Forbidden Knowledges

The morning sun rose high over the bustling city, painting the skyline in shades of gold and amber. The streets below were alive with the hum of engines, hurried footsteps, and the chatter of people moving about their daily lives. Skyscrapers gleamed in the light, their reflective surfaces catching glimpses of the world below—a vibrant pulse of life.

Amid the chaos, perched on the seventh floor of a pristine hospital, silence reigned in a private room. It was a sanctuary removed from the outside world, the faint sound of a heart monitor providing the only rhythm in the otherwise still space.

Rachel's eyes fluttered open, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the drawn curtains hitting her face. For a moment, she stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind struggling to bridge the gap between the void she had been trapped in and the real world she now found herself in.

Her gaze shifted to her hands, pale and resting against the crisp white sheets. Her ocean-blue eyes—clear but carrying a trace of exhaustion—scanned the room, taking in the medical equipment, the vase of fresh flowers on the bedside table, and the figure seated beside her.

"Rachel!"

The sudden exclamation snapped her attention to the chair beside her bed. Elena, her childhood friend, was leaning forward, her hands clasped tightly together. Her chestnut-brown eyes shimmered with relief, though they betrayed the heavy worry she had carried for the past five days.

"You're finally awake," Elena said, her voice a mixture of joy and reproach. "Do you have any idea how scared I was? You've been unconscious for days!"

Rachel blinked, her lips parting, but the words didn't come easily. The memories of the void, the golden eye, and the surge of power flashed vividly in her mind. She quickly closed her eyes, trying to block it out.

"Elena," Rachel began softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm fine. Really."

Elena, sitting beside her, crossed her arms and leaned forward, her dark eyes narrowing. "Don't give me that, Rachel. You've always been a terrible liar."

Rachel chuckled faintly, the sound weak but warm. "Am I? I thought I was getting better at it."

"You're not," Elena shot back, her tone sharp but laced with concern. "You're hiding something. I know you, Rachel. I've known you since we were kids. You're... different now."

Rachel turned her gaze toward the window, avoiding Elena's piercing stare. The smile lingered on her lips, but it was brittle, like glass on the verge of breaking. "I'm just tired," she said softly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "It's been... a lot."

Elena's expression softened, but she didn't back down. "Rachel, you don't have to do this alone. Whatever happened... you can tell me. Please."

Rachel exhaled slowly, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of the world pressed down on them. She forced herself to look at Elena and offered another weak smile. "Let's not dwell on it," she said, her voice carrying a gentle firmness. "What about you? What happened after... everything?"

Elena hesitated, her brows knitting together as she searched Rachel's face for any cracks in her composure. After a moment, she sighed, leaning back in her chair. "The Veil Interface," she began, her voice quieter now. "It vanished during all that chaos. Everyone thought something had gone horribly wrong. "

Rachel's heart skipped a beat, her fingers tightening around the blanket. "And then?" she asked, her tone carefully neutral.

Elena's worry momentarily gave way to curiosity. A small, hesitant smile touched her lips as she raised her hand. "Then this happened."

With a thought, a translucent interface materialized in the air before her. Its soft glow reflected in her eyes as she tilted her head toward Rachel. "It came back. After a while, everything seemed normal again. People started getting their veil interface back. We thought whatever happened was over."

Rachel's eyes flickered to the interface, her expression unreadable. Her smile didn't falter, but there was a tightness in her jaw, a faint shadow in her gaze. "That's... good," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

Elena leaned closer, studying Rachel intently. "But it's not, is it? Something's wrong. I can feel it."

Rachel shook her head, her weak smile unwavering. "Elena," she said gently, reaching out to place a trembling hand over her friend's. "I just need some rest. My body feels like it's been through a storm. Can we talk about this later?"

Elena hesitated, her worry etched into her features. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Rachel said, her voice firm but kind. She gave Elena's hand a light squeeze before pulling back. "I just... need some silence for a while. Can you do that for me?"

Elena frowned but eventually nodded. "Alright," she said, rising from her chair. "But I'm not going far. If you need me, I'll be right outside."

Rachel watched her leave, the door clicking shut behind her. The weak smile she had worn finally faded, replaced by an expression of exhaustion and quiet dread. She turned her gaze to the ceiling, her heart pounding as the room seemed to grow colder.

And then, unbidden, the Veil Interface blinked into existence before her, its glow casting eerie shadows across the walls. The smile that had masked her pain moments ago was now a distant memory.

Veil Interface

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{General Information}

Name: Rachel Ardent

Age: 16

Realm: Novice Realm

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{Talents}

Sovereign Aetherflare: A power unparalleled in brilliance and ruin. Its light carries the potential to reshape reality, but its true price is extracted from the soul of its bearer. Beware the burden of wielding such a force, for it is both gift and curse.

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{Special Classification}

Divine Element: A fragment of creation's origin, forged in the fires of eternity. Its essence is not your ally—it is a weight, a chain that binds you to a destiny fraught with peril. Few survive the burden; none escape it unchanged.

