The silence returned.
But it wasn't heavy now.
It was… complete.
The room pulsed once more, a deep, resonant hum that felt like a sigh.
The glyphs across the floor shimmered gold again. Light poured from the walls—not harsh, but warm. Inviting.
The Echo Core dissolved into mist, revealing a vast hidden chamber beneath it—lined with floating tomes, glowing shelves, ancient scrolls bound in golden wire.
The Living Library.
And in its heart stood a single pedestal—upon which rested a large, rune-covered book glowing with raw potential.
"Welcome… Overcomer… Your reward…" A soft voice sighed from the depths of the library.
Damien Bloodbane exhaled slowly.
He stepped forward.
And as he reached for the book, he didn't feel fear, or guilt, or pain.
He felt complete, and most of all… He felt ready.
The Living Library adjusted to Damien's presence as though it had been holding its breath for centuries.