The path to the mountain range was grueling. Kael and Aryn trudged through an ever-changing landscape, where the ground shifted beneath their feet and the air shimmered with strange energy. At times, the terrain seemed to defy logic—trees that grew upside down, rivers that flowed uphill, and fields of crystalline flowers that whispered unintelligible words as they passed.
"This place is messing with my head," Aryn muttered, stepping carefully around a patch of glowing moss.
"You and me both," Kael replied, clutching his journal like a lifeline. The map within its pages continued to guide them, but the closer they got to the mountains, the heavier the air seemed to grow.
As the day—or what passed for a day in The Veil—wore on, they reached a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast canyon. The sight was both breathtaking and intimidating. The canyon stretched endlessly, its depths obscured by a swirling mist that seemed alive, shifting and writhing like a living thing.
"Well, that's not ominous," Aryn said, peering over the edge.
Kael studied the map. "We have to cross it. The journal marks the shard's location on the other side."
"Of course it does," Aryn said with a sigh. "And I'm guessing there's no handy bridge nearby?"
Kael shook his head. "Doesn't look like it."
As they scanned the canyon, a faint glow caught Kael's eye. About twenty feet away, a series of floating platforms hovered over the chasm, each one glowing faintly with runes similar to those they'd seen before.
"That's our way across," Kael said, pointing.
Aryn frowned. "They're floating. How do we know they'll hold us?"
"We don't," Kael admitted. "But do we have another option?"
Grumbling under her breath, Aryn followed Kael to the first platform. It hovered about two feet off the ground, pulsing gently as they approached.
Kael hesitated, then placed a cautious foot on the platform. It held firm, though it wobbled slightly under his weight.
"See? It's fine," he said, stepping fully onto it.
"Fine for now," Aryn muttered, stepping onto the platform after him.
As soon as they were both on, the platform began to move, gliding smoothly toward the next one. The mist below seemed to stir in response, tendrils of it reaching upward like curious fingers.
Kael tightened his grip on the journal. "Stay close. I don't think we want to fall into that."
"No kidding," Aryn said, eyeing the mist warily.
They hopped onto the second platform, then the third, the path becoming increasingly precarious. The platforms grew smaller, the gaps between them wider. And the mist below was no longer passive—it lashed out in sudden bursts, the tendrils snapping at their feet like hungry predators.
"Kael, I don't like this!" Aryn shouted as she narrowly avoided a misty tendril.
"Just keep moving!" Kael called back.
When they reached the fifth platform, a deep rumble echoed through the canyon. The air grew colder, and from the swirling mist rose a monstrous figure. It was made of the same dark, shifting energy as the Shadowborn, but far larger. Its body was amorphous, constantly changing shape, and its glowing red eyes locked onto them with malevolent intent.
"What is that?" Aryn gasped, drawing her dagger.
"No idea," Kael said, backing away. "But it doesn't look friendly."
The creature let out a guttural roar and lunged at them, its massive form slamming into the platform. The impact sent Kael and Aryn sprawling, the platform swaying dangerously.
"Run!" Kael shouted, scrambling to his feet.
They leapt to the next platform just as the creature struck again, its shadowy tendrils lashing out. One of them caught Kael's leg, sending a jolt of icy pain through his body. He cried out, stumbling, but Aryn grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.
"Keep moving!" she yelled.
The platforms were now breaking apart behind them, crumbling into the mist as the creature pursued them. Kael's heart pounded as they jumped from one precarious foothold to the next, the gap between them and the creature shrinking with every second.
When they reached the final platform, Kael realized with horror that there was no clear path forward. The other side of the canyon was still a good twenty feet away, and there was nothing to bridge the gap.
"We're trapped!" Aryn shouted, her voice tinged with panic.
Kael's mind raced. The journal—the journal had always provided guidance. He flipped it open, desperate for answers. The pages glowed brightly, and new text appeared: Call upon the Veil's light. Trust in its power.
"What does that even mean?" Kael muttered.
Before he could think further, the creature loomed above them, its form blotting out the swirling sky. It roared, its tendrils surging toward them.
"Kael, now would be a great time for a miracle!" Aryn shouted.
Taking a deep breath, Kael held the journal out before him. He focused on the glowing runes, willing them to do something. The air around him shimmered, and a burst of radiant light erupted from the journal, striking the creature head-on.
The beast howled in agony, its form flickering as the light pierced through it. The platforms beneath them began to glow as well, their energy converging into a bridge of pure light that extended to the other side of the canyon.
"Go!" Kael shouted, grabbing Aryn's arm.
They sprinted across the glowing bridge, the creature writhing in pain behind them. As soon as they reached solid ground, the light faded, and the creature let out one final roar before collapsing into the mist.
For a moment, there was silence. Then Aryn burst out laughing, a mix of relief and disbelief.
"Kael, you're insane," she said, still catching her breath.
"Yeah," Kael said, grinning despite himself. "But it worked."
The journal, now quiet, felt warm in his hands. Kael looked at the distant mountains, their peaks glowing faintly with an eerie light. The shard was there, waiting.
And with it, answers.