**Location:** New Dominion and Andrew's Apartment
**Time:** Present day
---
As I left the Old Dominion Library, the weight of its secrets still lingering in my mind, I carried the ancient book with me, its pages heavy with the weight of forgotten knowledge. I searched for the old man who had been my guide, but he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps he had retreated to the shadows, resting after serving as a guardian of wisdom for days untold.
Despite the hardships I endured during my time in the library, the old man's sudden disappearance puzzled me. Had I become naught but a mere pawn in his enigmatic game? Questions swirled within me, but answers eluded my grasp.
Curiosity stirred deep within my soul, compelling me to take the book with me out of the library. It was a testament to my insatiable desire for understanding, a reminder of the mysteries that had consumed my thoughts for days on end. I returned to my small, modest apartment, seeking solace in the familiarity of my surroundings.
Benjamin, my adoptive father, greeted me with a worried expression etched upon his face. He had noticed the toll that my encounters with the old man and the weighty tome had taken on me. We sat in the cozy confines of our living room, our conversation unfolding with a mixture of concern and understanding.
I relayed the extraordinary events that had transpired within the walls of the Old Dominion Library—the enigmatic old man, the relentless pursuit of knowledge, and the book that whispered untold secrets. Benjamin listened attentively, his eyes filled with both love and apprehension.
"I worry for you, Andrew," he confessed, his voice laced with genuine concern. "There is a darkness that seems to surround this book, this quest for hidden truths. Be cautious, my son. Sometimes the pursuit of knowledge can lead us down treacherous paths."
I nodded, understanding the depth of his words. Benjamin had always been my pillar of support, offering guidance and wisdom in times of uncertainty. He cared for my well-being and sought to shield me from the dangers that lay beyond the realms of our everyday lives.
Days turned into weeks, and the book remained untouched on my shelf. I attempted to ignore its pull, focusing instead on the routine of my studies and the semblance of normalcy that life offered. Yet, the book's presence lingered in the periphery of my thoughts, a constant reminder of the unknown truths that awaited me.
One evening, while searching for something amidst the clutter on my shelf, my eyes locked onto the book. Its weathered cover seemed to shimmer, its title taunting me with the promise of revelation. Unable to resist any longer, I succumbed to the irresistible temptation.
With trembling hands, I opened the book, its pages crackling with anticipation. The words on the first page read: "Chapter -1: The Making of Ravengard - By Herley Boggs." I delved into the chapter, immersing myself in the origins of the kingdom that shaped the course of my life.
The chapter provided a detailed account of Ravengard's birth, describing the tumultuous events that led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic society. The story unfolded like a tragic epic, filled with tales of heroism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a new order.
As I turned the pages, my interest grew, and a glimmer of excitement ignited within me. Chapter 2 beckoned, its title, "Ravengard Composed Of," promising insight into the social fabric of
the kingdom. It began by detailing the various ethnic groups that inhabited Ravengard, from the working class to the influential politicians.
But as I neared the end of Chapter 2, the tone shifted. A chilling revelation awaited me in the final lines: "But this is not the actual truth. In ancient Ravengard, power was not solely in the hands of politicians. It may seem like a democracy, but there is something beyond that—a hidden force that has been manipulating us since the beginning, even before the time of monarchy-"
My heart raced, and a shiver ran down my spine as I turned the page, only to find the subsequent pages torn away, leaving the truth tantalizingly out of reach. The sinister implications of those unfinished words hung heavy in the air, engulfing me in a cloak of unease.
To be continued...