Shadowed Prelude: A Fateful Encounter [Phantom Troupe x Reader]

𝔭𝔯𝔬𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔲𝔢

☆                                                                                                                                          ☆

In a world where shadows whispered secrets and darkness cloaked sins, fate often revealed itself in the most ominous of ways.

The first time she noticed the marks etching across her skin, fear gripped her heart like icy tendrils, threatening to suffocate her with its relentless hold. They appeared like sinister omens, twisting and coiling around her limbs in intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. She knew then, with a sinking feeling, that her life would never be the same again.

She was a girl of humble origins, born into a world of simple pleasures and modest dreams. Her parents were merchants, trading goods and wares in the markets of the bustling city of York New. Yet, despite their best efforts to shield her from the harsh realities of the world, she could not escape the creeping dread that whispered in the depths of her soul.

For she knew all too well the tales that circulated amongst the city, of the Phantom Troupe and their reign of terror. They were shadows in the night, silent predators who preyed upon the innocent with ruthless efficiency. And now, with the marks that were used to identify these powerful individuals branded upon her flesh, she knew that they would stop at nothing to claim her as one of their own.

—

There was a rumour that lingered for over a few millennia. Or rather, a tale that was whispered across the stars of the glittering night sky. 

"Soulmates", they say, "are more than just destined companions; they are bearers of extraordinary gifts bestowed upon those who find their fated other halves."

Legend has it that when soulmates unite, their combined life forces ignites a surge of magic unlike any other. It's said that they gain the ability to communicate telepathically, their thoughts weaving seamlessly between each other's minds.

But the rumours don't stop there. 

Some claim that soulmates possess an uncanny intuition, a sixth sense that guides them through the most treacherous of trials. They can sense each other's presence from across vast distances, drawing strength and solace from the mere thought of their beloved. Like a magnet.

Others speak of healing abilities beyond comprehension, where the touch of a soulmate can mend even the most grievous of wounds. It's whispered that their connection transcends time and space, binding them together across lifetimes and beyond the veil of death itself.

Yet, amidst the whispers and speculations, one thing remains certain: to find one's soulmate is to unlock a power beyond imagining, a power that could shape the very destiny of the world.

But one thing that the vast population of the world did not know, was that to sever one half of the soulmate, the other would follow.

The only people who knew this fact, were known as 'Hunters'. The elusive guardians and the pillars of the world. Masters of harnessing their life force; their aura, and their innate abilities. Each gained recognition for their supernatural deeds. Be it finding the most exotic of delicacies, the most beautiful of treasures or the unravelling of hidden myths.

These people were the ones who understood the grim truth of 'soulmates'. In their world, ending the life of a criminal's other half often meant the end of the criminal. It was deemed necessary in their association, that in order to end the criminal's terrorising acts, the fastest way was to extinguish the other half, as all of these users possessed one common factor. They all possessed the power they called 'Nen'. Only those who knew the knowledge of Nen were blessed by fate with another half who could complete them. In the world of Hunters, special forces, known as 'Soulmate Bounty Hunters' existed for the sake of eliminating the other half that could potentially increase the power output of the lawless individuals."

And so, in the shadowed corners of the city, adventurers and hunters alike ventured forth, driven by the tantalizing promise of finding their other half and unlocking the secrets of their shared destiny. 

—

She knew this. Or should we say, you knew this. 

Desperate to evade their grasp, you fled into the night, leaving behind everything you had ever known for freedom. With each step you took, the marks burned brighter against your skin, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows. Yet, even as fear threatened to consume you, a spark of defiance ignited within your heart.

You would not go quietly into the night, you vowed, not while you were still in control. With every ounce of strength possessed, you would fight against the darkness that sought to claim you, forging your own path amidst the chaos that threatened to consume your world. In order to achieve your dreams of freedom, you would take whatever risk. You were on your way to learn the strange aura the hunters called 'Nen'. Your first stop in mind, was to pursue the famous Stone Hunter who originated where you lived; Biscuit Krueger. 

—

But little did she know, they were already on their way to claim what fate had bestowed upon them. Willingly or not, they would take what has been destined to be theirs. 

↬ Author's Note:

Firstly, thank you for selecting this book amongst the many others! This is a little project I decided to begin after reading amazing, yet very little books about the Phantom Troupe. They really inspired me to write my own take on this genre. My English is not perfect (as it's not my best subject), but I am still learning, so please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors if you may come across them!

As the description mentioned, this book was inspired by the other authors who have written about this trope, so if you would like to see their works, please refer to the description in which I have tagged their user, their story, and which reading platform you can find them from. 

- Signing off yakshaa_ [2024]