Information

Lillyth has a minion!

Ares the Misfortunat

Lillyth

The

Nightmare Clawsion
Owner: Alkuna

Age: 5 years, 7 months, 1 week

Born: August 10th, 2020

Adopted: 5 years, 7 months, 3 days ago

Adopted: August 14th, 2020

Statistics

Level: 12
Strength: 31
Defense: 30
Speed: 31
Health: 31
HP: 31/31
Intelligence: 33
Books Read: 33
Food Eaten: 0
Job: Unemployed

The first time Ardine Willrich laid eyes on Everett Manning, it was as if time had slowed to a crawl the moment she laid eyes on him.

Everett towered at an impressive 6'2", his strong build a testament to his frequent gym sessions. His golden hair, meticulously styled, brushed just above his collar and shimmered like spun gold in the office lighting. Those deep, ocean-blue eyes, with their captivating allure partially concealed by his slightly hooded eyelids and pale lashes, drew her in, hinting at secrets waiting to be uncovered. A hint of pale stubble framed his chiseled jaw and full lips, evoking pleasurable memories of the gentle rasp against her skin during intimate moments with previous lovers.

There was a thrilling buzz of excitement and a hint of nerves coursing through her, igniting an immediate, primal desire that began in her core and swiftly settled deeper. She wanted him. No, she needed him. She simply had to have him. This was a man she would pursue, consequences be damned.

Everett was being given a tour of the office by the middle manager. As they approached an empty cubicle just a few spots away from Ardine's own workspace, she caught sight of a ring on his finger. The realization that he was already married annoyed her, like an annoying mosquito buzzing in her ear. How DARE some random tramp get her claws into him! Without even knowing the woman's name, Ardine immediately hated her for getting in the way.

Months passed as Ardine bided her time, waiting for him to see what she had to offer. She tried flirting with him, but he always gently rebuffed or deflected her advances. Undeterred, Ardine kept an eye on him, learning his habits, what he liked, and what he didn’t. She bombarded him with emails and texts, left cute little notes on his desk, and even made it a point to be at his go-to coffee shop every morning. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to connect, he kept turning her down. When HR stepped in and warned her about potential disciplinary measures, Ardine realized she needed to rethink her strategy.

One afternoon, she made the daring choice to peek at the bus tickets he was holding and saw that his next stop was right by a well-known pub after his shift. After a swift change into her favorite slinky green cocktail dress that hugged her curves perfectly, she set off to catch up with him.

Ardine leaned against the worn oak bar of the dimly lit pub, her emerald eyes never leaving Everett's face. She took a slow sip of her whiskey, savoring the warm liquid as it trickled down her throat while she studied him. He was chatting with the bartender, and even with all the chatter around them, she caught snippets about mixed drinks. It sounded like he was looking for some recommendations for sweet, fruity cocktails to surprise his wife with. It seemed he was eager to treat her to something memorable.

She scoffed to herself. Seriously, if Everett's wife couldn't handle a whisky neat, then his wife was a boring lightweight. It felt like a crime to waste good booze on her. It was high time for Ardine to show him what a real woman could do. But once again, her attempt to impress him fell flat.

Everett's voice was firm with reprimand, "You're not listening to me, Ardine,"

"Everett, come on," she urged, her tone soft and sincere. “I just really want to get to know you better, you know? I want to show you what you’re missing out on.”

She watched as he let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders dropping a bit under the pressure of her feelings. Deep down, she knew he was getting fed up with her chasing after him, but honestly, it didn’t matter to her. She was determined to show him that they were meant to be together and that his marriage was just a flimsy obstacle in their way.

Ardine leaned in, her warm breath caressing his cheek. “Your wife doesn't need to know,” she purred, the words a seductive promise. “This can just be our little secret.”

Everett's expression twisted with disgust as he took a step back. He searched her face, hoping to find even a glimmer of shame or apology, but all he saw was desperation and raw, unbridled lust. A small pang of pity tugged at him, but it was quickly overtaken by a rising sense of frustration. He had turned her down countless times, but she just wouldn't let it go.

Ardine's face fell as he spoke firmly, his tone unwavering. "I'm happily married. You need to respect that."

