Return to the Realm

The cold air cut through the night as she stood frozen, watching the blade pierce his chest. His blood spilled like dark ink, staining the ground beneath them. He coughed, droplets of crimson splattering on his lips, but his gaze never wavered from hers. His eyes, filled with love, pain, and acceptance, were harder to bear than the sight of his blood.

"Why are you doing this? Was my love not enough?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. The agony in his voice twisted something deep inside her.

The woman in front of him held the blade with a steady hand. Her face was calm, her expression unreadable. "Your biggest mistake was meeting me." Her voice was soft, almost a caress, but the words sliced through him like the blade in her hand. "Now, you have to pay the price."

The man's lips trembled as he tried to form a smile. "Pay the price? For loving you?" His laugh was broken, a mixture of bitterness and sorrow. "Never… in a thousand years…" He gasped for breath, his chest heaving. "Will I regret loving you."

She could feel the pain in her own chest, as if the blade had pierced her heart as well. The woman—her double—raised the dagger again, preparing for the final blow. Her reflection caught his eyes, and for the briefest moment, they locked eyes. There was something familiar there, something ancient.

She scoffed, raising the dagger higher, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light, reflecting the flickering shadows that danced around them.

As the blade plunged deeper, his vision blurred, the world dissolving into a chilling haze. He felt himself falling, plummeting into an abyss where shadows whispered secrets he couldn't grasp. The air around him grew frigid, biting into his skin, each breath a frosty gasp that echoed in the void.

"I loved you!" he screamed into the darkness, but the void swallowed his words, leaving only silence. Memories flitted through his mind like ghostly apparitions, their faces familiar yet haunting, the laughter and warmth replaced by this agonizing chill. Why had he trusted her? Why had he allowed himself to fall into her trap?

I groaned as the alarm shattered the night, pulling me from that suffocating darkness. I hastily gulped down my latte, the warmth offering no comfort against the cold grip of the dream. My heart raced, the remnants of terror clinging to me like a shadow, refusing to let go.

"Ugh, why do I keep having this dream?" I lamented, turning to my friend Akira, who was scrolling through her phone with a distracted frown. "At first, it was thrilling, but now it feels ominous… Why would I dream of murder? Something feels off."

Akira tied her curly hair into a bun, her frustration palpable as she looked at me, annoyance creasing her brow. "What am I supposed to say, Mira? Every time we meet, you dive into this dream of yours! Sorry, not sorry, but I think you should let it go. We have more pressing matters to deal with."

"Yeah, I know, but these dreams have haunted me since that night at the birthday party," I insisted, unable to shake off the eerie feeling that clung to me.

"Your birthday party?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Yes! Ever since I turned 18…" I trailed off, the memory of that night still fresh in my mind.

"Yadda! Yadda!" Akira interrupted, her voice rising with playful exasperation. "I'm done with your fictitious world. Let's focus on our new life from here on, okay?" Her big brown eyes sparkled with excitement, a beacon of optimism that always lifted my spirits, even when I was enveloped in darkness.

"Are you done packing? We'll be inseparable at the academy!" she chirped, practically bouncing in her seat, her energy infectious.

Akira, a year older and a senior at Artemis Academy, had been living with my mom and me during summer break. She'd decided to stay with us until the opening day, her excitement bubbling over as she anticipated this new chapter together.

"I'm almost done! I can't wait to get there!" I sipped my latte, letting the rich flavor momentarily distract me from my unease. The sun cast a cheerful glow over everything, promising a brighter future, yet the shadows from my dream lingered in the back of my mind.

The Next Day

Today is the day I go to Artemis. I woke up before dawn, the early morning light filtering through my curtains like a hesitant promise of what was to come. My heart raced with a mixture of excitement and anxiety as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the cool floor sending a shiver up my spine.

I double-checked my packed belongings, feeling a sense of urgency coursing through me. Every item represented a small piece of my old life, a comforting reminder of home as I prepared to step into the unknown. The white top and blue jeans I chose hugged my slender figure, a simple yet confident choice that made me feel ready for whatever lay ahead. I glanced in the mirror, taking a deep breath to calm the butterflies swirling in my stomach.

The sounds of rustling from Akira's side of the room pulled me from my thoughts. I smiled to myself, remembering the countless nights we had spent laughing and dreaming about the future. But now, with the dawn of a new chapter, I felt a knot of apprehension tighten within me.

"Akira! It's time to go! Seriously, you can't take forever in the bathroom!" I called out, my voice echoing in the quiet morning air.

"Mira, I'm coming! You know how long it takes to tame my thick, frizzy hair!" she shouted back, her annoyance mingled with a hint of amusement. I could picture her wrestling with her curls, probably cursing the humidity.

"Akira, if we don't hurry, we'll miss the train!" My heart raced at the thought, a wave of panic sweeping over me.

"Got it! I'm done—can we go now?" Her voice was suddenly behind me, and I turned to see her emerging from the bathroom, her hair wild but radiant, the perfect reflection of her vibrant personality.

"Have you taken everything? Phone? Wallet? ID?" I fired off a rapid list, trying to mask my anxiety with practicality.

"I've got it all! Let's go!" She flashed me a confident grin, the kind that always managed to lift my spirits, even when the shadows of my dreams lingered in the back of my mind.

"Bye, Mommy!" I called as we rushed toward the door, my heart squeezing at the thought of leaving.

"Have you packed everything, sweetie?" My mom's anxiety was palpable, her eyes wide with worry as she fussed over me one last time. The reality of leaving home hit hard; this would be a long stretch away from her, and I felt a pang of guilt.

"Here, take these sandwiches for the journey, and don't forget the juice and snacks in your backpack. Make sure you eat!" She pressed a bulging bag into my hands, her love wrapped tightly around each item as if they could protect me on this journey.

As Akira and I climbed into the cab, I took one last glance back at our home, a mixture of emotions flooding over me. The house stood there, quiet and unyielding, and I felt a knot in my stomach as I waved goodbye to my mom. Her worried expression tugged at my heart, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. I was leaving her to face the world alone, and that thought made the excitement feel bittersweet.

"I'm not sad, Akira! I'm just… I don't know. I'm excited about college but worried about my mom. She doesn't have anyone else to take care of her. By the way, have you made any friends—or boyfriends—there?" I asked, trying to shift the conversation to a lighter topic, though the concern still gnawed at me.

"Stop it! You know me—I'm an introvert. I don't just go around chatting with everyone! I did make a few friends; I'll introduce you to them." She rolled her eyes, but I could see the hint of pride in her expression, as if having friends was a significant achievement for her.

As I sat in the car, the city rushed past, a blur of colors and sounds. I felt my mind racing with thoughts of what my college would be like, the unknown looming before me like a vast ocean, both terrifying and exhilarating. I nudged Akira, who was scrolling through her phone, seemingly lost in her digital world. "Tell me more about Artemis!"

She turned, her face lighting up as she handed me an article that she'd saved.

"Artemis Academy—one of the most mysterious and prestigious institutions in the world. Not much is known about it, except that many influential figures have emerged from its halls. Rumor has it that the academy has secrets buried deep within its history, waiting for those brave enough to uncover them." Her excitement was contagious, but a chill ran down my spine at the mention of secrets.

"Secrets? Like what?" I pressed, curiosity piquing amidst my anxiety.

"Who knows? But that's part of the thrill, right?" she replied, her eyes glimmering with mischief. I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension; what if the academy was as daunting as my dreams suggested?