Annoying like a Curse

Aurora broke through the night, her footsteps echoing in the deserted corridors of the complex. Each step felt like a final step into the darkness. She had distanced herself from the others, knowing she couldn't let herself be influenced by the crowd. Her mind raced. The smoke, that nameless shadow, had a power she didn't fully understand. But she knew it was the key if she wanted to bind Lukas to her again.

"He will test me," she whispered into the silence of the empty rooms. "And I will have to convince him. But only if I find the smoke..."

Aurora knew the smoke wouldn't be easily grasped. It was a phantom, an entity that eluded any attempt to comprehend it. But she had a hunch it wasn't far away. The smoke had its origins where she least expected it, and she knew that was precisely where she had to start.

She roamed the murky area, her fingers tightly gripping the knife in her pocket. The plan was simple, the goal clear: find the smoke, defeat it, and win Lukas back. She'd lost enough time; now she had to act.

With every corner she passed, the air grew thicker, colder. The smell of burnt wood, of something that didn't really exist, was everywhere. The smoke was here. She could almost feel it, the creeping shadow, boring into her core like a shadow.

And then she heard it: a faint whisper. A whisper that mingled with the darkness. Her hand tightened on the knife's hilt. "Come here, you bitch," she murmured, her voice barely more than a breath.

A whooshing sound filled the air, the smoke taking shape, blurring with a speed that overwhelmed the eye. It was a living shadow, trying to envelop her. But Aurora, driven by determination, dodged the fog. She knew the smoke had no feelings, that it was merely a force that consumed everything. And yet she felt the urge to understand it, to conquer it.

"Lukas will know I'm doing this," she thought as she prepared for battle. "He'll see that I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

The smoke came closer, enveloping her, trying to paralyze her movements. But Aurora was quick. She wasn't ready to give up. With a scream, she thrust the knife forward, the ringing of the metal cutting through the atmosphere, but the smoke crumbled into nothing, only to reappear elsewhere.

It was a fight that had no real form. The smoke couldn't be defeated by attacking it with physical weapons. Aurora knew this, but she had to challenge the smoke to prove her resolve.

And as the smoke closed in around her, the darkness almost taking over the room, she suddenly heard a familiar, cold voice echoing inside her.

"You're a fool, Aurora. You're not who you once were."

It was Lukas. And in that moment, she knew she was on the right path. But the smoke disappeared as quickly as it had come. The fight wasn't over. But she knew Lukas was watching her. And she also knew he wanted her now more than ever.

Aurora stood in the shadow of the destroyed building, her eyes fixed on the invisible enemy. The smoke, which had wound its way through the cracks of the building like a dark veil, was suddenly gone, just as quickly as it had come. She felt the tingling sensation in the air, the presence of Lukas, watching her now more than ever. It was a game, she knew. He had tested her, had put her to the test. But the smoke, the monster created by his dark magic, was no accident. It was a trap, another test to challenge her resolve and her abilities.

Aurora clenched her fists. It was clear: Lukas had never truly let her go. And even though the smoke had cleared, she knew she would never leave him alone. She couldn't just sit back and hope he stopped paying attention to her. Now she had to act.

"He's watching me," she whispered, allowing herself a moment of peace. "And I have to prove that I'm more than just another experiment."

But no sooner had she finished that thought than she heard the familiar, cold tone of Lukas' voice.

"You think you understand how the game works, Aurora. But you're just another piece on my chessboard. And you know what? I'm getting tired of all these tests. It's time to change everything."

The words echoed in her head, and Aurora felt a cold, sharp sensation in her chest. She had known it. He wouldn't stop. And it wouldn't be long before he made the next move. But she hadn't lost. Not yet.

"What will your next move be, Lukas?" she murmured, bracing herself with her hands on the walls.

"More action," Lukas answered, his voice laughing at the darkness. "I need something big. Something that will truly impress. This city? Ridiculous. Everything I've seen so far has been nothing more than a children's playground. But that will change."

Aurora closed her eyes to collect herself. She knew what would come next. Once Lukas decided to do something, he did it with all his might. And that was what she had to stop.

"What's your plan, Lukas?"

"Nuclear weapons," he said simply. "I'll show the world what happens if you take too long to face me."

The thought of destruction was nothing new to Lukas. But this time it sounded different. It wasn't just destruction, it was total disintegration. Nothing would remain except the ruins of those he deemed too weak. Aurora knew she had to act before it was too late.

"And what if you die?" she asked, not expecting an answer.

