THE BLOOD BATH

Episode 9: The Echo of Silence

### Episode 9: The Echo of Silence

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**Setting: The dorm, moments after the light of dawn breaks through the windows.**

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The group’s exhaustion was palpable, but an unspoken sense of accomplishment hung in the air. They had faced the darkness and won, but the victory felt tenuous, as if the shadows were lurking just out of sight.

Namjoon wiped the sweat from his brow. “We need to rest, but we also need to keep an eye out. We don’t know if there’s more to come.”

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**As they tried to settle:**

Despite the early morning light, an uneasy stillness pervaded the dorm. Y/N, unable to sleep, wandered into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water, her mind racing with the recent events.

Suddenly, she heard a faint noise behind her. She spun around, but the kitchen was empty. Her heart pounded as she slowly backed out of the room.

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**In the living room:**

Yoongi was sifting through the remains of the shattered artifact. “There has to be more to this. Artifacts like these don’t just break without a reason.”

Jungkook nodded, his eyes scanning the room. “We need to find out if there are more like it. What if we missed something?”

As they pondered, a low hum filled the air, growing louder. The group looked around, trying to locate the source.

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**The mysterious hum:**

The sound seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Jin pressed his ear against the wall. “It’s coming from inside the walls.”

Hoseok’s face paled. “Inside the walls? How is that possible?”

Namjoon’s eyes narrowed. “We need to find out what’s causing this. Let’s split up and search the dorm. Be careful.”

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**As they searched:**

The group split into pairs, each taking a different section of the dorm. Y/N and Jungkook moved towards the basement, the hum growing louder as they descended the stairs.

Jungkook’s flashlight flickered, casting erratic shadows on the walls. “Stay close. I don’t like this.”

In the basement, they discovered an old door, partially hidden behind a stack of boxes. Y/N’s hand trembled as she reached for the handle.

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**Behind the door:**

The door creaked open, revealing a small, dimly lit room. In the center stood a pedestal with another artifact, similar to the one they had destroyed. It pulsed with a dark energy, the source of the ominous hum.

Jungkook’s eyes widened. “We need to tell the others.”

Y/N nodded, but before they could leave, the door slammed shut behind them. The room’s temperature plummeted, and they could see their breath in the cold air.

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**Trapped in the basement:**

Jungkook banged on the door. “Help! We’re trapped!”

The others heard the commotion and rushed down. Namjoon and Yoongi tried to force the door open, but it wouldn’t budge.

“We need to break it down,” Yoongi said, his voice urgent.

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**Inside the room:**

The artifact’s pulsing grew stronger, and the walls seemed to close in. Y/N and Jungkook huddled together, feeling the oppressive energy surround them.

Y/N’s voice was shaky. “We need to destroy it. It’s the only way out.”

Jungkook nodded, determination in his eyes. They approached the artifact, feeling its power resist them.

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**The final push:**

Outside, the others managed to break the door open just as Y/N and Jungkook reached the artifact. With a collective effort, they shattered it, releasing a burst of dark energy that dissipated into the air.

The room returned to normal, the hum gone. Namjoon helped them to their feet, relief evident on his face. “You did it.”

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**Aftermath:**

As they regrouped, Y/N looked at the remains of the second artifact. “There might be more. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next.”

The group nodded in agreement, their resolve stronger than ever. The shadows may have been pushed back, but the whispers of the past still echoed in their minds. They knew that their fight was far from over, and the true test was yet to come.

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**To be continued...**