CURSES /LMK.

twenty-five

(Y/N) woke with harsh breaths, her heart racing. In the dim light of her room, she instinctively reached behind her to feel the reassuring presence of her wings. With a sigh of relief, she stretched her arms above her head, and her wings responded in kind, unfurling with a large span. The soft rustle of feathers filled the room as they flexed and adjusted to her movements. She made her way down the wooden stairs, her wings brushing against the walls almost clumsily. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she grabbed onto the ornate handles for some stability.

(Y/N) wandered through the tranquil dojo, but in the blink of an eye, Macaque materialized before her, exuding an air of nonchalance. Her wings involuntarily flinched at his sudden appearance, almost instinctively.

"You've turned into such an open book," he observed, his eyes fixed on her wings, which seemed to betray her emotions. With a hint of irritation, she retorted, "Where were you?" His response was a nonchalant shrug, a devilish grin playing on his lips as he settled onto the mat-covered floor, indulging in a freshly plucked plum.

"Care to join me?" he offered, gesturing toward the succulent fruits. She sighed and acquiesced, settling down beside him. "Gods, they feel heavier than I remember," she mused, her discomfort evident as she shifted under the weight of her wings. She plucked a plum from the pile and took a bite, savoring the tartness of the fruit.

"Get used to them; we're in for a treat," Macaque muttered, her eyes narrowed as she finished her fruit, her uncertainty still apparent. She awaited Macaque's explanation, and he didn't keep her waiting for long. With another bite of his plum, he closed his eyes momentarily, an air of concentration surrounding him. "A little play is about to start; let's go," he declared, polishing off the last of his fruit before rising to his feet. In his hand, he held the shadow lantern, an artifact only he seemed to weld.

He extended a hand to (Y/N), who accepted it gratefully, the weight of her wings still unsettling her. As they stepped through the portal he opened, a shiver rippled through her, causing her wings to bristle and her spine to tingle.

Stepping through the portal, (Y/N) found herself engulfed by the dazzling glare of stage lights and the rich texture of heavy curtains. Her curiosity was immediate, and she couldn't help but question their sudden change in surroundings. Her fingers grazed the luxurious fabric as she turned toward Macaque. "Where are we?" she inquired, her senses taking in the unfamiliar setting. Her attention then shifted to Macaque, who had transformed his appearance with a red and gold embroidered cloak, obscuring his features and tail. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the faint scent of a human that clung to him.

"You reek," she commented casually, not one to mince words. He merely chuckled, brushing past her with an air of nonchalance. "Now keep quiet and enjoy the show," he quipped as the curtains began to draw open. (Y/N) obediently stood on the sidelines, her wings twitching with anticipation.

Her eyes widened slightly as her ears perked up, recognizing the familiar voice. "I, I don't have snacks!" the voice exclaimed, causing her to draw a sharp breath. She couldn't resist the urge to peek over the curtain, her curiosity getting the best of her. In that moment, Mk bolted through the doors, her gaze turned to her companions sudden appearance, drawing her full attention.

Macaque, spoke with a wicked grin. "Welcome, viewers, to a shadow play the likes of which have never been seen! It follows the tragic tale of a legendary warrior and how those who bring light into this world inevitably bring darkness to those they hold dear."

Macaque's grin persisted as he eyed (Y/N) on the side, his words laden with dark meaning. "Like light, heroes bring warmth, hope, and friendship. But they also give life to the darkness," he intoned ominously. As if on cue, the lantern Macaque held in his hand opened, its eerie glow intensifying. In less than a second, it began to suck Mk's friends into its depths, their forms vanishing into the shadows.