The trek back from the cliffs became a blur. Emilia's thoughts were filled with shards of what had just happened—the cloaked strangers, their enigmatic comments, and Luca's ferocious intervention. Her legs proceeded on autopilot, each stride creating a ridiculous echo in the chaotic silence. The e-book in her backpack looked to become heavy as if it had absorbed the weight of all she couldn't help but realize.
Luca became motionless beside her; his mouth clenched hard, his gaze probing the shadows like a cat on high alert. The silence between them became oppressive, laden with questions that neither dared to ask. When they arrived at her cottage, Luca abruptly stopped at the top of the stairs, his body irritated.
"Get interior," he urged, his voice low and strong. "Lock the doorways. Don't open them for everyone but me."
Emilia turned to him, her fingers trembling. "You couldn't just leave me like this. What are they? "What did they imply about the prophecy?"
Luca's expression hardened. "Not now." I want to be certain they are gone." His eyes relaxed slightly, but the tension in his voice remained. "Believe me, Emilia." "I will be back."
Before she could argue, he vanished into the night, his motions swift and silent. The relaxation in the air seemed to permeate into her bones as she watched him go. She reluctantly walked inside, shutting the door behind her. The cottage felt colder than ever, with shadows stretching long and harsh over the walls.
The hours dragged on. Emilia sat at her table, looking at the book she had placed in front of her. The Veil and the Void appeared to hum gently beneath her fingertips, as if alive with energy. She turned to the page with the crescent moon, her heart racing as she examined the shimmering imprint. It had not been there prior. How had it seemed?
Her mind raced, alternating between amazement and the nagging realization that this was more than she could have anticipated. The figures' remarks lingered in her mind: you are the key. But to what?
She closed the book with a pissed-off snap and rose, pacing the small room. Each creak of the floors made her cringe, and every gust of wind outside served as a reminder that she was not safe. Luca's admonition echoed in her mind, but it did little to soothe her.
Then it passed away.
The air in the room altered, becoming less warm and denser. The slight hum she'd felt from the e-book had now filled the space, a low vibration that seemed to rattle through her chest. Emilia froze up, her breath clutching in her throat. The shadows in the corners of the room darkened and pooled like ink.
A whisper. Faint, vague, but unmistakable.
"Emilia…"
Her name was wafted over the air like a ghost's moan. She swung around, looking for the source, but the room was empty. The shadows continued to move, swirling like a residing component. Fear clawed at her, but something deeper was stirring. A warm sensation in her chest diffused but grew.
"Who's there?" She demanded, her voice shaking.
The whisper returned, but this time it was closer. "Can you feel it?" "The electricity within you."
Power? Emilia shook her head and backed away from the centre of the room. "I don't recognise what you're speaking approximately!"
The shadows increased, merging into a single factor in front of her. They rose, forming the hazy outline of a figure, whose presence was both alarming and captivating. The heated sensation in her chest rose, spreading through her veins like fire. Her palms tingled, and a faint golden glow radiated from her fingertips.
"What's happening?" She muttered, barely audible.
The determined did not respond. Alternatively, it reached out, its shape shimmering like smoke. Emilia instinctively raised her palms, the glow growing. A burst of energy erupted from her palms, putting the shadow and scattering it like ash in the wind. The room grew silent, and the air returned to its usual stillness.
Emilia's chest heaved as she glanced at her palms. The golden glow faded, leaving behind only a faint touch of warmth. Something had just happened, and it was not usual. And it wasn't over.
Luca lowered his back just before daylight, his countenance bleak. He barely made it through the door before Emilia seized on him, her concern and wrath pouring over.
"What's happening to me?" she shouted, her voice trembling. I saw something. It spoke to me. "And then..." She raised her palms, hoping that the glow would return, but nothing happened.
Luca's eyes expanded slightly, but he quickly hid his wonder. "What did it say?"
"That I had power," Emilia explained, her voice shaking. "That I should sense it. And that they are proper. I… I'm not sure how, but I did something. It's as if I drove it away, but it came from me.
Luca breathed softly, running his fingers through his hair. "It's starting," he murmured, more for himself than for her.
"What's starting?" Emilia pushed. "Don't keep me inside the dark, Luca. I need to face reality."
He caught her stare, the turmoil in his eyes evident. Finally, he spoke. "Emilia, you are not the same as everyone. The prophecy stated... It is actual. You are the Vessel. The only option is to either seal the Veil or rip it apart. And how strong do you feel? It is yours. It's remained latent, waiting for the ideal moment to awaken.
She stared at him, the weight of his words falling on her. "However, I do not know how to regulate it. "What if I do something wrong?"
"That's why I'm here," Luca stated firmly. "That will benefit you. To protect you. And to ensure that you do not confront this alone."
His remarks provided a sliver of relief, yet the fear persisted. Emilia slid onto a nearby chair, her fingers quivering. "What happens now?"
Luca's expression stiffened. "Now we'll put it together. Because they will not stop until they have you. "If they succeed..." He trailed off, his jaw clenched. "we can let that happen."
The next few days passed in a blur of panic. Emilia kept close to the cottage, guided by Luca. Her abilities have been erratic, bursting into existence one instant and disappearing the next. Each accomplishment provided a short sense of victory, but it was always overwhelmed by the gravity of what was at risk.
Atypical occurrences were not prevented. Gadgets moved on their own, whispers echoed around the house, and shadows appeared to stare at her. Emilia's sleep was tormented by vivid dreams about the Veil, the Void, and the crescent moon. Every time she awoke, the sense of dread clung to her like two-dimensional pores and skin.
On the fourth night, as she sat by the window, staring out at the cliffs, an unexpected burst of energy surged through her. This time, it became more focused and potent. She didn't resist it. As an alternative, she let it float, her hands gleaming with golden light. The feeling became both exciting and terrible.
She then spotted them in the distance. Figures covered in darkness stand near the cliff's edge. Looking.
Emilia's breath caught, and her radiance faded as worry took hold. She began to shout out for Luca, but when she looked back, the figures were gone. The cliffs were vacant, yet the sense of gloom persisted, stronger than ever.
Whatever
r changed into coming, it became closer. And Emilia realized she wasn't prepared.