A QUEST OF DEATH : Dawning Darkness

09 | Awake • Part 1(edited)

Torn pages of a weathered leather-covered book, stained a rich coffee brown by the relentless march of time, lay before Ada. A canvas of a thousand scribbles, etched in dark graphite, seemed to mock her weary eyes.

Not a single curve, not a straight line, offered solace as tears fell, turning the paper into a mushy canvas of emotions. Her fingertips traced over the graphite lines, each one dedicated to dreams that never materialised, and memories destined to fade away with her.

As her eyes moved through the pages, the perfect curves of his plump lips formed an adorable smile, and his eyes, even in pale forest green pastels on the rough paper, shone with a timeless radiance. Weightless papers flipped on their own, guided by a gentle breeze, stopping at a page where tiny figures in graphite outline giggled silently. A man, draped in a dark cloak outlined with graphite, and a girl half his size danced across the page, their motions radiating the bliss of life. Despite her best efforts, fresh tears welled up, and she clapped her palms over her eyes, losing herself to a decade-long sob.

"Ada..." A warm voice, belonging to the kindest woman on this planet, whispered near her ear, pulling her from the maze of weary thoughts. She hastily shut the book before glancing over it, meeting her compassionate gaze. Her fingers gently stroked through Ada's hair, planting a soft kiss.

"Grandma... you're back?" Ada mumbled, her voice cracking with each syllable.

"Yes, honey. It finished earlier than expected. But why are you crying, sweetie?"

"It's nothing."

It really wasn't nothing, but Ada didn't want to burden her grandmother with her pain. She knew she struggled with those memories, but she needed to move forward, and her grandmother understood that too.

"Come on, dear. You look really torn when you cry."

"Sorry, Grandma. I just... I just can't help it."

Another stream of hot tears traced down Ada's wet cheeks, and her grandmother cupped Ada's cheeks in her puffy rosy hands, her melodic voice soothing Ada's torn soul.

"Shhh... It's okay. Everything is gonna be okay." As her comforting words wrapped around Ada, she found solace in her grandmother's embrace. Her grandmother drew a silver chain from her pocket, unveiling a small crescent moon pendant, identical to the one Ada thought was lost years ago.

"Is that... Is that my Luna Pearl?" Ada asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Her grandmother reached for Ada's hands, placing the ornament gently on Ada's palm. "It is. Beautiful, right?"

"But didn't it get destroyed the last time I fought with Gan?" Ada had never expected to see it again after that fateful encounter.

"It did not sweetheart. Luna Pearl is more than you think it is. A mere spirit like him can do nothing to destroy it."

Her grandmother's face shifted from sweet warmth to seriousness, her chocolate brown eyes holding a mixture of love and concern.

"But I have to admit he's quite the tough one. Remember, he's not dead. He's just severely damaged. Be prepared when he returns."

"Is that her?" a whispered voice dragged her out of her daze. Her head spinned. She felt weightless, as if her body had become insubstantial.

"Is she dead?" another voice questioned, curiosity evident.

"I don't think so. She is breathing," a third voice exclaimed, concern lacing their words.

"Move aside, Brit. Let me see her too... Ooh, she is beautiful," a fourth voice joined in, clearly pleased by what they saw.