Lunar Ties

That morning, the air felt colder than usual. Selene sat at her desk, staring at the black vial in front of her. Her hands trembled, but she tried to control them. Something inside her demanded that she continue to seek answers about the liquid. But the more she examined it, the more questions arose. What had really happened to her? And what was the connection between this liquid and the profound changes occurring within her?

Those thoughts haunted Selene. Every time she looked in the mirror, her once-brown eyes now glowed with a golden hue. Her skin seemed paler, and her body felt stronger. Even the smallest sounds around her were so clear. Selene could feel every detail, as if her senses had evolved into something unexpected. She felt trapped between the world she knew and something darker, something wilder.

She remembered her encounter with the mysterious man the night before. His words still echoed in her ears. "Give up the liquid, forget everything, and return to your normal life." There was no one she could fully trust, but one thing was certain: she couldn't go back to her old life.

She tried to focus again on the computer screen in front of her. Thick books on myths and legends were scattered across the desk, pages filled with stories about wild creatures and the transformations they underwent. However, the deeper she delved, the more references she found suggesting that the liquid was not just some scientific experiment. It resembled an ancient potion, said to turn humans into savage beasts, much like the stories of werewolves.

Selene rubbed her face, trying to shake off her confusion. She knew one thing for sure: the changes happening to her weren't just side effects from the liquid. Something darker, something stronger, was taking over her. And now, her body was starting to feel the effects.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door of her lab. Selene jumped, her eyes immediately turning toward the door. Who could be visiting so early? She didn't remember having any appointments. Cautiously, she walked over, reached for the door handle, and opened it just a crack.

At the threshold stood a woman who appeared older than her, with an elegant yet mysterious presence. The woman's bright green eyes glowed with an intensity that made Selene feel like she was being examined.

"Selene Albright," the woman began, her voice soft but authoritative. "I know what's happening to you. And I'm here to help you face it."

Selene stared at her, trying to figure out who this woman was. "Who are you? And how do you know about me?"

The woman gave a thin smile, but there was something in her smile that felt very serious. "My name is Alina. I am one of those who knows more about what you've encountered. And you're not alone in this."

Selene fell silent, her heart pounding. The woman's words seemed to open a door to another world, a darker world, one that Selene wasn't sure she was ready to face.

"You know about the liquid?" Selene asked, still hesitant, though curiosity was beginning to take over.

"The liquid is part of something much bigger than you think," Alina answered calmly. "What's happening to you is not a coincidence. It's a sign that you've connected to a world that has only existed in legends."

Selene felt as though a wall was crumbling inside her. She had heard about creatures like werewolves, but it had always felt like just fairy tales. Now, everything suddenly felt very real. But what could she believe now?

"So… what am I supposed to do?" Selene asked, her voice trembling. "Is there a way to control all of this?"

Alina nodded. "There is a way, but it will require sacrifice. You must learn to accept the darker side of yourself and master it. Only then can you control what's happening to you."

Selene felt confused, yet there was another feeling growing inside her, a feeling that Alina might be the only one who could give her the answers she sought. On the other hand, she also felt something strange flowing within her, a drive she couldn't explain. Like there was power waiting to be unleashed, power that had been hidden in the shadows all along.

"This world is bigger than you think, Selene," Alina continued. "You are not alone in this journey. There are many creatures like you hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to emerge."

Selene felt as though a heavy burden had fallen upon her. She had entered a world so different from the scientific world she knew. This world was filled with creatures that could not be explained by science, and now, she was a part of it.

But before Selene could digest Alina's words any further, the woman stepped back. "You won't be able to escape your fate, Selene. What's happening to you is the beginning of something much bigger. And to survive, you must accept what's within you."

With that, Alina turned and walked away, leaving Selene still confused, with many unanswered questions.

***

Selene returned to her lab, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Alina's words still echoed in her mind, and despite her efforts to stay rational, her body was responding in ways she couldn't control. Her body felt stronger, her breath heavier, and every sound around her was so clear.

When she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she saw even greater changes. Her eyes were no longer just glowing golden; they appeared to be burning. Her skin was brighter, and the lines on her body stood out more clearly. Even the small wounds on her body healed so quickly, as if her body was repairing itself in an unnatural way.

Selene knew she could no longer ignore these changes. Something darker, something wilder, was starting to take over her. This wasn't just a result of the liquid she had been studying. This was a change far bigger than she had imagined.

Outside the lab, the world continued as usual. But Selene knew that the world she once knew was no longer the same. Her fate was now tied to something far darker, and she would have to be ready to face it.