Darkside

DK 4

After leaving the mall, Ava and Talia returned to her room. They unpacked the glowing bags, arranging new clothes and accessories neatly into drawers and closets that hummed faintly with light.

That night, Ava couldn’t sleep. Every time she shut her eyes, she saw them—those dark, bottomless eyes boring into her as though he already knew her. She didn’t know his name, but one thing was certain: that man wasn’t simple. There was more to him than met the eye.

When sleep finally claimed her, it came with a strange dream. She was back outside her old apartment, but everything was unnaturally still, like a paused film. Footsteps echoed behind her, yet when she spun, no one was there. Then shadows began to move across the street—long, thin, whispering her name over and over until the sound rose into a hiss—

A loud knocking jerked her awake. Heart hammering, she swung out of bed and stumbled to the door. When she opened it, Talia stood there, her usually bright smile replaced with a furrowed, worried expression.

“Ava, are you okay?” she asked, voice low and concerned.

“Yeah… why do you ask?” Ava rubbed her eyes, trying to brush away both fatigue and the fading echoes of her dream.

Talia crossed her arms. “Well, for one, I heard you whimpering through the walls. And two—” she gestured toward Ava with a small frown, “—your glow looks dull. Pale. That doesn’t just happen for no reason.”

“Well, I guess I had a nightmare,” Ava said in a tired voice, forcing a shrug. “Most likely because of the new environment.”

Talia didn’t look convinced. Her eyes lingered on Ava’s pale glow, as if reading something beyond words. Then she sighed softly.

“Nightmares happen. Especially here. But if it happens again, you need to tell me, okay? The Dark Side has… ways of listening when you dream.”

Ava blinked at her. “What do you mean, listening?”

Talia just shook her head, stepping back from the doorway. “Not tonight. You’re exhausted. Get some rest, and I’ll explain in the morning.”

And with that, she slipped away, leaving Ava standing in the doorway, her heart thudding harder than before.

The next morning, Ava woke feeling strangely refreshed. At some point in the night, exhaustion had swallowed her whole, and she’d finally managed a few hours of real sleep. When she sat up, she noticed it immediately—her glow. Soft, steady, no longer dim and pale.

She slipped into the bathroom, where water trickled from a basin that seemed carved straight from light itself. It shimmered like liquid glass, cool against her skin as she splashed it over her face. Ava shivered, half-wondering if it was cleansing her or erasing her, but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came.

Back in her room, she opened the wardrobe. All white. Of course. After a moment of indecision, she chose a flowing sundress, a shawl light as air, and platform sandals that made her feel just a little taller, a little stronger.

When she was ready, she perched on the edge of her bed, fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress. She waited, knowing Talia would arrive soon—because Talia always did.

Soon, Talia arrived, holding a sleek, glowing watch in her hand. Without asking, she took Ava’s wrist and strapped it on.

Ava blinked down at it, utterly confused. “Uh… what’s this supposed to be?”

Talia grinned at her expression. “It’s an Eclipse Band.”

“An Eclipse what?!” Ava repeated, staring at the strange device like it might bite her.

“An Eclipse Band,” Talia said patiently, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “It’s your communication link. Think of it like… a phone, a calendar, and a survival kit, all in one.” She tapped the watch, and with a soft hum, a holographic screen shimmered to life, icons floating in the air.

Ava’s jaw dropped. “No way.”

“Way,” Talia said smugly, swiping through the display as if showing off a new toy. “Here—you’ll need my details.” She held up her own wrist, and with a flick of her hand, a glowing code appeared. Ava’s band scanned it instantly, syncing with a faint chime.

“There. Now we’re connected. If you ever need me—shopping buddy, tour guide, or emergency ghostbuster—just tap this icon.”

Ava raised a brow. “Ghostbuster?”

Talia only winked before straightening. “Now that we’re done with that, let’s get some food from Moonshade Café.”

“Moonshade… Café?” Ava repeated, the name rolling oddly on her tongue.

“Best coffee this side of eternity,” Talia declared with mock solemnity, already tugging her toward the door. “Trust me, it’ll put Earth’s Starbucks to shame.”

Ava gave her a skeptical look but let herself be pulled along, her new Eclipse Band humming faintly against her wrist—as if it already knew where they were going.

