Kaelin followed the man through the winding paths of the village, his boots crunching softly against the gravel. Despite the rustic simplicity of the settlement, it was vibrant in a way that made Kaelin feel even more like an outsider. The villagers bustled with purpose, their voices blending with the sounds of clanging tools and bleating livestock. Children ran past him, their laughter a fleeting moment of warmth that barely touched the weight on his shoulders.
The sword at his side continued to hum faintly, a persistent reminder of its strange presence. Every now and then, Kaelin caught the villagers glancing at it, their expressions ranging from curiosity to unease. He didn't blame them. The weapon's faint glow, visible even in daylight, was not something they would have seen before. Not in a place like this.
The man stopped in front of a large wooden house, its exterior marked by age and weather but sturdy nonetheless. Smoke curled from the chimney, and the faint aroma of herbs and something earthy wafted from within.
"This is the Elder's home," the man said. "He doesn't take kindly to interruptions, but he'll make an exception for someone who claims not to know where they are."
Kaelin nodded, his jaw tightening. "Thank you."
The man didn't respond, only giving him a curt nod before stepping back to observe from a distance. Kaelin stepped forward and raised his hand to knock on the wooden door, but before his knuckles made contact, a voice called from inside.
"Come in, traveler."
Kaelin paused, his hand hovering in the air. The voice was old and weathered, carrying a tone of calm authority. Pushing the door open, Kaelin stepped inside.
The interior was dimly lit, the walls lined with shelves crammed full of jars, scrolls, and strange artifacts Kaelin couldn't identify. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows that danced across the room. At a wooden table sat an elderly man with a long, gray beard that reached his chest. His eyes, sharp and bright despite his age, fixed on Kaelin with an intensity that made him pause.
"You carry the weight of the lost," the Elder said, his voice quiet yet resonant. "And something more."
Kaelin stiffened, his hand unconsciously tightening on the hilt of his sword. "You know what this is?" he asked, stepping closer and gesturing toward the blade.
The Elder's gaze flicked to the sword, lingering for a moment before he nodded. "I know of it. But it is not the weapon I speak of. It is you, traveler. You do not belong here."
Kaelin frowned. "What do you mean? Where is 'here,' exactly?"
The Elder leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "This is the Veil—a realm between realms. A place where lost things wander, where time holds no sway. It is neither your world nor your afterlife, though many who come here believe it to be both."
Kaelin's blood ran cold. A realm between realms? The words stirred something deep within him, an echo of the visions he had seen at the shrine: fractured worlds, endless possibilities, and the broken forge that seemed to tie them all together.
"How did I get here?" he asked, his voice low. "I died… I'm sure of it. I felt the blade—"
The Elder raised a hand, silencing him. "Death is not the end for you, Kaelin Veynar."
Kaelin froze. The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, and the crackling of the fire faded to a distant hum. "How do you know my name?"
The Elder's lips curved into a faint smile. "Names carry power, traveler, and yours carries more than most. You are bound to forces that stretch far beyond this Veil. You are one of the Eternal."
Kaelin's brow furrowed. "The Eternal? What does that mean?"
The Elder rose from his seat, his movements slow but deliberate. He crossed the room to a shelf and retrieved a rolled parchment, which he unfurled on the table. The image depicted a great forge, its structure cracked and broken, light spilling from its fractures. Surrounding the forge were figures, their forms shadowy and indistinct, but each holding a weapon that glowed with a faint, eerie light.
"The Eternal are cursed," the Elder said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Bound to the multiverse, they are reborn across countless realms, their memories fractured and their purpose obscured. Each carries a fragment of the Forge of Creation, a relic that was shattered long ago in a conflict that spanned worlds. Your sword is one such fragment."
Kaelin stared at the parchment, his mind reeling. The Forge of Creation… the visions he had seen at the shrine suddenly made sense. The broken forge, the scattered fragments, the endless worlds—it was all connected. And he was a part of it.
"Why me?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Why was I chosen for this?"
The Elder's expression softened, a hint of pity in his eyes. "The curse of the Eternal does not discriminate. It chooses without reason, without mercy. You were caught in its web, and now you must walk its path."
Kaelin's fists clenched at his sides. "And what is that path? To wander aimlessly, fighting creatures like the ones in the forest? To die and be reborn endlessly, without purpose?"
The Elder's gaze hardened. "Your path is what you make of it, Kaelin. But know this: the Veil is not a place you can remain. It is a crossroads, a resting point for those who traverse the multiverse. Soon, it will release you, and you will awaken in another realm. Whether you are ready or not."
Kaelin's breath caught. Another realm? Another world? The thought was both terrifying and strangely exhilarating. But one question still burned in his mind.
"What about Cyran?" he asked, his voice trembling. "The man who betrayed me. Will I see him again?"
The Elder studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Perhaps. The bonds that tie souls together are not so easily severed, even across realms. But be warned, Kaelin—seeking revenge may lead you to ruin. The multiverse is vast, and its mysteries are not meant to be unraveled lightly."
Kaelin's jaw tightened. Revenge… The thought of Cyran still burned in his mind, a cold, unrelenting fury that threatened to consume him. But the Elder's words carried weight, and Kaelin knew better than to dismiss them outright.
The Elder returned to his seat, his expression grave. "Prepare yourself, traveler. The Veil will release you soon, and the world you awaken in will not be kind. Remember this: the sword you carry is both a blessing and a curse. Wield it wisely, for it will guide you, but it will also test you."
Kaelin nodded, his resolve hardening. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. He had no other choice.
As he turned to leave, the Elder called after him. "One last thing, Kaelin. When you awake in the next realm, look for the mark of the Forge. It will lead you to others like you."
Kaelin paused, the words sinking in. Others like him. The thought was both comforting and unsettling. Without another word, he stepped out into the fading light of the village, the weight of the Elder's warning heavy on his shoulders.