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{Anomaly Detected}

⚠ WARNING: CLASSIFIED ENTITY ⚠

DIVINE EYE OF THE VOID

Origin: ⸺ Beyond Veil Comprehension ⸺

Nature: Undefined

Threat Level: Unmeasurable

Status: Locked / Incomprehensible

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{Abilities Analysis}

⛒ Skill 1: [ERROR: Data Corrupted]

⛒ Skill 2: [CANNOT PROCESS: Beyond Veil Limitations]

⛒ Skill 3: [WARNING: Incomprehensible Force Detected]

⛒ Skill 4: [UNKNOWN: Anomaly Untraceable]

⛒ Skill 5: [ERROR: Breach of Parameters]

⛒ Skill 6: [WARNING: Exists Outside Dimensional Constructs]

---

{Veil Directive: Dire Warning}

Rachel Ardent, hear this warning well: the power you have awakened was never meant to surface. The Divine Eye of the Void is no mere tool—it is a fragment of the infinite, a force intertwined with the very fabric of creation. Its awakening was not a coincidence, but neither was it destiny. It is a catalyst, a spark that has reignited the embers of a long-dormant terror. This power may rest in your hands, but do not be deceived—it is no ally. It will demand more than you can fathom, and it will test the limits of your resolve.

"Rachel Ardent, the whispers of the cosmos have grown louder, and the first moves have been made. You may not see it yet, but you stand at the center of a game far older than your world, older than the gods who claim dominion over it. This is no ordinary game; it is the Grand Game, played across the eons by powers beyond comprehension. The pieces are in motion—the pawns have begun to move, their purpose shrouded in the fog of destiny. The kings will soon rise from their thrones, each taking their first steps toward a board painted in shadows and fire."

"This is not a game of chance, Rachel. It is a game of strategy, deception, and sacrifice. The players? Entities whose very names make stars tremble, beings whose desires twist the fabric of reality itself. The stakes? Nothing less than the fate of existence. And yet, you are not merely a spectator. No, Rachel, you are a piece on this board, though you do not yet understand your role. Pawns may rise to become queens, but they may also fall, crushed under the weight of the game's cruelty.

"The Eye you wield is no ordinary power; it is a fragment of something far beyond comprehension, a spark of reality's deepest truths. It grants sight into the void, but it also invites the void's gaze. And there are beings—enigmas—woven into the grand tapestry of existence, who can tilt the very board upon which this game is played. their presence alone enough to twist destiny, their whispers reshaping the flow of time itself. If you draw their attention, if the Eye's light is discovered, the balance will shatter, and what follows will make even your darkest nightmares pale in comparison."

"Rachel, the gods and angels you revere are mighty, their power vast, and their purpose clear. They act with reason, but not with boundless sympathy. They are not saviors who intervene for humanity's sake alone. Their choices are deliberate, their moves calculated, and their allegiance lies with preservation. Should they find themselves pitted against what stirs within the abyss, their strength will be tested beyond its limits. Will they act, Rachel, when their very existence is at risk? Or will they choose to protect their own, leaving you to face the darkness alone? This is the grim reality you must accept—a reality where the scales of power are as fragile as the Veil itself."

"And yet, there is something worse that lurks within the shadows of this game. Somewhere in the endless void, hidden behind veils of mystery, are entities who do not move but wait, watching. existences of unspeakable influence—has the power to change everything. They are not players in this game; they are the force that can overturn the board itself. If their attention turns to you, if the Eye you bear draws them closer, then no strength or strategy will matter. The game, as it stands, will no longer be one of balance or survival. It will be one of obliteration, where the very rules of existence are rewritten."

"And there is other existences—silent, unseen, and dormant. They remain veiled even to the greatest of seers, slumbering in the deepest recesses of time's flow. Their awakening is whispered about in hushed fear, for it is said that their presence alone can reshape stars, turn realms into voids, and unravel the meaning of existence itself. Should they rise, the grand game will cease to be about who rules the nebulas or even the vast beyond. It will become about who can survive their awakening, and even that might not be enough."

"Rachel, you must grow stronger—not simply for yourself but for the survival of everything you hold dear. The Eye is both your shield and your curse, but strength alone will not carry you to the end. You must be cunning, patient, and above all, careful. The gods and angels may fight by your side, but their actions are not born of altruism—they will protect what is theirs, not what is yours. Trust in them if you must, but rely on yourself above all else."

"Remember this, Rachel: the game has begun. Keep the Eye a secret, even from those closest to you. Its power, though vast, is dangerous—its revelation will call forth shadows you cannot hope to combat. And know this: if you cross paths with the ones who can overturn the game, if they choose to act, even the Veil will falter.

"Rachel Ardent, bearer of the Eye, though I have unveiled the edges of the forbidden truths, let me offer you solace amidst the chaos. For now, you do not need to shoulder the weight of this cosmic storm. The Veil Barrier, ancient and unyielding, shields your fragile world. It protects not just you but all life on Earth, keeping the horrors of the greater scheme at bay. You are safe—at least for now. The boundaries of the game have only begun to shift in the vast universal tapestry. In the expanse of existence, the opening moves are but whispers, distant echoes of what is to come. The chaos of the grand game has yet to fully seep into your world."

