A Library of the Lost The Library of the Forgotten Order stretched before them, a vast and ancient archive buried beneath centuries of ruin. Dust filled the air, disturbed by their movements as they stepped deeper into the cathedral-like space. The bookshelves rose like skeletal ribs, rows of forgotten tomes and crumbling scrolls looming over them. But Ethan’s attention wasn’t on the books. It was on the massive obsidian door at the far end of the library. Thick chains wrapped around it, their rusted metal covered in arcane symbols that still pulsed faintly with power. And behind it? Something moved. Slow. Rhythmic. Like the heartbeat of something asleep… but aware. His mark burned against his chest. “You are close now, little predator.” Ethan exhaled sharply, shaking the Master’s voice from his thoughts. Gareth was already moving, scanning the rows of shelves with a careful gaze. Kara ran a gloved hand across the spines of old tomes, wrinkling her nose at the layers of dust. Leah stood near the entrance, her fingers barely grazing the surface of a stone pedestal, whispering words of magic as she tried to sense the lingering energy in this place. “This place is…” Leah’s voice trailed off, her brows furrowing. “…Strange.” Gareth gave her a sideways glance. “Strange how?” Leah hesitated, then shook her head. “There’s power here, but it’s… incomplete. Like something was removed.” Ethan frowned. “Removed?” Leah’s fingers traced the edge of an empty book slot on the pedestal. “This place wasn’t just abandoned,” she murmured. “Someone tried to erase it.” Ethan’s stomach tightened. That didn’t feel like a coincidence.

  Kara pulled a thick, leather-bound book from one of the nearby shelves. The cover was worn, the title faded beyond recognition. She flipped it open, only for the pages to crumble into dust. She cursed, shaking the remnants off her fingers. “Well, that’s helpful.” Gareth sighed. “Check the stone shelves. Older texts are sometimes preserved better there.” Leah moved toward one of the archivist desks, carefully brushing away debris. She squinted at an engraving on the tabletop. Then her breath caught. “…I’ve seen this before.” Ethan stepped closer. “Seen what?” Leah pointed to the engraved symbol. It was a swirling sigil, a design of interlocking spirals forming an eerie eye-like shape. It was identical to the mark on Ethan’s chest. Silence fell over the group. Ethan felt a chill creep up his spine. “…This place is connected to them,” he muttered. Leah nodded. “This is proof.” Gareth exhaled sharply. “Then we need to find out what exactly was studied here.” The Forgotten Records Leah eventually found a set of stone tablets, stacked neatly in the farthest section of the library. Unlike the books, these were perfectly preserved. Almost as if someone had sealed them away from time. She carefully ran her fingers over the ancient runes etched into their surface. “This language is… old. Older than any recorded kingdom.” Kara crossed her arms. “Can you read it?” Leah bit her lip, concentrating. “…Parts of it.” She took a deep breath and began translating aloud. “When the Veil first cracked, the Abyss spilled forth.” “The Masters of Shadow came bearing their gifts—immortal, unseen, everlasting.”

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  “The Order of Black Dawn sought to understand their power… but in doing so, they welcomed the curse.” “A seal was forged. A door was made. And the first war against the abyss began.” A long silence followed. Kara’s face twisted in confusion. “What the hell does that even mean?” Gareth exhaled, his expression dark. “The Veil… the Abyss…” He looked at Leah. “Does this sound like anything recorded in the history books?” Leah shook her head. “No. This isn’t in any of the archives back in Portland.” Ethan frowned, glancing toward the sealed door at the far end of the library. A door was made. A seal was forged. And now, that seal was cracking.

  The Chain is Weakening Ethan stepped toward the black door, every instinct in his body screaming not to. The closer he got, the louder the whispers became. “You are almost there.” “Break the chains. Let us in.” Ethan gritted his teeth. The mark on his chest flared, sending a sharp, searing pain through his body. And then— The chains moved. Not breaking. Not falling. Just shifting. Like they were reacting to him. A breath of cold air escaped from beneath the cracks. A sliver of darkness. Something beyond this door was alive. And it knew he was here. Ethan staggered back. Leah grabbed his arm, steadying him. “Ethan!” He sucked in a sharp breath, forcing himself to focus. Gareth’s gaze was hard. “We need to leave.” Ethan looked at him. “But we just got here—” “That’s exactly why we need to leave,” Gareth interrupted. “We came for information. We got it. We don’t know what the hell is behind that door, and I’m not about to find out while standing in the middle of its prison.” Kara nodded. “For once, I agree. I’d rather not be here when whatever’s in there decides to say hello.” Ethan hesitated. His gut screamed at him. There was more here. More to understand. More to uncover. But he knew Gareth was right. If they stayed too long, they might never leave. Ethan exhaled. “…Fine.” Leah grabbed a few of the stone tablets, wrapping them carefully in cloth before securing them in her satchel. Gareth started toward the stairs, keeping his spear raised. Or a promise.

  Kara lingered for a moment, casting one last glance at the black door— Then shook her head and followed. Ethan was the last to move. As he turned away from the door, the whispers faded. But one final message echoed in his mind. “You will return.” “You will finish what they started.” And for the first time— Ethan wasn’t sure if it was a threat.