The night was thick with tension as Kael Relan followed Evans through the winding alleys of the Eternal City of Aethlar. The ancient city, once a symbol of defiance against the Abyss, now lay under siege. A creeping dread seemed to hover in the air, weighing heavily on the trio of warriors as they made their way toward the heart of The Veil's secret base.
The faint glow of protective runes etched into the stone buildings cast long, eerie shadows, reminding Kael that even this ancient bastion of light could fall if the Abyss grew strong enough. Varin, his mentor and protector, walked silently at his side, his gaze ever watchful, his posture tense. They had survived countless battles together, but something about this mission was different. The stakes felt... immeasurably high.
Ahead of them, Evans led the way, his black cloak flowing silently behind him like a wraith. Hector and Tiara flanked him, their faces grim with determination. This was no ordinary patrol, no simple investigation into the darkspawn cults that plagued the Eternal Cities. This was something much darker, much deeper.
As they walked, Kael couldn't help but recall the first time he had encountered The Veil. It had been years ago, before he even understood the full extent of his own power. One of them had approached him, cloaked in mystery, offering cryptic warnings and an invitation he had refused at the time. Now, standing among them once again, he could feel the weight of their purpose. These weren't just warriors. They were something more—something bound to Erendath in ways Kael was only beginning to understand.
"You still haven't told me what The Veil really is," Kael said, his voice breaking the quiet.
Evans glanced back at him, his sharp eyes gleaming in the dim light. "I will. But first, you need to understand why we exist."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. He'd heard rumors, of course—everyone had. The Veil was an enigma, operating from the shadows, protecting the Eternal Cities from threats that few even knew existed. But he had never imagined how deep their mission truly ran.
"You've seen the Abyss Rifts," Evans continued, his voice low and steady. "The ones that form when the city's shield weakens. Those Rifts… they aren't random. They're a symptom."
"A symptom?" Kael asked, frowning.
"Of something much worse," Evans said. "The Abyss itself."
They rounded a corner, and suddenly, the narrow alley opened up into a hidden courtyard. At the center stood a towering stone structure, its walls etched with runes that pulsed with faint light. Kael recognized the energy—the same energy that fueled the Eternal Cities' protective shields. It was ancient and powerful, humming with a deep, resonant magic.
"The Abyss isn't just a place," Evans explained as they approached the building. "It's like a disease. A virus that spreads and corrupts everything it touches. And at its core... lies Erendath itself."
Kael stopped in his tracks, his heart pounding in his chest. "What do you mean? The Abyss is... part of Erendath?"
Evans nodded, his expression grave. "Yes. The Abyss Rift at the heart of Erendath is its core. The very foundation of this world. And that's why there exist Eternal Cities. These cities existed before the Abyss threat took root. You can say here was actually another continent in Erendath. After the Eternals were born, they erected the shield in all the Eternal Cities —to protect that core from being entirely consumed."
Kael's mind raced. He had always thought of the Abyss as an external force, something that had invaded Erendath from the outside. But this… this changed everything. The Abyss wasn't just attacking—it was already inside, festering at the very heart of the world.
"The Eternals were born from that threat," Tiara added, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "They act as shields, protecting the core from being fully corrupted. The Eternal Cities are part of that defense. Each city is a rune, connected to the others. Together, they form a massive protective barrier that keeps the Abyss from spreading beyond the core."
"And if one city falls..." Kael began, dread creeping into his voice.
"The entire barrier collapses," Evans finished. "The Abyss will spread like a plague, consuming everything in its path. Erendath will fall."
Kael swallowed hard, his throat dry. The weight of their mission pressed down on him, heavier than ever before. The Eternal Cities weren't just strongholds—they were the last line of defense. If even one of them failed, the entire realm would crumble.
"And that's where The Veil comes in," Evans said, his eyes locking onto Kael's. "We are the ones who protect these cities from the inside. We hunt the Abyss cults, stop the Rifts from forming, and ensure that the shields remain intact. We are the last defense against the Abyss."
"But why all the secrecy?" Kael asked. "Why not tell the people? Surely, if they knew, they would fight harder, protect the cities with everything they have."
Evans shook his head. "Because not everyone can handle the truth. If people knew that the Abyss was already a part of Erendath, that it was slowly eating away at the world from the inside... panic would spread. Chaos would follow. And chaos is exactly what the Abyss wants. It thrives on it."
They reached the door of the stone structure, and Evans pushed it open, revealing a dark, winding staircase that led down into the depths of the city. Kael hesitated for a moment, glancing at Varin, who gave him a reassuring nod before following Evans down the steps.
The air grew cooler as they descended, the distant hum of magic growing louder with each step. Finally, they emerged into a vast underground chamber, its walls lined with ancient runes and glowing crystals. In the center of the room stood a large, circular table, surrounded by cloaked figures—more members of The Veil.
"This is our base," Evans said, gesturing to the room. "From here, we coordinate our efforts across the Eternal Cities. We are present in all of them, watching, waiting, and defending."
Kael looked around, taking in the sight. These weren't just soldiers. They were scholars, strategists, and warriors—all working together to protect the last vestiges of Erendath's defenses. But one question still burned in his mind.
"Why me?" he asked, turning back to Evans. "Why are you telling me all of this?"
Evans smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Because, Kael, you're one of us."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. "What?"
"We didn't tell you before," Evans continued, "but The Veil isn't just any group. We are Reborns. People with Rebirth Cores—just like you."
Kael stared at him, the revelation hitting him like a hammer. Reborns. They were all Reborns. The Veil wasn't just a secret organization—it was a brotherhood, a gathering of those who had unlocked the power of the Rebirth Core.
"Our purpose," Hector said, stepping forward, "is to protect the Eternal Cities from the Abyss, and to eliminate the Abyss cults that seek to destroy them. The cults worship the Abyssal Lords—dark beings who promise their followers unimaginable power in exchange for their loyalty. But that power comes at a cost. The cultists become corrupted, twisted by the Abyssal Lord's essence."
Kael's mind raced as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. The Darkspawn, the cults, the Rifts—it all made sense now. The Abyss wasn't just a mindless force. It had an agenda, a plan to spread its corruption across Erendath, and the cults were its willing agents.
"These cultists," Evans said, his voice low, "abduct people—Awakeners, citizens, even creatures of Erendath—and turn them into Darkspawn by forcing them to absorb Dark Abyss Essence. It's the essence of the Abyssal Lords themselves. Once they're fully corrupted, there's no turning back."
"Not all cultists are fully corrupted," Tiara explained. "Some are still in transition, waiting for the moment they're strong enough to pass the final initiation. Those who are swayed but not fully turned are free from corruption so they can freely enter the cities."
Kael's jaw tightened. "So we're fighting enemies we can't even see."
"That's why The Veil exists," Evans said. "To stop them before it's too late."
The room fell into a tense silence as Kael processed everything he had just learned. The Veil, the Abyssal Lords, the cults—it was all so much bigger than he had ever imagined. But one question still burned in his mind.
"What do you mean by 'marked' by the Abyss?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Evans exchanged a glance with Tiara and Hector, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, Evans turned back to Kael, his expression unreadable.
"Kael," he said carefully, "let me ask you again, are you marked by the Abyss?"
The question hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. Kael's heart pounded in his chest as he looked into Evans' eyes, searching for answers he wasn't sure he wanted to find.
But Kael knew. Deep down, he knew the truth. The strange dreams, the visions of darkness and destruction, the inexplicable pull he felt toward the Abyss—it all made sense now. He was marked. But by what? And why?
"Yes. I believe I am." Kael admitted.