《The Raven's Tower》 Chosen In the bustling town of Raven¡¯s Bay, visitors came from far and wide. Positioned on the oceanfront with a busy port, its resident population was around 5,000, but with the influx of travelers, the numbers often surged to over 15,000. Yet, everyone who lived or visited there knew one thing for certain: The Raven of the Tower was law. Jessica began her morning routine as usual, battling with the tangled mess that was her hair. After that, she rushed to the well to fetch enough water for her family before they woke up. She lived with her mother and two younger siblings. Her father had left four years ago, he was off to join a call to arms, they hadn''t heard from him since. Their house sat on the outskirts of town¡ªa humble abode built long before her parents ever met. The base was made of gray stone, with a thatched roof and a single stone chimney. It had just three rooms, but for Jessica, it was the only home she''d ever known. She dreamed of exploring the world, maybe even finding her father, but with her mother¡¯s illness, she couldn''t leave. After gathering water, Jessica tended to the chickens, ran to the baker to grab bread, and returned home to prepare breakfast for her family. Every morning was the same. Her mother, strong as she was, suffered from a disease unknown to modern medicine. Dr. Tilden, the town¡¯s medical representative from the Health Society, would arrive shortly after breakfast to administer her daily dose of herbs and medicines. Though well-intentioned, Dr. Tilden was sometimes overly ambitious in his attempts to cure her. They had requested other doctors, but with the war raging in the Azirum Kingdom, medical resources were stretched thin. Jessica didn¡¯t concern herself with outside politics; all that mattered was her mother¡¯s health. Her mother, bedridden and barely conscious, struggled with every movement and word, often passing out soon after partaking of anything. By late morning, Jessica would pick wildflowers around the Tower of the Raven. The tower stood on the town''s edge, opposite the port, overlooking the entire province. Behind it lay beautiful meadows perfect for flower-picking. In the early afternoon, she would head to the market where booths were set up to cater to the incoming ships. These ships would stop briefly, buy supplies, visit the brothels, and then head back out to sea. If Jessica couldn¡¯t make enough money selling her flowers, she knew there was always another place that would take her. She wouldn''t mind the work, as she had a drive for pleasure that exceeded most. However, she preferred the image of a young woman selling flowers. It may sound a little vain, but her image impacts the family, as such her pleasure remains spent in secret, and flowers she will sell. so as long as that earned her enough, she was content. As Jessica set up her stall, the town¡¯s bells began to ring. It was unusual to hear them on a Wednesday, and as early as it was. They typically rang only at the start of the week and later in the day, as more people than just the merchants will hear the doctrine. The bells signified an announcement from the Mayor, the town¡¯s representative of the Raven. No one had seen the Raven in 36 years, or so Jessica had been told. At 26 years old, she had never seen him in her entire life. The mayor, Thomas, was known for his kind nature and his love of hosting dances and parties. Jessica had come to know him more intimately, though that still remains a secret. He would ascend the tower to commune with the Raven and return to relay new laws, festivals, or news. The Raven, it was said, could see all from his tower. Curious about this mid-week announcement, Jessica and her fellow merchants made their way to the town square. Mayor Thomas was already there, waving warmly to townsfolk as they arrived. But when he locked eyes with Jessica, he did not wave. Instead, he stared for longer than was comfortable. Jessica and Thomas had shared a drunken night together after the Harvest Festival, a night that was nothing out of the ordinary for her, given her constant desire for intimacy. The crowd gathered, and the bells tolled twice more to signal the start. Mayor Thomas began: ¡°I¡¯m sorry for this being so early, but for those it applies to are already here. The Raven, after much thought, has made a decision,¡± his voice booming through the plaza. ¡°As he grows older, he seeks a wife.¡± Silence gripped the crowd. The title of the Raven was passed from person to person as a Raven passes. With the role being lifelong. Once passed to the new, the Raven was forbidden to ever leave the tower. A wife was permitted to leave but only before sundown. Jessica had never paid much attention to the rules; she had enough to worry about with her family. And in her opinion the rules that must be followed seem silly.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Thomas continued, ¡°The search was conducted in secret, but the Raven has chosen his bride.