Having warned both Jon and Martin that I could not be involved, I have been seeing quite a bit less of everyone else. Sometimes I enter a room and they go quiet. It is better this way for me to not be involved. I have to be very delicate about the ritual matters, and I have no business with the lightless flame. I will leave it to them. Elias seems content with the way things are going I believe.

Jon is still away, so I walk into the archives today. They all give me a look like I have caught them doing something they shouldn't be. "I'm not going with you to help with the ritual, but you don't have to act like I'm some outsider."

Melanie flashes me an empathetic smile. It seems to say that things are alright, so I back off. "Right, well, I have quite a bit of backlog piled up, and you all seem rather busy. I thought I would take care of a statement, and then get some stuff done in storage."

"Off to report to Elias, are you?"

That would be Daisy. I tilt my head back, glimpsing all of them, but most especially her. "Actually I am off to deal with the onslaught of artefacts in storage terrorizing my coworkers. One of them begged me to come by and seal some things away."

"Aren't you supposed to be here?"

"Seems like you are all in contact with the archivist. I am sure you guys can get things done up here just fine for a bit." That, and despite my stepping in, this is not my place. I am not the archivist. It is not as easy to fill Jon's shoes either when nobody knows if they can trust me. I will be back to check on them of course, but my ears are ringing with the stories the artefacts carry. Resisting their pull is going to give me an aneurysm if I let this go on for much longer.

A hush falls over the group again, but I am already leaving. I see no point in staying around.

I arrive to an absolute mess in the storage area. The ringing in my head is like the high whistle of a boiling kettle, and my colleagues look upon me for the first time with gratitude. "I am so sorry, Helen, I was cleaning, and I knocked something over, and everything started to go wrong." My timid coworker trembles before me. Ah, I know what she has released. One object calls to me above the rest. It is the Leitner that wounded me before, and this time, I am different.

I shake my head at my colleague, "No worries. I'll get it."

I flash the two of them a wink, and shut the door between us, separating them into a safer part of storage, and me here with the Leitner.

I haven't had much time with it, but I think I am ready to write my report:

Magnus Institute - Artefact Storage Division
Report on Umbra Permanet Leitner
Date: [XXXX] Investigator: Helen Supervisor: Elias Bouchard
Artefact: Umbra Permanet
Codename: Shadowbound
Classification: Dark/Lonely
Origin: Unknown
Previous Owner/Incident: — — —

II. Physical Description
The Shadowbound manifests as a weathered, leather-bound book with intricate patterns etched onto its cover and the words "Umbra Permanet" or "Shadow Remains." The pages within exude an aura of malevolence, emitting a faint whispering sound audible only to individuals in close proximity. The tome appears pristine upon initial inspection, but upon opening, the pages reveal themselves to be adorned with cryptic, shifting text that seems to rearrange itself at will. Tendrils of darkness reach out of the pages, tearing away skin in their wake.

Project Status:
Exercise extreme caution to prevent inadvertent exposure. This artefact has shown an ability to incite violent tendencies.

III. Anomalies and Safety Measures

Anomalies:
A. Whispering Voices: Proximity to the tome elicits auditory hallucinations, characterized by faint whispering voices that instill feelings of unease and paranoia in individuals nearby.

B. Cognitive Intrusion: Prolonged exposure to the tome's whispers can lead to cognitive dissonance, confusion, and a sense of detachment from reality.

C. Reality Alteration: The text within the tome has shown the ability to influence and alter the perceptions and beliefs of those who read it, often leading to erratic behavior and compromised judgment.

Safety Measures:
A. Restricted Access: Limited access to the tome is advised, with only qualified personnel permitted to handle it under strict supervision.

B. Psychological Evaluation: Individuals tasked with interacting with the tome should undergo regular psychological evaluations to monitor for signs of cognitive distortion or mental instability.

IV. Containment and Surveillance
A. Containment Protocol:
Umbra Permanet must be stored in a designated containment chamber constructed of soundproof materials to minimize the dissemination of its auditory effects. Access to the chamber should be restricted to authorized personnel only, with entry logs maintained for monitoring purposes.

B. Potential for Destruction:
Given the tome's propensity for psychological manipulation and reality alteration, destruction may be considered as a last resort to neutralize its influence. However, caution must be exercised to prevent unintended consequences or further propagation of its anomalous properties.

C. Surveillance and Monitoring:
Continuous surveillance of the containment chamber is imperative to detect any unauthorized attempts to access the tome or signs of escalating psychological distress among personnel assigned to its containment.

Recommendations and Conclusions

A. Recommendation:
Given the unpredictable nature of its influence as well as multiple incidents of harming employees, measures should be taken to further prevent inadvertent exposure and minimize the risk of psychological harm to personnel. Destruction recommended.

VIII. Approval and Acknowledgment:
A. Submitted By: Helen X
B. Approved By: Elias Bouchard X

Note: This report is subject to ongoing investigation, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

IX. Final Notes:
The Umbra Permanet represents a significant threat due to its insidious ability to manipulate perception and cognition. The tome's whispers, though faint, possess a disconcerting influence that can destabilize even the most resilient minds. As custodians of the Magnus Institute's artefact collection, it is imperative that we exercise utmost caution in containing and studying this enigmatic artefact, lest we fall victim to its dark machinations.

Presenting a formidable menace to the stability of both mind and reality, it presence within the confines of the Magnus Institute's artefact collection demands a level of vigilance and caution unparalleled by many other objects in our possession.

This tome, seemingly innocuous upon initial inspection, belies a sinister power that lies dormant within its pages. The whispers and darkness that emanate from its depths, possess a chilling resonance that resonates with the darkest recesses of the human psyche. They weave a web of destruction and manipulation, subtly influencing perception and cognition with each whisper.

To indulge in the forbidden knowledge contained within the Umbra Permanet is to court despair. The very act of reading its insidious contents is akin to opening a Pandora's box of psychological torment and existential dread. It is a testament to the cunning and malevolence of the entities that lurk within the shadows, ever seeking to ensnare the unwary in their web of darkness.

As custodians of the Magnus Institute's artefact collection, it is our solemn duty to safeguard against the insidious influence of the Umbra Permanet. A book that thinks it's the harbinger of doom but really just needs a good nightlight. Whispering sinister secrets? More like whispering bedtime stories for insomniacs. I've seen scarier shadows in a child's playroom.

I feel the grip of the Leitner weaken, tearing into its existence with each note I finalize. Its malevolent influence waning in the face of my resolve. I end off my report with a factor I find to be a critical part of my method, the de minimis final strike against the artefact. A sense of relief washes over me, and I know that I have succeeded.

Typing up my actual report leaves me both exhausted and refreshed. I need a moment.

I hear the door slide open behind me, and I turn around, half expecting to be met with my terrified colleagues. Instead, I see Peter Lukas. Will this man ever give me a break?