Her face shifted to a mix of hurt and anger. "You have no idea what you're missing," she hissed, the whiskey sharpening her words. "I could make you happier than she ever could."

Everett's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thinner than the ice in his half-empty glass. "You need to stop," he snapped, his voice carrying the authority of a man at his limit. "I've made my position clear from the beginning, and I’m not going to keep going over it." With that, he turned away from her and strode off.

Ardine spirits sank briefly as she felt the sharp sting of rejection, but instead of letting it bring her down, it ignited her resolve. She knew she needed to step up her game - if words alone weren't enough, then perhaps bold actions would do the trick. With a renewed sense of purpose, Ardine set out to prove her worth and overcome this obstacle.

The next week, Ardine started keeping an eye on him. At first, it seemed harmless enough - she would park a few cars behind his, waiting until he was out of sight before entering the same building. She'd even choose a table at the restaurant where he had lunch with his wife. But as the days passed, Ardine's obsession with the man began to consume her. She’d find herself hanging out near his place late at night, heart racing as she saw the lights go out, picturing him snuggled up with the woman who had his heart. That woman, that witch, stood between Ardine and the man she desired. And Ardine wanted her gone.

Every time she followed him, her talisman grew warm. She recalled that something had been mentioned about this; she had a faint memory of Marcus from the Hunters Alpha team delivering them to her home when she was younger, but the reason behind it had been hazy. Danger? Didn't heat signify danger? Yet this warmth felt mild, almost pleasant and comforting - just like the flutter in her chest whenever she gazed at the man she desired.

Absently, she caressed the talisman, reimagining the warmth over her heart as a sign of her love for Everett. What if their talismans grew warm together when he finally picked her over his wife? That thought sent a delightful shiver down her spine. It was a mix of hope and excitement, a little spark that made her heart race. She couldn’t help but dream about the moment when everything would align, and they could finally be together, their shared warmth a testament to their connection.

Everett's wife was named Meghan. She wasn't unattractive, exactly. However, Meghan always dressed in a plain, homebody style, favoring sweats, pants, and basic shirts that never flaunted her figure. She didn’t seem to put any effort into trying to catch anyone’s eye. Ardine found it hard to grasp what Everett found appealing about her, especially since Meghan's style seemed to completely overshadow any potential charm she might have had. What was the appeal? Ardine had to know.

She decided to study Meghan's social media accounts, meticulously piecing together the details of her life - her friends, her hobbies, her mundane routines. It was all a puzzle to Ardine, one she was determined to solve. Honestly, Meghan's existence continued to baffle her. Meghan was so... so boring! While most people would be out enjoying the great outdoors, Meghan was stuck in a book club. Instead of getting her hands dirty in a garden, she was busy cleaning the house. Rather than learning a new language, Meghan collected white porcelain cats. Ardine struggled to fathom why Everett, her own beloved, would choose to be with such a painfully ordinary woman, living such a painfully ordinary life.

One evening, she noticed Meghan heading out for her book club, and the sight of his car still parked in the driveway gave her a rush of excitement. This was her chance to get closer to him, to show him she was the one who truly understood him. She made her way to the house, her sneakers making no sound on the pavement. Pausing, she pretended to sort through a neighbor's mail, waiting until Meghan's car disappeared around the corner before slipping around the side of the house. The living room curtains were slightly pulled back. Through that little gap, she saw Everett sitting there, glued to the TV with a beer in hand.

As she moved closer to the window, her breath caught in her throat. The cozy glow from inside contrasted with the chilly night air, allowing her to make out his silhouette, his arm draped casually over the chair's armrest. A strong impulse surged within her to knock on the door, to rush in and insist that he come with her. Yet, deep down, she understood that such an action would only drive him away. So, she stepped back into the darkness, only breaking her gaze from him when she was too far away to see the details clearly.

She shifted her attention to the garden. It was clear that the plants had been overlooked; those once neat hedges had turned into a jungle. Seizing the opportunity, Ardine quietly entered the backyard, her movements careful and deliberate, and got to work. She yanked out weeds and planted a few flowers she had brought from home. She wanted to create an impression, something that would linger in Everett's mind, even if only for a brief moment.

