Chapter Eight: The Eve of the Final Battle

Under the dim light of the abandoned warehouse, Professor Edmund's words hit Henry, Emily, and Caspar like a bombshell, revealing the conspiracy of the "Shadow Hand" with each detail chilling them to the bone.

"They plan to open the Gate of Time and Space on the night of the full moon when the energy is at its peak," the professor's voice was grave, conveying a sense of urgency, "We don't have much time."

Henry clutched the keys in his hand, his eyes gleaming with resolve. "We cannot let them succeed."

Emily and Caspar echoed the same determination. They knew this could be the final battle, and they had to be prepared.

The professor provided the location of the Shadow Hand's base, an ancient castle hidden in the Alps. They needed to reach there before the full moon and find a way to stop the Shadow Hand.

Before leaving the warehouse, the professor grasped Henry's hand, his eyes filled with remorse and hope. "Henry, I know I cannot make up for the past, but I hope this can be my chance for redemption."

Henry nodded, feeling anger at the professor's betrayal but also understanding the internal struggle and repentance. "Let's end this together."

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They moved quickly, preparing the necessary equipment and supplies. Emily used her resources to arrange their route to the Alps, while Caspar was in charge of studying the layout of the castle and possible traps.

On their way to the Alps, the mood among the three was unusually somber. They knew that the upcoming battle was not only about their fate but also the future of the entire world.

After arriving in the town where the castle was located, they began their final preparations. Henry carefully checked the keys in his backpack to ensure they were safe. Emily marked the best path into the castle on the map, while Caspar checked their weapons and equipment.

As night fell, a full moon slowly rose, illuminating the contours of the Alps. They knew the moment of the final battle was approaching.

Henry took a deep breath and turned to Emily and Caspar, his voice firm, "Are we ready?"

Emily and Caspar exchanged glances, their eyes filled with determination. "We are ready."

They approached the castle stealthily, using the cover of night and terrain to avoid the guards' sight. The castle gates were tightly closed, but the key in Henry's hand shone with a strange light in the moonlight.

Henry inserted the key into the lock, the gates slowly opened, and they silently entered the castle. The interior was luxuriously decorated, but an ominous atmosphere hung in the air.

They cautiously made their way through the corridors, avoiding the patrolling guards, and finally arrived at the heart of the castle—a vast circular room. In the center of the room was a massive circular platform, inscribed with bizarre symbols, clearly the Gate of Time and Space to the "Ghost Library."

However, just as they were about to take action, a voice echoed through the room, "Welcome, Henry, Emily, Caspar. I knew you would come."

They turned to see the leader of the Shadow Hand emerge from the shadows, a smug smile on his face.