The moment my fingers wrapped around the cracked leather spine of the old book, a strange sensation washed over me. It felt cool to the touch, unnaturally so, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. This was no ordinary book. Something about it felt… wrong. Yet, I couldn't stop myself. I had to know what was inside.
Slowly, I opened the book, my breath hitching as the faint scent of ancient parchment filled the air. The pages were yellowed with age, each one covered in intricate symbols, words in languages I didn't understand, and diagrams that looked more like something out of a nightmare than anything else. My hands trembled as I turned the pages, but I couldn't look away. The further I went, the more I realized what I was holding.
This was a book of dark magic.
There were drawings of rituals, creatures that looked like shadows with eyes, and enchantments meant to bend the very forces of nature to one's will. One page depicted a ritual for binding a person's soul to an object, trapping them in a state of eternal torment. Another detailed the summoning of creatures from the shadows, beings made entirely of darkness, meant to serve their summoner without question.
I shuddered as I turned the pages, the dark energy radiating from the book filling the room with an oppressive weight. My heart raced as I began to understand the depths of the power described in this book—power that was far too dangerous for anyone, even the Watcher, to have.
Just as I was about to close the book, a phrase caught my eye. It was simple, written in a language I couldn't fully understand, but somehow, the words resonated with me. They were written in deep black ink, and the page felt warm to the touch, as though the very words carried their own energy.
**"Luxata revius nocere."**
For reasons I couldn't explain, the words seemed to lodge themselves in my mind, like they were waiting for me to understand their importance. There was something about them, something… powerful. I didn't know what they meant, but I could feel their significance deep within me. It was as if they were calling to me, asking me to remember them, to hold on to them. I traced the words with my finger, feeling the warmth pulse beneath my skin.
A small note scribbled next to the phrase in the same dark ink caught my eye. It was written in a language I could understand:
*"To undo what is bound, speak when the heart of the darkness reveals itself."*
My breath hitched. I didn't know why this phrase was so important, but I knew it would be useful—essential even—when the time came. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the key to something much larger, something that could either save or doom us all. I repeated the words to myself silently, committing them to memory.
*Luxata revius nocere.*
After what felt like hours of flipping through the pages and discovering more terrifying spells, I knew I had seen enough. The rumors were true. The Watcher wasn't just working with the Queen—he was practicing dark magic, the kind of magic that was only adding to the ancient evil **Mal'karath**that had already infected this kingdom with darkness. He was part of the evil that had claimed the life of the late king and was now threatening to consume King Valen. And from the message from the unknown lady from before, he was no doubt working in hand with the Queen. This was what I needed to confirm, and it chilled me to the bone.
I needed to get out of here—before I got caught.
Carefully, I closed the book, slipping it back onto the shelf in its original position. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart as I scanned the room for any signs of the Watcher's imminent return. Everything looked as it had before, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my time was running out.
I moved quickly but quietly, stepping toward the door with the same caution I had when I entered. My feet barely made a sound against the stone floor as I made my way across the room. My hand reached for the doorknob, but just as I was about to turn it, I heard something—footsteps.
The Watcher was returning.
Panic seized me, and I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. If I was caught here, in his chamber, there would be no way to explain myself. I would be labeled a traitor—or worse. My mind raced as I tried to come up with an escape plan, but there was no time. I needed to get out now.
With a silent prayer to the universe, I twisted the doorknob, just enough to open the door a crack. I peeked through the small gap, making sure the hallway was clear. Seeing no one, I slipped through the door, pulling it shut behind me as quietly as I could. My heart pounded in my ears, the sound almost deafening as I pressed myself against the wall, trying to control my breathing.
The footsteps grew louder. He was close.
I edged along the corridor, keeping to the shadows as I made my way back toward the main hall. My muscles were tense, every sense heightened as I moved quickly, but carefully. I couldn't afford another mistake.
As I reached a bend in the corridor, I glanced back just in time to see the Watcher enter his chamber. My heart skipped a beat, but relief flooded me. I had made it out—just in time.
I hurried down the rest of the hall, moving as fast as I could without drawing attention to myself. My mind was racing, filled with the knowledge I had uncovered and the weight of the words still echoing in my head.
