Blood Curse of the Shaman

Who is Malik, really?

She knew that man was hiding something. A fleeting image of Malik flashed through Lucy's mind…

The way he always showed up at the right time… how those dark creatures vanished the moment he was near… and the way his gaze always held something deeper, as if he saw Lucy in a way no one else ever could.

Lucy decided it was time to dig deeper into the strange things written in her mother's old book.

That night, she returned to her room and retrieved the heirloom book. She flipped through its worn pages, filled with handwritten notes and symbols that were still difficult to decipher. But then, one section caught her eye… a chapter about The Unseen Guardians.

"In the supernatural world, there are those assigned to balance the forces beyond human understanding. They are guardians sent to protect individuals who hold great significance in maintaining the world's equilibrium. However, not all guardians can be trusted. Some have hidden motives."

Lucy bit her lip, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. Was Malik one of them?

****

The next day, Lucy made up her mind she needed answers from Malik.

She invited him to a small café on the outskirts of town, a quiet enough place where they could talk without prying ears. When Malik arrived, she felt the familiar calming presence he always carried, but she refused to let herself be swayed.

"I need to know something about you," she said bluntly the moment Malik sat down.

Malik hesitated for a second, scratching his head. "Why the sudden interrogation?"

"You always show up at the right time, Malik. You can make those creatures disappear. You ain't just some normal guy."

Malik gave a small smirk, but this time, there was something behind it something Lucy couldn't quite read.

"I never said I was," he finally replied.

"Then what the hell are you? Tell me!" she pressed.

Before Malik could answer, the air around them suddenly grew thick and heavy. The café lights flickered, and an eerie tension filled the space.

Malik immediately stood up. "This energy… it's bad. They're here again."

Lucy followed his gaze toward the entrance. Outside, the once-empty street was now engulfed in a creeping black fog, slowly seeping into the café.

And from the fog, a terrifying figure emerged.

A tall, hooded entity with a skull-like face stared right at them. Its eyes glowed a deep, menacing red, and a suffocating darkness radiated from its body.

"Luuucyyy…" the creature's voice echoed, sounding like it came from the depths of a grave.

Lucy's heart pounded. She knew this thing.

It was the same entity from her dreams the shadow that always whispered dreadful things about her powers.

Malik moved swiftly, positioning himself in front of Lucy, ready for battle. "Don't listen to it, Lucy."

The creature chuckled darkly. "You really think you can protect her forever, Guardian?"

Lucy's eyes widened. "Wait… Guardian?!"

Malik didn't respond. Instead, he raised his hand, and a golden light burst from his body brighter and stronger than anything Lucy had seen before.

The skull-faced entity grinned wickedly. "Let's see how long you can hold me back."

And in an instant, the battle erupted.

Golden light clashed against the creeping black mist, sending shockwaves through the café. The windows shattered from the sheer force of the opposing energies.

Lucy could only watch in horror. She knew she should do something, but her body refused to move.

Then, the creature's voice slithered into her mind.

"You can't trust him, Lucy," it whispered. "He's just using you, like everyone else."

Lucy shook her head violently. "Shut up!"

Malik turned to her, his expression conflicted but in that moment, the creature seized its chance.

With blinding speed, it lunged straight at Lucy.

She didn't even have time to react.

But before the creature could reach her, Malik was already there, shielding her with his own body.

And that's when something shocking happened.

Malik's human form began to dissolve. His entire appearance shifted, transforming into the large, hooded figure Lucy had seen countless times before the shadowy presence that had always watched her from the darkness near the old tree behind her house.

Lucy's breath caught in her throat. "N-no way… It was you?"

Malik didn't answer, but his new form radiated an energy so intense that the skull-faced entity visibly recoiled.

"LEAVE!" Malik's voice thundered, deeper and more commanding than before.

The creature let out a wretched hiss, as if feeling a force far greater than itself. Within seconds, it dissipated into nothingness, vanishing into the abyss.

When the air finally settled, Malik turned back to Lucy. His form shifted once again, returning to his human appearance.

Lucy was still shaken. "So… all this time… you… were…"

Malik met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I can't tell you everything yet, Lucy. It's not time."

"But you ain't even human, are you?!" she shot back.

Malik sighed. "I'm your guardian. That's all you need to know."

Lucy had so many questions swirling in her mind, but one thing was now clear Malik wasn't just some powerful human.

He was something much greater.

And the fact that he wasn't human at all… shook her to her core.

****

Suddenly, memories from just a few days ago flooded Lucy's mind.

She had been walking alone at night when she felt a presence lurking nearby. A massive shadow, watching her from afar. Every time she turned around, it vanished.

And now, the realization hit her like a truck.

That presence… felt exactly the same as when Malik was near.

****

That night, after buying a few things from the minimarket, Lucy walked home alone. The streets were nearly empty, dimly lit by flickering streetlights.

That's when she felt it again.

The air turned cold. Her steps slowed, and chills ran down her spine. Then… she heard the whispers.

"She belongs to us… Don't let her escape…"

Lucy whipped around.

From the darkness between the trees, shadowy figures with glowing red eyes began emerging. Their movements were unnatural, almost like they were gliding instead of walking.

Lucy took a step back, ready to fight but there were too many of them.

Just as the creatures lunged toward her, a sudden gust of wind howled through the street. A deep rumbling sound filled the air.

Then a towering, hooded figure appeared behind her.

The figure didn't speak. It simply raised a hand.

And just like that, the creatures shrieked in agony before disintegrating into dust.

Lucy stood frozen, breathing heavily.

The hooded figure remained still, watching her.

But before she could say anything, it vanished melting into the night.

Now, back in the present, Lucy folded her arms, staring at Malik.

"Why'd you come near me? What do you really want?"

Malik held her gaze, his eyes deep and unreadable. "Because I've been tied to you for a long time. You may not have noticed, but I've always been by your side even before you knew it."

Lucy hesitated. "Since when?"

Malik looked down slightly. "Since you were a child."

That answer made her head spin. She didn't remember ever meeting Malik back then.

Before she could ask anything else, Malik stepped closer.

"I am your guardian spirit. I've protected your bloodline for generations those who inherit the same supernatural gift you have."

Lucy stood there, stunned into silence.

Because for the longest time, she had felt safe around Malik.

And now she realized why.