Twilight: blood & brimstone

The Fall Into Shadows

The moment Edward's fingers brushed against Bella's, the world twisted.

A cold wind howled through the ruins, and suddenly, the ground beneath him was gone.

Darkness swallowed them whole.

Edward barely had time to react before he was falling.

But this was no ordinary descent. The weight of reality itself bent around them, the world stretching and twisting like ink bleeding through water. His body plummeted, yet there was no gravity—no up or down.

Only endless, swirling black.

Then—

His feet hit solid ground.

Edward staggered forward, his breath sharp and ragged. The air was thick, heavy with something wrong.

And Bella—

She stood before him, untouched, unmoved.

Like she belonged here.

Edward's senses sharpened. He glanced around, taking in their new surroundings.

They were no longer in the ruins.

This place was ancient—towers of jagged obsidian stretched toward a sky that boiled with darkness. The very air hummed with unseen whispers, voices slithering through the silence.

It felt alive.

Like it was watching.

Bella smiled. "Welcome."

Edward straightened, his expression unreadable. "Where are we?"

Bella took a slow step forward, her blackened eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Somewhere beyond what your kind will ever understand."

Edward's jaw clenched. "You did this on purpose."

Bella tilted her head. "And yet, you followed."

Edward held her gaze. "Because I know you're still in there."

Bella chuckled, shaking her head. "Still holding onto that hope, huh?"

Edward took a step closer. "You haven't killed me yet."

Bella smirked. "Wouldn't be much fun if I did."

Edward exhaled. "Then what do you want?"

Bella's smile faded slightly. Her eyes flickered—just for a moment.

Then, she turned away. "Come."

Edward hesitated.

Then, he followed.

The Demon's Game

They walked in silence through the shifting landscape.

The demon was nowhere to be seen, but Edward could feel him—watching from the shadows.

He didn't trust it.

Didn't trust any of this.

But he trusted her.

Or at least… the part of her that still remained.

Finally, Bella stopped.

They stood at the edge of a vast abyss, the void stretching endlessly beneath them.

Bella glanced at Edward. "What do you see?"

Edward frowned. "Nothing."

Bella's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Look closer."

Edward turned his gaze downward—

And froze.

Because it wasn't just emptiness beneath them.

It was memories.

His memories.

Bella's memories.

A thousand stolen moments flickered below, shifting like reflections in shattered glass.

The first time he saw her in biology class.

The first time he touched her skin, marveled at her warmth.

Their first kiss.

The night he left.

The pain in her eyes.

The moment she chose him—chose this.

Edward inhaled sharply. "What is this?"

Bella's voice was quiet. "The past."

Edward turned to her. "Why are you showing me this?"

Bella's gaze was unreadable. "Because you need to understand."

Edward stepped closer. "Understand what?"

Bella met his eyes.

And whispered—

"That I am not yours anymore."

Edward's chest tightened. "Bella—"

"Stop." Her voice was firm, unyielding. "Stop saying my name like it means something to me."

Edward felt his stomach drop. "It does mean something. To both of us."

Bella shook her head. "You think you're here to save me." Her eyes darkened. "But tell me, Edward—do you even know what you're saving me from?"

Edward swallowed. "From him."

Bella smirked. "From me."

Edward's breath caught.

Bella continued, her voice soft but sharp. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't possession. This isn't corruption." She gestured to herself. "This is me, Edward. For the first time in my existence, I am free."

Edward stared at her, his mind racing.

No.

This wasn't—

She wasn't—

Bella sighed. "I knew you wouldn't understand."

And then—

The ground beneath Edward shifted.

The Breaking Point

A sudden force slammed into him, sending him flying backward.

Edward hit the stone hard, cracking the ground beneath him. Pain flared through his body, but he ignored it, pushing himself to his feet.

His golden eyes locked onto Bella.

She wasn't moving.

Wasn't even attacking.

No—

It was him.

The demon.

Stepping from the darkness, his grin sharp and amused.

"Well, well," the demon mused. "Still standing? I'm impressed."

Edward's teeth clenched. "What do you want?"

The demon's gaze flickered toward Bella. "I already have what I want."

Edward's fists tightened. "You're using her."

Bella's laugh was soft but cold. "Oh, Edward." She shook her head. "He isn't using me."

She stepped toward the demon, their shadows intertwining.

Edward's breath hitched.

Bella lifted a hand—trailing her fingers along the demon's jaw.

He smirked. "See?" he murmured. "She chose me."

Edward felt something inside him snap.

"No," he growled.

His body moved before his mind caught up.

He lunged—

But the moment he did, Bella raised her hand—

And everything stopped.

Edward's body locked in place, his limbs frozen mid-motion.

A force unlike anything he had ever felt wrapped around him, crushing, suffocating.

Bella's voice was soft in his ear.

"Still think you can save me?"

Edward struggled, every muscle screaming against the unseen force.

But it was useless.

Bella tilted her head, watching him carefully.

Then, she leaned in, her lips just inches from his ear.

"Let me go, Edward."

Edward's breath was shaky. "I can't."

Bella exhaled softly. "Then this is where we part."

And with a flick of her wrist—

Edward was gone.