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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAPWED0rEQ
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGkWNqO9My
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPhnH03WaF
"Ethan, are you okay?" Madelyn asked, breaking my wandering thoughts.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEcOASszpL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSPCWIARWS
I smiled at Madelyn, who walked beside me, and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGLmlsMZBv
Madelyn shook her head and let out a small laugh. "No need to apologize. Anyone would be overwhelmed by all of this information."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1iHkkjz1R
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG7nlgcGUa
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW59gTcmwXG
"Thanks, Madelyn," I exclaimed.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL5Xxhgad0
Madelyn looked at me and grinned. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said with a giggle.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmrDXeUbAx
"For what?" I asked, puzzled.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLYnWxituS
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMD80imH2M
I couldn't be sure, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP30HJ6qI1W
"I-I didn't do much," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh1F7gWg5O
But Madelyn insisted, "You did. What you did meant so much to me... So thanks."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kU4BhJlrI
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaHUFTtrhp
I looked away, my cheeks also turning a faint shade of red, and said, "You're welcome."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffwhwhgAd1
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?
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNOROINRqa
"Look, Madelyn..." I began carefully, "I have to go home and explain things to my mom."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDLKxZrTTE
Madelyn stared at me with a look of pity and sadness that left me confused.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS7yGZmUBX
"Ethan," she said, pity evident in her tone, "you can't go home anymore."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CqkWViEaS
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking from the shock.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo0nrBTW7W
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3lYSWW8nZ
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINBptLtbPt
"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."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKaLIJVjwg
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjspPHgBTPi
"So you mean..." I began, struggling to grasp the gravity of what she was telling me.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfadxTdPNA
"That demon knows who you are, he knows your face, and he probably recognizes the signature of your aura," Madelyn explained.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4CQnUB9p2
"Going home isn't the best choice right now," she firmly stated.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiBPHXj7ld
The thought of never seeing my mom or sister again was almost too much to bear. But then, a realization struck me.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwqvpINyqx
"Wait a minute," I said, my voice filled with a sudden realization.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzmwJZZXNh
Madelyn looked at me with confusion. "What is it?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSi6o9qkvQ
"You said that a demon has the power to sense my aura?" I asked.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CHyemSDXh
"Yes," Madelyn replied, her eyes locked on mine.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpK8DuYGsW
"Then even if I stay here, there's no guarantee that my family will be safe, right?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6EcE4hfG5
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QeXPEPNHc
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..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNleLkBi2Ur
"That what?" I asked, desperation in my voice.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsoha6xcYQ
"That your aura could possibly linger on those you love," Madelyn answered, and the words sent chills down my spine.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnX8QtsFGc
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiPf5TmeHk
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaujCHBd3Zb
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAoodLplmb
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.203da2
