Through the haze of pain and exhaustion, he saw her—a silhouette against the swirling energy, eyes burning like twin blue stars as she loomed over him.

  He sprang to his feet in an instant, but before he could process what was happening, he was already across the room. The sudden burst of speed left him dizzy, and as he clutched his head, his uncovered eye caught sight of her—steadily approaching. Fear gripped him, memories of their violent encounter rushing back all at once. He staggered, his body threatening to collapse beneath him.

  Before he could hit the ground, she caught him.

  The fierce, merciless predator from before seemed to melt away in that moment. Instead of claws, gentle hands held him steady. Instead of rage, there was warmth. As his vision steadied, he felt himself being cradled, carried with unexpected care. She placed him back onto the small bed he had awoken on, her touch careful, almost… Tender, once again he fell asleep.

  As he slept, the woman's mind wandered. Who was this young man, and where had he come from? Questions tumbled through her thoughts: Who is he? Why does he carry such power? Could he be the one—could my beloved had finally return?

  She quickly brushed these hopes aside, haunted by memories of past loss when similar hopes ended in tragedy. Yet, there was something undeniably different about him, unlike any soul that had wandered into her domain before.

  The Black Zone—a realm of unending twilight and despair—she was imprisoned, not slain, for she was too powerful to kill. Her betrayers, unwilling to risk unleashing her might, cast her into this desolate prison where her own formidable power became her cage. Once, her castle had radiated life and majesty across the universe; now, its crumbling spires stood amidst a barren wasteland. The land itself bore a gruesome legacy: her mortal lover, one of the first and strongest humans, was brutally slain before her eyes on the very battlefield that now cursed the earth. Over millennia, his spilled blood seeped into the soil, transmuting into eerie, glowing blue stones that dotted the desolation—a perpetual, haunting reminder of love lost and the eternal exile that chained her to this forsaken realm.

  It was a realm apart—separated from time and space, its own dimension devoid of life except for its solitary, eternal prisoner. In this desolate expanse, the boundaries of reality blurred, and it wasn't uncommon for stray souls to drift away from the river of life—the Asiah—and find themselves trapped in her domain. With a mere gesture of her formidable power, she would send these lost spirits back along their path, for if they lingered too long, the raw, relentless energy of the Black Zone would consume them entirely. Yet this young man was different. Not only did he survive in this forsaken place without aid, but he absorbed the energy emanating from the glowing blue rocks, the essence of her slain lover. His blood, now rushed towards this man as if seeking a new home, where it had ripped other souls to shreds. That alone kindled a fragile hope within her: perhaps he was the reincarnation of her lost beloved.

  She had encountered his other incarnations before—each one captured and dragged into the Black Zone only to meet a gruesome end before her eyes. Her sister, Ventris, took perverse pleasure in this ritual; after all, she was the one who had slain her partner all those years ago. With twisted delight, Ventris hunted down each incarnation as if they were a new toy to be flaunted. Like a child eager to show off a prized possession, she would either let the violent energy of the Black Zone tear their souls apart or dispatch them herself, each death more brutally bloody than the last.

  Remembering the fates of all those who had come before, she made a vow to herself. If this young man truly was her beloved reincarnated, she would protect him. This time, she would not fail. She would not be too late to save him.

  She wanted it to be true—she wanted him to be her beloved. But if he was, it would only bring them both suffering. She was bound in chains, trapped in this forsaken realm, and worse still, she had nearly killed him before. Guilt gnawed at her as the endless hours passed, though time held no true meaning in this place.

  Then, he stirred.

  As his eyes fluttered open, she found herself smiling despite everything. No matter what fate had in store, she had made her decision. She would help him.

  "Ugh… my head..." The young man groaned, slowly lifting himself from the bed. Its unexpected softness took him by surprise, a stark contrast to the harsh landscape he last remembered.

  His gaze shifted to the woman before him. She looked different now—softer, less like the fierce beast that had nearly torn him apart and more like… Something else. Someone else.

  She was smiling at him.

  He couldn't tell if that should make him feel relieved or terrified.

  She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. She had to treat him like any other lost soul—for now. No matter how much she wanted to call him darling, she couldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment. Until she knew the truth, she had to be careful, cautious… And above all, she couldn't scare him.

  For now, she would approach him carefully, not as a lover reunited, but as a stranger offering guidance.

