CRIMSON VOW

THE ONE THAT SPEAKS

“…found you.”

The voice didn’t echo.

It didn’t distort like the others had.

It was clear.

Too clear.

Liora’s grip tightened around the blade, her pulse pounding in her ears. The figure stepped further into the dim light, its form sharper than the creatures before—less broken, more controlled.

More aware.

Adrian moved slightly in front of her, his body tensing.

“That shouldn’t be here,” he said under his breath.

“Yeah,” Liora whispered, not taking her eyes off it. “You’ve said that before, and somehow it keeps happening.”

The creature tilted its head slowly, studying her.

Not attacking.

Watching.

“…you changed,” it said, its voice low but steady.

A chill ran down her spine.

“I don’t like that it can talk,” she muttered.

“You shouldn’t,” Adrian replied.

The creature took another step forward.

No rush.

No aggression.

Just intention.

“You shouldn’t be able to speak,” Adrian said, his voice colder now. “Who sent you?”

A faint, unnatural smile stretched across the creature’s face.

“…you know who.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened.

That was answer enough.

Liora’s stomach dropped. “Who is that supposed to mean?”

Neither of them responded.

The creature’s gaze never left her.

“…come,” it said softly.

“Not happening,” Adrian snapped.

The creature didn’t react to his tone. Instead, it lifted a hand slightly—slow, deliberate.

Liora felt it instantly.

That pull.

Stronger than before.

Her body tensed, her breath catching as something inside her responded.

Like it recognized the call.

“Don’t,” Adrian said sharply.

She blinked, shaking her head slightly. “I’m not— I’m not trying to—”

“…you belong—”

“Stop talking,” Adrian cut in, his voice dangerous now.

The creature’s eyes flickered briefly toward him.

Then back to her.

“…not with him.”

Something about those words hit differently.

Liora frowned slightly. “What does that mean?”

“You don’t listen to it,” Adrian said.

“I’m asking you,” she shot back.

But he didn’t answer.

The creature took another step closer.

And this time—

Adrian moved first.

Fast.

He crossed the distance in a second, striking the creature with force that should’ve ended it instantly.

But it didn’t.

The creature barely stumbled.

Liora’s eyes widened. “That’s new.”

Adrian didn’t respond. His movements were sharper now, more aggressive as he struck again.

The creature blocked him.

Blocked him.

That had never happened before.

A shock of realization hit Liora.

“This one’s different.”

“Yes,” Adrian said, his voice tight.

“Then maybe attacking it head-on isn’t the best idea,” she added quickly.

Too late.

The creature retaliated, its movement fast—almost matching his.

They clashed again, the impact echoing through the hall.

Liora stepped back instinctively, her mind racing.

Think.

Think.

The pull inside her flared again, stronger this time as the creature glanced at her mid-fight.

“…you feel it…”

Her breath caught.

Because she did.

That same heat.

That same power stirring under her skin.

But this time—

It wasn’t just reacting.

It was responding.

“Liora!” Adrian’s voice snapped her out of it.

She looked up just in time to see the creature break away from him—

And lunge straight at her.

Too fast.

Too sudden.

Her body reacted before her mind could.

The world slowed.

Her vision sharpened.

She saw the movement—every detail, every shift.

And instead of stepping back—

She stepped forward.

The blade in her hand moved instinctively.

Precise.

Controlled.

It struck deeper than before.

The creature froze mid-motion.

A sound escaped it—not a growl, not a snarl—

Something almost human.

Its glowing eyes flickered as it looked at her one last time.

“…awake…”

Then—

It collapsed.

Gone.

Silence fell again.

Liora stood still, her chest rising and falling quickly as the moment snapped back to normal.

Adrian was beside her instantly.

“You moved before it struck,” he said, his voice low, intense.

Liora swallowed. “I didn’t think. I just—did it.”

“That’s the problem.”

Her eyes snapped to his. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not reacting anymore,” he said. “You’re anticipating.”

The weight of that settled in.

Heavy.

Unavoidable.

Liora looked down at the blade in her hand.

Then back at where the creature had been.

“…it said I’m awake,” she said quietly.

Adrian didn’t respond immediately.

And that silence—

Said everything.

Liora’s chest tightened.

“What does that mean?”

This time, when he looked at her—

There was no hesitation.

“It means,” he said, his voice darker now, “they’re not the only ones looking for you anymore.”

A chill ran through her.

“Then who else is?”

Adrian held her gaze.

And for the first time—

There was something close to concern in his eyes.

“The one who’s been waiting for you to wake up.”