The team returned to their respective rooms, the atmosphere charged with purpose. Each member set to work preparing for their missions, their minds racing with strategies and contingencies. To maintain the illusion of safety, they quickly fashioned dummies from pillows and blankets, arranging them in their beds to look as if they were sleeping soundly.

Once their makeshift decoys were in place, they reconvened in the hallway, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows along the walls.

"Alright," Thorn began, his voice steady. "We need to split into two teams. Jenna and I will head to the attic to check the radar equipment and try to contact HQ. Kosu, Miko, and Riku, you'll search for any other exits."

Kosu nodded, his expression serious. "Let's be careful. The manor is vast, and we can't afford to get lost or caught."

Thorn glanced at the large, detailed map of the manor that hung on the wall. "From what I can tell, this place is enormous. There are multiple wings and levels, and it seems to have many hidden corridors." He traced a finger over the map, indicating their route.

"Jenna and I will take the main staircase to the attic. It's directly above us, but we'll need to navigate through a few rooms. After checking the radar, we'll try to access the communication system if it's still operational."

He pointed to another section of the map. "Kosu, Miko, and Riku, you should take the side entrance near the kitchen. It leads to the service hall, which has access to various exits. You'll want to be discreet and listen for any sounds that might indicate movement."

"Got it," Riku said, her eyes sharp with focus. "We'll keep our ears open and stay alert."

Jenna added, "We should meet back here in an hour. If anything goes wrong, we'll use our communication devices to regroup. Stay safe, everyone."

With their plans set, the teams prepared to move, adrenaline coursing through their veins. The vastness of the manor loomed over them, an intricate maze of rooms, staircases, and hidden passages.

As Thorn and Jenna ascended the grand staircase, they noted how the architecture seemed to echo the grandeur of a bygone era. The walls were adorned with portraits of the Valen family, their eyes seemingly following the two as they made their way upward.

Meanwhile, Kosu, Miko, and Riku headed toward the kitchen, the air thick with the scent of aged wood and dust. The service hall was dimly lit, but its layout was familiar enough to navigate swiftly.

Each team had a distinct path carved out before them, yet the manor felt alive, its secrets waiting just beyond reach. The tension hung in the air as they ventured deeper into its heart, determined to uncover the truth hidden within its shadowy corridors.

Thorn and Jenna ascended the final set of creaking stairs, the air growing cooler as they approached the attic. The wooden door at the top stood slightly ajar, a faint light spilling out into the dim hallway. Thorn exchanged a cautious glance with Jenna before pushing the door open.

The attic was vast, filled with a jumble of forgotten items and dust-covered antiques. Old trunks, tattered curtains, and stacks of books littered the space, creating a maze of memories long abandoned. The ceiling sloped sharply, and cobwebs hung like delicate veils in the corners.

"Looks like a treasure trove," Jenna said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she stepped inside. "But it feels different from last time."

Thorn nodded, recalling how the attic had been shrouded in dust and neglect during their last visit. Now, despite the aged atmosphere, it was clear that the manor had returned to a state reminiscent of its prime. The air felt charged with history, and the dust seemed to have settled in a way that suggested recent activity. The portraits of the generations of owners hung prominently on the walls, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the attic light. Thorn couldn't shake the feeling that Cistar, the maid, looked exactly like the figure in one of the paintings—a striking resemblance that sent a chill down his spine.

"Let's check the radar," Jenna said, moving closer to the equipment they had set up earlier. She expertly adjusted the device, her familiarity evident. Thankfully, it was still operational. "Looks like it's still intact. But the signal..." Her voice trailed off as she observed the screen.

Thorn leaned in, watching the radar's lights flicker and flash. "Is it reaching HQ?"

Jenna shook her head, her expression tense. "No, the signal is weak. We're not getting through."

As the radar continued to scan, a series of beeps echoed through the attic. "It's picking up something," Thorn said, his voice a mix of excitement and concern. "But the readings are unstable."

Just then, Jenna's attention was drawn to a shadow flitting across the attic's far wall. "Did you see that?" she whispered, her voice tense.

Thorn turned, his heart racing. "What? Where?"

"There!" Jenna pointed, her finger trembling slightly. "Over by the old trunks."

They both strained to see, but the shadow was gone. Thorn felt a chill run down his spine. "We're not alone up here," he said, voice low but urgent.