*"Luxata revius nocere."*
Whatever those words meant, I knew they would be important. They were a key, a weapon I would need when the time came. And I had no doubt that the battle ahead was going to be far more dangerous than anything I had imagined.
But for now, I had escaped. I had confirmed the rumors about the Watcher and the Queen. I knew their dark secret, and I had the first piece of the puzzle that would help me fight the darkness that was consuming the kingdom.
As soon as I stepped outside the palace building, a rush of cool air greeted me, cutting through the suffocating heat I had felt inside. The contrast was immediate, like the universe had offered me a moment of relief. I stood still, breathing deeply, letting the fresh air fill my lungs as the tension began to ease.
The palace grounds were vast, sprawling with life, but outside, the calm was different. The towering trees rustled in the breeze, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. Every step I took seemed to pull me further from the weight of the secrets I had uncovered.
The sweet scent of blooming flowers drifted through the air, soothing my frayed nerves. The vibrant reds, purples, and yellows of the flowers swayed gently in the wind, as if they too carried whispers of hidden knowledge. Birds chirped high in the trees, their songs adding to the peaceful ambiance, a comforting rhythm breaking through the silence.
I continued walking, my tension melting with each step. The sound of a nearby fountain reached my ears, its rhythmic trickle adding to the serenity. I spotted it up ahead, the clear water sparkling in the sunlight. It was a balm to my weary spirit.
Slowing my pace, I approached the fountain and sat on the cool stone rim. I leaned forward, dipping my hands into the water. Its coolness was exactly what I needed. I splashed some on my face, the droplets soothing my skin, washing away the sweat and tension that had been building since I left the Watcher's chamber.
The breeze that swept through the garden wrapped around me like a gentle embrace, its soft whispers among the leaves like nature's lullaby. For the first time in hours, I felt a sense of peace. The oppressive heat and tension of the palace melted away, leaving me with a small moment of calm. Out here, the weight of the secrets and dangers felt distant—if only for a brief moment.
As I sat, taking in the quiet beauty of the palace gardens, I couldn't help but notice how different it felt compared to the dark atmosphere inside. Here, there was light and life. The sunlight filtering through the trees created dancing patterns on the ground, while the hum of insects and the occasional flutter of butterfly wings filled the air.
I leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment, letting the calm settle over me. Each breath felt like a cleansing wave, pushing away the heaviness that had weighed me down since I entered the palace. But as much as I wanted to linger, I knew there was too much to do. The Watcher's secrets hung in my mind, and the phrase I had found in his book echoed repeatedly:
*"Luxata revius nocere."*
The words felt important, something I would need. But for now, the garden offered me a brief refuge before the storm I knew was still ahead.
With a deep breath, I stood up from the fountain. The air outside had given me the clarity I needed. The tension still lingered, but it was manageable now. As I began to walk back toward the palace, I carried that peace with me, preparing myself for whatever came next.
But just as I was embracing the calm, a sudden presence interrupted my thoughts. My eyes snapped open, and I jerked upright, startled to find a palace guard standing just a few feet away. I hadn't heard him approach. My heart skipped a beat, the brief peace I had found slipping away.
"Madam," the guard said, his voice low and formal. "The Court Mistress has summoned you."
The words hit me like a splash of cold water. I blinked, my mind racing with possibilities. *The Court Mistress?* I hadn't expected this. The idea of more attention, especially after sneaking into the Watcher's chamber, sent a jolt of panic through me. *Why was I being summoned?*
"The Court Mistress?" I repeated, struggling to keep my voice steady.
The guard nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yes, she requests your immediate presence."
I glanced around, my thoughts whirling. Did someone see me sneaking around earlier? Or was this about something else entirely? My stomach churned with unease.
I stood, trying to keep my composure. "Thank you," I said, though my voice wavered.
The guard waited, clearly ready to escort me. I took one last deep breath, feeling the peace I had found in the garden slip further away. *What could she want?* The question echoed in my mind, and with every step I took back toward the palace, the unease grew stronger.
The guard led me through the stone corridors, our footsteps the only sound breaking the silence. My heart pounded as we approached the large wooden doors of the Court Mistress's chambers. The weight of the unknown pressed down on me.
The guard gestured for me to enter, and I hesitated, my hand lingering on the door handle. My pulse quickened, and I felt the familiar tension return.
With a deep breath, I pushed the door open.