A deafening crack split through the air as the castle trembled under an unseen force. Eva stumbled back, her breath caught in her throat as the glow from the crystal intensified. The ornate stone coffin, towering at 6.5 feet, shuddered violently, as if something within was struggling to break free.
Then, with a final, thunderous burst, the coffin's lid was flung open.
A rush of air surged through the grand hall, carrying with it an unnatural chill. The ancient lamps lining the castle walls flickered to life all at once, casting an eerie golden glow over the dust-covered interior. Shadows stretched and twisted, dancing along the walls as if awakening alongside the being that now emerged.
Eva's heart pounded wildly as she watched in horror. A figure slowly rose from within the coffin, his movement unnervingly smooth, his form shrouded in darkness. Then, as if drawn into the light by some unseen force, he stepped forward.
Leonard.
His presence was suffocating. His skin was pale as moonlight, his features impossibly perfect yet carrying an edge of something otherworldly—something terrifying. His deep crimson eyes locked onto Eva, sharp and unreadable, as if seeing her and yet looking through her all at once. His long, dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, a stark contrast to the deep, midnight-blue attire that adorned him, regal yet ancient in design.
Eva took a step back, every instinct screaming at her to run, but her body refused to obey. Fear had rooted her to the spot, her mind still struggling to comprehend the reality before her.
The silence stretched between them until, finally, he spoke.
"Who dares awaken me?" His voice was deep, smooth as velvet, yet laced with a power that sent shivers down her spine.
Eva's lips parted, but no sound came. Her throat had gone dry, her mind spinning. She wanted to deny it, to claim she had no part in this, but the lingering sting on her fingertip—the very drop of blood that had fallen onto the crystal—told a different story.
Leonard took a slow step forward, his piercing gaze never leaving her. The lamps in the castle seemed to brighten as he moved, as if the very structure itself responded to his presence.
"You… are not what I expected," he murmured, tilting his head slightly. There was curiosity in his voice, but also something else—something dangerous.
Eva's breath hitched as he raised a hand, reaching toward her. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to run, to flee before it was too late. But before she could react, the ground beneath them trembled once more.
A low, guttural growl echoed through the hall, ancient and hungry. Leonard's expression darkened instantly, his crimson eyes narrowing.
Eva didn't understand what was happening, but terror overwhelmed her senses. Her vision blurred, her knees buckled, and before she could take another breath—darkness consumed her.
She fainted.
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