The Whispering Pages
chapter 1
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the distant hum of conversation. Laughter echoed from a nearby table, but to Ryan, it all felt muted—distant, like he was underwater.
He traced invisible patterns on the rim of his cup, his thoughts heavy with the weight of the morning’s fight.
Ryan
Sighs I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
Adam
What’s going on? You seem distracted.
Ryan
Just Ethan being Ethan… He cheated on me. Again.
Silence. Adam's fingers curled into fists under the table. He had warned Ryan before, but now wasn’t the time for I told you so.
Adam
… I’m sorry, man. You deserve better
Ryan let out a humorless chuckle, staring down at his untouched drink.
Ryan
Funny. That’s what everyone says. Doesn’t change the fact that I was stupid enough to believe him.
The café, once a comforting escape, now felt suffocating. The walls seemed closer, the voices louder, pressing in on him. He needed out.
Ryan
Let’s get out of here. I need some fresh air.
Adam
Okay. Where do you want to go?
Ryan thought for a moment, his gaze drifting to the city beyond the glass windows. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere safe.
Ryan
That vintage bookstore downtown. I need something to take my mind off things.
Adam nodded. He didn’t need to say anything—he understood.
Outside, the city pulsed with life, but for Ryan, only one thing mattered: escaping the pain, even if just for a little while
chapter 2
Ryan
24 years old.
Loves: books, baking, and a good romance—though his own love life is a mess.
His boyfriend, Ethan, cheated on him with his best friend, Liam, leaving him heartbroken.
Adam
25 years old
Quiet, thoughtful, and Ryan’s best friend. Comes from a traditional academic family. He’s always been there for Ryan, hiding feelings that go beyond friendship.
Ryan
I still can’t believe Ethan did that to me… with *Liam* of all people.
Adam
I know it hurts, Ryan. You don’t deserve that.
Ryan
*sighs* I just need a distraction. Let’s go to that new novel store downtown.
grabs a book off the shelf.
Ryan
Whoa. Look at this one. It has weird symbols on it.
Adam
This looks ancient. Like something out of a fantasy novel.
Ryan
*grinning* Maybe it’s cursed. Maybe if we open it, we’ll get transported to another world.
Adam
*laughs* Yeah, right.
Ryan
*opens the book* Just imagine—
(A sudden glow erupts from the pages. The air shimmers, warping around them.)
Adam
Uh… Ryan? What’s happening?!
Ryan
*panicking* I—I don’t know!
(The light engulfs them. The world around them twists, and in a blink, they vanish—sucked into the book.)
chapter 3
**[Inside the book – The Lost Prophecy ]**
A blinding light fades. The sound of rustling leaves, distant drums, and the faint murmur of a foreign tongue fill the air. Ryan and Adam find themselves on a dirt path, surrounded by massive stone structures covered in vines.
Ryan
*groaning* Ouch… my head. What just happened?
Adam
*sitting up, looking around* I… I think we got transported. But this doesn’t look like our time.
Ryan
*staring at a giant stone statue* No kidding. This place looks "ancient".
A group of armored warriors on horseback ride past them, their bronze helmets glinting in the sun. Their cloaks bear the emblem of a **serpent with glowing eyes**.
Ryan
*whispers* Okay… that’s terrifying.
Adam
We need to figure out where we are. *Looks down at his clothes* And why are we dressed like this?!
Ryan and Adam are now wearing long, embroidered tunics with leather sandals.
Ryan
*spinning around* Oh my God. We look like we belong in a museum!
Adam
*grimly* That’s because we do.
A loud horn echoes through the valley. People in the distance gather in a grand courtyard, kneeling before a **towering temple**.
Ryan
*nervously* This feels like some kind of… ceremony.
A deep voice booms across the courtyard.
priest
*in an ancient language* The **Chosen Ones** have arrived. The prophecy begins!
The crowd gasps, turning toward **Ryan and Adam.** The warriors on horseback now circle them, their swords drawn.
Ryan
*eyes widening* Oh, crap. I think they mean *us*.
Adam
Ryan… what did we just get ourselves into?
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