I could hear its whispers — its emotions — and they all called my name.The night's shroud had swallowed Eclipsera whole, leaving only a few flickering lights to pierce the narrow streets.The wind tore through my hair and stung my face. We must be at the edge of the city now — where the Veil separates us from the Mournspawn.
My mission was to seal a fracture — one caused by the Veil's weakening, its thinning. The bluish aura that usually symbolized its barrier was broken a few meters ahead by a jagged rift, glowing in shades of violet and rose.With my pistol drawn, I hurried toward it.
Up close, I could see the fracture wasn't yet large enough for stronger creatures to pass through.Only a few smaller, weaker Mournspawn had managed to slip through the narrow gap.I took aim and shot the shadows as precisely and swiftly as I could, then began working to patch the Veil.
I felt the energy surge through my body — the ground trembled beneath my feet as I began the ritual.
"By the breath of the Veil and the silence beyond, mend what was broken, and still what was torn."
The rift absorbed my energy, and the Veil began to pull itself together until it was completely healed.I think I done a good job.
I was about to turn back when the Veil spoke again.
Lyra… Lyra… Lyra…
As I stepped closer, shadows moved on the other side — but one of them was human-shaped, and it looked back at me.Was it calling me?
I reached out toward the Veil, when a sharp, piercing scream split the air.Pain throbbed inside my head, refusing to fade, and my hand froze within the glowing aura.Something was pulling — no, dragging — me in. The Veil was swallowing me whole.
"No… NO! This can't be happening!"
In my desperation I tried to pull myself back, but the Veil wouldn't let me go.
The scream grew louder and louder — and when the darkness swallowed me whole, I opened my eyes.
Was that… a dream?
Beads of sweat ran down my forehead. My breathing was heavy, almost ragged, as I tried to steady myself.I glanced at the clock — and that's when I realized I was about to be late for the Academy.