Chapter 749 - 750

Schwella listened to Evan's words with a mixture of disappointment and desperation. She had poured out her story, hoping that Evan would be the one to help her end the nightmare that had plagued the castle for centuries. However, she understood that he had his own priorities and concerns.

"I understand your reluctance," Schwella said, her voice filled with resignation. "But please, consider the innocent souls trapped here, the countless lives affected by Yaliana's malevolence. If you don't help, the curse will continue, and more will suffer. You have the power to make a difference."

Evan felt torn. He had come to Dijon with his own objectives and concerns, and getting involved in this dark and complex situation was not part of his original plan. However, he couldn't ignore the gravity of the case or Schwella's plea for help.

"Let me think about it," Evan said finally. "I need some time to weigh the risks and consider my options. In the meantime, is there anything else you can tell me about Yaliana's weaknesses or vulnerabilities?"

Schwella nodded, appreciating Evan's willingness to at least consider the matter. "Yaliana's main power source is the mirror she obtained from the demon. It allows her to see and manipulate events within the castle. Suppose we can find a way to destroy the mirror or sever her connection. In that case, it might weaken her significantly."

Evan thought for a moment. "Destroying the mirror might be difficult, especially if it's tied to her life force. But if there's a way to disrupt her connection temporarily, it could give us an advantage. Do you have any idea how we could achieve that?"

Schwella pondered for a moment. "There is a rare and ancient spell known as the 'Mirror Veil.' It can obscure the reflections in a mirror and distort the connection between the mirror and its user. If we could find the magic and perform it near the mirror, it might disrupt her vision and communication."

Evan nodded, taking note of the information. "That's a start. I must research the Mirror Veil spell and determine if it's within my capabilities. In the meantime, do you have any suggestions on how we can locate the hidden chamber where Yaliana performs her dark rituals? It seems like a crucial part of her plan."

Schwella hesitated, her gaze thoughtful. "I believe the entrance to the hidden chamber is within the castle itself, but its location is well-concealed. Yaliana may have used magic to hide it from prying eyes. We'll need to scour the castle, paying close attention to any hidden passages, symbols, or magical wards that might lead us there."

Evan nodded in agreement. "Then let's search the castle for clues or signs that could lead us to the hidden chamber. We'll also need to gather information about the Mirror Veil spell. Once we have a plan, we can decide how to proceed."

Schwella's expression brightened slightly. "Thank you for considering my plea, Evan. I know this is a dangerous undertaking, but if we succeed, we can free the trapped souls and end the darkness that has plagued this castle for far too long."

With a shared determination, Evan and Schwella prepared to embark on their mission to uncover the castle's secrets and find a way to thwart Yaliana's dark plans. The road ahead was uncertain, but they were committed to facing the darkness head-on, hoping to bring light to a place that had suffered for centuries.

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Evan and Schwella's conversation in the hidden chamber continued. At the same time, Elena and Sirius made their way down into the dark cavern below. The air was thick with a damp, rotten smell, and the darkness seemed to press in from all sides.

Elena was cautious as she descended, wand at the ready, while Sirius followed closely behind her. The strange voice from below had piqued their curiosity, but they remained on guard.

As they reached the cavern floor, they saw Evan standing a short distance away, illuminated by the dim light of his wand. He turned to greet them with a relieved smile.

"There you are," Evan said, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse, as Elena had noted. "I've found something down here that you both need to see."

Elena and Sirius approached cautiously, their wands casting flickering light into the cavern's depths. What they saw made their eyes widen with a mixture of awe and trepidation.

In the center of the cavern was a large, ancient-looking stone altar. Its surface was etched with intricate, eerie runes and symbols, glowing with an otherworldly light. On top of the altar were several objects that sent a shiver down their spines.

There were vials filled with strange, luminescent liquids, a collection of dark and twisted artifacts, and a book bound in black leather with crimson pages. Surrounding the altar were candles, their flames burning with a blue-green hue, casting an eerie glow on the scene.

"Evan, what is all this?" Sirius asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and concern.

Evan stepped closer to the altar and began to explain. "This, my friends, is what I believe to be the Demon Altar. It seems that Yaliana has been using this place for her dark rituals and gathering objects of great power and significance."

Elena examined the vials and artifacts with a critical eye. "These items look like they're imbued with powerful magic. They could be used for all sorts of dark rituals. But why would Evan come here alone?"

Evan sighed and looked somewhat sheepish. "I didn't exactly come here alone. I talked to Schwella above, and she told me about this place. She said it might be the key to stopping Yaliana and the curse on the castle."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Schwella? The ghost? How did you communicate with her?"

Evan explained his conversation with Schwella and how she offered to give him the owl totem in exchange for help. Elena and Sirius exchanged glances, realizing Evan had been drawn into a complex and dangerous situation.

"We need to be careful here," Sirius said, his wand still ready. "This place reeks of dark magic, and whatever Yaliana has been doing here is not to be taken lightly."

Elena nodded in agreement. "Evan, did Schwella mention anything about the mirror that Yaliana uses? We need to find a way to disrupt her connection to it."

Evan recalled the conversation with Schwella and shared what he had learned about the Mirror Veil spell. "Schwella mentioned a spell called 'Mirror Veil.' It can obscure reflections in a mirror and disrupt the connection between the mirror and its user. It might be our best chance at weakening Yaliana."

Sirius considered their options. "First, let's make sure we document everything here. These objects and the altar could be crucial evidence. Then, we should start researching the Mirror Veil spell. If we can figure out how to cast it, we might be able to use it to our advantage."

As the trio began to examine the objects and take notes, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were treading on dangerous ground. Yaliana's dark presence loomed over them, and they knew their journey to unravel the castle's mysteries was far from over.