Echoes of Hollow

As night fell, everyone headed home to be with their families. Observing this scene made it clear that this was the most precious time for everyone in that place. However, contrary to what Hye had imagined, nothing happened even with a new dawn.

"It seems that full moons are indeed required for the transformation to occur, but even here, not every night is like that."

When they woke up, as on the previous day, some people went into the forest, others went to tend the crops, and besides those who rotated with the guards, there were also those with a bit more free time, responsible for the meals, who only began working once the first collection team arrived.

"What are you doing...? Are you really going to keep following her all the time?"

Arche is one of those responsible for preparing the city’s food and has some free time in the morning. The stares directed at her had not stopped; on the contrary, they seemed even more intense than the previous day. But while she played with her daughter by the river, she didn’t seem aware of this fact.

"No..."

Samantha’s fists were no longer clenched, and blood no longer trickled from her lips, yet somehow Hye sensed that she still wasn’t fully calm about what she had witnessed the day before.

"I’m just observing their daily routine... it could be useful information. But what about you? It’s taking longer than last time, isn’t it? How much longer until you can move again?"

"I’m not sure... I think I really overdid it this time. Maybe a few more hours... I think."

After finally managing to forget about the surroundings and focus solely on her daughter, Arche could ask for nothing more, but...

"You... need to come with us. Mr. Kyros is requesting your presence..."

The subdued voices and vacant stares of the guards, who couldn’t believe they had to do such a thing, made her heart, which had been light and calm, suddenly race and tighten in a desperate manner. The smile on her face vanished, replaced by the cold sweat dripping down. The gazes from all directions finally penetrated the fragile mental barrier she had created around herself and suffocated her mind. As she felt them, Arche had the sensation that she could even read their thoughts.

"Sweetheart..., stay here, alright...? Mommy will be back soon."

Her hands trembled and her body went cold, but touching her beloved child’s forehead, who was playing in the river, she contained her fears and gave her a brief kiss that lasted less than a second.

"Poor Lykos... so that’s why he was put in charge of the collection team even though he’s so young..."

"And also because the previous one could no longer handle it."

"Yes, that too..."

"It’s sad, but she’s too beautiful... like it or not, this was bound to happen eventually."

The walk to the central building was painful and heavy. The red doors haunted her dreams the night before, but... to think she would see them again so soon...

Paralyzed, Arche looked at the guards, but the response was a quick avoidance of her gaze. Swallowing hard and opening her clenched fists, they couldn’t look her directly in the eyes but were capable enough to personally open the door to her nightmare.

“Those bastards…!’ muttered Samantha.”

Her fists clenched, and with a brief flutter of her eyelids, the black dust enveloped her entire body.

‘Again, this strange energy…’ thought Samael. ‘What is this thing?’

Over time, Samantha gritted her teeth as her repulsion, not only towards the so-called leader but also towards all the other inhabitants of the city, reached new heights. As the day went by, despite knowing she appeared to be the victim, even Arche wasn’t spared from being the target of this feeling.

The day before, despite her fear, her refusal had been more than obvious. But now... so obedient, able to do whatever was asked of her, and not even saying a single no... it was as if she had forgotten how to refuse.

As she left the building, her tears as red as the doors she had just passed through, Arche didn’t even have time to fall. With her claws dug into her palms, her feet moved unconsciously, taking her into the forest as a blur. With no trees, animals, or even leaves, all she saw ahead was the red of blood flowing from her eyes.

As she reached the end of solid ground, the waters of a lake knocked her down, but she didn’t bother to return to the surface immediately. The red spread intensely, and with her own claws, she constantly slashed her body with deep cuts. Rising from the water, with a scream, she finally managed to release all the anguish in her chest.

"Aaaaaahhhh!"

Her steps became heavier, but not because of the liquid around her. Finally reaching a place where she could properly stand, her knees could no longer hold her.

"...It seems this is more complicated than it appears. I might be wrong, but honestly, I don’t think mere fear is enough to cause something like this..."

The tears kept flowing and the pain didn’t cease. As her claws transformed again, becoming even sharper, Arche placed her hand over her chest. The anguish was gone, but the weight still remained... suffocating her... But with her claws... if only she could... make it disappear...

"Stop!"