The Blood Moon's Betrayal

The night sky was draped in the crimson glow of the Blood Moon, a celestial harbinger of change. In the heart of an ancient city shrouded in mist and whispers, a love story that transcended time and shadow began to unfold.

Lina stood on the rooftop of the old library, her eyes reflecting the eerie light of the moon. She had been waiting for him, her heart a tumultuous sea of emotions. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of old pages and distant memories. She could hear the distant hum of the city below, a reminder of the life she once knew.

"Elion," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, "I need to see you."

Elion appeared at her side, his presence a stark contrast to the night. His eyes were a stormy gray, reflecting the moon's light. He had come to her, a ghostly figure in the darkness, his form almost ethereal.

"What is it, Lina?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper, laced with concern.

"I need to know the truth," she said, her hands trembling as she clasped them together. "About everything."

Elion sighed, the sound of it echoing through the stillness. "You know the truth will hurt you, Lina."

She nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "I don't care. I need to know."

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to her. "I have loved you since the moment we met, Lina. I have loved you more than anything in this world."

Lina's heart soared at his words, but there was something in his eyes that made her hesitate. "Then why did you have to leave me? Why did you have to go to the East?"

Elion sighed, his eyes filled with pain. "It was the only way to protect you. The Blood Moon rises every 100 years, and it brings with it a great darkness. I had to go to the East to prepare for it, to protect you from the shadows that come with it."

Lina's eyes widened in shock. "The shadows... What do you mean?"

Elion's face darkened as he spoke. "The shadows are not just dark forces; they are remnants of the past, the vestiges of old magic that seek to reclaim their power. They can see through the fabric of time and can twist the very essence of reality."

Lina felt a chill run down her spine. "And you think they will come after me?"

Elion nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I fear they will. That is why I had to leave. I was going to prepare myself, to be strong enough to protect you."

At that moment, a sudden gust of wind swept through the rooftop, carrying with it a cold, malevolent whisper. The shadows around them seemed to twist and contort, their presence becoming more tangible.

"Elion," Lina gasped, "what is happening?"

Elion looked around, his eyes wide with fear. "The shadows are drawing near. We must leave this place."

They turned to run, but it was too late. The shadows were upon them, their formless fingers reaching out, grasping at them with a malevolent intent. Elion shielded Lina with his body, their struggle growing more desperate as the shadows closed in around them.

"Run, Lina! Run!" Elion shouted, his voice barely audible over the growling of the shadows.

Lina stumbled away, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never felt such terror, such pure, unadulterated fear. She ran down the stairs, her feet pounding against the cold stone, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

In the distance, she heard Elion's voice, his last words cutting through the night. "Lina, run!"

But she could not. The shadows were closing in, their cold fingers reaching out, pulling her back. She felt herself being pulled, her feet no longer touching the ground, her eyes wide with terror.

Then, suddenly, a figure appeared in the shadows, a tall, dark figure with eyes like flames. It was her mother, her own reflection in the night, her voice a haunting echo.

"Lina," she whispered, "you must choose."

Lina's heart raced as she looked from her mother to the shadows. She knew what she had to do. She had to choose between the man she loved and the family she was born into.

"Elion," she whispered, her voice filled with love and pain, "I choose you."

With that, she leaped into the abyss, her body merging with the shadows as she made her final choice. The Blood Moon's light dimmed, and the shadows receded, leaving behind a silent, empty rooftop.

In the days that followed, the city of shadows was a ghost town, the residents vanished without a trace. But Lina remained, her body now part of the ancient library, her heart forever bound to the man she had chosen.

And every 100 years, when the Blood Moon rises again, it is said that Lina's spirit can be seen, her eyes still filled with love and pain, her heart still divided between two worlds, forever choosing between love and loyalty.