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Erica's p.o.v
I opened my eyes, heart pounding as darkness surrounded me. Trembling, I curled up on my bed and pulled the quilt over my head, panting and sweating as images from my dream flooded my mind. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I needed peace—needed to clear my head.
Carefully, I crawled out of bed, slipping into my slippers. I lit a candle and tiptoed to the door. It creaked as it opened, and I winced, praying the sound hadn't woken anyone. When the gap was wide enough, I slipped through, holding my breath as if that would keep me from getting caught.
Now in the hallway, I moved quietly, letting the candlelight guide my steps. A breeze blew through the curtains at the end of the hall, and I saw them sway in the wind.
"Finally," I whispered, pushing my way through to the balcony. I stepped into the night and was greeted by a sky full of stars, the moon shining brightly above. They were my hope—my promise that one day I'd be free. Yet the dark forest beyond the mansion's gates reminded me how far that freedom was.
I sat in a woven rocking chair at the edge, staring at the glittering sky. Peace at last. I inhaled the cool night air and slowly drifted to sleep.
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"Erica! Erica!" A familiar voice pulled me from sleep. My vision was blurry at first, but I blinked and recognized the face in front of me.
"Well, this is one way to spend the night," she said with a grin.
"Good morning, Eve," I replied, smiling. "It's nice to see you too."
"Bad dream again?"
"Yes… and I'm afraid it's more than just that."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it was a warning. A vision."
Eve's smile faded. "A vision?"
I nodded and rubbed the back of my neck.
"If it's bothering you that much, tell me."
"Okay, if you say so." I shifted, ready to recount it. Eve leaned against the doorframe as I began.
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"It started in a desolate valley—dry as a desert, littered with bodies and blood. The sun scorched the earth, yet the blood never dried. I couldn't stand it. I had to find shelter.
I wandered until I spotted a huge, healthy tree in the distance. But as I approached, thorn-covered trees—sickle-shaped—erupted from the ground, forming a cage around me. Their thorns tore at my skin. It felt so real.
I ran toward the healthy tree, but more of those trees appeared. Suddenly, vines with thorns wrapped around my legs, dragging me toward the monstrous trees. I fought back, struggling against them, and finally broke free.
I ran to the tree and made it. Somehow, it had a protective barrier. The vines and sickle trees couldn't reach me. I collapsed against its trunk, catching my breath. When I opened my eyes again, a white horse with a golden mane stood before me.
All my wounds were gone. The valley had vanished, replaced by a vibrant forest.
I felt peace—until I heard a distant horse galloping. A dark aura came with it. The white horse beside me tensed, and I could sense danger approaching. Then, the horse stepped forward and gestured for me to climb on its back.
Without hesitation, I did.
In a flash, we were galloping across the terrain. Soon, I saw the other horse—a battle steed with a rider clad in silver armor. He wielded a long, silver sword. The sight chilled me. He wasn't here in peace.
We tried to outrun him, but he caught up. He raised his sword and struck—slashing the neck of my horse. We crashed. Dust filled the air, and when it cleared, he stood before me, blood on his blade.
'Who are you? Why are you chasing me?' I asked.
He chuckled—a voice that felt eerily familiar.
'Erica, my sweet, beautiful Erica. You think you can run from me? I warned you… you can't escape me.'
That voice—it was Uncle Christopher's. But that couldn't be right… could it?
As he approached, chains in hand, a stray arrow flew out of nowhere and knocked off his mask. It wasn't Uncle Christopher after all—it was someone I'd never seen before. Still, he grinned with menace.
'I've been expecting you, Azreal,' he said.
I turned to see a man dressed in all black, wearing a mask.
'Don't move unless you want to die, Jarel,' the masked man said.
'Good. I've been itching for a fight. Let's dance, Azreal,' Jarel replied, drawing his sword.
They charged at each other, swords clashing, releasing a flash of light…
Then I woke up."
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I looked up and noticed Eve wasn't listening.
"Eve!" I called.
"Sorry, Erica. I got distracted."
"I noticed. What's wrong?"
"It's not important. But your dream—the two men in it…"
"Yes? What about them?"
"Are you sure you've never seen them before? Or maybe they've seen you?"
"That's impossible. Aunt never lets me leave the mansion. I'm only lucky when Uncle Christopher comes for lessons. But Eve… it felt real. The pain, the fear—everything."
"That's… ominous."
A maid entered, interrupting us.
"Good morning, my lady. Your aunt requests your presence. She wants you ready for the guest's arrival."
"I'm coming."
"I wonder who she's expecting. She rarely involves you when it comes to guests," Eve said.
"It's not like that, Eve…"
A trumpet sounded, and the mansion gates creaked open.
"I think the guest has arrived," Eve said.
We looked down from the balcony. A grand carriage drawn by eight white royal horses pulled into the compound, stopping at the mansion's steps.
A middle-aged man in an elegant robe stepped down from the driver's seat and opened the carriage door. A strange energy filled the air—it made me shiver with curiosity.
Then, a young man stepped out of the carriage.
The moment I saw him, my breath caught. I stumbled back, almost fainting. Eve rushed to my side.
"Erica! What's wrong?"
"Eve… he's the man from my dream."
"That's impossible. Are you sure?"
"Let's take another look," I said.
We leaned over for a clearer view. This time, our eyes met—and I froze. I pulled back immediately, hiding behind the wall so he wouldn't see me.
---
The girl's reaction made the young man smile.
The middle-aged man beside him noticed. "Master, this is the place."
"I like it already," the young man said with a mischievous grin.
Just then, the mansion doors opened.
"Welcome, gentlemen," a feminine voice called. "Please, do come in."
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