The Curse Awakens

Into the Shadows

The forest surrounding Everbrook was darker than usual, the trees bending low as if whispering secrets to the earth. Raven, Ashen, and Luna moved silently through the underbrush, their breaths visible in the chill air. The manor loomed in the distance, its jagged silhouette cutting through the fog like a wound.

“Why would Morgana gather spirits?” Ashen asked, breaking the silence. His voice was low, cautious.

Raven glanced at Luna, who clutched her ward tightly. “The veil between worlds is thinnest on Halloween,” Luna explained. “Spirits that are usually dormant... they’re easier to control now. If Morgana’s drawing them, she’s trying to amplify her power.”

Raven clenched her fists. The energy of the curse was already stirring inside her, growing stronger the closer they got to the manor. She’d tried to suppress it, but it felt alive, coiling and waiting for its moment to strike.

As they reached the edge of the clearing, Luna halted abruptly. “Wait,” she whispered, her voice sharp.

Raven and Ashen froze, their eyes following Luna’s gaze. A cluster of shadowy figures circled the manor, their forms translucent but flickering with eerie light. Spirits. They moved with unnatural grace, their hollow eyes glowing faintly as they drifted through the mist.

“Do they see us?” Ashen whispered.

Luna shook her head. “Not yet. The ward is masking us, but if we get too close, they’ll sense us.”

“Then how do we get inside?” Raven asked, keeping her voice low.

“We’ll have to move carefully,” Luna said. “Stick to the shadows. And whatever you do, don’t draw their attention.”

Ashen nodded, his jaw tightening. “Let’s go.”

The trio crept forward, weaving between the twisted trees and the jagged rocks that dotted the clearing. Every step felt heavier than the last, the oppressive energy of the spirits pressing down on them. Raven could feel the curse pulling at her, urging her to confront the spirits, to let her power break free.

She gritted her teeth, focusing on the rhythm of her steps. She couldn’t give in—not now.

As they neared the manor, the air grew colder, the silence deafening. The spirits were closer now, their ghostly forms hovering just above the ground. One of them turned, its hollow eyes scanning the darkness. Raven held her breath, her heart pounding as the spirit’s gaze swept past her and continued on.

“Keep moving,” Ashen murmured, his voice barely audible.

They reached the crumbling steps of the manor, the stone slick with moss and decay. Luna hesitated, her fingers brushing the ward around her neck. “Once we’re inside,” she whispered, “the ward won’t protect us anymore. The spirits can’t enter, but Morgana’s magic will be stronger.”

Raven nodded, gripping the handle of the old oak door. “Then let’s make it count.”

With a deep breath, she pushed the door open. The hinges groaned loudly, the sound echoing through the empty halls. The inside of the manor was colder than the outside, the air heavy with the scent of dust and something metallic—blood, maybe. The darkness seemed alive, shifting and pulsing as if it had a heartbeat.

“This place hasn’t changed,” Raven said softly, memories flooding back. She could still see the faces of her friends, their laughter echoing in her mind before it all turned to screams.

“Where do you think she is?” Ashen asked, his voice echoing faintly in the stillness.

“The grand hall,” Luna replied, her eyes scanning the darkness. “That’s where the veil is weakest.”

Raven led the way, her footsteps muffled on the rotting wood. Every shadow felt like a threat, every creak a warning. The curse inside her grew louder, its energy thrumming in her veins like a second heartbeat.

As they approached the grand hall, a flickering light spilled out into the corridor. Raven slowed, motioning for Ashen and Luna to stay back. She peered around the corner, her breath catching at the sight before her.

Morgana stood at the center of the room, her dark robes billowing as if caught in an unseen wind. A swirling vortex of shadows surrounded her, and within it, spirits writhed and twisted, their faces contorted in anguish. Above her, a jagged tear in the air revealed a glimpse of something beyond—a realm of endless darkness, alive with flickering shapes.

“She’s opening the veil,” Luna whispered, her voice trembling. “If she succeeds...”

“She won’t,” Raven said, stepping forward. The curse surged within her, begging to be unleashed. She clenched her fists, sparks of blue light flickering at her fingertips.

Morgana turned, her glowing red eyes locking onto Raven. A slow smile spread across her face. “Ah, my favorite little cursed one,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Come to join the fun?”

Raven stepped into the light, her gaze steady. “This ends tonight, Morgana.”

Morgana laughed, the sound cold and sharp. “Oh, Raven. You still don’t understand, do you? The curse isn’t your enemy—it’s your ally. If you embraced it, you’d see the truth.”

“The only truth I see is that you need to be stopped,” Raven shot back.

Morgana’s smile faded, her eyes narrowing. “Very well,” she said, raising her hand. The vortex of shadows swirled faster, the spirits inside it shrieking as they lunged toward Raven.

Raven braced herself, the curse surging to the surface. Blue light exploded from her hands, meeting the shadows head-on. The room filled with flashes of light and darkness as the two forces collided, the air crackling with energy.

“Raven!” Ashen shouted, stepping into the fray. He slammed his fist into one of the shadowy tendrils, his own strength amplified by sheer determination. Luna stayed back, holding the ward tightly and chanting under her breath, her voice steady despite the chaos.

The battle raged, the room trembling under the weight of their power. Raven could feel the curse growing stronger, threatening to consume her. She glanced at Morgana, who stood untouched in the center of the chaos, her gaze fixed on Raven with an almost pitying expression.

“You can’t win like this,” Morgana said, her voice cutting through the noise. “You’re holding back, clinging to your humanity. Let go, Raven. Accept what you are.”

Raven’s hands trembled, the blue light flickering as doubt crept in. Could she stop Morgana without unleashing the curse? Could she risk losing herself to save Everbrook?

As the shadows closed in, she made her choice.