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Sylanwood, Diremaw's Castle: The Grand Library, Time: 10:45 AM
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Leo's grand castle library is a breathtaking sanctuary of knowledge.
Its architecture is a stunning blend of polished dark wood, intricate frescoes, and gleaming chandeliers.
The library houses a vast collection of books, scrolls, and tomes on a wide range of subjects. Cozy reading nooks with plush chairs and magical amenities offer visitors comfort.
Enchanted elements, like floating books and helpful scribes, add to the magical ambiance.
Within this vast treasure trove, you'll find historical artifacts, an art gallery, and knowledgeable librarians ready to assist.
Outside, serene gardens provide a peaceful escape. Special sections, requiring permission or passes, cater to unique interests like arcane magic or local history.
"Whoa, this is huge!" James exclaimed as he observed his surroundings.
"Yeah, my father used to take care of this library," Leo reminisced, recalling moments of walking around the library with his father, who showed him everything.
"Now, I take care of this place as my duty," Leo continued, gazing up at the photo frame of his father.
"Shall we split up then?" Ace suggested, and everyone nodded.
"Very well, let's meet up at the door once we're finished," Ace suggested as he walked around, searching for an interesting book to read.
Ezra decided to go his way as well. "Wonder if they have any cat fighters in here..."
James was about to head to the fighting section when he noticed something amiss.
Mianne had suddenly become very quiet, her face filled with concern.
"Mianne, are you alright?" James asked, concerned for her.
"N-No! There's nothing to worry about," Mianne replied, forcing her best smile.
James, however, wasn't convinced by Mianne's response. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Are you sure? You seem troubled."
Mianne hesitated for a moment, then sighed, realizing she couldn't hide her feelings. "It's just... Leo, the king, he reminds me so much of someone from my past," she admitted, her voice filled with a mixture of nostalgia and sadness.
James gave her a reassuring smile. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here for you."
Mianne smiled back at him, appreciating his understanding. "Thank you, James."
With their momentary emotional exchange, they both headed in different directions within the grand library, each searching for knowledge and answers in their way.
Mianne, however, wasn't feeling well. "It's happening again..." she muttered, a familiar unease settling in her mind. She scanned the towering bookshelves, searching for the particular tome she had in mind.
'It had to be here somewhere.' Her steps led her to a specific book, an old and dusty one, hidden among its companions.
As she gently removed the book, she felt an inexplicable pull toward one of the nearby shelves.
"What's this..." Mianne whispered to herself as she examined the ancient leather-bound book.
The title, "Phenomena of Eldritch," was elegantly embossed on the cover, and the pages inside exuded an aura of mystery.
"Perhaps I'll find some answers here," Mianne mused as she carefully opened the book, her curiosity piqued.
As she perused its pages, the contents slowly became clear:
"It's been a week since I embarked on this study of the Eldritch creatures. The Company expects a report from me, but I can't promise them anything.
I have a family to care for, and if they want me to guard them during their ridiculous meeting on my son's birthday, I'll be furious.
But I need to focus. The Eldritch have been appearing more frequently, and we're still searching for answers.
One theory we're exploring is the connection to the moon. During the waxing gibbous phase, Eldritch sightings seem to increase. Perhaps they are attempting to awaken a superior being, although this is purely conjecture.
The other theory however would be the Alteration phenomenon where people in their lowest moments became eldritch themselves.
I, however, do not agree with this as the rate of people transforming into one would probably be world-ending for all of us at this point.
During a recent nighttime research expedition, my colleagues and I were attacked by an Eldritch entity.
They appeared stronger than ever, and my friends struggled in the confrontation.
We narrowly escaped their clutches. It seems the Eldritch are becoming more dangerous, especially during the waxing phases of the moon.
We're still searching for answers about their spread across our land. I don't have time for this; my honeymoon with my wife is approaching. Maybe I can take a break and resume this research afterward."
Mianne couldn't help but find the author's approach to the journal-like entries intriguing, blending personal sentiments with their Eldritch investigations.
As she continued to flip through the pages, she wondered if the author had eventually uncovered the answers they sought.
"God. Fucking. Dammit! These Eldritch keep appearing out of thin air! It could be the full moon triggering this; they become more formidable and undergo even stranger transformations during the night.
I can't even enjoy my honeymoon with her if these Eldritch persist in ruining it. Thankfully, both of us managed to fend them off. Or so I thought...
My wife had an encounter with one of them, a monstrosity with a galactic body housing a star, wielding an axe with surprising intelligence.
Its head resembled a gaping white hole, like a portal to another realm, and it sported antler-like horns akin to a moose's.
It identified itself as 'The Arm of the Universe.'
In a strange twist of fate, that creature spared her life, claiming it wanted me instead. It spoke of me as the long-forgotten prophecy and pledged to spare her if I agreed to go with it.
I'm left with no choice but to follow. I'm unsure whether this is bravery or sheer stupidity on my part.
This might be the final entry I make here. I don't know if I'm walking into a trap or toward my doom. Am I being foolish or truly courageous?"
Mianne's eyes widened as she finally realized the gravity of the situation.
The full moon was approaching, and it posed a grave danger to her and her team.
"I need to warn the others," Mianne said urgently as she passed by a stained glass window.
Suddenly, a voice emanated from it. "No need to spoil the surprise, my dear."
Mianne turned toward the stained glass window, initially reflecting her image before transforming into a sinister version of herself, dressed in a dark crimson queen's attire.
"Why?! So you can harm them! I won't allow you to take control, whoever you are!" Mianne exclaimed, her determination evident.
"Suit yourself, dear. Perhaps it's best to keep it all a secret," replied Mirror Mianne, nonchalantly fanning herself with a rose-covered fan.
"Why would I—?" Mianne's protest was cut short as she felt a searing pain in her head. She clutched her temples as the agony intensified.
"I'll be keeping a close eye on you, my dear because you are me." Mirror Mianne hissed, her blood-red eyes locking onto Mianne's, her smile twisting into a malevolent grin.
Mianne found herself alone, the pain finally subsiding. She surveyed her surroundings, letting her hand drop from her temple, her breaths coming heavy after the distressing experience.
"Mianne!" a voice called out, and she turned to her side to see James running towards her.
"Mianne, are you okay?" James asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. He slowed down as he reached her side, trying to catch his breath.
Mianne nodded, her head still throbbing from the strange encounter with her mirror image. "I'm... I'm fine, James," she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. "Just had a... weird moment."
James looked at her, clearly worried. "Weird how?"
Mianne hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should share the details of her encounter with Mirror Mianne. It all felt so surreal, like a twisted nightmare. But she trusted James, and he deserved to know.
"I saw... myself, but not myself," she began, struggling to find the right words. "It was like a dark version of me, wearing a crimson queen dress. She... it told me not to reveal something and then... and then she just disappeared."
James furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "That sounds strange. Maybe it's some sort of illusion or magic?"
Mianne nodded, still feeling a lingering unease. "Yeah, maybe. We should tell the others about it when we regroup."
James agreed, his concern for Mianne was evident in his eyes. "Let's get back to the others first. We can figure this out together."
Mianne managed a weak smile, appreciating his support. "Thanks, James. Let's go."
Together, they headed back through the labyrinthine aisles of the grand library, their minds filled with questions about the mysterious mirror image.
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