Elena snapped out of her daze under the bathwater to Zill’s urgent voice:

  "Elena, they’ve found us. You must move now. They’re coming soon... and nothing limits their speed."

  Elena stepped out of the tub, her eyes wide with terror. "Who found us?" she asked.

  "Tibar," Zill answered, her tone laced with dread. "The most dangerous creature in all the universes. He has searched for you for twenty years. He couldn't track you before because your scent was no different from any other human's. But now, after reclaiming two of your Marks and nearing the third, your scent has changed. That is what made it easy for him to pinpoint your location. Your body is preparing to receive the final Mark, and that has made hiding your scent impossible."

  Zill screamed in panic, "Elena, hurry!"

  Elena’s eyes widened, her voice trembling. "Why me? What do they want from me?"

  "For one reason only," Zill replied sternly. "To eliminate you." Then she screamed again, "Move! No time for questions!"

  Zill’s voice whispered in Elena’s shaking ear, cutting through the thick steam filling the bathroom. Her hand shook as she pushed the glass shower door open. Water droplets slid down her cold skin while her chest heaved with ragged, panicked breaths. She grabbed a towel in haste and wrapped it around her wet body, but she felt no warmth; the chill came from within.

  She stood for a moment, bare feet on the cold tiles, her heart hammering like war drums on the verge of exploding. She looked at her reflection in the mirror—eyes dilated with terror, lips trembling for air. The fear consuming Zill had reached her; after all, they were one entity.

  "Zill, what do I do now?" Elena asked, her voice cracking.

  The answer came cold and deep from within her, attempting to soothe her while carrying a stark warning: "Run, Elena. No time for questions."

  A shiver ran down her spine. "Why must I die? Why me? What did I do?"

  "Because," Zill answered, "you are the Prophecy."

  Elena lowered her head, placing both hands on her chest to steady her breathing. "Zill, show me what scares you. I can’t handle this terror you’re passing to me... it’s killing me."

  She squeezed her eyes shut, and the vision flooded her.

  It was as if she were flying through thick smoke. Suddenly, she stood before a scene she had never witnessed: a strange place with twisted walls that seemed formed from the ashes of time. Seven figures stood there—not quite human, but a blend of shadow and mystery, prowling through the gloom as if born from it. They wore black garments that merged so perfectly with the void that the eye could barely tell fabric from air.

  Their faces were the most terrifying part; their eyes were cold, devoid of expression. A single look from them could kill; in their eyes was a bottomless, horrific vacuum that swallowed anyone who dared look. Thick black smoke billowed from their bodies as if their very souls were exhaling it. It was clear they belonged nowhere; their existence in these universes was a mistake... a sin.

  They surrounded a massive stone throne that looked like a charred tree trunk, engraved with symbols Elena couldn't decipher. Seated upon it was a man who didn't quite look like the others—he was far more terrifying. He was tall, his body covered in black marks that pulsed like living veins, smoke coiling slowly around him.

  He lifted his head slightly, tilting it with a lethal pride, his cold gaze dripping with contempt for all worlds. One of the Seven stepped forward and bowed deeply, speaking in a low voice laden with threat: "Great King Tibar, King of Great Asumia... today, victory draws near. Her location has been found."

  A slow smile crept across Tibar’s lips—so slow it was impossible to tell if it meant triumph or indifference. Then he spoke in a low voice that pierced Elena’s soul as she watched like a ghost from the future: "Bring her to me."

  Elena’s breath hitched. Despite knowing she was watching the past, she felt as if he were looking directly at her. Her body froze; her breath vanished. He wasn't staring into a void; he was looking at her, as if distance, time, and dimensions no longer mattered—as if his sight had pierced the future to find her.

  Elena gasped and threw her eyes open. She was back in the reality of the bathroom, but the horror remained. Her breathing was shallow, her chest heaving wildly. She felt as if her safety had been ripped out from inside her, as if she were no longer alone in the room.

  Now she understood Zill’s fear. She moved quickly, dressing with trembling hands. Zill’s voice returned, this time with a blunt warning: "Elena, leave nothing behind that carries your scent. It will make you easier to find. Take everything with you."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Ryo was lying on his bed, feeling relaxed after a long day of skiing and exploring the city... but that peace didn't last.

  Suddenly, his door burst open. Elena appeared, breathless and pale as if she had seen a ghost. Ryo stood up immediately, noting her shaking hands and the extraordinary fear in her eyes.

  He approached her, his voice full of concern. "Elena, what’s wrong?"

  She didn't answer immediately. She looked deep into his eyes as if searching for something, then took a deep breath and said in a low, firm voice: "Ryo, do you trust me?"

  Ryo froze for a second. This wasn't a normal question; she was asking as if inviting him to jump into the unknown with her. A sharp pang of anxiety hit his chest, but he answered with certainty: "Of course, Elena. I trust you... but why the sudden question?"

  "No time to explain," Elena said, her tone urgent. "Just pack your things, quickly."

