The veil thins, Autumn 1750

As Lyrien spoke, the shadows around them seemed to twist and writhe, like living things. Aria felt a creeping sense of dread, as if darkness itself was closing in.

Suddenly, a faint scratching echoed through the hallway ...

The scratching grew louder, more insistent. Aria's heart racing , she turned to Lyrien. " What's that" she whispered.

Lyrien's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping the darkness. " It's a summons" he whispered back. " The shadowborn are calling to you Aria".

Aria's blood ran cold. " Why?" She demanded

Lyrien's expression was grim. " You have something they want ", he said. " Something that could upset the balance of power between our worlds".

As Lyrien spoke, the candles on the candelabra flickered and died, plunging the hallway into darkness.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing louder with each passing moments...

Aria's heart racing, she clung to Lyrien's arm. "What's happening?" she whispered.

Lyrien's eyes gleamed in the darkness. "The Shadowborn are closing in," he whispered back. "We need to get you to safety, now."

As he spoke, the footsteps grew louder, more urgent. Aria felt a presence closing in around her, a cold, dark energy that seemed to seep into her very bones.

Lyrien pulled her forward, his grip on her arm like a vice. "Come," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat.

Aria stumbled after Lyrien, her feet echoing off the walls. They moved swiftly, the darkness seeming to swirl around them like a living thing.

As they turned a corner, a faint light appeared in the distance. Aria's heart lifted, hoping they were nearing safety.

But as they drew closer, she realized the light was coming from a door she'd never seen before. It was old, the wood weathered to a soft, silvery gray.

Lyrien pushed the door open, revealing a narrow stairway that plunged deep into the earth.

"After me," Lyrien whispered, his eyes glinting in the dim light.

Aria hesitated, feeling a shiver run down her spine.

Aria took a deep breath and followed Lyrien down the stairs. The air grew colder and damper with each step, and she could feel the weight of the earth pressing down upon her.

As they descended, the stairs began to curve and twist, leading them deeper into the heart of the earth. Aria stumbled, her foot catching on a loose step, and Lyrien caught her by the elbow, steadying her.

"Careful," he whispered, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "We're almost there."

Aria nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea where they were going, or what lay ahead, but she knew she had to trust Lyrien.

Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs, and Aria saw that they were standing in a small, dimly lit chamber. The walls were made of rough-hewn stone, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and mold.

Lyrien led her to the center of the room, where a small, ornate box sat on a pedestal. The box was adorned with strange symbols and markings that seemed to shimmer and glow in the dim light.

"What is this place?" Aria whispered, her eyes fixed on the box.

Lyrien's eyes gleamed with a knowing light. "This is a sanctuary," he said. "A place of safety, hidden away from the world above."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "What's in the box?" she asked.

Lyrien's smile was enigmatic. "That, my dear Aria, is for you to discover."

Aria's eyes fixed on the box, her curiosity piqued. She reached out a trembling hand, hesitating for a moment before touching the intricate carvings on the lid.

As soon as she made contact, the symbols on the box began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. Aria felt a sudden jolt of energy, as if the box was awakening something deep within her.

Lyrien's eyes watched her with an intense, almost hungry gaze. "Yes," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "You can feel it, can't you? The power that lies within?"

Aria's heart pounded in her chest, her senses reeling with the implications. What was this power that Lyrien spoke of? And what did it have to do with her?

As she stood there, frozen in wonder, the box's glow grew brighter, illuminating the dark recesses of the chamber. Aria felt herself being drawn into the light, as if it was calling to her very soul...