Chapter XXXIII

The shadow's malevolence was palpable—a force that defied time and reason. As Alec and I blinked into existence within the sterile confines of the lab, our memories blurred—the castle, the cosmic knot, all fading like distant dreams.

Alec's eyes met mine, and we both knew—the truth eluded us once more. But here, in this fluorescent-lit room, our connection remained—an intimacy forged across realms. The crimson gemstone, the silver key—they were mere artifacts compared to the fireflies that danced between us.

The lab equipment hummed—a symphony of science and uncertainty. Alec's fingers brushed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. And then, realizing what he has just done he abruptly stood up. "We were so close damn it." he whispered. "We are in this together." Oxyvi said with the straight face not showing any feelings and asked anything about his actions.

Oxyvi's voice trembled as she pieced together the fragments of memory. "Our past," she whispered, "especially mine—it's entwined with the shadow haunting this castle. It won't relent until it claims something from me." Her fingers traced invisible patterns in the air, as if unraveling the cosmic knot that bound them all. She looked at the place where that grotesque mummy was placed and then she started fumbling with the research work done on the mummy. 

The forensic lab held its own secrets—DNA strands, fingerprints, and fragments of lives unraveling. But ours—the lives that defied curses—was the most elusive of all.

The Descent

Lucas and Lou stood at the excavation site; their breaths visible in the chilly morning air. The castle loomed before them—an ancient sentinel with secrets etched into its very stones. 

Lou adjusted her headlamp, its beam slicing through the darkness. "Lucas," she said, her voice echoing off the castle walls, "I feel so bad for Oxyvi, we betrayed her and now she's facing the worst."

Lucas nodded, his gloved hands gripping the edge of the pit. "More like a nightmare," he replied. "But I am loyal to Prince, and I had to do that for his highness."

Lou examined Lucas thinking how rudely his words hit her, and how cold he is towards Oxyvi. But she has nothing to say in this because she is the one responsible for Oxyvi's condition. "I'm Sorry, Oxyvi. I wish I have enough courage to be able to say it to your face."

She got startled when—a crimson pendant through from the castle's window—Lucas looked at her. And now, as the sun peeked over the horizon, they prepared to descend into the castle's heart.

Eli's Revelation

Eli, the historian, watched from the edge of the excavation. His eyes held a mix of awe and trepidation. He'd studied the castle's history—the curse that bound it, the shadow that hungered for souls. But nothing had prepared him for this—the yawning pit, the ancient stones, and the whispers that danced on the wind. He is a loyal assistant, harboring secrets deeper than even Alec knows. He saw his Prince name appeared on his mobile screen. 

"Yes, Your Highness" His widened and at the same time he saw Lucas and Lou moving towards castle's entrance.

"Lucas," Eli called, "Lou—wait!"

They turned, their headlamps illuminating his worried expression more. "Eli," Lou said, "what's wrong?"

He hesitated, then stepped closer. "The legends—they speak of a scroll," he said. "A scroll bound in spider silk. It holds the castle's truth—the key to breaking the curse."

Lou's eyes widened. "And you didn't mention this before?"

"I didn't think it was real," Eli admitted. "But now—"

Lucas interrupted. "We'll find it," he said. "Together."

More guards arrived flashlights cutting through the shadows. Eli led them down the narrow staircase, each step echoing with centuries of footsteps. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to pulse with energy. Lou clutched the crimson pendant in her palm—a talisman against the unknown.

As they reached the library—the heart of the castle—the green fireflies swirled. The shelves sagged under the weight of forgotten tomes. And there, amidst the ancient texts, lay the scroll—its spider silk shimmering.

But before they could touch it, the castle rumbled—a primal anger that shook the very foundations. The guards stumbled, their flashlights flickering. Lou's heart raced. "What is this?" she whispered.

Eli's face paled. "The shadow," he said. "That's not possible."

And then—a vortex—a swirling maw that swallowed Lou and Lucas whole. They tumbled through time and space, their screams lost in the cosmic winds.

Eli's eyes held a mix of wonder and fear. "You cannot be real" he said.