Chapter 40: Whispers of the Abyss
The faint glow of the early morning sun seeped through the thick, ornate curtains of Eren's room, but he was already awake, seated cross-legged on the floor. His eyes were closed, his breathing steady, as he focused on the pulsating energy of the Cursed Mark. The encounter with the mysterious intruder the previous night had left an indelible impression on him. Every word, every movement of the masked man replayed in his mind like a haunting melody.
The sigil on the man's mask was burned into Eren's memory. It represented a challenge, a threat, but most of all, a mystery that demanded answers.
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The Academy Stirs
The academy seemed unusually active that morning. Students gathered in small clusters, whispering and exchanging wary glances. Something was amiss. As Eren stepped out of his dormitory, he noticed the heightened presence of guards patrolling the campus, their expressions grim and their weapons at the ready.
He approached a group of students, overhearing snippets of their hushed conversation.
"...a break-in last night..."
"...heard they were after someone specific..."
"...whoever it was, they escaped without a trace."
Eren's heart skipped a beat. Was the academy aware of his confrontation, or was this about something—or someone—else?
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A Subtle Warning
In the midst of the commotion, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Eren!"
Turning, he saw Aric, his closest ally in maintaining the facade of a normal student. Aric's usual easygoing demeanor was replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Have you heard?" Aric asked, pulling Eren aside. "There was an intruder last night. They say the guards barely managed to catch a glimpse of him before he disappeared into thin air."
Eren feigned ignorance, masking his unease. "No, I hadn't heard. Do they know who it was or what they wanted?"
Aric shook his head. "Nothing concrete, but..." He hesitated, lowering his voice. "I overheard one of the instructors mentioning a connection to the Cursed Mark. They're spooked, Eren. Whatever this is, it's big."
Eren nodded, his expression carefully neutral. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll be careful."
As Aric walked away, Eren's mind raced. If the academy was beginning to piece together the truth about the mark, his time to act in secrecy was running out.
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The Library's Secrets
Determined to uncover more about the Keepers of Abyssal Truth, Eren spent the rest of the day in the academy's vast library. He poured over ancient texts and forgotten manuscripts, searching for any mention of the group or their sigil.
Hours passed, and just as his frustration began to mount, he stumbled upon a fragile tome tucked away on a high shelf. The title was faded, but the sigil on its cover matched the one on the masked intruder's face.
Eren opened the book carefully, the brittle pages threatening to crumble under his touch. The text described a shadowy organization dedicated to unlocking the full potential of forbidden powers. Their methods were ruthless, their goals unclear, but one thing was certain—they sought individuals marked by darkness, believing them to be the key to transcending mortality.
A chill ran down Eren's spine. They weren't just interested in him—they saw him as a means to an end.
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Unwelcome Visitors
As the day turned to night, Eren returned to his room, the weight of his discoveries pressing heavily on him. He knew he couldn't keep this to himself, but trusting anyone was out of the question.
Just as he began to settle in, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. The sharp, deliberate sound set him on edge.
He approached cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. "Who is it?"
A familiar voice replied, but it carried an edge of urgency. "It's Aric. Open up."
Eren unlocked the door, letting Aric in. His friend's face was pale, his usually confident demeanor shaken.
"What's wrong?" Eren asked, closing the door behind him.
Aric hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as if expecting someone to appear out of the shadows. "I don't know how to say this, but... I think someone's watching you. I caught a glimpse of a figure near your dorm earlier. They disappeared before I could confront them."
Eren's pulse quickened, but he kept his expression calm. "Did you tell anyone else?"
Aric shook his head. "No. I thought it was better to warn you directly. Something's not right, Eren. You need to be careful."
"Thanks, Aric. I'll handle it," Eren said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
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A Dark Decision
After Aric left, Eren sat by the window, staring out into the night. He could feel the weight of the Cursed Mark on his arm, its energy pulsing faintly.
The encounter with the masked man, the revelations in the library, and now Aric's warning—it all pointed to one thing. The Keepers of Abyssal Truth were closing in on him, and the academy's heightened security wouldn't be enough to stop them.
Eren knew he had to take matters into his own hands. If he wanted to survive, he needed to embrace the power of the mark, to master it completely. But doing so meant walking a fine line between control and corruption.
He clenched his fist, the mark glowing faintly in response. "If they think they can manipulate me, they're in for a surprise."
For the first time in a long while, Eren felt a sense of clarity. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but he wouldn't face it as a victim. He would become the hunter, not the hunted.