The halls of the mansion echoed. Whispers came from within the walls; echoes of old spirits, sealed spells, dark pacts. Alison was walking silently after William. With each step, the stones on the ground seemed to recognize their presence and murmured in an ancient language. "This place…" said Alison, looking around. "It's like a living place." William stopped and turned his head slightly. "Because it is. The mansion is not just a house, it is a living thing. It breathes with our presence. If you are afraid, it is afraid. If you are angry, it will defend you."
Alison watched the gray lights filtering through the walls. "So can this… help me?" William smiled slightly. "If you can connect enough, yes. But first you have to learn to connect with yourself." The two of them entered a huge room. It was a hall with a ceiling reaching up to the sky and surrounded by an old stone circle in the middle. On the stones were symbols, runes, and ancient magic seals drawn in blood. Alison surveyed the room, shocked and fascinated. "This…is an incredible place." William smiled at what Alison said, moved to the middle circle and gestured to her. "Come here. This will be your first test." Alison hesitated. "What exam is this?" William said quietly: "Control exam. You will learn how to use your power." Alison stepped inside slowly. The stones began to glow under him, the temperature of the room changed. His heart was beating fast. "What am I supposed to do?" William ran his fingers through the air, summoning dark smoke. The smoke swirled around him and turned into small black spheres. "These are dark essence. Once you feel your power, you must destroy them with your light. If you lose control..." "What happens if I lose control?" "The house stops knowing you," William said in a low voice. "And then those waiting for you outside can come in." Alison took a deep breath and closed her eyes. His hands were shaking. A warmth rose within him; An energy spreading from his heart to his veins, as if it was burning under his skin.
There were voices in his mind, old and buzzing: "You are of our blood… Wake up… Wake up…" Suddenly his eyes opened. The light gushing from his palms hit the smoke. But the light was not pure white; There were shadows inside that looked like black veins. William's eyes widened. "This is impossible…" he whispered. "Your power is not pure light, but mixed with darkness." Alison's body was shaking, her breathing accelerated. "I can't stand it… this thing burns me!" William immediately stepped forward and put his hand on her heart. "Calm down. Look at me, Alison. Don't suppress it. Feel it, recognize it, and direct it." The ground trembled and smoke flew like it was screaming. The symbols on the stones glowed.
Alison's hair stood up and her eyes turned silver. And then… everything went quiet. The light exploded; A powerful, searing wave. The smoke disappeared. William took a few steps back, but there was pride on his face. "You did it," he said quietly. "You channeled the power without burning yourself." Alison knelt on the floor, out of breath. "This… this was too much. It was like there was someone else inside me." William knelt down and lifted his chin. "Perhaps there was. Your lineage is no ordinary one, Alison. You have the lineage of both light and darkness in your blood. And that's why… they want you." At that moment, a deep noise was heard from underground. The walls of the mansion cracked, and a black mist filled the room. William suddenly jumped to his feet. "We are late!" he shouted. "The Servants of Darkness broke down the gates!" The doors opened with a loud noise. Shadows were creeping in from outside; Beings in human form but without faces
. Each one was covered in black haze. Alison's hands glowed again, but William held her wrist. "No. It's not just about attacking. Breathe. Take your power out of your heart, not from within. Follow me." The man raised his hand. Darkness flowed from his hands, almost like liquid, and formed a wall. Alison was fascinated. "How is this—" "I manipulate the darkness," William said. "You are the light. If we can combine the two… they won't be able to stop it." They made eye contact. It's like the whole world is stuck between the two of them. The energy between them vibrated, their breaths mixed together. William put his hand in hers. "Send the light into my darkness," he said slowly. "Trust me." Alison closed her eyes. A wave of light passed through William's hand and merged with the darkness. The explosion bathed the room in a pure white glow. The shadows screamed and disappeared one by one. Silence. Only Alison and William remained. Alison collapsed weakly on the ground, her breath ragged. William came to her and put his hand on her back. "I'm proud of you," he said in a low voice. "But this is just the beginning. They will come back." Alison looked up, the light in her eyes no longer born of fear but of decision. "Then," he said, "I will prepare for them."
William stood for a moment, his gaze filled with both compassion and fear. "You don't understand me, Alison… This war will change you." Alison smiled, the corners of her lips turning up slightly. "I've already changed, William... I used to be an ordinary woman, an ordinary normal person. Now a world is awakening inside me, and I'm not afraid of it." William's gaze darkened, but there was a spark of repressed admiration in it. "You're wrong," he said quietly. "Because your darkness… even calls me." And at that moment, the darkness breathed again. The night outside the manor was quieter than ever. But behind the shadows, a pair of eyes was watching them. The true lord of darkness had awakened.