Chapter 14

Chapter 14: A Glimpse Behind the Curtain

Elliot—now Valerian in the world of Victorian Abyss—couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted since his encounter with the Collector. The game felt darker, almost as if it was watching him now, waiting for him to make his next move. The Collector's words echoed in his mind as he walked through the cobbled streets, Spectre at his side, both silent, lost in their thoughts. It was as if some invisible weight hung over them.

The night was quiet, save for the distant sound of footsteps from other players and NPCs wandering about. The mist curled around their legs as they moved deeper into the city, back toward the Old Chapel that had become a sort of base for Valerian. As they walked, Valerian noticed players gathered in clusters, their conversations hushed but intense.

Spectre broke the silence. "They're talking about the new questline that just unlocked. Rumor has it there's another artifact hidden somewhere in the city, but it won't be easy to reach."

Valerian's curiosity piqued. "Another artifact? Do you think it could be linked to the shards?"

"Possibly," Spectre replied, his gaze shifting toward the players. "But we're not the only ones hunting these secrets. There are others... some not as honorable."

Valerian knew what Spectre meant. In a game as immersive as Victorian Abyss, players could be ruthless, alliances shifting like shadows in the fog. He'd already heard tales of betrayal and sabotage, especially for rare items or crucial information.

They arrived at the Old Chapel, pushing open the heavy wooden doors to the familiar smell of old wood and incense. Inside, the dim light cast a warm glow on the stone walls, giving the place a faintly sacred feel. Valerian took a seat in one of the pews, his mind buzzing with the Collector's cryptic words.

Spectre remained standing, watching him with his usual calm but intense gaze. "I know that look. You have questions."

Valerian hesitated. "This game... it's too real sometimes. The Collector talked about the Abyss choosing people, about these shards being pieces of trapped souls. Do you think it means something, or is it just lore?"

Spectre's expression turned serious. "The Abyss has layers. To the developers, it might be lore, but to those who've dug deep enough, it's a calling. The Abyss reflects the people who enter it, drawing out parts of them they might not want to face."

Valerian leaned back, rubbing his temples. He was tired, but he couldn't stop. The pull of Victorian Abyss had become as real as gravity, something he couldn't resist.

The doors creaked open, and another player entered, clad in heavy armor and wearing an expression of urgency. He looked around and, spotting Valerian and Spectre, made his way over.

"You're Valerian, right?" The newcomer's voice was tense, his eyes darting around as if someone—or something—was watching him.

Valerian nodded cautiously. "Who's asking?"

The man held out a sealed parchment, the edges slightly charred as if it had been through fire. "I was told to deliver this to you. From someone who goes by the name of 'The Veiled One.'"

Valerian took the parchment, exchanging a quick glance with Spectre. The Veiled One was a name he'd seen on the forums, a mysterious figure who seemed to appear and disappear without warning, leaving behind cryptic messages about the Abyss and its secrets.

Unrolling the parchment, Valerian read:

> "Seek the heart of the city when the clock strikes midnight. Follow the sound of the bells, and do not look back, no matter what you hear. Only then will you uncover the truth about the shards."

Valerian's heartbeat quickened. Midnight was only an hour away. He looked up at the armored player, who gave him a slight nod before disappearing back out into the mist.

Spectre's gaze was unreadable, but there was a hint of approval. "Are you ready to go deeper, Valerian? This path isn't for the faint-hearted."

Valerian swallowed hard, the weight of the decision settling on him. He'd come this far, and he couldn't turn back now. The Abyss had chosen him, and he would face it, no matter what awaited him in the heart of the city.

---

An hour later, they stood in the main square, surrounded by towering stone buildings cloaked in darkness. Midnight was close, and the city had an eerie stillness about it, as if it were holding its breath. Valerian checked his inventory, making sure he was prepared for whatever might come.

The bell struck midnight, its deep, haunting toll echoing through the empty streets. Valerian and Spectre moved forward, following the sound as it reverberated off the stone walls, leading them deeper into the maze-like city.

Around them, shadows flickered, shifting shapes that seemed to follow their every step. Valerian felt a chill run down his spine but kept moving, resisting the urge to look back. The Veiled One's warning played in his mind like a mantra: Do not look back, no matter what you hear.

The bells grew louder, almost deafening, as they reached the edge of a narrow alleyway. The shadows felt thicker here, pressing in on them like a dark, unseen force. At the end of the alley, a heavy wooden door stood ajar, faint light spilling out from the crack.

Spectre glanced at Valerian. "This is it."

Valerian took a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping into a dimly lit chamber. The room was lined with ancient bookshelves, each filled with dusty tomes and strange artifacts. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, and on it lay a small, glowing shard, pulsing with an otherworldly light.

He approached it cautiously, feeling the weight of his own shard in his pocket responding to the presence of its counterpart. As he reached out to touch the shard, a voice echoed through the room, cold and detached.

"So, you've come for the truth."

Valerian spun around, but no one was there. The voice continued, seeming to come from the shadows themselves.

"The shards are not just fragments of this world. They are pieces of a shattered reality, scattered across the Abyss. Collect them, and you might just find a way to bridge the gap between worlds."

A chill settled over Valerian, his mind racing with possibilities. The line between game and reality was blurring, and with every step he took, he felt himself being pulled deeper into the Abyss.

As he pocketed the shard, the room began to fade, the shadows closing in around him. He reached out for Spectre, but his friend's form was already dissolving, lost in the darkness.

"Valerian!" Spectre's voice called out, but it was distant, echoing from somewhere far beyond his reach.

And then, everything went black.