The following morning, Louis, Betty, and Locob made their way through the bustling streets toward the Grand Archive. The towering structure loomed ahead, its stone walls weathered by time yet still imposing. The Archive was more than a library; it was a vault of forgotten knowledge, guarded by scholars who dedicated their lives to preserving history.
As they reached the entrance, Locob hesitated. "I've only read about this place. To actually be here…"
Betty nudged him forward. "No time to get starstruck, genius. We've got work to do."
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of parchment and candle wax. Towering bookshelves stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, each filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Scholars in flowing robes moved quietly between them, their hushed whispers blending with the occasional rustle of pages.
A young woman with silver-rimmed glasses stood at the main desk, taking notes on an open ledger. She looked up as they approached. "Welcome to the Grand Archive. How may I assist you?"
Louis stepped forward. "We need information on corruption in magical creatures—historical cases, theories, causes, anything."
The woman adjusted her glasses, studying them. "Corruption isn't a light topic. What is your reason for this inquiry?"
Betty crossed her arms. "Let's just say we've seen it firsthand."
The woman's expression tightened. "Follow me."
She led them deeper into the archive, past shelves filled with restricted texts. Finally, they arrived at a secluded reading chamber. The woman gestured toward a heavy tome on the central table. Its black leather cover was embossed with a silver crest.
"This is one of the oldest records on magical corruption," she explained. "The phenomenon is rare, but it has appeared in history before. Often, it is linked to forbidden magic—dark rituals or artifacts that twist the natural order."
Locob carefully opened the book, scanning the faded script. His finger traced a passage. "Here—it says corruption spreads like an infection, affecting not only creatures but sometimes people. The more it lingers, the more aggressive and unnatural the host becomes."
Louis exchanged a glance with Betty. "That lines up with what we saw."
The woman hesitated before speaking again. "There is… another theory." She reached for a smaller journal, setting it before them. "This was written by a scholar who studied corruption centuries ago. He believed that corruption is not just a disease—it's a call."
Betty frowned. "A call?"
The woman nodded. "A summoning. A force beyond this world attempting to reach into ours."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Louis clenched his fists. If corruption wasn't just a random affliction, but something deliberate, then whatever was happening in the forests was only the beginning.
Locob's voice was barely above a whisper. "We need to find the source."
Louis exhaled, steadying himself. "Then we start here. We find the truth before it finds us."
To be continued…