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Dwelling in the dark
Last Updated:
2025-01-27 15:22:06
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Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The plan of the void
Melissa’s POVThe eerie brightness emanated from the misty, shifting form of the Void, which towered over me. Its words reverberated in my thoughts like a chilly whisper.It snarled mockingly, "Melissa, did you think you were meant to stop me?"As the fear clawed at my chest, I clenched my hands. "You won’t win," I whispered, my voice faltering, yet my legs shook, but I firmly planted my feet on the dark, unending surface beneath me. "I’ll find a way to defeat you."The sound of the Void laughing chilled me to my core. "Defeat me? Oh, child of light, you misunderstand. You were never meant to defeat me. You are my key, my vessel."I went cold. As the words set in, my heart pounded in my chest. I said, "What are you talking about?"Dark tendrils reached out and coiled around me like suffocating chains as they moved closer. "Your light is the purest in existence. With it, I will shatter the celestial barrier and bring the mortal realm to its knees."I struggled against the dark force th
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The power of the heavens
Melissa’s POVAs we entered the chamber, the air was dense and heavy with an energy that hummed on my skin. An old blade, set into a column of light that extended to the vaulted ceiling, gleamed brilliantly in the centre. The pulse of its luminosity matched the beat of my heart.Damon said in a scarcely audible whisper, "There it is." "The weapon of heaven."I took a step forward, staring at the blade. It was beautiful, engraved with luminous runes that shimmered and seemed to change. It emanated power, but it also emitted something else, something sinister.A person emerged from the light before I could touch it. With glistening silver eyes and a flowing robe that appeared to be composed of starlight, it was ethereal, nearly human but not quite.The spirit said, "Stop," its voice echoed in my head instead of my ears. This blade is a curse as well as a weapon. To wield it is to completely lose oneself.My fingertips were just inches from the light when I froze. "What are you saying? W
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The bloodline’s curse
Melissa’s POVIt was quiet and cold in the room, lit only by the dim glow of the relic in my hands. Heart thumping, I walked carefully across the chipped stone floor. A slight hum seemed to emanate from the walls, as though they were alive with some ancient force.Behind me, Damon murmured in a steady, low voice, "Melissa, this place gives me the creeps." What exactly are we searching for?"I looked across the room and mumbled, "I don't know." Then I noticed it: a huge mural that was carved into the distant wall, its surface shimmering dimly as though it were calling to me. I gasped.The elaborate artwork included swirling shadows and characters engaged in combat. A woman in the middle was brandishing a blade that remarkably resembled the one I was carrying. Shadows encircled figures surrounding her, who appeared to be screaming in pain."What is this? Damon inquired as he moved to stand next to me.I traced a shaking finger across the light forms and whispered, "It's my family." "My
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate An essence sacrifice
Melissa’s POVWe felt as though an unseen weight was pushing down on us from the terrible darkness of the Void. I was having trouble keeping my breathing regular, and my heart was racing. Damon was there, offering consolation, but even he was powerless to protect me from the smothering might of the Void."Melissa," murmured Damon quietly, his voice piercing the quiet like a lifeline. "You're not feeling well."Despite my shaky hands betraying me, I immediately replied, "I'll be fine. We have to keep going."Damon took hold of my arm and turned me to face him. "No, we need to talk." Normally so calm, his blue eyes were filled with dread and something more. Feeling guilty?"Damon, what is it? I asked, sounding sharper than I meant to.He paused, then let out a long sigh. "I've been hiding something, Melissa. I've been losing strength ever since we went into the Void."What? I tightened my chest as I gazed at him. "What weaker do you mean? How come you didn't tell me?"He ran a hand thro
