The Silent Choir

There was the village of Elterbo, which lay at the bottom of a brooding forest. Overnight, each night, the ethereal sounds of music crept through the air, seemingly carried on the wind from the old well that stood at the entrance to the village. These melancholy, yet beautiful notes seemed to call them all closer, but no one dared to move an inch. Around the well, whispers flew of a curse, for those who listened too closely went without a single sound.

Legend of the Well

For hundreds of years, the well stood with stones that had grown worn and cracked by time. What a choir once flourished in Elterbo-a group of singers whose voices could capture even the most hardened hearts. However, because they were passionate about music, they discovered an ancient, fossil-like artifact in the well's depths: a blackstone totem believed to be cursed. They recklessly began to worship it in their pride, believing that it would bring them the most powerful and worshiped fame ever.

As their passion increased, so did their madness. The villagers testified that every night, they could still hear the songs of the choir resounding from the well: songs of want and loss. Each singer vanished one after another into the dark of night, infatuated with the song's siren call. The Emissions

Years went by, and the village became silent once more. Only a few were left—those who hadn't fallen for the temptation of the well. Hushed tones told of the "Silent Choir," cautioning all newcomers to steer clear of that haunting melody. Curiosity, however, is a potent force.

One fateful evening, a traveler named Lila arrived in Elterbo. Intrigued by the tales of the mysterious music, she decided to investigate. As twilight descended, she made her way to the well, drawn by an irresistible urge to uncover its secrets.

The Encounter

As she approached, she could hear it - music swirling around her like a thick fog. It was wonderful and full of sorrowful notes that would make her heart weep for something. She leaned over the very edge of the well and peered into its depths. Darkness seemed to be pulsing with a life of its own, and she felt an all-consuming compulsion to sing along.

Suddenly, she heard whispers—soft and inviting—calling her name. "Join us," they beckoned. "Become one with us." The voices were intoxicating; Lila felt herself slipping away from reality as she began to hum along with them.

But as she sang, shadows rose up out of the well's dark depthsfigures shrouded in shadow with eyes that held nothing and mouths that stretched out into perpetual screams. They were the lost souls of the Silent Choir, trapped forever in their song of doom.

The Judgment

Realising this too late, Lila attempted to jerk herself back but was held fast by some unseen power. The shadows seemed to move towards her, their chill fingers brushing against her skin as they intoned in concert: "You are ours now."

With a final despairing scream that echoed through Elterbo's deserted streets, Lila disappeared into the well's abyss. That night, the haunting melody played-on even stronger-than-ever-as if celebrating another soul claimed by dark embrace.

From that day forward, any soul who approached too near the ancient well after dusk would hear the sound of Lila's voice merging with that of the Silent Choir—the warning yell carried across the ages for all who dared to listen too closely.

And so it remained—a cursed song binding the seekers of its secrets to the lost forevermore to the call of that melody.