SHADOW

Darkness

"There are places in this world where darkness is bliss and light is horror," Sha contemplated as she walked upon a path filled with terrors, almost convinced she had crossed into the gates of the underworld.

"I wasn't exactly a saint, you know! I mean, I never bothered with those pesky temple chores," Sha grumbled to herself, her thoughts tinged with a hint of comedy. After all, the old matron who lorded over the school temple had given the girls in her class quite the earful, warning them that their heavenly real estate was in jeopardy due to their lackluster prayer habits and, of course, the dreadfully "corrupt" state of their little hearts.

She couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Maybe the old matron had a point; perhaps they were all doomed to a sizzling fate in the underworld. But who had the time to peruse the divine list of "Things That Earn You a One-Way Ticket to Eternal BBQ"? Not Sha. Oh no, she had more important things to do. Like that, one time when she was just a wee lass, her curious little eyes fell upon the mysterious symbols etched into the temple wall near their house.

Now, picture this: a pint-sized Sha, barely taller than the grasshoppers in the garden, squinting up at these cryptic symbols like they held the secrets to the universe. She couldn't read them, of course, and heck, hardly anyone who set foot in that temple could decipher those doodles. Back then, those symbols were nothing more than fancy doodads, like the handprints you'd find in a toddler's artwork – intriguing but utterly confounding. Ah, the mysteries of youth!

The temple was ancient, its origins shrouded in mystery. Nobody knew when it had been constructed, but the black stone floor still gleamed brilliantly in the candlelight when the itinerant cleric came to clean and deliver the sacred teachings to the village. Their village was small, so they didn't have a permanent cleric; only once a month or so would one visit. A small crowd would assemble, drawn from all the nearby hamlets, their faces etched with curiosity that would soon give way to fear. Most of the time, the clerics would recount tales of heretics, sins, and punishments, leaving the people fidgeting nervously in their seats, their eyes trained on the arched doorway. They never dared to leave before the cleric concluded his preaching.

Cleric Peter sauntered into the Old Temple during what felt like the peak of summer. She was almost certain it was summer because her white dress bore the colorful remnants of a watermelon feast and still carried the sweet aroma of the fruit. Her grandmother would give her a wink, and at that time, the cleric was all sunshine and rainbows, preaching about love, kindness, and hope. She soaked up his words like a sponge in a puddle.

She half-expected him to show up again, but no such luck. Pete must've had other spiritual gigs to attend to because he vanished quicker than ice cream on a sweltering day. But, here's where it gets creepy and suspenseful: when autumn rolled around, the temple didn't get your typical cozy sweater and pumpkin spice latte vibe. Oh no, they got a fresh-out-of-the-box cleric.

This guy, let's call him New Cleric McSpookster, had all the looks to be the star of a religious soap opera. He strolled in with an air of Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, and Sha's grandma, curious as always, asked about Peter. But oh boy, McSpookster didn't mince words. "The heretic got the divine boot, excommunicado!" he declared, his handsome face contorted into a sneer that could rival any Halloween mask.

This cleric, though young and striking in appearance, bore an expression of pure hatred that matched the intensity of his teachings. She hoped she would never see him again, but her hopes were repeatedly dashed, as he returned time and time, casting an ever-deepening shadow over their lives.

"It was evening, and darkness crept around the orchard when a colossal shadow seized Sha by the hand. She wriggled and began to scream at the sight of the young cleric. Her grandmother rushed out of the house. 'I was taking her home. No young lady should be wandering in the fields at this hour,' the cleric proclaimed as her grandmother laid eyes on them. But Sha thought differently; just moments ago, he had been pulling her in the opposite direction. She clambered onto her grandmother's lap and watched him depart in terror. Now, she longed to curl up in her grandmother's lap, pretending he didn't exist, instead of witnessing his presence with red eyes and charred, darkened skin. The cleric was distant yet uncomfortably near, his gaze searing her soul. She screamed and bolted in the opposite direction as he grinned at her with razor-sharp teeth, swiftly closing the gap.

Banks of smoke, sizzling dust, and ash billowed in the air. She could taste the scorching atmosphere, scalding her skin and insides with each breath she took. She screamed in agony but continued running with all her might. On the horizon loomed a black castle, carved from onyx and bathed in red light from the blazing forest nearby. In the distance, rivers of lava bubbled, their heat and sulfur tainting the air. She sprinted toward the castle, its enchanting towers beckoning her.

In the distance, a small figure grew larger, and she wished to halt but dared not. The cleric's sinister laughter drew nearer with every passing second. There, by the castle gate, stood a captivating yet eerie man, his silver hair framing a porcelain face. His crimson lips curled into a sensual smile, both inviting and perilous. She halted a few steps away from him, and a scent of burning incense wafted through the air, a stark contrast to the foul odors that enveloped the surroundings.

In an instant, strong hands seized her from behind, and she tumbled face-first into the gray ash on the barren path. Her mouth tasted bitterness, and she yearned to scrape it from her tongue. Her skin screamed at the cleric's searing touch as they rolled together in the dust. He yanked her by the hair, but she twisted and rolled, her nails digging into his arm. He gripped her by the neck and shook her violently, her head thudding against the cushion of dust. She clawed at his eyes and screamed, hot lava scalding her fingers, sizzling her flesh. At that moment, the stranger grasped the cleric by the collar and tore the monster's head from its shoulders. She shrieked in terror and observed her mangled hands. The silver-haired man knelt beside her, his arm resting reassuringly on her shoulder.

'Shhhh, he can't harm you. This is your world, your mind. You are the ruler here.'

'My mind?' She asked, staring at him incredulously.

'Yes, your mind,' the stranger replied, smiling at her.

'How are you in my mind then? Who are you?' She inquired, examining her now-normal fingers.

'You and I are one, flesh and bone. You chose me,' the stranger explained, smiling, and, much to her surprise, kissed her."

His lips were like velvety butterflies gliding across her skin.

A multitude of sensations and emotions surged through her, creating a vivid sensory experience.

His lips, slightly warmer than her own, made contact, sending a tingling heat that spread from her mouth to the rest of her body. It's as if a feverish warmth coursed through her veins, a sign of the intense passion shared in that moment.

Their lips meet with a soft, yet purposeful pressure. It's a dance of desire, a rhythmic give, and take, as if their mouths engaged in an intimate conversation. Each movement is a silent declaration of their longing for each other.

Her senses awaken. She tasted the unique blend of flavors on his lips, a mix of his taste and perhaps a lingering trace of metal. The scent of his skin, a subtle fusion of his cologne and natural musk, filled her nostrils, creating an intoxicating bouquet that was uniquely his.

As their lips met, she could hear the soft, almost imperceptible sounds of their breaths mingling. Their heartbeats synchronize, creating a rhythm that underscores the burgeoning connection between them.

An electric current of emotions surged through her. There was excitement and a delightful sense of anticipation that sent butterflies dancing in her stomach. There's a profound yearning, a hunger for more of his affection. Her heart raced, and she was enveloped in a warm, fuzzy sensation that seemed to radiate from her chest.

In this kiss, time seems to stand still. Seconds stretch into infinity as they become lost in each other's lips. It's a moment that transcends the ordinary, a shared breath that feels like an eternity.

Above all, she felt an intense connection. Not just a kiss; a merging of souls. A promise of something deeper, a profound understanding that defies words. A strange declaration of love and longing, an unspoken commitment to explore the depths of their desires together.