Chapter 17: The Mission to Subjugate

The sound of the carriage wheels clattering against the cobbled streets was a steady rhythm, interrupted only by the occasional creak of wood or the faint murmur of voices in the industrial outskirts. Elias sat quietly, his revolver resting in its holster, as he listened to the Lanterns' conversation. The faint glow of gas lamps barely lit their path, leaving the shadows around them thick and oppressive.

Adrienne glanced at him from across the carriage. "You've heard the term Veil Aberration, but I doubt you fully understand what it means."

Elias tilted his head, curiosity edging out his unease. "I know they're dangerous, but beyond that? Not much."

Lirian leaned forward, his voice steady and authoritative. "Veil Aberrations are what happens when someone loses control of their connection to the Veil. This could be due to overuse, instability, or failure during the Shattering Ritual. They're not just monsters—they're the echoes of what the practitioner once was, twisted and broken."

Adrienne added, "Think of them as cautionary tales. Every Aberration is unique, shaped by the practitioner's inner fears, desires, or regrets. That's why they're so unpredictable."

Elias frowned, trying to process the implications. "So, there's no way to know what we're walking into?"

Lirian shook his head. "Not with Singular Aberrations. Lower-tier ones, like Veilborn Aberrations or Hollowed, follow patterns. Singular Aberrations, though? They're completely unique and far more dangerous. Each one requires a new strategy."

Lenya leaned back, her voice quieter but no less grim. "It starts small. Veilborn who overuse their powers might become feral, barely human. They lash out with raw Veil energy—tendrils, screams, whatever they can muster. Those are the Veilborn Aberrations."

Dorian tapped the hilt of his warhammer, his voice gruff. "Then there's the Hollowed and Echofiends. Hollowed are consumed by their own fears during the Shattering, while Echofiends are overpowered by the Echoes they try to bind. Both are more focused, more dangerous."

"What about Singular Aberrations?" Elias asked, his tone cautious.

Lirian's expression darkened. "They're what happens when an advanced practitioner—someone at Step 3 or higher—fails catastrophically. Their corrupted Veil Signature warps into something entirely new, and their power shapes the world around them. They're not just dangerous; they're unpredictable and nearly impossible to subjugate."

Adrienne nodded. "Singular Aberrations create Domains, zones of warped reality where they're strongest. Stepping into one is like walking into their mind—a fragmented, chaotic place where nothing makes sense."

Elias shifted in his seat, his curiosity piqued. "And these… artifacts? They come from Aberrations, right?"

Adrienne nodded. "When an Aberration is destroyed, remnants of its body crystallize into Veil Artifacts. These artifacts carry echoes of the Aberration's power, making them incredibly valuable—and dangerous."

Lenya smirked, her fingers tracing a scar on her arm. "They're like cursed boons. Take a Hollowed Relic, for example. It might let you manipulate memories, but it'll chip away at your own in return."

Dorian grunted. "I've seen a Fiend's Core in action. Summoning weaker Echoes sounds great—until they turn on you because you overused it. Artifacts are tools, not solutions."

Lirian met Elias's gaze. "Remember, artifacts are dangerous. They come with a cost, always. Some wielders lose themselves chasing power, just like the Aberrations they hunt."

Adrienne reached into her satchel, pulling out a map of the industrial outskirts. She spread it open, her finger tracing a circle over a section near an abandoned warehouse district. "The Aberration we're dealing with has been linked to the recent amnesia cases. From the descriptions and patterns of behavior, it's most likely a Hollowed."

"Hollowed," Lirian said, his tone steady but grave. "They're not Singular Aberrations, but they're still dangerous. Hollowed can drain memories and overwhelm their victims with fear. We need to tread carefully."

Adrienne nodded. "Even if it's not a Singular Aberration, it doesn't mean we can be reckless. Hollowed are unpredictable, and any mistake could cost us."

"Understood," Elias said, though a thread of apprehension lingered in his voice.

Adrienne continued, "First, we need to locate it. Lenya will use shadow manipulation to obscure our movements as we approach. Captain will deploy Minor Binding to scout ahead with his wisp."

Lirian raised a hand, summoning a small, flickering orb of light. The wisp hovered in the air, trailing faint tendrils of Veil energy. "This little guy will help us pinpoint its location. Hollowed are drawn to other Veil energies, so it'll lead us straight to the target."

"What happens if it's not a Hollowed?" Elias asked.

"Then we adjust," Lirian said firmly. "Whether it's a Hollowed or something worse, we can't let it escape."

Adrienne unfolded a set of sigils etched on parchment. "Once we find it, I'll use these sigils to trap and weaken it. Dorian will handle the heavy combat, using his strength and Veil-infused warhammer to protect the team. Lenya will provide support, using shadows to misdirect the Aberration and keep it off balance."

Lirian gestured to the team. "I'll lead the attack, coordinating movements and adapting to its behavior. Elias, you'll stay at the perimeter. Your job is to observe its patterns and relay anything unusual. Keep your distance unless absolutely necessary."

"And if purification fails?" Elias asked, his voice quieter.

Adrienne's expression hardened. "If it can't be purified, we destroy it. Hollowed can't be allowed to linger—it's too dangerous."

Lirian nodded. "Remember, Hollowed prey on fear and memories. Stay sharp, stay focused, and watch out for each other."

Elias tightened his grip on his revolver, the weight of the mission settling over him. The team's calm, practiced demeanor gave him some reassurance, but the dangers of the unknown loomed large in his mind.

"We've faced worse," Lenya said with a small smirk. "Just don't freeze up, detective."

Elias gave a half-hearted chuckle, masking his nerves. "I'll do my best."

As the carriage rattled on, Elias stared out the window, his thoughts racing. The more he learned about Aberrations, the more he realized how thin the line was between a practitioner and a monster.

"You're thinking too hard," Adrienne said, breaking the silence.

Elias glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "It's just… This feels bigger than anything I've dealt with before. I'm not sure I'm ready."

"You're not alone," she said simply. "None of us do this alone."

The carriage slowed to a halt near the outskirts, the air heavy with silence. The Lanterns stepped out, their weapons and artifacts ready.

The wisp flitted ahead, its glow pulsing with urgency. Lirian followed it, his expression calm but focused. "It's close."

Elias tightened his grip on his revolver, the weight of the whispers in his mind pressing against his thoughts. As the team moved forward, the oppressive stillness around them was broken only by the faint hum of Veil energy.

The Aberration was near.