¡± He looked directly at Jessica and beckoned her to the stage. Jessica¡¯s heart froze. Surely, she was misunderstanding the situation. But Thomas repeated himself: ¡°Jessica, the fair maiden who sells wildflowers and herbs to sailors, has been selected as the bride.¡± He gestured for her to come forward. Her legs trembling, Jessica slowly ascended the stage. She had never been in front of such a large crowd before, but she walked toward Thomas, her mind racing. When she reached him, he asked, ¡°Are you the maiden Jessica, who picks flowers and herbs?¡± ¡°Yes, you know this,¡± she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She was certain this was some kind of ritual, a formality, given how frequently Thomas bought flowers from her for his wife. That is not even to mention their nights alone. Thomas turned back to the crowd. ¡°This woman rises before the sun, before the town stirs. She cares for her family, picking flowers and herbs to sell at the market. The Raven has witnessed her diligence and spirit. He has chosen her to join him.¡± Jessica stood in stunned silence. ¡°Did he just say she was to marry the Raven?¡± Her confusion began to morph into anger. Why was she not given a choice, why was this so abrupt, and why would she be tied down with someone she has never even seen? All thoughts raced through her mind only increasing her anger and difficulty understanding. After a few more formalities, the crowd dispersed, and Mayor Thomas pulled Jessica aside. ¡°Listen, girl¡­¡± he began, only to be abruptly cut off. ¡°What the hell is going on? Why was I not consulted about this? Who decided I was to marry him? And did you just call me a girl?¡± Jessica''s words were sharp, her fury barely contained. Her fists were clenched as nails dug into her palms, and blood dripped down her knuckles, staining the dirt. ¡°I know this is a shock,¡± Thomas replied, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. ¡°But the Raven has been watching you. He asked me to find you, and¡­ he promised to cure your mother, Jessica.¡± Stunned, Jessica¡¯s mind went blank. In the span of ten minutes, her life had changed from that of a flower vendor to the chosen bride of the Raven, with her mother''s life hanging in the balance. Never had she felt such fierce adrenaline and emotions. Her plans, her dreams¡ªeverything had shifted. But if the Raven could truly heal her mother, was there anything she wouldn¡¯t do? Jessica raised her hand to the mayor. ¡°Please stop. I am not really sure I understand everything that happened. But, take me to him. If he thinks he can take me without asking or getting to know me, he has another thing coming.¡± Led to the base of the tower, Thomas knocked three times with the heavy door knocker and whispered, ¡°I knock to avoid disturbing the spirits of past Ravens. They still haunt this place. They guard the tower, and remain guiding the current Raven in all choices.¡± Opening the door, he gestured for her to enter. ¡°This is where I leave you, madam. Just follow the staircase to the top where the Raven awaits. One last thing,¡± he hesitated, ¡°I know our past is complicated, but I promise I will look after your family.¡± With that, he gave her a gentle shove and closed the door behind her. Jessica stood there, dazed. Her legs gave out after a minute, and she collapsed to the floor, leaning against the now closed wooden door. When she finally came to her senses, the light streaming through the windows had dimmed. ¡°The entire morning and afternoon must have passed¡±, she thought. ¡°Well, every journey begins with a single step. I never imagined mine would start here, the first step towards my end?¡± Taking a deep breath, she placed her foot on the first stair. The Haunted Stairs Jessica hesitated as she stepped onto the first stair. The staircase spiraled upwards, a slow and steady climb that seemed to go on forever despite being only about 40 feet high. At the top, she could see a gilded door, which she assumed led to the Raven''s quarters. The tower was spacious, about 30 feet across, allowing for a wide, graceful ascent. The place was impeccably maintained. The marble steps gleamed, recently polished, and the stained glass windows cast rainbows of light that danced around the tower¡¯s interior. She imagined the colors would be even more brilliant earlier in the day, before dusk. The entrance door behind her was made of steel-reinforced oak, a barrier that seemed impossible to breach if locked. As she lifted her foot to ascend, her vision abruptly darkened. For a moment, she was enveloped in pitch blackness. Flickering images appeared, shadowy figures staring at her¡ªdozens of them, watching intently. Her foot touched the second step, and reality snapped back. Jessica gasped, her breath caught in her throat. "What was that? Am I losing my mind?" She stared down at her feet, trying to make sense of the sudden vision. Was it a hallucination brought on by stress? Shaking it off, she pressed on, though her heart pounded in her chest. The moment she lifted her foot again, darkness enveloped her once more. This time, the whispers came¡ªhundreds of voices, their words indecipherable, a cacophony of sound that surrounded her. The shadowy figures from before were now swirling around her, their whispers growing into screams. Panic surged through her, but amidst the chaos, she managed to focus on one voice. As she honed in on it, the other screams faded into the background. The voice was clear, repeating the same phrase over and over: ¡°He chose this one? There were better.