Waiter from Nowhere

Jay could feel the shadows closing in, a suffocating presence pressing against his chest. He could hear them whispering, calling to him, enticing him with promises of power, of freedom from his pain. The demon's words echoed in his mind, like an unyielding drumbeat: Embrace the darkness, Jay. Let it consume you.

He clenched his fists, struggling against the weight of the shadows, but the darkness was too overwhelming. It had seeped into him, wrapping around his body like chains, and with each passing second, it seemed to pull him further under. He had faced the darkness before, but now, it was different. Now, it was inside of him.

"You cannot fight what you are, Jay," the demon's voice echoed from somewhere beyond the shadows. "You are mine now. You are part of the eternal night."

Jay's heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to listen. Not like this, he thought. I won't lose myself.

With every ounce of strength, he pushed back against the darkness, trying to reach deep within for any shred of light. But the Elixir had taken so much from him. The warmth, the fire that had once fueled his soul, was fading, barely a flicker.

I won't give up.

And then, through the suffocating darkness, something stirred. A voice. A whisper that seemed to rise from the depths of his mind, stronger than the shadows. You are not alone.

The shadows hissed and recoiled, as if something had disturbed them, and for the first time, Jay felt the tiniest spark of hope. He reached for it, clinging to the sensation, and suddenly, the shadows parted, revealing a figure. A woman. Her eyes shone with an inner light, a beacon of warmth amidst the darkness.

"Who are you?" Jay whispered, still fighting to stay conscious, to stay grounded.

"I am the guardian of those who are chosen," she said, her voice like a song. "You are not alone in this, Jay. You will face the darkness within you, but you do not have to do it alone."

For a moment, Jay simply stared at her, a mixture of disbelief and relief flooding him. Help... finally.