Chapter 21: Signs of the Curse

The dark sky blanketed Everstar Village, the moonlight seemingly swallowed by an invisible black mist, leaving only a faint glow barely illuminating the dilapidated streets. Ethan Hess, Ray Quinn, and Nina stood before the ruins, the surrounding silence like a voiceless cage, pressing on every nerve.

Ray spoke in a low voice, "Something feels off here… like something's watching us."

Nina clutched her coat tightly, trying to suppress the unease building inside her. She couldn't help but ask, "Where do we go next?"

Ethan's gaze was sharp, his face showing a hint of fatigue but determination. He nodded slightly, pointing to the faint outline of a building in the distance, his tone somber. "That church must be the old Imperial Army's experimental base. It's where Everstar Village's secrets are buried—the root of this curse. We have to go in and find the truth."

The three exchanged a look, silently solidifying their resolve. Their footsteps echoed in the quiet night as they moved toward the darkness enshrouded in secrecy.

As they drew closer, faint murmurs seemed to rise from the shadows—like the whispers and laments of the dead. Each of them felt a stirring of dread in their hearts, but they pressed forward until they stood before the entrance to the church.

Inside, the church was cold and empty, with faint dark red stains along the walls, as if weathered blood marks blurred by the passage of time. Broken bones littered the floor, their remains scattered and fragile. Ray gently nudged a bone fragment with his foot, and it crumbled instantly, dissolving into dust in the air.

"This place... it's hiding many secrets," he murmured, a shadow crossing his gaze.

Ethan stood in the center of the church, scanning their surroundings with a frown. Suddenly, he noticed a subtle crack in the wall behind the altar, emitting a strange, dark red glow, like the faint pulse of a heart.

"There..." he whispered, gesturing toward the glow.

The three cautiously approached the crack, and Nina instinctively held her breath, her eyes filled with both fear and curiosity. "What... what is that?"

Ethan reached out and gently touched the crack. The light behind it seemed to tremble in response, as if aware of his presence. A sharp pain pricked his finger as he touched the wall, prompting him to pull his hand back with a frown.

"It seems like something is sealed here... and the seal is still active, though its power has weakened significantly," he said, gazing at the crack with a serious expression.

Ray moved closer, pressing his hand beside the crack, feeling a faint but distinct energy. He frowned slightly. "The energy here... it feels like some ancient forbidden magic. Maybe this is what's left of the experiments conducted by the Imperial Army."

At that moment, a low sigh emanated from behind the crack, as if something within was beginning to awaken. They stepped back, alert, as the crack slowly widened, revealing a passageway leading underground.

"It seems… we'll have to go deeper to find our answers," Ethan said coolly, his gaze resolute.

Ray and Nina exchanged a look, nodded in silent agreement, and then the three stepped into the passage bathed in an eerie red glow, as if entering a world that had been sealed away.

Ethan, Ray, and Nina navigated the passage, descending deeper and deeper into the underground. The air grew heavier with each step, filled with a rotten, oppressive stench, and faint wails seemed to echo all around. This path twisted endlessly, seemingly leading them into the depths of darkness.

Finally, they reached the end of the corridor, where a heavy iron door loomed before them. Intricate runes covered its surface, faintly glowing with an unsettling light, as if protecting whatever secrets lay within. Ethan whispered, "This must be where they conducted their rituals. Be careful."

Ray and Nina nodded, moving cautiously as they pushed the door open. Beyond it lay a dim underground chamber, lit by flickering candles. The walls were draped with blood-stained black robes, and the air reeked of blood. At the center of the room stood an altar, surrounded by several robed figures who chanted in low voices. With each word, the oppressive aura in the room intensified.

Ethan's attention fixed on a figure bound in the center of the altar. She struggled helplessly, clearly meant to be a part of this dark ritual.

Ethan narrowed his eyes, recognizing the bound figure—it was Alina. Her hands were tied behind her back, and a cloth gagged her mouth. Her eyes were filled with fear and fury as she struggled to no avail. Around her, the robed figures chanted in an ancient, sinister language, preparing for a dark ritual.

