The Arcane Chronicles: Unveiling the Lost Secrets (On-Going)

Chapter 22: Where Shadows Speak

Aiden

As Felicia's odd laughing fades, me, Athena, and Louisito remain motionless, the silence crushing down on us like a weight. The unnerving encounter remains in the air, and each of us feels Felicia's stare on us long after she vanishes into the darkness.

We exchange nervous glances before beginning to go forward. The stone path beneath our feet is wet with moisture, and a weird coolness pervades the air, growing as we go deeper. The dim light from the flickering jewels creates strange, twisting shadows on the walls, and whispers from shadowed persons at the alley's boundaries become louder, a low, disturbing murmur of gossip and secrets

''What was that? The way she looked at you, Aiden… like she knew something we didn’t.'' Louisito fell silent, his shoulders rippling with a serpentine grace, every movement smooth and fluid.

''That wasn’t just knowing—she recognized something in you. That riddle she gave, and that... thing that spoke through you—'' Athena narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping to a low, intense tone. ''It wasn't you speaking, Aiden. It was as if a shadow inside you gained control.'' She glances away, unsettled.

I remain silent, feeling a weight inside me that I can't quite identify. My mind is racing with memories, whispers from my past, and Nana Babaylan's warnings about secrets that should never be revealed.

''I'm... not sure what that was. But something in me understood her mystery, like if the answer was right there.'' I finally spoke, my tone tinted with hesitation. ''And.... somehow, Felicia saw it too.'' I look at Athena, my eyes disturbed.

We move deeper into the alley, the environment becoming colder and more depressing. The alley itself seemed to change and breathe, as if it were a live thing watching our every movement. Flickering lights reveal sellers selling ghoulish items such as jars filled with ghostly mist, weapons oozing with terrible energy, and skeletal charms emitting a faint, eerie glow.

As we pass, a creature with a twisted spine and six dark eyes hisses, its voice gravelly.

''Wanderers… down here for secrets, are they? Secrets have a price, and not all who seek them make it out…'' The Creature Vendor murmured to itself, just loud enough for us to overhear.

Louisito's eyes narrow, his hands poised at his sides in case of harm, and his posture protective. He goes gently and cautiously, like a dancer gliding through dangerous terrain.

''Can you explain why you keep sending us to places where old curses and shadows appear to have personal vendettas?'' Louisito talked to me, hoping to lessen the tension, but his voice had a biting edge.

I giggle softly, despite the fact that Felicia's messages continue to distress me. I look around the alley, taking in the weird products on display and the lurking persons whose features are covered under masks or cloaks.

''What can I say? This place is just full of friends, right?'' I smiled weakly.

''If these are your friends, Aiden, I’m not sure I want to meet your enemies.'' Athena glanced around, her tone laced with unease.

Suddenly, a low, rumbling voice emerges from a shadowed alcove beside us. The person is veiled, but its hands are skeletons, with talons scraping faintly against the stone floor.

''Darkness follows those who carry secrets… tread carefully, or it may consume you all'' The Cloaked figure.

We exchanged glances, uncomfortable but undeterred. As we get closer to the alley's center, the stifling blackness grows more intense. The murmur of voices becomes louder, with vague conversations blending together until individual words are lost in a chorus of whispers. Yet, one statement emerges from the cacophony, directed at us.