The Curse Awakens

The Shadows Game

The fog thickened as the night deepened, cloaking Everbrook in an unnatural stillness. Raven and Ashen moved cautiously through the square, their breaths shallow, the weight of Morgana's presence pressing heavily on them. The figure in the dark robes stood motionless near the old clock tower, her glowing red eyes fixed on them like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Stay behind me," Ashen whispered, stepping forward. His voice was steady, but Raven could hear the tension in it.

"No," she replied, her voice firm. "This is my fight. She came for me."

Ashen hesitated, his hand twitching at his side as if he wanted to grab hers. Instead, he nodded, his jaw tightening. "Fine. But if she tries anything, I’m not standing down."

Raven swallowed hard, her pulse quickening as she stepped into the open, the cobblestones slick with dew beneath her boots. The glow of Morgana's eyes intensified as she began to speak, her voice smooth and cold, like a blade slicing through the quiet.

"Raven Evermore," Morgana said, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "It’s been far too long. Have you missed me?"

Raven clenched her fists, fighting back the surge of anger that rose within her. She wouldn’t give Morgana the satisfaction of seeing her falter. "What do you want, Morgana? Haven’t you done enough?"

Morgana chuckled, a sound that echoed unnaturally through the square. "Oh, my dear, this was never about ‘enough.’ This is about destiny—your destiny. The curse was only the beginning. You’ve been running from it, haven’t you? Pretending it doesn’t define you. But you can’t escape what’s written in the stars."

Raven took a step forward, her gaze steady. "I don’t believe in destiny. And I won’t let you use me for whatever twisted plan you’ve cooked up."

Morgana tilted her head, her smile deepening. "Still so defiant. That fire is what makes you special, Raven. It’s what makes the curse yours." Her voice grew darker, sharper. "But the curse isn’t just a burden. It’s a gift. One you’ve refused to embrace."

The air around them seemed to thrum with energy, the kind that made Raven’s skin prickle and her heart race. She could feel the curse stirring inside her, like a beast waking from a long slumber, clawing at the edges of her control. Her hands began to glow faintly, light blue sparks flickering at her fingertips.

Ashen stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. "Raven, don’t let her get to you. She’s trying to draw it out."

"I know," Raven murmured, her voice tight. But it wasn’t just Morgana’s words. It was the curse itself, responding to her presence, to her power. It was as if the darkness inside her recognized its creator.

Morgana raised a hand, her fingers curling in a slow, deliberate motion. A wave of energy pulsed through the air, and the ground beneath Raven and Ashen’s feet trembled. From the shadows, twisted figures began to emerge—hulking shapes with glowing red eyes, their bodies shifting and writhing as if they were made of smoke and bone.

"Shadow Wraiths," Ashen muttered, his tone grim. "She’s not playing around."

Raven’s heart pounded as the creatures surrounded them, their distorted growls filling the air. She glanced at Ashen, who was already bracing himself, his fists clenched.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos.

"Always," she replied, a flicker of determination sparking in her chest.

As the first wraith lunged toward her, Raven raised her hands, the blue light flaring brighter. She released a burst of energy, striking the creature and sending it sprawling back into the mist. But for every wraith she struck down, another took its place, their numbers seemingly endless.

"Focus on Morgana!" Ashen shouted, slamming his fist into a wraith that had gotten too close. "She’s controlling them!"

Raven nodded, her gaze snapping back to the cloaked figure. Morgana stood untouched in the chaos, her eyes glowing brighter as she watched them fight. She wasn’t attacking—she was testing. Watching. Waiting.

Raven pushed through the wraiths, her energy surging as she fought her way toward Morgana. Each step felt heavier, the curse pulling at her, threatening to overwhelm her. By the time she reached Morgana, her hands were trembling, the blue light around her flickering erratically.

"You’re stronger than I expected," Morgana said, her tone almost admiring. "But strength alone won’t save you."

Before Raven could respond, Morgana raised her hand, and a surge of dark energy slammed into her, sending her flying backward. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from her lungs. Dazed, she struggled to push herself up, but Morgana was already standing over her, her expression cold.

"You don’t understand, do you?" Morgana said, her voice almost gentle. "The curse isn’t just a part of you. It is you. And if you don’t accept that, it will destroy you."

Raven glared up at her, her vision blurred but her resolve unbroken. "I won’t let you win."

Morgana leaned down, her red eyes piercing. "Oh, Raven. This isn’t about winning or losing. This is about survival. And tonight, the curse will awaken—whether you’re ready or not."

With a wave of her hand, Morgana vanished into the fog, the shadow wraiths disappearing with her. The square fell silent once more, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

Ashen rushed to Raven’s side, his expression frantic. "Are you okay?"

Raven nodded, though her body ached and her mind was spinning. Morgana was gone, but the damage was done. The curse inside her was no longer dormant. It was alive, pulsing with a power she could barely contain.

And she knew this was only the beginning.