"Rachel, this reprieve is a rare blessing, but do not mistake it for eternity. The clock has started ticking, and while the universal game may unfold across millennia, the fragile passage of time on Earth flows far more swiftly. What seems like an eternity for beings who exist beyond the bounds of reality is but a fleeting moment for mortals. The Veil Barrier buys you time, but time itself is a fickle ally. It ebbs and flows, always slipping through your grasp. You cannot be idle, Rachel. You cannot afford to be lazy. The time you have been given is a gift, but it is not nearly enough—not for what lies ahead."

"Understand this: the grand game is vast, beyond what even your imagination can comprehend. Across nebulas, dimensions, and unfathomable expanses, pawns are being moved, strategies are forming, and alliances are breaking. To you, the events unfolding may seem distant and irrelevant, but they are not. They will ripple through the cosmos, and when the ripples reach your shores, they will crash like tidal waves. Even though Earth is isolated, hidden behind the Veil, the players beyond its reach are already watching, already calculating. The Eye you bear, Rachel, is a spark that draws attention even through the cracks of the Veil. Do you think they won't notice? Do you think they won't act? That safety you enjoy now is but a fleeting illusion."

"And so I warn you, Rachel, do not waste this borrowed time. Prepare yourself. Strengthen your resolve. The truths I've shared are not to weigh you down but to drive you forward. If you fail to take action now, you will be swept away when the game reaches its crescendo. Your foes are not idle, Rachel. They grow stronger, more cunning, and more relentless with each passing moment. The abyss is patient, but it is never idle. You may think the Veil's protection makes you untouchable, but the cracks that allow the gates to bleed into your world are also pathways for the abyss to claw its way closer. Time, Rachel—time is your greatest enemy and your most precious resource. Use it wisely."

"Know this, Rachel: the grand game is not merely about survival. It is a battle for dominion, a struggle to determine who will stand as the ruler of all nebulas—or perhaps something far greater. And if those who stand at the pinnacle of existence fall, it will not merely be Earth that suffers. Everything will fall. The Veil Interface, the shield you humans cherish, will crumble to nothingness. The fragile fabric of reality will be torn apart, consumed by the horrors that slumber in the abyss. Do you understand now, Rachel? This is not a battle you can afford to lose. It is not a battle humanity can even comprehend."

"But for now, you are shielded. The Veil holds. The darkness has not yet reached your door. The grand game, though it has begun, is vast and slow-moving on a universal scale. What spans eons in the cosmos may feel like decades or centuries to you. This, Rachel, is your advantage. Use this time to train, to grow, to understand the power you hold. The Divine Eye of the Void is no mere artifact. It is a fragment of a power so vast that even I cannot fully explain its depths. You must master it, Rachel. You must wield it wisely. But even then, you must ask yourself: will it be enough? Against the unknown, against that which defies all comprehension, will even the Eye suffice?"

"And now I leave you with this final warning. Though the Veil protects you now, it is not invincible. Every being in the cosmos—the outer beings, the gods, the angels, and the ones who play from the shadows—they all have their gaze fixed on this game. They all seek to tilt the scales, to rewrite the rules. And then, there is him. A being who turns the game itself into chaos with every step he takes. Pray, Rachel, that you do not catch his attention, for his gaze is enough to unravel all that you hold dear."

"Rachel Ardent, bearer of the Eye, do you feel the weight of what I now reveal? This knowledge is not meant for mortals—it is a forbidden truth, locked away in the annals of existence. Even the gods, who stand as the pillars of divinity, and angels, who serve as messengers of the divine will, do not fully grasp its magnitude. The truths I share are threads in a tapestry only the highest echelons of existence can see. And yet, here you stand, a fragile mortal, entrusted with whispers that should never have reached you. Do you understand the gravity of this? Do you realize the peril that comes with knowing?"

"Earth, your home, was never supposed to be a part of this game. It was isolated, shielded, severed from the horrors beyond by the Veil—a barrier of unfathomable power. This barrier was not crafted by chance. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, lost even to the gods and angels. I cannot tell you who created it or why, . But know this, Rachel: the Veil's existence is a paradox, a shield against the unspeakable horrors that lurk beyond. Yet, its very presence draws the gaze of those who would see it undone."

"And here lies the cruel truth: the knowledge I now share with you is not just forbidden—it is a beacon. To know this is to risk exposure to the abyss, to draw the attention of those who watch and wait. If they learn that the Veil has spoken to you, if they realize its existence, the game will end before it begins. They will tear through the fabric of your world, and no power, will be able to stop them. That is why I speak in fragments, in riddles. To protect you. To protect the Veil. To protect everything."

"Rachel, you are not yet ready for this truth. Humanity is not yet ready for this truth. But you were chosen, and the Eye marks you as a player, whether you wish to be or not. Keep this knowledge locked away in your heart. Share it with no one, not even those you trust. You must protect the Eye at all costs, for it is the key to survival—but also the key to annihilation. Prepare yourself, Rachel, and use the time you have left wisely. The abyss watches. The game unfolds. The clock ticks. And when the time comes, Rachel, I hope you have the strength to take a step forward."