In a quiet village, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush forests, the day began like any other. The sun rose lazily over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the thatched roofs and cobblestone streets. Evan Carter, a 18 year old man was working the fields for his father.
Tall and lean from his many years of hard physical labor, Evan's dark brown hair was short and practical. His skin was tanned from the sun and his hand calloused from years of hard work. He and his father, William, lived in the very outskirts of the Kingdom Dunhaven in the small and relatively unknown village Eldhaven. With a very small population of just 200 people.
The drought had brought hardship to everyone, and tensions were running high. Rumors of bandit attacks and food shortages spread like wildfire through the village.
Despite the challenges, Evan remained determined. He knew that him and his fathers survival depended on the success of their farm. With a heavy sigh, he pushed himself to his feet and resumed his work, determined to do whatever it took to ensure their livelihood.
As Evan toiled under the scorching sun, a haunting melody began to echo in his mind. At first, it was faint and distant, like a whisper on the wind. But as the day wore on, it seemed to grow louder, piercing through his thoughts like a needle. It was a melody that sent shivers down his spine.
He paused for a moment, looking around in confusion. Where was the music coming from? He glanced at the fields, but there was no one else around. The sound seemed to be inside his head, haunting and insistent.
Shaking his head to clear it, Evan took a sip of his precious water. Water had become a scarce commodity, and every drop was precious.
As the sun reached its zenith, it was time for his father to take over his shift.
Hey Evan, how many acres did you manage to turn today?" William asked his son.
William was a robust man in his late forties, with broad shoulders and calloused hands that spoke of years spent working the land. His hair was dark and thick, with streaks of gray at the temples, and he kept it cut short to stay out of his eyes while he worked.
"I barely managed to do one, but it's better than nothing," said Evan, wiping the sweat from his brow.
William nodded, a worried look on his face.
"We'll make do with what we have. Hopefully, the rains will come soon."
Evan nodded in agreement, knowing that their crops desperately needed water. As he handed over the tools to his father, a loud commotion caught their attention. A group of villagers was gathered near the village square, talking animatedly.
William looked at Evan and said "Go and listen Evan, I will handle the farm."
Nodding, Evan curiosly made his way to the crowd. The village elder, a wise old man named Tobias, was addressing the gathering.
"Residents of this village have reported hearing The Veil's Call," announced the village elder, Tobias, his rough voice carrying over the assembled crowd. Evan, intrigued, edged closer to listen.
Tobias was a wizened old man with gray, cloudy eyes pertaining wisdom and knowledge.
"It is a phenomenon we have not witnessed in many years," Tobias continued, his expression grave.
"If you hear any melody, tone or even drums that are remotely off-putting, or even alluring," Tobias said in a serious tone, "Immediately alert the village chief. He knows more than I do."
Evan listened intently as Tobias spoke, his mind racing with questions. What was The Veil's Call, and why was it suddenly affecting their village? He glanced around, noticing the unease in the faces of his fellow villagers.
As Tobias finished speaking, the crowd began to disperse, murmurs of concern filling the air. Evan lingered for a moment, deep in thought. He knew he had to find out more about The Veil's Call and its connection to the strange melody he had been hearing.
Determined, Evan made his way to the village chief's hut. The chief, a wise and respected man named Aldric, greeted him warmly.
"Chief Aldric, I need to talk to you about something," Evan said, his voice urgent.
Aldric nodded, motioning for Evan to sit. "What troubles you, my boy?"
Evan hesitated, unsure of where to begin. "I... I've been hearing a strange melody lately, and it seems to be connected to The Veil's Call. I don't know what it means, but I feel like it's important."
Aldric's eyes widened in surprise and alarm. "You hear The Veil's Call? This is troubling indeed."
"Sir, if I may ask, what is The Veil's Call" Evan asked nervously.
Aldric sighed heavily. "Have you heard of the Veilbound, young Evan?"
Evan shook his head, his curiosity piqued
"No, I've never heard of them"
Aldric nodded, as if expecting the answer.
"The Veilbound are those who have been touched by the power of The Veil. They possess unique abilities, awakened by the realm's strange energies. The Call you hear is a summoning, a sign that The Veil has marked you."