"It's her…" Ethan murmured, his tone tense, but his gaze was sharper than ever.

Ray immediately grasped the urgency, whispering, "We'll split up. You get to the girl in the center; I'll free the others. Nina, stay by the door and keep hidden." He gripped his weapon, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Nina, remember, don't come in. Wait until we bring them out," he instructed firmly, casting a fierce, protective look toward the robed figures.

Nina nodded tensely, stepping back to hide by the door, her hands gripping the frame tightly as she watched them.

Ethan took a deep breath and nodded at Ray. He carefully pulled out several charms, clutching them tightly. While he moved quietly toward Alina, Ray slipped in the opposite direction, edging toward the other captives. The two quickly set their rescue plan into motion.

Just then, one of the robed figures seemed to sense something amiss, turning to call out. Without hesitation, Ethan flung a charm at him, a flash of golden light throwing the figure off balance and stifling his voice.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Ray swiftly freed the other captives, shielding them with his knife as he guided them toward the exit.

Seeing that Ray had successfully freed the others, Ethan pulled Alina away from the altar, maintaining a cool, determined expression, ready for any sudden attack.

The robed figures recoiled from the glowing charms, their snarls laced with resentment. Driven by a mad determination, they began chanting once more, gathering a chilling black mist that coiled around the altar and advanced toward Ethan and the others.

With a cold snort, Ethan pulled out a stronger charm and slammed it onto the ground. A dazzling light erupted, forming a protective barrier that repelled the black mist. He tightened his grip on Alina's hand and urged her, "Run!"

Together, they dashed out from the altar, Ethan keeping Alina shielded as the robed figures' curses followed them, their black mist extending like living tendrils, refusing to relent. Seeing the exit just ahead, Ethan hurled his last charm like an arrow, piercing through the mist and buying them a moment to escape.

As they burst from the altar chamber, the oppressive darkness seemed to tear open, the brief light illuminating the underground space. Alina felt his strong grip on her wrist, his unwavering figure guiding her out, easing her fears as she kept up with his stride.

They ran as the scent of blood and rot filled the air. Behind them, the curses of the robed figures echoed, accompanied by the maddening, unyielding darkness that seemed eager to swallow them whole. Alina glanced back, only to see the dark mist growing thicker, threatening to engulf the passageway like a bottomless abyss.

"Don't look back!" Ethan's voice commanded, steady and unyielding. Alina snapped her gaze forward, focusing all her energy on escaping. At last, they broke free into the night air, the cool wind and fresh scents a reprieve that washed over her.

"Thank you… I thought I'd never make it out," Alina whispered, her voice trembling with relief.

Ethan gave a faint smile, his eyes softening briefly. "We're not out of danger yet. This town harbors more than just those robed figures. Let's find a safe place to regroup."

Ray guided the rescued captives through the deserted streets until they reached the safety of their hideout.

Once inside, Ray checked the windows and doors, ensuring everything was secured. Sighing with relief, he turned to the others. "We should be safe for now. Take a moment to rest."

Suddenly, a soft, icy knock echoed through the silent room, its chilling sound slicing through everyone's nerves.

Ray frowned, signaling everyone to be quiet. The group fell silent, exchanging worried glances. The room filled with a tense silence, only broken by the occasional sharp inhale, a clear sign of their lingering fear.

Ray approached the door cautiously, gripping his knife as he signaled the others to stay back. Holding his breath, he pressed his ear to the door, straining to hear any sound beyond, but there was only eerie silence, punctuated by the ghostly echo of the knock.

"It's me," said a familiar, calm voice outside, and Ray visibly relaxed for a moment. He checked that everyone was safely positioned before carefully opening the door a crack, peering outside.

Ethan stood there, looking weary but sharp. Streaks of dried blood marred his hands, and in the moonlight, his form cast deep shadows, lending him a calm yet unyielding presence.

Ray let him and Alina in, whispering, "How's it looking? Any sign of pursuers?"

Ethan shook his head, scanning the room briefly. "Safe for now, but we can't stay here long. They'll track us down eventually."

