《Fade to Black: 魂-闇に縛られた (Souls Bound to Darkness)》


 Episode 1: Night’s Resolve

    The Following Night:


    I gaze at Celestara¡¯s grandeur. Dreams embrace reality. Gothic spires impale night¡¯s heart. Lanterns burn below, mocking rest. Celestara praises twilight. Night claims my sanity. His agony carves new scars. Pain vertebrates bone and blood. Shadow swallows his face. Starlight bleeds into my cousins¡¯ eyes. Night strips pretense bare. Jolt¡¯s fingers snap, shattering silence, crafting charms for the next skirt. Lumia¡¯s blade drinks moonlight, hungry for dawn.


    ¡°Dreams feast long enough.¡¯ Blood-thirst colors Lumia¡¯s voice. Her fingers brand my shoulder. ¡®Time to act.¡¯ ¡®Divinity a blessing or curse, you¡¯re the latter, cousin.¡¯ Ice coats Jolt¡¯s words. ¡®Mystery or destruction - both paths have a cost.¡¯ Lumia¡¯s eyes gleam for risk and reward. Our legacy carves wounds. Duty calls. ¡®Secrets kill slow.¡¯ Frost edges Jolt¡¯s smile. ¡®Answers are beyond the castle.¡¯ Lumia paces the room. Their adventurousness feeds mine.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Thick as thieves we are. ¡®I prefer wine over blood,¡¯ he jests. ¡®We¡¯re sisters. We¡¯ll conquer the world,¡¯ she says. Their words warm me. ¡®Crystal Lake devours truth.¡¯ Lumia¡¯s voice cuts night. ¡®Pain demands recourse.¡¯ Jolt¡¯s words a promise. ¡®Paid by charm or force.¡¯ The lake feasts on memories. Ashes entomb secrets. Dreams drain sanity. Chains bind me to a damned boy. We¡¯ll be freed. I¡¯m coming. I swear it.

 Conspiracy Part One

    Episode: 2


    CONSPIRACY: PART ONE


    ¡°Moonlight claims my chamber. Lumia paces. A precursor to eruption.


    Jolt¡¯s fingers drum the wall. Eyes distant. Mind shackles thoughts?


    ¡®Your commoner friend.¡¯ Lumia¡¯s halts. ¡®The one you write to.¡¯


    ¡®Sky,¡¯ Her name, a spell paralyzing Jolt. ¡®The Red Velvet Lounge a veil hiding mysteries.¡¯


    ¡®Aloft with debauchery and scandal.¡¯ A smirk undermines his nobility. ¡®Alas, your ball and chain, Prince Ryuji, would object to such¡­ associations.¡¯


    The title drips with venom. My chest tightens, removing Jolt from sight.


    ¡®Prince Kitagawa is a man of virtue. A quality, dear cousin, you are bankrupt.¡¯ Lumia giggles beside me.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡®First Sky.¡¯ I move to Mother¡¯s writing desk.


    Soularium-candlelight dances across parchment. My fingers hesitate above blank space. She speaks in code, investing in discretion.


    My writing desk a gift from Mother. Engravings tell tales.


    My quill dips. Black secrets flow. Parchment becomes my confidant.


    Sky,


    The greater world calls, questions demand answers. Meet me at the white oak past the north gate in two days. Your fellowship steadies my course forward.


    ¡ªStella


    Royal wax seal duty. Jolt snatches the letter.


    ¡®I trust business will come before pleasure.¡¯ Words command his attention.


    ¡®I am a talented man. I will manage both.¡¯ His smile brightens. ¡®The Lounge suits confidentiality.¡¯


    Lumia smiles. ¡®Brother dear, remember no renting.¡¯  Hand grips his shoulder. ¡®I¡¯ll regale you with your reputation?¡¯


    ¡®One must appreciate art. When faces are painted beautifully.¡¯


    ¡®I waste breath on you.¡¯ Lumia¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡®Deliver the letter, fool.¡¯


    Footsteps fade. Chamber doors seal. Silence descends¡ª


    Air vanishes.


    Here?


    Shadows lunge.


    Fingers pierce the desk.


    Foreign agony floods veins. Heartbeats shatter rhythm. Vision blackens. Chair crashes.


    Stone bruises knees.


    Now?


    Magic dies. Vitality drains. Realities converge¡ªburning claims soul.


    Mother¡¯s desk anchors me. The chair accepts defeat. The silver bell tolls.


    Your Highness!¡¯ The maid rushes forward. ¡®You¡¯re white as death¡ª¡¯