¡± The words cut deep, stoking a fire within her. Anger rose to the surface. ¡°He chose this one? There were better,¡± the voice taunted, relentless. ¡°He chose this one? There were better,¡± each time it pressed her nerves, and this was the point where she would end the taunts. Jessica clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. ¡°I am the best there is,¡± she shouted into the void, her voice trembling but fierce. ¡°I¡¯ve worked, I¡¯ve fought, and I¡¯ve earned my place.¡± The shadowy figure she was addressing seemed to dissolve, the silhouette disintegrating into a warm mist that slipped through her fingers. But the staircase was far from over. Each step brought a new voice, a new challenge. ¡°No one cares about you. No one will miss you,¡± one voice hissed. ¡°I forge my own path,¡± she shot back, her voice steady. ¡°I need no one¡¯s praise or disdain.¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Step by step, she ascended, battling the voices that sought to undermine her. ¡°There is no more hope. Your freedom ends now,¡± another voice jeered. Jessica¡¯s eyes narrowed as she pressed on. ¡°Freedom is mine to choose. No one has the right to take that from me.¡± With every step, she confronted her doubts and fears, refusing to back down. The voices became fewer, weaker, until finally, she faced the last one. ¡°You have destroyed my brethren. But they were never real,¡± the final silhouette whispered. ¡°You think you''ve won, but you still walk toward your doom. Worthiness is something you will never possess.¡± This last voice struck a nerve. It felt more real, more personal than the others. Jessica¡¯s rage flared anew. ¡°You do not decide my destiny,¡± she declared, tearing the shadowy figure apart with her hands. The spirit dissolved into smoke, leaving her in a void of silence. As she caught her breath, the darkness around her receded, and she realized her feet were still moving, carrying her steadily up the staircase. A new voice, deep and resonant, filled the space: ¡°You have been tested and found worthy. You have overcome the spirits. You have proven yourself stronger than the darkness.¡± The voice paused, then continued, ¡°The path you now walk is the same as the Raven¡¯s. Be strong, for war is coming to these lands, and the magic of the Raven will be tested.¡± The void faded, and Jessica found herself standing before the gilded door at the top of the staircase. The door was intricately decorated, with painted markings of a raven overseeing the village below. Three words were etched into the wood at the bottom: Faith, Law, Knowledge. The golden lines around the designs seemed to capture and reflect the last rays of daylight. The handle was a smooth piece of ebony, cool to the touch. Jessica¡¯s mind reeled as she stared at the door. What is happening? she wondered for what felt like the thousandth time that day. I was supposed to be selling flowers, tending to my family. Now I¡¯m here, in this tower, facing... whatever this is. Her thoughts turned to her siblings and her mother. She had imagined returning home to cook dinner, playing with Xavier until he finally fell asleep after countless assurances of her love. She would have checked on her mother, dimmed the lamps, and written in her journal before bed. Now, all of that seemed impossibly far away. With a deep breath, she forced herself to focus. There was no turning back now. She rolled up her sleeves, squared her shoulders, and knocked firmly on the door. She was determined to tell the Raven that he could find another bride. Her mother¡¯s health was her only concern. After a few moments of tense silence, a voice called out from the other side¡ªa voice that was shockingly young. ¡°Hello? Yes, Jessica? If that¡¯s you, please come in.¡± Confused, Jessica pushed the door open and stepped inside. To her astonishment, she found herself face-to-face with a boy no older than eighteen, seated at a desk. He was staring out a window that overlooked the meadows she knew so well. It dawned on her that he must have seen her from here every morning as she gathered flowers. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. ¡°Welcome,¡± the boy said, turning to face her with a soft smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡± A Lifelong Change Jessica stood, baffled by the sight before her. The boy sitting at the desk, who she could only assume was the Raven, gave her a sheepish smile and a shrug. ¡°I know you may be a bit alarmed, but I assure you¡ª¡± he began before being abruptly interrupted. ¡°Who in the halls of the Raven are you!?