The forest was silent, unnaturally so. Even the usual hum of crickets and rustle of leaves had faded, leaving only the sound of Arianne's uneven breathing and the distant crackle of their small campfire. She stared at her hands, still tingling from the burst of light she had summoned earlier. It felt alien and terrifying, yet a part of her longed to understand it.
"You should sleep," Kael said, his voice cutting through the stillness. He sat across from her, sharpening his blade with methodical precision. The flickering firelight highlighted the sharp angles of his face, making him look both noble and weary.
Arianne shook her head. "How can I sleep after everything you've told me? A failing Veil, shadow creatures, and now this—" She held up her glowing hand for emphasis.
Kael's gaze softened, though his expression remained guarded. "It's a lot to take in. But the Veil doesn't wait for anyone to catch up. If we're going to survive, you need rest."
"Do you ever rest?" she shot back, nodding toward the blade in his hand.
"I can't afford to."
Before she could argue further, a sound rippled through the air—a haunting melody, faint and sorrowful, like a song carried by the wind. Arianne stiffened, her eyes darting toward the dark trees. "What is that?"
Kael stood abruptly, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "A Veil Guardian's cry."
"A Guardian?" she echoed, rising to her feet. "I thought they were just legends."
"Many things you thought were legends are very real," Kael said grimly. He scanned the shadows, his stance tense. "They guard the balance of the Veil, but if one is crying out, it means it's dying. We have to find it."
"Wait, find it? Why? Shouldn't we be running away from danger?"
Kael turned to her, his silver eyes sharp. "If a Guardian dies without passing on its essence, its power is lost forever. That power could help us restore the Veil."
Reluctantly, Arianne followed as Kael led the way through the dense forest, his movements swift and sure despite his earlier injuries. The haunting melody grew louder, resonating in her chest like a heartbeat.
They broke into a clearing bathed in faint, ethereal light. At its center lay a creature unlike anything Arianne had ever seen. Its form shimmered between shapes—a deer, a wolf, a bird—its edges dissolving into mist. Its eyes, one glowing with pure light and the other dark as shadow, locked onto hers.
Kael dropped to one knee, bowing his head in reverence. "Guardian," he said softly.
The creature's voice echoed directly in Arianne's mind, a blend of tones—deep and soft, male and female. "You carry the mark, Moon Bearer. The Veil weakens, and I can no longer hold my place."
"I don't understand," Arianne said, stepping closer despite herself. "What do you mean? What can I do?"
"Take this." The Guardian's form began to fade, and from its chest emerged a shard of glowing crystal. It floated toward her, pulsing faintly. "This shard carries a fragment of the Veil's essence. It will guide you, strengthen you. But beware—its power will attract those who seek to destroy it."
Arianne hesitated, looking back at Kael, who gave her a curt nod. Taking a deep breath, she reached out and touched the shard. The instant her fingers closed around it, a rush of warmth flooded her body. Visions flickered in her mind—vast landscapes, swirling storms, and shadowy figures clawing at an invisible barrier.
The Guardian's voice grew fainter. "Protect the shard, Moon Bearer. Restore the Veil… or all will be lost."
With a final, mournful note, the creature dissolved into mist, leaving the clearing eerily quiet once more.
Arianne stared at the shard in her hand, its glow reflecting in her wide eyes. "What have I gotten myself into?"
Kael rose, his expression grim but determined. "You've taken the first step toward saving both our worlds."
Before Arianne could respond, a low growl rumbled from the shadows. The darkness seemed to ripple, and glowing red eyes began to emerge.
"They've found us," Kael said, unsheathing his sword. "Prepare yourself, Arianne. The fight isn't over."