The darkness in the room pressed against Aarohi like a heavy blanket. She could barely see her own hands , but the glow from the book's symbols illuminated the air just enough to make out the floating chains.
The voice came again--softer this time, almost like it was inside her head.
" Do you hear me, Aarohi ?"
She froze . The book's pages fluttered violently , though that was no wind.
A cold energy seemed to swirl around her , brushing her skin like icy fingers .
Her instinct screamed to run , but her feet slayed rooted.
Something told her she was mean to be here.
Then she noticed a single word glowing on the page: " open."
Hesitantly, Aarohi reached out and touched the page. The moment her fingers brushed the parchment, a jolt of light surged through her , and she felt... different.
The room seemed to breathe. The shadows stretched, twisting intoshapes that resembled faces , some screaming silently , others starting with hollow eyes.
Aarohi stumbled back. "W-what... what is this?" She whispered.
"It is your choice now . The book murmured.
"One word from me , and the magic behinds you."
Her heart pounded . She could sense the power radiating from the pages power that promise knowledge, but at a cost she didn't yet understand.
Before she could decide the symbol on the walls burned bright blue , and a word formed in the air above the book:
"Speak"
Aarohi swallowed hard. Something inside her urged her to obey , but another voice- hears, or maybe someone else's -- screamed don't !
She opened her mouth .
And the first spell left her lips.
The candle flickered . The shadows froze .
Then a single , unearthly laugh echoed from the room, and the chains around the book broke on their own .
Room was silent... but Aarohi knew the magic had already begun.
And somewhere deep inside she could hear the whisper again:
"Welcome... to the beginning of your end ."