As she was going about her work, a sense of satisfaction washed over her. It felt like her little secret method of being involved in his life, even if he wasn’t aware of it. She felt a strange kinship with Meghan, the woman who possessed what Ardine so fiercely desired. A part of her hated Meghan for being married to Everett, but there was also this strange sense of respect. After all, Meghan was the one keeping Everett so guarded and resistant to her advances. Ardine knew she had to prove herself as the superior choice, the one who truly deserved him. If Meghan realized how inferior she was compared to Ardine, she would step aside and let the more suitable woman take the prize.

After tending to the neglected garden until it looked presentable, she quietly disappeared into the night. Her heart raced as she hurried back to her car, the excitement of her secret mission coursing through her. The serene suburban street felt like a world away from the storm of feelings churning inside her. She was filled with a sense of energy, strength, and confidence as she carefully crafted a narrative around Everett.

Ardine's obsession only intensified in the days that followed. She was hell-bent on proving to him that she, not his mundane wife, was the true adventure and excitement he lacked in his life. To make her point, Ardine planned her days off to coincide with when Everett and Meghan were away, sneaking into the house with a spare key she had found tucked under the welcome mat. On each visit, she meticulously cleaned and rearranged certain items, subtly shifting the household to better reflect her own vision.

One evening, after Meghan mentioned her latest book club meeting on social media, Ardine noticed a steamy romance novel that piqued her interest. The racy cover made her cheeks flush just looking at it. That’s when an idea popped into her head: a bold way to get Everett's attention that he definitely couldn’t miss. She purchased the book and spent her lunch break scribbling passionate love letters to Everett in the margins, leaving them unsigned. The following day, Ardine left the book in Everett's study as a quiet yet bold statement of her feelings. Meghan rarely entered his personal space, his "man cave" - only Everett would see the book there. It should have been the perfect plan.

Time slipped by, and the book just sat there, gathering dust. Ardine was convinced that Everett had noticed it, yet he had not taken the bait. Whether he had flipped through its pages or simply left it alone, she couldn't tell. Her irritation festered, wrapping around her mind like an invasive weed, until it became impossible to ignore. Lately, her talisman had been radiating heat more often, almost uncomfortably warm now, and it felt like the heat was ramping up alongside her obsession. If Everett didn’t step up and help her cool off this burning desire, Ardine would have to resort to riskier measures. It was time to dig deeper and see if she could find a crack in their relationship — maybe snooping around in Meghan's private emails would give her some clues.

Ardine decided to sneak back into the house one Saturday afternoon while the two were out. As she entered, her gaze immediately caught sight of Meghan's laptop resting on the kitchen counter.

A quick glance around the empty house assured Ardine that no one was expected home anytime soon. With her hands shaking a bit, she opened up the laptop and started digging through Meghan’s emails. It didn't take long to find a concerning thread between Meghan and a friend, discussing the increasingly unsettled state of her home life.

Ardine’s heart raced as she read through the messages, feeling mixed emotions — part excitement, part anxiety. Meghan was clearly distressed; she mentioned how things around the house were being moved or left in weird spots that she could swear weren’t like that before. Everett insisted he hadn’t touched anything, but it was clear Meghan was growing increasingly frustrated and more than a little freaked out by the unexplained disturbances.

She couldn’t help but smirk as she closed the laptop and slipped out of the house. Perhaps this was the beginning of a rift in Meghan and Everett's relationship - one that Ardine desperately hoped would widen. With a satisfied sigh, she departed, leaving no further trace of her intrusion.

The following week, Ardine noticed a shift in Everett's demeanor. He appeared more withdrawn, a fresh concern shadowing his gaze. The book was gone from his study, and she couldn’t find any sign that he’d tossed it out. So, he must have taken it, right? That thought gave her a little thrill of victory. Her plan was actually working; she had successfully sown seeds of doubt in Everett's mind.

She experienced a brief moment of guilt, but quickly brushed it aside. This was all part of proving that she was the better choice. He was just going to have to come to terms with the fact that his first wife wasn’t the right fit for him. Sure, it might be tough for him to accept at first, but Ardine was confident that she'd soon make him forget all about Meghan.

