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## Chapter Four: Shattered Visions and an Unexpected Ally
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Baron Vitus's words echoed in John's ears, a warning impossible to ignore. John realized that the **"Inciter"** was not just a mysterious enemy, but an insidious force manipulating him and the dark entities roaming the night. He no longer doubted that the Baron was observing his every move, and the book in his hands was key to his survival.
John returned to his room, ignoring invitations to dinner and court gatherings. Under the faint candlelight, he opened the ancient book. The words described **"Taming the Hidden Star"** not as a magical spell, but as a **"journey into the depths of consciousness."** It spoke of transcending the barrier of lost memories, understanding the nature of the reincarnated soul, and not just controlling the power, but uniting with it. It was akin to guided meditation, but it required immense focus and risked losing oneself in the ocean of the subconscious.
John closed his eyes, following the vague instructions in the book. He began to focus on the moments when he felt his change, on the subtle whisper that preceded the "Possessed Shadow's" control. Suddenly, a series of distorted images flooded his mind, like shattered glass trying to reassemble itself.
He saw dense forests under a blood moon, warriors in strange armor, and the flash of swords in the darkness. He heard screams and words in an ancient language. These were not his memories, but the memories of the entity residing within him: the **"Possessed Shadow."** He saw how this entity was part of an ancient defense system for the kingdom, appearing only when the fabric of reality was threatened by dark magic or corruption.
But not all the visions were clear. There were missing or distorted parts. It seemed as if someone had tampered with those memories, or concealed portions of them. He recalled the Baron's words: "those who understand how to pull their strings." Was the "Inciter" the one who did this? Did he transform the "Possessed Shadow" from a balanced guardian into a brutal killing machine?
Suddenly, John's concentration was sharply broken. It wasn't due to an external sound, but an acute feeling of danger. He opened his eyes to find himself in his room, but this time he was not alone.
In a chair in the corner of the room sat a slender man with dark hair and sharp eyes that hinted at extraordinary intelligence. He wore simple clothes that did not fit the palace's opulence, and in his hands, he was expertly disassembling a complex lock.
The man made no sound. He seemed to be part of the shadows themselves.
"I am Kael," the man said in a low, calm voice, devoid of any threat. "It seems you found the book I was looking for."
John gripped the book tightly, ready for any attack. "Who are you? And how did you get in here?"
Kael offered a slight smile. "Entering palaces is not difficult for one who knows the hidden secrets within their walls. As for who I am... I am not your enemy, John. Quite the opposite. I am here to help you tame 'the Hidden Star'."
John was shocked. "How... how do you know about this?"
"Because I have been searching for the 'Shadow Hunter' for a long time," Kael replied, placing the disassembled lock on the table. "I work in the shadows, gathering information about supernatural phenomena, and observing those who move in the darkness. I've noticed the patterns in the killings, the way they are carried out, and the gaps in your memory."
Kael looked directly into John's eyes. "You are not alone. There have been others like you throughout history, bearing this burden. And the 'Possessed Shadow' within you is not a curse; it is an ancient power that has been corrupted. And there are those who manipulate it."
"Baron Vitus?" John asked, surprised by his boldness in asking the question.
Kael nodded slowly. "He is one of them. Known as the **'Inciter'** in secret circles. He is the one who awakened the 'Possessed Shadow' in you in a specific way, and then obscured parts of your memories. He wants the 'Possessed Shadow' to remain a blind tool in his hand, causing chaos to serve his hidden agenda."
"And why are you helping me?" John wondered, still suspicious of this strange newcomer.
"Because I believe in balance," Kael said, rising slowly. "And because I have seen this situation repeat many times throughout history. The 'Inciter' threatens this balance. You, as the bearer of a 'Possessed Shadow' that can be tamed, can be the force that restores it. You are not a killer, John. You are a guardian, but you need guidance."
Kael extended his hand to John. "I can train you in the true 'Taming of the Hidden Star'. I will teach you how to retrieve your lost memories, and how to control the 'Possessed Shadow' instead of it controlling you. But this path is fraught with danger, and it requires blind trust."
John looked at Kael's hand, then at the ancient book. Inside him was a bitter struggle between doubt and hope. Was this man a true ally or another trap from the court? But something in Kael's calm gaze, and his deep knowledge of John's secrets, made him feel that he had finally found a glimmer of light in this darkness.
John extended his hand to shake Kael's. This was the beginning of an unexpected alliance, in a world full of betrayal and secrets.