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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmcLGpyL8P
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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AJBjxzLGG
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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ECDyZaHRR
"Ethan, are you okay?" Madelyn asked, breaking my wandering thoughts.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaP3EzkYNI
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y9plXI7OV
I smiled at Madelyn, who walked beside me, and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdqCcyNepi
Madelyn shook her head and let out a small laugh. "No need to apologize. Anyone would be overwhelmed by all of this information."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8W5vuRUVh
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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFC5nPsj3u
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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUMS2X5Ngq
"Thanks, Madelyn," I exclaimed.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGdeB2rVZH
Madelyn looked at me and grinned. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said with a giggle.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3FOZS9gLQ
"For what?" I asked, puzzled.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdg3X2MJcA
"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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCtcY6P28D
I couldn't be sure, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n38RaHaI0
"I-I didn't do much," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x73xKTV33
But Madelyn insisted, "You did. What you did meant so much to me... So thanks."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObHOV84ZS2
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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHZfeRAvj1
I looked away, my cheeks also turning a faint shade of red, and said, "You're welcome."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaWShbOKo0
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?
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquSOTlm1Gj
"Look, Madelyn..." I began carefully, "I have to go home and explain things to my mom."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jjom4N1w5
Madelyn stared at me with a look of pity and sadness that left me confused.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6d3VwZcqm
"Ethan," she said, pity evident in her tone, "you can't go home anymore."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WRDJixx6M
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking from the shock.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyNOXIWI05
"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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsk4jcu4lE
"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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm4RfPRNRD
"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."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IVsxbmwQM
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3bWDUYFYH
"So you mean..." I began, struggling to grasp the gravity of what she was telling me.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubaUDTEJ4L
"That demon knows who you are, he knows your face, and he probably recognizes the signature of your aura," Madelyn explained.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC1XScVHd8
"Going home isn't the best choice right now," she firmly stated.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcROzBEUQl
The thought of never seeing my mom or sister again was almost too much to bear. But then, a realization struck me.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFUfDhFTa7
"Wait a minute," I said, my voice filled with a sudden realization.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlPKnKN8hL
Madelyn looked at me with confusion. "What is it?"
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpq8zqmODv
"You said that a demon has the power to sense my aura?" I asked.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4jlG84Wef
"Yes," Madelyn replied, her eyes locked on mine.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5g95FgItD
"Then even if I stay here, there's no guarantee that my family will be safe, right?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Mhig1bQk
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXg1lAE0zx
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..."
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2xUQNhqOv
"That what?" I asked, desperation in my voice.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3orBMNQr4y
"That your aura could possibly linger on those you love," Madelyn answered, and the words sent chills down my spine.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zYBdiz2p0
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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSfhJbhn5a
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDy0L6vyVx
"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.
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyif692Jplq
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.176da2
