Wind howled through forest. It carried a feeling of impending doom. Kaoru sensed it in the air. There was a thick pressure making it difficult to breathe. It seemed like the world was holding its breath. His body trembled persistently. It was from the fight with the Wraithspawn. Brutality marked the fight. Yet they emerged as winners. Kaoru recognized that it was just a minor victory.
Kaoru glanced over at Rei. She was a few feet away scanning the dark horizon with her eyes. Her expression was unreadable as ever. Yet Kaoru thought he sensed something. He was sure she was alert, tuned in to every noise and movement. Suddenly the silence was broken by Rei's voice. It was low but carried a sense of urgency. "We have to keep moving" she said. "The Wraith's influence spreads. As we delve deeper we approach its source."
Kaoru gave a nod and his mind spiraled with thoughts. He had faced the Wraithspawn but that was not the end. There were much worse things ahead. Going farther into the Veil was the next step for him. The idea of what he was about to face was sickening. It made his stomach turn. But he couldn't turn back now.
"Are we getting close" asked Kaoru. His voice vibrated with anxiousness.
Rei took her time to reply. She started to walk. Her steps consistently measured. Kaoru followed unsure if he could keep up. His legs felt like they weighed a ton. Each step felt like a huge leap from his familiar world. It was like walking into a place of dream or nightmare.
As they journeyed the environment seemed to alter around them. The trees now appeared more twisted and distorted. They had unnatural angles. The ground under their feet shook lightly. It created these ripples through the air. It was as if the Veil was a living entity. It pulsed with energy. This energy was both enchanting and horrifying.
"Rei..." Kaoru started. His voice came out weaker as he glanced around him. "What is this place? It doesn't feel right."
Rei stopped and turned to face him. Her expression softened. Slightly. "This is the heart of Veil. Here, boundaries between our world and dark forces of Veil are weakest. Wraith's power is at peak here. We're stepping directly into its lair."
Kaoru swallowed. Each word she uttered tightened the knot in his stomach. "The Wraith is here. Now?"
She affirmed. "Its presence envelops us. It observes us. It waits."
He had felt it before. The eyes. The haunting sensation of being hunted. Yet hearing Rei verbalize it made the fear more tangible.
They pressed on. Continuing into the twisted terrain. The forest was eerily quiet. The murmur of something unseen moving beneath the earth was the only sound. Above them the sky darkened. Clouds twisted in unnatural patterns. It felt as if the Wraith's will was manipulating the very heavens.
Heart of Kaoru quickened. Now he could feel it. The pressing weight of ancient power was upon him. He had heard tales. Dark energies in shadows but he never imagined this feeling. It was as if the Veil was a living being, consuming everything.
"Keep guard up." Rei's voice was sharp. "We're not alone."
In instinct Kaoru went for his weapon. He still had rebar clutched in fingers. Every leaf that rustled, every branch crack made his heart beat faster. The darkness was closing in. It felt malice lingered in the air.
The ground beneath them gave way suddenly. A deafening crack split the air. Kaoru had no time to react. He was falling. Earth crumbled under his feet.
"Kaoru!" Rei yelled. Her hand tried to reach him. She tried to grab him. But it was too late. He plunged into darkness. World above disappeared in an instant.
He tumbled through air. He felt disoriented. With a bone-jarring thud he landed. Hard on the ground below. Pain surged through his body. Everything became a blur of stars and darkness.
The world slowly came into focus around him.
Kaoru lay in what looked like underground cavern. The walls were slick with moisture. Strange glowing markings were visible. The air smelled strongly of decay. Shadows seemed to move by themselves. They twisted and shifted as if they were alive.
He groaned and tried to push up. His body ached from fall. His vision blurred and then cleared. When it did, he saw something that made his blood run cold.
In center of cavern stood a large figure. Its form was draped in torn robes. Its face was masked with shifting shadows. The Wraithspawn.
But this one was different. It was bigger. Its limbs were long and grotesque. Its presence radiated an aura of pure malevolence. The air around it was thick with its oppressive power.
Kaoru's breath caught in his throat. He had fought smaller Wraithspawn. But this was different. This was something else entirely.
Creature's hollow eyes turned toward him. For a moment, Kaoru could have sworn it smiled. A slow, twisted motion that sent chills down his spine.
"So the boy has fallen into my domain" Wraithspawn's voice echoed. Deep and resonant. As if coming from all directions at once. "How quaint. Did you truly think you could stop inevitable?"
Kaoru's heart pounded in his chest. His body screamed for him to run to escape this nightmare. However he knew there was nowhere to hide.
Creature moved its enormous limbs stretching toward him. "The Wraith is closer than you think," it purred. "Soon it will be free. And you—you're nothing but a pawn in this game."
Kaoru's mind raced. He had to think. He couldn't let fear consume him. He had already survived once. He could do it again. He grabbed his rebar. Grip tightened as he focused on energy he learned to wield. The Veil was inside him. He had to tap into that power. That was the only way to survive.
"Rei!" he muttered. Voice was barely audible. "Where are you?"
But Wraithspawn only laughed. Its voice was dark and mocking. "Rei is far beyond your reach boy. You are alone now."
Kaoru's resolve hardened. He was not going down without fight. Wraithspawn lunged at him. Claws reached for his throat. But Kaoru was ready. Battle for the Veil was about to commence.
to be continued...