  So, with the gentlest voice she could manage, she spoke.

  "You must have many questions… I will answer what I can."

  He looked at her, fear still lingering after witnessing her in her previous form. But as he examined himself, it became clear—he was healed. "If she had wanted to hurt me, she could have done so long ago." Instead, she had tended to his wounds and laid him in a soft bed to rest, even changing his clothes… Wait— She changed my clothes?

  The realization hit him, and his face flushed pink. She saw it, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

  She looked at him and smiled. "Sorry, but your other clothes were bloody, so I had to change you. When I looked at you, you had already healed. Even so, I changed your clothes. Again, if you have any questions, I'll answer what I can."

  He took a deep breath and looked at her. He wanted to ask many questions about who she was and why he was here, but he decided to stick with the most important one. "Where am I?" he asked as he got up from the bed.

  "Welcome to the Black Zone, kid. To many, it's a place where no ordinary soul can survive a second. But for me..." She paused, then sighed. "...It's home."

  The sadness in her eyes was evident, and though he kept his distance, he relaxed a bit. "And who are you?"

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  She smiled sadly, gripping the shackle around her neck. "I am Solaria, the goddess of stillness, queen of void, and mother of shadow and creation... Or at least, I used to be. Nowadays, I am just Solaria... Queen of... Nothing."

  All her memories came rushing back to her—the death, the hatred, and all the pain.

  She was clearly becoming angry, her claws and fangs seemingly growing once more, hot steam seeping from her mouth as her eyes turned wild. Yet, despite this, the young man remained unfazed. Before she could even realize it, he was holding her hand, his warmth pulling her back from her rage.

  When she felt his hand on hers, it caught her by surprise—not because the touch was sudden, but because it was the first time in millennia that she had experienced a comforting touch from anyone. The last time she had felt such warmth was when her beloved had been killed, and though the heat of his hands had once filled her with solace, quickly turned cold as he died in her arms.

  She looked into his eyes, seeing the fear within them, yet there was also a quiet will— a will that reminded her of 'his' eyes, the ones she had once cherished. He held her hand tightly, but with a tenderness that seemed to convey something deeper. He didn't fully understand what was happening, but the pain in her eyes and her voice had been clear to him from the very first moment they met. He knew that calming her was his priority. Without thinking, he pulled her into an embrace.

  To her own surprise, after so long in solitude, she finally wasn't alone anymore. In that moment, she broke down, tears streaming down her face— tears she had held for millennia. It was as if she had found her beloved again. Her sorrow and joy blended together as she let go, and with that, she finally fell asleep in his arms.

  After some time, she woke up in her bed, her surroundings unfamiliar. She looked around the room, noticing no one else was there. A slow sense of depression began to settle in, and she wondered if everything had been a dream. But then, she heard a clattering sound coming from outside. Her heart lifted when she saw the young man enter, holding a tray of food.

  "Sorry, I didn't know what you might have wanted, so I made some tea," he said softly. He sat beside her, gently passing her a steaming cup.

  She took a sip, and the delicate warmth of the tea wrapped around her like a gentle embrace. The flavor was subtle yet comforting—a blend of sweet, ripe strawberries and a hint of floral notes, like a spring morning in a sun-drenched garden. The tea had a soft, refreshing taste that lingered on her tongue, with a slight touch of natural sweetness and a faint, soothing fragrance that reminded her of fresh strawberries blooming in the sun. It was the kind of tea that brought a sense of calm, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift.

  As she took another sip of the tea, she stole a better look at the young man in front of her. He appeared to be in his early to mid-twenties, his features soft yet strong. His long dreadlocks were tied into a neat ponytail, with the tips bleached a striking bright orange, adding a playful touch to his otherwise calm demeanor. Though he had a slightly chubby build, it was clear he had muscle beneath, giving him a sturdy, well-rounded presence.

  She found him cute, and a faint blush colored her cheeks as she watched him. His face brightened as he carefully prepared a sandwich, each movement filled with a quiet, gentle care. She couldn't help but smile at the sight, feeling a warmth that extended beyond the tea. He placed the plate in front of her with a soft smile, then took her empty tea cup, his eyes sparkling with kindness.

  "Eat," He said softly as he sat back down, his smile radiating warmth and an unspoken understanding.

