Eternal Eclipse: Bloodlines of Fate

The Stranger at the ball

The ballroom shimmered under the glow of chandeliers, laughter and music filling the air as you moved through the crowd of your classmates. Tonight was special—a celebration marking the end of your final year before graduation. You smiled as you glanced around the room, feeling content in the moment. Your adoptive family had given you a good life, and your best friend, Lisa, was by your side, as always.

Everything seemed perfect.

Lisa, always the social butterfly, nudged your arm. "Are you even paying attention? Joshua's here," she whispered, grinning as she nodded toward the other side of the room.

Your gaze followed Lisa's, landing on Joshua, the boy who had occupied your thoughts for longer than you cared to admit. He was laughing with his friends, completely unaware of your gaze. You smiled softly, your heart fluttering. He'd always been charming, and tonight was no different.

"Maybe tonight's the night you actually talk to him," Lisa teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

You rolled your eyes playfully. "Maybe."

As you stood together, chatting and watching the night unfold, you felt a strange sensation, like you were being watched. You glanced around, scanning the room, but nothing seemed out of place. The guests were laughing, dancing, enjoying the evening. You shrugged it off—maybe you were imagining things.

But then your eyes found him.

Standing near the entrance, shrouded in the soft shadows, was a man you didn't recognize. He was tall, his dark hair framing a face that seemed to carry a weight you couldn’t explain. His gaze, however, was what unsettled you. His eyes were fixed on you, intense yet unreadable, as if he was searching for something—no, someone.

You felt your breath catch in your throat. You had no idea who he was, but something about the way he looked at you made your chest tighten. It wasn't fear exactly, more like... confusion. Why was he staring? And why did you feel like you should know him?

Before you could think further, Lisa's voice pulled you back. "Y/N? Hello, earth to Y/N."

You blinked and turned to your friend. "Sorry, what?"

"You okay? You seem out of it," Lisa said, looking at you with concern.

You glanced back toward the entrance, but the man had disappeared, swallowed by the crowd. You shook your head, trying to clear the uneasy feeling that had crept into you. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thought I saw someone."

Lisa raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Well, come on. The night's not going to last forever, and you need to dance at least once before we graduate."

You nodded, letting Lisa pull you toward the dance floor. But even as you laughed and twirled to the music, your mind kept drifting back to the man with the dark eyes, wondering who he was and why his presence had felt so familiar, even though you were certain you had never seen him before.