Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe
chapter-512

Adam's pupils constricted when he learned that the small, open book was in fact a journal.

The name of the Howlett Family patriarch was written on the first page, followed by his journal entries.

Jason Howlett… Adam thought inwardly, So the patriarch kept a journal, huh?

He reached out for the book, its cover worn and cracked with age. The leather was stiff and its edges were slightly torn, indicating that it had been handled many times before.

For some reason, Adam felt that there was something deeply unsettling about this journal.

A strange sense of unease grew in his heart as he took a deep breath and flipped over the page. The handwriting was surprisingly neat, each letter carefully formed in cursive style.

'I have finally shifted to this estate. I believe this to be a great honor. However, my wife and children think otherwise. They cannot bear the constant wails of the trees outside. But I'm sure they'll get used to it.'

'The mayor and the council members believe in my ability to strengthen the seal placed by my ancestor, Magus Stratford. I must live up to their expectations and ensure that the evil deep underground forever remains sealed.'

'This is for the well-being of my wife and children, as well as the well-being of the townsfolk. I cannot let them down!'

'The mayor spoke words of duty and sacrifice, and I accepted it without hesitation. Could I have been swayed by his words?'

'No, it is my great honor that they have entrusted me with the guardianship of the ancient seal!'

Adam flipped through the pages of the journal, the sense of unease starting to become more and more intense for some reason.

'Carvings of packs of wolves were displayed on the walls. Some were in their natural habitat, sleeping. While others were out on a hunt.'

He felt that this journal could provide him with clues that could help him solve the problems plaguing the cursed town.

If I can read about the entries pertaining to the seal as well as its purpose, that would be truly helpful for what I'm about to do next! He thought to himself as he continued to read.

'Today, I finally went through the red door. It led me further underground. I was initially scared but I told myself that I alone have the strength to keep the darkness at bay.'

'But as I stood before the entrance to the underground chamber, I felt a chill that reached my very soul'

'Carvings of packs of wolves were displayed on the walls. Some were in their natural habitat, sleeping. While others were out on a hunt.'

'There was an ominous altar in the middle of the chamber and a strange basin on top of it. Lastly, there were towering stone doors in front of the altar, carved with figures of werewolves.'

'Something about this task feels… wrong!'

Adam paused reading, gazing at the pages of the journal with an incredulous look in his eyes.

The mayor and the council members convinced Jason Howlett to strengthen the seal placed on Morven the Malevolent by Magus Stratford…

Yet, why is it that in the underground chamber, there were murals of wolves and werewolves outside the seal?

The youth thought to himself in dismay. Gradually, the fog that had been covering the truth about the town and its people was slowly clearing up.

Adam was gradually beginning to connect the dots. However, the answer that he was arriving at sent a shiver down his spine.

It can't be… right? He wondered.

With trembling hands, he turned the page over, continuing to read the patriarch's journal entries.

'The seal is weakening!'

'I can feel the dark pulse seeping out from behind the stone doors, growing stronger with each passing day.'

'I've begun the ritual to reinforce the seal just as the ancestor had instructed in the teachings that have been passed down through the ages.'

'As I spoke the incantations, I felt a strange sensation today… as if the darkness was reaching out to me, brushing against my mind…'

'Are these ravings real? Or a product of my imagination? But my thoughts have been clouded since, filled with strange dreams and foreign voices…'

'I don't know what is real or fake anymore...'

Adam loudly gulped as the foreboding feeling inside his heart grew more and more intense. The handwriting on the journal kept getting more erratic, more frantic.

He continued reading.

'I performed the ritual again today. The seal has weakened once more, faster than before… I don't know what's happening…'

'The entity behind the stone doors, it seemed to recognize me! It was as if it knew who I was. What does it want from me? Can I do it?…'

'When the ritual ended, I was physically exhausted. But my mind… there is a darkness growing inside of me… Like a seed… I feel it has taken root… Hahaha… ha…'

'Today… the voice… it spoke to me!'

'It promised me power, freedom, and everything I ever desired… I felt a strange connection to it. It gave me a gift. It was delicious…'

'Yes, I shared it with my wife and children too. They didn't like it… or perhaps they did? I don't know anymore.'

'My reflection in the mirror has changed… my eyes are not my own…'

'I'm losing myself… From time to time clarity returns to me, but soon I'm consumed by hunger. At least I'm not alone… My family is with me… like they always have…'

'My skin burns, my bones ache, and my mind is a chaos… I see visions of blood, of the hunt, of the flesh… of the MOONS!'

'The mayor no longer comes to visit me like he used to... Has he betrayed me? No, this is my duty….'

'Protect the townsfolk… Protect my family…'

'IT'S A LIE!!!!'

'EvEryThing is a LIE!!!'

'I was SUPPosed to guard this place… for my ANCEsTor… HAHAHAHA!!!'

'The night of the full moons has arrived…'

'Selene and Luna… you look beautiful…'

'I am no longer the man I used to be...'

'Mon...ster...'

'dewkjcvbe...envokipex...wmwks...'

The journal entries ended abruptly, the handwriting devolving into illegible scribbles. The book fell from Adam's trembling hands, his body shuddering in shock and horror.

"Magus Stratford… Morven the Malevolent," he muttered under his breath. "I see… so it was all a lie!"

Right at that moment, an ominous sound rang from behind him, snapping him back to his senses.

CREAK!

Adam slowly turned around, his eyes flashing with absolute terror, only to see…

The red door had creaked open!