Chapter 3: Climax
I nodded, grateful for Georg's understanding. I felt a surge of excitement, my heart racing with anticipation.
This was the night I had been waiting for. I decided to spend the night away from the castle in the wing that Georg usually uses as a guest room. It would be the perfect opportunity to free myself from the shackles of legend and explore the castle after dark.
As the clock struck seven, I said goodbye to Georg and headed for the annex, a quaint little building tucked away in the gardens behind the main castle. Georg had assured me it was well-equipped and comfortable, and I couldn't wait to see it for myself.
I settled in for the night, taking a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the gardens. The moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over everything. I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom, knowing that I was now in control of my own destiny.
The castle and its legend no longer held any power over me.
At 9 p.m., I was walking around the annex. The hallway, lit by the dim light of candles, was creepier than I had imagined. I had spent the last few hours exploring every nook and cranny, but there was something unsettling about the atmosphere in the annex.
As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I dismissed it as my imagination playing tricks on me, but when I reached the end of the hallway, I saw something that made my heart race.
There was a strange notch in the floor, barely visible in the dim light. It looked like a hidden door, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the thought of discovering something new.
I bent down and ran my fingers along the edge of the wood, searching for a latch or a handle. After a moment, I found a small metal loop and pulled it gently. The door swung open with ease, revealing a long staircase that led down into darkness.
I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing in my chest. I knew I should turn back, that I had no business exploring the hidden depths of the castle, but I couldn't resist the pull of the unknown. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the first stair, my footsteps echoing through the darkness.
As I descended the stairs, I felt a chill in the air that had nothing to do with the temperature. It was as if I was walking into a place that had been sealed off from the world, a place where time had stood still.
I felt a twinge of unease, but I was too curious to turn back now. The stairs were narrow and steep, and I had to be careful not to slip on the dust that had accumulated on each step.
I had only gone down a few stairs when I realized that the moldy smell was getting stronger. It was a damp, earthy smell that made me think of old cellars and forgotten tunnels. I wrinkled my nose in distaste but kept going.
As I descended further, I noticed that the walls were lined with cobwebs. Some of them were so thick that they looked like heavy drapes, and I could see the dust mites dancing in the dim light of my candle. I tried not to think about what might be lurking behind those curtains of silk.
At last, I reached the bottom of the stairs.
The door that lay before me was massive, made of heavy oak, and adorned with intricate carvings. But what caught my eye immediately was the strange crest carved into it. It was unmistakably the "Devil's Crest," a symbol that was rumored to be associated with Otto's dark practices.
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. The air around me felt heavy and oppressive, as if something malevolent lurked just beyond my reach. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest, but then I steeled myself and reached out to touch the crest.
As soon as my fingers brushed against the cold wood, I felt a jolt of energy surge through me. It was as if the crest had come alive, pulsating with an unholy power that threatened to consume me. I gasped, pulling my hand back as if I had been burned.
I couldn't believe what had just happened. I touched the door again, half expecting it to reject me, but this time it slid open without a sound. Looking inside, I saw a bare room, seemingly devoid of anything. The walls were made of stone, and the floor was cold and damp. There was a strange smell in the air, a mix of dust and decay that made me feel uneasy. I mustered up my courage and went inside.
As I stepped into the room, I felt a strange sensation wash over me. It was as if the air itself was charged with an energy that I couldn't explain. I looked around, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. The room was small, no more than ten feet square, and there was nothing inside except for a single wooden chair in the center.
I walked over to the chair, my footsteps echoing in the stillness of the room.
As I approached, I could see that the book lay open on the seat, its pages yellowed and brittle. I reached out to touch it, feeling a sudden shiver run down my spine.
I glanced at the illustrations, my heart pounding in my chest. They depicted grotesque images of demons and sorcerers, their faces twisted in contorted expressions of pain and torment. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. This was a book of rituals for black magic, a forbidden practice that Otto had been dabbling in.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I knew I had to leave the room, but I couldn't help feeling a sense of curiosity. I flipped through the pages, taking in the intricate details of the spells and incantations.
It was clear that this book was the source of the power that Otto had used to kill the neighboring lord.
I was lost in thought when I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see the door slowly closing, the sound of it grinding on its hinges echoing through the empty room. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead, my heart pounding in my chest.
I reached for the door handle, but it was too late. The door was already locked from the outside. I was trapped in the room, with no way out.
I turned back to the book, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. But as I read the final lines, I realized that I was in deeper trouble than I could ever imagine.
For in the last few pages, I had stumbled upon the truth about Otto and the dark practices that had plagued the castle for generations.
I knew that I couldn't let anyone else find this book, for if they did, the curse that had been placed upon the castle would surely be unleashed once more. And so, with a heavy heart, I made up my mind to destroy it.
But as I leaned over the book, I felt a sudden presence behind me. I whirled around, my heart racing in my chest, to see a tall figure standing in the doorway. It was Otto, his eyes glowing with an unholy light.
"You shouldn't have done that," he hissed, his voice cold and menacing. "That book belongs to me."
I stared at him, feeling a sudden wave of fear wash over me. "I don't understand," I stammered.
Basically, this is what happened. Otto tried to use black magic to eliminate the lord of a neighboring country, who he could not defeat by force. He then summoned the lord to his castle on the condition of reconciliation, and had the demon he summoned "eat his soul." The lord of the neighboring country, whose soul had been eaten, went mad and committed suicide. However, the demon he had summoned remained in the castle, and began to demand a "sacrifice" on November 19th. The demon possessed Otto, and on November 19th, he chose one of the castle's servants or guests as the "sacrifice" and ate his soul. The reason there were no casualties among Otto's descendants is because to the demon, they were the descendants of the "contractor." He could not have any casualties from the family of the contractor.
That's why he killed the outsiders," I finished, feeling a chill run down my spine as I spoke.
Otto's eyes narrowed, and I could see the darkness within them deepen. "You have discovered too much," he growled. "You know too much."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "What do you want from me?"
"I want your soul," he said simply. "You have seen too much, and now you must pay the price."
I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I had to get out of there, but the door was still locked. I looked around frantically, searching for a way out.
And that's when I saw it - a window, high up on the wall. It was small and narrow, but it was my only chance.
I desperately climbed the wall and held on to the window, but as soon as I felt something grab my leg, I lost consciousness...