Jeremy stood at the foot of the towering structure, its surface impossibly dark, swallowing the faint light of the cursed city. The skeletal hand holding the open eye carved into the massive doors seemed almost alive, watching him, waiting.
The Archivist stepped forward, its many glowing eyes reflecting ancient knowledge. "This place is older than you can comprehend," it whispered.
Mordis remained silent, his blackened bones tense, twin weapons at the ready.
Jeremy exhaled. "Let's see what's inside."
The door groaned open at his touch, revealing a void of darkness.
Then, something whispered from within.
---
Jeremy took a cautious step forward, feeling the weight of the unnatural silence pressing down on him. The walls pulsed faintly, as if they were breathing.
The air was thick, filled with an unseen presence, something ancient and watching.
And then—
A low wail echoed through the darkness.
Jeremy's pulse quickened. "Something's here."
Mordis took a step ahead, his movements silent, deadly.
The Archivist shifted uneasily. "No… something is awakening."
The wail grew louder.
From the shadows, figures emerged.
---
[Whispering Servant – Level 24]
Strength: 30
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 15
Endurance: ∞
[Known Abilities:]
Echo of Despair: Causes all who hear their whispers to hallucinate.
Shadow Step: Moves through darkness instantly.
Life Reversal: Each wound inflicted weakens the victim and strengthens the Servant.
---
Jeremy staggered, gripping his head.
The whispers filled his mind.
Turn back… turn back… see what lies beyond…
Mordis moved first.
He lunged forward, vanishing into the shadows.
His sword struck deep into the Servant's chest—
But the creature didn't fall.
Instead, its body twisted as if it had no bones, and its eyes locked onto Mordis.
Then it whispered.
Mordis froze mid-attack.
For the first time, he hesitated.
Jeremy's heart pounded. "Mordis!"
The Servant's hand shot out.
SHNK!
Black claws pierced through Mordis' chest.
Jeremy's eyes widened. "No—"
The Archivist moved instantly, a barrier of webbing shielding Mordis.
The Servant hissed, recoiling from the touch of the magic.
Mordis stumbled back, his body shaking.
Jeremy clenched his fists.
"Enough."
His aura exploded outward.
"[Necrotic Dominion!]"
The shadows trembled. The Servants flinched.
Jeremy raised his hand.
"[Chains of the Dead!]"
From the darkness, black chains erupted, wrapping around the creatures, crushing them under their weight.
Mordis regained his stance.
His eyes burned blue.
He vanished—
—and reappeared behind them.
His sword tore through the first Servant.
The Archivist unleashed a wave of energy.
The whispers stopped.
Jeremy exhaled as the last Servant collapsed into dust.
---
Deeper Into the Abyss
The silence returned, but now it felt heavier.
Jeremy looked at Mordis. "Are you alright?"
The skeleton warrior nodded, but his hands were still shaking.
Jeremy's jaw tightened. Even Mordis was affected by those whispers.
The Archivist moved forward. "This tower… it was built to contain knowledge that should not exist."
Jeremy followed, scanning the dark hallways. The deeper they went, the worse the atmosphere became.
Strange symbols lined the walls, pulsing faintly.
Then, at the end of the corridor, they saw it.
A massive book, floating in the center of a vast chamber.
Jeremy stepped forward. "This is it, isn't it?"
The Archivist clicked its mandibles. "Yes. The Book of the End."
Jeremy reached out—
Then the ground shook.
A low, guttural growl reverberated through the tower.
The shadows coalesced into a monstrous form.
A voice spoke from the abyss.
"You are not welcome here."