THE GAME HAS BEGIN
524 Words
The city buzzed with laughter below.
Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze as music drifted through the streets. The festival continued as though nothing unusual had happened.
High above it all, a lone figure stood motionless on the rooftop.
His black coat fluttered softly in the wind.
From beneath the shadow of his hood, crimson eyes remained fixed on the young woman disappearing into the crowd.
Octavia.
She had looked directly at him.
For only a second.
Yet something in her eyes had changed.
She had felt his presence.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips before disappearing as quickly as it had come.
Behind him, footsteps echoed across the roof.
"They've found her."
The newcomer stopped several feet away, careful not to step too close.
He didn't answer.
His gaze never left the crowded street below.
"The Council knows she's in Eldoria."
Silence.
"They'll move sooner than we expected."
The wind howled between the buildings.
He slowly lowered his eyes.
His gloved fingers tightened around the cold stone railing.
"Orders?" the man finally asked.
He remained quiet.
Several moments passed before he spoke.
"Watch."
Just one word.
Low.
Calm.
Commanding.
The man immediately lowered his head.
"As you wish."
Without another sound, he vanished into the darkness.
He stayed where he was.
His thoughts drifted to the frightened expression on Octavia's face.
She had no idea why she recognised him despite she could not see his face.
No idea why every dream brought them together.
No idea why fate refused to let their paths separate.
He reached beneath his coat and pulled out an old silver pendant.
A crescent moon embracing a rose.
Its surface was worn with age.
His thumb brushed over it gently.
For the first time in centuries...
Hope flickered inside him.
He closed his hand around the pendant.
"Not yet."
The words were almost lost to the wind.
Then, with unnatural speed, he stepped backwards.
His body dissolved into the darkness, leaving the rooftop empty.
Meanwhile, Octavia finally caught up with Aurora.
"There you are!" Aurora exclaimed, grabbing her arm. "I was about to organise a search party."
Octavia forced a small laugh.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't look okay."
"I'm just tired."
Aurora studied her for a moment but decided not to press further.
"Come on," she said brightly. "The others are waiting."
As they walked through the lively streets, Aurora chatted excitedly about the festival.
Octavia barely heard a word.
Her mind replayed the encounter over and over.
The hooded man.
The way he stood.
The strange feeling that washed over her when their eyes almost met.
And that scent...
Rain and pine.
It lingered in the air long after he had disappeared.
She had smelled it before.
Not here.
In her dreams.
Octavia shivered.
"Cold?" Aurora asked.
"A little."
Aurora smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"It'll be warmer once we get back."
Octavia nodded, but her eyes wandered toward the rooftops one last time.
Empty.
Or so she thought.
Far above, hidden within the darkness of an ancient clock tower, a pair of crimson eyes watched her leave.
Waiting.
Patiently.
- Writer