¡± Jessica blurted out. ¡°And I know I just said ¡®halls of the Raven¡¯¡ªI¡¯m here, and I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s sacrilegious, but if it is, then screw it!¡± The boy blinked, unfazed by her outburst. ¡°I know you have questions, child, but please, sit with me. All will be answered.¡± His voice was far more confident than his youthful appearance suggested, and without thinking, Jessica found herself complying. She sat in a plain wooden chair across from him. ¡°I am the Raven,¡± he said with quiet authority. ¡°I know I may look young, and that is true¡ªI am young. But do not mistake my youth for a lack of power.¡± He leaned forward slightly, his deep green eyes piercing hers. ¡°The previous Raven passed away eleven years ago. As his health declined, I was chosen as his heir. I had no parents, so it was easy for the elder spirits to train me in the ways of scrying.¡± Jessica took in his appearance as he spoke. His skin was pale and smooth, framed by curly chestnut hair. His face was boyish but well-defined, his sharp jawline softened by full lips and arched, meticulously groomed eyebrows. Beneath his black silk shirt, his strong arms and broad shoulders hinted at physical strength that belied his confined existence. The shirt was undone at the collar, revealing his creamy skin, and tucked neatly into a fitted vest embroidered with lace patterns of flowers and swords. His pants clung tightly to his muscular legs, showcasing thighs and calves that could belong to a laborer¡ªthough she knew the Raven never left the tower. Jessica¡¯s thoughts shifted to the surreal events of the day. The idea of marriage felt distant, eclipsed by the memory of the staircase. ¡°What happened on the stairs?¡± she asked, her voice trailing off. ¡°I was blinded and¡­ assaulted by voices. So many voices.¡± The Raven raised a hand gently to pause her. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask you to let me finish my story before I attend the other questions you may have, okay, wife?¡± The word wife made her stiffen. She shot him a glare but said nothing, though in her mind, she scoffed. ¡°This is crazy, I know no one has seen the Raven, but we all assumed a wise sage old man, and not a child¡± She thought to herself. Though, in a moment of strange wonder, she listened. Normally, she would have already slapped him for even daring to possess her. But there were too many questions now. ¡°I sympathize with your situation,¡± the Raven continued, his voice filled with genuine compassion. ¡°I know how difficult it must be to have your life upended so suddenly. Believe me, I wouldn¡¯t have done this if I had another choice. As you know, the Raven is forbidden to leave the tower. That makes choosing a spouse¡­ challenging.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He turned to gaze out the window, prompting Jessica to follow his line of sight. From their vantage point, the sprawling fields she walked each morning were visible, bathed in the golden glow of sunset. Beyond them, the Deep Oak Mountains loomed, enclosing the city like protective arms. Travel through the mountain pass was rare, with most visitors arriving by sea. ¡°I would watch you every morning,¡± the Raven admitted softly. ¡°Picking wildflowers and herbs. It piqued my curiosity, so I asked Mayor Thomas about you. He spoke highly of your dedication to your family.¡± He paused, his gaze returning to meet hers. ¡°He spoke of the sacrifices made after your father left. He spoke of the love you hold for your friends, and those around you. He spoke to how you choose the specific flowers you do not want to sell, to bring back to your mother. I became intrigued, invested, and some may say slightly obsessed. And those emotions stayed and morphed over the last couple of years before¡­ they turned into love.¡± Jessica froze. She was no stranger to hearing declarations of love, but they usually came from suitors seeking a fleeting night of passion. Love, to her, had always been a prelude to abandonment. Though, for Jessica, that was not an issue. She had a lot of prior commitments, and being tied down had not been in the books. ¡°What do you mean by love?¡± she asked cautiously. ¡°At first, I admired you from afar,¡± he explained. ¡°You were alluring. But as I learned more about who you are¡ªyour strength, your kindness¡ªmy admiration grew into something deeper. Something real. From lust to love as many of the old books call it.¡± Jessica¡¯s cheeks flushed. His honesty was unsettling, yet strangely refreshing. She forced herself to regain composure. ¡°Why do you think I would agree to marry you?¡± she asked, folding her arms. ¡°I have a family to care for, duties to meet. Beyond all of that, I do not know you. I have never gotten to know anyone close enough that I would even consider a marriage.