Madelyn and I had just left her grandfather's study, and as we wandered through her expansive house, I couldn't help but feel awestruck. If my mind weren't so preoccupied with the impending sense of doom, I would have been truly amazed.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklIGEwPJ4i
Madelyn took the time to show me around her enormous home, and I got a glimpse of countless rooms and bathrooms. We even stumbled upon a colossal hot tub room and a well-equipped training room filled with weights. Nearby, there was a room set up like a martial arts studio, perfect for combat training. As we strolled through the halls, I noticed maids and servants bustling about in various attire, each focused on their respective tasks.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6hZLRiMho
I had seen so much, and yet there was still so much left to explore. Madelyn was meticulously detailing every part of her home, but my attention kept wandering.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G9bfa3fFH
"Ethan, are you okay?" Madelyn asked, breaking my wandering thoughts.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweXLZsXcTH
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CxQH66vo4
I smiled at Madelyn, who walked beside me, and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUepOx5Vwzf
Madelyn shook her head and let out a small laugh. "No need to apologize. Anyone would be overwhelmed by all of this information."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mQe9dS13U
She placed her right hand on my left shoulder and reassured me, "But always remember, you can ask me for help in navigating all of this." Madelyn's comforting presence offered some solace amidst the chaos.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZgLbmKAj8
Hearing Madelyn say those words made me feel like a superhero, and newfound strength seemed to surge through me, from my head down to my toes. My heart raced, and I couldn't help but feel a burst of joy.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxgyQH0ist
"Thanks, Madelyn," I exclaimed.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOjdsIXML8
Madelyn looked at me and grinned. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said with a giggle.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUCIkOOfQ0
"For what?" I asked, puzzled.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0VOlWpB0a
"You're the first person to stand up to my grandfather on my behalf," Madelyn said softly. I couldn't help but blush, realizing that I'd unintentionally earned some brownie points for bravery.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRwX9ssKEL
I couldn't be sure, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC02aZUgRSG
"I-I didn't do much," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S4Y69pLWx
But Madelyn insisted, "You did. What you did meant so much to me... So thanks."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaaYVrigr2
The girl I had been daydreaming about for so long was standing right in front of me, smiling, and thanking me. It would've been the best day of my life if today hadn't been so incredibly insane.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa8jziTwUA
I looked away, my cheeks also turning a faint shade of red, and said, "You're welcome."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwM3lmfQUQ
As I felt a new sense of vigor and excitement, I thought, "Maybe everything was going to be alright. I mean, I did get to live with the girl of my dreams, right?" But as I contemplated all these possibilities, my thoughts eventually turned to my mother and my sister. What would they think about all of this?
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMYwWIoUXH
"Look, Madelyn..." I began carefully, "I have to go home and explain things to my mom."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY7JxRvxRK
Madelyn stared at me with a look of pity and sadness that left me confused.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpj9FU4Whz
"Ethan," she said, pity evident in her tone, "you can't go home anymore."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwlB7Cub00
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking from the shock.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX8v3KDOHP
"Regular pillars don't usually have to face this because they belong to one of the 72 houses. They and everyone in their families are raised as warriors," Madelyn explained with care.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi9DyzIpMD
"As you know, pillars like you and me release a powerful dark aura around ourselves," she continued, her words opening a new chapter of confusion and uncertainty in my life.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhRLcnVB6p
"This aura doesn't only mark us as pillars; it also makes us targets," Madelyn's tone grew more serious. "Demons have the power to sense the darkness that surrounds us, and in doing so, they put us and anyone near us in danger."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyIhfVBCOk
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nMYMv1voQ
"So you mean..." I began, struggling to grasp the gravity of what she was telling me.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvFwBM7T3d
"That demon knows who you are, he knows your face, and he probably recognizes the signature of your aura," Madelyn explained.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tCOTYSZPg
"Going home isn't the best choice right now," she firmly stated.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q4IKUe4eZ
The thought of never seeing my mom or sister again was almost too much to bear. But then, a realization struck me.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpvrEDoXxm
"Wait a minute," I said, my voice filled with a sudden realization.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmRcu65VAD
Madelyn looked at me with confusion. "What is it?"
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MR6sJjD50
"You said that a demon has the power to sense my aura?" I asked.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTzrj1Vty5
"Yes," Madelyn replied, her eyes locked on mine.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXTko7JLF7
"Then even if I stay here, there's no guarantee that my family will be safe, right?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULxFxtQBW2
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFuP1JFz9M
Madelyn appeared lost in thought as she pondered my question. She eventually spoke up, "I'm afraid that's true, Ethan. Your aura is very strong, and you've been around and lived with your family for so long that..."
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp9givdTpt
"That what?" I asked, desperation in my voice.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4gKnHRKWP
"That your aura could possibly linger on those you love," Madelyn answered, and the words sent chills down my spine.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuwvTpT7oE
Without a moment's hesitation, I bolted toward what I hoped was the exit of the massive house. I needed to get home. I needed to ensure my family's safety.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiKoqFwBpi
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecH7vSgxJn
"Ethan, wait!" I heard Madelyn's voice, screaming from behind, but I couldn't stop. I couldn't leave my family behind, not when their lives might be at stake.
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX7c6XtMXT
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.45da2
