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## Chapter Three: Whispers of Ancient Pages and Vanishing in Shadows
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After his harsh encounter with the Knight of Light, John realized the situation had become critical. He could no longer afford to ignore what was happening to him at night. The **"Possessed Shadow"** was growing more violent and audacious, and its presence now threatened John's very life. The search for an explanation was no longer mere curiosity, but a necessity for survival. And worse, he had to hide.
In the following days, John became more cautious at the Royal Court. He minimized his public appearances as much as possible, excusing himself from social events with flimsy pretexts. He moved like a phantom through the opulent halls, his eyes observing every movement, every whisper. Even at the Royal Academy, his sole refuge for finding answers, he kept a low profile. He no longer sat in the front rows, choosing instead the back seats, near the doors, as if ready to flee at any moment.
John spent long hours in the ancient Academy library, which housed thousands of manuscripts and scrolls dating back centuries. He was no longer just looking for "ancient history," but for any mention of the **"Punishment of Shadows,"** **"Shadow Hunters,"** or any reincarnating entities. It was a daunting task. Most of the books were written in ancient languages, and some were secret and heavily guarded.
John used his sharp intellect and innate talent for deciphering ancient codes. He read everything he could get his hands on: forgotten myths, the family records of ancient nobles, and even folk poems that spoke of creatures appearing at night to eradicate evil. He noticed strange patterns recurring in some manuscripts: specific symbols, references to lunar cycles, and mentions of **"the Mark."**
One night, while everyone was asleep, John sneaked into the forbidden section of the library. He knew that accessing it was perilous, but he felt an irresistible inner pull. He used his stealth skills, which the "Possessed Shadow" seemed to have inherited for him, to open locked doors and evade guards.
There, on dusty shelves of decaying wood, John found a small book, bound in dark leather, bearing no visible title. Its pages were yellowed and brittle, but the illustrations were terrifyingly vivid. They spoke of **"Shadow Guardians,"** beings that appeared during the kingdom's times of crisis, chosen by an ancient **"Dark Entity"** to fight corruption.
The book didn't explicitly mention the "Possessed Shadow," but it described nocturnal transformations, superhuman strength, and even memory loss. More importantly, it spoke of the **"Shadow Bond,"** a spiritual link between the guardian and the entity. The book stated that this bond could become a curse if not controlled, completely consuming the guardian, who would become merely a vessel for darkness. But it also mentioned a way to control it, a method that required a deep understanding of the Shadow itself, and an ancient technique known as **"Taming the Hidden Star."**
As John read, he felt a prickling in his head, as if the book's words resonated deep within his soul. At that moment, he sensed another presence in the room. He quickly looked up, to find **Baron Vitus** standing in the doorway, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"Your research is profound, Lord John," the Baron said in a calm voice, yet carrying a subtle undertone of threat. "Especially in sections only a few ever visit."
John's blood ran cold. How did the Baron know he was here? And had he been watching him?
"Just academic curiosity, Baron," John replied, trying to maintain his composure, while hiding the book behind his back.
The Baron chuckled softly. "Curiosity? Or despair? I hear Commander Aidan is relentlessly pursuing the 'Night Killer.' And whispers at court are growing louder about the nature of this mysterious entity." The Baron took a step closer, his eyes gleaming in the dark. "But what intrigues me more, John, is why this 'Night Killer' only appears when problems at court worsen, and when someone attempts to uncover certain secrets?"
This was a clear insinuation. Baron Vitus knew something. Perhaps he knew about John and the "Possessed Shadow." Was he indeed the **"Inciter"**?
"The entire kingdom is suffering from these crimes, Baron," John retorted, trying to change the subject.
"Indeed, indeed," the Baron said, looking at the hidden book behind John's back. "But some suffering serves a purpose. And some 'hunters' are merely tools in the hands of those who understand how to pull their strings." The Baron advanced further, raising his hand as if to touch John's shoulder, but stopped before he did. "Be careful, John. For seeking the truth may lead you to dark places, where no one can protect you, not even yourself."
Baron Vitus withdrew with the same quietness he had entered, leaving John in profound confusion. The Baron had not confirmed anything, but his words were clear. He not only knew, but he was watching. And the danger was closer than he could have imagined.
Now, John had no choice but to delve deeper into this ancient book and decipher the secrets of "Taming the Hidden Star" before he became merely a tool in the hands of the "Inciter," or was completely consumed by the shadow that dwelled within him.