¡± The Raven smirked slightly. ¡°That¡¯s simple. No one else gets to learn scrying magic¡ªbut the woman of the Raven does. No one else has the chance to shape the future and prevent disasters¡ªbut the woman of the Raven does. No one else is afforded the respect and resources of the kingdom¡¯s finest¡ªbut the woman of the Raven is. And¡­ in time, I hope you¡¯ll come to love me too.¡± His final words were spoken so meekly that Jessica almost didn¡¯t catch them. She sighed. Despite her anger at being chosen without her consent, she couldn¡¯t deny the allure of adventure and the opportunity to learn magic. It was a temptation too great to ignore. She pondered his last words for a second as well. From his point of view, he has known her for many years. If not her, he has grown to know and understand an image of her. ¡°What will happen to my family?¡± she blurted out, her most pressing concern. ¡°Mayor Thomas will look after them,¡± the Raven assured her. ¡°Your mother will receive care from the best doctor in the land, who will also train Dr. Tilden to be her personal physician. All necessary resources have been provided.¡± Jessica shifted in her chair, its creak echoing through the room. Her heart was torn, but the promise of adventure and magic outweighed her doubts. With a deep breath, she nodded. ¡°Yes. I will become your wife.¡± Jessica thought to herself ¡°Rash? Of course it was. Probably a bad idea? I can see the countless red flags waiving high from far. But the allure of adventure is too strong. Maybe someday, I will be able to leave, and see the world.¡± She pondered this. Before noticing the Raven staring at her, with a large smile on his face. The Raven¡¯s smile was genuine, though she barely knew him. ¡°You have no idea how happy that makes me,¡± he said softly. Before he could continue, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes glazed over, his body stiffening. He clutched the edges of his chair, his head snapping back as he stared at the ceiling. Jessica leapt from her seat, startled, but quickly moved to his side. She placed one hand on his forehead and the other on his shoulder, checking for signs of injury. The veins pressed against his skin, showing signs of restricted blood-flow. The Raven¡¯s mouth opened, and a voice¡ªhis, but layered with countless others¡ªrasped three chilling words: ¡°Prepare for war.¡± As the echoes of the proclamation faded, the Raven slumped forward, unconscious. Jessica¡¯s heart raced. Whatever lay ahead, her life as a flower-seller was well and truly over. The Truth of Scrying Jessica gently laid the Raven down on the floor, ensuring he was in a comfortable position. His breathing had slowed to the steady rhythm of sleep, but his final words still rattled in her mind: ¡°Prepare for war.¡± ¡°What did he mean?¡± she wondered, the ominous phrase echoing in her thoughts. Taking a moment to gather herself, she slumped back into the chair, letting her eyes wander around the room. It was clearly his bedroom, and living space. A grand bed stood beneath a massive stained-glass window depicting a raven, its intricate details glowing faintly in the candlelight. The bed¡¯s wooden frame was gilded with gold, and its craftsmanship immediately caught Jessica¡¯s attention. She rose and ran her fingers along the headboard, noticing a small mark on the leftmost post. It was the signature of Samson, the town¡¯s blacksmith. Samson was a good man, known for his generosity¡ªdonating tools to farmers and crafting necessities for the poor when needed. Jessica smiled faintly at the thought of him. Her hand pressed into the tightly fitted sheets, surprised at how perfectly the bed was made. As she looked around the rest of the room, she realized everything was immaculate. The bookshelves looked freshly dusted, the kitchen area was spotless, and the plates and bowls were arranged neatly. Sitting down on the bed, Jessica felt the luxurious comfort of what only the wealthiest in the province could afford. Her thoughts drifted to the concept of war. How would a conflict affect Raven¡¯s Bay, a small town with outsized influence on the province? It seemed almost surreal. Yet, as she pondered, her body betrayed her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and despite her efforts to stay awake, she succumbed to sleep. Jessica¡¯s dreams were vivid¡ªa collection of fleeting, disconnected images. She saw herself and her mother picking flowers together, her little sister laughing as they played pranks on sailors, and even an unsettling vision of herself and the Raven sitting on thrones, holding hands. The final dream was the strangest: a man in a distant tower, peering through a glass device aimed directly at the Raven¡¯s Tower. The man turned his head and looked directly at Jessica and screamed. She awoke with a start, rubbing her eyes as she took in the dimly lit room. Hours had passed, and now only a few candles illuminated the space. Across the room, the Raven sat at a desk, the flickering light casting shadows that accentuated his muscular frame. Despite his youth, his physical presence was striking. Without looking up, he spoke calmly. ¡°I hope you slept well, my dear. We still have much to discuss.