is alive.”Rigel’s breath hitched.Daniel frowned, slow and detached. “Veyron’s dead.”“Apparently not,” Jorin muttered. “And he’s not alone. He’s got an army.”Daniel exhaled sharply, running
The First BlackoutThe first time it happened, Daniel woke up somewhere unfamiliar.His body ached. His head throbbed. A slow, steady drip echoed around him, the sound of water sliding down cavern walls.The air was damp, thick with the scent of earth and something else—something metallic.Daniel’s breath hitched. He forced his heavy limbs to move, palms pressing against the cold ground as he pushed himself upright.His fingers touched something warm and wet.His stomach twisted.Blood.Daniel jerked back, chest heaving, hands trembling as he lifted them into the dim light. They glistened red.His heart pounded so loudly it drowned out every other sound. Slowly, hesitantly, his gaze shifted forward—to the body sprawled before him.A man. A hunter. His throat had been ripped open.Daniel’s entire body seized with horror.“No… no, no, no—”His mind was blank. No memory of a fight. No recollection of the moment his hands—his claws—had torn through flesh.He blacked out. Again.And this t