The library buzzed with the low hum of students studying, the faint sound of pages turning, and the occasional whisper. Liang Wei and Mei Lan walked through the rows of towering bookshelves, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished wooden floors. It was a far cry from the enchanted atmosphere of the Midnight Pawnshop, but today, the library felt like a different kind of sanctuary.
Lin had arranged to meet them in a secluded corner, a place where the light filtered in through high windows, casting warm patches on the carpeted floor. Wei spotted her first—her short hair framing her face, eyes wide with intensity, as if she were holding back a tide of thoughts.
"There you are!" Wei exclaimed, relief washing over him as he approached her.
Lin glanced up from her notes, a smile breaking through her serious demeanor. "I'm glad you made it. We need to talk."
Mei stood beside Wei, her expression curious yet wary. Lin gestured for them to sit at a table littered with books and scattered papers. "I've gathered some information about the soul mirror and the strange occurrences happening around campus. It seems like we're not the only ones affected."
Wei leaned in, his interest piqued. "What did you find out?"
Lin shuffled through her notes, her brow furrowing as she recalled her findings. "There have been reports of students experiencing strange visions, as if they're glimpsing into another world. Some even claim to have seen reflections of themselves that aren't quite right. I think it's connected to the soul mirror. It happens randomly to me sometimes when I'm sleeping. I'll see myself in another realm watching horrible things happen to our world and be unable to do anything about it. I always struggle to wake up or sometimes when I'm conscious I'll zone out and not think about anything just blank, like I was paused"
Mei's eyes widened, and she exchanged a glance with Wei. It was alarming how many students were affected, and how dangerous this was and these occurrences resonated with their own experiences.
"What do you think is causing it?" Wei asked, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his chest.
"I'm not entirely sure," Lin admitted. "But there's a theory circulating among some students who have delved into folklore and ancient texts. They believe that the mirror is a gateway, a portal to something otherworldly. It might be influencing our reality, causing these disturbances."
Wei felt a shiver run down his spine. "So, it's not just us?"
"Exactly," Lin replied, her tone grave. "And there's something else. Some students have gone missing. They were last seen near the library or near the art building, where the mirror was supposedly located. It's creating a panic, and some people are starting to link it to the Shadow Sect."
The mention of the Shadow Sect sent a chill through Wei. Their presence loomed like a shadow over everything, lurking just out of sight. "We need to find out more about this mirror. If it's connected to what's happening… it could lead us to answers about the Shadow Sect as well."
"Yes, but we have to be careful," Lin cautioned. "There are whispers about people trying to harness its power, and not everyone has good intentions."
As they strategized, Wei could see Mei's mind racing. Although she couldn't speak, her expression revealed her determination to help uncover the truth. She leaned forward, her eyes burning with resolve.
"We should gather a group," Wei suggested. "Those who have experienced these visions or strange occurrences. The more information we can compile, the better."
Lin nodded. "I know a few students who might be willing to join us. They're as curious—and worried—as we are. But we need a plan. We can't just dive into this blindly."
"Let's meet again tomorrow," Wei proposed. "We can share what we find and discuss our next steps."
With the plan set, they parted ways, but the weight of their discoveries hung heavily in the air. As Wei walked back to his dorm, the library's echoes lingered in his mind, weaving through thoughts of Mei, Lin, and the ominous specter of the Shadow Sect.
The following day, as they reconvened in the library, tension thrummed in the air. Students trickled in, some glancing nervously over their shoulders, others whispering furtively. Wei felt the anticipation build—what would they uncover together?
Little did they know that the events to unfold would pull them deeper into a web of secrets that transcended the mundane world of their university, reaching into the very heart of the mystical and the unknown.