Kosu steeled himself and made his way back to the manor through the wooden passage that connected the servants' section to the main estate. The passage was lined with railings and windows, allowing glimpses of the outside world, but he knew he needed to focus on the task at hand. Teaming up with Miko and Riku was essential; together, they would have a better chance of uncovering the mystery that clouded the manor.

As he walked along the passage, he could hear the faint creaking of the wood beneath his feet. Natural light filtered through the windows, casting soft shadows on the walls, but the air felt heavy with the secrets the manor still held.

Eventually, the passage opened up to the backyard, near the garden where he had first entered the underground labyrinth. Kosu realized that had he successfully navigated the maze in the garden, he would have reached this very passage. Both the underground corridor and the garden door led to the same destination, a clever design by the Duke's family to keep their secrets well-guarded.

Recalling the master key he had taken from the servants' section, Kosu felt a surge of optimism. This key would allow him to unlock the doors leading into the manor without having to go around through the garden again. He approached the door that connected the servants' quarters to the main house, his heart racing with anticipation.

Inserting the key into the lock, he turned it with a soft click. The door swung open, and he stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of polished wood and candle wax.

Once inside, Kosu took a moment to gather his thoughts. He needed to find Miko and Riku quickly; the manor felt alive with hidden dangers, and time was of the essence. He moved swiftly through the corridors, his senses heightened, ready for anything that might emerge from the shadows.

As he navigated the ornate hallways, he scanned each room he passed, hoping to find his friends. The grandeur of the manor felt suffocating, with every corner a reminder of the power and wealth that had once flourished here, now tainted by darkness.

Eventually, he spotted movement at the end of the hallway. Relief washed over him as he recognized Riku's silhouette. Kosu quickened his pace, calling out to him. "Riku! Miko! Over here!"

Riku turned, his expression shifting from confusion to relief upon seeing Kosu. "You made it! We were starting to worry. Where have you been?"

Kosu quickly explained his harrowing journey through the underground passages and the peculiar cycle that had trapped him. Riku listened intently, his brow furrowed in thought.

"We need to find Miko; she was in the library last I checked," Riku said, glancing down the hall. "If anyone can help us make sense of this, it's her."

Kosu nodded, and together they set off toward the library, determined to find their friend and uncover the truth behind the manor's dark mysteries. As they moved through the elegant hallways, Kosu felt a renewed sense of purpose. With his friends by his side, they would face whatever awaited them in the shadows.

Riku and Kosu took off running, their destination the library study in the left wing of the manor. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the grand hallways as they sprinted, urgency propelling them forward.

"Riku!" Kosu called out between breaths. "What did you find?"

Riku glanced back at him, her expression a mix of excitement and concern. "The right wing... it's strange. It was broken in our timeline, but here it's reverted back to its former glory. Several rooms are locked, and even my lockpicking tools didn't work. It's as if some special force is preventing their use."

Kosu frowned, absorbing her words. "What about the ballroom?"

"It's unlocked," Riku replied, her eyes lighting up. "And it's been restored to its original state. I found some strange mechanisms in there, along with a big piano. When I examined it, I felt like it was connected to something hidden, but I couldn't figure out what. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything else."

As they continued down the corridor, both Kosu and Riku couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that they were not alone. There were no signs of human life in the manor—only eerie shadows that flitted just beyond their vision, remnants of something sinister that lurked in the darkness.

Kosu slowed for a moment to catch his breath, deciding to share what he had encountered in the underground prison. "I found the remains of a woman down there. She was holding a special ring."

Riku's interest piqued, and she nodded. "Let me see it."

Kosu pulled the ring from his pocket and handed it to her. Riku examined it closely, her brow furrowing. "This is powerful, but I can't sense its full potential without Miko. We need her magical knowledge to unlock its secrets."

With the ring safely back in Kosu's pocket, they pressed on, urgency driving them. They soon reached the library study, the heavy wooden door standing before them like a guardian to its secrets.

