Chapter 91: Shadows of the Past
As the group continued their efforts to gather allies, they found themselves back at the heart of Eternity Academy's library, poring over ancient texts. The Wraith's warning haunted them, and every decision felt weighed down by an invisible hand pushing them toward an uncertain future. Yun-ho sat quietly at a long wooden table, his mind racing as the words of the past and the whispers of the Heart of Darkness tugged at him.
"We've spoken with Anya," Nova said as she sat beside Yun-ho, flipping through an old scroll. "And she's already reached out to some of the upperclassmen. A few of them are willing to join us."
"That's good," Yun-ho replied absentmindedly. He wasn't fully there. The presence of the Heart of Darkness had grown, feeding off his doubts, his fears. Yet, he felt its pull, a voice inside that whispered promises of immense power.
Nova, sensing his distraction, placed her hand on his. "Are you okay? You've been quiet lately."
Yun-ho hesitated, his eyes drifting to the scroll in front of him, the faded ink detailing rituals and lost relics. "I'm just... I don't know if I can control this." His voice was barely a whisper.
"You've been through worse," Nova said, giving his hand a firm squeeze. "You're not alone. We'll figure this out. Together."
Before he could respond, the doors to the library creaked open, and Ethan entered, his expression grim. "We've got a problem. It's about the other contractors."
Yun-ho and Nova immediately stood, their senses on high alert. "What happened?" Yun-ho asked.
"Some of them aren't willing to join us," Ethan explained. "They think we're overreacting. They don't believe in the Wraith, and some even say we should just focus on our studies instead of chasing shadows."
"Typical," Nova muttered. "They think this is just another semester, but they have no idea what's really going on."
"We don't have time for their doubts," Yun-ho said firmly. "If they won't join us willingly, then we'll go forward without them. We can't wait for everyone to catch up to the danger we're facing."
Ethan leaned against the table, frustration etched on his face. "I get that, but we're talking about facing something bigger than just a few monsters or syndicate operatives. This... this is world-ending stuff, and we need every hand we can get."
The weight of his words hung in the air, a reminder that their journey had only just begun. But Yun-ho wasn't deterred. He had faced death before, had walked through the fires of conflict time and time again. His blade—the Crimson Reaper—reminded him of the battles yet to come, its red chains a symbol of the blood that had been spilled and the blood that would flow.
"We'll manage," Yun-ho said, his voice steady. "Even if it's just the three of us, we'll find a way."
At that moment, the ancient scroll on the table before them began to glow faintly. Nova and Yun-ho exchanged a glance before leaning in closer.
"This symbol..." Nova whispered, her eyes widening. "It's the same as the one on the Heart of Darkness."
Yun-ho's pulse quickened. The scroll contained more than just words of the past. It was a guide, a map of sorts, leading to something—perhaps another relic, another key to confronting the growing darkness.
Ethan, now intrigued, studied the glowing symbols. "This could be what we've been looking for. It might help us understand the Wraith's plans."
"Or it could lead us deeper into danger," Nova said cautiously.
Yun-ho stared at the glowing parchment, the pull of the Heart of Darkness growing ever stronger within him. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing: there was no turning back now.
"Let's go," Yun-ho said, his voice resolute. "We'll follow this lead and face whatever comes next."
As they left the library, the weight of the world settled on their shoulders. The gathering storm was approaching, and they had to be ready—whether their allies stood by them or not.