The moon hung low inside the sky, casting an eerie glow over Wolvesbane Hollow. Aria sat by the window in her grandmother's house, her mind swirling just like the mist that clung to the village. The activities at the church were still sparkling in her mind. The discovery of the historical book, the revelations of the veil, and Elias—usually Elias. His phrases had both terrified and comforted her in equal measure. He appeared to know more about her past beyond what she knew herself, but he was still retaining a lot.
Aria sighed frustratedly, running her fingers through her hair. The reality of her grandmother's position as a guardian weighed heavily on her; however, Elias occupied her mind the most. His presence was undeniable, and the way he spoke to her—his gaze intense, like he could see through her very soul—left her feeling prone and careworn.
Her traced the edge of the book she had found, the only one with the wolf's head surrounded by thorns. Its pages held years of secrets, specifying the roles of the guardians and their connection to the veil. The weight of these secrets and techniques felt so strong. The veil was tied to her bloodline, and now that her grandmother has passed away, it's now her burden to bear. But she couldn't do it on her own.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Aria heart skipped a beat. She wasn't expecting anyone that late. She hesitated, looking at the clock—it was past midnight. She stood and walked to the door after some time, her pulse quickening as she held the door's handle.
On opening it, Elias stood in front of her; his figure blended very well with the mist. He stared deeply into Aria's eyes; all the things that surrounded them seemed not to exist for a moment. He didn't speak for a few seconds but just stared at her, and that expression sent shivers down her spine.
"You should not be here right now," Aria said after some time; her voice was gentle but firm. "It is nighttime."
"I had to see you." Elias replied in a stern voice. He walked right into the house without being let in, and there was something sinister in the way he moved. "What happened at the church troubled me, and I have something I want to tell you, Aria," he said.
Aria swallowed hard; she had felt that there was more to Elias's story, that he had not told everything at the church. She shut the door firmly and leaned on it with her arms folded across her chest. "What is it?" she said, hesitatingly and almost in softness.
Elias looked at the book lying on the table and then looked at her swiftly. "It's not only a history of the veil," he said, pointing at the book, "it's a map."
"A map?" Aria scowled deep in puzzlement. At this point, she had spent hours going through the book and scanning through pages and pages of information, but there was no map.
Elias nodded. "It is not clear. The guardians have masked it so that other people will not know where the secrets are hidden and the symbols that you saw—the wolf and the thorns—are just part of a path leading to where the veil draws its power from."
"You mean to the source of the veil's power?" Aria asked, her heart beating fast.
"Yes. The veil is not only a barrier. It is connected to something that is prehistoric, something that is mighty. That is why the guardians are there—to ensure the balance and prevent any other forces on the other side from breaking through.
"Oh, a map that shows the location?" The skeptic tone was clear in Aria's voice.
Elias hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. But the closer we get, the more fragile the veil becomes, and moreover, there are individuals—people and creatures—that will do anything to bring it down."
Aria was looking at him, trying to process what he was saying. The pressure of the responsibility lay on her shoulders like a lead weight, but underneath that, there was another feeling, a strand of anticipation, a sense of mission, that she hadn't experienced in ages. Aria felt she could do this if she could identify where the power of the veil emanated from and protect Wolvesbane Hollow just like her grandmother.
However, she could not do it on her own.
"I need your assistance," Aria informed him, and although her stomach was in knots, the sound of her voice did not betray her anxiety. "I can't do this without you, Elias."
Elias eyes softened, and for the first time Aria noticed that Elias was scared. He moved towards her further and said, "I will assist you in any way possible." But you must understand that the closer we get to the truth, the closer to the danger."
Getting this response, Aria stiffened up. "I'm not afraid."
He looked at her for some time and then put his hand over hers, only the tips of their fingers touching. This was a swift action, and it felt as if her fingers were connected to electricity as she felt a spark as two people with intense chemistry met. He stepped aside, clearing his throat.
"But there is something else you should know," Elias stated seriously and in a lowering voice. "Now the veil is not only growing weak due to the death of your grandmother. It is getting fragile because of your presence; you are connected to it in ways you can't comprehend.
Aria's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"
Elias face darkened. "You're no ordinary guardian. Aria. There is something about your lineage that is the reason they are after you."
"Who?" she asked fiercely.
"Those who want to break the veil," Elias murmured softly. "They are attracted to you because they know who you are and all the potential you possess. You are strong in ways you cannot even imagine Aria; if they get their hands on you, they will use you as a tool for demolishing that barrier for good."
Aria felt a cold shiver going down her spine. Throughout her life, she had always thought there was something different about her, but she could not pinpoint what it was. However, when she heard it from Elias, it was real—extraordinarily real, and the intensity of this was aggravating.
"What do I do?" She asked, her voice was quivering.
Elias came closer to her, his form unyielding and reassuring. "You learn. You learn everything you can about the veil, about your family, and the power that resides within you, and I am going to be with you throughout it all."
Aria raised her eyes on him, her face reflecting a pleading look for a certain affirmation. Nevertheless, in spite of the danger and the fear that was lurking at the back of her mind, she realized she was not alone in this.
She whispered softly. "I trust you."
His eyes met hers, and for a split second, there was electric current between them, which stemmed not only from the fact that they trusted each other. "We will survive this, Aria," he said, trying to sound reassuring despite the darkness that shrouded his tone and undertone. "Together."
The remaining minutes were filled with the kind of quiet that said more than words could ever have. Aria sensed that the burden of the world was laid on her shoulders, but at the same time, she had a sense of determination. Still, she was not alone; there was a part for her to play, a fate she had to meet. And with Elias by her side, she was prepared for all that was awaiting her.
However, as the night wore on and the moon rose into the sky, the clouds brought an all-consuming darkness to Wolvesbane Hollow. The barrier was getting more and more thinner, and with every day's passage, the power on the other side increased.
The real war was only starting.