The Sanctified Lanterns' interrogation chamber was cold and unwelcoming, its stone walls carved with faintly glowing runes. The three Whisperers sat bound to metal chairs at the center of the room, their faces pale and etched with fear.
Elias leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching Adrienne as she circled the prisoners. Her rune-inscribed dagger cast faint light across the room, illuminating the desperation in their eyes.
"This doesn't have to be difficult," Adrienne said, her voice steady but sharp. "Tell us who you're working for, and we can offer leniency."
The tallest Whisperer, a gaunt man with sunken eyes, sneered. "Leniency? From the Covenant? Don't make me laugh. You've already destroyed everything we worked for."
"What were you working for?" Elias asked, stepping closer. His tone was low, measured.
The man hesitated, but his glare didn't waver.
Adrienne leaned in, her voice dropping. "Do you know what happens when you tamper with the Veil and fail? The corruption doesn't stop when the rift closes. It stays with you, hollowing you out piece by piece. Is that what you want?"
The Whisperer flinched, his defiance faltering.
Elias pressed further. "We've seen what your rituals do—death and destruction. If you think your so-called benefactors care about you, you're a fool."
The Whisperer's jaw tightened, but his resolve broke. "The Syndicate," he muttered. "They promised us salvation. Power. Enough to change everything."
Adrienne's eyes narrowed. "The Shattered Syndicate?"
The man nodded reluctantly. "They gave us the ritual. Told us how to draw power from the Veil. We just had to hold the rift open long enough for them to arrive."
"Who are 'they'?" Elias demanded.
The Whisperer shook his head. "We don't know. The Syndicate doesn't tell us much. They just give orders. But they warned us—if we failed, something worse would come."
Adrienne exchanged a glance with Elias. Her grip on her dagger tightened.
The second Whisperer, a trembling young woman, spoke up. "We didn't have a choice. They threatened our families. Said they'd kill them if we refused."
"And you thought summoning a Veilshard was the answer?" Elias asked sharply.
"They said it would be controlled," she cried. "That we'd gain power. But it all went wrong."
Adrienne sighed, her frustration evident. "The Syndicate used you. You were expendable pawns in their game to weaken the Veil."
The third Whisperer, silent until now, chuckled darkly. "Weaken the Veil? You Lanterns are so blind. The Veil isn't a barrier—it's a door. And someone's going to open it, whether you like it or not."
Before Elias could respond, Adrienne slammed her dagger into the table in front of the man, its runes flaring briefly. "Enough," she said coldly. "You've already said more than you should."
The man smirked but leaned back, his confidence fading.
Adrienne turned to Elias. "We need to report this to Veylan immediately. If the Syndicate is behind this, it's far worse than we thought."
Elias nodded, his mind racing. The Syndicate's cryptic warnings painted a grim picture, and the thought of what might come next sent a chill down his spine.
---
The two left the chamber, walking through the labyrinthine halls of the Lanterns' base. The glow of rune-covered walls and faint murmurs of other Lanterns gave the space a solemn air.
High Inquisitor Marcus Veylan was waiting in the central strategy room, a map of Arkwright spread before him. Several locations were marked with pins and arcane symbols, a testament to the growing Veil activity in the city.
"Report," Veylan said without looking up.
Adrienne stepped forward. "The Whisperers were working for the Shattered Syndicate. They were coerced into performing the ritual but claim they were promised power. The Syndicate's goal appears to be weakening the Veil further."
Veylan's expression darkened. "The Syndicate has always been reckless, but their actions are escalating. Did they mention their next target?"
Elias shook his head. "No, but they warned that failure would bring something worse than the Veilshard."
Veylan's gaze turned thoughtful, his fingers tracing one of the marks on the map. "The Syndicate's true goal remains unclear, but their methods are becoming increasingly dangerous. We need to be proactive."
Adrienne frowned. "What's our next move?"
Veylan looked at Elias, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Thorne, your involvement has already proven valuable. The artifact you carry and your natural instincts make you an asset. However, you'll need more than instincts if you're to survive what lies ahead."
He opened a nearby case, revealing a revolver with intricate engravings glowing faintly with Veil energy. Alongside it were bullets inscribed with runes.
"This is for you," Veylan said, handing the weapon to Elias. "An enchanted revolver. The bullets are Veil-forged and will disrupt most minor entities. Use it wisely—these rounds aren't easily replaced."
Elias accepted the weapon, turning it over in his hands. The weight was familiar, but the faint hum of Veil energy made his skin crawl.
"I don't suppose there's a manual for this thing?" Elias asked dryly.
Adrienne smirked. "Point and shoot. Just make sure you aim carefully."
Elias holstered the revolver, his grip firm. "What about the Syndicate? Do we have any leads?"
Veylan pointed to a red pin on the map. "A new rift was detected at the southern docks. It's small but growing. If the Syndicate is behind it, we need to contain it immediately."
Adrienne nodded. "I'll prepare."
Elias sighed. "Looks like I'm coming too."
"You're Veilborn, Mr. Thorne," Veylan said. "The Veil is already a part of you. The sooner you learn to face it, the better."
As they left the room, Adrienne handed Elias a pouch of spare runed bullets. "You'll need these. And remember—this isn't like dealing with regular enemies. Think fast, or you'll end up dead."
"Comforting," Elias muttered, slipping the pouch into his coat.
The two walked out into the foggy streets of Arkwright, the weight of their mission settling heavily on them.
"This Syndicate," Elias said after a moment. "Have you dealt with them before?"
"Not directly," Adrienne admitted. "But their reputation is bad enough. They believe the Veil is a source of ultimate power, and they're willing to risk everything to exploit it."
Elias glanced at the revolver at his side, his grip tightening. "Let's hope this thing works. I have a feeling we're going to need it."
The air grew colder as they approached the docks, and the faint hum of Veil energy began to vibrate through the ground. Elias adjusted his monocle, readying himself for whatever lay ahead.
The shadows of Arkwright were stirring, and Elias knew the worst was yet to come.