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The origin of the void
Melissa’s POVI had never seen anything like the heart of the Void, a huge, menacing vortex of pure blackness that stretched into the ruins of an old temple. The electricity in the air caused the hairs on my arms to stand on end."This is it," Damon stated in a steady yet hushed voice. He grasped my hand more tightly. "The origin of all things."My voice was too dry to talk, so I nodded. Surrounding us were crumbling ruins that were alive with odd carvings that glowed dimly in the suffocating darkness. I felt a strange hum beneath one of the engravings as I brushed my fingertips over it.I whispered, "These carvings are... stories."With his blue eyes narrowing at the inscriptions, Damon knelt next to me. With grimness, he uttered, "Stories of the Void." It used to be a celestial entity. Perhaps a guardian.I muttered, "But something changed," as my fingers traced a picture of a glowing person encircled by others before being engulfed by sharp shadows.The deep, mocking voice of the V
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The parks aid
Melissa’s POVThe wolves circled me as I stood in the middle of the pack's holy place, my heart racing. Their bodies were stiff with resolve, and their eyes burned dimly.An elder wolf named Garrick declared, "We have discovered a method." His voice was full of urgency and wisdom, and his fur was stained with silver. Melissa, we'll give you our energy. Your light will be strengthened by our spirits.Feeling the weight of their trust, I took a deep breath. However, the corruption of the Void is permeating every one of you. Will not this link endanger you?""We're already in pain," Garrick remarked somberly. "We will all succumb to the darkness of the Void if we do nothing. This is our only chance.”With resolve blazing in their eyes, the pack members nodded in agreement.With his hand on his sword, Damon stood next to me. "Are you certain about this, Melissa?"I inhaled deeply. "I must be. I can't say no if their energy can aid me in my battle against the Void.The wolves' voices blend
Last Updated : 2025-02-01Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The flames of heaven
Melissa’s POVI could still hear Damon's cry. I glanced at the place where the shadows had pulled him into the abyss, my hands shaking. Something inside of me stirred, even though my heart hurt and the pain was intolerable.A fire, no, a warmth, flared in my chest. My light wasn't the only one. Something deeper, something more powerful.Then from the item beside me came a hushed voice."The Celestial Flame is being reawakened by you."I let out a gasp. “The Celestial Flame?"The voice hummed quietly. “A power your ancestors never reached. A light that may burn away even the deepest darkness.”Like flickering flames, a golden radiance rose from my fingertips. It was fire, not just light. My veins throbbed with heat, more intense than I had ever experienced.I balled my fists up. "I will use this if it can help me defeat the Void."The voice faltered. "The Flame is not so easy to wield. You have to go through a soul trial to manage it.I scowled. "A trial?""You have to face your demons
Last Updated : 2025-02-01Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The artifacts revelation
Melissa’s POVIn my palms, the relic pulsed, its illumination alternating between eerie darkness and golden light. From within came a whisper, a voice old and powerful."Child of light, you're looking for solutions. I am the truth.I took a deep breath. "Tell me."The world around me abruptly changed when the air changed. I found myself in a wide area of whirling shadows and dim light instead of the battlefield. The relic glowed like a fallen star, floating before me.Once more, the voice spoke. "I am more than just a tool of authority. I am a piece of the Void's very center that was left over from the first fight, which took place ages ago.I gasped. "A… a piece of the Void?""Yes. I was made as a test, a means of determining whether mankind was deserving of existence outside the realm of the Void.I gave a headshake. "That isn't rational. Why would something that may be utilized against the Void be left behind?"Because the cycle needs to finish. You must put me back in the core of
