The prelude begins with Alex, who is destined to come across The Tome of Eternal Darkness. After the first chapter is completed, the heroine must explore the Roivas Estate to find the next chapter and advance the story.

It begins.

Alex will begin in the foyer. There is a stairway directly in front of you leading to the second floor and doors to the left and right. In many locations, you'll be prompted to press the B button to read a description or interact with the environment. Take a few minutes to explore the areas you can reach.

If you've selected the second-floor key from the menu and attempted to open the locked door at the top of the stairs, you'll have broken the key. This is not a problem, though, as you'll find a means of repairing it later. Examining the small clock in the foyer directly in front of your starting location will yield a dresser key. If you examine the clock afterward, you'll notice the hands are stuck at the time 3:33--the same time Alex received the phone call from the police. Head through the door to the right of the stairs and make your way to the grandfather clock in the library. You'll find you can adjust the time. Set it to 3:33.

A secret passage has appeared to your left. Follow the passage and you'll come upon a room housing an eclectic collection of paintings and artifacts, including a gladius you can remove from the wall for your own use. Examine the book on the desk in the middle of the room to begin the game's first true chapter.

The Chosen One
Ancient Persia, 26 BC

Alex sits down with The Tome of Eternal Darkness.

Starting Equipment:
Gladius - This Roman weapon is a thin, double-edged blade with a triangular point. Although it's not a very powerful weapon, it's more than capable of dealing with the threats you'll encounter here.

Walk-Through:
You'll begin in a small room with nowhere to go but down. When you descend, a block of granite adorned with a red symbol will catch Pious' eye, as will a lumbering zombie. The monster will advance toward you, and two others like him wait unseen. Slay them, take the granite block, and proceed though the door at the end of the hallway.

A centurion has nothing to fear from these creatures.

Once again, you'll meet with several zombies as soon as you walk through the door. Kill them if you wish, but you could just as easily decapitate them and leave them flailing. Make your way down the hall and claim a third granite block, then climb descend the ladder.

There is a zombie to take care of and paths to the left and right. Metal bars block the left door for now, so take the door to the right and make your way down the narrow corridor leading to a large chamber. It's best to hurry down the hall to avoid fighting in the cramped hallway. Dispatch the four zombies and claim the fourth granite block in the center of the room.

You'll notice four symbols carved into the walls, each with a cubical recess. Place the granite blocks you've collected here, matching the colors and symbols depicted on the wall with those on the blocks. If you mismatch one of the cubes, a zombie will be summoned. The bars covering the door in the previous room will now retract, allowing you to enter. Do so, and then proceed to the room containing a statue that bears an amazing resemblance to Pious.

Pious exhibits self-destructive tendencies.

You'll appear in a new location. Walk forward to find three artifacts that represent the three major forces in the game. The alignment you choose will be reflected in the enemies you'll face throughout the game, and it will also influence your spellcasting. Consult the Mastering Magick section of the guide before making your decision. After you've done so, the chapter will be completed.