Tearing The Veil

In the northern part of the Black Forest, near the breach.

The cold breeze sliced through the trees like invisible blades, carrying the damp scent of earth and decaying leaves. The pale light of the twin moons dripped through the gnarled branches, casting restless shadows that danced in the wind.

Perched atop a withered, timeworn tree, a man sat on one of the thickest branches. His camouflaged clothing blended seamlessly into the darkness around him. A hood obscured most of his face, but his eyes glinted with impatience as he gazed at the starry sky.

"When the hell are those damn demons gonna show up, huh?" he muttered, swinging one leg idly in the empty air.

At the base of the tree, another man leaned against the dry trunk, arms crossed, looking just as bored. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings like a predator watching its prey.

"The first seal's barely broken," he replied, his deep voice slow and measured. "No demons are coming out. At best, some magical beasts with a trace of demonic blood… and if we're lucky, one worth hunting."

The man on the branch scoffed and leaned back, resting his weight against the dead trunk.

"Then why the hell are we even here, waiting for this damn seal to break completely? Wouldn't it be easier to just patch it up?"

The other man rolled his eyes and let out a long, tired sigh.

"Man… how are you still a Forest Guard?" He straightened slightly, dusting off his cloak before continuing. "The first layer of the seal is the most annoying because it can't be patched up. It has to be completely destroyed before we can rebuild it from scratch. Otherwise, it'd be too weak and would just break again. Ever heard of balance? Ritual magic?"

Silence lingered for a few seconds before the man on the branch let out a short, mocking laugh.

"Blah, blah, blah…" He waved a hand dismissively. "You guys and your nonsense—balance, rituals, yin-yang, blah, blah, blah…"

Throwing his head back, he let out an exasperated sigh, eyes drifting to the moons above.

"They did warn me not to join the Forest Guard." He sighed, irritation lacing his voice.

The Forest Guard—also known as the Sentinels of Dracknum or the Green Squadron—were the force responsible for overseeing the Black Forest and maintaining its delicate balance. Their duties included upkeeping the seals that protected the forest, regulating the flora and fauna to prevent dangerous creatures from disrupting the ecosystem, and gathering essential resources.

Beyond that, they ensured the safety of nearby villages, managing the fragile relationship between humans and the forest's denizens. No one entered the Black Forest without their approval—mercenaries, adventurers, or villagers alike all had to go through them first.

Yet among their many responsibilities, one stood above the rest: supervising and coordinating the Hunter's Judgement.

"Nothing remotely interesting has happened in this forest for years. And when something finally does, it's just a bunch of idiots who don't even know what they're doing…"

"If the captain heard you now…" the other remarked with a half-smile.

"What? She'd give me a lecture?" The man on the branch scoffed. "If they're gonna stir up trouble, they should at least make it worth our time."

A brief silence fell between them, broken only by the distant whisper of leaves rustling in the wind.

The man at the base of the tree let out a resigned sigh. "Yeah… can't argue with that."

Then, a piercing, distorted sound tore through the air—a shriek, raw and unnatural, as if it belonged to something that shouldn't exist.

"SKREEEECH!"

The noise came from the cluster of dead trees ahead. The two Rangers froze for an instant, the air around them thick with anticipation.

The darkness ahead stirred, and an unsettling stench seeped into the air.

A slow, feral grin spread across the face of the man on the branch, his eyes gleaming with untamed excitement.

"Finally."

......

Luminus walked alongside Thomas, the conversation with Thanatos still echoing in his mind.

"Patriarch..." he began hesitantly. "Thanatos... what did he mean when he said 'time is running out'?"

"It's not something you need to know." The reply was sharp and immediate. After a brief silence, Thomas added, "Not for now."

The curt answer left a bitter taste in Luminus's mouth. He swallowed any urge to protest, his golden eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.

Thomas kept walking, and Luminus followed. Yet something inside him burned—not merely curiosity, but a deep, unsettling instinct warning him that Thanatos's words were far from empty.

After a few silent steps, Thomas spoke again without turning around.

"Luminus... Loki says many things. He does many things. Never take what he says too seriously..."

Then the Patriarch stopped and, this time, turned completely to face him. His piercing eyes seemed to look straight into Luminus's soul.

"...But also, never take him lightly."

The tone was grave—there was no room for doubt or misinterpretation. A shiver ran down Luminus's spine.

At that very moment, a thunderous explosion roared from the west, violent and deafening.

BOOM!

Before Luminus could even process the sound, a second blast echoed from the south, shaking the very ground beneath his feet.

BOOM!

The bioluminescent fungi trembled, casting distorted shadows over the ancient trunks. The air grew thick and charged with electricity, as if something primordial was awakening.

Luminus didn't hesitate. Instinctively, his hands darted to the hilt of his sword, his body tensing, ready to react to any threat. His breathing steadied, controlled—his training taking over his instincts.

Thomas, however, remained unmoved. He showed no sign of urgency or worry. His eyes merely narrowed as he gazed toward the horizon, as if he already knew exactly what was coming.

"These creatures never seem to tire..." Thomas murmured, releasing a frustrated sigh.

In that moment, reality itself split apart. A tear sliced through the air ahead—like a mirror shattering in silence—unveiling a pulsating abyss of chaotic energy. From it emerged twisted beasts, their forms both animalistic and contorted. Their eyes blazed like glowing embers, and their fangs dripped with a thick, sinister saliva.

Luminus fixed his gaze on the gaping rift, then quickly turned as he noticed another tear forming right behind him, ripping at the very fabric of reality. From this second breach, even more beasts surged forth, expelled by a silent fury that made the earth itself tremble.

"It has begun... the seal has been broken," Luminus declared, his voice tense as he stared at the opening unfurling before him.