Kosu pushed the door open, and they stepped inside. The room was lined with towering bookshelves filled with dusty tomes, and a large oak table dominated the center of the space. Dim light filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

"Let's find Miko," Kosu said, scanning the room for any sign of their friend. The silence felt palpable, amplifying the tension that hung in the air. The library was a treasure trove of knowledge, but it was also a reminder of the dangers that awaited them.

Kosu stepped into the library study, his heart racing. Miko had just been here, and she wasn't the type to leave without letting them know. A nagging worry crept into his mind. Could something have happened to her? No, he reassured himself; she was the most careful person on their team.

Riku moved toward the bookshelves, her keen eyes scanning the titles. "It looks like I've already checked these," she said with a hint of frustration. But then something caught her attention. She knelt down, brushing away the dust on the floor. "Wait a minute..."

Kosu joined her, peering closely. "What is it?"

"There's a strange curve in the dust here," Riku observed, her fingers tracing the outline. "This bookshelf is most likely a hidden door."

Excitement surged through Kosu. "Let's find a way to open it!"

The two of them began to search the area for any clues that might reveal the mechanism behind the hidden door. Riku closed her eyes for a moment, focusing her energy. She activated her special tracing magic, a shimmering visor of water covering her eyes, allowing her to see details that would normally be invisible to the naked eye.

"Got it!" she exclaimed, pointing toward a painting on the wall. "Look at the footprint over there. It seems Miko came close to it before walking straight to the shelves."

Kosu followed her gaze, noticing the faint imprint in the dust beneath the painting. "She must have found something important," he said, feeling a surge of determination. "We need to figure this out."

Riku moved closer to the painting, examining its frame. "If Miko was here, she might have triggered something. We should check for any hidden levers or mechanisms around the painting."

As they carefully inspected the edges of the frame, Kosu could feel his pulse quicken. The air was thick with anticipation. They needed to uncover the truth and find Miko before it was too late. With each passing moment, the shadows around them felt more oppressive, as if the manor itself was watching and waiting.

As Kosu and Riku examined the painting, they noticed it depicted a serene landscape, a river winding gracefully through a vibrant forest. However, upon closer inspection, they saw that the river was intricately detailed with symbols and shapes that corresponded to the titles of the books lining the shelves.

"This painting holds more than just beauty," Riku murmured, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the artwork. "Look at these symbols by the river."

Kosu leaned in, studying the painting. "I see an oak leaf, a mountain, a sun, and a droplet of water. They must relate to something here."

Riku nodded, excitement sparking in her eyes. "Each symbol likely matches a specific book on those shelves. Let's see what we can find."

They quickly scanned the titles of the books, matching each symbol to its corresponding tome:

Oak Leaf: "The Secrets of the Forest"Mountain: "Legends of the High Peaks"Sun: "The Light of Dawn"Droplet of Water: "Wonders of the Ocean"

Riku's gaze lingered on the droplet of water. "The last symbol in the painting is this one," she said, pointing decisively. "It has to be the key."

Kosu felt a rush of determination. "Then let's see what happens when we pull it."

Carefully, he reached up and grasped the book titled "Wonders of the Ocean." As he pulled it from the shelf, a soft click resonated through the room. The bookshelf began to slide open, revealing a hidden compartment behind it, cloaked in shadows.

"Did you hear that?" Riku asked, her eyes wide with awe.

Kosu nodded, adrenaline surging through him. "I did. This must be the mechanism that leads to whatever Miko discovered."

They exchanged a glance filled with both trepidation and excitement. With the hidden door now ajar, a new path lay before them—one that promised answers and perhaps a way to find their missing friend.

"Let's go," Kosu urged, stepping through the opening. Riku followed closely behind, both of them ready to face whatever lay in the darkness beyond the bookshelf. The manor's secrets awaited, and they were determined to uncover them together.