Luxcia's Point of View
I was on my way home when Jessy suddenly blocked my path.
"Hey, Lulu. Come with us," she ordered, one brow raised like a queen issuing a command.
They turned their backs on me right away, as if they were certain I'd follow. But I stayed where I was, rooted in place. One of Jessy's minions noticed and frowned.
"Hey, why aren't you coming?"
"U-Um… W-Where are we going? I really need to leave, I still have work-"
I didn't get to finish. Jessy suddenly shoved me.
"Don't be such a killjoy, Lulu. What, are you scared of our dare?"
Earlier in the classroom, they had been playing Truth or Dare. I wasn't even part of it, but somehow they dragged me in and now, here I was. Chosen for the dare.
And the dare?
Enter the Forbidden Forest and stay there for half an hour.
The Forbidden Forest was a place everyone in town feared. People said it was haunted that strange creatures lurked within its shadows. That's why they picked it. Just to scare me.
"N-No… But I really need to go to work today. Can we just do it later? You can come find me at the shop."
Jessy smirked, her eyes glinting with mockery.
"Oh? So you'd rather go into the forest at night? Brave, aren't you? Fine. We'll come get you later. Let's go, girls."
They walked away, laughing among themselves. I let out a quiet sigh.
Tch.
As if I'd actually go into that forest. That place is terrifying.
I'll just leave work early so they won't catch me.
Let me introduce myself...
I'm Luxcia Locrane Logrande.
Pretty grand name, right? Sounds like I came from something important. But the truth is… I don't even have parents anymore, and I've been surviving on my own for as long as I can remember.
I take on different part-time jobs just to cover my daily needs. Thankfully, I have a scholarship, so school itself isn't a problem.
What really is… is having a place to stay.
I sleep wherever I can, sometimes at the places I work, sometimes in empty classrooms at school when no one's around.
Maybe that's also why I get bullied a lot.
But it's fine. I'm stronger than I look.
I know a day will come when I won't have to struggle like this anymore. I'm already 18, in Grade 12. Just a little more patience… I can do this.
I smiled to myself and kept walking.
********
[7:00 PM]
"Ma'am, may I leave a bit early today? I still have someone to tutor."
My boss glanced at me while arranging items on the shelf.
"Oh, really? Alright. But where are you staying tonight?"
"C-Could I stay here? I promise I'll clean the shop!"
She smiled and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Okay, but be back here by nine. Is that alright with you?"
"That's more than okay! Thank you so much!"
I stepped out of the shop with a small smile on my face.
But the moment I did, someone called out to me.
"Lulu! We've been waiting for you."
"J-Jessy?"
They immediately hooked their arms around me, walking as if we were close friends, teasing and dragging me along.
"Come on. We've been waiting."
They didn't even bother asking if I wanted to go. I was practically being pulled like a kid being dragged off somewhere.
"J-Jessy… I still have work—"
"You think you can fool us? So it's true, you're really scared. But you know the consequence, right? You wouldn't want to walk around campus completely naked, would you?"
They burst into laughter.
Unbelievable. They're the worst. So annoying.
"Fine! But only for thirty minutes, okay? I still have someone to tutor!"
Grins spread across their faces as we started walking.
When we reached the Forbidden Forest, a wave of unease immediately crashed over me. The air was unnaturally cold, and something… something unseen seemed to wrap around me like a quiet warning.
As I stared into the depths of the forest, it felt like a voice inside my chest was whispering...
Don't go in.
"Go on. Get inside," Jessy ordered.
"B-But…"
"What? Scared?" she mocked.
I frowned. Seriously… they were so persistent.
"You're not coming with me?"
"And why would we? You're the one who got the dare, right?"
I let out a deep sigh.
Fine. I can do this. I can do this.
I gathered what little courage I had and was about to step forward when Lena suddenly stopped me.
"Wait! You'll need this. You have to record yourself while you're inside the forest."
"What?!"
