"The blood moon was already upon her."
Aisha could still feel the weight of Kerens' words drifting through her mind, like a dark melody that refused to fade. With her eyes closed, she let the memories seep into her heart—bringing visions of the three brothers who had shaped her life in ways she'd never imagined.
Varek appeared first. Her love for him had been real—deep and consuming. Like fire, it left behind scorched scars. Beneath a great tree, with the golden light of the afternoon surrounding them, their hands had met against the bark—sealing a promise that once felt unbreakable.
"We'll always be together," Varek had whispered.
But now, those words were hollow echoes. He wasn't the man she loved anymore. He was a shadow obsessed—devoured by darkness from within.
—When did the magic between us disappear? —Aisha whispered, a tear tracing her cheek.
She breathed deeply, fighting not to drown in her sorrow.
Sanathiel.
Varek.
Rasen.
Their names stabbed into her chest like open wounds.
Sanathiel… the most impossible, stubborn love. A love that wrapped around her, smothered her—like an endless storm.
"I'll come back for you, Aisha."His promise. His threat. His curse.
She could run. She could hide. But his voice always found her. He always found her.
Though their bond had been born of fear, now she knew: he would sacrifice anything for her. Sanathiel never backed down. Never hesitated. And sometimes, that scared her the most.
The memory of Sanathiel faded, leaving her in the cold grip of her room.
Night air slipped through the open window, brushing her tear-streaked face. The room was cold, yet her memories burned.
Then came the image of Rasen.
He had been her refuge. Her present. Her companion… and her most recent wound.
She remembered the kiss they shared—so full of pain and passion. She remembered the emptiness in his eyes as she left.
"Forgive me."
She didn't know how to love him without breaking him.Didn't know how to stay without dragging him into the abyss.Didn't know how to keep her promises without causing pain.
That love had no place now. Not after everything.Especially not with Cristal carrying his child.
"How could I ever believe I deserved his love?"
Rasen had been her home.And she had reduced him to ruins.
Her eyes snapped open.
The present hit her like a cold wave.
The blood moon was rising—stained with foreboding—casting long shadows across the room.
Then she felt it: a presence.A fracture in the air.A threat.
She turned—and he was there.
Varek.
Poised and cold, as always, scrolling through his tablet like nothing mattered. Like everything was already his.
—Sanathiel. Skiller. The Ghali family. Even Cristal —he listed, his voice grave, never lifting his gaze— They're all under my threads. Including you.
A chill crawled down her spine. This wasn't just a vision.It wasn't just a memory.This was Kerens… through Varek.Or something far worse.
In his hand, a silver collar shimmered in the moonlight—beautiful, and terrifying.
—You're mine —he whispered, smiling with ice in his voice— And once I put this on you… there will be no turning back.
Aisha jolted awake, gasping.
The air wouldn't reach her lungs. Sweat drenched her. The sheets clung to her skin like silent serpents.
Her shadow… his. Branded. Tainted.
She swung her legs to the floor, seeking an anchor. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the window ledge. The night air kissed her face—cold and indifferent.
"Think you can save them all, Aisha? Choose. Two will die. Or you will die for them."
Kerens' voice remained.
"No one escapes fate."
The faces returned:
Sanathiel, fierce and unyielding: "No matter where you go… I'll find you."
Varek, with the broken promise: "We'll always be together."A lie.
Rasen, shattered by her: "What kind of love survives so many wounds? I hate you."
A soft knock at the door startled her.
—Aisha? —Lionel's voice, low and perceptive— I felt something… a shadow near your room. Are you alright?
She steadied her voice.
—I'm fine, Lionel. Thank you...
She leaned her back against the door. Slid down until she sat on the floor—feeling her world crack and crumble.
This hadn't been a dream.
It had been Kerens. Whispering from the dark.A curse dressed as a choice.
—It's useless to run, Aisha —his voice slithered in her mind— Two brothers… or you. There's no room for heroes in this world.
Her heart thundered. Every decision dragged her closer to the edge.
Kerens smiled.Eyes like embers. Voice like a serpent.
—This isn't a game, Aisha... it's a trial. If you fail, they all suffer.
—You won't break me —Aisha muttered, though her voice trembled.
—Love already did that —Kerens' shadow whispered.
The air smelled of damp soil and rusted metal.
The echo of unseen footsteps followed her.Blood still clung to her memories—warm, accusing.Every drop, every sacrifice, pulling her toward the inevitable.
Meanwhile…
Sanathiel drove down a deserted road.
The blood moon rose like a shattered promise. The engine roared beneath his hands—but his mind was elsewhere.
At his side, the lunar medallion lay wrapped in black cloth. Each glint was a heartbeat. Another chain.
He reached out—touched the cold metal. His voice, low and resolved:
—With this medallion… you won't have a choice, Aisha. You'll hear me. And when you do… it'll be too late to run.
But even as he said it, something within him cracked.
He closed his eyes.
She appeared.
Her laugh. Her light. Her fury. Her soul.
His fingers brushed his lips. The memory of the kiss he stole—while she slept—still burned. It wasn't possession. It was a plea.
—You're mine, Aisha —he whispered, the tremor in his voice betraying his control— No matter how far you run… I'll always find you.
The blood moon blazed brighter.
Shadows stirred.
And as the night swallowed the road behind him, Sanathiel smiled.
He stepped out—and destroyed the beasts surrounding him without mercy.Pinning them into the cracked asphalt beneath his boots.
Because soon, very soon…Aisha will learn the truth.
And though she didn't yet know it, her fate and Sanathiel's were already chained—by blood, by pain… and by a moon dyed in doom.