Chapter 2 – The Curse Awakens
The black stone was unnaturally warm. As Tako's fingers made contact, searing pain shot through his skull.
A booming voice filled his mind:
"TWO DAYS. MONDAY. TUESDAY."
"What… what is this?!" Tako screamed, clutching his head.
The stone sank into his palm, vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared. His mind buzzed, and a glowing timer burned in his thoughts.
The pyramid groaned as if alive, stones shifting and dust falling from the ceiling. "I need to get out… now!" Tako shouted. He sprinted toward the entrance, dodging falling debris and cracks opening in the floor.
Finally, he burst outside into the desert night, collapsing on the hot sand. His heart pounded violently.
"Two days… until what?" he muttered to himself, staring at his empty palm. The air was still, but the timer ticked relentlessly in his mind.
Cliffhanger: The curse had begun, and Tako's life would never be the same.