She was hell-bent on possessing him, no matter what it took or how high the cost would be. And if he didn't come willingly after everything she had done for him, then he wouldn't appreciate what would follow. Perhaps just a little bit of punishment would be in order.

She felt a sudden jolt of heat radiating from her talisman, prompting her to pull it away from her skin for a moment while muttering under her breath. Her anger simmered, intertwined with the lingering heat. She needed to cool down before lashing out. Getting worked up now would be jumping the gun; he still had the opportunity to open his eyes and leave that inferior woman behind.

Ardine's phone dinged with an email from her boss, summoning her to his office first thing Monday morning. She let out a frustrated sigh, feeling a mix of annoyance and a hint of worry. A new project meant she’d be swamped and distracted, taking time away from her pursuit of Everett. If she didn’t keep up her efforts, she risked losing all the progress she’d made. Juggling work was already tough, especially with her heart set on winning over the man of her dreams. Did work really have to demand her attention right now? Couldn't it wait just a little bit longer?

The following morning, Ardine noticed Everett's wife leaving the driveway first and took the chance to make a decisive move. This was the moment she had been waiting for - he had to choose her now; otherwise, all her efforts would be wasted. Ardine bided her time until Meghan was out of sight, then approached Everett as he readied himself to leave in his own car.

Ardine's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I know you're unhappy," she said, her voice gentle and friendly. "I've been looking after your garden and tidying up your home. I just wanted to show you that someone cares and that there's more to life than what you have now." She flashed him her most charming smile, "I noticed you picked up the book I left. Did you like the messages I left inside?"

Everett's gaze met hers, and her smile faded as she detected the lack of appreciation in his eyes. “So you're fully admitting that it was you caught on camera trespassing in my yard in the dead of night," Everett's voice was a low growl, "and you're also confessing to sneaking into our home during the day."

Ardine's brow furrowed in momentary confusion. "I... you... what?" she stammered.

"We've got you on camera, Miss Willrich. These days, most homes have these nifty little recording devices to catch monsters from the Vale... or, you know, unwanted guests. Trespassing and breaking and entering? Yeah, those are both illegal, Ardine." He searched her eyes, hoping to find some sign of regret or an apology, but she just held his gaze, chin raised defiantly.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I just wanted to let you know I'm here for you and I can make you happy," her voice wavered slightly as she noticed Everett's narrowed eyes.

His voice grew cold as he demanded, "Why would you do that?"

Frustration bubbled up inside her. "Seriously? It's so obvious that I'm a much better match for you than she is! I've been here all along, showing you how I would make you happy. But for some reason, you just can't see me with that woman the same way."

Everett's tone was cool and businesslike “I can see you just fine, Miss Willrich. I just don’t like you.”

The words felt like a stinging slap to the face, and Ardine stared at him silently, trying to find the words to lash back. This wasn't how it was supposed to be - he was meant to appreciate all her efforts to please him. Yet here he was, completely deviating from the script she had envisioned.

But Everett wasn’t done yet. He inhaled deeply, his teeth gritted. “Ardine, come on, you’re being delusional. You need to stop this behavior right now. If you keep this up, Lieutenant Vyces or one of his squad will notice you if you keep it up. Haven't you felt your talisman getting warm? It happens when you begin attracting the powerful monsters from the Vale. It means that something way more powerful than your talisman is aware of your presence."

"That's..." Ardine stumbled over her words, wanting to argue and insist that the heat she felt was just her attraction to him. She yearned to insist that the heat came from her own desire for him, a desire that would envelop them both when he gave in and they shared their passionate love. She wanted to insist that it would warm them both when they made passionate love. A small voice in the back of her mind whispered that he was telling the truth. Ardine ruthlessly pushed aside this warning, determined to believe what she wanted.

She straightened her back and glared at him. "Thinking about you is my favorite pastime. You belong to me. I've made up my mind, and I'm done asking for your approval. Once I'm through with you, I’ll be the one haunting your thoughts, and you'll completely forget about that little whore you call a wife!"

Her talisman suddenly flared up, unleashing a searing burst of heat that made her cry out in pain. It scorched her blouse and burned the skin on her chest. The acrid scent of charred fabric, singed skin, and something more pungent filled the air as she frantically tried to yank the talisman away from her body. The heat was unbearable, causing her fingers to sting even though she was only holding onto the chain it hung from.

