June 19th, 1881
Emma's heart pounded in her chest as she hurried back to her apartment. The discovery of the abandoned cabin and its dark secrets weighed heavily on her mind. The growing sense of dread she felt in the Shy Woods followed her through the winding streets of Maraheim, the shadows lengthening as the sun dipped below the horizon.
She reached her building and ascended the narrow staircase to her apartment. The air seemed to thicken with each step, a cold chill settling in her bones. Emma fumbled with her keys, her hands trembling as she unlocked the door. As she stepped inside, the air grew even colder, and shadows seemed to dance on the walls.
Emma froze. She felt his presence before she saw him—a figure cloaked in darkness, his eyes glowing with an unearthly light. The Banished Prince stood in the center of her small living room, his form barely distinguishable from the surrounding shadows. Her breath caught in her throat, a cold terror gripping her heart. She realized she had been lured into a trap. The Banished Prince had been waiting for her. Silent and menacing, his eyes bore into her, devoid of any emotion but hunger. Emma's mind raced as she reached for the crucifix she had brought with her. She held it up, her voice shaking. "Stay back," she commanded, her voice barely a whisper.
The Banished Prince showed no fear, only a cold, predatory interest. He took a step closer, his movements fluid and unnatural. The shadows seemed to wrap around him, as if he were part of the darkness itself.
In a desperate attempt to repel him, Emma began to chant the ancient incantations she had learned. Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue, the words echoing in the stillness of the room.
The Banished Prince moved with unnatural speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. His hand, icy and powerful, closed around her throat, cutting off her words. Emma's eyes widened in terror as she felt the cold seep into her skin, the strength draining from her body.
She struggled, her vision blurring as the life was drained from her. Desperation clawed at her mind, and she managed to whisper her final question, "Are you truly the Banished Prince, Damon of Kalyvia?"
The Banished Prince did not answer. He only smiled, a chilling, malevolent smile, before tightening his grip. With a final, sorrowful gasp, Emma fell, her life force consumed by the ancient curse.
The room grew silent, the only sound the faint whisper of the wind outside. The Banished Prince stood over Emma's lifeless body, a moment of satisfaction flickering in his ancient eyes. He had claimed another victim, his hunger momentarily sated.
The shadows seemed to close in around him as he turned and vanished into the darkness, leaving the apartment cold and empty. Emma's final breath hung in the air, a haunting reminder of the ancient evil that had taken her life.
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