Even during the day, Emilia was plagued by the cartoon's bright crescent moon. She couldn't study it for long without feeling as if it was pulsing with an energy she couldn't identify. She slid the ebook into her backpack, prepared to face the strange draw it appeared to have on her.
By late afternoon, the city was buzzing with an electricity Emilia had never felt before. Humans strolled in groups, their voices rising with pleasure. Strings of dazzling lanterns had been placed between dwellings, their warm, gentle fighting returning to the encroaching dusk. Flyers put along the streets read Moonfire Festival this night in large lettering. The joyous atmosphere became infectious, yet the impression of something unseen lingered beneath the surface, like an undertow.
Emilia struggled to shake the heaviness, realizing she needed a diversion. After closing the library for the evening, she allowed herself to be swept along with the mob as they approached the main square. Music wafted through the air, and the aromas of spiced cider and roasting chestnuts blended with the salty tang of the ocean. For the first time since arriving, the city appeared alive—alive and historical, as if this night connected the present to something much older.
The heart of the competition transformed into spectacular. A gigantic bonfire erupted in the centre of the square, its flames twisting and jumping as if they were dancing to the beat of drums booming in the distance. Stalls along the periphery, offering homemade goods and lunches. However, it was the humans who captured Emilia's attention. Many donned artistically crafted masks, with some featuring moons, stars, or snarling creatures. Others brought lanterns, which produced spooky shadows on the cobblestones.
Emilia strolled through the throng, her gaze drawn to a figure standing near the edge of the rectangular. The discern's focus was fixed on her as she stood tall, veiled, and motionless. The sensation of being watched sent shivers down her spine, but when she blinked, the figure had vanished.
Her disquiet grew, but before she could dwell on it, a burst of laughing nearby caught her attention. Young people were jogging beyond, tossing flower petals into the air. The sight calmed her anxiety slightly. Maybe she just got on board after everything happened at the library.
As the night progressed and the crowd grew, Emilia became increasingly drawn to the cliffs. The bonfire's flame faded behind her as she proceeded along the curving path, the sound of the waves becoming louder with each step. She had no idea why she was going there, except that she felt compelled to go—as if an unseen hand was guiding her.
When she arrived at the cliffs, she was not alone.
Figures dressed in dark dresses stood in an unfastened circle near the entryway, backs facing her. The air felt colder just here, and the wind was harsh and stinging. Emilia froze over, unsure whether to live hidden or in technique. Then one of them became, and her breath stopped. The same tall figure from the pageant wore a silver mask shaped like a crescent moon to cover their face.
"You came," the determiner remarked, their voice silky but unnerving. It was not a question.
"who're you?" Emilia requested, forcing her voice to remain steady despite the tremble in her chest.
The individual moved closer, and as they did, the others in the circle rotated nicely. Their covered faces appeared to glimmer faintly in the moonlight, spooky and unearthly.
"You already know the answer," the figure explained. "We are the keepers of the ancient ways." "The ones who conceal the truth."
"fact approximately what?"
Instead of responding, the discerner nodded toward the cliffs. The waves below smashed forcefully, spraying white froth into the air. The wind howled, carrying a low, resonant hum that seemed to reverberate in Emilia's bones.
"You are the key, Emilia," the person stated, their voice booming over the wind. "The one prophesied to awaken the energy buried beneath the Veil." The vessel is capable of restoring or shattering stability.
Emilia staggered another step, her pulse pounding in her ears. "I do not recognize. "You've got the wrong person."
The figure inclined their head, appearing amused. "Will we?" Please tell me why you believe you were drawn to this city after studying it. To the Cliffs? To the book, you won't let go of?
Her bag seemed instantly heavier, and the e-book's presence was almost suffocating. She grasped it instinctively as if it could shield her from whatever was going on.
"This isn't real," she muttered. "it can't be."
But, as she whispered the words, she was aware that they were a lie. The cravings, the whispers, and Luca's cautions have all led up to this moment. The figure raised a hand, and the air around them appeared to shimmer, with the rims of their shape blurring like heat waves.
"Accept your area, Emilia," they urged, their voices resonating. "The veil thins and the Void stirs. "Whether you rise or fall, the decision is no longer yours alone."
The ground beneath her feet appeared to change, and Emilia realized with a shock that the cliffs were crumbling. Panic erupted as she stumbled lower back, the wind pulling at her hair. However, before she could respond further, a familiar voice broke through the confusion.
"Step away from her!"
Luca.
He came from the shadows, his silver eyes illuminating the darkness. His presence provided a jolt of equilibrium, and for the first time, Emilia felt something close to comfort. Luca moved like a predator, positioning himself between her and the masked figures.
"This does not concern you, Blackwood," the lead parent stated their tone stern.
"It bothers me if she is concerned," Luca hissed. "you haven't any proper to force her into this."
"pressure?" The figure laughed, and the sound was bloodless and resounding. "She was born into it. Just as you were born to protect her. Have you ever lost track of where you are in all of this?"
Luca's jaw hardened, and his fists clenched at his sides. Emilia's head spun, and pieces of the puzzle fell into place too quickly for her to keep up. Defend her? Born into this?
"Sufficient," Luca replied, his voice low and threatening. "You have made your point. "I'll leave her alone."
The stranger gave him a long look before lowering their hand. The shimmering air around them became calm, and the wind died down.
"For now," they answered, turning back toward the cliffs. "However, the prophecy cannot be undone, Blackwood. The Vessel has reawakened. The veil will fall. And once it occurs, neither you nor anyone else will be able to stop what happens next."
With that, the individuals stepped from the cliffs and disappeared into the darkness below. Emilia's heart lurched, but as she ran to the edge, there was no trace of them. Best of the restless waters far below.
Luca's hand on her shoulder merged her lower back with the existent. She began to tolerate him, her chest heaving with questions she couldn't put into words.
"We need to leave," he continued, his voice frantic. "Now."
Emilia hesitated, the weight of the e-book in her backpack keeping her grounded. "What simply came about?"
"I'll explain," Luca said, pushing her away from the cliffs. "However, it is no longer right here. They'll be back. And the next time, they didn't give us any warning."
Emilia cast a final glimpse over her shoulder as they hurried quickly away. The cliffs stood silent
again, yet a subtle hum lingered in the air, a foreshadowing of what was to come.