The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the fields as Evan finally stepped back, looking into his father's eyes. "I'll be careful, Dad," he promised, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
William nodded, his eyes glistening with suppressed emotion. "Whatever happens, I will be waiting for you."
A floating window suddenly appeared in front of Evan.
[Countdown: 20:59:59]
[Countdown: 20:59:58]
Evan's eyes widened in shock. "Dad, do you see this? What is this?" he asked, pointing at the mysterious countdown before him. The Chief was right after all...
"See what?" asked William softly.
"Nevermind" Said Evan, he stood there silently, pondering what to do next. Eventually, he turned to his father. "I'll prepare," he said resolutely.
William placed a reassuring hand on Evan's shoulder. "I'll help you get ready, son," he said, his voice steady. William handed Evan a makeshift backpack. One that he bought himself for Evan, crafted by some of the village's best craftsmen.
Together, Evan and his father hastily packed for the journey ahead. Among the provisions, Evan tucked a spare sickle for self defense and a small canteen filled with water, a lifeline in the parched wilderness, capable of sustaining them for a week if rationed wisely.
With every item carefully chosen, they pooled together all the money they could muster, their family's life savings dwindling with each coin counted. It was a sacrifice, ensuring they had enough to purchase sustenance for at least two weeks of Evan's journey in the Veil.
"But father, what about you? How will you have anything to eat or drink?" Evan said, his voice tinged with worry.
"Don't worry about me, Evan," said his father reassuringly. "I've been through worse. Two or three without food and water isn't enough to put me down."
Evan paused, looking around the modest home he had known all his life. The well-worn table, the crackling hearth, the comforting familiarity of the place he was about to leave behind. He picked up his pack, feeling the weight of it both physically and emotionally.
He stepped outside, the cool evening air brushing against his face. The village was quiet, the usual hustle and bustle muted as if in reverence to the moment.
As he walked down the familiar path, memories flooded—playing in the fields as a child, working alongside his father, and learning lessons.
The night deepened, and stars began to twinkle in the vast sky. Evan decided to seek a night's rest in preparation for what was to come. Yet, despite his efforts, sleep proved elusive, his mind restless with anticipation and unease.
Morning arrived, heralded by the cheerful chirping of birds, and the inevitable drew ever nearer.
The morning passed in a blur, consumed by aiding his father with the fields, though in a limited capacity, for his strength would be sorely needed in the Veil.
As he worked, his thoughts wandered back to his conversation with Aldric. The Chief had spoken of powers...
"What did he mean?" Evan wondered, pausing to gaze out over the fields he knew so well. The Veil was shrouded in mystery, and with it, the promise of powers beyond his imagining.
Evan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of anticipation and nervousness settle over him once more. The day wore on, each passing moment bringing the Countdown closer to 0.
[Countdown: 00:12:54]
[Countdown: 00:12:53]
Evan watched the numbers change, the sense of urgency creeping into his thoughts. He knew there was little time left, and there was one thing he needed to do before the final moment arrived. He decided to see his father one last time.
With deliberate steps, Evan walked towards the small cottage that had always been home. The familiar scent of earth and hay filled the air, and the gentle rustle of the breeze through the trees seemed to whisper words of encouragement. Each step was heavy with the thought of the impending farewell.
As he neared the doorway, he saw his father sitting at the worn wooden table, his hands busy with a piece of work. The light from the window cast a warm glow, highlighting the lines etched into William's face from years of hard labor and dedication.
Evan paused for a moment, taking in the sight. He wanted to remember this—his father, the cottage, the life they had built together. He stepped inside quietly, and William looked up.
"Father," Evan began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I wanted to see you before I go."
William set aside his work and stood up, walking over to his son. He placed a hand on Evan's shoulder, his grip firm and comforting. "You've grown into a fine man, Evan. I have faith in you."
Evan nodded. "Thank you, father, your words mean everything to me."
[Countdown: 00:10:03]
[Countdown: 00:10:02]
Evan embraced his father, the hug conveying more than words ever could.
As they pulled apart, William looked into his son's eyes. "You will always have a home here, Evan. Remember that."
