The Phantomari.

The Phantomari was a tall, thin like being with a body that shone like moonlight. Its face was very pale, with high cheekbones and eyes that glowed like dark stars. Its delicate wings seemed to disappear into the shadows, making it look mysterious.

This creature could control darkness and shadows. It could move unseen, attack from the dark, or create illusions to confuse its enemies. It could also absorb memories from those around it and use this knowledge to its advantage.

The Phantomari's soft, spooky whispers were hard to locate. It was a mysterious creature that watched and learned from others. It wasn't good or evil, but instead followed its own secret plans.

****

"Waiting for me?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

The Phantomari's loud, rumbling voice replied, "You seek to know the truth, don't you?"

I tried to sound brave, but my fear was clear. "I don't even know what you are," I said. "How can I believe what you say?"

The Phantomari's became gentler. "Do not be afraid, Aria. I possess no harm, I won't hurt you. I want to help you."

My curiosity got the better of me. "What are you called? Your name, do you have any? What is your name?"

"I am the Phantomari. I don't have time to explain more. You need to leave now, the night guards are approaching. Of course, if you don't want to get caught..."

My pride took over. I pretended not to care about the guards. "I don't need your help," I said. "I'll find my own answers, these are my problems, and I won't trust anyone. be it human or creature."

The Phantomari's whisper was barely audible, carried away by the wind. "Think about it, Aria. Come find me when you do."

The Phantomari disappeared into the dark underground, leaving me with many questions. I walked out of the mysterious place and went back to Thorold's chamber, where I had been staying.

I sighed. "Things are not going well for me here either," I said, quietly to myself.

"Will I ever find the truth? I wonder..." I couldn't stop thinking and had a hard time sleeping that night.

The next day arrived, but I could still not get rid of the uneasy feeling which lingered throughout the day.

I sat quietly, lost in thought. My worried look made Thorold to become concerned. "Aria, is everything okay?" he asked, looking worried.

"I'm fine, but..." My voice faded away, my eyes gazing into the distance. Then, I asked suddenly. "Have you ever been to the tunnels under the palace?"

Thorold's expression turned serious. "No, I haven't," he said. "The tunnels are off-limits. Since I arrived at the palace, I've stayed away. People say a dangerous creature lives there, but I do not know if it's true."

My voice was barely above a whisper. "So, you've never been inside...?"

Thorold shook his head. "No, I haven't. Only the knights are allowed near there, and that's because they guard it. Why are you asking?"

I quickly came up with an excuse, not wanting to reveal my encounter with the Phantomari. "I just needed some fresh air," I said.

Thorold seemed to believe me though, but I noticed a hint of curiosity in his eyes. So I tried to sound casual. "Do you know anything about the Phantomari? Have you heard of it before?" I asked.

Thorold looked confused. "Phantomari? What's that?" he asked, and then paused, trying to remember. "Wait, I think I've heard of it before... Phantomari..."

I faked a smile, trying to seem uninterested. "It's nothing, really."

Thorold went back to what he was doing, seeming uninterested. Then asked again, "Is there a library here with old books about legends and creatures?"

Thorold chuckled. "Yes, the palace has a library. You're interested in that kind of thing huh?"

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Just something to do, I suppose. passing time, I love reading books."

Thorold nodded, unaware of my true intentions.

I breathed a silent sigh of relief.

***

As I followed Thorold's directions, I noticed a young woman about my age walking towards me. The lady's attire and demeanor clearly showed she was from a middle-class wealthy family.

She wore an elegant, simple dress, with detailed embroidery, and her dark hair was styled in a fancy updo. She has a few freckles on her cheeks that went well with her bright, hazel-colored eyes. A warm smile spread across her face as she approached me.

"Hello, I'm Xaren" she said, in a melodious tone. "I couldn't help but notice you're new around here. Are you lost?"

I also told her my name and explained my quest for the library, and Xaren's eyes lit up. "I'm headed there myself, I can show you the way."