Last Updated : 2025-02-01
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Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Facing the past
Melissa’s POVI felt the weight of the truth like a mountain.This cycle had begun with me.Everything: the suffering, the loss, the never-ending cycle of fate—I was solely to blame.My hands were shivering as I sat on the chilly stone floor.Damon had not returned.I was by myself thinking.And I heard the voice of my former self."You are unable to change who you are."No.That was not acceptable to me.I needed to figure out how to shatter this.However, how?I felt my heart thumping and gripped my chest."What should I do?" I said.A sorrowful, quiet voice answered."You have to make a decision."I pivoted.In front of me was the oracle.Time itself weighed heavily on her beautiful blue eyes, and her long silver hair flowed like water.I took a deep breath. "What do you choose?"She took a step forward."You have to rewrite the past to break the cycle," she stated.I scowled. "Rewrite?"She gave a nod."You have to take back what you did."My thoughts were racing as I blinked.Wa
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Prior life
Melissa’s POVDarkness.Then—A gentle wind.Slowly, I opened my eyes.Everything around me had changed.I was no longer in the temple.I was in a magnificent hall that was higher than anything I had ever seen. Overhead, I could see golden chandeliers glimmering across the marble floors. Strange symbols were engraved on tall pillars that lined the walls.I lowered my look to myself.My outfit was heavy, with gold embroidery and luxurious silk.My fingertips were coated in jewels.I wasn't myself.I let out a gasp. "Where am I?"Behind me came a strong voice."My Queen."I whirled—and stopped.Damon was standing there.However, he was... unique.He wore a platinum clip to secure his longer hair. His eyes were colder and darker. He was dressed in an armour-lined robe of gold and black that shone in the candlelight.Unreadable, he looked at me.I got a chill from something about him.He stepped closer and said, "Melissa," with ease. "Are you ill?"I stepped back. "I..."What should I hav
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The coming of age
Melissa’s POVThere was silence in the air.I was having trouble breathing.Damon's golden eyes were dimly gleaming as he stood in front of me.He remained still.He merely looked.Through me, not at me.I took a measured stride forward. "Damon?"No answer.His fingers twitched as if he were struggling with something inside of him, and his body tightened.Then all of a sudden—His body gave a powerful jerk.His breath came in rough gasps as he gripped his chest.Deep within him sounded a rumbling growl.I hurried over to join him. "Damon, what is going on?"His jaw was so clinched that it appeared painful when he shook his head.“I—” He gulped and clutched my arm as if it were a lifeline. It's excessive. I have no control over it.I could feel the heat rising beneath his fingers.He got burns on his skin.Despite my wince, I didn't back down.I begged, "You have to fight it."His breath became laboured. "I don't know who I am anymore, Melissa."Fear took hold of my chest."You're Damo
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate A heart brake away
Melissa’s POV"Damon!" I shook him as I yelled.He was chilly. He breathed shallowly.“Remain with me—no, no, no!” Even when I applied pressure to his wound, his blood continued to flow.He hardly moved his chest. He fluttered his lashes.The world seemed to be sliding away from me.My voice broke as I said quietly, "You must wake up." "You said you would."Damon made a feeble attempt at a smile. "I'm exhausted, Melissa."I shook my head, "No." "You are not allowed to feel fatigued. You cannot abandon me.I gave him all of my energy in an attempt to heal him.My hands sparkled with golden light. However—It wasn't functioning.The injury persisted.His complexion became paler.I was in a panic.I made another attempt, pushing harder and using all of my remaining strength.Nothing."No," I said.In the wreckage of the temple came a slow laugh.The Harbinger watched from the shadows. Unmoved.With ease, he stated, "He cannot exist in this world." "His destiny has already been decided."