Everett's eyes grew wide, filled with a mix of fear and disbelief. "Ardine, stop!" he cried. "You have to let go of your obsession for me! Something is coming for you, and you are no longer protected."

The heat from Ardine's talisman died abruptly, and her gaze dropped to it as Everett pointed. The words caught in her throat.

The small, mysterious object had been crafted from an unknown material, its pristine white surface adorned with delicate etchings of arcane runes. But now? Now it was charred a dark brown. The talisman had burnt out, the substance was scorched, and the delicate etchings were obliterated by char that crumbled away to dust, leaving it blank.

The sky began to darken, the warm yellow sun fading away despite the cloudless expanse above. A siren's wail pierced the ominous silence as the vibrant blue shifted to a blood-stained crimson, resembling an artificial twilight. Warning lights flashed around her, strobing through the ominous red glow.

She could faintly hear the sounds of people yelling and hurriedly securing their homes. Doors banged shut, windows were closed tight, and curtains were drawn. When the siren sounded, the order was to shelter in place, and nobody dared to peek outside. They all knew what was going to happen.

Everett stepped back from her, his face a mix of pain and acceptance. "I tried to warn you."

The burn on her chest throbbed in time with her suddenly pounding heartbeat, but there was no way she could stop now; she needed him to understand. "The feelings you stir in me are too amazing! We have to be meant for each other! I’ve given you my all! Why can’t you do the same?" Ardine ripped the ruined talisman from her neck, tossed it into the gutter, and attempted to chase after the man she had longed for all this time.

The gentle breeze that had been rustling the shrubs had vanished, leaving the air thick and unnaturally still.

He shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "Because I was never yours, and I never felt the same in return. I'm... I'm sorry Ardine, but this is entirely on you." With that, he whirled around and bolted back to his front door, leaving her standing alone on the sidewalk.

"No! I can't lose this feeling, I can't lose you!" she screamed, desperately trying to follow him. But it was like her legs had turned to lead; everything felt heavy and slow. The siren's wail in the background became drawn out, dropping from a sharp wail to a deep, distorted moan.

Everett's door slammed shut before she could take three steps, trapping her outside. She paused, her vision blurred with tears of desperation as she heard him engage the deadbolt.

The distorted sound of the siren was abruptly swallowed by a deep, guttural growl that seemed to reverberate through Ardine's very bones. Her eyes flew wide with terror as a Nightmare Clawsion materialized before her - a heart-stopping amalgam of shadows, fangs, and razor-sharp claws.

The Clawsion's black eyes burned with ravenous hunger as it focused on the puny mortal cowering before it. The creature's fur was pitch black, enveloped in a subtle shadowy mist that distorted its form, causing it to ripple and shift like oil on water. Its sooty gray wings were partially spread, giving it a more imposing appearance. The creature's most striking feature, however, was a pair of gleaming white saber fangs that almost seemed to glow in the dim light as it slowly stalked toward its prey.

Ardine's first instinct was to flee as the beast lashed out with its lethal claws. With a desperate backward leap, Ardine nearly evaded the attack but felt the claws score shallow gashes across her stomach. Her heart pounded in her chest as the adrenaline surged through her body.

Gods, it nearly disemboweled her! The pain pushed back the supernatural sluggishness, desperately searching for something - anything - to use as a weapon against the beast. She would hurl a lawn gnome at its head if it meant repelling the beast! She wrapped her arm across her stomach and felt the warmth of her own blood seeping through her clothes. The Clawsion's claws scraped on the sidewalk behind her as it closed in.

The creature pushed off the ground, springing after her like a nimble cat rather than the clumsy, bear-like creature it was. She felt its impact as its claws sank into her back, and she could feel its icy breath on the nape of her neck. The chill seeped into her veins, and everything around her began to fade into darkness. Gleaming saber fangs tore into her neck, and she succumbed to the encroaching darkness.

By the time the Hunters arrived on the scene, the siren had gone silent, and the lights were no longer active.

