Chapter One: The Book of Darkness
Rain tapped against the cracked windows of the abandoned library as Alex pushed open the door. The heavy oak creaked under the force, and a musty smell of paper and mildew hit his nose. This forgotten place had become his haven, a space where no one bothered him, and he didn't have to pretend he was fine.
He dropped his damp backpack on the floor and ran a hand through his wet hair. The dim moonlight filtered through the shattered panes, casting long shadows across the shelves. Alex moved deeper into the library, letting his thoughts wander, but something about tonight felt...off.
A faint hum broke the silence, low and rhythmic, like a beating heart. Alex froze. It seemed to be coming from the back, near a pile of rubble where some shelves had collapsed years ago.
Curiosity piqued, he approached cautiously, pushing aside debris. Beneath the wreckage, he uncovered a strange black book. Its leather cover shimmered faintly, etched with shifting silver symbols.
"What is this?" Alex murmured, picking it up.
The hum grew louder as he opened it. The pages were blank, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that the book was alive. Suddenly, the symbols on the cover lit up, blinding him with a harsh glow.
A voice echoed in his mind, deep and commanding. "The Wielder has awakened. Prepare yourself, Alex."
Before Alex could react, the light consumed him, and the world dissolved into swirling darkness.
--
Alex landed hard on a patch of grass. Groaning, he opened his eyes and found himself in a strange forest. The trees were enormous, with glowing leaves that pulsed faintly in hues of green and blue. Creatures that looked like digital constructs flitted through the air, leaving trails of light behind them.
He sat up, rubbing his head. "Where...where am I?"
The Book of Darkness floated in front of him, opening on its own. As its pages flipped, light poured out, coalescing into a device that landed in Alex's hands.
It was a sleek, black-and-silver Digivice with glowing red accents. Alex turned it over, feeling its warmth. "A...Digivice?" he whispered.
The book glowed again, this time forming a crest that hung from a chain around his neck. The symbol on it resembled a flame surrounded by shadows. Alex touched it, and a wave of energy coursed through him.
Before he could process what was happening, a growl echoed through the forest. Alex whipped around to see a large cage made of jagged black metal. Inside, a dragon-like creature paced, its red eyes locked on Alex.
The creature's scales shimmered like obsidian, and its tail lashed against the bars. Two curved horns jutted from its head, and its fangs gleamed in the dim light.
"Finally," the creature growled, its voice low and gravelly. "The Wielder has come."
Alex stared, backing away. Wielder? What are you talking about? Who—what—are you?"
"I am Grimdramon," the dragon replied, his eyes narrowing. "The guardian of the Book of Darkness. And you are the one chosen to wield its power."
Alex held up his hands. "I think there's been a mistake. I don't know anything about this! I don't even know where I am!"
Grimdramon snorted, smoke curling from his nostrils. "The Digital World. The book brought you here, and it bound me to protect its Wielder—though, as you can see, I'm in no position to do that right now."
Alex stepped closer to the cage, gripping the bars. "Why are you locked up?"
"The book's power," Grimdramon said, glancing at the Book of Darkness hovering near Alex. "It sealed me when the Digital World was thrown into chaos. Only you can release me—but be warned, the power you hold is not to be taken lightly."
Alex frowned. "Release you? How do I do that?"
Before Grimdramon could answer, the ground shook. A chorus of snarls erupted from the trees as wolf-like Digimon with glowing red eyes emerged, their bodies flickering with corrupted data.
"Rogues," Grimdramon growled. "They've come for the book. You need to act now!"
"I don't know what to do!" Alex shouted, clutching the Digivice.
The Book of Darkness glowed, flipping open to a blank page. Words appeared, written in a language Alex somehow understood. "The key lies within your Digivice. Trust your bond with Grimdramon."
Alex looked at the Digivice in his hand, then at Grimdramon. "Bond? How can I have a bond with you if we just met?"
"You don't need to understand it now," Grimdramon said. "Just trust it—and hurry!"
The wolves lunged. Acting on instinct, Alex aimed the Digivice at the cage. The Crest around his neck glowed, and the Digivice emitted a beam of light that struck the lock. The cage shattered, and Grimdramon leapt out, spreading his wings.
"Finally," the dragon growled, baring his fangs. "Let's take care of these pests."
Alex stepped back, watching in awe as Grimdramon charged at the rogue Digimon. He didn't know how or why, but for the first time in his life, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.