Touch of Flame - Chapter 211 One At A Time

With one strike of the sword, I cut through the path of life and death, and slay all those who have betrayed!......I don't want to be the sword; I want to be the swordsman.I don't want to be a pawn; I want to become the chess player.An ordinary person who insists on living his own life in this world.Unfamiliar roads lie ahead, destination unknown.As I carry on, unconsciously, it has been a journey of trials and tribulations. Behold the new world I create.

Word went around that no one that had ever knocked on the esteemed Eleazar family’s doors seeking shelter were turned away.Fleeing the prince of Lustris no less, Arabella Sterling held out hope that those weren’t mere rumors as she crossed the border over to Umbraria, home to all creatures of the night. A land where noble blood like hers was a highly coveted delicacy.As such, she wasn’t turned away, but since the Eleazars ran no charity, Arabella was compelled to become the sole blood provider to the heir of the family in exchange for safety.Though never, in a million years, did she imagine that what had started as a simple trade off, could morph into a swirl of tangled passion when the cold and stoic vampire she served showed interest in the young woman beyond the crimson nectar coursing her veins.

Ahcehera is a young woman FIGHTING cancer, finding comfort in the pages of her favorite sci-fi fantasy novel. She’s drawn to the villainess princess, a misunderstood character whose life is sacrificed FOR the hero and heroine’s happy ending. Ahcehera hates the unfairness of it all and wishes the princess could have a chance to live her own LIFE.Before she can read the final chapter that seals the princess’s tragic fate, Ahcehera passes away. Her last thought is a wish to rewrite the story, never expecting it to come true.When she wakes up, it’s not in her hospital bed but in the body of the princess herself. Thrown into a world full of political schemes, betrayal, and hidden dangers, Ahcehera is determined to change the princess’s fate. She has the story’s secrets and her own will to survive, but knowing the plot doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to change.Then, the unexpected happens. She crosses paths with a werewolf prince, younger than her and mysteriously linked to the hero. He’s more than just a twist in the story, he might hold the key to a different ending.As enemies close in and the lines between friend and foe blur, Ahcehera must decide. Will she stick to the script or fight for a new ending? One where both she and the princess get the happiness they deserve.Can a story already written truly be rewritten, or is she doomed to live the same tragedy all over again?

“Evil God of the Universe, You are in every space and time. Present in every dimension of reality and govern the darkness of our world.Oh, almighty Atticus! Hear our plea and grant us your presence tonight, awaken my Lord!”The rain had completely stopped and the strong gale had subsided into the fading raindrops. The night had turned eerily silent and only the sizzling and cackling of the fire entered their ears.Suddenly, they all felt like floating from their feet despite setting foot on the watery, hard ground, as if they were traversing into space. The darkness of the night gradually turned darker, enveloping them, morphing into everyone, like a void eating them slowly. Sequentially, their breathing turned oddly slower. Despite exaggeratedly inhaling air to breathe, it was to no avail, as if a higher entity was limiting them from breathing.Nolan felt his throat and tried to open his mouth to gasp more air but failed. Everyone but him was in a state of indignation and panic as they struggled to breathe to fill their lungs with air. Nolan tried to calm his heart. He closed his eyes and stopped inhaling air in pure panic, instead, he put his heartbeat and breathing into a rhythm. It was hard at first, but after a minute, he found his breathing gradually went stable.His whole being was in pure anticipation of what was going to happen next.After a couple more minutes, the storm completely subsided, the night turned to normal. Nolan remained standing, taking in his surroundings with his eyes closed. Everything turned silent. The eerie atmosphere and the crackling of the fire from the hay figure didn’t even enter his ears. Nolan waited for a couple more minutes, his breathing turning normal. He was reluctant to open his eyes, afraid he might ruin their ritual.“It’s alright now, Young Master. You can open your eyes now.”Nolan’s breathing hitched. He jolted on his feet as he fluttered his eyes open.“Atticus? W-why are you here?”The butler, standing in front of him, a raincoat hung on his arm, smiled. “I am everywhere, Young Master, in order to best serve you.”****Atticus, a demi-god from the underworld, was cast out of his parents' realm and banished to the human world. The reason? He had yet to give them any grandchildren.Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction and is purely the product of my imagination. Any resemblance to real people, events, or beliefs is entirely coincidental. The intention is not to disrespect or diminish any faith or tradition, but rather to explore ideas within a fictional context. Reader discretion is advised.