The phantom chill of the God-Anchor was a new constant in Adrian's bones, a deep-seated cold that even the morning sun couldn't touch. The brand on his soul that mark of attention from the Hungry Void, thrummed with a low, persistent frequency, a reminder that their victory had come with a price far beyond the battlefield. He sat on the edge of his bed, the silence of the mansion pressing in on him. His first coherent thought wasn't of strategy or power. It was of Alan. He pulled up the System interface, his focus sharp. [Core Character: Alan - The Mystic Maestro - STATUS: COMPROMISED] The red, flashing text sent a jolt of cold dread through him, sharper than any magical chill. "System, full report on Alan's exposure and current status," he commanded, his voice tight. A flood of data streamed through his consciousness, grainy images of Alan's desperate flight through the archives, the collapsing bookshelves, the final, brutal look of comprehension on Sister Anya's face before Alan

The ethereal resonance of an ancient chant permeated the air, resonating in the ears of all who stood witness. With a graceful sweep of his staff, the priest initiated a ceremonial dance, accompanied by the synchronized incantations of the mages positioned behind him. Their voices melded into a harmonious symphony of prayer and invocation.Suddenly, as if summoned by the mystical forces at play, the dormant shark whale stirred from its slumber. Its awakening was marked by a piercing screech, akin to the anguished cry of an infant, causing a shiver to course through the soldiers assembled below.With a swift and deliberate motion, the colossal creature unfurled its majestic tail fin, revealing a voracious appetite for the ambient Energy saturating the atmosphere. As the surrounding air became distorted by its ravenous consumption, even the halo perched atop its head underwent a malevolent transformation, its once gentle radiance now tainted by a violent crimson hue.Elvis, an astute ob