Evan felt a chill run down his spine. "What is The Veil, why me? Why now? I don't understand..."
The words Aldric was uttering seemed completely mad. But for everyone to act so scared... he knew they held some form of importance.
Aldric's expression softened slightly.
"The Veil is a mysterious and dangerous realm, a place where the ordinary laws of nature do not apply. It is filled with perilous beauty and unimaginable dangers. The reasons for its call are beyond our understanding, but it often chooses those with untapped potential, those who can awaken and harness the traits necessary to survive its trials."
Evan swallowed hard, the weight of Aldric's words pressing down on him.
"But why me? I'm just a farmer's son."
"The Veil sees something in you, Evan," Aldric said gently.
"Something that even you may not yet see. It has chosen you for a reason, and it is up to you to discover what that reason is. You must be prepared for the journey ahead, for it will be filled with challenges and discoveries beyond your wildest imaginings."
Evan nodded slowly, the enormity of his situation beginning to sink in. "What should I do?"
"I hate to be the one to tell you this, Evan... but people rarely come back from being summoned to The Veil. However, those that do return, awaken unimaginable powers," Aldric said, his words laden with gravity.
Evan's stomach churned with apprehension at the solemn declaration. The weight of the truth sank in, sending shivers down his spine. He knew how ridiculous that sounded, and knew to question it. But the chief came originally from the mainlands, he was bound to know more. And Evan doubted that he would just play a prank on him. "But what if I don't return? And how can I leave my father alone?" Evan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"That is a risk you have to accept. But remember, young Evan, you are not alone. There are others like you, others who have been called. Seek them out. Face the uncertainties together. And above anything else, remain vigilant. Even your best friend could turn on you in just a moment," Aldric cautioned. "A mere Chief of a small village like me wouldn't know anything more..."
"Anyway, Evan, the process is not instant. You likely have a day or two to prepare and talk to your family," Aldric said sympathetically.
"Thank you, Chief Aldric." Evan said, his voice wavering a little. "I will heed your advice."
Evan turned to leave, feeling the weight of his impending journey pressing down on him. He knew he had to tell his father about The Veil's Call, but the thought of facing his family with such unsettling news filled him with apprehension.
As he made his way back to the fields, Evan's mind raced with thoughts of how to broach the subject with his father. He knew William would be worried, but he also knew he couldn't keep this secret from him any longer.
Taking a deep breath, Evan steeled himself for the conversation ahead. Whatever the outcome, he knew he couldn't face The Veil alone.
As the fields came into focus, Evan could make out his father's familiar, hardworking silhouette.
"Huff... Evan, finally! What was the hold-up?" William's voice was strained, strewn by heavy breaths from his labor.
"Evan?" William squinted through the sunlight, noticing the serious expression on his son's face. "Is everything alright?"
Evan swallowed hard, the words catching in his throat. How could he begin to explain something so incomprehensible?
"Dad, I... I need to talk to you," Evan said, his voice faltering slightly.
William straightened up, concern etched into the lines of his weathered face. "Of course, son. What is it?"
Evan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation ahead. "I... I've been hearing something strange. It's like a melody, but... but it's not from here. It's from The Veil."
William's brow furrowed in confusion. "The Veil? Who told you about that? What do you mean, Evan?"
Evan noticed a flicker of recognition in his father's eyes. It was a small comfort to know that William was not entirely unaware of The Veil.
"It's hard to explain," Evan began, his words coming out in a rush. "But Chief Aldric told me that I've been called by The Veil. That I have to go there."
William's expression darkened with worry. "Go to The Veil? That place the Chief warned us about when I was young!? Evan, that's madness! It's dangerous, no one returns from there."
Evan could see the sadness in his father's eyes, knowing all too well the weight of his words. "I know, Dad. But I don't have a choice. The Veil will pull me there. And I can't ignore it."
William's shoulders slumped with defeat, tears glistening in his eyes. "I... I understand, son. But promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you'll come back."
Evan's heart ached at the sorrow in his father's voice, wishing there was another way. "I promise, Dad. I'll come back."
With a heavy heart, William pulled his son into a tight embrace, silently praying for his safe return. As they stood there, the weight of the impending journey hung heavy in the air, but so too did the bond between father and son.