Page 7 of Court of Aether and Shadows

Back and forth, like some sort of guessing game, but when it stalls for a few seconds, I’m looking at a being of black with flesh that glows with symbols of red and orange. Beautiful displays of artwork that burned against the coal flesh and hummed for recognition and admiration from all those who laid sight on their drawn masterpiece.

"Who hurt you, my little bird?"The monster's voice rumbled through me, equal parts fury and concern."Tell me, and I will tear them apart."

I smiled deliriously, reaching up to touch a face that wasn't there. He was so stunning to look at up close, especially now that I can stare into those molten eyes of power and might.

"My hero," I murmured, sounding delirious. I must have lost my fucking mind, or maybe whatever laced that bullet was a hallucinogenic that my system wasn’t used to. New drugs totake us out were common, so this could be something trending around in the underground.

"Shit, you're really out of it," Liam's panicked voice cut through the fantasy, but he’s fading away again. Just like his image that returned for only a moment.Gold eyes, beautiful lips, sharp jaw, and tattooed neck?"Stay with me, Sparrow. I'm going to get you help, okay? I've got you. I promise."

I didn’t feel a sense of worry because I knew Liam had me.

He always has my back. No matter what.

But something was definitely wrong with me.

As consciousness slipped away, I lost the will to fight the welcoming darkness that struck me from all angles. Like a comforting embrace, only it spread frost at its touch instead of the warmth I craved.

Like the being from my dreams and the warmth, he ignites with each touch.

One last whisper echos to me; a promise that sent a shiver of dark pleasure through my fading mind.

"Rest now, my love. When you wake from slumber, we will make them pay. Every last one will feel the wrath of hurting what’s mine."

Mine? His? Who…are you?

The world went dark, and I fell into dreams of shadow and vengeance.

Reflections Of Another World

~SPARROW~

Where am I?

As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, more details of the bed chamber emerged.

The ceiling arched high above, painted with a mural that seemed to move and shift as I watched. Constellations I'd never seen before twinkled in a night sky that rippled like the surface of a dark lake; a mesmerizing sight that begins to suck me in, allowing me to be further invested in the unique sight.

Comets streaked across the painted heavens, leaving trails of stardust in their wake.

The light itself seemed alive, emanating from crystalline structures that grew from the walls like luminescent fungi. They pulsed gently, their glow waxing and waning in a rhythm that felt almost like breathing.

The effect was both soothing and slightly unsettling as if the room itself was a living, sentient being.

It seemed so unreal.

In one corner stood a peculiar tree, its trunk twisted and gnarled, bark the color of burnished silver. Instead of leaves,it bore crystals that chimed softly when a nonexistent breeze stirred its branches.

The sound was haunting, a melody just on the edge of familiarity that didn’t simply call to my ears, but resonated with my very soul.

Where have I heard this before?

Scattered around the room were objects that defied easy categorization.

A globe that showed landmasses I'd never seen, continents shifting and reforming as I watched. A clock whose face bore thirteen hours, its hands moving in a way that made my head hurt if I looked at it too long. A chessboard where the pieces moved of their own accord, playing out strategies too complex for my mind to grasp.

Everything was so unique, valuable, and had a touch of familiarity, yet I’m confident I’ve never experienced these things in real life.

Obviously, it’s impossible. Magic…whatever this is, can’t exist.

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