Chương 15: chapter 15
They ascended the winding wooden staircase to the second floor, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. As they approached, a magnificent scene unfolded before Adrian's eyes.
Towering bookshelves nearly ten meters high loomed like silent giants. Each shelf was packed with books of all shapes and sizes, filling the air with the thick scent of ink. Adrian's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but let out a soft breath of awe.
The hall resembled a vast maze, with intricate, intertwining corridors creating a disorienting path. Dim lighting provided only a faint glow, casting eerie shadows among the shelves.
The shelves seemed endless, with book covers in an array of colors and patterns representing fields of knowledge and wisdom. Adrian reached out to touch a book, feeling the rough texture under his fingers.
Suddenly, Wong's voice broke through his reverie. "Adrian, these books hold immense knowledge and energy. They lure visitors to keep reading, sometimes even until they die of exhaustion right here. Be careful not to get lost in them."
Adrian shook his head, banishing the intense craving for knowledge that had momentarily taken hold. Now he understood the strange pull he'd felt upon entering the second floor.
Once calm, he turned to Wong. "I understand. Let's find the Book of Death. After we locate it, come with us to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s air carrier—it'll be safer there."
Wong paused, then nodded. "Follow me; let's find the Book of Death."
Adrian and Wanda followed Wong through the labyrinth of shelves, careful to avoid loose books and jutting shelves. Each book exuded an ancient, mysterious aura, as if alive with secrets. Their eyes scanned every row, seeking any clue to the Book of Death's location.
Wong led them through the maze with practiced ease. Adrian and Wanda sometimes bent or sidestepped around the corners of shelves, their movements agile. Despite the tempting allure of nearby books, they kept focused on their mission.
After dozens of steps, Wong stopped in front of a shelf. He began searching through the books, flipping covers with focused urgency.
As time passed, worry crept into Wong's expression. His hands moved faster, yet his face grew more anxious.
Finally, he stopped, his voice heavy with shock. "It's gone! The Book of Death is gone!"
Adrian and Wanda exchanged stunned glances, their eyes moving to the shelf Wong indicated. Though packed with books, a small but glaring gap was visible.
Silence enveloped them, broken only by the faint rustling of pages nearby.
Wong's shout echoed across the endless shelves, stretching and lingering as though mocking their efforts.
Adrian thought for a moment. He knew well enough that the Book of Death wasn't here—it was in Latveria, Dr. Doom's fortress. But his real purpose was to see if he could persuade Wong to join them.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, carrying a strange energy. An almost transparent figure appeared, floating before them.
Adrian squinted, noticing silver strands of hair amidst the soul's otherwise dark hair and a long, neat mustache. But what confirmed his identity was the iconic red cloak the figure wore, like a dim light in the darkness.
The soul's voice echoed, laced with an ethereal magic. "Wong! Hold on—I'll help you defeat Master Druid!"
Wong's eyes widened in surprise. "Stephen? I thought you'd gone to… heaven or something."
The soul laughed. "I sensed danger in the Sanctum, so I used astral projection to return. But… where is Master Druid? Why is Wanda here? And who are you? Why are you all on the second floor?"
Doctor Strange's spirit surveyed the room, his voice filled with confusion. "And Wong, where's your hand?"
Adrian stepped forward. "Master Druid is defeated. I'm Adrian, and Wanda came with me to find the Book of Death."
"You're late, though—by about five minutes."
Doctor Strange's soul frowned, his cloak shifting as though deep in thought. "The Book of Death… Do we even have that here, Wong?"
Wong sighed. "Yes, Stephen. We placed it into storage years ago, and I put it on this shelf about seven months back. You don't often check the library, do you?"
Doctor Strange looked embarrassed, muttering, "Maybe my memory's a bit jumbled from all the out-of-body experiences."
Wong rolled his eyes.
"Alright, Adrian, was it? If you need to locate the Book of Death, let me try divining its location."
Doctor Strange began chanting an ancient incantation, his voice low and resonant. Gradually, golden light surrounded him, forming a shimmering magical circle.
His fingers trembled slightly as he reached deep into the realm of divination, seeking traces of the book's energy.
But abruptly, he shuddered, and the magic circle vanished.
Slowly opening his eyes, he looked troubled, his breaths coming faster as he steadied himself.
"Someone used magic to interfere with my vision," he said quietly. "I'm sorry—I can't help you."
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