Whispers of the Lunar Curse

As Li Wei examines the eerie symbols carved into the walls of the temple, a cold sense of dread continues to creep up their spine. The whispers in the air grow louder, like an unseen presence urging them to leave. But Li Wei, with their rational mind set against superstition, pushes forward. There has to be something here—a clue, a lead, anything that could unravel the mystery of the disappearances.

With one hand pressed against the wall, Li Wei traces the symbols, their fingertips lingering on a particularly strange marking—a jagged line that seems to pulse faintly beneath their touch. The stone beneath their hand begins to shift, as if responding to the contact. A low rumble shakes the floor, and a section of the stone wall slides open, revealing a narrow, hidden passageway leading deep underground.

Without hesitation, Li Wei steps into the darkness, the air thick with the scent of damp

earth and ancient decay. The passage twists and turns, barely wide enough for them to move through. The further they go, the more the whispers intensify, their words unintelligible but filled with urgency.

Finally, the passage opens into a large underground chamber. The room is illuminated by flickering torches, casting long, dancing shadows along the walls. In the center of the chamber stands a stone pedestal, upon which rests an ancient, dusty book. The book's cover is adorned with the same symbols Li Wei saw earlier. It seems to hum with a strange, almost otherworldly energy.

Li Wei approaches the book cautiously, their heart racing. As their fingers brush the cover, a sharp, sudden pain shoots through their hand. The book seems to react to the touch, its pages flipping open of their own accord. And then, a deep voice—ancient and chilling—echoes in Li Wei's mind:

"You have awakened the curse."

Before Li Wei can pull their hand away, the ground beneath them begins to tremble violently. The chamber starts to crack, and from the shadows, the figure of a ghostly woman emerges, her face obscured by long, black hair. Her presence fills the room with an overwhelming cold, and the temperature drops to an icy chill.

The woman's voice rings out, filled with sorrow and rage.

"You are too late."