Chapter 77: Esther's Journal
The days leading up to the masquerade ball were filled with a flurry of activity as Lyra, Lilith, and Clara prepared for the event. Amidst the excitement of choosing exquisite dresses and intricate masks, their minds couldn't help but wander to the cryptic threat that had been delivered to the academy, as well as the whispers of a sinister incident that had occurred the previous year.
"I can't shake this feeling that something isn't right," Lyra confessed, her brow furrowed with concern as she tried on a stunning crimson gown. "That threat we received, it felt... personal, somehow."
Lilith nodded, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the intricate embroidery on her own dress. "And what about those rumors we heard? About a student disappearing last year under mysterious circumstances?"
Clara's expression grew grave. "You don't think... they could be connected, do you?"
Initially, their discussions about the mysterious occurrences were brief, overshadowed by the thrill of preparing for the grand ball. However, as the days wore on, a sense of unease began to settle over the trio, and they found themselves inexplicably drawn to the academy's ancient library, a repository of knowledge that may hold the answers they sought.
"Maybe we should do some research," Lyra suggested, her voice laced with determination. "The library is bound to have information on past incidents at Ashborne, and maybe we can find out more about this threat."
Lilith and Clara readily agreed, their curiosity piqued by the prospect of uncovering the truth behind the ominous events that seemed to be unfolding around them.
It began with Lilith stumbling upon an obscure reference to a dark ritual in one of her occult studies textbooks. "Listen to this," she said, her voice hushed as she read aloud from the ancient tome. "The Sanguine Cabal, a secret society rumored to
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