Chapter 6: The Catalyst's Awakening
The following days after the shadowy figure's visit left Ethan on edge. Training at Crimson Peak Academy went on as usual, but he noticed every flicker of light and every strange sound as if the entire world was closing in on him. Anna, too, seemed more tense, her talent slipping out of control more frequently. The pressure was mounting, and both of them knew it wasn't just because of their training.
Rumors began circulating around the academy. Whispers of strange sightings at the borders of the Rift. Unexplained disappearances of nearby villages. But what concerned Ethan the most were the hushed conversations about the Veilbreakers. Every time their name came up, it sent a chill down his spine.
Alexander, however, had been strangely quiet since their last talk. Ethan hadn't seen him around as much, and when he did, he was either with instructors or deep in discussions with other students who were likely part of his circle.
Ethan found himself in the academy's training grounds late one evening, trying to push away the lingering sense of dread by focusing on his combat skills. He thrust his spear into the air, imagining the shadowy figure in front of him, its cold, glowing eyes mocking him. His swings were aggressive, almost desperate, trying to drive out the fear that gnawed at him.
"That won't help, you know."
Ethan spun around, lowering his spear as he saw Alexander leaning against one of the pillars, arms crossed.
"Help with what?" Ethan asked, his voice tight.
"Fighting shadows." Alexander's expression was unreadable, but there was something hard in his eyes.
Ethan tensed. "You know something, don't you?"
Alexander pushed off the pillar and walked closer, his footsteps echoing in the empty training hall. "You're not the only one being watched, Ethan. You, me, Anna—we're all part of something bigger. Something dangerous."
Ethan lowered his spear, heart racing. "The Veilbreakers."
Alexander nodded. "I've been hearing things. My family—our connections—they've told me things about them. The Veilbreakers aren't just some rogue group. They've been planning something for years. And now, they're moving."
Ethan's throat tightened. "What do they want with us?"
Alexander looked him square in the eye. "Power. Influence. They want to control those with strong talents—people like us. And they're not afraid to use force to do it."
Ethan clenched his fists. "And the Rift? How are they connected?"
Alexander hesitated, his eyes darkening. "The Rift is key to everything. It's more than just a source of monsters. There's something ancient sealed within it—something powerful. And the Veilbreakers want it."
Ethan felt a cold wave of fear wash over him. "Something inside the Rift?"
Alexander nodded. "But it's not just them. There are other groups—big guilds, secret organizations—everyone wants a piece of what's inside. The Rift is cracking, and when it does, we're all going to be caught in the middle."
Before Ethan could respond, the doors to the training hall swung open, and Anna stepped in, her expression serious. She glanced between the two of them, sensing the tension.
"We need to talk," she said, her voice low. "Something's happening."
Ethan and Alexander followed her out into the academy courtyard. The night was dark, but the sky was clear, the stars shining brightly above them. Anna led them to a secluded corner, away from prying eyes and ears.
"I overheard something," Anna said, her voice urgent. "The instructors—some of them know about the Veilbreakers. They're trying to keep it quiet, but there's no hiding it anymore. They're here, in Terra Nova, and they're looking for something. Or someone."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Alexander. "It's us, isn't it?"
Anna nodded, her face pale. "I think so. But there's more. I've been having… dreams. Not just hearing the voices, but seeing things. Visions. There's a prophecy, Ethan."
Ethan's breath caught in his throat. "What kind of prophecy?"
Anna hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "I don't know the whole thing, but it's about us. About people with talents like ours. We're supposed to play some kind of role in what's coming. But I can't tell if we're meant to stop it… or cause it."
Ethan felt a surge of dread. The prophecy, the voices, the Veilbreakers—it was all connected. He could feel it, a dark thread weaving through everything that had been happening.
"What do we do?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Anna looked at him, her eyes filled with fear. "We survive. And we figure out who we can trust. Because if the Veilbreakers get to us first, I don't think any of us are walking away from this."
Later that night, Ethan lay in bed, his mind racing. The pieces were slowly falling into place, but the picture they formed was terrifying. The Veilbreakers were after them. The Rift was more dangerous than anyone had thought. And there was a prophecy tying it all together.
As he closed his eyes, hoping for sleep to take him, the voice returned. But this time, it wasn't a whisper in the back of his mind. It was loud, clear, and commanding.
"Ethan Caldwell. The time is near."
Ethan's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. The room was dark, but the presence he had felt before was stronger now. The figure from his nightmares was standing at the foot of his bed again, its eyes glowing with an eerie light.
"Who are you?" Ethan demanded, his voice trembling.
The figure stepped forward, its shadowy form becoming more distinct. "I am your fate, Ethan. And you cannot escape me."
Ethan felt his blood run cold. "What do you want from me?"
The figure's mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "Everything."
Before Ethan could react, the figure vanished, leaving behind only the echo of its words.
"Everything."