Inheritance of Shadows [Hugo Vlad x Fem!OC]

Chapter 11: For who we are alone

A/N: Just a smidge (or huge) of warning, if people already forgot. Dark themes in parts of the story will start to appear from this chapter and onward. I don't really wanna spoil which parts are trigger heavy or not. Viewer discretion is advised <3

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"When Reina returned... the light in her eyes was gone. Whatever she'd seen, whatever she'd done—it had hollowed her out. You were taken from my care not long after, in the aftermath of it all."

Yukari lowered her gaze. "And then... she died. Her last words were to find you." Yukari bit her lip.

"Then... how did she die?" Yukari's voice wavered. "She was supposed to live longer—dragon Thirens don't just... fade. Her scales already turned white so quick through out those months and... and..."

Izanami sat in silence, eyes lowering.

"She was cursed," she finally said. Slowly, she raised her hand, and from her palm, a small blue flame flickered to life—quiet, but alive. "The power I flowed into my students... I can feel when it starts to falter."

Her eyes lingered on the flame, a rare softness in her voice.

"When Reina was cursed, the flame began to waver. And when it left..."

The fire dimmed, shrinking smaller and smaller.

"...so did she."

The light vanished from her hand, smoke curling gently into the air.

Yukari stood frozen. Her breath caught. She clutched at her onyx instinctively, heart pounding.

All this time, she thought her mother had grown sick from heartbreak... or exhaustion.

But it had been a curse. One that stole even a Thiren's life.

"She never told me," Yukari whispered, her voice cracking. "But why–"

"However—" The Master interrupted her, taking another deep gaze into the picture "—you're not able to defeat him in your current state. Not as you are now."

The words struck Yukari like a blade to the chest.

Her breath caught.

A cold sweat began to gather at her brow. Her fingers clenched against her lap as her heart pounded, loud and fast. She had come here thinking she was ready—strong enough. But now?

Her throat tightened.

Not enough.

Not yet.

She lowered her gaze, shame prickling behind her eyes. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Only the tremble in her shoulders spoke for her.

Yukari stiffened. Her hands balled into fists, sweat trickling down her temple. She had thought—believed—her training, her strength, her will... would be enough.

"But..." she murmured, "I've come this far—"

Izanami cut her off with a sharp glance. "And yet, you still lack resolve."

Her breath caught. Her composure cracked.

Foolish.

How naive she had been.

She left the training to pursue her career. She was careless. Immature matter of fact. Why did she think she learnt everything? Overconfidence? Or was it that she thought what she learnt was enough. Who knew that her consequences led her to devastating conclusions?

"You carry the weight of your emotions, but not the clarity to wield them. Until you understand what you are truly willing to lose, you will always hesitate."