"If you don't mind, would you tell me the dream you saw… in detail?" Napoleon Barrett asked.
"Sir? Sir?"
John blinked and slowly turned his head. "Sorry. I was thinking about something," he said.
He remained silent for a moment before speaking again, his voice lower.
"The sight was terrifying… even for someone like me. In that dream, I was standing on the surface of water—perhaps an ocean. There were no waves, no wind. Only endless silence. But suddenly, the bluish liquid beneath my feet began to change. It darkened… thickened… until it became blood. An entire ocean of it."
"And then?" Napoleon asked.
John's jaw tightened.
"The worst part came after that. I felt something watching me. When I looked up… I saw it."
"What did you see?"
John's voice dropped.
"The devil… It was enormous. Terrifying. Its body looked like a skeletal structure, thin and twisted, with long hair burning as if it were made of rage itself. Its eyes… they were filled with hatred, as though they wanted to devour everything in sight.
But… it was bound. Chained by something—some kind of ancient spell. Dark symbols surrounded it, and the chains seemed to come from the void itself.
Even so, it kept struggling… as if it would break free at any moment."
Napoleon leaned forward. "What happened then?"
John's fingers trembled slightly.
"I couldn't move. Not even an inch. It was as if my body no longer belonged to me. But when I looked deeply into its eyes…"
He paused, his breathing uneven.
"…I saw myself. Being tortured. Endlessly. Pain without end."
Silence filled the room.
"And then I woke up."
"Thank you for your cooperation, John Leoneth. If you see the vision again, or if you wish to speak about it, feel free to come to my house."
Napoleon Barrett took his coat from the rack, put on his hat, and prepared to leave.
"Have a good day."
The door closed behind him.
Napoleon Barrett entered the carriage waiting in front of John Leoneth's house. It soon began to move.
"Any news?" William Drist asked.
"No. Nothing useful. It's the same as the other seven," Napoleon replied. "They all saw the same vision."
"What's the timeline of these visions?" William asked.
"There is a two-day gap. It started on April 23rd," Napoleon answered.
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"On April 22nd, around eleven-thirty at night, several pages of this book went missing. I believe the visions are connected to it."
"How many pages?"
"Three. From pages two hundred seventeen to two hundred twenty," Napoleon replied calmly.
"Pass me the book. Let me see."
Napoleon Barrett passed the book to William Drist.
"Have you read this?"
"Yes, I have."
William opened the old pages slowly.
The Eternal is a story about a lady named Veylora. She was a sorcerer, unlike any other mage. She was brave, selfless, wise, and humble. Many believed she was born to change the fate of the world.
Her mother's name was Emili, a powerful mage. But she did not love her daughter as a mother should. She was greedy and full of ambition. To her, Veylora was not a child… but a curse, an obstacle in her path to power.
Veylora was the firstborn, blessed with a rare and terrifying gift—the power of a true sorcerer.
Emili wanted to become the strongest mage. But the forbidden ritual demanded a life equal in power to her own daughter.
So she chose the darkest path.
She poisoned Veylora with a flower called Morlith.
Morlith was no ordinary flower. It was believed to be cursed. It was extremely rare, and even the strongest mages could not survive if even a drop of its elixir touched their lips.
That night, after poisoning her daughter, Emili mourned. She cried as if she were truly a grieving mother.
It was the Blood Moon when she began the ritual.
But the ritual failed.
The rest of the pages were torn.
"If my instinct is right, then something is going to happen on the night of the upcoming Blood Moon," William said.
"We should warn them."
"The Blood Moon appears only once every thirteen years. The next one will rise on May 9th," William added.
"It might be a coincidence," Napoleon replied.
"A coincidence?" William frowned. "Eight people had the same vision. I don't think so."
The carriage stopped.
"Gentlemen, we have reached the Hall of Appivile," the coachman announced.
"Thank you for the ride," Napoleon replied. He handed twenty péro to the coachman.
They climbed out of the carriage and began to move toward the Hall of Appivile.
The Hall of Appivile was a massive, isolated building. Only those with abilities could enter; outsiders could not pass through. Entry required a special pass, and the hall was protected by a magical barrier that even the greatest Arcanists could not break.
An Arcanist is a person who studies or wields supernatural powers.
"Good evening, Tommy," Napoleon said, raising his head.
"Good evening, gentlemen," came the reply.
They both walked into the room of Charles Drill.
Charles Drill was the head of the Hall of Appivile. His hair was pale blonde, and at seventy-two years old, he was a Great Eclipse—the highest rank among Arcanists.
"Good evening, Sir," William said respectfully.
"Good evening, gentlemen," came the reply.
"Any news?"
"Yes, Sir," Napoleon answered.
"The previous case was also about the vision. They all showed the same vision, and I believe it is connected to the missing pages of The Eternal," Napoleon continued.
"And I believe something is going to happen on the night of the upcoming Blood Moon," William added.
"When did the visions start?"
"They started on April 23rd, with a gap of two days," Napoleon answered.
"If that is true, then the ritual will begin tomorrow," Charles said, resting his hand on his cheek.
"Dispatch all Arch-ranked Arcanists to the residences of those who have reported the same dream. Instruct them to establish protective barriers around each household," Charles said calmly.
"Yes, Sir."
"Umbra," the Arch said.
A transparent shield formed around the house.
All the houses were now protected by the barrier.