In a grand mansion that stood atop a hill, shadows whispered of secrets untold. It was a place where the laughter of a child had long been absent, replaced by the echoing silence of loneliness.
The mansion, known to locals as the "Hillcrest Estate," was a sprawling masterpiece of Victorian architecture, adorned with ivy-covered walls and stained glass windows that shimmered like kaleidoscopes when the sun kissed them. It was a sight to behold, a relic of a bygone era when opulence and grandeur were the order of the day. But now, it stood as a solemn sentinel on the hill, its grandeur fading, its secrets locked within.
The mansion had a history, as all grand old homes do. It had been built by the illustrious Vanderbilts, a name synonymous with wealth and prestige in the early 20th century. The Vanderbilts had spared no expense in creating their family's legacy. Lavish parties once echoed through its halls, and the gardens had hosted the most splendid soirées. But all that was a distant memory now.
In "Ethereal Guardian," the power of friendship, the strength of the human spirit, and the magic of the unseen world come together to create a tale of transformation and redemption. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope and a chance for a better tomorrow.
"I saw everything: the blood on his hands, the craze in his eyes... I saw the stars above reflect purple from his hair; he was certainly not the Vincent I knew. I saw the fear of the girl aside me, I heard the terror in her scream. I saw those beings... Lights. I observed the defiance of what I've believed in for my whole life... All because of you."
She chuckled as the chain on my ankle felt icy against my skin. "Yet, you never realized your eyes were closed this whole time."
This story was inspired by series like Higurashi/Umineko: When They Cry and Danganronpa; and some bands like Valiant Hearts and Starset.
This is a work of fiction that sometimes contains the topics of detailed explanations of murder/self-harm, nonreligious characters/events, any kind of abusive behavior, mental illnesses, and arguably weirdo characters. Reader discretion is advised!
(This isn't a fan fiction... I hope.)
Cover by my dearest friend @heleinaz72.
Special thanks to @Aargonie for helping me with the plotting and staying positive.