The Breaking of the Veil

The Breaking of the Veil

The sun hung low on the horizon as Eryndor and Kaelith continued east, leaving the lingering tension of Elias's retreat behind them. The relics in Eryndor's pack felt heavier with each step, as if the very air around them resisted their passage.

Kaelith broke the silence, her voice low. "You know he's coming back, right?"

Eryndor nodded without looking at her. "He won't stop until the king has the relics. And when that happens…"

Kaelith finished for him. "The veil shatters."

They walked for a while longer until the path led them to a narrow ridge overlooking a valley cloaked in mist. Below, faint ruins dotted the landscape the outer edges of the veil's weakest point.

Kaelith exhaled, resting her hands on her hips. "I was hoping for something a little less ominous."

Eryndor's cursed arm pulsed violently. "This is it. The heart of the veil."

Kaelith glanced at him. "And the dragon?"

Eryndor's eyes narrowed. "Not just the dragon. There's something else here."

Kaelith gave him a wary look. "You're really selling this whole 'end of the world' thing."

Before Eryndor could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. The air around the valley shifted, the mist parting slightly to reveal a massive fissure splitting the land below.

Kaelith tensed. "That's… not normal."

Eryndor's cursed arm flared brighter than ever before, the fire racing up to his shoulder. "The veil's starting to break."

As they descended into the valley, the faint whispers Eryndor had felt for days grew louder. The shadows along the edges of the ruins twisted unnaturally, their forms flickering as if caught between worlds.

Kaelith slowed, scanning the ruins carefully. "Eryndor… I think we're not alone."

Emerging from the mist, figures began to materialize shadows wrapped in armor, their eyes burning like coals beneath their helms.

Kaelith's grip on her dagger tightened. "Wardens?"

Eryndor's gaze darkened. "No. These are something worse."

The figures advanced slowly, their forms shimmering like smoke, but their weapons glinted in the fading light real steel.

One figure stepped forward, larger than the others, his armor adorned with jagged runes that pulsed faintly. His voice echoed unnaturally.

"The veil has thinned. The relics must be returned."

Eryndor raised his sword, the flames along its edge roaring to life. "That's not happening."

Kaelith's dagger flashed in the dim light. "I'm guessing they won't take no for an answer."

The lead figure tilted his head. "Then the veil will break, and the dragon will not rise alone."

Before Eryndor could respond, the shadows charged.

Kaelith met the first warden head-on, her dagger slicing through smoke and steel. The figure staggered but did not fall, its form twisting unnaturally as it lashed out.

Eryndor's blade clashed with the larger warden's, sparks flying as blue fire erupted between them. His cursed arm surged violently, the flames pouring out in waves.

The shadows recoiled, but they didn't retreat.

Kaelith ducked beneath a swing, narrowly avoiding the tip of a spear. "There's too many of them!"

Eryndor grit his teeth, forcing the flames higher. "We're not stopping until the veil is sealed."

As he struck down the warden in front of him, a deafening crack echoed through the valley.

Kaelith's eyes snapped to the fissure ahead. "Eryndor… the ground."

The fissure widened, splitting further apart. From the depths, molten light began to glow, and a low, familiar growl rumbled from below.

Eryndor's cursed arm blazed violently, almost out of control. "It's waking up."

The dragon.

Kaelith's eyes darted to the relics in Eryndor's pack. "The relics—can't we use them to stop this?"

Eryndor didn't hesitate. He pulled one of the relics free, placing it on the ground at the edge of the fissure. The runes along its surface flared to life, resonating with the fire burning in his arm.

Kaelith planted another relic, circling the fissure. "Come on, come on…"

The ground trembled violently as a massive claw broke through the surface, gripping the edge of the fissure.

Kaelith's eyes widened. "That's a lot bigger than last time."

Eryndor's cursed arm pulsed dangerously, but he placed the final relic, completing the circle.

The relics hummed in unison, forming a ring of light around the fissure. The dragon's molten gaze flickered from below, but the seal began to tighten, pulling it back beneath the surface.

For a moment, it seemed like the veil would hold.

But then a horn sounded from the ridgeline above.

Kaelith's head snapped up. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

Elias stood at the edge of the valley, flanked by royal soldiers. His sword gleamed faintly, but his gaze was fixed on Eryndor.

"Seize the relics," Elias ordered.

The soldiers advanced, bows drawn and blades ready.

Kaelith swore. "Eryndor! If they take the relics now—"

"The veil shatters," Eryndor finished, cursing under his breath.

The ground trembled again, the dragon's claws tightening their grip as the relics flickered under the strain.

Eryndor drew his sword, his cursed arm blazing. "Kaelith, stop the soldiers. I'll hold the seal."

Kaelith glanced at him, eyes flashing with determination. "Don't die."

She sprinted toward the advancing soldiers, dagger drawn.

Eryndor knelt at the edge of the fissure, placing his hand on the relic nearest him. The flames from his cursed arm poured into the seal, forcing it to hold as the dragon's molten gaze met his own.

"Not today," Eryndor growled.

As Kaelith clashed with the soldiers and the veil trembled, Eryndor realized the truth the dragon wasn't the only thing beneath the surface.

And whatever else waited there… was finally waking up.