Shadow of eternity and necklace of death

As the night stretched on, Alice sat by the fireplace, the warmth barely chasing away the unease that lingered in her chest. The storm outside had quieted slightly, but its remnants could still be heard in the distant roll of thunder. She leaned back in the chair, her thoughts wandering until a faint sound broke through the stillness.

It was subtle at first, almost indistinct, like a whisper carried on the wind. But then she heard it again a soft voice, low and melodic, calling her name.

Alice froze, her breath catching in her throat. The voice was faint, yet it seemed to echo in the quiet room, wrapping around her like a chill. She glanced around, but the room was empty. Midnight was nowhere to be seen, and the only sound came from the gentle crackle of the fire.

"hmm?" she called out softly, her voice barely above a whisper. But no reply came, only silence.

For a moment, she debated ignoring it. Perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her, a product of exhaustion and the storm's lingering tension. But then it came again, her name whispered so faintly that it almost felt like a memory.

Compelled by a mix of curiosity and unease, Alice stood. Her movements were careful, hesitant, as though afraid to disturb whatever presence had made itself known. Slowly, she moved toward the door, her hand hovering over the cold metal handle.

She hesitated for a moment, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. But the curiosity was too much to ignore. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

The corridor was dimly lit, The air was colder here, and Alice instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as she stepped out, the chill seeping into her skin.

She stood still for a moment, straining her ears for any sign of the voice again. It didn't come, but something about the stillness felt heavy, as though the castle itself was holding its breath.

Slowly, she began to walk, her bare feet making no sound against the cold stone floor. She didn't know where she was going, only that something seemed to pull her forward, an invisible thread drawing her deeper into the castle.

As Alice walked through the corridor, she suddenly froze in place. The strange feeling that washed over her wasn't just fear, she closed her eyes, and the chill surrounding her began to fade, replaced by the warm, playful energy of childhood. Suddenly, a distant memory came rushing back, vivid and alive, as though she were reliving it in real time.

Little Alice, her hair messy and her simple dress slightly wrinkled, was darting through the same corridors. Her innocent laughter filling the emptiness. She was alone, but that didn't bother her; the abandoned castle had become her secret playground, a place where she could race against no one but herself.

"Faster, Alice! You have to win!" her young voice rang out, cheering herself on as she sprinted as fast as her little legs could carry her, her tiny heart pounding with excitement.

But the fun didn't last. The sound of heavy footsteps rose from the end of one of the hallways. The stern and sharp voice of the butler followed shortly after, cutting through her joy. "Young lady! What are you doing here? This castle is not a place for children to play!"

Young Alice came to an abrupt stop, her face a mix of guilt and fear, though she couldn't stop a small, sheepish smile from forming.

"I was just… running!" she said, her voice filled with innocent defiance.

"This is a place for adults, not for curious little girls. Leave."

Those words had shattered her brief moment of happiness. Though she eventually left, the memory of that day remained etched in her heart. The castle wasn't just a strange place to her; it had been a piece of her childhood dreams, a secret haven she had claimed, if only for a fleeting moment.

Alice snapped back to the present, as though waking from a dream. Her eyes opened, she was standing in the same corridor she had once raced through as a child. The only difference now was the silence, and the heavy weight that seemed to hang in the air.

The air grew colder with each step, and the dim light of the sconces barely illuminated the path ahead. Shadows seemed to stretch and twist in the corners of her vision, and though she tried to shake off the feeling, it was as if unseen eyes were watching her every move.

And then, just as she was about to turn back, she heard it again her name, clearer this time, as if spoken directly into her ear.

Alice spun around, her breath hitching, but there was nothing behind her but empty space. The hallway stretched endlessly, the flickering light casting eerie shapes along the walls.

Her curiosity was now mingled with fear, yet she couldn't bring herself to stop. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling.

There was no answer, but the silence seemed to carry a weight, as though it was alive, pressing against her. Gathering what courage she had left, Alice continued forward, the whisper of her name echoing faintly in her mind.

