Destined for Calamity (zelink)

Chapter 13

The pulsating ache in my head was overwhelming, and my body felt battered and weak. With great effort, I reluctantly opened my eyes, greeted by the serene embrace of nature within a makeshift shelter. The melodious chirping of birds filled the air, accompanied by soft rays of sunlight filtering through. Memories of the intense pain and the night's events flooded back, causing a surge of adrenaline. Swiftly, I propped myself up, taking in my surroundings with a mix of anxiety and apprehension.

As my gaze lifted, I was met with an unexpected sight—the figure of Dark, seated just across from me. His presence sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart raced with trepidation. The memory of the woman's words and the vivid vision left me utterly traumatized, making it frightening that he was here, just a few feet away.

"You! You... you summoned those creatures to hunt me down," I stammered, my voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes. Overwhelmed with fear and a sense of betrayal, I instinctively distanced myself from him, curling up into a protective ball. Dark's stern expression showed a mix of frustration and disappointment, as if my accusation had struck a nerve. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, and it only intensified my unease.

As I furrowed my brows, I noticed something peculiar about his eyes. They were not the simple crimson I had seen before; instead, they seemed to possess an alluring reddish-purple hue with a subtle undertone of blue. I couldn't tell if it was a trick of the light or a manifestation of his unique nature. However, the peculiarity of his eyes was the least of my concerns as I sat before someone who had demonstrated immense power and could end my life in an instant.

"What do you want from me? Please, don't hurt me... I should have never helped you!" I rambled, my words stumbling over one another.

He interrupted me, speaking in a commanding and resolute voice, "Stop it. You ran away from me. You put yourself in this..." His eyes bore into mine, a mix of emotions evident in his gaze. He appeared to be wrestling with an inner conflict, his jaw tightly clenched. After a few seconds of staring at me, he finally spoke.

"And fortunately, I found you; otherwise, you would have perished. I cannot control the monsters out there, especially the gloom spawns," he stated, seemingly contemplating how convenient that would have been. My apprehension remained drawn on my face as he continued, his patience wearing thin, his nostrils flaring.

"If I truly wanted you dead, I wouldn't have wasted all this time babysitting you. I could have been searching for my sword instead," Dark replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion as he stared at me with a blank expression. Despite his words, I couldn't help but feel like a burden, wondering why he had chosen to stay by my side.

"Why didn't you?! You should have gone to find your sword and left me alone! It would have been a lot better for everyone!" I blurted out, my emotions getting the best of me before I could filter my words. Immediately, I regretted my impulsive reaction, realizing the weight of my statement and the potential consequences of my outburst.

Dark's expression remained unchanged, but I could sense a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly concealed by a veil of stoicism. My frustration and fear had taken control, causing me to lash out at the one person who had supposedly saved me from a dark fate.

"I'm returning the favor", he simply said.

I looked at him in confusion, wondering what he was referring to. A long pause ensued; he seemed to be gathering his thoughts and carefully selecting his words.