FATED TO DOOM

AWAKENED SHADOWS

Liz’s POV

When I finally came to, I was greeted by a dimly lit ceiling adorned with unfamiliar symbols. My body ached as if I had been hit by a truck, which, considering the accident, was likely. But this place was nothing like a hospital. I could hear whispers echoing around me, but I couldn’t make out any words.

I pushed myself up slowly, wincing at the pain in my ribs. The room was vast, with walls lined with strange, glowing symbols. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. Gathering my strength, I moved toward the door, which was slightly ajar.

Pushing it open, I stumbled into a corridor filled with eerie, floating figures. Some looked like beasts from nightmares, while others resembled people, their feet barely touching the ground. Fear clawed at my insides as I took in the surreal scene.

“Hello?” My voice was shaky, barely above a whisper. No one answered.

Before I could take another step, a woman appeared before me, her presence commanding and calm. She had a serene expression, her eyes a deep, piercing blue.

“Hello, Liz. I am Macy, a member of the Council of Elders in the underworld,” she said, her voice soothing.

The sight of Macy’s calm demeanor only made me more anxious. “The underworld? Am I dead? This is hell, isn’t it?”

Macy looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and patience. “No, you’re not dead. In the earthly world, you are believed to be dead, but here, you are very much alive. This is the underworld, and you are the Overlord.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “But I’ve been nothing but good! Though I didn't even go to church, but I’ve lived a decent life. Why am I here?” I lamented and cried because I don't want to perish. Hell, no one wants to. Who on earth will accept the knowledge of perishing with Lucifer.

Macy took a deep breath. “It’s not about being good or bad. It’s about destiny. Your celestial energy has absorbed Freya’s soul, merging your fates.”

“No, no, no!” I interrupted, pacing anxiously. “This can’t be happening. I don’t want to be here. I don’t understand any of this. I just want to go back home!”

The corridor around me seemed to shift and warp as I paced, making me even more disoriented. I spotted a massive, shadowy beast emerging from the darkness, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Screaming, I turned and ran, my heart pounding. I fled down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the walls.

But no matter how fast I ran, I ended up back where I started. The beast was gone, but my panic had only escalated. I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face. “Why me? Why is this happening? I don’t deserve this!” I said between sobs. All I wanted was to be home in the embrace of my family.

Macy appeared beside me, her expression gentle. “Liz, I know this is overwhelming. But you have a crucial role to play. You must accept your destiny and find the strength within you.”

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do!” I cried. “What am I supposed to be? A bridge between witches and demons? How does that even work?”

Macy’s eyes were filled with understanding. “You are the Overlord, Liz. Your role is to maintain the balance between worlds. It’s a heavy burden, but you have the strength to carry it.”

---

The words barely registered as I tried to regain my composure. Macy continued, “To separate Freya from you, we need to find the reincarnation of Azazel. You’ve already encountered him, though you may not remember.”

“I remember faces, fleeting memories,” I said, shaking my head. “But I don’t know who Azazel is or how to find him.”

“We’ll help you,” Macy assured me. “But for now, you need to rest and prepare for the trials ahead.”

The pain in my body and the turmoil in my mind made it hard to focus. Macy’s words echoed in my head as I tried to make sense of everything. “And what about my powers? How do I activate them?”

Macy’s gaze was resolute. “To activate your powers, you must face your fears and confront your inner demons. You need to unlock the Dagger of Souls within your subconscious. Only then will you be able to harness your true potential.”

---

As Macy left, I was left alone with my thoughts. The reality of my situation weighed heavily on me. My life had been turned upside down in a matter of hours, and I was expected to become something I could hardly understand.

All I wanted right now is to go back home and spend the rest of my boring life with my family. Then it dawned on me.... I didn't even ask her about my father if he survived the accident but I also didn't want to lose focus depending on the answer I am given. My first mission here is to find a way to get out of here while also playing along with all these bull s**t they are feeding me.

But the realization that I had to face my deepest fears and find an artifact locked in my subconscious was both daunting and terrifying because why will an object be locked inside someone's subconsciousnees and now I have to go get it. No matter how I see it, it is either I am dreaming, insane or everyone here is insane or maybe I am in some type of project....... but I didn't sign up for any. I sat in the dimly lit room, trying to steady my breathing and calm my racing thoughts. It felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders, and I had no idea how to lift it.

"Liz." Something inside of me called out faintly to me. I thought I was hearing things so I ignored it.