Madelyn and I had just left her grandfather's study, and as we wandered through her expansive house, I couldn't help but feel awestruck. If my mind weren't so preoccupied with the impending sense of doom, I would have been truly amazed.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUdPT7xWWZ
Madelyn took the time to show me around her enormous home, and I got a glimpse of countless rooms and bathrooms. We even stumbled upon a colossal hot tub room and a well-equipped training room filled with weights. Nearby, there was a room set up like a martial arts studio, perfect for combat training. As we strolled through the halls, I noticed maids and servants bustling about in various attire, each focused on their respective tasks.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4KrwCDT8H
I had seen so much, and yet there was still so much left to explore. Madelyn was meticulously detailing every part of her home, but my attention kept wandering.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0DamnXF49
"Ethan, are you okay?" Madelyn asked, breaking my wandering thoughts.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanqaGXtoNu
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEl3dgfcHY
I smiled at Madelyn, who walked beside me, and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBc49gV3CF
Madelyn shook her head and let out a small laugh. "No need to apologize. Anyone would be overwhelmed by all of this information."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLVeX4e13r
She placed her right hand on my left shoulder and reassured me, "But always remember, you can ask me for help in navigating all of this." Madelyn's comforting presence offered some solace amidst the chaos.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOldyBIaYc
Hearing Madelyn say those words made me feel like a superhero, and newfound strength seemed to surge through me, from my head down to my toes. My heart raced, and I couldn't help but feel a burst of joy.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlcPzRD9oo
"Thanks, Madelyn," I exclaimed.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksqDRItw9j
Madelyn looked at me and grinned. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said with a giggle.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3U3QjR9KK
"For what?" I asked, puzzled.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xshyjYfDj
"You're the first person to stand up to my grandfather on my behalf," Madelyn said softly. I couldn't help but blush, realizing that I'd unintentionally earned some brownie points for bravery.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt0vfC5YIV
I couldn't be sure, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCDfnO5j4Q
"I-I didn't do much," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMCEhO0CmD
But Madelyn insisted, "You did. What you did meant so much to me... So thanks."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuQxlTcDgs
The girl I had been daydreaming about for so long was standing right in front of me, smiling, and thanking me. It would've been the best day of my life if today hadn't been so incredibly insane.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPfbe4Kuv5
I looked away, my cheeks also turning a faint shade of red, and said, "You're welcome."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T9h19cjmB
As I felt a new sense of vigor and excitement, I thought, "Maybe everything was going to be alright. I mean, I did get to live with the girl of my dreams, right?" But as I contemplated all these possibilities, my thoughts eventually turned to my mother and my sister. What would they think about all of this?
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtl89KlRW2
"Look, Madelyn..." I began carefully, "I have to go home and explain things to my mom."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nbr232xQb
Madelyn stared at me with a look of pity and sadness that left me confused.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ7uRILxsK
"Ethan," she said, pity evident in her tone, "you can't go home anymore."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTapKeZb2vy
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking from the shock.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCS769HJuB
"Regular pillars don't usually have to face this because they belong to one of the 72 houses. They and everyone in their families are raised as warriors," Madelyn explained with care.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDESBTe3mc
"As you know, pillars like you and me release a powerful dark aura around ourselves," she continued, her words opening a new chapter of confusion and uncertainty in my life.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd4DV1ZhBd
"This aura doesn't only mark us as pillars; it also makes us targets," Madelyn's tone grew more serious. "Demons have the power to sense the darkness that surrounds us, and in doing so, they put us and anyone near us in danger."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEP0Meke7U
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JRGd8qfRE
"So you mean..." I began, struggling to grasp the gravity of what she was telling me.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu0IDfoOYh
"That demon knows who you are, he knows your face, and he probably recognizes the signature of your aura," Madelyn explained.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZJewlh2CC
"Going home isn't the best choice right now," she firmly stated.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTEiAVmf7R
The thought of never seeing my mom or sister again was almost too much to bear. But then, a realization struck me.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftZNyVkVti
"Wait a minute," I said, my voice filled with a sudden realization.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT35pEIFPlb
Madelyn looked at me with confusion. "What is it?"
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9NrpFJJIJ
"You said that a demon has the power to sense my aura?" I asked.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtjOs9FwXs
"Yes," Madelyn replied, her eyes locked on mine.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yZjfn13Dc
"Then even if I stay here, there's no guarantee that my family will be safe, right?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkfum1vPz2
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzKkVrSbTG
Madelyn appeared lost in thought as she pondered my question. She eventually spoke up, "I'm afraid that's true, Ethan. Your aura is very strong, and you've been around and lived with your family for so long that..."
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSnDHk3mfM
"That what?" I asked, desperation in my voice.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYfuTHISg3
"That your aura could possibly linger on those you love," Madelyn answered, and the words sent chills down my spine.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1rZufMNgz
Without a moment's hesitation, I bolted toward what I hoped was the exit of the massive house. I needed to get home. I needed to ensure my family's safety.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpExIcEWLi9
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Sjdt9EFu
"Ethan, wait!" I heard Madelyn's voice, screaming from behind, but I couldn't stop. I couldn't leave my family behind, not when their lives might be at stake.
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwj7ylWOzA
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.60da2
