The old church stood forgotten at the edge of the village, shrouded in mist and silence. Time had stripped it of its sanctity—weathered walls cracked, stained-glass windows shattered, and the once-grand altar now a desecrated slab soaked in dried blood and foul offerings. Crows perched on the crooked bell tower, cawing ominously as if sensing the evil festering within.
Inside, the stale air reeked of mildew and rot. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the crumbling pews, where hooded figures murmured in low, reverent tones. A circle drawn with black chalk and runes pulsed dimly in the center, surrounded by sacrificial instruments—rusted blades, chains, and bowls stained crimson.
The heavy doors creaked open slowly with a groan that echoed through the cold stone chamber.
