Emilia's breath caught as the masked parent moved closer, their silver crescent masks illuminating the dim moonlight. Luca instinctively went in front of her, his posture rigid and protective. His body radiated tension, ready to leap into action at any moment.
"Stay at the back of me," Luca said quietly but authoritatively.
The masked figure tilted their head, an aura of calm danger enveloping them. "You may not guard her forever, Blackwood," they said, their voice smooth and chilling. "The Vessel has a destiny, and delaying it will best make matters worse."
"She's not going everywhere with you," Luca hissed, his fists tightening. The air surrounding him appeared to ripple, indicating a subtle power throbbing beneath the surface.
Emilia's heart hammered due to anxiety. She should sense the strength in the air, a battle of forces building up to an imminent explosion. Her instincts told her to run, but her feet were rooted to the floor.
The masked figure chuckled, sending chills down Emilia's spine. "You may not combat fate," they said before taking a step back, their body blending into the darkness as if they had never been there at all.
Luca relaxed slightly, but his shoulders remained uncomfortable. He grew to be like Emilia, his look stern. "We need transportation. Now."
They didn't stop until daylight, keeping as much distance as possible between themselves and the encounter in the woods. Luca brought her to an abandoned cabin deep in the woods, with damaged windows and vines climbing up the sides. It turned out to be far from inviting, but it was hidden, and that was all that mattered.
Emilia collapsed onto an ancient chair, tiredness overwhelming her. Her body ached from the hard pace Luca had set, but her mind refused to rest. The discern's words remained, their menacing tone echoing in her mind.
"who're they?" She then inquired, breaking the stillness. "And why do they keep calling me the Vessel?"
Luca paced the room, his movements tense. "They are part of the Order of the Veil. Fanatics who agree that it is their responsibility to fulfil the prophecy at any cost."
"And the prophecy?" Emilia pressed, her frustration rising to the surface. "You keep talking about it, but I don't understand what it is. What am I expected to do?
Luca paused and turned to face her, his silver eyes focused. "The prophesy claims you have the power to either seal or smash the Veil. The Veil keeps the Void from overflowing into our world. "If it falls..." He trailed off, his jaw clenched. "The Void will consume everything."
Emilia's chest clenched as the weight of his words fell upon her. "And you watched I can stop it?"
"I recognise you can," Luca stated firmly. "However, you must first learn to regulate your power. Otherwise, you will be as dangerous as the Void itself.
The room grew silent, as the seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on them both. Emilia looked down at her palms, a hazy recollection of the golden glow flashing across her brain. She felt the electricity, but it became wild, uncontrolled, and terrible.
The following morning, Luca wasted no time. He brought her into the open outside the hut, where the early light filtered through the timber. "If you're going to live to tell the tale, you need to be prepared for something," he said, leaving no room for debate.
The instruction began with survival basics. Luca taught her how to go stealthily through the forest, how to read the terrain, and how to anticipate risk before it occurs. Emilia struggled at first, her movements sloppy and her fury building. Luca, despite her stern demeanour, refused to give up.
"Recognition," he said, as she fell over a fallen branch. "You are asking much too many questions. Accept as real your instincts."
Emilia sent him a look but bit back her answer. She took a deep breath and tried again, this time relying on her body rather than her overthinking head. To her surprise, she walked more freely, her steps becoming quieter and more purposeful.
"Better," Luca replied with a nod. "Now permit's see the way you manage this."
Before she could ask what he meant, he sprang at her, his movements quick and specific. Emilia hardly had time to respond before tripping back as he closed the space between them. Her instincts kicked in, and she raised her hands, the golden glow bursting into being.
Luca came to a stop just short of her, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "proper. "You are learning."
Emilia's pulse quickened as the gentle disappeared from her palms. "You could've warned me!" she exclaimed.
"The Void didn't give you a warning," Luca said, his tone harsh. "You want to be ready for something."
Their schooling sessions became increasingly harsh with each passing day. Luca pushed her to the brink, forcing her to face her anxieties and shortcomings. But with each venture, Emilia became more powerful. Her motions have gotten more precise, her intuition faster, and her command of her strength more reliable.
Regardless of their accomplishments, their uneasiness boiled beneath the surface. Emilia was frustrated by Luca's austere exterior and cryptic nature, and her continuous queries put his patience under strain. Their disputes had been frequent but brief, and neither was willing to let their differences derail their task.
Emilia broke the stillness one night as they sat by the fireplace, exhausted from a long day. "You're hiding something," she said, her tone accusing.
Luca ignored her, his attention fixed on the flames. "I'm hiding a lot of factors," he said. "but now's not the time to unpack them."
"Why now not?" Emilia pushed. "I'm risking everything to try this. Don't I deserve to know the truth?"
Luca sighed and jogged a hand through his hair. "The truth is dangerous," he stated. "now and again it's better now not to recognise."
Emilia's irritation grew. "You keep pronouncing you need me to trust you; however, how am I able to while you gained't consider me?"
For a moment, Luca said nothing. Then he turned to her, his expression unusually prone. "I've misplaced humans as a result of this fight," he admitted gently. "I cared about mankind in general. If preserving secrets and procedures is the best way to keep you alive, I'll accept the responsibility."
Emilia's fury subsided, replaced with a twinge of guilt. She had no idea what Luca had been through, but the sorrow in his voice became unmistakable. "I'm sorry," she stated softly. "I just… I need to apprehend."
"And you may," Luca replied, his voice solid once more. "however not yet."
Emilia had a Veil-related dream that night. She stood before it, a shimmering barrier pulsing with light and shadow. On one side, she saw the sector she was familiar with; on the other, a swirling abyss that appeared to be reaching for her. The crescent moon gleamed above them, its brightness both magnificent and ominous.
While she awoke, the dream remained, which signifies illusive yet haunting. She looked at Luca, who was already awake, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"What's coming, Luca?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He did not respond at once. When he
finally spoke, his words caused her to relax.
"something we're now not ready for."