It wasn’t just simple darkness. The curtain was a writhing, pulsating mass of black energy, as if countless souls were entangled within it. Occasionally, shapes resembling faces would flash through the murky blackness, accompanied by faint sounds that could be mistaken for screams.

Gaaahhh…

The curtain seemed alive, breathing slowly and deeply. Its powerful pull felt as though it could consume the soul of anyone who dared to look at it for too long.

“What… what is that?” Jerome’s trembling voice broke the heavy silence. Fear and awe were evident in his tone.

The rest of the group stared at …