Book Four – Chapter 9
The Lighthouse of the Last Page
The crystal staircase ended at the foot of the lonely island.
Towering above Elian stood the Lighthouse of the Last Page.
Its white stone walls were cracked with age, wrapped in silver vines that seemed to have turned to crystal over countless centuries.
At its summit hung an enormous lantern.
It should have illuminated the sea.
Instead...
It emitted only darkness.
Not a threatening darkness.
An empty one.
As though its light had been forgotten.
Elian took a slow breath.
"This place feels..."
"...sad."
The Author nodded.
"It remembers every story that was never finished."
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The great wooden doors opened on their own.
A warm breeze drifted out, carrying the faint scent of old parchment and candle wax.
Inside, there
