Chapter 16: The Gathering Storm

Eldridge carefully unhooked the silver daggers from the wall, their blades glinting ominously in the dim light. He handed one to Bellaire, who felt the weight of the weapon in her hand, a mixture of fear and empowerment coursing through her.

“We need to move quickly,” Eldridge said, glancing at the door as if expecting the Oily Ghoul to burst in at any moment. “Let’s find the other artifacts and then regroup with Mia.”

As they searched the cluttered storage room, Bellaire’s mind raced with thoughts of the creature. “What if it’s already in the library?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Eldridge shook his head, though doubt gnawed at him. “We have to trust Mia. She knows what to do. Let’s focus on finding anything else that can help.”

They continued sifting through the boxes, uncovering old books, strange trinkets, and forgotten memories. Suddenly something fell which took his attention. When he went near Eldridge's heart quickened when he stumbled upon a small wooden box.As he picked up the box he felt pulsation of power.He quickly opened it to reveal a collection of crystals, each pulsating with a faint glow.

“These are enchanted crystals,” he explained, excitement threading through his voice. “They can amplify our wards if we use them correctly.”

Bellaire who was searching on the other side of the room came near her father only to see he was holding a box full of glowing crystals. By hearing her father's words .Bellaire nodded, her focus sharpening. “Let’s take them and hurry back.”

They gathered the artifacts—amulets, daggers, and crystals—before hurrying back through the dimly lit corridors. The house creaked ominously, shadows dancing in their peripheral vision. Bellaire tightened her grip on the dagger, her senses heightened.

As they approached the library, a faint sound caught their attention. It was muffled, as if someone was whispering urgently from inside. Eldridge exchanged a worried glance with Bellaire before he pushed the door open.

“Mia!” he called, stepping into the room. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Mia turned toward them, her face pale and eyes wide. “I felt something... it was here. I think it’s still nearby.”

“What do you mean?” Bellaire asked, stepping closer.

“I don’t know. It was like a presence. Cold and... oily.” She shuddered, her voice trembling. “I could almost see it.”

Eldridge placed the artifacts on the table, urgency fueling his movements. “We need to set up the wards immediately. Bellaire, help me with the crystals. Mia, keep watch by the door.”

As they worked, Eldridge explained each step. “These crystals will enhance our protection, but we have to be precise. If we make a mistake, the wards could fail.”

Bellaire focused intently, placing the crystals with candles in a circle around the room while Eldridge arranged the amulets at key points. The air felt charged, crackling with potential energy. They could sense the impending danger lurking just outside.

“Done!” Bellaire announced, stepping back to survey their work. As soon as the circle was done .The circle glowed faintly, a soft hum resonating in the air.

“Now we need to activate them,” Eldridge instructed. He took a deep breath, gathering his energy. “On three. One... two... three!”

[“Lumen saeculi, custodia mihi; tenebrae recede, et pax meae animae.

"Aqua pura, fluxus sanctus; malum abeo, veritas in lucem.

"Socii venti, adsumite ad me; una fortitudo, adversus tenebras.”]

As they spoke the activation words, the crystals and amulets surged with light, filling the library with a warm glow. A powerful pulse radiated outward, weaving a protective barrier around them.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted, and a chilling wind swept through the library, extinguishing the warmth. Eldridge and Bellaire exchanged fearful glances as shadows coalesced in the corners, forming into a dark shape.

“It’s here!” Mia shouted, backing away. The Oily Ghoul materialized, its hollow eyes locking onto them with a predatory hunger.

“Stay behind the wards!” Eldridge yelled, raising his dagger. The creature floated just outside the barrier, its oily form shifting and rippling as it reached toward them, its mouth moving in a garbled whisper.

“Give in,” it croaked, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. “Join me.”

“Never!” Bellaire shouted, gripping her dagger tighter.

With a surge of courage, Eldridge stepped forward, the light from the wards illuminating the room. “You won’t take anyone else!”

The Oily Ghoul recoiled, hissing as the light touched its form. “You think you can resist?” it hissed, shifting closer, trying to breach the barrier.

“We must push it back!” Eldridge urged. “Concentrate on the wards. Channel your energy!”

Mia who never had done a single magical trick, upon his command started to visualize an energy which is explosive in nature coming out of her hands and ina parallel line joining the two of their lights to attack. A stream of energy started to tickle from her and joined others forr attack.

The three of them focused, the glow from the crystals intensifying as they poured their will into the protective barrier. The Oily Ghoul shrieked, thrashing against the light.

“We can do this!” Mia yelled, fear transforming into determination.

With a final surge of strength, they directed all their energy toward the creature. The wards flared brighter, enveloping the Oily Ghoul in a blinding light. It howled in rage, thrashing as the barrier pushed against it, forcing it back into the shadows.

In one final, desperate scream, the Oily Ghoul vanished, leaving behind an eerie silence and a lingering chill in the air. The protective wards flickered but held, a testament to their combined strength.

Breathless, Eldridge turned to Bellaire and Mia. “We did it,” he gasped,as relief washing over him. “But it’s not over. It’ll come back.”

Bellaire nodded, her grip still tight on the dagger. “Then we need to prepare. We can’t let it catch us off guard again.”

Eldridge’s resolve hardened. “We’ll fortify the wards, gather more artifacts, and uncover the truth behind this creature. We’re not just surviving anymore—we’re fighting back.”

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