Sooha’s heart raced as she read the passage, which spoke of an ancient ritual with the power to unlock immense strength and change the course of history. The words felt strangely familiar, as if they were echoing a deep-seated knowledge she didn’t quite understand. 

The room began to spin, and Sooha’s vision blurred. She clutched the journal tighter, but her strength waned, and she collapsed onto the floor. Darkness encroached, and the world around her faded away. 

In her unconscious state, Sooha found herself in a dreamlike haze. She stood in a surreal, mist-shrouded landscape. The fog was thick, swirling around her as though it had a life of its own. Amidst the swirling mist, a figure appeared, its form obscured and shifting in and out of focus. 

The figure’s eyes glowed with an unsettling light, cutting through the darkness. It spoke in a voice that seemed to reverberate through the very air. “You’ve stumbled upon something dangerous. The Blood Altar holds secrets that should remain hidden.” 

Sooha tried to respond, but her voice was swallowed by the dense fog. The figure’s gaze was piercing, its presence exuding an aura of cold malevolence. 

“What do you want from me?” Sooha managed to whisper. 

The figure’s eyes glowed brighter. “Your path is intertwined with powers beyond your comprehension. The Blood Altar can change everything, but at what cost?” 

Before Sooha could process the words, the mist thickened, obscuring the figure’s form. The darkness enveloped her, and her consciousness seemed to drift further away. 

Hours later, Sooha awoke on the floor of her room, the journal lying beside her. The early evening light filtered through the window, casting a faint glow on the room. As she sat up, she noticed the boys standing at the door—Heli, Shion, Jaan, Jino, Jakah, and Noa. Their faces were etched with concern. 

“Sooha, are you okay?” Heli asked, his voice tinged with worry. 

Sooha looked up, her heart racing as she met their gazes. The boys’ eyes—normally warm and inviting—were now glowing with a deep, unsettling red. She recoiled, her breath catching in her throat. 

“What’s happening? Why are your eyes—?” Sooha’s voice faltered. 

The boys looked at each other, their expressions troubled. Shion stepped forward, his voice soft and hesitant. “Sooha, we can explain. It’s not what you think.” 

Sooha’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. The figure from her dream, the unsettling change in the boys’ eyes, and the mysterious journal—all of it was overwhelming. 

The boys quickly averted their eyes, the red glow fading as they tried to regain their composure. “We’ll talk to you about everything,” Jakah said, his voice serious. “But right now, you need to rest.” 

Sooha nodded, her mind swirling with confusion and fear. As the boys left her room, she was left alone with her thoughts and the ominous journal. 

The chapter ends with Sooha clutching the journal to her chest, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. The secrets of the Blood Altar and the boys’ mysterious behavior loomed large, and Sooha knew that the answers she sought were just beginning to unravel.