Chapter 26: Paths of Progress

The gentle sway of the coach rocked Elias as he stared out at the early morning streets of Arkwright. Despite the mundane clatter of hooves and the low murmur of the city awakening, his mind lingered on the events of the previous night.

The battle against the Veilborn Aberration had been unlike anything he'd ever faced. The raw chaos of the fight, Kael's palpable grief, and the unsettling transformation of the slain practitioner replayed in fragmented flashes. Yet, what stuck most was Aric's comment after the battle: "You're too soft, Elias. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's something others might use against you."

The words weren't unkind, but they lingered, a caution and a challenge wrapped into one.

As the coach arrived at the Lanterns' base, Elias shook off the haze of his thoughts. He stepped out, straightened his coat, and entered the building.

Aric was already waiting by the main hall, leaning casually against a stone pillar. "Took your time," he said, smirking faintly.

"Some of us don't skip breakfast," Elias replied, his tone light but still distracted.

Together, they made their way to Veylan's chambers, where the High Inquisitor awaited them. He was seated behind his desk, flanked by tall windows that allowed faint streams of sunlight to filter through the gloom.

"Well?" Veylan began without preamble. "The Lantern Guard reported a success, but I want to hear it from you."

Elias and Aric recounted the events in detail—the Aberration's strategic movements, the role Kael's group played, and the final clash that left them victorious but wary.

Veylan nodded as he absorbed the account. "The rogues are currently in Lantern Guard custody. Their leader, Kael, has been cooperative so far. The artifact formed from the Aberration is being tested and studied. Early analysis suggests it carries both potent abilities and significant risks."

"What about the forest?" Elias asked.

"The Lantern Guard remains stationed near the area to monitor for any residual disturbances," Veylan said. "However, the forest's instability is an ongoing concern. You two will continue to monitor it at least once a week, depending on your availability."

Elias exchanged a glance with Aric, who nodded reluctantly.

"Outside of that," Veylan continued, "you're free to resume your regular routines. Elias, your training remains a priority. Aric, I trust you have your own work to manage."

Veylan dismissed them with a sharp wave. "Report back next week. Dismissed."

As they left Veylan's chambers, Aric stretched and yawned. "I've got something to handle. Don't get into too much trouble during your training," he said with a smirk before heading off.

Elias watched him go before making his way to the library, where Elira waited with her usual calm demeanor.

"Good morning," she greeted. "Today, we'll focus on indirect harnessing—specifically Arcaenic runes and their application in ritualistic and incantation magic. These are the foundations for most indirect Veil manipulations."

Elira gestured to a wide table covered in parchment, ink, and etched stones.

"Let's start with the basics," she began. "Arcaenic is the language of the Veil—a lost tongue of the gods. Its runes and tones are the building blocks of rituals and incantations. Each rune channels a specific fragment of Veil energy, and when combined, they create effects far greater than the sum of their parts."

"Sounds complicated," Elias remarked, eyeing the materials.

"It is," Elira admitted, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "But it's also rewarding. Let's start with the basics."

Elias leaned in, studying the runes she pointed out. They were intricate, each line and curve seemingly alive with faint glimmers of power.

"Try this one," Elira instructed, pointing to a rune etched onto a stone. "It's 'Luxor'—a symbol for light. Pair it with this chant."

Elias studied the symbol, his brow furrowing. "Just… say it?"

"Precisely," Elira said. "But tone and intent matter. Arcaenic is as much about emotion as precision."

Elias held the stone and repeated the chant, his voice stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar tones. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the stone pulsed faintly, emitting a soft, steady glow.

"Not bad for a first attempt," Elira said. "Now, pair it with another rune—Aureth,' meaning 'bind.' Combine the two to create a binding light."

Elias worked carefully, inscribing both runes onto a fresh piece of parchment. Elira guided him through the chant: "Aureth Velthane, bind and illuminate."

This time, the parchment emitted a steady, golden glow.

Elias couldn't help but grin. "It worked."

"Indeed," Elira said, nodding. "These are the building blocks. With practice, you'll learn to weave multiple runes and chants into more complex effects."

For the next few hours, Elira guided Elias through the fundamentals of Arcaenic. He inscribed runes onto parchment, experimenting with different invocations. Some attempts succeeded, creating small bursts of light or faint ripples in the air. Others fizzled or backfired slightly, leaving scorch marks on the parchment or sending harmless sparks flying.

Elira watched patiently, correcting his form and pronunciation.

---

By mid-afternoon, Elias's head buzzed with the intricate knowledge he'd absorbed. The ride back to his office was quieter, giving him time to process the day's lessons.

The world outside blurred past, and for a moment, he thought about the life he'd left behind—the simplicity of being a private investigator before the Veil turned everything upside down. Yet, for all the danger and uncertainty, he couldn't deny the strange pull of this new path.

As Elias stepped into his office, the scent of freshly brewed tea greeted him. Marian looked up from her desk, her expression brightening.

"How was your day?" she asked, setting down a stack of neatly organized papers.

"Productive," Elias replied. "Any new developments?"

Marian hesitated, then reached for a small notebook. "A client came by earlier. They had… an unusual request."

Elias arched an eyebrow. "Unusual how?"

"They're concerned about their son," Marian explained. "He's been obsessed with his girlfriend, insisting she's alive and needs his help. But the problem is…"

"She's dead," Elias finished, his tone sharpening.

Marian nodded. "Passed away five months ago. They're worried he's losing touch with reality."

Elias leaned against his desk, his expression thoughtful. "If that's the case, why come to me? Shouldn't they be consulting a psychiatrist?"

"That's what I thought," Marian admitted. "But they weren't asking for help with the son. They want you to prove the girlfriend is really dead by investigating how she died."

Elias frowned. "Did they give any details about her death?"

Marian shook her head. "Only that it happened five months ago. They didn't elaborate."

Elias tapped his fingers against the desk, his curiosity piqued. "Did they say they'd be back?"

"They're coming tomorrow morning," Marian said.

"Good," Elias replied. "Let them know I'll be available. This sounds… worth looking into."

Marian tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her gaze. "Do you think there's more to this than what they're saying?"

Elias gave her a faint smile. "There always is."

As Elias settled into his chair, the pieces of the case began to take shape in his mind. A grieving son, a mysterious death, and a lingering obsession—on the surface, it seemed like a mundane tragedy. But after everything he'd seen, Elias knew better than to take anything at face value.