The walk to Moonshade Café was shorter than Ava expected. Nestled between two towering marble buildings, it looked almost ordinary—until she noticed the way the sign shimmered as if written in moonlight, letters rearranging themselves whenever she glanced away.

Inside, the café was warm, glowing faintly like twilight frozen in glass. Lanterns dangled from the ceiling, filled not with candles but with small motes of silver light that drifted lazily like fireflies. The air smelled of roasted beans, but there was something sharper beneath it—like ozone after a thunderstorm.

Ava trailed behind Talia, scanning the crowd. Everyone wore the same pale shades of white, but their faces told different stories—some laughing, some hollow-eyed, some so still they looked like statues. And yet they all sipped from cups of steaming, glowing liquid as if this were just another afternoon coffee run.

Talia waved her over to the counter. “Pick your poison, newbie.”

Ava stared at the menu board, her eyes widening. Moonmilk Latte. Eclipse Roast. Phantom Brew. Shadow Chai. She turned to Talia. “These sound less like drinks and more like… incantations.”

Talia grinned. “That’s because they are. Mild ones. Relax—this isn’t the kind of place that’ll curse you. Probably.”

Ava wasn’t reassured. Still, her curiosity itched. “What’s the least… death-y thing on here?”

“Moonmilk Latte,” Talia said without hesitation. “Comfort in a cup. Like drinking warm starlight.”

Ava sighed. “Fine. One Moonmilk Latte. But if it whispers my name, I’m never touching Darkside coffee again.”

The barista, a tall man with glowing silver eyes, smirked knowingly as he scribbled something on a cup that already shimmered with faint light.

They slid onto the stools at the counter, the polished surface cool beneath Ava’s hands. Louis, the silver-eyed barista, leaned casually against the espresso machine, his glow dimmer than most but his smile steady.

“So,” Louis said, wiping down a mug with a cloth that shimmered faintly like starlight, “first time at Moonshade?”

Ava nodded, still trying not to stare at the way his pupils flickered like liquid mercury. “Is it that obvious?”

Louis chuckled, a deep, easy sound. “New glow always gives it away. You’ve got that half-dazed, half-terrified look. Don’t worry—you’ll adjust.”

Talia leaned her elbows on the counter, grinning. “Told you this place was the best. Louis here practically runs the Darkside’s caffeine economy.”

Louis gave a mock bow. “Flattery gets you extra foam, Talia.” His gaze flicked to Ava, sharp for just a second. “You’re different though.”

Ava stiffened. “Different how?”

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing as though peering through her rather than at her. Then, with a sudden smile, he shrugged it off. “Never mind. Moonmilk’s almost ready.”

The hiss of the machine filled the silence, but Ava couldn’t shake the chill running down her spine. Different. The word echoed in her head.

After they finished their breakfast, Talia—predictably—hooked her arm through Ava’s and dragged her out of Moonshade Café before she could even savor the last sip of her latte.

They walked until the streets of glowing shops and cafés gave way to something entirely different. Ava stopped short when she realized where they were.

A wide, open courtyard stretched out before her, ringed with tall, silver pillars. The air buzzed with energy, vibrating faintly in her bones. On the ground, glowing lines formed a grid, marking off sparring zones. Dozens of figures moved across the space, each one dressed in crisp white combat attire—tunics, boots, and belts that shimmered faintly with runes.

Some sparred with gleaming blades that flickered like condensed moonlight. Others trained barehanded, their punches leaving ripples in the air. Ava’s breath caught when she saw one woman fling her hand forward, releasing a wave of shadow that cracked the ground like lightning.

“This…” Ava whispered, “this looks like a boot camp for angels. Or… whatever you people are.”

Talia smirked. “Close enough. It’s the training ground. Everyone here learns how to handle themselves—especially with the Rogue Soul Reapers getting bold.”

“Reapers?” Ava repeated, her stomach twisting.

Talia gave a short nod. “The same kind of thing that dragged you out of your body. These people?” She gestured toward the sparring fighters. “They’re Soul Wardens. Their job is to protect souls like yours from being hunted.”

Ava stared at the fighters, a strange unease curling through her chest. Because for the first time since she’d arrived, she realized something terrifying:

The Darkside wasn’t just a waiting room. It was a battlefield.