The moment Zero's fingers brushed the edges of the closed chronicle, the book trembled again.
It was not like before—no violent storm of pages, no flare of blinding light—but rather a steady hum, as though the tome itself waited for him. A muted heartbeat thrummed beneath the leather cover. He drew in a slow breath, steeling himself, and pulled it open once more.
This time the parchment did not resist.
It rolled forward by itself, the crackle of shifting pages echoing through the vast records chamber. Lilith stood quietly beside him, her arms folded across her chest, eyes narrowed in careful observation.
The pages stilled at last, and a new chapter revealed itself. The words bled into existence as though ink were being written at that very moment, sharp strokes etching themselves upon the surface.
Zero swallowed, his pulse quickening, and leaned closer.
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