Endless Enchantment: Secret Of Shadowvale

CHAPTER-4- YOU WILL NEED ME

"What?" that's all Viana says before laughing hysterically on the recent claim by Lucius. 

"Why are you laughing?" he grimly asks.

"Because of what you just said" 

As her laughter echoes through the room, Lucius's glare intensifies. 

"You don't believe me. Do you?" he demands. 

She meets his gaze defiantly, replying with a simple "No".

Suddenly the ground convulses violently, hurling them into chaos. She clutches her bedsheet for dear life as the floor disintegrates beneath her, leaving her dangling in mid-air. Above, the ceiling shatters, revealing a sky ablaze with a blood-red hue, crackling with an ominous energy. Terror grips her heart as she realizes the magnitude of the situation. "What the hell!!!!!" she screams, her voice drowned out by the deafening roar of destruction. Lucius strides towards her, his eyes burning with intensity. 

"Now, do you believe?" he demands, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. The air crackles with tension as the world around them spirals into madness, each moment more intense and terrifying than the last. She struggles to make sense of the surreal nightmare unfolding before her, consumed by a fear unlike anything she's ever known. 

"Yes....Yes!!!!!! Please stop this" she clenches onto him tight, pulling her eyes shut. 

"As you say" with a snap of finger everything goes back to how it was. The ceiling, the floor, every inch was back to normal, as if nothing happened just a second back. Her finger nails are engraved in Lucius's skin as her face is buried in his shirt. 

" Look up Viana" he whispers gently as she slowly opens her eyes. She looks around completely flabbergasted. 

"Oh lord" she moves away from Lucius. "What...Ho...You..." her words are jumbled up. She has nothing to say but again, so much to ask. 

"AH~~" Lucius sighs as he climbs up on the bed, close to a scared Viana. She jumps back a bit as Lucius grabs her wrist, her eyes wide with surprise. Next thing she knows, she's on his lap, his arms wrapped around her securely. It's a strange but thrilling feeling, like being in a secret world. His touch is strong but gentle, making her feel safe and excited all at once. She can't help but hold onto him tightly, feeling a rush of emotions she never expected.

"What are you doing?" she tries to move apart but fails to. His grip is strong and firm. She knows it's not right to be drawn to another man when you yourself are married but why is this happening to her suddenly? Why is she allured to him?

"I am doing nothing...Just" he traces her face with his finger as she is linked to his sturdy masculine body. 

"It's not right...I am married" she mumbles to herself bringing herself to the edge. She is enjoying the feeling of affection but it cannot last for long even though she is getting a divorce. She disentangles herself and jumps out of his lap. 

Lucius's brow furrows as she refuses to even look at him. 

"I am the only one who can help you" he repeats. 

"Probably but I want nothing to do with you. I know you helped me a lot and I am grateful but what I just saw and whatever or whoever you are...I don't wanna be a part of your life" she speaks no further. Lucius stares at her the entire time. It was the first time ever when he felt rejected by someone. He was furious yet didn't want to show even an inch to Viana. He gracefully steps down from the bed and walks past Viana to the door. Before leaving he just paused to say "You will need me. You know where to find me treasure. I will wait for you". 

He leaves the room with Viana's gaze following him to the threshold and with the closed door in front of her, she fell on her knees holding her head down. Exhaustion. She was completely exhausted with everything going around her. What she just saw, what she saw that night, her nightmares, everything was killing her. All she wishes for is to never see that man again but fate has some different plans for her. 

3 MONTHS LATER~

"honey...Your school bus will be here" Viana unties her apron and packs Lillian's lunch. "Lillian!!" she calls her daughter out again but gets no response. Viana sighs and climbs up the stairs to get her daughter. She unlocks Lillian's bedroom but she was not there. Viana's heart raced as she called out for her daughter, but there was no answer. Panic began to well up inside her as she searched desperately through the house. When she finally reached the bathroom, her worst fears were realized.

There, standing before her, was Lillian, but not as she knew her. Lillian had transformed into a monstrous creature, with the head of an octopus and terrifying tentacles for arms. Viana's legs turned to jelly as she stumbled backward in horror.

The room seemed to close in around her as she heard the bathroom door click shut behind her. Trembling, she turned to face the creature, unable to tear her gaze away. A red light emanated from its eyes, drawing her closer with an irresistible pull.

Viana's mind was clouded, her thoughts muddled by fear and confusion. She reached for a knife, her hand moving of its own accord, as if guided by some unseen force. With a twisted smile on her face, she brought the blade to her eyes, stabbing again and again until she jolted awake, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.

She grabs her water bottle with trembling hands from her night stand and gulps almost the entire thing. She breathes with ease but the fear settling in her chest from her regular nightmares is starting to feel more and more real. She steps down and moves towards her dresser. Soft rays of sun filters through the curtains as she stands in front of the mirror. She touches her face trying to feel something when she sees the unexpected. Her right arm has hints of bruises reminding her falling on the floor in her dream. 

If her dreams are slowly reflecting in her real life, how long does she have before it consumes her entirely?