Elias and the man moved deeper into the forest, the thick canopy overhead casting long shadows over the narrow path. The air was heavy with tension, the memory of their narrow escape from The Veil still fresh in their minds. Every sound—a rustling leaf, a snapping twig—made Elias glance over his shoulder. The crystal in his satchel had dimmed, its hum quieter now, but its presence was a steady reassurance.
The man, whose name Elias had learned was Darian, walked beside him, his steps unsteady but determined. "I've heard stories about The Veil," Darian said, his voice low. "But I never thought I'd see them up close. What do they want with you?"
Elias hesitated. He hadn't shared much about the crystal, unsure if he could trust Darian completely. But after everything they had been through, he decided honesty was the only way forward.
"They're after this," Elias said, pulling the crystal from his satchel. Its soft glow illuminated the space between them, casting faint light on Darian's worn face.
Darian's eyes widened. "What is it?"
"It's… the light of the mountain," Elias explained, though even as he spoke, he realized how vague it sounded. "It's a guide. It helps me find the truth—or at least, that's what I've been told."
Darian studied the crystal, his expression unreadable. "And The Veil wants it because…?"
"Because the truth threatens them," Elias replied. "They want to control knowledge, to keep people in the dark. This light—this truth—makes that impossible."
Darian nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on the crystal. "Then you'd better be careful. If they find you, they won't stop until they take it."
Elias returned the crystal to his satchel, tightening the straps. "That's why we need to keep moving."
The two pressed on, the forest growing denser with each passing hour. The trees towered above them, their gnarled branches twisting together like skeletal hands. The path became harder to follow, but the crystal's faint glow helped Elias find his way.
By nightfall, they reached a small clearing where a crumbling stone structure stood, overgrown with moss and vines. It looked like an old temple, its walls etched with faded symbols that seemed to shimmer faintly in the moonlight.
"This looks like a good place to rest," Elias said, stepping inside. The air within the temple was cool and still, carrying the faint scent of damp stone. He lit a small fire near the entrance, its flickering flames casting shadows on the ancient walls.
As they sat by the fire, Darian spoke again, his voice hesitant. "Why are you doing this, Elias? Why carry something so dangerous, knowing what it could cost you?"
Elias stared into the flames, the question hanging heavy in the air. "Because the truth matters," he said finally. "I've seen what happens when people hide from it—what happens when fear takes over. The crystal isn't just a guide for me. It's a chance to bring light to others, to help them see what's real."
Darian nodded, though his expression remained conflicted. "You're braver than I am," he said quietly. "I ran from The Veil. I thought I could escape them, but… I've been hiding ever since."
Elias looked at him, sensing the weight of his words. "You're not hiding now," he said. "You're here. That takes courage."
Darian offered a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. The fire crackled softly between them, its warmth a small comfort in the growing darkness.
As the night deepened, Elias felt the first stirrings of unease. The crystal in his satchel began to hum faintly, its glow flickering like a warning. He stood, scanning the shadows beyond the firelight.
"What is it?" Darian asked, rising to his feet.
Elias held up a hand, motioning for silence. The forest was quiet—too quiet. No rustling leaves, no chirping insects, only the faint whisper of the wind. He took a step toward the temple's entrance, his hand resting on the dagger Kael had given him.
And then he saw them.
Figures moved through the trees, their dark cloaks blending seamlessly with the shadows. The Veil had found them.
"Darian," Elias said, his voice low but urgent. "We're not alone."
Darian's eyes widened as he followed Elias's gaze. "What do we do?"
Elias's mind raced. The temple offered some protection, but it wouldn't hold if The Veil decided to attack. The crystal's light pulsed steadily, as if urging him to act.
"We can't fight them," Elias said. "But maybe we don't have to."
He reached into his satchel, pulling out the crystal. Its glow intensified, filling the temple with a soft, golden light. The figures outside hesitated, their movements slowing as the light spilled out into the clearing.
Elias stepped forward, holding the crystal high. "Stay back!" he called, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "You can't have it."
The Veil didn't respond, but their advance stopped. For a moment, the clearing was still, the tension thick in the air.
Then, one of the figures stepped forward, removing its mask. Beneath it was a woman with piercing eyes and a scar that ran down her cheek. She studied Elias, her expression unreadable.
"The light is not yours to keep," she said, her voice calm but firm. "It belongs to the mountain."
Elias met her gaze, his grip tightening on the crystal. "The mountain gave it to me. It's mine to carry."
The woman tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "Then carry it wisely, Seeker. The world is not kind to those who walk with light."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows. The other figures followed, melting into the forest as silently as they had come.
Elias lowered the crystal, his heart pounding. Darian let out a shaky breath, his hands trembling. "What just happened?"
"I don't know," Elias admitted. "But I think… they let us go."
The fire crackled softly, its warmth a fragile barrier against the night. Elias placed the crystal back in his satchel, the weight of its significance pressing down on him.
The road ahead was growing darker, but the light he carried burned brighter than ever.