As I walk through the endless grass field, the soft blades brushing against my legs, I spot a small wooden shack in the distance. Its weathered exterior, covered in patches of moss and time-worn cracks, stands out against the lush green. My mind stirs with curiosity, a strange pull drawing me toward it. My steps quicken, cautious yet eager, the faint creak of wooden planks under my weight as I step onto the porch. The closer I get, the more surreal everything feels. The air grows still, heavy with an unexplainable energy, and the soft hum of the wind seems to hush. I finally reach the door, my hand hesitating just above its rough, splintered surface. Before I can knock or open it, a voice, soft yet commanding, flows out like a melody.
"Hello, Noctis. Please, come in." The woman's voice is calm and soothing, each word carrying a strange warmth that settles into my chest. Her tone feels almost heavenly, like a whispered promise in the wind, compelling me to obey. My hand moves almost of its own accord, pushing the creaky door open as I step inside. "Um… who are you?" I ask, my voice shaking slightly as I take my first cautious step into the shack. The interior is dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft glow of an unseen light source. The air is thick, like the weight of ancient secrets pressed against my skin. Then, I see her.
She stands in the center of the room, shrouded in black and silver veils that seem to ripple and flow like liquid shadow. Her form is ethereal, translucent in places, as if caught between the worlds of the living and the dead. The veils swirl gently around her, floating and twisting like smoke in an invisible wind. Her piercing golden eyes cut through the veils, glowing faintly, locking onto mine with an intensity that freezes me in place. They seem to see through me, peeling back every layer of my soul. Despite her veiled figure, there's an undeniable aura of grace and power surrounding her, one that feels both enchanting and intimidating. "Oh my, you don't know who I am?" she says with a soft chuckle, her voice tinged with amusement. She tilts her head slightly, her veils shifting with her movements. "They must not teach my name in schools anymore. What a shame… Oh well." She shrugs with a casual elegance, the motion unsettling yet mesmerizing. "My name is Veylara." The name echoes in my mind, heavy and ancient, like a forgotten truth. I stand frozen, staring at her in awe and confusion. The way her form flickers, as though tethered to this realm by mere threads, makes it clear she is no ordinary being. "Who… what are you?" I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from her hauntingly beautiful figure. Veylara's golden eyes gleamed as a slow smile spread across her veiled face. She began to circle me, her form drifting like mist, silent and eerie. "Who or what am I?" she repeated, her voice dipping into a faintly mocking tone. "I am… many things, Noctis. A guide, a whisper in the dark, a friend… if you choose me to be."
Her words wrapped around me like chains, heavy and hypnotic. I wanted to look away, to step back, but her presence held me in place. She stopped in front of me, her head tilting as though studying every inch of me, every hidden thought in my mind. "You are curious, aren't you?" she said, her voice now softer, almost nurturing. "Curiosity is a dangerous thing, my dear boy. But it is also… powerful. The most powerful tool in the world, for those who know how to wield it."
"I don't understand," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, but you will," she replied, her tone thick with promise. "You are special, Noctis. You may not see it yet, but I do. You were not brought into this world to be ordinary, to live in the shadow of others, to be mocked and cast aside. No… you were born for greatness. For power." Her words sent a shiver down my spine, the strange allure of them both comforting and terrifying. Her golden eyes bore into mine, unblinking, as if daring me to challenge her. "You've felt it, haven't you?" she continued, her voice lowering into a conspiratorial whisper. "The way they treat you. The way they look at you. Like you're less than them. Like you'll never be enough. Does it not make your blood boil? Does it not make you want to prove them all wrong?" My breath hitched, and I took an unconscious step back. Her words struck a chord deep within me, hitting every insecurity, every fear, every moment of humiliation I'd ever endured. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "I… I don't know what you're talking about," I stammered, though the truth of her words echoed loudly in my mind. Veylara let out a soft, knowing laugh, the sound both beautiful and chilling. "Oh, you do," she said smoothly. "You've always known. You dream of more, don't you? To rise above them all. To make them kneel before you, to never feel small again."
I froze, my heart pounding as her words clawed at the dark corners of my mind, the thoughts I never dared to admit to myself. "I can give you that, Noctis," she said, stepping closer. Her golden eyes seemed to burn brighter, their light casting flickering shadows across the room. "I can give you power beyond imagination. Strength that will make kings tremble and gods weep. You would never be mocked, never be overlooked again. You could have it all." Her hand stretched out toward me, pale and delicate beneath the shifting veils. "All you have to do," she said, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper, "is take my hand. Let me guide you. Let me… make you into what you were always meant to be." I stared at her outstretched hand, my mind spinning. Her words tempted me, a part of me screaming to take the offer, to seize the power she promised. But deep down, something felt wrong. The way she spoke, the glint in her eyes, the predatory smile beneath her veils—it all sent a chill through me. "No," I whispered, shaking my head. Her smile faltered, just for a moment, before it twisted into something colder, darker. "No?" she repeated, her voice sharp and icy. "I don't want it," I said, louder this time. I stepped back, my legs trembling but firm in my resolve. "I don't want your power. I don't need it." For a moment, the room seemed to grow darker, the air heavier, as if the world itself held its breath. Veylara's golden eyes burned brighter, her veils swirling furiously around her as she loomed closer.
"You will regret this," she hissed, her voice no longer soothing but venomous. "When the world breaks you, when they crush you beneath their feet, you will remember this moment. You will remember what you turned away from. And you will beg for my help." Her form began to dissipate, her voice echoing around me like a storm. "But I will not forget, Noctis. I will be watching. Waiting." The room dissolved into darkness, and I felt myself falling, endlessly falling. Then, with a sharp gasp, I woke up. The morning light streamed through my window, soft and golden, as if nothing had happened. My body was drenched in sweat, my heart pounding like a drum. I sat up, clutching my chest, her words still ringing in my ears. The dream had felt so real, too real. But as I stared out at the rising sun, I knew one thing for certain—I had made the right choice.