Moonlight filtered faintly through the hall.
The cold rays fell across the heavy wooden tables, casting a pale white glow on their surfaces.
A triangular pendulum hung from the ceiling, swaying gently.
Thin copper leaves adorned its three edges, and the cracks running across them looked like dry, barren land.
Behind it stood a massive mirror—
but its surface was not clear…
A layer of haze covered it, as if it were hiding something.
In front of the pendulum sat a man.
Father Eldred.
His eyes were closed, his lips moving continuously, and his voice echoed softly throughout the hall.
"The Supreme God…"
"The ruler of the Earth…"
"The one who created this land, who deemed us worthy to walk upon it… and live upon it…"
His voice trembled—
but it was not from fear…
It carried a strange, fervent devotion.
As if he were not bowing to fear…
but kneeling before something far greater.
His body shook slightly.
"I have… captured Raijin and his team…"
As he spoke, his voice grew even quieter.
For a few moments, the entire hall fell silent.
Then—
he began repeating the same prayer.
Once…
Twice…
Thrice…
With each repetition, his voice became emptier…
more hollow.
After the fifth time—
complete silence engulfed the hall.
And in that silence—
another voice resonated.
"Listen… Eldred…"
The voice was not just heard—
it was felt.
As if the air itself had grown heavier.
Eldred's body suddenly stiffened.
His shoulders pressed down—
as though an invisible weight had been placed upon him.
Breathing became difficult.
With great effort, he opened his eyes.
"W… who is it?"
"Who… are you?"
His voice trembled.
The next moment—
the air in front of him began to shimmer faintly.
Fine dust rose from the ground…
and then—
a figure took shape.
It stood completely still.
Its face was shrouded in shadow.
A long brown coat…
bare feet…
and the air around it felt heavy.
As if the earth itself was breathing with it.
Eldred's heartbeat quickened.
The figure spoke—
"I… am their servant."
That was all.
But those words—
felt like an order.
Eldred's body went completely limp.
He collapsed at the figure's feet.
Breathing was difficult—
yet he continued speaking.
"I… received a revelation yesterday…"
"The Earth God… The Supreme God… said—
that today Raijin and his team would arrive…"
The figure remained silent.
For a few moments, there was no movement at all.
Then it said—
"I know everything… Eldred."
Its voice was even deeper now.
"Go now…"
"Wake them."
"Let them do… what they came here to do."
Eldred slowly raised his head.
"I… you—"
Before he could finish—
the figure began to dissolve into mist.
Slowly…
silently…
without a trace…
And the next moment—
it was gone.
As if it had never been there.
But…
the air still felt heavy.
---
Some time later—
Eldred slowly stood up.
The same cold smile had returned to his face.
He turned…
and walked toward one of the rooms.
As he opened the door—
"Creak…"
The sound echoed through the room.
The room was bathed in the soft yellow light of candles.
Shadows danced on the walls—
as if someone else was present there too.
There were ten beds in the room.
One held Raijin…
One held Sofiya…
Two held Ishan and Kade…
The remaining six were empty.
A small table stood beside each bed.
Eldred entered slowly.
His steps were normal…
but something in his eyes had changed.
He stopped beside Raijin's bed.
"Raijin… wake up…"
"Raijin… wake up…"
His voice was deeper now.
"The Grim Howler Wraiths… are getting out of control…"
Raijin stirred restlessly.
His body was uneasy—
as if he were fighting a bad dream.
A few moments later—
his eyes opened.
He sat up immediately—
and instinctively reached for his sword with his left hand.
It wasn't there.
His gaze instantly locked onto Eldred.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"What happened?" Eldred asked.
Raijin's voice was low—
"How did I lose consciousness?"
"And… where is everyone else?"
Eldred took a small step back.
"They're all here."
Raijin looked around one by one.
Sofiya…
Ishan…
Kade…
They were all there.
But—
one was missing.
His brow furrowed.
"Ignar…"
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Eldred replied—
"He… left."
"The sound of the Wraiths… he couldn't bear it."
"He was too scared."
Raijin stayed silent.
But his eyes remained fixed on Eldred.
As if searching for something more.
Then he asked quietly—
"How did we lose consciousness?"
There was a slight hesitation in his voice.
Eldred smiled.
He pointed slowly toward Raijin's neck.
Raijin touched it—
It was fine.
Too fine.
As if nothing had happened.
That very fact…
bothered him even more.
But he said nothing.
He simply gripped his sword tightly.
"The behavior of the Wraiths is worsening," Eldred said.
"They must be dealt with immediately."
Raijin nodded slowly.
He woke the others.
"Get ready."
His voice was calm—
but the command was clear.
"Our weapons?"
Eldred asked them to wait a moment.
Then—
he brought all their belongings.
But…
when Raijin picked up his sword—
he felt a strange chill for a moment.
As if—
it was the same sword…
yet somehow… not.
He said nothing.
He simply held it firmly.
A short while later—
everyone was ready.
Eldred moved ahead.
The rest followed.
The door opened—
and cold air rushed in.
Outside—
thick fog.
So dense…
that seeing even a few steps ahead was difficult.
"Let's go," Eldred said.
They all moved forward.
Slowly—
the sound of their footsteps began to fade into the mist.
And ahead—
the graveyard.
Where…
something was waiting for them.
.
.
.
Thank you for reading this chapter.
Author: Mohammed Zaid Saifi