"Yes father, I promise," Evan said reassuringly.
They stood there in silence, William not wanting to miss the last sight of his son that he would see for a long time. Evan intently watched the countdown.
[Countdown: 00:00:03]
[Countdown: 00:00:02]
[Countdown: 00:00:01]
[Countdown: 00:00:00]
[Welcome to the Veil, seeker!]
Suddenly, Evan's surroundings began to blur, and a wave of nausea overtook him. The familiar landscape of his home distorted and swirled, colors blending into a dizzying array of light and shadow. He staggered slightly, trying to steady himself as the world around him shifted.
He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to quell the nausea. When he opened them again, the transformation was complete. Evan found himself in an entirely different place.
The ground beneath his feet was unlike anything he had ever seen. It shimmered with an iridescent hue as if made of liquid light. Strange flora and fauna surrounded him, glowing softly in the dim light. The sky above was a tapestry of swirling colors, with no clear distinction between day and night.
Evan took a moment to orient himself, the initial disorientation slowly fading. He felt a strange mix of fear and awe, his senses overwhelmed by the beauty of this new world. The reality of his situation began to sink in—he was truly in the Veil. Strangely, his body felt a bit lighter, as if he had lost a few kilograms.
Suddenly, the floating window appeared in front of him again. But this time, it was different.
[Name: Evan Carter]
[Soul: F-]
[Physique: E-]
[Grade: Normal]
[Trait(s): Gravity Manipulation - Evan possesses the rare ability to manipulate gravitational forces to a limited extent. Currently only able to affect the weight of himself and other entities in the proximity.]
[Talent(s): Athletic - Evan has a natural talent for physical activities and sports. He excels in various forms of physical exercise, and possesses significant agility, strength, and stamina.]
[Artifacts: None]
Evan's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the floating window before him, his mind struggling to process the unexpected sight. The sudden appearance of the window, along with the unfamiliar information displayed within, caught him completely off guard.
"What in the world...?" Evan murmured, his voice filled with astonishment. He couldn't help but wonder what this strange phenomenon meant and how it had come to be.
With a curious tilt of his head, Evan leaned in closer to examine the window, his surprise mingling with a growing sense of intrigue. He reached out tentatively, his fingers hovering just inches away from the shimmering surface, expecting to feel the solid barrier of glass or some other material. But to his astonishment, his fingers passed right through it as if it didn't exist physically at all.
Eventually, he decided to read what was displayed. As his eyes skimmed through, they paused on a piece of text.
[Trait(s): Gravity Manipulation - Evan possesses the rare ability to manipulate gravitational forces to a limited extent. Currently only able to affect the weight of himself and other entities in the proximity.]
'Gravity manipulation, I can do that?' But the real question was how.
Evan grabbed a nearby twig. Or at least that was what it looked like.
"Gravity... go?" he muttered, feeling somewhat foolish.
Closing his eyes, Evan took a deep breath. He reached out with his mind, imagining the weight of the twig growing heavier, almost as if he could weigh it down with a mere thought.
Suddenly, the twig grew a lot heavier, as if it suddenly turned into solid rock.
'I did it! Aldric was right.' Evan thought to himself cheerfully. And then he made it lighter again.
He continued studying the window until his eyes paused just underneath the Trait.
[Talent(s): Athletic - Evan has a natural talent for physical activities and sports. He excels in various forms of physical exercise, and possesses significant agility, strength, and stamina.]
'Is that why I felt a bit lighter when I entered 30 seconds ago?' Evan pondered.
He let go of the twig and turned his attention to his surroundings. The iridescent ground beneath him seemed to shift subtly as he moved, the colors flowing like liquid beneath his feet. The strange flora and fauna, with their soft, glowing light, seemed almost to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. He felt a curious sense of tranquility, unaware of the hidden dangers that lurked in this alien landscape.
As he took a cautious step forward, a soft rustling sound caught his attention. He looked around but saw nothing more than the gently swaying plants and the flickering light of bioluminescent insects. The air was thick with the sweet scent of exotic flowers, mingled with an underlying tang of something metallic.