The Architect's Design  

Avery clutched the relic closely as she and Lucas walked back to campus, her mind racing. Each step felt heavier, as if the floor itself was dragging her down, warning her about what was ahead. The encounter with the man had frightened her, his words reverberating in her thoughts like a sinister promise. And she knew deep down that this wasn't going to end easily.

When they eventually arrived to the principal building, Professor Russo was waiting, her face faded and drawn as she noticed the relic in Avery's arms. The professor's eyes flickered with something Avery couldn't identify: an unusual blend of comfort and fear.

"You recovered it," Russo said, reaching out to examine the relic. Her arms hovered over it, as if she was frightened to touch it, and she sighed deeply as she looked up at Avery. "I desire I could say you're secure now, but you've only brought yourself towards the center of some thing some distance darker than you comprehend."