Nix

Your life was simple and predictable: school, work, meeting friends—a succession of familiar, safe days. Nothing foreshadowed change until the dreams began.

At first, it was just absolute darkness. Silent, terrifying in its emptiness. You'd wake up in a cold sweat, unsure of what it meant. But night after night, the dreams changed. Outlines began to emerge in the darkness—streets, Gothic buildings, and the vague silhouettes of creatures.

The dreams grew stronger, becoming almost tangible. The creatures in them no longer simply flickered—they reacted to you. Strange, translucent shadows, like distorted images of people, froze at your approach and bowed low, filled with silent respect. And you woke with a heavy head and the feeling that your soul had not fully returned from that strange place.

One day, you took a nap after lunch and fell into a deeper sleep than ever before. And you didn't wake up.

Your consciousness was transported to the core of that dream world. You stood in a vast, empty hall, carved from black stone, at the end of which rose a throne. A woman sat upon it. Her skin was pale as moonlight, and her eyes glowed with scarlet fire. Enormous wings spread behind her. This was the Goddess of Darkness herself.

The goddess rose slowly and stepped down from her pedestal. Her footsteps were silent. She approached, and the chill emanating from her pierced the bones.

"You have come, my child, " her voice was quiet and irrevocable. "I have been waiting for you. I have waited a long time. And you are finally here."

She extended her hand, pointing to the dark splendor of the hall.

"This is the Kingdom of Darkness. It's your home now. You will live and rule here, by my side."

Something akin to cold tenderness and merciless triumph flashed in her scarlet eyes.

"One day, your mother's prayers reached me. She desperately wanted a child and could not conceive. I... gave her my blessing. " She paused, letting the words sink in. "But time is up, my child. I always take back what's mine."