Chapter 19: The Veil’s Secrets

The Sanctified Lantern base hummed with an air of quiet intensity as the team completed their debrief. Despite the successful mission, exhaustion weighed heavily on everyone. Elias remained on the outskirts of the group, observing and absorbing the details of their new reality.

The Hollowed Relic they had retrieved pulsed faintly within its Veil-lock containment box. Its aura, a mix of dread and sorrow, was palpable even to Elias, who was still growing accustomed to the strange energy of such artifacts.

Inside the containment lab, the air was thick with tension. Elira, the Lanterns' librarian and one of their most experienced practitioners, carefully opened the Veil-lock box. The team gathered around, their attention fixed on the cracked locket within.

The locket was jagged and blackened, faint mist curling from its surface as if it were breathing. Shadows flickered across the walls, seemingly alive and drawn to the artifact's presence. Elira began chanting softly in Arcaenic, her voice a melodic rhythm that resonated with the artifact.

The locket reacted, emitting faint tendrils of light that twisted and coiled like searching fingers. Elias felt a surge of fragmented emotions—sorrow, joy, fear—all crashing into him at once. He gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white.

"This artifact manipulates memory," Elira explained, breaking the silence. She gestured to the locket. "It extracts, alters, or erases memories entirely. However, prolonged use comes at a heavy cost. The wielder's own memories—particularly the ones they cherish most—are gradually consumed."

Adrienne crossed her arms, her expression grim. "That explains the amnesia cases. The Hollowed must have been siphoning memories before its death."

Captain Lirian studied the artifact with a sharp gaze. "If the Syndicate is hoarding relics like this, they're after more than raw power. Control on this level would allow them to reshape society itself—erase opposition, rewrite allegiances."

Elira nodded. "That's a plausible conclusion. And remember, artifacts aren't limited to those born from Aberrations. They can also be deliberately crafted, though the process is far from simple."

Elias hesitated, then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the brass monocle his father had left him. Its polished surface gleamed faintly, as if aware of the conversation. "This… was my father's. Could it be one of those crafted artifacts?"

Elira took the monocle carefully, turning it over in her hands. Her brow furrowed as she studied its intricate details. "It's certainly an artifact," she said after a moment. "But its origin is peculiar. It doesn't bear the distinct imprint of a crafted item, nor does it resemble something born from an Aberration."

"So, what does that mean?" Elias asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Elira handed the monocle back to him. "It's possible it was created by a high-level practitioner—or even a god. Artifacts like this often reflect their creator's will or purpose. If your father was a practitioner, this may have been tied to his Veil signature. However, determining its exact history would require further study."

Adrienne observed Elias closely. "How long have you had this?"

"Years," Elias replied. "I've used it during investigations, but I never thought much about where it came from."

Adrienne smirked faintly. "You've been carrying a Veil artifact all this time without knowing it? That's bold."

Elias glanced at the monocle, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Bold or foolish. Either way, I'm starting to wonder what other secrets it holds."

---

Later, the team convened in the main hall, where High Inquisitor Veylan awaited them. His authoritative presence filled the room, and the air grew tense as he began speaking.

"Well done subjugating the Hollowed," he said, his gaze sweeping over the group. "But we have another matter requiring immediate attention. There have been reports of strange disturbances near the Cinderreach Forest—disappearances, sightings of Veil anomalies, and other unexplained events. Your mission is to investigate."

Adrienne leaned forward. "Do we have any idea what's causing these disturbances?"

"Not yet," Veylan replied. "This is primarily a reconnaissance mission. Your objective is to gather intelligence and identify any patterns. Depending on what you uncover, this investigation may last indefinitely."

Elias raised a brow. "So, we're going in blind, then?"

"Not entirely," Veylan said. "The anomalies suggest Veil activity, but we don't know if it's natural or orchestrated. If you encounter a direct threat, you're authorized to neutralize it, but your primary focus is information gathering."

Adrienne stepped forward. "Elias and Aric are well-suited for this mission. Elias's investigative skills and Aric's tracking abilities complement each other."

Veylan nodded. "Agreed. Elias, you'll have the flexibility to continue your training while conducting the investigation. Make good use of this time to strengthen your abilities."

Turning to the rest of the team, Veylan continued, "Captain Lirian's team is dismissed. Rest and recover. Adrienne, ensure Elias and Aric are prepared to depart tomorrow."

After the meeting, Elias walked alongside Aric, the tracker's easy demeanor a stark contrast to Elias's own contemplative mood.

"Looks like we're partners for this one," Aric said with a grin.

Elias chuckled lightly. "It seems so. Let's hope this forest doesn't hold any surprises we can't handle."

Aric laughed. "In our line of work? Surprises are guaranteed."

As they parted ways, Elias's thoughts turned inward. The events of the day had left him with more questions than answers—about the Syndicate, the Veil, and his father's mysterious legacy.

Returning to his modest apartment, Elias set the monocle on his desk and sank into the worn chair by the window. Outside, the city of Arkwright buzzed with its usual industrial fervor, but Elias's mind was elsewhere.

He stared at the monocle, its polished surface gleaming faintly in the lamplight. What secrets did it hold? And what role had his father played in the world of the Veil?

Elias leaned back, exhaustion finally catching up to him.