¡± He turned to face her, setting down the pen he had been using. ¡°I apologize for the earlier interruption, but it seems the ocean dwellers are approaching sooner than I anticipated.¡± Jessica stretched, groaning as her fingers caught in her tangled hair. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®ocean dwellers¡¯? Do you mean fish? Why would fish be coming here?¡± she asked, rubbing her eyes in confusion. The Raven sighed. ¡°There are secrets about my¡­ art that very few know. One of those secrets is that the power behind it was stolen long ago.¡± He stood and walked toward her, his silhouette outlined against the faint candlelight. ¡°And by that, I don¡¯t mean something was stolen from us¡ªI mean we stole something from them. Scrying is an ancient and powerful magic, but it was not gifted to us by the gods¡ªback when gods still existed.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He sat down on the floor in front of her, his boyish face looking strangely vulnerable. Jessica struggled to reconcile the image of this childlike figure with the power and responsibility he wielded. ¡°Scrying magic,¡± she repeated, trying to shift her focus. ¡°That¡¯s the magic you use to make laws, right? I remember you mentioning it.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he replied, his fingers fidgeting in his lap. ¡°Scrying magic allows the Raven to see the future and guide this province, even in ways that defy the king. It has ensured that our leaders remain honest and loyal. But generations ago, the first Raven struck a truce with the ocean dwellers.¡± Jessica interrupted, eager to clarify. ¡°Who exactly are these ¡®ocean dwellers¡¯? And why haven¡¯t I heard any rumors about them from the sailors?¡± The Raven¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°They are the three Titans who rule the oceans. Their existence isn¡¯t widely known because it isn¡¯t taught, not even to sailors. The ocean dwellers are not our allies. My magic hides the ships that dock in Raven¡¯s Bay, shielding us from their gaze. But I fear that protection is failing. The Titans may have found us.¡± As he finished, a faint blue light appeared behind him, gradually taking the form of an elderly man. The ghostly figure approached, its presence commanding the room. ¡°The young Raven is correct,¡± the figure said in a gravelly voice. ¡°We always knew they would find us. We just hoped it would take longer.¡± The apparition turned to Jessica and bowed. ¡°I am the first Raven. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, milady.¡± Jessica¡¯s jaw dropped. The ghost¡¯s glowing blue eyes seemed to absorb all other light, drawing her gaze into their depths. The Raven scratched the back of his head awkwardly. ¡°I was going to mention the help we receive from our ancestors¡­ I guess I forgot, what with the whole vision thing.¡± He averted his gaze sheepishly. ¡°They offer advice a little more directly than the stories share.¡± The Raven¡¯s voice slowly drifted out of sound. Jessica, overwhelmed, collapsed back onto the bed. It was too much¡ªher life had been completely upended in a single day.
The first rays of sunlight streamed through the stained glass window, casting vibrant patterns across the room. Jessica sat up, feeling groggy and more exhausted than before her nap. ¡°I am getting really good at passing out. Not the development I hoped for.¡± She thought as she reprimanded herself. She glanced around, noticing that the Raven was nowhere to be seen. On the far side of the room, however, part of a bookshelf was ajar. ¡°A secret door?¡± she murmured. ¡°What are you up to, Mr. Raven?¡± Sliding off the bed, she tiptoed to the hidden doorway. Behind it was a staircase spiraling upward. To her surprise, the top of the tower had been a falsehood. With cautious steps, she ascended, relieved when no visions or voices emerged to haunt her this time. At the top was another door, slightly ajar. It appeared to lead to the back of another bookcase. Beyond it was a strange room filled with glass panels and unfamiliar metal instruments. A voice echoed around her, disorienting in its direction. ¡°Ah, you¡¯ve arrived earlier than we expected,¡± the Raven said, his tone calm but tinged with excitement. ¡°Welcome to the scrying room.¡± He sat there, wearing torn, grease covered clothes, as he was tinkering with a piece of the large contraption. The ghastly form that introduced itself as the first Raven floating next to him examining the work. The space was unlike anything Jessica had ever seen, and the overwhelming sight nearly made her faint for the third time that day. Forcing herself to not make a habit of fainting, she leanded against the door. ¡°This is actually not the most surprising thing I have seen in the last 24 hours.¡± Jessica mumbled to herself. ¡°You and I still have a lot to talk about.¡±