Kaoru moved at a slower pace trailing behind Rei. His legs wearied and mind twirled. The vast emptiness of the Outer Veil loomed ahead. It was endless. Terrain was jagged and sky swirled with an eerie hue. A dim light bathed the place. That was all.
Every step Kaoru took seemed to have heavier load. It was a weight he never felt before. A realization started forming. The danger ahead was massive. It was immense.
"How much more to go?" Kaoru finally questioned. His voice broke the silence.
"Not long" Rei replied. She said this without even turning. Her eyes kept scanning the horizon. Her hand rested on the hilt of her Soulclad blade. "A safe zone is up ahead. We will rest there and regroup."
"Safe zone?" repeated Kaoru. "I did not think the Veil contained spots of security."
Rei glanced back at him. Faint smirk played on her lips. "They are scarce but they do exist. There are pockets of stability where chaos of the Veil cannot penetrate. Resistance gathers there."
"Resistance?"
"Did you believe we were only ones in battle against Wraith?" Rei turned to Kaoru. "Others like us exist. They are Veilbound warriors who have taken a stand. Some have fought for years."
Kaoru felt a flicker of hope. "So more people are like you?" he questioned.
"Like you and me." Rei corrected him. "You are not the first to be thrust into this war, Kaoru. But you are certainly an anomaly."
An anomaly?
Rei nodded. Her expression became serious. "You are untrained. Yet you have accessed Resonance. This is not normal. Most Veilbound take months to years to develop what you show."
"Why does Wraith's forces hunt me then?" Kaoru's voice was heavy. He was bearing the weight of her words.
Rei's chuckle was gentle. "Welcome," she said, "to the club."
Rei lifted her hand as they neared a ridge. The gesture indicated to Kaoru to halt. She bent low, squinting her eyes. After a moment, Kaoru looked to where Rei was gazing. There was faint shimmer ahead. It was like a pond surface disturbed by a minute liquid droplet.
Rei explained, "That is safe zone's boundary."
Kaoru squinted at shimmer. "Safe zone doesn't appear safe. Why?"
"It's shielded by a barrier," Rei answered. Once we're inside Hollowed can't follow. Let's go."
Rei stepped ahead. She placed her hand against the shimmering surface. Air rippled and faint light spread from her touch. Barrier parted with a soft hum. It revealed passage. Passage led into a lush forest.
The forest was glowing. Kaoru blinked in surprise. The change was overwhelming. Vibrant colors seemed to pulsate. Trees had soft blue and green hues. Path was lined with strange, luminous flowers. The air was filled with a calming hum. A hum that was otherworldly.
"This is incredible," Kaoru said. His voice was filled with awe.
"It is beautiful, surely" Rei said. She then continued. "But don't let guard down. In safe zones Veil has secrets." They walked on. The forest enveloped them.
Brow of Shiro furrowed. But he nodded. "Fine. If Rei stands for you, you're welcome here. Yet understand this, Kaoru. Veil is unforgiving. If you hesitate, if you doubt yourself, you won't survive."
Kaoru nodded. His throat dried. "I understand."
Shiro stepped aside. He gestured toward the camp. "Get rest. We'll debrief in morning."
As Rei led Kaoru to a quiet corner of the camp, weight of others' stares unsettled him. Their expressions a mix of curiosity and doubt were hard to ignore.
"You'll get used to it." Rei spoke, noting his discomfort. "They're cautious. Every new recruit poses a risk. It is especially now."
Kaoru's body ached. The events that day were taking their toll. He sat down on a fallen log. "What did he mean by 'especially now'?" Kaoru asked.
Rei hesitated. She sighed. "The Wraith is getting stronger. Its attacks are more frequent. They are more coordinated. Safe zones like this one are disappearing. If we don't find a way to stop it soon…" Her voice trailed off.
She gazed into the distance. Kaoru didn't press her for more information. Instead he took in the camp, the faces that surrounded him. The people were tired. Yet each face bore a spark - a spark of determination that could not be extinguished. The battle-worn looks didn't mask their resilience.
For first time Kaoru felt he belonged. He wasn't alone in the fight.
And he was resolved to show them he wasn't just a risk.
To be continued...