"Die?" Lukas' voice sounded almost amused. "Maybe... but not before I destroy everything I want."

He laughed, and Aurora knew there was no turning back. She had to stop him. But to do that, she had to do something even greater. Something he never expected.

As she retreated into the darkness, her mind prepared for what she would do next. She couldn't simply confront him; that wouldn't work. She had to find a weapon that could outsmart even him. But where would she get them? And what could she do to put an end to this madness?

But then, as she was almost lost in the darkness, she knew there was only one way. She would descend into the same darkness Lukas loved to use. And if she played it right, she might even throw something at him that would scare him.

The smoke might have cleared, but the real enemy was still there. And this time, he wouldn't win so easily.

Lukas stepped into the shadows of the ruins, a sinister grin on his face. He could feel the tension in the air emanating from Aurora, and it amused him. She had no idea what he would do next, but he couldn't wait to see it.

"You have no idea what you're doing, Lukas," Aurora said, but her voice was uncertain. She knew she didn't have much time before things got out of control.

Lukas raised a hand, and his fingers began to move in the air as if he were drawing an invisible pattern. He spoke in a dark, hoarse language whose words began to hiss and tingle in the air. It was a spell rooted deep in dark magic, a spell he had created years ago, a spell whose effects could affect the entire universe.

"I'm done waiting here," he said with a cold smile as he completed the spell. "You and your hope, Aurora. It ends here. Now."

Suddenly, all the nuclear weapons in the world began to vibrate. From all corners of the planet, in the hiding places where they were locked deep underground, in the secret laboratories and in the military bases, the weapons began to move. They trembled in their silver cabinets, twisted in the air, and detached themselves from their moorings. No one understood what was happening until it was too late.

The world stared at the news flashing across every screen: "Nuclear weapons around the world activating – no explanation."

But Lukas had long since moved on. "It's not your world anymore, Aurora," he murmured. "It's MINE."

With a terrible bang, the first missile exploded. A brilliant, blinding light pierced the darkness, and in a split second, an entire country was reduced to ash. But that was just the beginning.

More and more weapons began to detach. All over the world, the nuclear missiles streaked through the sky as if pulled by invisible threads. They exploded, one after the other. Cities, nations, continents – everything was engulfed in a nuclear inferno in seconds. A shimmering, red-orange wave of death rolled across the planet, sweeping all life with it.

Aurora could hear the explosions in the distance, the shockwaves vibrating through the ground. She felt the tremors, as if the entire earth were shattering beneath her feet. The sky was lit by a pale, blood-red light, while the sound of destruction spread across the entire world.

Humanity could only watch helplessly as everything it knew vanished. Entire countries vanished in a shimmering, destructive blast. The nuclear winter that was now beginning would envelop the Earth in a cold, gray void.

"And that was just the beginning," whispered Lukas, staring at the chaos around him. He felt invincible. Everything he had created was now under his control. He saw himself as a god, ruler of the entire world.

Yet in the midst of this apocalypse, as the last spark of light faded, Aurora was able to form one last, faint thought. She knew she would lose everything. But deep inside her, there was something else. Something she couldn't give up on, not yet.

"It's not over," she whispered to herself. "Not as long as I'm still breathing."

But at what cost?

Rain pattered relentlessly down the dark treetops, while the howling wind cut through the branches. Lukas opened his eyes. Cold drops ran down his face as the damp ground gave way beneath him. Around him, nothing seemed to exist but endless darkness, punctuated by the occasional rumble of thunder.

His breathing was labored, and a painful twitch shot through his muscles as he slowly stood up. The forest seemed foreign, yet at the same time, there was something familiar about it—an ominous aura that made him shiver deep within. "Where... the hell am I?" he muttered.

Not far away, in another part of the forest, Dr. Aurora Stein awoke. Her body shook with cold, and her hands clung to the damp earth. She didn't know how she got here, but the feeling of threat weighed on her chest. The rain soaked her to the bone, and the darkness made it difficult to see anything.

That night, baby Lukas was born. His first cry broke the silence of a small, poor village on the edge of the forest. The child was healthy, innocent—still untouched by the curse that would determine his future.

Lukas from the present had sensed the moment. A malicious smile spread across his face as the truth hit him: "This is it. The beginning of everything."

Aurora stumbled through the forest, her clothes in tatters and her thoughts in chaos. She didn't know why, but she felt like she was being watched. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Lukas stepped out of the shadows. His face was serious, his eyes cold as ice.

"We don't have time, Aurora," he began, stepping closer. His voice was a dangerous whisper. "I know you feel it too. He was born."

