955: Story 955: The Gate of the Damned 955: Story 955: The Gate of the Damned A cold wind howled through the desolate ruins as the survivors trudged forward, the moon looming unusually large and bright overhead.
Behind them, the remnants of the Ghoul Train still smoldered, casting an eerie green glow over the shattered tracks.
Zara wiped sweat from her brow, her fingers twitching over the hilt of her knife.
“Tell we’re close to sothing that isn’t trying to eat us.”
Elias nodded toward the distance.
“Look ahead.”
A massive, iron-wrought gate lood before them, twisting into unnatural, serpentine shapes.
Beyond it, an ancient, gothic mansion stretched into the night, its windows glowing faintly with candlelight.
Mira felt a pulse from the Cursed Book in her grasp.
“This place is important.”
Draven scowled, gripping his shotgun.
“Yeah.
And probably cursed.”
As they approached, the gate creaked open on its own, revealing a cobblestone path lined with dead trees, their branches reaching like skeletal fingers.
A low growl rumbled from the darkness beyond.
The survivors tensed.
Sothing was waiting for them inside.
Elias flicked his lighter.
“No turning back now.”
They stepped through, the gate slamming shut behind them.
Inside the courtyard, the air grew thick with whispers.
Shadows stretched and moved, slithering along the stone path like living things.
Mira’s breath hitched.
“The Book says this place is called the Hollow Manor.”
Zara gave a humorless laugh.
“Sounds friendly.”
A sudden, wet squelching sound broke the air.
They turned just in ti to see a figure erge from the soil, long, clawed fingers dragging itself from the earth.
It was gaunt and twisted, its skin leathery and tight over bone, with hollow black pits where its eyes should have been.
More began to rise, clawing their way up from the dirt, their mouths stretching into silent screams.
Elias took a step back.
“Graveborn.”
Draven aid his shotgun.
“We kill them fast, or we join them.”
The first Graveborn lunged—Draven fired, the blast tearing through its chest, but it didn’t stop.
It kept coming, its fingers grasping hungrily.
Mira flipped through the Book, heart pounding.
“There’s sothing here… a way to stop them—”
A new voice whispered from the darkness.
“You cannot stop the Gatekeeper.”
The massive double doors of the manor swung open, revealing a tall, hooded figure, its face obscured beneath a mask of bone.
It carried a staff wrapped in chains, and as it raised its hand, the Graveborn froze in place.
Draven clenched his jaw.
“Who the hell are you?”
The Gatekeeper’s hollow gaze settled on Mira.
“The Forsaken Girl is waiting for you.”
And then, the Graveborn turned… and knelt.
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