Scarlet Curse

The scent of lavender lingered in the air, mingling with the bittersweet silence of the room. Nanay Greta lay on her bed, her breaths shallow and uneven. Carmilla Kings sat by her side, her hands trembling as she held onto the woman who had raised her. "Nanay," Carmilla whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Don't leave me... I'm not ready to do this alone." Greta's frail hand reached up to brush Carmilla's cheek. "You're stronger than you think, my dear. You'll find your path, even without me. Promise me you'll keep moving forward." Carmilla nodded, though tears blurred her vision. "I promise. But I'll miss you every day." Greta smiled faintly. "And I'll always be with you, child. Go... find the life you were meant to live." The room grew quiet as Greta's breathing slowed, then stopped. Carmilla stayed by her side, gripping her hand long after the warmth had faded. The village gathered the next morning to bid farewell to Greta. She had been a wise and compassionate figure, and her passing left a palpable void. Carmilla stood apart from the others, her heart heavy as the final shovelful of dirt was placed over Greta's grave. That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Carmilla packed her belongings. Her satchel held only the essentials: a few clothes, the locket Greta had given her as a child, and a small pouch of coins. She slipped a knife into her boot for protection, then stood at the edge of the village, her heart aching with both grief and uncertainty. "I'll make you proud, Nanay," she murmured, wiping away a tear. "I'll find my place in the world." The journey to the next village was long and uneventful at first. Carmilla walked through dense forests and rocky trails, her footsteps the only sound breaking the silence. But as she neared the bustling outskirts of a new village, she noticed a shift in the atmosphere. The streets were lively, filled with the shouts of vendors and the laughter of children, yet there was an undercurrent of tension. People glanced over their shoulders, their smiles strained. Carmilla approached a fruit vendor with a friendly smile. "Good afternoon. Do you have apples?" The man nodded eagerly. "Fresh ones, miss. Just picked this morning." He handed her a bright red apple. "Thank you," Carmilla said, handing him a coin. The vendor squinted at her. "You're not from around here, are you?" "No," she replied, keeping her voice casual. "I'm just passing through." "Ah, well, welcome to the outskirts of Thylonos," the man said. His grin faltered slightly. "It's a grand empire, but... watch yourself. Strange things happen here." Carmilla's brow furrowed, but she nodded politely and moved on. She wandered through the village, taking in the sights and sounds, when she noticed a young woman in an elegant cloak standing near the well. Something about her seemed out of place. The woman caught Carmilla's eye and smiled. "You're not from here, are you?" she asked, her tone light and curious. Carmilla hesitated. "No, I'm just traveling." The woman stepped closer, her movements graceful yet deliberate. "You don't look like most travelers I've seen. Where are you headed?" "Thylonos," Carmilla replied cautiously. "I've heard it's a place where people can start fresh." The woman's smile widened. "It is, in a way. But it's also a place with many secrets. You'd do well to be careful." Carmilla tilted her head, studying the woman. Her refined features and confident demeanor didn't match the humble surroundings of the village. "Who are you?" The woman glanced around before leaning in slightly. "Call me Amber. I'm... visiting." "Visiting?" Carmilla repeated, raising an eyebrow. Amber chuckled softly. "Let's just say I needed a break from my usual surroundings. And you seemed like someone worth meeting." Carmilla wasn't sure what to make of Amber, but there was something oddly comforting about her presence. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Amber. I'm Carmilla." "Carmilla," Amber repeated, her eyes flickering with recognition for a brief moment before she smiled again. "A beautiful name. Tell me, what brings you to Thylonos?" Carmilla hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I'm looking for a new start. I... lost someone important to me, and I needed to leave my village." Amber's expression softened. "I'm sorry for your loss. Starting fresh isn't easy, but it's brave." The two continued talking as they walked through the village. Carmilla found herself opening up more than she expected, and Amber listened with genuine interest. As the evening approached, the villagers began to retreat into their homes, leaving the streets eerily quiet. Amber led Carmilla to a small inn near the edge of the village. "You'll be safe here for the night," Amber said. "You're not staying?" Carmilla asked, surprised. Amber smiled enigmatically. "I have my own arrangements. But don't worry—we'll see each other again." Before Carmilla could respond, Amber disappeared into the shadows, leaving her with more questions than answers. The innkeeper, an elderly woman with sharp eyes, greeted Carmilla warmly and handed her a key. "Room's upstairs. Dinner's at sunset in the common room." Carmilla thanked her and climbed the narrow stairs to her room. It was small but clean, with a single bed and a window that overlooked the quiet street. She set down her belongings and sat by the window, her thoughts racing. Who was Amber, really? And why had she taken such an interest in Carmilla? The next morning, Carmilla set out early, her destination clear in her mind. As she followed the road toward the heart of Thylonos, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching her. When she reached the edge of a clearing, she stopped in awe. The grand silhouette of Thylonos rose before her, its towering walls gleaming in the sunlight. It was a sight unlike anything she had ever imagined. For a brief moment, hope flickered in her chest. Perhaps this was where she could finally start over. But as she took her first step toward the empire, a chill ran down her spine. Amber's words echoed in her mind: "Thylonos is a place with many secrets. Be careful." Carmilla gripped the handle of her knife tightly, whispering to herself, "You can do this. Just keep moving." Unbeknownst to her, Amber had not left the village after all. Hidden in the shadows, she watched Carmilla's departure with a pensive expression. "Interesting creature with an addicting scent," Amber murmured to herself. "She has no idea what lies ahead," She smirked. With that, Amber turned and disappeared into the forest, her destination clear: the heart of Thylonos.