The library was silent, save for the soft creak of the
wooden floor beneath Alina's cautious steps. The air was thick with the scent
of aged parchment and a faint tinge of magic. Shelves towered around her,
casting eerie shadows in the dim light of the moon streaming through the tall
windows.
The restricted section loomed ahead, separated by an ornate
wrought-iron gate embedded with glowing runes. Alina approached it, her heart
pounding in her chest. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting someone—or
something—to appear.
"I can do this," she whispered to herself, reaching for the
latch.
The runes shimmered, pulsing faintly as she touched the
gate. For a moment, she feared it wouldn't budge. Then, with a soft hum, the
lock clicked open.
Stepping into the restricted section was like entering
another world. The temperature dropped noticeably, and the air seemed heavier.
The books here radiated an almost palpable energy, their titles written in
languages Alina couldn't recognize.
She ran her fingers along the spines, searching for anything
that might provide answers. A thick tome bound in black leather caught her
attention. Its title, written in shimmering silver script, read: The Shadow
Unbound.
"That's promising," she murmured, pulling it from the shelf.
The book was unnervingly cold to the touch. As she opened
it, the pages seemed to ripple, the words rearranging themselves into a
language she could understand.
"The Shadow: A primordial entity born of ancient magic.
Neither living nor dead, it feeds on fear, thrives in darkness, and grows
stronger with every soul it consumes. Legend speaks of its imprisonment in a
forgotten realm, sealed away by the combined efforts of the world's greatest
sorcerers."
Alina's breath hitched. The description matched what the boy
had said. She read on.
"The seal weakens with time, and the Shadow seeks a host to
manifest fully in the mortal realm. This host is chosen not by blood or power,
but by fate—a connection forged through the fabric of existence itself."
A chill ran down her spine. Was she the host it was seeking?
A sudden noise made her jump, the sound of a book falling to
the floor. She spun around, clutching the tome to her chest.
"Who's there?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a shadow moved
at the edge of her vision. She turned quickly, but there was nothing there.
"Alina," a voice hissed, low and guttural.
Her blood ran cold. "W-who's there?" she stammered, backing
away.
The shadows in the room seemed to converge, forming a
humanoid figure with glowing red eyes. Its presence was suffocating, and an
overwhelming sense of dread washed over her.
"You should not be here," it said, its voice reverberating
in her mind.
Alina wanted to run, but her feet felt rooted to the spot.
She clutched the book tighter, its energy pulsing against her hands. Summoning
all her courage, she forced herself to speak.
"What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice shaky
but resolute.
The shadow tilted its head, as if studying her. "You are the
key," it said cryptically. "The seal weakens, and soon, I will be free."
"No," Alina said, her fear giving way to defiance. "I won't
let that happen."
The shadow chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down her
spine. "You cannot stop what has already begun."
Before Alina could respond, the shadow surged forward.
Instinctively, she raised the book, and a burst of light erupted from its
pages. The shadow recoiled with an ear-piercing screech, dissipating into the
air.
Panting, Alina looked down at the book, its glow fading. She
didn't understand what had just happened, but one thing was clear—this was no
ordinary tome.
Alina didn't sleep that night. Back in her dorm, she pored
over the book, desperate to learn more. She discovered that the Shadow's seal
could only be strengthened through a ritual involving powerful artifacts from
each of the races.
The catch? These artifacts were scattered across the world,
hidden in places of great danger. And even if she could find them, the ritual
required the participation of all the races—a unity that hadn't been tested
since the Night of Union.
The next morning, Alina shared what she had learned with
Lorian, Ariel, and Fenrir. They listened intently, their expressions growing
more serious with every word.
"So, let me get this straight," Fenrir said, rubbing the
back of his neck. "We need to find these artifacts and convince everyone to
work together? No offense, but that sounds impossible."
"We don't have a choice," Alina said firmly. "If we don't,
the Shadow will be free, and none of us will be safe."
"She's right," Lorian agreed, his gaze steady. "But we can't
do this alone. We need help."
"From who?" Ariel asked. "Most people won't believe us, and
even if they did, they'd be too scared to get involved."
"There's someone who might be able to help," Lorian said
after a moment. "Professor Varak."
The mention of the history professor sent a ripple of unease
through the group. Varak was known for his vast knowledge of ancient magic, but
he was also notoriously reclusive and difficult to approach.
"Do you think he'll even listen to us?" Alina asked.
"We'll make him listen," Lorian said determinedly. "If
anyone knows where to start, it's him."
The chapter ends with the group standing outside Professor
Varak's office, the heavy wooden door etched with intricate runes. Alina
hesitates, her hand hovering over the doorknob.
"Ready?" Lorian asks.
"Not really," she admits, taking a deep breath. Then,
summoning her courage, she knocks.
The sound echoes ominously, and the the door creaks open on
its own.