Hunter Marcus, leader of the Alpha Team, knocked politely on Everett's door. Just behind him, the Corpse Bearers were finishing up the grim task of wrapping Ardine Willrich's remains in a tarp and loading her into the back of a truck. Marcus didn’t need to take a second glance at the body; the word "lust" was gruesomely etched into her forehead, and it was clear her soul had been consumed. The fatal wound to her neck had come from behind, brutally severing her spine and nearly decapitating her. The sidewalk was drenched in blood, and he could hear the water truck rumbling to life as it prepared to wash away the horrific scene with a high-pressure hose.

The man who answered the door looked exhausted and traumatized, his hair tousled from repeatedly running his hands through it.

Marcus spoke softly, "Mr. Manning, I'm so sorry you had to witness this incident. Would it be alright if I asked you some questions?"

Everett silently ushered Marcus inside, his eyes appearing distant while also seemingly focused on the Corpse Bearers at the same time.

Marcus gently closed the door behind him, hoping to redirect Everett's focus and shield him from the distressing scene unfolding outside.

The questions were practical and thorough. Everett had a lot to share with Marcus about Ardine's relentless stalking and obsession with him. With a heavy heart, Marcus sat through the security footage, witnessing Ardine's bizarre night spent rearranging Everett's garden, along with the numerous occasions she broke into his home to do the same. He observed her on the indoor cameras as she tampered with Meghan's laptop, and ultimately saw Ardine dash off-screen, chased by the entity her fixation had brought forth. While the actual moment of the attack wasn't recorded, the evidence outside was more than sufficient.

Marcus let out a long sigh. "That was Lillyth, the monster who hunts down those consumed by the sin of Lust." When he saw Everett bury his face in his hands, Marcus leaned in to offer some support. "Mr. Manning, none of this is your fault. Miss Willrich knew the dangers, yet chose to continue down that dark path. Sure, we can feel sorry for what happened to them, but ultimately, they always had the choice to step back. They can always get help, but they must be willing to accept it."

"Why?" It was just one word, but it asked so many questions.

Marcus took a moment, settling on the question that seemed to come up the most. "The truth is, we just don't understand why some people fall victim to the Vale of Hungry Shadows while others seem to be spared. It may have to do with the wiring of their brains, or it could be completely out of their control. Who knows? Maybe the Vale simply selects its next target at random."

Everett's voice rose to a half-shout as the questions tumbled out. "Am I going to be the next victim? What about my wife? And if we have kids, will they end up in some sick lottery to become the next snack for a monster?"

Marcus placed both hands on Everett's shoulders, "Mr. Manning, please take a deep breath and try to relax. You and your wife are probably safe, and your wife is off trying to get a restraining order - an order that's admittedly pointless now that Ardine is deceased." He grimaced as the words left his mouth.

"Regarding your future children," the Hunter shrugged and said, "you've got a bit of a buffer. Vyces and his crew only target adults, so kids are completely off their radar. This means you have the chance to raise them properly and equip them with the skills they need to stay safe as they get older."

Everett exhaled deeply, feeling a wave of tension leave his body. Marcus gave him a reassuring smile and said, "Please remember that getting caught up in 'what ifs' can drive you crazy. You don’t want to stress over things that might never happen. Just focus on being there for your wife right now." He paused for a moment and added, "It might also be a good idea to consider therapy to help you process everything you've been through. It's so important to take care of your mental health, especially in times like these."

Marcus was among the last to wrap things up and head out. The pavement glistened with moisture, and the area felt eerily still. Most folks who weren’t at work were holed up inside, trying to steer clear of the grim reminders left by Lillyth's assault.

With a heavy heart, he traced his finger over the burnt remnants of Ardine's talisman. Over the past fortnight, Bravo Team had thwarted one assault on a family, but there had been several other incidents that led to six tragic fatalities. He had sifted through three centuries of journals documenting the attacks by the creatures in Vyces' platoon. He also spoke with Richard, the leader of Bravo Team. The forest's condition had deteriorated, and deaths had increased from one every six months to approximately one every two days.

The forest had really taken a toll on the town's population lately — faster than ever before. Marcus was left wondering what the Hunters would do when people began dying every single day. He had a sinking feeling that they might soon find out the hard way.