Aurora shrank back, her eyes wide. "What are you talking about?"

Lukas smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "The child. Baby Lukas. We've returned to the time of his origin. And you will help me get him."

"I will never help you!" she hissed, clenching her fists.

Lukas stepped even closer, until he was only a breath away from her. "Oh, but you will. I won't give you a choice, Aurora. Do you remember your family? The pain I caused you? Believe me, I can make it worse."

Aurora trembled, her throat tight. "You... You're a monster."

"Maybe," Lukas said calmly. "But a monster with a purpose. And you're part of it now. We'll find him, Aurora. And if not, I guarantee your family will suffer. This time, of no return."

Aurora's gaze was filled with anger and despair. She knew she had little choice. Yet deep down, she swore she would find a way to end it all—Lukas, the curse, and the terrible fate that befell them all.

Lukas turned away and walked into the darkness. "Come. There's much to do."

Aurora trudged through the mud, the rain running in cold streams down her face. Beside her walked Lukas, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his coat. The forest seemed endless—a tangle of dark trees, dripping moss, and ghostly shadows.

"Do you know what's so crazy about all this?" Lukas finally began, his voice muffled by the drumming of the rain. "That you always thought you could analyze me, understand me. But you never truly understood what I am."

Aurora glanced at him sideways. "Because you're a narcissist who hides behind secrets? Believe me, that was obvious from the start."

Lukas laughed dryly, a sound that didn't even carry the illusion of warmth. "I'm not human, Aurora. I never was. Not really."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her steps faltered for a moment, but Lukas roughly pulled her on.

"Have you never wondered why everything I do works so... perfectly?" He grinned at her, a grin that radiated more darkness than joy. "Because I'm not a flaw in the system. I am the system. A curse. A damned construct of magic and chaos, created to bring destruction."

Aurora's eyes narrowed. "That's your latest excuse? That you're just a victim of dark magic?"

"Oh, it's not an excuse." Lukas' voice grew colder. "It's the truth. Long ago—or in the future, depending on how you define time—there was a baby. An innocent, small child who knew nothing. And there I was. An idea, a shadow, a curse. I crept into his mind. I whispered things to him. Knowledge. Power. Darkness. And when the time was right, I took him over completely."

Aurora stopped, her face pale. "The baby was you, wasn't it?"

"Exactly." Lukas spread his arms as if embracing the entire world. "I created myself. I shaped myself. And now, Aurora, we've come full circle. We're here because we need to kidnap baby Lukas. Because the baby is the key. Without him, I don't exist."

Aurora shook her head, her voice a whisper. "This is... insane. This isn't real."

"Oh, it is real." Lukas turned to her, his eyes blazing dangerously. "And you will help me. Or I will find your family. And this time, I won't just kill them. I will torture them. Slowly. And I will force you to watch."

Aurora swallowed hard, her hands shaking. "You're a monster."

"No," Lukas corrected quietly, a sinister smile on his lips. "I am the monster."

The two continued on their way, the rain getting heavier, and the forest seemed endless. The plan was clear—baby Lukas had to be found. And Aurora knew she had no choice. She was trapped in a nightmare from which there was no waking.

The rain lashed relentlessly on the forest floor as Schäfer struggled deeper through the muddy ground with every step. His clothes were soaked, his hands trembled with exertion and cold. But he wouldn't let it stop him. His thoughts revolved around the mission, the truth he had to prove—and the child who would be born today.

After what felt like an eternity, he reached the edge of the forest. Stretched out before him was the small town where it all would begin. The streets were empty, the monotonous drumming of rain filled the air. Schäfer stood up, wiped the water from his face, and walked with a firm stride toward the police station.

The building was silent, only the soft clatter of a typewriter could be heard. Schäfer entered, his soaked boots leaving muddy prints on the floor. The officers behind the reception desk looked at him skeptically.

"Can I help you?" asked a young police officer who couldn't have been more than mid-twenties.

Schäfer placed his hands on the counter and leaned forward slightly. "I need to speak to your superior officer. It's urgent."

The police officer frowned. "What is it about?"

"I'll explain it to your boss. It involves... supernatural dangers."

The young officer gave him a suspicious look, but after a brief hesitation, he nodded and disappeared into an adjoining office. A few minutes later, an older man with an imposing stature stepped out—Inspector Berger.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" he asked, arms crossed.

"My name is Schäfer. I'm an inspector. Or... I was. Look, I know how this sounds, but I need your help. The city is in danger. A child is being born today who could change everything. I need your support to protect it."