Eternal Eclipse: Bloodlines of Fate

Shadows in the Garden

As the night progressed, the music pulsed through the ballroom, and Lisa danced with boundless energy. You tried to immerse yourself in the moment, to laugh, to be carefree like everyone else, but every now and then, your gaze would shift toward the edges of the room, scanning the shadows for any sign of him. It was as if you expected him to reappear, though part of you wasn’t sure if you wanted him to.

“What’s going on with you tonight?” Lisa’s voice snapped you out of your reverie. “I mean, I know you’re the mysterious type, but you’ve been super distracted since we got here.”

You sighed, trying to smile. “I’m sorry. I’m just... in my head, I guess.”

Lisa’s eyes softened with concern. “Is this about Joshua? You know you can just go talk to him, right?”

You shook your head. “No, it’s not that. I mean, I do like Joshua, but tonight, it’s something else.” You hesitated before continuing. “I saw someone. Or I thought I did. He looked... familiar. Like I should know him, but I’ve never seen him before.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “So, mystery man caught your eye? You’re not just imagining things, right?”

“I don’t think so,” you murmured, your eyes briefly scanning the room again. “It’s hard to explain. He was just standing there, staring at me. And then, when I looked again, he was gone.”

Lisa’s expression shifted from curiosity to something closer to unease. “That’s... weird. Are you sure it wasn’t just some random guy? You’re, like, the most gorgeous girl in this place. People stare.”

“No, it wasn’t like that,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. “It felt... different. Like he knew me. Like he was waiting for me.”

Lisa studied you for a moment before shrugging. “Well, if you see him again, let me know. I’ve got your back. Maybe he’s your prince charming,” she added with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.

You smiled faintly, though your mind was still clouded with thoughts of the man with the dark eyes. You let yourself be swept back into the dancing for a while, but as the night began to wind down and guests started to leave, you couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was still watching you.

Eventually, the music faded, and you and Lisa decided to step outside for some fresh air. The cool breeze was refreshing after the heat of the crowded ballroom, and you found yourself relaxing slightly as you walked along the garden path, away from the noise.

“This feels nice,” Lisa sighed, stretching her arms above her head. “I could use more nights like this before we’re officially adults, you know?”

You nodded, but your mind wasn’t on the conversation. You looked around, your eyes darting to the tree line at the edge of the garden, where the shadows seemed darker, deeper. You felt it again—the sensation of being watched. Your pulse quickened, and before you could stop yourself, you took a few steps forward, drawn toward the shadows.

“Y/N?” Lisa’s voice was distant, as if muffled by the sudden pounding in your ears. “What are you doing?”

You blinked, shaking yourself out of the strange trance you had slipped into. “I don’t know. I just... thought I saw something.”

Lisa stepped closer, frowning. “You’re acting really weird tonight. Maybe we should head home?”

You nodded slowly, though your eyes lingered on the edge of the woods. Something in your gut told you that if you stayed a little longer, you might see him again. But Lisa was right—it was late, and the strange tension that had followed you all night wasn’t going away. Maybe sleep would help clear your mind.

“Yeah, let’s go,” you said, turning back toward the exit with a final glance over your shoulder.

“Yeah, let’s go,” you said, turning back toward the exit with a final glance over your shoulder.

But as you and Lisa walked away, you couldn’t shake the feeling that whoever had been watching you was still there, hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment.

In the distance, from the cover of the trees, V watched you leave.

He had waited so long for this moment, for the chance to finally see you again. But he couldn’t go to you—not yet. You didn’t remember him. How could you? Everything had been taken from you—the memories of your time together, the life you were meant to live, even your very identity.

His heart clenched as he watched you laugh with your friend, so oblivious to the truth. So human.

A single tear slid down his cheek, quickly brushed away as he forced himself to remain in the shadows. He couldn’t reveal himself tonight. It wasn’t time. Not yet.

But soon.

For now, all he could do was watch.

And wait.