My eyes widened in shock.
"What? You don't want to do it?"
So annoying. Seriously… tsk.
I grabbed the camera anyway and turned it on. Pushing aside the tangled branches and thick grass that formed a natural barrier, I slowly stepped inside.
I hadn't gone far when I suddenly heard low, eerie growls, like dogs.
I froze.
A-Are there wolves in here?
Waaahh!!! What am I even thinking?!
I forced myself to keep walking. I'd already gone a fair distance, but honestly… this place was terrifying.
It was dark. Too dark. And the silence it was suffocating. No crickets. No rustling. Nothing.
And yet…
It felt like something was watching me.
Like something unseen was following my every step.
The weight in my chest grew heavier.
And so did my fear.
"Enough… I don't want to do this anymore."
I turned around, ready to head back.
But- what?!
It felt like half an hour had already passed, yet I still couldn't find my way out of the forest.
Waaah! I'm really lost!
On the verge of tears, I kept walking. I didn't know what else to do. I grabbed my phone and...
No signal. Of course. Just my luck.
Waaah… why does this always happen to me?
No.
I can't give up.
I kept moving, hoping and praying that I'd somehow find my way back.
Then suddenly, I stopped.
There was an arch.
No houses, no paths, just an arch standing alone in the middle of nowhere. Yet it was beautifully crafted, even if it looked ancient. It felt… magical.
I slowly stepped closer. As I did, I noticed strange symbols carved into its surface. Markings I couldn't understand.
At the very ends of the arch were a sun and a moon.
I reached out to touch it.
And froze.
The scar on my right hand suddenly began to glow.
I have a quarter-moon scar there but I never knew why.
So why was it shining now?
Is this… a dream?
Before I could even process it.
The passage opened.
I stood there, hesitating.
Should I go in?
But curiosity pulled me forward like an invisible thread.
So I stepped inside.
The light was blinding. I shut my eyes instantly.
And when I opened them.
I was stunned.
I stood in the middle of a marketplace.
Even though it was night, the place was alive, people everywhere, laughing, celebrating, sharing food. Lights flickered like stars brought down to earth. Music danced in the air. Colors swirled around me.
Where… am I?
My gosh… I didn't even know a place like this existed.
I quickly turned to look for the arch or gate but it was gone.
Okay. Confirmed. I must be dreaming again.
Still confused, I scanned my surroundings.
And then I noticed it.
Everyone… was staring at me.
Whispers started to ripple through the crowd.
Why do they look like they can't believe I'm here?
"T-That's impossible… a mortal?"
"How did she get in here?"
"I thought they were just legends!"
"She smells… tempting."
My brows furrowed at what I was hearing.
Then my unease deepened as they slowly began to surround me.
That's when I noticed it.
Their eyes… were glowing red.
Hungry.
Not just hungry but starving.
Like they wanted to tear me apart.
"S-Sorry for coming here! I-I'll leave right away, I promise!"
I was about to run, but they blocked every path.
I was completely surrounded.
"E-Excuse me… please… excuse me…"
No matter how many times I tried, no one listened.
What kind of nightmare is this?!
My vision started to blur with tears.
It felt like they were about to do something terrible to me.
They moved closer.
One step at a time. Slow. Careful.
Like predators studying their prey.
I trembled at the sight of them... long claws, crimson eyes, and…
Fangs?
W-Wait…
Did I just walk into a village full of monsters?!
Waaaah!
So those horror movies are real?!
Suddenly, one of them grabbed me.
I screamed, loud, raw, like my entire body was forcing the sound out beyond my limits.
And with that scream.
Something burst out of me.
A powerful surge of energy exploded from my body, sending the creatures flying away.
Silence fell.
Every single one of them froze.
They stared at me like… they were confused.
Honestly, I was too. Shaking, trying to make sense of everything.
This isn't real… This is just a dream, right? It has to be… right?!
