Later that evening, the mansion's halls were dimly lit by flickering candles, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. The wind howled softly outside, causing the ancient windows to rattle. In one corner of the mansion, Ginevra was in her room, which resembled a mechanic's workshop more than a noble's quarters. The room was chaotic, with shelves overflowing with tools, gears, and various mechanical parts. Workbenches were covered with blueprints and half-assembled devices, some hidden under dusty blankets, others rusted and forgotten. A solitary lamp cast a soft glow over the cluttered space, illuminating Ginevra's determined expression as she worked.

"A little bit of touch here, and we're done," she murmured to herself, her hands deftly maneuvering around a small device. After making a final adjustment, she slid out from under the half-finished machine, holding the intricate gadget up to the light. "There, all finished," she said with satisfaction, removing her gloves and dusting off her hands. She placed the completed device on a nearby table, her mind already shifting to the next project.

Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed through the manor, shattering the silence and making Ginevra's heart skip a beat. It was Camilla's scream. Instantly, Ginevra was on her feet, dropping her tools and rushing out of her workshop without a second thought. "Not again!" she exclaimed, sprinting down the dimly lit hallway. She burst through the door to Camilla's room, finding her younger sister sitting on her bed, drenched in sweat, her eyes wide with fear.

"Cam...?" Ginevra said gently, approaching her sister. "Another nightmare?" Camilla nodded, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "It was the same one, Ginevra. The same horrible dream."

Ginevra sat down beside her sister, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It's okay, Camilla. I'm here now. Do you want to talk about it?" Camilla hesitated. "But, you promise not to tell mother?" Ginevra's brow furrowed with worry. "I promise, Cammy. What do you see in these dreams?"

Camilla described her recurring nightmare: a dark forest, a hidden-faced woman reaching out with a sense of dread, a twisted crescent moon on her hand, six faceless people with knives, and a terrifying experience of torture. Ginevra listened intently, her heart aching for her sister.

"You can't tell the others, or let our mother know that we both know the truth. Who knows what she will do to us," Ginevra warned. Camilla sat in silence, the weight of Ginevra's revelation settling over her. "What should we do now? How can we fight against this... ritual?"

Ginevra smiled, a small but genuine expression of hope. She squeezed Camilla's hands before standing up. "I need to show you something," she said, moving towards a large, covered object in the corner of the room. She revealed a complex machine. "It's a device that I believe can detect evil spirits."

As they activated the device, it picked up a presence, making the room grow colder. The lights flickered erratically, and a cold gust of wind extinguished the candle. The door burst open, revealing their mother, her face contorted with anger. "To bed, both of you, now!" she demanded.

As the girls left, their mother walked back to her room. Once inside, she accessed a secret chamber and approached a glowing orb. "Crystal Ball of Tradrix," she whispered, "the ritual is almost done. It remains Shelly and Camilla."

The orb's light flickered, agreeing with her plea for more time. As she reentered her bedroom, she whispered to herself, "I never wanted this life for either of them. But the promise of wealth... the promise of my reputation... I just couldn't resist." She lay in bed, her thoughts spiraling, hoping for forgiveness one day.

© Cipherization