The group exchanged tense glances, the atmosphere still heavy with dread. Alina turned to Ethan, seeking reassurance in his expression, but his eyes remained as deep and inscrutable as ever.

Biting her lip to quell her fear, Alina moved closer to him, her voice barely a whisper, "What's our next move? They're not going to let us go easily."

Ethan turned, his voice calm yet commanding. "We need to relocate. This place is too exposed. Once everyone has had a moment to rest, we'll head somewhere more concealed and look for an escape route."

Ray nodded, guiding everyone to sit and rest, though his gaze continually drifted to the door, staying vigilant. Ethan moved to the window, watching the darkness outside, his expression grave, as though foreseeing an inevitable end.

Alina sat quietly, observing the others. Each face bore exhaustion and terror, yet there was a quiet determination to endure. She knew this ordeal was far from over—it might have only just begun.

Just then, a man in the corner clutched his chest, groaning in pain. Everyone turned, alarmed, to see his face contorted, his eyes bloodshot as his breathing grew labored and ragged, as if something was fighting to break free within him.

"Are you alright?" Alina asked, her voice laced with concern as she approached.

But the man's body began to tremble violently, his skin paling and rotting as his hands twisted into claw-like appendages. He looked up, his eyes filled with madness and hunger, before lunging toward Alina with a low growl.

"Watch out!" Ray shouted, rushing to block the transformed man, shoving him back. The creature's strength was monstrous, and Ray felt a chill as sharp claws raked toward him.

"Get away from him!" Ethan commanded, throwing a charm at the creature's forehead. It flashed with golden light, forcing the creature to stagger back, but it seemed unaffected by the charm's lasting power, snarling as it prepared to lunge once more.

Ray steadied himself, breathing heavily as he glanced at Ethan. "The charm can only hold it temporarily… we need a stronger solution."

Ethan's gaze sharpened as he held another charm, speaking calmly, "Ray, try to lure it into the corner. I need time to prepare."

Ray nodded, taunting the creature, "Hey! Over here!" He moved nimbly, baiting the creature toward the corner. The creature, its eyes blood-red, growled and lunged at him, falling right into Ethan's trap.

Just as the creature approached, Ethan slammed the charm onto the ground, reciting a spell. The charm glowed brightly, expanding into a circular barrier that trapped the creature. It roared in rage, striking the barrier, only to be repelled each time.

"This will only hold it for a while. We need to find the cause of its transformation… or others might turn next." Ethan's voice was tense, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he struggled to maintain the barrier.

Alina, gripping her weapon tightly, surveyed the room. "Does anyone else feel… strange?"

The others exchanged fearful glances, each uncertain if they were next. The creature's rage within the barrier cast a dark shadow over their thoughts, thickening the air with tension, as if an invisible string could snap at any moment.

Finally, Alina approached an injured member against the wall, her voice steady, "Are you alright? Have you felt anything strange?"

The person looked pale, their voice trembling as they replied, "I just… feel a strange chill, and my head's been feeling fuzzy."

Hearing this, Alina frowned, alarmed. She looked at Ethan and Ray, whispering, "This chill and dizziness aren't random. It must be linked to the curse. This is worse than we thought."

Ethan's gaze hardened as he replied, "This curse is ancient. Without finding its source, these transformations will keep happening. If the chill is truly a sign, we're in serious trouble."

Ray tightened his grip on his weapon, scanning their surroundings. "So, we're all at risk of turning… where is this curse emanating from?"

Alina turned her gaze toward the trapped creature, determination in her eyes. "If these transformations are controlled by some power, then the source must be hidden somewhere nearby—maybe somewhere we've overlooked."

Ethan nodded, addressing the group. "We can't split up. Keep your distance from each other and stay alert to any unusual symptoms." He handed his remaining protective charms to those looking the weakest, adding, "These will only suppress the curse temporarily, but we need to move fast."

The group nodded, their expressions a mix of fear and resolve. Forming a small team, they followed Ethan, Ray, and Alina, venturing further into the foreboding darkness ahead.

As they advanced, step by cautious step, the air grew icily cold, as though countless eyes were watching them from the shadows.