Without another word, Arsh made a swift decision—to return to Egypt, the place where he had first discovered the forbidden book. Yoru and Von immediately began preparing, fully aware that what they were about to face was no ordinary threat.
But just before their departure, the book flung itself open. Ancient script began to appear on its pages:
"A fear that should never have risen... has awakened."
The writing shifted and continued:
"An entity that spreads fear, chaos, and terror across the world. He is H.P. Lovecraft—an entity far beneath existence itself. More precisely: Below Existence."
Arsh, Yoru, and Von exchanged glances, their faces taut with tension.
"We don't have much time! We have to stop this before it's too late!" Arsh exclaimed.
Von shot back, his voice sharp, "Are you out of your mind, Arsh? How are we supposed to stop that? We're not superheroes from some movie!"
"Don't be reckless, Arsh," he added. "It's better we find somewhere safe than act without a plan."
Yoru nodded slowly. "For once, I agree with Von. We're just ordinary people, not fictional characters who can fight off cosmic entities."
Arsh fell silent for a moment. His expression tightened with unease before he finally spoke, his voice firm. "If you won't come with me, I'll go alone."
Without waiting for a reply, Arsh departed. He returned to the desert, braving the natural disasters and chaos engulfing the world. After a journey fraught with hardship, he finally arrived once more at the Library of Heavenly Virtue.
"The answer has to be here," he muttered to himself.
He stepped inside, navigating the ancient corridors he knew so well. But not a single answer revealed itself. A creeping sense of despair began to take root.
"Damn it…" Arsh slammed a shelf with his bare hand. "Is there really... no solution to any of this?"
Suddenly, a girl's voice shattered the silence.
"So you're the one behind all this!"
Startled, Arsh spun around. A young woman stood before him, her gaze sharp as blades.
"Who are you? What's your business here?" Arsh demanded.
"My business?" she snapped. "I should be the one asking that! What are you doing in the Library of Heavenly Virtue, huh?!"
Before Arsh could reply, a violent storm struck the library. The force flung them both through the air, and the girl's body accidentally landed atop Arsh's. For a moment, they lay there in awkward silence—until the sky turned pitch black.
A thunderous voice echoed through the air.
"Oh humanity—or rather, readers and writers alike... thank you for freeing me, the one who has long been trapped beneath existence."
It was the voice of H.P. Lovecraft.
"Oh no… he's awakened," the girl whispered, her face pale.
But Arsh didn't flinch. Adrenaline surged through his veins, burning away his fear.
The book began to glow once more and inscribed a message:
"Only five can conquer the specter of fear. They consist of two pairs... and one solitude."
"Five people... two pairs and one solitude? Does that mean... three men and two women?" Arsh muttered, puzzled, then looked toward the girl.
"Hey, angry girl, what's your name? You seem to know a lot about Lovecraft. You'd better help me take him down."
At first, the girl hesitated. But seeing the resolve in Arsh's eyes, she finally replied.
"My name is Chloe. All right... let's see what you've got."
"Yosh! But before that, I have to find my friends," Arsh said with renewed spirit.
And so, the journey of Arsh and Chloe began—a quest to defeat the forbidden entity that should have never risen: H.P. Lovecraft.
To be continued...