Alice's steps slowed as she reached the Middle of the corridor. The cold seeped deeper into her skin, and her breath came in shaky bursts. She felt a strange pull toward one of the castle's massive windows, its towering frame framed by thick, intricate ironwork. The storm outside had quieted, but rain still streamed down the glass, distorting the landscape beyond.

As she stood before the window, something caught her eye a movement in the shadows outside. At first, she thought it might be a trick of the wind, the trees swaying wildly in the wind. But then she saw it again, deliberate and unmistakable.

A figure stood in the distance, cloaked in darkness yet strangely distinct against the stormy backdrop. Alice's heart began to race as she squinted, trying to make out the details. The figure raised an arm slowly and waved, the motion unnaturally fluid, almost mechanical.

Her breath hitched. The figure seemed to be looking directly at her.

Then, in a flash of lightning, his face was illuminated.

Alice gasped, stumbling back as terror surged through her veins. The man outside wasn't just looking at her; he was grinning, his wide, twisted smile stretching unnaturally across his face. His eyes gleamed with a sinister light, the kind that seemed to pierce straight through her soul.

For a brief second, his features burned into her memory. His face was pale and hollow, his smile frozen in a way that was far from human. And then the light vanished, plunging him back into shadow.

Alice's legs felt like lead, her body refusing to obey her desperate urge to run. She clutched the windowsill for support, her hands trembling as she tried to steady herself. The storm outside seemed to roar louder, and the figure's silhouette remained, unmoving, still staring directly at her.

The panic in her chest grew unbearable. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out. She felt utterly trapped, unable to tear her eyes away from the haunting image burned into her mind.

Another flash of lightning lit up the scene, but this time the figure was gone.

Alice staggered back, her chest heaving as she fought to regain control of her breathing. The window now reflected only the storm and her pale, terrified face. But the memory of that grin remained, etched deeply into her thoughts, leaving her shaken and unable to move.

Alice gasped and opened her eyes. She found herself lying on her bed, the golden rays of the morning sun streaming through the window and tenderly caressing her skin. The soft warmth on her body, but her heart was still pounding. For a moment, she lay there, her breath uneven, uncertain whether the events she remembered were merely a nightmare or something far more sinister.

The faint sound of knocking broke the silence. The rhythm was steady and unhurried, but it startled her nonetheless. She sat up slowly, her muscles still tense from the terror she had just experienced. The knocking came again, firmer this time.

"Lady alice," a voice called out from beyond the door, soft yet with an unnatural hollowness that made her shiver. "Breakfast is ready. The lord invites you to join him."

The familiarity of the voice brought a measure of calm, though it was tinged with unease. She recognized it as belonging to one of the Castle servants, one who was always prompt in carrying out his duties. Yet something about his tone now felt... off.

"J-just a moment!" she called back, her voice trembling slightly. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, pausing to gather her thoughts. The storm, the figure, that grin it all felt so real. But here she was, safe in her room. Perhaps it had only been a nightmare after all.

She stood and moved toward the door, hesitating before opening it. When she did, she was met with the sight of the servant standing stiffly in the hallway. His appearance was the same as always formal black attire, his posture unnaturally rigid but his skin was pale, with an unsettling bluish.

His face was composed, yet devoid of any warmth or vitality, his sunken eyes carrying a faint, eerie glow. It was as though he were a moving statue, a shadow of life itself.

"Lady alice," he repeated, bowing slightly. His movements were fluid but mechanical, lacking the natural ease of a living being. "The lord awaits you in the dining room. Breakfast is served."

She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening as she fought to suppress the unease crawling up her spine. The servant had always unnerved her.

"Thank you," she managed to say, her voice steadier than she felt. Then she allowed him to retreat down the corridor with the same unnatural grace, his footsteps eerily silent.

As the servant disappeared around the corner, Alice closed the door and leaned against it, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and dread. The faint echo of the figure's grin lingered in her mind as she prepared to face the day and whatever awaited her at breakfast with Lord Sebastian.