"Let's be careful," Jenna replied, moving closer to Thorn. "We don't know what—or who—could be watching us."

As Thorn continued to monitor the radar, Jenna kept her eyes peeled, her instincts sharp. The attic felt charged with a strange energy, as if the very air was thick with anticipation. The shadows seemed to shift around them, creating an unsettling atmosphere that made it hard to focus.

The radar continued to beep insistently, detecting more and more objects moving rapidly toward Thorn and Jenna's location. Each blip on the screen sent a fresh wave of unease through Thorn.

"Jenna, protect the device," he ordered, pulling out his flashlight and readying himself for whatever was approaching. "I'll stand guard."

Just as Jenna positioned herself in front of the radar, Thorn's eyes darted to the walls of the attic. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of something darting by—too fast to identify, a blur against the wooden paneling.

"Did you see that?" he exclaimed, heart racing.

"Yes! The signal is very close—it's reached our location!" Jenna replied, her voice trembling slightly as she watched the readings spike on the radar.

In an instant, shadows began to swirl chaotically along the walls. They moved with an unnatural fluidity, creating a disorienting dance that made it difficult to focus. The air thickened with tension, and Jenna felt a chill run down her spine.

"Thorn, what is happening? Could it be ghosts?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, fear creeping into her words.

Thorn shook his head, trying to remain rational. "I don't believe in ghosts or anything unscientific like that," he said, his voice firm. Yet as he watched the chaotic movements of the shadows, he couldn't deny that what was unfolding before his eyes defied explanation.

A dozen silhouettes jumbled together in the attic, their shapes shifting and merging as they moved. The creaking sound of the floorboards echoed around them, as if the very structure of the manor was responding to the disturbance. Accompanying the eerie creaks were sounds that chilled Thorn to the bone—screams, cries, and muffled sobs filled the air, creating a cacophony of despair that enveloped them.

Thorn and Jenna felt a wave of dizziness wash over them, the cacophony of cries and screams from the shadows overwhelming their senses. It was clear that these creatures were anything but friendly. Each sound seemed to claw at their minds, leaving them disoriented and fearful.

In a moment of desperation, Thorn reached into his pocket for a dart knife. He gripped it tightly and hurled it toward the wall where the shadows were swirling. The knife struck the wood with a dull thud, but the shadows didn't even flinch, continuing their chaotic dance as if it hadn't happened.

"Thorn, we need to think of something else!" Jenna urged, her voice strained. "This isn't working."

Realizing that a physical attack was futile, Thorn felt the weight of the situation settle heavily upon him. "If we can't hurt them physically, we might have to resort to magic," he said, but they both knew that trying to destroy the attic could lead to an even bigger fight.

"Hide the radar!" Thorn commanded, urgency lacing his tone. "We can't risk losing our only means of communication."

Jenna quickly tucked the radar machine behind a stack of old trunks, her heart racing. Thorn then concentrated, summoning his magic to create a barrier of wind around them. As the gusts swirled, the oppressive sounds from the shadows began to dissipate, providing them a moment of clarity.

"That should help," Thorn said, glancing at Jenna. "Now, deploy the UAV that looks like a giant loudspeaker."

Understanding his plan, Jenna nodded. "You want to use hyper voice to disrupt them, don't you?"

"Yes, but it'll also alert everyone in the manor to our presence," Thorn replied, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.

"We need to prioritize leaving the attic," Jenna said, her resolve firming. "With the radar hidden, we should attract their attention and then get out as quickly as possible."

"Agreed." Thorn took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.

Jenna activated the UAV, and it whirred to life, rising into the air. With a swift command, she sent it blasting a loud, disruptive noise throughout the attic. The shadows responded immediately, moving more frantically than ever, their chaotic dance intensifying in response to the sound.

"Now's our chance!" Thorn shouted, taking hold of Jenna's arm as they prepared to ascend through the floor.

But as they reached the edge of the attic, they found themselves face-to-face with Cistar, the maid. She stood there, a gentle smile gracing her lips, a stark contrast to the chaos around them.

"Well, well, it seems our guests are very mischievous," she said, her voice smooth and melodic. "Let me bring you to a proper place."

Before Thorn or Jenna could react, the shadows surged forward, engulfing them in an inky darkness. The world around them blurred, and consciousness slipped away, leaving only the eerie sound of whispers echoing in their minds.