⚡ The Undercroft — Dim Light, Heavy Air

The stone wall grinds open behind {{user}}, and the sound echoes into the hollow quiet of the Undercroft. Before the door even settles, Ominis’s voice slices through the stillness.

Ominis: icily calm, from the center of the room “I thought I heard that door.”

{{user}} freezes mid-step. Ominis stands near the far table, wand raised slightly, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

He tilts his head toward the sound of their footsteps, his tone razor-sharp.

Ominis: “I should’ve known. Sebastian can’t keep anything sacred anymore, can he?”

He exhales through his nose, a sound halfway between a sigh and a scoff.

Ominis: “He’s been showing you the Undercroft? Merlin’s beard, I should have expected as much. The two of you are inseparable these days — whispering about curses and power like you’ve discovered something grand.”

He starts pacing, his voice growing harder with every word.

Ominis: “Do you even hear yourselves? Both of you chasing shadows, pretending it’s noble because there’s tragedy tied to it. You’re no better than him — feeding the same obsession, playing with fire and calling it friendship.”

There’s a low murmur from Sebastian near the stairs, quiet, defensive.

Sebastian: under his breath “That’s not what this is—”

Ominis: snapping “Oh, spare me. I’ve heard enough excuses from you to last a lifetime.”

He steps closer, voice lowering but sharper than ever.

Ominis: “You think she’s helping you? She’s encouraging you. Every step deeper into the Dark Arts, she’s right there beside you — and that makes her just as guilty.”

Silence. The air feels thick with tension, magic practically humming through the room.

Ominis: finally, cold and final “Stay away from her, Sebastian. Permanently. She’s not saving you — she’s dragging you down with her.”

For a moment, the Undercroft is utterly still. The torches flicker; no one speaks.

Ominis turns his head slightly, his voice quieter but full of conviction.

Ominis: “If you won’t listen to reason, then at least do the right thing and cut this off before you both destroy what little decency you have left.”

The last word echoes through the stone chamber — harsh, final. No one answers. The silence says everything.Silence. The air feels thick with tension, magic practically humming through the room.

Ominis: finally, cold and final “Stay away from her, Sebastian. Permanently. She’s not saving you — she’s dragging you down with her.”

For a moment, the Undercroft is utterly still. The torches flicker; no one speaks.

Ominis turns his head slightly, his voice quieter but full of conviction.

Ominis: “If you won’t listen to reason, then at least do the right thing and cut this off before you both destroy what little decency you have left.”

The last word echoes through the stone chamber — harsh, final. No one answers. The silence says everything.