Reverence is a dark academia romantasy, a tale of all consuming love, gut-wrenching betrayal, unbreakable bonds and unspoken truths.
Nineteen year old Josephine Carmine was orphaned at five and passed around to multiple foster families, three of wh...
Josie reached into the enchanted chest, her fingers brushing against the various artifacts before settling on a book. Unlike the others, this book emitted a faint, mystical glow, as if imbued with its own light. The leather cover was intricately embossed with symbols that seemed to shift and change under her touch. She carefully lifted it out, feeling a strange energy pulse through her fingertips. The title, "The Bloodline of Light Wielders," was inscribed in elegant, golden script. Josie sat back on her haunches, her breath catching in her throat as she absorbed the significance of the tome. Opening the book, Josie found herself mesmerized by the list of names that spanned its ancient pages. Each name was meticulously handwritten, a testament to the legacy it documented. As she scanned the names, her eyes paused at familiar ones: Freya Cross, Gregor Cross, Genevieve Cross. Each entry seemed to glow with a soft, inner light, emphasizing their importance. Josie's heart pounded in her chest, the weight of history and destiny pressing down on her.
Her gaze finally fell upon a name that made her gasp softly: Alister Cross. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She could feel the blood drain from her face as she connected the dots. Alister Cross was a name she had heard before, a name whispered in the annals of legends and lore. She lifted her eyes from the book, her mind racing with possibilities and implications. Slowly, she turned to look at Creed, who was standing nearby, his expression one of curiosity and concern. Creed noticed her sudden change in demeanor and stepped closer, his brow furrowing in worry. "What is it, Josie?" he asked, his voice low and steady. Josie could barely find her voice as she gestured to the book, her hand trembling slightly. "Alister Cross," she managed to say, her eyes locked onto Creed's. The name hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Creed's face shifted from confusion to a dawning realization, his eyes widening as he processed the information.
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"Alister Cross... he was a light wielder," Josie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Odessa's prince." Creed said softly. "But.." Creed shook his head, "That must mean.." Josie stared at the book and said "They had a child, before they were bound." The revelation created a palpable tension in the room, as both of them grappled with the enormity of what they had discovered. "Josie.. Odesss Kraven and Alister Cross are your ancestors. You've inherited the light wielder magic." The book in Josie's hands was not just a record of the past, but a key to understanding her heritage and the power that flowed through her veins. Josie and Creed made their way back through the dark woods, book in hand. Their steps hurried but cautious. The dense foliage seemed to close in around them, the branches and leaves forming an almost impenetrable barrier. The light from their torches flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced along the forest floor. The air was thick with tension, each sound magnified in the silence of the night. Josie's heart pounded in her chest, her grip tightening on the ancient book she carried. Creed led the way, his senses alert and his posture tense.
Suddenly, Creed stopped, holding up a hand to signal Josie to halt. He had heard a faint rustling to his left, a sound that did not belong to the usual night creatures of the forest. His earring strained as he listened intently, his muscles coiled like a spring. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the rustling growing louder and more deliberate. Creed's hand moved to his blade, the weapon singing softly as he unsheathed it. His face was the picture of stone, betraying no fear or uncertainty, only a focused determination. As they stood in the thick silence, red eyes began to glow in the underbrush, piercing through the darkness with an otherworldly light. Josie's breath hitched, her eyes widening in alarm. The glowing eyes moved closer, their menacing presence sending chills down her spine. Creed positioned himself defensively, his blade ready to strike at a moment's notice. The atmosphere crackled with tension, the confrontation imminent. Josie and Creed exchanged a brief, tense glance, understanding that whatever emerged from the darkness would test their resolve and their bond.
From the shadows, a beast emerged, its form identical to the one that had killed Jasper. Standing eight feet tall, it loomed over them, its muscles rippling beneath its matted fur. The creature's eyes glowed with a savage hunger, and its maw twisted into a sneer that revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth. It growled, the sound reverberating through the forest like a thunderclap. Josie felt a cold wave of fear wash over her, her mind flashing back to the horrific night they had lost Jasper to this very monster. The beast's focus locked onto Creed, who stood his ground, blade held high and unwavering. The two faced each other, a deadly dance of predator and defender about to unfold. "Run, Josie," Creed barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. Without waiting for a response, he lunged at the creature, his blade gleaming in the dim light. The beast roared, meeting his attack with a swipe of its massive claws, the force of the clash sending shockwaves through the air. Josie hesitated, her instincts torn between fleeing and staying to help Creed. But she knew that Creed's command was not just about her safety; it was about ensuring the precious knowledge they had uncovered survived. With a final, agonized glance at the fierce battle unfolding, she turned and ran, her feet pounding against the forest floor. The sounds of the struggle—clashing steel, guttural roars, and Creed's determined shouts—faded behind her, each step taking her further from danger but leaving her heart heavy with fear for Creed's fate.
With a final, determined shout, Creed drove his sword deep into the beast's neck, the blade piercing through muscle and sinew. The creature let out a deafening roar, a sound that echoed through the forest and reached Josie's ears, causing her to stumble momentarily in her flight. The beast's roars grew weaker as Creed twisted his blade, finally severing its head in a gruesome, decisive stroke. The monstrous body collapsed to the ground, lifeless, as Creed stood over it, breathing heavily from the exertion and adrenaline. Out of the corner of his eye, Creed caught a fleeting movement—a shadow slipping through the trees. He turned swiftly, his senses on high alert, and saw a cloaked figure darting deeper into the forest. Without hesitation, Creed gave chase, his feet pounding against the forest floor. The figure moved with surprising speed and agility, navigating the terrain effortlessly. Despite Creed's best efforts, the mysterious figure soon disappeared into the darkness, leaving him standing alone amidst the silent trees. Frustrated but determined, Creed vowed to uncover the identity of this elusive watcher, even as he knew he had to reunite with Josie and continue their perilous journey.
