The dimly lit chamber

Nuri's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself in a dimly lit chamber. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the walls were adorned with strange symbols that seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his head, forcing him back onto the cold stone floor.

A gathering of hooded figures surrounded him, their whispers echoing through the room like a dark chant.

"It's said he's an ancient one...a creature of legend..."

"No, that's impossible. We've never seen anything like him..."

"What if he's the key to unlocking the secrets of the ancients?"

As Nuri struggled to regain his bearings, Lyraeus Tharrak emerged from the shadows. His eyes burned with an intense gaze, and Nuri felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Who are you?" Nuri croaked, his throat dry and parched.

Lyraeus regarded him for a moment before responding. "I am Lyraeus Tharrak, General of the Xeridian Army. And you...I'm not quite sure what you are. Your origin is a mystery to me."

The whispers grew louder, more urgent. "It can't be...he's not the one...the prophecy is clear..."

Nuri's mind reeled as he tried to process what was happening. He had no memory of how he got here, no idea how to get back home. And these strangers, with their occult whispers and ancient prophecies, seemed to be hiding secrets of their own.

"What do you want from me?" Nuri asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Lyraeus's eyes narrowed. "I want to know what you are. What you're capable of. And I will stop at nothing to uncover the truth."

The whispers grew louder still, a cacophony of fear and anticipation. Nuri realized that he was trapped in a dark game, one that he didn't understand. But he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't the ancient creature they were searching for. He was just a mortal, lost in a world beyond his own.

"One of the hooded figures stepped forward, its voice dripping with malice. "We didn't summon him, Lyraeus. He's not the one we sought. He's just a mortal, a mere inconvenience. We should kill him, and be done with it."

Nuri's heart raced as the figure's words were met with a chorus of agreement from the gathered crowd. Lyraeus's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Nuri with an intensity that made his skin crawl.

"I'll decide what to do with him," Lyraeus growled, his voice low and menacing. "Not you, Kaelith Sunshadow. You would do well to remember your place."

Kaelith's eyes flashed with anger, but she bit back her retort, her gaze flicking to Nuri with a calculating intensity. "As you wish, General. But know this: he is a liability. And liabilities are always eliminated."

Nuri's mind raced as the tension in the room escalated. He was trapped, surrounded by enemies who seemed to want him dead. And Lyraeus, the one person who seemed to be holding back the wolves, seemed to be struggling to maintain control.

What did they want from him? And why did they seem so determined to kill him? Nuri's heart raced as he tried to find a way out of this deadly game. But for now, he was at the mercy of Lyraeus and his followers. And that was a terrifying thought indeed."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***