Shadows of the city
The Warden's presence changed everything.
By the time the group returned to Selene's hideout, the once-cloaked sense of anonymity was gone. Even in a city as chaotic as Vertis, a hulking, ancient automaton couldn't pass unnoticed. Eyes followed them from dim alleys and high-rise windows, curiosity and fear mingling in the glances of passersby.
Selene sealed the door behind them and turned to face the Warden. Its glowing eyes scanned the room, pausing briefly on each person before it knelt in the corner, resting as if it were a soldier awaiting orders.
"Well, that was subtle," Aelis muttered, collapsing onto a nearby chair. "How long do you think it'll take before word spreads about our shiny new friend?"
"Not long," Selene said grimly. She moved to her console, pulling up various surveillance feeds from the city. "The Syndicate won't let this go. They'll double their efforts to track us now."
Lira placed the Veil on the table, its surface still shimmering faintly from the earlier battle. "But the Warden helped us, didn't it? It drove Vane off. That has to mean something."
"It does," Selene said, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "The Wardens were designed to protect those connected to the Veil. They don't just act—they *bind*. That thing won't leave your side until its duty is fulfilled."
"And what duty is that, exactly?" Aelis asked, raising an eyebrow.
Selene hesitated. "To protect the bearer of the Veil… and to carry out its will."
Lira frowned. "What do you mean by 'its will'? The Veil isn't alive."
Selene glanced at her, her expression unreadable. "Isn't it?"
---
The Veil's whispers came again that night, pulling Lira from restless sleep.
She sat up on the makeshift cot Selene had provided, her heart pounding. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the Warden in the corner. Its glowing eyes were dim, as if in a dormant state, but Lira still felt its watchful presence.
"Are you awake?"
Lira turned to see Aelis sitting cross-legged on her own cot, her dagger resting on her lap. Her hair was mussed, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.
"Couldn't sleep," Lira admitted, swinging her legs over the edge of the cot.
Aelis smirked faintly. "Join the club. Selene's paranoia is starting to rub off on me. I keep expecting Vane to kick down the door."
Lira let out a dry laugh, though the thought wasn't entirely far-fetched. "Do you think we'll ever have a moment to breathe?"
Aelis twirled her dagger idly. "If we survive this, maybe. But until then…" She shrugged. "We fight. It's what we do."
Lira studied her friend, noticing the tension in her posture. "Why are you really here, Aelis? You could've left when things got dangerous, but you stayed. Why?"
Aelis hesitated, her usual bravado faltering. "Because you're the only person who's ever believed in me. I owe you for that."
Lira reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't owe me anything. We're in this together."
Aelis looked away, but a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.
---
The next morning, Selene was already at her console, analyzing data streams with a mug of something steaming by her side. She didn't look up as Lira approached.
"We need to talk," Lira said, sitting beside her.
Selene sighed. "Let me guess: you want answers I don't have."
"I want to know about Arathor," Lira said, her voice steady. "If he's out there, if he's responsible for everything that happened to my family, I need to find him."
Selene finally looked at her, her expression weary. "Do you even know what you're asking for? Arathor isn't just some villain in a storybook. He's dangerous, Lira. He destroyed Illyria from the inside out. And if he's still alive…"
"Then I'll face him," Lira said firmly.
Selene shook her head. "You're not ready. The Veil might've chosen you, but you don't understand it—not fully. And until you do, you'll be walking into his trap."
Lira's jaw tightened. "Then help me understand. Train me. Teach me."
Selene studied her for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But we do it my way."
---
Training with Selene was grueling.
The days blurred together as she pushed Lira to her limits, teaching her how to channel the Veil's power while refining her combat skills. The Warden occasionally joined in, its strength and speed forcing Lira to think faster, move smarter.
Aelis trained alongside her, though she seemed less interested in the Veil and more focused on honing her own abilities.
"You're starting to get the hang of it," Aelis remarked one evening, watching as Lira summoned a swirling barrier of mist to deflect a blow from the Warden.
Lira panted, wiping sweat from her brow. "Thanks, but it still feels… strange. Like the Veil has a mind of its own."
"Maybe it does," Aelis said with a shrug. "But if it's choosing to help you, that's better than the alternative."
Selene stepped forward, her arms crossed. "You're improving, but you're still too reactive. The Veil responds to instinct, yes, but you need to anticipate. See the attack before it happens."
Lira nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure how she was supposed to do that.
---
Late one night, Lira sat with the Veil in her lap, tracing its intricate patterns. She felt its whispers again, softer this time, almost soothing.
But as she closed her eyes, a vision flooded her mind.
She saw a shadowy figure standing at the edge of a crumbling city, the Veil's mist coiling around him like a serpent. His face was obscured, but his voice was clear.
"You've taken what belongs to me," he said, his tone low and menacing. "And you will regret it."
The vision shattered, and Lira gasped, her heart racing.
"What's wrong?" Aelis asked, rushing to her side.
Lira clutched the Veil tightly, her voice trembling. "I think I just saw him. Arathor."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Selene stepped forward, her expression grave. "Then we're out of time."
---