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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAPGZFv5ZXVa
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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAMfOl0AAWGF
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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAAnk36cqiDh
"Ethan, are you okay?" Madelyn asked, breaking my wandering thoughts.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAFxRrEtDV7z
110Please respect copyright.PENANASBCLV73Yxn
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8YPDnLkOaL
I smiled at Madelyn, who walked beside me, and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
110Please respect copyright.PENANAvcalmIZVDT
Madelyn shook her head and let out a small laugh. "No need to apologize. Anyone would be overwhelmed by all of this information."
110Please respect copyright.PENANAuePR78rJ3E
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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANACK9muhu36b
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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANALmnA87Ogja
"Thanks, Madelyn," I exclaimed.
110Please respect copyright.PENANADZSUDmuPh4
Madelyn looked at me and grinned. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said with a giggle.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAz5jrr4IyA9
"For what?" I asked, puzzled.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAki6b5Mfnwa
"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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAcJpbPvom2N
I couldn't be sure, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAkqac0wNUpV
"I-I didn't do much," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
110Please respect copyright.PENANA3WxH0v0KLl
But Madelyn insisted, "You did. What you did meant so much to me... So thanks."
110Please respect copyright.PENANAIGswp8Nbj4
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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAbgkmmlj40R
I looked away, my cheeks also turning a faint shade of red, and said, "You're welcome."
110Please respect copyright.PENANATzUUV1cMIx
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?
110Please respect copyright.PENANAsV6eGOvIvd
"Look, Madelyn..." I began carefully, "I have to go home and explain things to my mom."
110Please respect copyright.PENANApWkLhr2giS
Madelyn stared at me with a look of pity and sadness that left me confused.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAqFRvTv7du5
"Ethan," she said, pity evident in her tone, "you can't go home anymore."
110Please respect copyright.PENANAtiCHBAhiTg
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking from the shock.
110Please respect copyright.PENANATHWyuxh2ag
"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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAEATWNBIg5u
"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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAQFIlChq1kL
"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."
110Please respect copyright.PENANAPRTBvbHREg
110Please respect copyright.PENANAxGV10JDNau
110Please respect copyright.PENANAtxgzobLHPC
"So you mean..." I began, struggling to grasp the gravity of what she was telling me.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAbbnV0gkRv4
"That demon knows who you are, he knows your face, and he probably recognizes the signature of your aura," Madelyn explained.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAQ60onrEKgY
"Going home isn't the best choice right now," she firmly stated.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAOhvvY8s9cK
The thought of never seeing my mom or sister again was almost too much to bear. But then, a realization struck me.
110Please respect copyright.PENANALuXDcJzIen
"Wait a minute," I said, my voice filled with a sudden realization.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAG5Th4nHktd
Madelyn looked at me with confusion. "What is it?"
110Please respect copyright.PENANAVNXKvWYrAD
"You said that a demon has the power to sense my aura?" I asked.
110Please respect copyright.PENANA6XFq0il6rl
"Yes," Madelyn replied, her eyes locked on mine.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAarncb0bmDn
"Then even if I stay here, there's no guarantee that my family will be safe, right?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8CCgk9gQbN
110Please respect copyright.PENANAMPYaUooPr7
110Please respect copyright.PENANApI7IHjatJM
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..."
110Please respect copyright.PENANAhfrvR2jvnn
"That what?" I asked, desperation in my voice.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAZsWKKpwnKc
"That your aura could possibly linger on those you love," Madelyn answered, and the words sent chills down my spine.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAkP1FztU71f
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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAP7jbdbBOaC
110Please respect copyright.PENANAyOuWAkECVo
110Please respect copyright.PENANAjVjn2hOpON
"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.
110Please respect copyright.PENANAJDLLfcTjXH
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns 172.69.58.80da2