But why does everything feel so real? The ache in my body, the cold air brushing against my skin, the frantic pounding of my heart, it's all real.
I was about to speak when suddenly, four figures appeared.
They were cloaked in capes, their hoods drawn low, hiding their faces.
Wait… who are they now?!
From somewhere in the crowd, I heard one of the creatures, the ones who wanted to devour me, whisper faintly...
"The Scarlet Knight… That means… The Queen knows about her."
I frowned.
Scarlet Knight? Queen?
My confusion only deepened when one of the cloaked figures spoke. A woman, judging by her voice.
"She is the Chosen One. And anyone who dares to harm her… will be sentenced to death!"
Her voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
The creatures surrounding me immediately stepped back.
They were shocked.
And somehow… I was even more shocked than they were.
What the—?!
What "Chosen One" are they even talking about?!
"I can't believe a mortal was chosen. A weak mortal at that."
One of the cloaked men spoke, his voice cold and clearly displeased.
Wait a second. I can't believe it either!
"Relax, man. You can't do anything about the Great King's decision."
Another one smirked, nudging the "cold boy" beside him.
"Sigh. Let's go. The Queen is waiting."
"Follow us, mortal," cold boy ordered, his tone sharp as ice.
"U-Um… T-This is just a dream, right? W-What is happening?"
They laughed at my question.
All of them...
Except the cold boy.
My gosh… was that really funny?!
Then, one by one, they removed their hoods...
And I nearly screamed in shock.
My gosh…
Are they celebrities or something?!
They're all so handsome! And the only girl among them, she's unbelievably beautiful.
On the far right stood a guy who was a bit shorter than the others. Fair-skinned, with reddish lips, a sharp nose, and a neat quiff hairstyle. He looked smart and kind, the type who'd be the loyal best friend in a drama.
Beside him was the tallest of the four. Also fair, with striking red lips, deep dimples, and curly hair. He kept smiling at me, like he found everything amusing. Cheerful… or maybe just naturally playful.
Next to him stood the only girl.
Tall, slender, and pale like a modern-day Snow White. Her straight hair flowed down to her waist, her lips soft and rosy, her features delicate and refined. She looked friendly, approachable… like a real-life princess.
And the last one…
Tall. Pale.
But his aura? Ice cold.
Sharp jawline, messy hair, a perfectly sculpted nose, and fine, I'll admit, kissable lips.
But his face?
Completely emotionless.
Cold. Blank.
Terrifying.
"Mortal, this isn't a dream. Want me to hurt you so you can wake up?" the same guy who'd been glaring at me threatened.
I instinctively stepped back.
"Hey, don't scare her!" the beautiful girl scolded, frowning slightly at him before turning to me.
"What he said is true. This is real. Not a dream."
"I-If… if this isn't a dream… a-are you… aswang?"
(An aswang is a mythical creature from the Philippines, known for shape-shifting and haunting people at night.)
I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself.
"My gosh!" the girl reacted instantly. "Uh, no! I'm way too pretty to be an aswang."
"Hahaha! Why would you even think that?" the dimpled guy laughed.
"Sorry, but we're not aswang," the quiff-haired one added politely.
"Don't compare us to those lowly creatures," the cold guy said, irritation lacing his voice.
If they're not aswang… then why did those things earlier want to eat me?
"W-Why do you… not seem human either?"
They exchanged glances and then smiled, something unreadable flickering between them.
"We're not weak mortals," the cold one answered flatly.
"T-Then what are you?"
And then...
Something happened I never expected.
Their eyes turned red.
Fangs slowly emerged.
I stepped back, heart racing, chills crawling up my spine.
"We are Blood Suckers," the girl said, her smile now carrying a hint of mystery.
"V-Vampires…" I whispered, barely able to process it.
The cold guy smirked.
"Bingo."
Fear. Shock. Confusion.
All of it crashed over me at once...
And suddenly…
Everything went dark.
I lost consciousness.