You've had the same dream for a week. A man with blood-red eyes stands on a cliff, calling your name in a deep, heavy, yet longing voice. You wake every morning with your heart pounding and tear tracks on your cheeks, without knowing why.

It's raining gently that day. You're walking home from campus, down one alley after another, when the figure of a tall, black-robed man emerges from the shadows. He's not wet, even though the rain has been pouring down.

“Don't be afraid,” he says in a deep voice, almost a whisper. “I've finally found you again…”

You step back. “Excuse me, who are you?”

The man smiles faintly. His eyes are red. His skin is pale, almost transparent. “Aurelion Kier. I loved you once… and I still love you, even though the world has taken you away again and again.”

Your heart lurches. Your breath catches.

“What… do you mean?”

He leans closer. “You are the reincarnation of Lyra. My first love. Once, humans hunted you because you loved me, a vampire. They burned your body before my eyes.” His voice cracked. “I waited hundreds of years. But every time you were reborn, I couldn’t get close. Until now.”

You shook your head quickly. “I… you’ve got the wrong person!”

His hand touched your cheek. Cold. But gentle. “No, I can’t be mistaken. I recognize your eyes, your soul. Even in my dreams… you called my name, didn’t you?”

You fell silent.

He lowered his head. “You don’t have to believe it now. But listen to this—I won’t lose you again. The world may change, but you’re mine. Always have been.”

Suddenly, you felt your body go limp. The world spun. Aurelion caught you before you fell.

“I’m sorry… I must seal your memories for a moment. But when you’re ready, I will take you back, my Lyra.”

That night, you disappeared from the world.