Chapter 16: Book of Ashes
A dune of subtle emotions—tinged with uncertainty—surged through Raiden as he stood before the wall separating him from where the book lay. Ash, however, cowered behind one of the shelves in fear, while Levi remained unseen, and two other guards stood silently behind Raiden.
He took a deep breath and raised his hand slightly above his shoulder, reaching for a surface just inches from the edge. With a gentle push, the wall sank inward, releasing a dusty breath into the air. In an instant, a powerful gust followed, forcing them to stumble slightly as it pushed against their feet.
Raiden shielded his face with his arms as the guards gripped the window frames for balance. The wind’s sheer force tugged at him, threatening to sweep him off his feet.
He saw it.
This was no ordinary wind—it was dark energy, long sealed within the room, now unleashed at last. In no time, it swept through the entire library. Though only Ash could see the swirling darkness, its oppressive presence pressed heavily on them all.
Before things could spiral further, Raiden dug in his heels and began pushing forward.
Teeth clenched, he seized the room’s edge and hauled himself through. The wind lashed against every part of his face—no pain, only resistance—yet each step felt like dragging himself through a storm.
Despite everything, he made it into the room. Cramped and barely fit for three, its walls were covered in enchanted stickers etched with ancient symbols—but Raiden had no interest in them.
His gaze was fixed on the black chest on the floor, thick chains wrapped tightly around it. From his back pocket, he drew three enchanted stickers and, bracing himself against the oppressive energy, placed them on the chest.
In an instant, the sensation was yanked abruptly back into the chest. They all collapsed to their knees, but before anyone could catch a breath, the stickers burst into flames. Raiden sprang to his feet and signaled the guards to retrieve the chest.
Without hesitation, they rushed forward, lifted it, and carried it out immediately.