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The fury of the harbinger
Melissa’s POVAll around us, darkness swirled. With their hollow eyes shining dimly and their whispers filling the air, the lost souls emerged from the emptiness.I clenched my chest, attempting to ignore the unsettling whispers. Every syllable sent shivers down my spine like ice."I lost... I forgot. Doomed.Damon gripped his blade more tightly. "Remain close, Melissa."Like a tide of hopelessness, the lost souls glided toward us rather than walking. Their spectral hands grabbed for my flesh, and as soon as they made contact, memories that weren't mine exploded in my head.The scream of a lady.A fighter going down on his knees.It was an already lost war.I gasped and staggered back.Damon took hold of my wrist. "Hey, Melissa! What's the matter?With blurred eyesight, I gripped his arm. "These souls—they're more than just spirits." I trembled when I spoke. They resembled us. Warriors from earlier cycles.Damon tightened his jaw. "Then they didn't succeed."The closest lost soul scre
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate A shifted world
Melissa’s POVA chilly, stinging wind slapped my skin, and I struggled for breath. I opened my eyes and discovered that I was on firm ground. Grass. Trees. The scent of rain. We had returned."Damon?" With my heart racing, I turned to my side.He moaned and sat up next to me. "I'm here," he said. There was a spark of bewilderment in his silver eyes. "Are we... home?"I took a look around. As we left it, the city appeared in the distance. However, something seemed... strange.I said, "We should go," and got to my feet. Despite my trembling legs, I pushed forward. "We need to see if—"Damon took hold of my wrist. "I'm Melissa. There's a problem."I understood his meaning perfectly. The air had a new feel. Less heavy? More substantial? I was unable to tell.We made it swiftly to the city gates, but my breath caught when we entered.It was too quiet on the streets. The colors were brighter, and the stores appeared more recent. Nobody glanced at us as they passed us.Damon tensed up next t
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The truth of life after death
Melissa’s POVMy surroundings became hazy, fluctuating between darkness and brightness. As though the realm itself breathed around us, the air seemed heavy.And my mother was in front of me.It was so unbelievable to me. "You... Have you visited here? All this time?Both sadness and warmth were in her eyes when they met mine. "Yes, my kid. I have kept an eye on you from a distance.My throat constricted. "Why? Why didn't you return?With a sigh, she took a step forward. "Because I was unable to."Damon, standing next to me, stiff. "What do you mean?"She ignored me, lost in the infinite emptiness of this world. "Melissa, this is a prison. A place of the forgotten. There is no way out once you're inside.A shiver went down my back. "So, how have we arrived here?"She faced me once again. "Because you are unique."I scowled. "In a different way?"She lowered her voice. "You weren't supposed to go down the same route as your predecessors. You were supposed to make all the difference.I g
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The forgetting realms
Melissa’s POVI felt weightless as soon as the portal engulfed us.Everything blurred as cold air rushed past me. Even though we didn't move at all, it felt like we were falling.I firmly grasped Damon's hand. "Where are we heading?"His resolute golden eyes locked with mine. "I won't let go, wherever it may be."Light burst around us before I could reply.We were jerked forward by a sudden pull and hit soft ground with a hard thud.I sat up, gasping. Something I couldn't identify was heavy and thick in the air. Beside me, Damon moaned and rubbed his head."Are you alright?" I inquired.He nodded, pushing himself up. “Yeah. But where the hell are we?”I took a look around.The sky was a deep shade of violet, streaked with gold. Strange silver trees surrounded us, their foliage shimmering softly. A tranquil river flowed close, reflecting the glittering sky.It was beautiful. But… incorrect.Everything was too still. Too perfect.I took a swallow. “This place… it feels…”Damon’s gaze cl
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Dismantling the pattern
Melissa’s POVAs he held the sword over Damon's heart, Astrael's golden eyes shone. Thick and oppressive, the dark energy flowed all about us. My hands were shaking, and I was breathing quickly and shallowly."Make a decision, Melissa." Even though his voice was gentle, I shuddered at the malice in it. "Watch your beloved perish, or be my queen."Damon's face contorted in agony as he fought against the magic that restrained him. "Don't—" says Melissa.My eyes were burning with tears. I yelled with all my strength to save him. However, I was aware that allowing Astrael to win would result in my permanent loss of identity.I balled my fists up. No.With a louder voice than I had anticipated, I declared, "I won't let you control me."Astrael's forehead raised. "Is that correct?"As he brought the sword closer to Damon's chest, the air crackled. "Then, I hope you're ready to face the repercussions.""No!" Something snapped inside me as I screamed.Deep within my spirit, a powerful wave of
