Rewrite The Star

CHAPTER 28 : THE MARK OF SHADOWS

CHAPTER 28 : THE MARK OF SHADOWS

Atlas jolted awake, his heart racing as his fingers instinctively traced his chest. “Where is the mark? I could’ve sworn it was right here,” he murmured, rubbing his head in confusion. He sank back into the bed, trying to shake off the eerie feeling. “It must have been a dream… but how could it be? It felt so vivid.” He strained to recall the silhouette from the night before, but the memory was shrouded in a frustrating blur. “I guess it really was just a dream,” he sighed, though uncertainty lingered in his mind. “I need to get to the guildhall.”

Upon arriving at the guildhall, Atlas made a beeline for the library. He found Darren there, hunched over an ancient tome. “Atlas, you finally made it! You’ve got to see this,” Darren called out, handing Atlas a cup of coffee as he pointed to the book in front of him. Atlas’s eyes widened in shock as he scanned the pages. “This… this is the same as yesterday,” Darren remarked, his voice tinged with unease.

“If you call my name, I will come to you and stay with you like the dark, hollowing the night. Whatever you wish, I will grant it, but in exchange, your soul will be under my control,” Atlas read aloud, the ominous words sending a shiver down his spine.

“Doesn’t that sound ridiculous? You get what you want, but your soul becomes the price. It’s like becoming a puppet,” Darren scoffed.

“True, but there's more to it. The words are veiled in deeper meaning. This book... it's been enchanted with dark magic, likely using a demonic script,” Atlas explained, releasing a small surge of magic towards the book, causing it to glow with a sinister red light.

Darren jumped back in shock. “How did you know to do that?” he asked, wide-eyed.

“The moment I touched it, I felt something was off. The words are layered with hidden power. This book was bound with a spell, but it wasn't crafted by a demon. It’s the work of a wizard, one who tampered with dangerous magic,” Atlas deduced, his voice steady despite the gravity of his words.

Darren's confusion deepened. As they continued to study the book, Darren noticed the phrase “Stellaria Coetus.” “Wait, Atlas, look at this! It says Stellaria Coetus. I’ve seen something like this before. Let me grab the other book,” Darren said, quickly heading to another shelf.

“Stellaria Coetus…” Atlas repeated softly. “Why would this book be connected to another? This is getting stranger by the minute.”

“Here it is, Atlas,” Darren said, handing him a different book.

“A story about a young boy and a star? Seems pretty standard,” Atlas remarked, flipping through the pages.

They searched the book, but nothing seemed to link it to the demonic text. Sighing in frustration, Atlas sipped his coffee as Darren continued to pour over the volumes. The hours dragged on, and eventually, they grew weary.

“Who knew reading could be this exhausting,” Atlas groaned.

“Excuse me! I’m the one doing all the reading while you just sit there drinking coffee,” Darren retorted, feeling slighted.

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry! It’s just… this book doesn’t seem to hold any answers,” Atlas admitted.

“Look who came here determined to solve yesterday’s mystery. Take both of these books home with you and give me a full report tomorrow,” Darren instructed.

“Fine, fine. I’ll bring you the details tomorrow,” Atlas agreed, though he quietly mumbled to himself, “Only if I remember…”

“Darren, your help is needed in the recovery room! Can you come quickly?” a voice called out from the hallway.

“I’m on my way!” Darren replied, turning to Atlas. “Good luck finding the clue.”

“Thanks, mate,” Atlas responded, his thoughts already drifting back to the strange events that had started to unfold.