Chapter 3 Shadows Unleashed

Aria's fingers trembled as she lifted the ancient journal from the dusty table. The leather cover was brittle, and the faint smell of aged parchment filled the air. As she opened it, a sudden chill swept through the room, extinguishing her candle and plunging her into near-complete darkness.

Her breath caught. "Not now," she whispered, fumbling to relight the flame. A sharp crack echoed behind her - like the snap of a bone. She whipped around, heart pounding, but the room was empty. Only the cold silence greeted her.

Trying to steady her nerves, Aria focused on the journal's pages. Strange symbols and hurried scrawl told a story of curses, betrayals, and a powerful magic bound to the house. The deeper she read, the heavier the air became - thick with a presence that seemed to breathe just beyond her senses.

Suddenly, a loud bang shattered the silence. A heavy book fell from a nearby shelf, slamming onto the floor with a thunderous crash. Aria jumped, her heart racing like a wild drum. She shone her flickering candle toward the fallen book - but nothing moved.

She swallowed hard, gripping the journal tighter. As she turned the page, a cold, clammy hand brushed her shoulder. She spun around with a startled gasp - only to find empty air behind her.

A low, guttural whisper echoed through the room: "You shouldn't be here..."

The candle flickered violently, then flared, illuminating a shadowy figure standing just beyond the doorway. Its hollow eyes bore into Aria's soul, and for a moment, the room seemed to close in around her.

Summoning every ounce of courage, she backed away slowly, clutching the journal. The shadow dissolved into mist, leaving behind only a chilling silence