TOD Chapter 01

"An Eerie Night"

"In the stillness of the night, there's a lurking darkness in the corner of your eye. It envelops you, teases you, and grips tightly in your dreams. It is an explorer from within your subconscious, dancing among the shadows. It is a secret waiting to be unveiled."

Black. Everything was black. The cruel night showers the surface of the earth with unrelenting, total darkness.

Everything falls silent, resigned and fearful, as the oppressive air of the encroaching darkness permeates. 

The Trees stand tall, seemingly trying to be Brave. 

The Insects creating a noisy chorus through their delicate wings, attempting to soften the atmosphere.

The hoot of an owl adds to the night's eeriness. 

The sky seems to be in a foul mood. 

Black clouds hang in the sky, revealing nothing. 

Even the stars hesitate to make an appearance, there's no fleeting billion winks that night.

The moon is no different. It doesn't emerge to share its dim light full of hope. 

This saddens the hearts of the night travelers who rely on it for their long journeys.

the same situation prevailed, In this small lake in the middle of the forest. 

Everything seemed still. The lake water appeared eerily calm, the fish hidden behind large stones on the lakebed, fearing the curse of this dark night. 

The towering trees surrounding the lake stood frozen with cold. The Squirrels made faint chirping sound, within the hollows of the giant trees.

Then a loud sound pierced the air - the sound of a ripple came from the lake. 

A small whirlpool seemed to emerge from the center, growing larger with each passing moment. 

The swirl created a noisy commotion waking up the forest inhabitants. 

Something emerged from the expanding whirlpool, accompanied by a blinding sliver light.

The tail of a giant koi fish appeared on the lake surface, its scales was the source of the earlier beautiful silver glow. 

And it was a strange sight, the fish tail turned out to be attached to a human body, a beautiful woman with A silver white hair - it was a mermaid.

The Mermaid emerged, holding a parcels in her hands. It was was oval-shaped, tightly wrapped and seemed protected by a bubble. 

There was a beautiful slim sword with a wings decoration on his hip.

She appeared frightened and anxious, swimming hurriedly towards the edge of the lake. 

Her strokes indicated she was evading something, as though she were being pursued by someone she didn't wish to encounter.

And indeed, she was being pursued—A black whirlpool emerged not far from the vortex where the mermaid had appeared.

A horrifying figure emerged from the black whirlpool.

The creature took the form of a disheveled woman, with four arms, cold small eyes, and wings resembling those of a scavenger bird and sharp black talons.

The creature flew to block the Mermaid path to the lake's edge.

Her face was no less horrifying than her exceedingly long fangs, she truly looked like a monster.

[Do you think you'll be safe by escaping to the human realm? I'll pursue you even if you swim to the ends of the earth.]

"Nocturna, I'm not running from you. I just have a matter to attend here," said the mermaid.

She clutched tightly what she was holding.

[A matter? Does it have something to do with what you're holding there? What if I take care of that 'matter' for you?]

Nocturna flew toward the Mermaid, attempting to seize the oval-shaped parcel in her hand.

But the Mermaid fought to hold onto it with all her might, knowing that what she held was of great value.

Nocturna let out a chilling laugh. Although she didn't succeed in snatching the object, she was really enjoyed His expresion.

[Kukuku......Surrender, and I will make your death swift.]

"Kuh.... Never."

Nocturna laughed again, she attempting to attack the mermaid seriously this time with her claws.

Clang.....

Her claws were deflected by some invisible barrier. She clicked her tongue.

[Tsk... Seems like you still have some trick left, and this scent remind me of something]

"It's a an artifact of the Blue Dragon. Its owner entrusted it to me to keep it safe from someone like you."

[Blue Dragon? Don't tell me this belongs to that poor-fated Blue Dragon tribe. I've seen it. They all perished at the hands of The Dark Lord. Including their leader, King Pluto, and his wife. Hydra managed to kill him.]

"No. That's impossible. King Pluto was incredibly strong. He couldn't have died." cried the Mermaid.

