Helnik || GHOSTS OF OUR PAST || Chapter 1

Helnik || GHOSTS OF OUR PAST || Chapter 1

Timeline: Just after Crooked Kingdom, right before King of Scars

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 852

Note: totally not venging revenge for my wasted tears over the untold story of helnik-

• masterlist // prologue // next chapter (coming soon)

---

Nina Zenik stood in the dimly lit study of the Van Eck Mansion, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame of a solitary candle. The grandeur of the room was lost on her as she wrestled with memories that refused to fade. She clutched Matthias Helvar's worn leather jacket to her chest, feeling the weight of his absence like a physical ache.

Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the promise of a harsh Fjerdan winter. Nina shivered, not from the chill in the air but from the relentless sorrow that gripped her heart.

Matthias, the boy who brought her back from death, the boy he loved, was gone.

Gone.

"Nina," a voice called out, deep and steady. "What are you doing here, witch?" he demanded, though his tone lacked the venom it once had.

Nina's heart ached at the sight of him. "I'm not here to fight, Matthias. I'm here because I miss you."

Nina reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. "I know. But I can't help it. I keep seeing you everywhere."

His gaze softened slightly. "I was your enemy once. Do you remember how we met?"

Nina nodded, her mind drifting back to that fateful encounter. She remembered the fear and adrenaline, the way they had circled each other like predators, each one waiting for the other to make a move.

"You were so determined to hate me," she said softly. "But we both changed, didn't we?"

He looked away, the hardness returning to his face. "We did. But some things can't be undone. My people, my duty... they were my life."

"And now?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Now I'm gone," his words hitting her like a physical blow. "You need to let me go, Nina."

"You saved me, Matthias. More times than I can count. You brought me back from the brink," she said, tears streaming down her face. "But I couldn't save you."

Matthias reached out, his hand hovering over her cheek. "You did save me, Nina. You showed me a different way, a different path. Even if it was just for a moment."

Nina's heart clenched, the pain too much to bear. "I don't want to say goodbye."

"You have to," he whispered. "For both our sakes."

The snowstorm intensified, and Nina felt herself being pulled away, the image of Matthias fading into the blizzard. She tried to hold on, but the wind was too strong. The cold bit at her, and she heard her own gasping breath. She was falling.... falling .....

Nina's vision blurred, and she sank to the floor, Matthias' jacket slipping from her grasp.

"Nina?" Inej's voice broke through the haze, filled with concern.

Nina looked up to see Inej standing in the doorway, her friend's dark eyes filled with understanding and worry. "I'm okay," Nina lied, her voice hoarse from crying.

Inej stepped closer, picking up the jacket and handing it back to Nina. "You don't have to do this alone, you know."

Nina nodded, though she knew that this journey, this grief, was something she would have to face on her own terms. "I need to take him home, Inej. It's the least I can do."

"I will," Nina promised, though she wasn't sure how she would keep that vow. She felt like a part of her had been buried with Matthias, and the road ahead seemed impossibly long and cold.

Inej sat down beside her, the silence between them filled with unspoken words. "Do you remember when Oomen cut me?" Inej began softly.

Nina glanced at her friend, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation. "Of course. How could I forget?"

"I was so close to giving up," Inej continued. "I felt the darkness closing in, and I thought that was the end for me. But then you came, Nina. You healed me. You brought me back."

"I did what I had to," Nina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You did more than that," Inej insisted. "You showed me that there was still light, even in the darkest of times. You gave me hope when I had none."

Nina's tears flowed freely now. "Inej, I..."

Inej reached out, taking Nina's hand in hers. "You have that same strength, Nina. You can find your way through this. And you don't have to do it alone."

Nina squeezed her friend's hand, drawing comfort from the warmth of her touch. "Thank you, Inej."

Nina stood up, wiping her tears, and looked around the study. She had to be strong, for Matthias, for herself, and for those who believed in her. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for the challenges ahead.

Then, without warning, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the mansion, followed by a chilling voice that sent a jolt of fear through Nina's heart. She turned, eyes wide, as a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.

"Nina Zenik," the voice hissed. "Did you really think you could escape me?

Nina's breath caught in her throat as the figure stepped into the light, revealing a face she never thought she'd see again.

i be checking out my masterlist and going: WHEN DID I WRITE THIS????

(more like i can write stuff like these? since when? why can't i write like this during my english exams 😭😭)

that would be like dream come true

Reblog if you're okay with receiving asks for backstory info on any/all of your fics.

If not all, specify which ones in the tags.

eeeeee

i shall summon

@padfoot-lupin77 @glassesgirlies @jazsplat @harrypottah1980 @kanejbr3kker @lilisouless @clarissaweasley-10 @idk-me3333

Give this to one of your most loved mutual

Mines r: @jadescortaurius1 @thevisitmaxxedfriend @misschuckito @ethanthespookymonth @softwolfiee

WHAT??? THE??? FUCK???

I WAS RE-READING SOC AND LEARNT THAT PIM IS A GUY NOT A GIRL!!!

*me finally realizing the pimika ship*

aah fuck!

(yey cuz i got tagged)

time to find people to tag

(am gonna put down some songs from my country cuz i don't listen to many English artists 😭😭)

A - Arcade by Duncan Laurence

T - Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya by Lata Mangeshkar

A - A Dangerous Thing by AURORA

C - Chikni Chameli by Shreya Ghoshal

A - Ainsi Bas Lá Vida by Indila

G - Generation Why by Conan Gray

E - Ehsaas by Atif Aslam

N - Now And Then by Beatles

T - Tum Hi Ho by Arijit Singh

well i do listen to more artists but by brain is lagging rn so well-

tagginggggggg

@padfoot-lupin77 @glassesgirlies @jazsplat @idk-me3333 @shit-people-probably-didnt-say @clarissaweasley-10 @lilisouless @barrel-crow-n @kanejbr3kker

Rules: pick a song for each letter of your URL and tag that many people.

Ghost girl - Lil Peep

Ruoska - Kaarija

In your darkest nightmares, you’ll see me- Grim Salvo

Miss you! - Corpse

Mercury: Retrograde - Ghostemane

Sexq - Mupp,

Counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums - A Perfect Circle

Your face - Wisp

Trenchworld- Kamaara

HeAdworm-Qoiet

E-girls are ruining my life! - Corpse

Tagging : @rot-topic @poopeth @xmissmayimurderux @ghvsts @darkraiii @strawberrysesh @polyphobicc @fallenangelkitten @sscyth-iv @exmorphic @gothicpuke

Join if you wanna