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墨書 Inktalez
Natalie walked for a long time before finally arriving at the dense forest that overshadowed the central square of the city. In fact, this thick forest was not unfamiliar to her, as it surrounded Blycheno Manor, where she lived.
Since childhood, Natalie had played around the edges of the forest, but she had never ventured deep into its heart. Within the depths of the mountains and woods, ancient trees towered high, blocking out the sun and casting an eerie shadow over the forest, making it appear both frightening and mysterious. The forest was ominous and terrifying, with few daring to enter. Occasionally, someone bold enough to venture in would become lost and never return.
However, Natalie had heard tales of a Centennial Tree deep within the forest. Its trunk was thick and gnarled, ancient and robust, sprawling with roots like a tangled web, its canopy reaching high into the sky. The cross-section of its trunk bore many wrinkles, resembling the face of an elderly person past their seventies. Some said it was a symbol of the divine and the origin of life.
Taking a glance at the forest before her, Natalie did not hesitate and fearlessly stepped into the woods. She trudged through the forest from sunrise to sunset until she finally reached the heart of it, standing before the Centennial Tree.
Indeed, there was a black carriage waiting there, drawn by two tall and powerful Snow-white Steeds. Behind them was a dark carriage compartment that seemed as black as night.
Feeling a bit anxious, Natalie mustered her courage and climbed aboard the mysterious Black Coach. Soon enough, the carriage took her to the front of a Dreamlike Castle. From afar, beautiful music drifted out from within the castle, though it sounded lonely and sorrowful in the vast emptiness.
After disembarking from the carriage, Natalie pushed open the castle door and saw a figure intently playing an Ancient Piano in the grand hall. However, due to the darkness of night, she could not make out his features. Natalie speculated that he must be the owner of the castle.
As he finished his piece, sensing an unusual presence behind him, the shadowy figure stood up and asked loudly, “Who are you?”
His deep and powerful voice made Natalie tremble. She timidly explained her purpose for coming and earnestly requested his help.
“Do you know who I am?” The shadow chuckled lightly after hearing her words.
Natalie shook her head.
“I am a demon.”
"You are not important; I only know that you can save my lover."
Natalie widened her eyes, staring at the shadow, even though she couldn't see his face in the darkness.
"You should understand that dealing with a demon is an unwise decision," he said with a mocking tone.
"Whether it's wise or not doesn't matter to me, as long as you can save my lover," Natalie said firmly.
After saying this, Natalie took out a strand of hair from her pocket, cradling it in her palm. "This is my lover's hair; I hope you can bring him back to life."
The demon laughed heartily, his sharp laughter echoing hauntingly in the empty hall.
"Making a deal with a demon comes with exceptionally harsh conditions because I only want one thing in exchange."
"As long as you can save my lover, I can give you anything I have."
The demon stopped laughing and said seriously, "I want your soul. However, I will not take it now; I will claim your soul after you die. Are you willing?"
"Claim my soul?"
"Yes, once I take your soul, you will become a wraith, wandering aimlessly and unable to enter heaven. The fate of a lonely spirit is worse than the Eighteen Layers of Hell."
"As long as you can help me revive my lover, it doesn't matter if I have no life or soul; as long as my heart knows love, I will be content."
The demon had been watching her in silence from the darkness for a long time.
"I believe you have love in your heart as well. You are far kinder than those executioners outside the forest," Natalie said.
"Why do you think I am kind? You should know that demons are the embodiment of evil."
"I may have thought so before, but I don't believe that now."
"Is it because you desperately want to save your Lover and are flattering me on purpose to seek my help?"
"No, I could tell from your piano playing. The music is lonely and sorrowful, clearly only someone with feelings could play such a piece. If you were devoid of emotions, a truly ruthless person, how could you produce such beautiful and moving music?"
The demon did not respond. He looked at her deeply for a moment and then walked deeper into the castle. Natalie stared blankly at his figure as it disappeared behind one stone door after another.
Natalie felt a bit disappointed, but she was unwilling to leave the castle. Instead, she stayed in the hall, waiting for the demon to appear again. As drowsiness overtook her, she fell asleep in the hall. Not long after she fell asleep, the demon returned to her side.
The demon gazed at her as she slept, her golden hair, her lowered head, her tightly closed eyes, and her entire body illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window. Yet he did not wake her. After watching her for a while, the demon silently left the castle hall once more.
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