Chapter 01: The Book of Passage

The old library was a graveyard of forgotten books. Dust-covered shelves stretched endlessly, their spines whispering tales lost to time. In a dark corner, resting on the highest shelf, lay an abandoned book, its green leather cover buried under cobwebs.

July, a young woman in her twenties, wandered through the aisles, fingers tracing the faded titles. She was searching for something—something different, something that could pull her away from the monotony of reality. Books, she believed, were more than just ink on paper; they were gateways to other worlds.

Her hand paused as she touched an old, worn spine. Something about it felt… strange. She pulled it from the shelf, and a cloud of dust swirled in the dim light. As she wiped the cover clean, she discovered golden symbols engraved into the leather, unfamiliar and mysterious.

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, curiosity won over caution. She opened the book.

A blinding light erupted from its pages.

The air thickened, as if the library itself had vanished. The ground beneath her disappeared, and for a split second, she felt herself falling. But she never hit the floor.

When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the library.

She stood in the middle of a magical forest—lush green grass beneath her feet, towering trees laden with golden fruit. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting a glow over the surreal landscape.

This isn't a dream. This is real.

She inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of unfamiliar flowers, the distant hum of unseen creatures. Somewhere far off, the sound of rushing water echoed through the trees. Drawn by the sound, she followed her instincts until she found herself standing before a breathtaking waterfall, its crystal-clear water cascading into a shimmering pool where golden fish swam gracefully.

For a moment, she forgot everything—where she had come from, the book in her hands, even the fear of the unknown.

Then, she heard it.

A whisper.

Faint at first, then growing closer.

A chill ran down her spine. The air around her grew colder, heavier. She turned sharply, her heart pounding, and saw something that defied logic—a small, eerie creature, its glowing eyes peering at her from the shadows.

Her body refused to move.

Then… darkness.

---

She was back in the library.

July gasped, her breath ragged, fingers still gripping the book. But the soft wooden floor beneath her feet and the muffled whispers of library patrons reminded her she was no longer in that strange world.

Had it been real? A vision? A warning?

She looked at the book again. It seemed ordinary now, no golden glow, no sign of magic. But when she flipped it open once more, she found a single line inscribed in faded ink:

"For those who believe, the gate remains ajar."

Her pulse quickened.

Was this an invitation? A test? A trap?

She had no answers, only an overwhelming certainty—she couldn't open this book now.

And she wasn't sure she even wanted to.

With trembling hands and scary thoughts, July gathered herself and took the book. As she opened the library door, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was the same magical forest, but darker, the voices louder. She stepped out of the library and into the trees. Suddenly, the voices were gone, and then she heard a loud scream: "Help! Help!" Quickly, she turned back to the library. Unexpectedly, it was gone. She stood frozen in fear. While she tried to make sense of everything, she heard footsteps. A man emerged from the dark forest. July sighed, feeling safer.

He was a tall man in his late twenties, his broad frame exuding strength and confidence. His dark hair, slightly longer at the top, fell in a way that framed his sharp features and emphasized the perfection of his chiseled jawline. Dark brown eyes, intense and calculating, seemed to take in everything around him with a quiet but undeniable authority. His sun-kissed brunette skin spoke of time spent outdoors, and his muscular build hinted at a life of physical endurance and discipline. There was a natural command to his presence, a strength that went beyond the physical.

The moment he saw her, he went straight to her and said, "You're the new one, right? Quickly, we need to hide!"

July replied, "New to what? Who are you? And what is this place?"

"First, we need to hide. I'll tell you everything later."

July hesitated, her heart pounding, but something in the man's urgent tone made her follow him. He led her through the dense forest, weaving between towering trees with golden fruit. The strange whispers had returned, a chilling echo in the distance.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a hidden cave, concealed by thick vines. The man gestured for her to enter, and July, still overwhelmed, obeyed. Inside, the cave was warm and illuminated by tiny glowing stones embedded in the walls.

The man turned to her, his eyes sharp and calculating. "My name is Elias. We've been waiting for someone like you."

"Someone like me?" July asked, clutching the book tightly.

"Someone who could bring us the book," Elias said seriously.

"Bring you the book? I didn't bring it; the book brought me here," July replied, confused.

He explained, "That book isn't just any book; it's a doorway between worlds. It's the reason we're all here, and it will be the reason for getting back home. Unlike the rest of us, you brought the book with you."

She interrupted, "Wait, how did you all get here, and how many of you are there?"

"We all got here by opening the book. We all share the same story: one second we're relaxing, reading a new book, the next we're in a different world, trying to survive," he replied.

"Mine is a bit different," July stated.

"What do you mean?"

She told him the whole story. When she finished, Elias said, "That's probably why you were able to bring the book with you. Now that we have it, we don't have to worry."

July breathed a small sigh of relief, but something still felt off. "If having the book is the key to getting home, why do I feel like we're still in danger?" she asked, gripping the leather-bound book tighter.

Elias sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Because the book isn't just a way out, July. It's also a beacon. The moment you brought it here, the Shadow Dwellers knew."

The name sent a chill down July's spine. "Shadow Dwellers… I heard them before. Whispering in the forest."