Chapter 3 The Stage

Sofia's rise to stardom was nothing short of meteoric. Within weeks, she went from being an unknown dancer struggling to make ends meet to performing on the grandest stages in the city. Her name was on everyone's lips, and the world couldn't get enough of her. She was the star she had always dreamed of being, and her life seemed perfect.

But behind the applause and the fame, something darker lurked. Every night, Sofia felt the pull of Dante's influence growing stronger. It started small at first - a whisper in the back of her mind, a sense of unease that she couldn't shake. But as time went on, she began to notice strange things happening around her.

Her dreams were haunted by Dante, his shadowy figure always watching her from the edges of her consciousness. During her performances, Sofia felt as though she was no longer in control of her body. Her feet moved to a rhythm that wasn't hers, her limbs following an unseen command.

At first, she tried to ignore it, convincing herself that the success she had earned was worth the odd sensations. But the more she danced, the more she realized that the power Dante had given her wasn't a gift - it was a curse.

One night, after a particularly intense performance, Sofia collapsed backstage, her body trembling with exhaustion. She had pushed herself too hard, danced too much. But no matter how much she wanted to stop, she couldn't. The pull of the dance was too strong.

As she lay there, gasping for breath, Dante appeared once again, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"You're doing well," he said, his voice smooth and calm. "But remember, Sofia, you belong to me now. You will dance until I say otherwise."

Sofia felt a surge of fear and anger rise within her. She had thought she could control the deal, but it was becoming clear that she was losing herself in the process.