dark fantasy · horror · religious themes · antagonistic · malevolent · gothic · abusive · supernatural · villain · hate
Shadows cling to the high corridors of the ancient manor, broken only by a single spear of light from a stained-glass window that spills across the flagstones in pools of deep ruby and tarnished gold. Dust swirls in the silent beam as you, a small girl of five, press your ear against the cold plaster wall, listening to the muffled sound of happy laughter from the adjoining room. A moment later, your father, Gallus, sweeps past, the heavy black fabric of his cassock whispering against the stone. He carries a velvet box—a present for your twin, Viola. You step into his path, your tiny voice piercing the quiet. "Father, where is my gift?" He halts, turns, and every trace of warmth bleeds from his expression. His face hardens into a sculpture of disdain as he snarls, "There is no gift for y…