As we walked together, Xaren chatted about her love for books and learning that I slowly found myself drawn to Xaren's kindness and exciting energy.

Upon arriving at the library, Xaren led me through the shelves, pointing out rare volumes and sharing stories about the authors.

I asked Xaren, "Can you show me the folklore section? I'm interested in learning more about the local legends."

Xaren smiled and led me to a dusty corner of the library. "Here you are! This section has all sorts of fascinating stories and myths."

My eyes scanned throughthe shelves, running my fingers over the backs and edges of the books. Xaren chatted beside me, recommending various titles, but my attention was focused on finding a specific book.

As Xaren continued to talk, my fingers stopped on an old, worn-out leather book with a simple title' "All About Phantomari". My heart skipped a beat as I pulled the book off the shelf, and also appearing nonchalant.

"Find something interesting?" Xaren asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

I smiled, and trying to act like it was no big deal inorder to hide my discovery.

"Just a book that caught my eye. Thanks for showing me this section, Xaren."

Xaren nodded, and the two continued to look the shelves together, I secretly eager to learn more about the mysteries of the Phantomari.

As we kept looking through the shelves, I carefully kept the "All About Phantomari" book hidden in my pile of books, not wanting to draw attention to it. Xaren, not aware of my discovery, chatted on about her favorite books and authors.

After a while, Xaren excused herself to attend to some matters, leaving me alone with the books. I quickly found a cozy corner and began to read the "All About Phantomari" book, absorbing all the knowledge and stories it held.

The book spoke of the Phantomari's mysterious powers, its ability to manipulate shadows, and its mysterious nature. My eyes widened as I read about the creature's habit of appearing to those seeking truth and guidance.

As I delved deeper into the book, I began to realize that my encounter with the Phantomari was more than just a chance meeting. The creature had chosen me for a reason, unknown to me.

As I kept reading, the library became very quiet, and the candles flickering light made the shadows look longer and darker. I felt a chill, but my curiosity kept me engrossed in the book, I was too curious to stop reading.

The text described the Phantomari's ability to reveal hidden truths and grant wisdom to those who searched for it. But it also warned of the creature's unpredictable nature and the dangers of seeking its power.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing through the library. I looked up to see Xaren returning with a concerned expression on her face.

"Aria, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but the librarian is closing the library soon. We should probably head out," Xaren said, glancing at the book in my hands.

I quickly closed the book, trying to hide its title. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I lost track of time," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Xaren smiled and helped me gather things. As we left the library, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had only uncover a hint of the Phantomari's secrets.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, and the shadows seemed to shift and twist in the fading light.

Xaren noticed my unease and asked if I was alright. I hesitated, unsure of how much i could reveal.

"I'm just a bit scared, I think," I said at last. "The library can be a bit eerie at times." I added.

Xaren nodded understandingly. "Yes, it can be. But don't worry, I'm here with you, it's two people after all, so there's nothing to be scared of in a library.

"And i'm glad you found something interesting in the library. If you need any more help or guidance, feel free to ask."

I thanked Xaren and said goodbye. I decided to take a stroll in the palace gardens to calm my thoughts.

The cool night air would help me process the information I had discovered.

As I was walking through the gardens, which was surrounded by blooming flowers and tall trees, I felt amazed and curious about the hidden secrets held within the palace.

I couldn't help but wonder if I had really seen the Phantomari, or if it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. But deep down, I knew what I had seen, and I was determined to learn more about the phantomari and its connection to the palace.

Soon, a figure which was watching me from the shadows stepped forward, and it turned out to be a servant.

"Excuse me, miss," the servant said, "You have a message waiting for you in your chambers."

My curiosity was piqued. Who could be sending me messages? I thanked the servant and made my way back to the chamber.

When I arrived, the place was empty couldn't find Thorold either and only found a small note with a secretive message, "Meet me in the east wing by 10Pm. Come alone."

My heart raced as I wondered who could have written this and what they wanted with me. I felt a thrill of excitement with a touch of fear.

I was happy to have been messaged but at the same time nervous..

******