The forest loomed darker as the sun finally set, casting an otherworldly glow over the clearing. Arianne stood frozen, her mind racing to make sense of the stranger's words. The Veil is failing… What could he mean? The Veil was a legend, a tale told by elders to explain the balance of the world. Yet, here he was—proof that legends had roots in reality.
Kael stirred, his head lifting weakly. His sharp features looked even more striking in the moonlight, his silver eyes flickering with faint light. "You shouldn't be here," he rasped, his voice rough but filled with authority.
Arianne crouched beside him again, setting her basket down. "You're welcome," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You'd be dead if I hadn't come."
"You don't understand," he said, shaking his head weakly. "Your world… our worlds… they're in danger."
Arianne frowned, her healer instincts at odds with her growing unease. She reached for her waterskin, uncorking it and offering it to him. "Drink first, explain later."
Kael hesitated, eyeing her as if deciding whether to trust her. After a beat, he took a small sip, his body visibly relaxing. "You should have left me," he muttered, but there was no malice in his words.
Arianne crossed her arms. "I couldn't. That's not who I am. Now tell me, what do you mean the Veil is failing?"
Kael's gaze shifted, looking past her into the darkness of the forest. "The Veil separates our worlds—the mortal and the magical. It has held strong for centuries, but something… or someone… is weakening it. If it falls, chaos will consume both realms."
Arianne shivered despite herself. She had heard stories of the Veil, of the horrors it held back—shadows that could consume a village, storms that could tear through mountains. "What does this have to do with me?"
Kael's eyes fixed on her, piercing and unwavering. "You bear the mark."
Her hand instinctively went to the crescent-shaped birthmark on her neck. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"The mark isn't just a symbol," Kael said. "It's a bond—a link to the Veil itself. Only those with the mark can restore it, and I've been tasked to find you."
Arianne stepped back, her heart pounding. "You're mistaken. I'm just a healer. I don't know anything about magic or restoring ancient barriers."
Kael struggled to sit up, his armor glinting faintly in the moonlight. "You have power, whether you know it or not. And if we don't act soon, it won't matter. The shadows will break through."
A deep, guttural sound rumbled through the forest, cutting through the tension like a blade. Arianne's head whipped around, her heart leaping into her throat. "What was that?"
Kael's expression hardened, his hand reaching for a sword strapped to his side. "They've found us."
"Who?"
"The ones breaking the Veil."
Before Arianne could process his words, the shadows around them seemed to shift, taking on shapes that moved with unnatural grace. Eyes—glowing and malicious—emerged from the darkness. The air grew heavy, crackling with malevolence.
Kael rose shakily to his feet, his sword gleaming with faint light. "Stay behind me," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
Arianne's legs trembled, but she nodded. She had no weapon, no way to defend herself, but something about Kael's presence—despite his weakened state—made her feel protected.
The first shadow lunged, its form fluid yet sharp, like living darkness. Kael moved with precision, his blade slicing through the creature, which dissolved into mist with a hiss. More shadows emerged, circling them, their numbers growing.
"Can you fight?" Kael asked, his voice strained.
Arianne shook her head. "I'm a healer, not a warrior!"
"Then stay close and don't let them touch you."
The battle was a blur of motion and sound. Kael fought with skill and ferocity, but he was clearly weakened. The shadows pressed closer, their movements coordinated, their presence suffocating.
One of them darted toward Arianne, faster than she could react. She stumbled back, raising her arms instinctively. Just before it reached her, a burst of light erupted from her hand, sending the shadow screeching into nothingness.
Kael paused mid-swing, his eyes widening. "You…"
Arianne stared at her hand, which still glowed faintly. "What was that?"
Kael's expression softened, a strange mix of relief and awe. "The mark. Your power is awakening."
The remaining shadows retreated, melting into the forest as quickly as they had appeared. The air grew still once more, though the tension lingered.
Kael turned to Arianne, his sword lowered but his gaze intense. "You're stronger than you realize. And we'll need that strength to survive what's coming."
Arianne swallowed hard, her mind reeling. She had no idea what she had just done or how she had done it, but one thing was clear: her life as a simple healer was over.