  The aromas hit her all at once—the rich, savory scent of freshly cooked meat and eggs filling the air. Since time had no meaning in her realm, the castle still held all its food stores from when it had been transported here, untouched and preserved, none of it going to waste. She, who had no real need to eat, had always shared meals with her beloved partner, who, being human, still needed nourishment. The food had always been more for the castle's past inhabitants than for her, but as she ate now—almost instinctively—she realized just how much she missed it. She missed him... And everyone else.

  Her castle, once a lively and vibrant place, was now silent. The halls that had echoed with laughter and footsteps were still, and the weight of its emptiness was suffocating. Yet, despite it all, this young man had brought a spark of light back into the void. Something as simple as lighting a stove, something so ordinary, had somehow made the castle feel a little less empty.

  She devoured the sandwich with such ferocity that it was as if she hadn't eaten in years. The simple egg and bacon combination disappeared in mere moments, her hunger evident in every bite. To the young man, it seemed like she hadn't tasted food in a long time, and unknowingly, he was right.

  Watching her enjoy the meal so wholeheartedly filled him with a sense of pride. It reminded him of his time on Earth, when he would cook for his family and friends, filling their bellies with love and care. A soft smile spread across his face as the memories of those simpler times came flooding back. But as quickly as it had appeared, the smile faded, replaced by a quiet sadness. He remembered that he had died, and all he had left were these memories, fading like distant echoes. He would never see them again.

  A flash of memory struck her, vivid and bittersweet. She remembered her beloved, the first time he had cooked for her. She had no need for food, but the smell of his cooking had been so inviting, so comforting, that she couldn't resist. She had eaten, simply because it felt right. She could hear his voice in her mind, soft and fond, saying the exact same phrase the young man had just spoken: "Nothing calms you down like a warm sandwich and some tea."

  The memory brought a smile to her lips, a genuine one this time, as warmth spread through her chest. It felt like, in this simple moment, she had found him again. The connection, the comfort, the familiarity—everything she had lost seemed to return in the most unexpected way.

  He looked at her almost sheepishly, his smile softening as he spoke. "Umm, before you passed out, you told me your name, but I haven't said mine yet." He reached out his hand to her, his eyes sincere. "I'm Johan. Nice to meet you!"

  She reached out her hand in return, her touch gentle yet firm, as she looked into his eyes. "It's nice to meet you as well." She replied, her voice steady but filled with a quiet depth. "Now, allow me to explain where you are."

  That night, she shared her story. It was a tale woven with love, of family, of betrayal, and of eternal sadness. She spoke of the castle, its once-lively halls now empty, and of the lives that had been lost within its walls. She told him of the love she had once known, the joy it had brought, and the devastating betrayal that had shattered everything. The sadness that followed had stretched across millennia, each passing year carrying the weight of a loss she couldn't escape. As she spoke, the young man listened intently, feeling the raw emotion in her words, knowing that this was a story not just of the past, but of a pain that still lingered in her heart.

  A tale of eons ago, in an age when mortals and immortals danced among the stars, when gods and humans walked hand in hand, creation and creator existed in perfect harmony. It was a time of wonder, where divinity and humanity intertwined in a delicate balance.

  Among the celestial beings, there were two sisters—one born with the power of void and shadow, the other radiant with the brilliance of every star. The younger, the child of shadow, was content with her role as her elder sister's helper, devoted and dutiful. But all changed when their father, the God-King Asura, saw the truth beneath the light.

  Though the elder sister's radiance was unmatched, her heart held only malice toward the humans. She saw them as lesser beings, undeserving of divine favor. And so, in his wisdom, Asura bestowed dominion over humanity not upon the shining daughter, but upon the one of shadow. For while she did not blaze as brightly, her heart overflowed with love. Under her rule, the humans flourished, the earth thrived, and peace spread like the gentle glow of twilight.

  The years that followed saw an age of prosperity. Humanity grew ever more beautiful, their spirits shining in ways even the gods could admire. The God-King, pleased with his decision, told the elder sister to take note—to learn kindness and compassion. If she did, one day, she would stand at his side and rule as she had always dreamed.

  But jealousy burned within her. She did not see the wisdom in his words—only betrayal. Her younger sister had taken what should have been hers. And worse still, she had fallen in love with one of them—a mere human. By mortal standards, he was strong, but to the gods, he was nothing. A fleeting ember in an eternal fire.

  And so, the elder sister devised a plan. A plan to make her sister pay.