Crossed Spells

Chapter 19: Night Investigation (Part 2)

The night sky of Ravenswood had darkened, thick clouds obscuring the moon and stars. Lucas and Aria walked quickly towards the outskirts of town, their silhouettes blending into the growing darkness. The air had become cooler, and a light wind rustled the leaves of the trees lining the road.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Lucas asked, casting a nervous glance over his shoulder. "Maybe we should go back to the party. If someone notices our absence..."

Aria shook her head, determined. "We've gone too far to give up now. The church is our last chance to find something tonight."

They continued in silence, each lost in thought. Fatigue was beginning to set in after hours of fruitless exploration, but adrenaline kept them alert. As they approached their destination, a strange sensation came over them, as if the air itself was becoming thicker, charged with an indefinable energy.

The abandoned church loomed before them, imposing and sinister in the darkness. Its gray stone walls were covered with ivy, and its broken stained-glass windows looked like empty eyes staring into the night. The Gothic structure cast unsettling shadows, seeming almost alive under Lucas's gaze.

They stopped a few meters from the entrance, hesitant. "Do you feel that?" Aria whispered, a shiver running through her body.

Lucas nodded, his senses on alert. There was something different here, an almost palpable presence that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. "It's like the air is vibrating," he said softly.

Suddenly, a faint sound caught their attention. It was barely audible at first, but as they concentrated, it became more distinct. Whispers, carried by the wind, seemed to come from inside the church.

"Do you hear that?" Aria whispered, her heart racing. She instinctively grabbed Lucas's arm, her fingers digging into his flesh.

Lucas nodded, all his senses on alert. "It's like... distant voices." His eyes suddenly widened in understanding. "Aria, do you remember what Mrs. Vega told us? About sound portals?"

Aria inhaled sharply, realizing what Lucas was implying. "You think...?"

"It could be a portal," Lucas confirmed, a mixture of excitement and apprehension in his voice. "We have to check."

With increased caution, they approached the church entrance. The large wooden door was ajar, creaking slightly in the night breeze. The whispers intensified as they advanced, confirming their suspicions.

Lucas gently pushed the door, which opened with a plaintive groan. The interior of the church was plunged into almost total darkness, barely pierced by the faint light filtering through the broken stained-glass windows.

Aria raised her hand, creating a small sphere of light that floated above their heads. The soft glow revealed a dilapidated but still majestic interior. Rows of wooden pews lined either side of a central aisle, leading to a stone altar at the back of the nave. Half-broken statues gazed with their empty eyes at the two intruders who dared to disturb their centuries-old rest.

"It's... impressive," Aria whispered, her gaze sweeping across the vast hall.

Lucas nodded silently, too focused on the whispers that now seemed to come from everywhere at once. He was about to suggest they explore deeper when a sudden noise made them jump.

Footsteps. Someone was approaching the church.

Without a word, Lucas grabbed Aria's hand and pulled her behind a large pillar. Aria extinguished her light with a gesture, plunging them into darkness. They held their breath, their hearts beating so hard they feared they could be heard.