Victor approached cautiously, his steps echoing on the stone floor. He reached out, fingers trembling, and lifted the book from the statue’s grasp. The cover felt strange beneath his touch, alive with a faint hum. He opened it, eyes widening as unfamiliar symbols filled the pages, glowing faintly as though the text itself resisted being forgotten.
The words blazed across his mind as if they were being spoken aloud:
A war approaches, savage and unrelenting, destined to cleave the world into two. The heavens will unleash their celestials, and the earth will raise its bearers, clashing in fire and drenched in blood. Amid the storm, a boy born with the strength of a demigod shall rise. He will gather the bearers beneath his banner and strike back against his oppressors when the hour comes.
