Chapter 3: The Awakening Book
Keal sat on the edge of his bed, legs crossed, a stack of old, dusty books spread around him like a broken circle. His eyes scanned the page in front of him for the third time, but none of the words made sense. He leaned closer, frowning as he traced his finger over a symbol he couldn't understand.
"This doesn't help," he muttered, slamming the book shut with a frustrated sigh. "Why is everything in riddles?"
His room was quiet except for the creak of the old ceiling fan spinning slowly above his head. The walls, painted in faded blue, were covered with scribbled notes and torn-out pages pinned with thumbtacks. It looked more like a conspiracy theorist's lair than a student dorm. He stood, brushing his fingers through his hair, then grabbed the book and tossed it across the room.
It hit the wall and landed face-down on the floor.
Keal turned away, pacing. He'd been trying for days to find something—anything—about awakening a power. His mother had been a demon, that much he knew, and that should have meant something. But he didn't feel different. No powers. No strange strength. Just... normal. Unremarkable.
"Maybe I don't have it," he said aloud, his voice bitter. "Maybe I'm just a mistake."
A low flutter of paper stopped him. He turned sharply. The book he'd thrown was opening on its own. Slowly. Deliberately. The pages flipped, one after another, until they stopped, settled on a worn, yellowed page near the back.
Keal walked over, cautious. He knelt, fingers hesitating over the text. The ink was faded, but still legible. A chill crawled up his spine as he read:
A child born of shadow and given to the Demon King shall be bound in blood and soul, destined to awaken and rule beside him. The slave becomes the key, the weapon, the curse.
His lips moved silently as he read it again. Then again. The words didn't make more sense the third time.
"Given to the Demon King? As a slave? What does that even mean?"
He stared at the page for a long time, his mind racing. His heartbeat was loud in his ears.
A knock of wind made the window rattle. Keal turned his head. The latch slowly came undone, and the window creaked open on its own. Cold air rushed in.
He stood slowly. "Who's there?"
No answer. He walked over and looked out. Nothing but the dark yard and empty academy grounds. Just the night.
Keal pulled the window shut and turned around.
He froze.
Lilith stood in the center of his room. Her black hair fell in long waves past her shoulders, and her expression was unreadable. There was something cold about her—not just her presence, but the way she looked at him. Like he was already in her trap.
"You again," Keal whispered. "How did you get in here?"
Lilith said nothing. Her red eyes glinted as the room darkened. The shadows moved like smoke, curling up from the floor and wrapping around his ankles.
Keal tried to run. His feet wouldn't move.
"What are you doing? Let me go!"
Lilith stepped forward, the corner of her lips lifting in a quiet smile. "Sleep."
And just like that, everything went black.
…
Keal woke up to the sound of dripping water. His head pounded, and the air was damp. He sat up slowly, blinking against the dim light. The room was stone, with no windows, no bed, nothing but a wooden door behind him and chains on the walls. It looked like a basement or a dungeon.
He called out, "Hello? Is anyone here?"
No answer.
He stood and walked forward, but something pulled at his ankles. He looked down. Black shadows were gripping him, thin as smoke but heavy like chains.
Keal panicked. He tugged, kicked, tried to move, but the shadows wouldn't let go.
"Let me out!" he shouted. "What do you want from me?"
The torches on the wall lit up, one by one. The entire room glowed in flickering shadowly light.
Lilith appeared again, leaning casually against the wall.
Keal gritted his teeth. "Why am I here?"
She walked toward him, slow and graceful. "I could've killed you, you know. But I didn't."
"Why not?" Keal asked. "Why bring me here? What is this place?"
She stopped just in front of him. "I have orders."
"From who? What do they want with me?"
Lilith gave a lazy shrug. "I'm not the one you should be asking."
The torches flickered. Keal noticed Lilith's expression change. She bowed her head slightly, as if showing respect.
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
Keal looked toward the entrance. He couldn't see anyone yet, but the presence—whatever it was—was powerful. Heavy.
A figure stepped into the light. Tall. Dressed in dark robes with red patterns along the edges. His hair was long and tied back, and his skin was pale as bone. But it was the man's eyes that froze Keal in place. They were pitch black.
The man walked closer. With each step, Keal's body grew colder.
"So," the man said, voice low and smooth, "this is the child."
Keal flinched as the man lifted his chin.
"Hello, slave."
Keal's entire body tensed. His heart thudded. Every instinct in him said to fight, but he couldn't move.
The man smiled faintly. "You're exactly what I expected."
Keal swallowed hard. "What do you mean by that? I'm not a slave."
"Not yet. But you will be."
Lilith stood to the side, completely still.
"Who are you?" Keal asked.
"You already know," the man replied. "You've seen the signs. The book opened to your truth. You belong to me."
"That's not true. I don't belong to anyone."
The man tilted his head, like he was amused. "You're stronger than you look. But strength won't change fate."
Keal looked down at the shadows still gripping his legs.
"What do you want with me?" he asked.
"You'll find out soon," the man said. He turned to Lilith. "Take him to the gate room. Prepare him."
Lilith nodded and stepped forward.
Keal tried to step back. "Wait! What are you going to do to me?"
The man turned, walking back into the shadows. "You'll thank me later."
The room dimmed again.
Lilith reached for him.
Keal braced himself. He wasn't ready for whatever this was.
And he didn't know if he ever would be.