  Though Ryo’s mind was screaming with questions, his body moved before he could think. He began packing without argument while Elena moved through the room like she was racing time. She opened Ryo’s closet and grabbed his bag; luckily, he hadn't fully unpacked. She gathered all the clothes—his and hers—leaving nothing behind, not even a candle or her birthday cake. She took it all.

  Then she told Ryo to go to his bathroom, turn on the hot water, empty the shampoo bottle into the sink, and light several scented candles. She did the same in her bathroom. Soon, the scent of mint and lavender filled the air. She grabbed an air freshener and began spraying it relentlessly.

  Ryo stood silent, watching her in bewilderment, but he didn't utter a word. Elena suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him out without warning. They ran through the long hotel corridors. Ryo carried both bags in one hand and gripped Elena’s hand with the other. Elena held him tightly, her other hand still pressing the nozzle of the air freshener, releasing the scent of white roses.

  Ryo had no choice but to follow, even though every cell in his body demanded an explanation. Some hotel guests watched them in the hallways with curious smiles, as if witnessing two lovers running away together—unaware that the reality was far grimmer.

  They left the hotel and got into the car. Elena closed all the windows and finally stopped spraying the scent. Ryo was still in shock, but he started the engine without a word.

  As the car moved through the empty streets, Elena wasn't looking ahead; her eyes were fixed on the side mirror. Every few seconds, she turned back as if expecting to see something monstrous chasing them.

  Ryo didn't need an explanation; he knew her too well. He could tell when she was afraid and when she was truly terrified. This was only the second time in his life he had seen her like this: the first was at Mount Hua in China, and the second was happening now.

  "Elena, where are we going?" he asked gently, trying to calm her.

  Elena was fighting her fear—the fear of the shadows of darkness reaching her at any moment, and another fear: that she might vanish before seeing her mother. She knew this time was different; she was heading toward the unknown. The weight inside her was exhausting, but she endured it for those she loved.

  "Home, Ryo," she answered softly, her voice trembling. "I want to see my mother."

  Her answer wasn't convincing, but he didn't press her further.

  Inside her, another dialogue was unfolding—a silent one.

  Elena: "Zill, have they arrived?"

  Zill: "Elena, they are at the hotel now. The scent of shampoo and freshener is everywhere, but it won't be enough. They will realize the truth soon."

  Elena gripped the car door handle with a shaking hand, racing time against the mounting dread. Finally, they reached the house. Elena nearly jumped out before the car had fully stopped. She ran toward the door, Ryo following close behind.

  She hesitated for a moment, then turned to him. "Stay calm. I don't want my mother to notice anything."

  She opened the door quietly. The house was warm as usual, smelling of coffee and jasmine. Their mother appeared from the kitchen holding a mug, looking at Elena in surprise. "Elena? Why are you back so soon?"

  Elena didn't answer. Instead, she stepped forward and hugged her mother tightly—tighter than usual—as if trying to cling to this feeling forever. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and whispered with love and gratitude: "You know, Mom... you have the most beautiful scent in the world."

  Her mother laughed and patted her back, smiling warmly. "What’s wrong, sweetheart? Do you need something?"

  "No, Mom," Elena replied exhaustedly. "You know how tired I get during my period, so I came back."

  "That’s fine, dear," her mother, Rosie, replied. "Go upstairs, take a painkiller, and rest."

  Elena took Ryo’s hand and said quietly, "Come with me, Ryo. There’s something I want to show you."

  They climbed the stairs slowly. Her room was exactly as she had left it: the neatly made bed with its brown and yellow quilt, the wooden desk, and walls decorated with narcissus patterns. Everything was etched into her memory, but now it felt as if she were seeing it for the last time.

  She sat on the bed and motioned for Ryo to sit in the chair opposite her. He was still waiting for answers, but he felt the moment of truth had arrived. She took his hands and looked deep into his eyes as she never had before, then whispered: "Zill, where are they now?"

  Ryo stood up, shocked. "Who are you talking to?"

  Zill: "Elena, you will be pulled in three seconds. I think we’ve succeeded for now; they haven't tracked your path yet."

  "Ryo, I promise," Elena whispered, her voice incredibly faint. "When I return, I’ll tell you everything. But if I don't... promise me you won't be sad."

  He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say a word, he noticed something strange: her edges began to fade, slowly turning into something invisible. His eyes widened, his heart racing. He lunged from the chair, reaching out for her, but he couldn't touch her.

  "What’s happening?" he asked, his voice shaking and his eyes tearing up.

  Elena placed a finger to her lips and whispered with a sad smile, "I’ll do everything I can to come back."

  Zill’s voice announced: "The Shadows of Darkness are at the door."

  But Elena vanished completely a moment before they entered.

  It was a narrow escape. Expressions of disappointment and fear appeared on their faces—fear of Tibar’s wrath, a king who showed no mercy even for the smallest mistakes. How would he react to their failure to capture the Prophecy?

  In an instant, they all vanished from the front of th

  e house, carrying the heavy weight of their failure with them.

  ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???. ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?????. ????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???.

  ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????. ?? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??????

  ????? ??? ??? ???????.