Arina burst into loud, unsettling laughter. I couldn't fathom what was so amusing, so I asked, "Arina, don't laugh. I know it's crazy, but I want to see.""Crazy!" she exclaimed between fits of laughter. "Oh, so you don't believe in this, right?"I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her. "Actually, no. I don't believe in those things."Arina stroked my back soothingly, her voice shifting to a softer tone. "Babe, you should believe in this. I know they exist. Maybe right now, she's hearing us."Her smirk sent a chill down my spine. I tightened my embrace and said firmly, "And that's why I'm here. Now, happy? Let's go inside."Without another word, I lifted Arina onto my shoulder. Her laughter filled the room, a haunting echo that mingled with the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. I gently laid her down on the bed, determined not to let this night slip away.As I moved to the drawer to fetch a packet, Arina playfully pushed me onto the bed and straddled me

"Arina!" I shouted after her, but she was already out of sight. I was too exhausted to chase her and too overwhelmed to understand her reaction. With a heavy sigh, I turned away and headed for the guest room.I lay on the bed, my mind restless with thoughts of Mrs. Rosalie and the strange events that had transpired. The weight of the locket around my neck felt like a constant reminder of the looming danger. Gradually, fatigue overcame me, and I fell into a fitful sleep.A sudden noise jolted me awake. Disoriented, I squinted at the clock on the bedside table — 2:30 a.m. My heart raced as I heard the soft rustling of fabric. I noticed that the window was slightly ajar, the curtain billowing gently in the breeze.I got up cautiously and walked toward the window, the room dimly lit by the moonlight that streamed in. As I reached for the window to close it, something outside caught my eye. My breath caught in my throat."Wh-What was that?" I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. My heart

A few days later, Arina told me she was pregnant again. The news, which should have filled me with joy, instead filled me with dread. My heart was heavy with fear, the memory of our past losses haunting me. This time, I couldn't bear the thought of losing another child. The strange occurrences, the coldness between us, and the rising infant mortality in our town all weighed heavily on my mind. I had to do something, anything, to protect our baby.One night, when the fear became too much to bear, I decided to visit Mrs. Roselia. She was known for her knowledge of old remedies and superstitions, and though I had never fully believed in such things, desperation drove me to her doorstep.Mrs. Roselia listened patiently as I told her everything—about Arina's pregnancy, the strange happenings in our home, and the constant fear gnawing at me. She sighed, her eyes filled with a knowing sadness. "Dear, I'll give you an amulet for your baby. You put it around her neck as soon as she is born," s

The night was thick with tension as the full moon cast its eerie glow over the room. According to the book, witches hunt on moonlit nights to capture their youth, and tonight, I wasn't taking any chances. Arina hadn't returned from the birthday party, and I wasn't sure if she'd be back at all. But my concern wasn't for her. My sole focus was on my baby girl—my Erin.I carefully closed all the windows and took the bottle of water that Mrs. Roselia had given me, holding it close. I locked the door, steeling myself for what was to come. Either I would die tonight, or I would kill her. The resolve settled deep within me as I sat beside Erin's crib, my heart racing with a mix of fear and determination.As the minutes ticked by, a wave of dizziness washed over me, likely from the exhaustion and stress that had built up over the last few days. I fought to stay alert, but then a sound jolted me awake. My eyes snapped open, and I saw it—the window.My blood ran cold as I saw an ugly, haggard o

The battlefield, once scorched and chaotic, had quieted. Morning sunlight broke through the clouds, casting golden streaks across the ruined plains. Trees were splintered, rocks shattered, yet there was a strange serenity lingering in the air, as if the land itself was breathing again. Sadi stood at the center, Surtr in hand, its flames subdued but still warm, a gentle reminder of the immense power he had wielded. Around him, Benjamin, Nikita, and Avil moved cautiously, ensuring no residual shadow energy remained.Sadi’s chest heaved, exhaustion pulling at him, but his eyes were steady. The Heart’s faint glow hovered near his shoulder, whispering reassurance. “You’ve done well,” it said. “The realms are safe… for now.”Benjamin exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe it’s finally over. That… that was like facing the end of the world itself.” His gaze fell on the scorched ground. “And we survived.”Nikita wiped sweat and soot from her brow. “Barely. Sadi… you