[He's gone. In order to save his wife. The Blue Dragon tribe is extinct, and this pitiful artifact can't save you from your fate either.]

Nocturna summoned black flames from her palm, attempting to burn the barrier down. But before the barrier could shatter.

A sword flew, striking one of Nocturna hands.

Nocturna was startled. The black flames were thrown along with a severed hand into the bushes around the lake.

It turned out it was Marisa who wielded the sword.

"Ahhhhhh....... You bitch, Marisa..... You...., i will kill you....."

Nocturna flapped her wings, flying towards the mermaid named Marisa.

She tried to reach for the object in Marisa grasp, but Marisa fought with all her might to hold onto it.

The object, wrapped in a sort of bubble, was partially seized by Nocturna, yet still partly held in Marisa hand. Nocturna gripped it so tightly that the protective bubble surrounding it shattered.

The object emitted a shrill cry, the breaking of the protective bubble revealing everything.

The object was, in fact, a baby.

Nocturna smiled disgustingly, then quickly snatched the baby from Marisa.

She managed to take the baby entirely from Marisa grasp.

The baby cried so loudly in Nocturna long fingers.

[What A beautiful baby. I'm sure She'll enter the heaven if she dies.]

Nocturna flew back towards Marisa, choking the mermaid.

Marisa tail thrashed around, trying to free herself from Nocturna, but it was in vain.

Nocturna lifted Marisa out of the water.

Marisa looked pained, her hands reaching out to Nocturna, trying to release the grip.

But she couldn't succeed. Nocturna tightened her grip on Marisa neck, bringing her perilously close to the edge of her life.

Nocturna grinned wickedly. She hurled Marisa to the lake's edge, Marisa body colliding with a tree near the lake.

Marisa was utterly defenseless, blood flowing from her mouth.

She tried to move her body, but she was already too weak.

Nocturna approached again.

Mercilessly, she once more seized Marisa's neck, causing even more blood to gush from her mouth.

[There will be nothing left of the Noble-Blood like you, including this baby!!]

"Kuh..., And I won't give up either. Now, Solaris" Marisa said to the sword lying in the grass beneath her.

The sword floated on its own, gliding like an arrow, swiftly and accurately striking Nocturna in the chest, while still clutching Marisa.

Nocturna hand instantly released its grip, dropping the defenseless Marisa.

The same happened to the baby in Nocturna other hand.

Nocturna's figure collapsed to the ground, transforming into the carcass of a scavenger bird.

Marisa staggered to hold the baby.

She reached out and gently kissed the baby's forehead.

"Darling, Sometimes, things don't go as planned. I came here to meet your father, but I don't think he'll be coming," Marisa said.

She traced her finger along the tiny bundle of cloth on the baby's arm.

"But I've bestowed a bit of my life upon you. Your father is a keen observer. He'll know this is my life force and that you're his child. I hope he comes soon."

Marisa coughed again, blood flowing from her mouth once more.

"Solaris, I feel like I won't last much longer. Go back to Aquamarine. Your task is complete. You've done your final duty well. Thank you for being my greatest companion."

[Marisa. I can't leave you behind like this] the sword replied.

"No. You have to go. Before humans find you."

[But What about you and your baby?]

"Don't worry about me. Go," Marisa weakly waved her hand, signaling for Solaris to leave.

Solaris then transformed into an arrow.

Then, shot towards the whirlpool where Marisa had emerged.

Marisa looked around, still hoping someone would come to her. 

However, it seemed there were no signs of anyone coming there that night.

"If your father doesn't come, I hope there's a kind-hearted human who will care for you. Your mother loves you very much," Marisa said, kissing her baby one last time.

Then, her figure slowly transformed into a koi fish. 

The koi fish gazed at the baby before leaping into the lake and disapear.

Meanwhile, the carcass of Nocturna, in the form of a scavenger bird, turned into black smoke, shrouding the area around the lake, turning the lush trees into withered ones. 

Old leaves fell endlessly, accompanied by the loud cries of the baby Marisa left. 

The already horrifying night grew even more eerie.

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