Lilith's body convulsed as a sharp, overwhelming pain erupted from within her. It started in her head—a piercing ache that felt like it was tearing through her thoughts—and quickly spread, suffusing her entire being. She screamed, her hands clutching her head as she tried desperately to block out the sensation.
The voice didn't stop. Its words resonated louder now, deep and haunting, filling every corner of her mind. "You cannot hide, my highness," it growled, laced with menace. "Your power is growing—whether you like it or not. You may run, you may resist, but it will never abandon you. Do you think you can face him? Alone?"
Lilith's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, trembling. Her crimson-glowing eyes flickered erratically, and her breaths came in short, uneven gasps. As she struggled to regain control, the aura appeared again—the same essence she had seen before, shrouding her like an extension of her rage.
But it wasn't the same as before. Where yesterday it had burned crimson, now it began to twist and deepen, its color shifting with her escalating emotions. The red dissolved, replaced by an inky blackness that radiated with a terrifying intensity. The aura pulsated around her, darker and heavier with every surge of pain, anger, and fear. It felt alive, yet untamed, wrapping her in a shroud of raw, chaotic energy.
"This anger—this strength—it defines you," the voice hissed, its tone dark and taunting. "You cannot escape it. It is a part of you, and it will consume you if you do not learn to wield it."
Lilith gasped for air, clutching at the grass beneath her as if to ground herself against the overwhelming force. The aura pressed outward, suffocating and relentless, a stark reminder of the untamed power that she carried within her.
"No!" she cried out, her voice strained and trembling. But even as she shouted, the air around her grew heavier, thick with the oppressive energy of the black aura enveloping her.
The voice chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating like thunder inside her mind. "Soon, little one. Soon, you will see. You cannot resist forever."
The mountaintop that had once been her sanctuary was unrecognizable now, transformed into a battlefield of dread and chaos. The black aura pulsed as if echoing her inner turmoil, an undeniable part of her that demanded to be reckoned with. Lilith wasn't sure whether it was her ally or her enemy—but she knew one thing with chilling certainty: it was hers, and it was growing stronger.
"You will realize soon, sweetie," the voice said, its tone a chilling blend of menace and mockery.
Lilith gritted her teeth, trying to resist the oppressive energy that wrapped around her. She clawed at the ground beneath her, her crimson-glowing eyes flickering in defiance. But the weight of the black aura pressing against her was relentless, suffocating her resolve and forcing her trembling body to its limits.
As suddenly as it had arrived, the voice faded away, its parting words echoing faintly in her mind like the lingering notes of a cruel melody. The heavy air began to lift, the suffocating shadows retreating into the night. The mountaintop's serenity returned, but it was tainted—fractured by the remnants of an unseen presence that still loomed somewhere beyond her reach.
Lilith gasped as the aura dissipated, and her knees buckled. She collapsed onto the grass, her body trembling and weak. Each breath felt ragged, as though she had run for miles without rest. The cold breeze washed over her, but it brought no relief—it was only a sharp reminder of the battle she had just endured.
Her crimson eyes dimmed back to their usual color, and the night sky looked as it had before. The moon hung high, glowing softly, and the celestial wolves' howls returned to their harmonious melody. Yet Lilith couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed—inside her and around her.
She lay there for several moments, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breathing. Whatever had just happened, whatever had taken hold of her, wasn't gone—it had only retreated, biding its time in the shadows of her soul.
As Lilith lay gasping on the grass, the distant sound of wings fluttering gently drew her attention. A group of small, glowing dragons emerged from the night, their delicate forms illuminated by the soft light of the full moon. Their scales shimmered like tiny gemstones, reflecting hues of blue, silver, and gold as they drifted closer.
The dragons hesitated for a moment, their luminous eyes watching her intently. Then, one by one, they approached, as if recognizing her presence, their princess. They settled around her carefully, creating a loose circle of warmth. Their small bodies radiated a gentle glow as they nestled close, and one dragon nuzzled her arm, letting out a soft, melodic chirp.
Lilith's heart, heavy with the weight of the recent events, softened briefly at the sight. She reached out with a trembling hand to touch the silky scales of the nearest dragon, and its soothing warmth spread faintly into her fingertips. The little dragons rubbed their faces gently against her, their quiet, endearing sounds blending harmoniously with the calm of the night.
For a fleeting moment, the pressure inside her chest eased—but only slightly. Her mind was still clouded, the echoes of the voice lingering like a shadow in her thoughts. The dark aura she had seen, the overwhelming power it had unleashed, was far from forgotten. While the presence of the dragons offered her a brief reprieve, it did little to erase the storm brewing inside her.
Lilith's gaze drifted to the distant city lights as her fingers absently stroked the small dragon's head. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to steady her breath. The little creatures had brought her a small moment of calm, a reminder of life's gentler sides—but the questions, the fear, and the uncertainty remained, gnawing at the edges of her resolve.
As Lilith lay surrounded by the small dragons, their gentle warmth providing a momentary reprieve, her thoughts churned with confusion. The voice—that sinister, unrelenting presence—lingered in her mind. She didn't recognize it, nor did she understand its origins or its purpose.
What was it? Why had it appeared? And why did it seem to know her so intimately? These questions clashed against each other in her mind, as though searching for answers that weren't there. The encounter had left her shaken, and though the darkness had receded for now, she couldn't ignore the unsettling certainty that it wasn't gone for good.
Lilith looked up at the sky, where the moon's soft glow illuminated the mountaintop once more. She felt trapped in a web of mysteries, her emotions pulling her in countless directions. For now, the dragons' tender gestures offered her a small solace—but the lingering shadows of the voice remained, gnawing at the edges of her consciousness.