Dorian's heart pounded in his chest as he walked through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the town. The pain of Caius' absence was like a constant weight pressing down on him, making each step feel heavier than the last. He had spent countless hours in his room, drowning in his grief, until he realized he couldn't sit idly by any longer. If there was even the slightest chance of bringing Caius back, Dorian had to find it.
The town's library loomed ahead, its old, ivy-covered walls giving it an air of ancient wisdom. It was a place Dorian had visited only a handful of times, mostly for school assignments. But today, it felt like his last hope. He needed answers, and he needed them fast.
As he pushed open the heavy wooden doors, the familiar scent of old books and dust greeted him. The library was quiet, save for the soft rustling of pages and the occasional creak of floorboards. Dorian walked up to the front desk, where the elderly caretaker sat, her silver hair pinned up in a neat bun. She looked up from her book, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in his disheveled appearance.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and caution.
Dorian swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. "I'm looking for information on summoning rituals," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The caretaker's eyes widened slightly, and she glanced around as if to make sure no one else had heard him. "We don't have books on such things," she replied, her tone stern. "This is a respectable library, young man."
"But I know you must have something," Dorian pressed, his desperation seeping into his voice. "Anything at all—rituals, ancient texts, even folklore. Please, it's important."
The caretaker's expression softened slightly, but she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you."
Dorian's heart sank. He had hoped that the library, with its vast collection of old books, would hold the key to bringing Caius back. But now, it seemed like another dead end. He turned away from the desk, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
As he wandered through the aisles, his mind raced. He couldn't give up, not yet. There had to be someone, somewhere, who could help him. But who? And where?
"Looking for something in particular?" a voice said, breaking through his thoughts.
Dorian looked up to see a man standing a few feet away. He was tall and thin, with sharp features and dark hair that fell into his eyes. There was something about him that seemed out of place in the quiet library, as if he belonged somewhere far more sinister.
"Yeah," Dorian replied hesitantly, "but I don't think you can help."
The man raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You'd be surprised," he said, stepping closer. "I overheard your conversation with the caretaker. You're looking for information on summoning rituals?"
Dorian's pulse quickened. "Do you know anything about them?"
