The Veil shimmered like a wall of liquid light, its surface rippling with colors that had no name. Kael stood at the edge of the cliff, staring into its depths. Beyond it lay the Hollow—a vast, yawning darkness that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
"Kael!" Erynn's voice cut through the wind, sharp and urgent. "Get away from there! You know what happens if you touch it."
He didn't move. The Veil had always fascinated him. It was beautiful, in a way that made his chest ache. But it was also deadly. Every child in the village knew the stories: those who touched the Veil were never seen again.
"I'm not going to touch it," he said, though his fingers twitched at his sides. "I just… want to see."
Erynn grabbed his arm and yanked him back. Her grip was firm, her dark eyes blazing. "You're an idiot, you know that? If the Elders catch you out here—"
"They won't," Kael interrupted. "They're too busy praying to their stupid gods."
Erynn snorted, but her expression softened. She let go of his arm and stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the Veil. "It's creepy," she said after a moment. "Like it's watching us."
Kael didn't answer. He couldn't explain why, but the Veil felt… alive. Sometimes, when the wind died down, he thought he could hear it whispering.
The ground trembled.
Kael stumbled, his heart lurching as the tremor grew stronger. Erynn grabbed his arm again, her nails digging into his skin. "What's happening?"
The Veil rippled violently, its light flickering like a dying flame. A low, guttural sound echoed from the Hollow—a sound that made Kael's blood run cold.
"Shriekers," Erynn whispered.
Kael's stomach dropped. The Shriekers only came during the **Fractures**, when the Veil weakened and their world bled into his. But the Fractures were rare, predictable. This was different.
The Veil cracked.
A jagged line split its surface, spreading like a spiderweb. Through the gap, Kael saw movement—shadows writhing, clawed hands reaching.
"Run!" Erynn shouted, dragging him away from the cliff.
But Kael couldn't move. His feet felt rooted to the ground, his eyes locked on the Veil. The whispers were louder now, almost like words.
"Kael!" Erynn's voice was frantic. "We have to go!"
The Veil shattered.
A wave of light and darkness exploded outward, throwing Kael to the ground. His ears rang, his vision blurred. When he looked up, the Veil was gone. In its place was a gaping hole, and from it poured the Shriekers.
They were taller than men, their bodies twisted and elongated, their faces blank except for gaping mouths filled with needle-like teeth. They moved with unnatural speed, their limbs jerking like broken puppets.
Erynn grabbed Kael's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Come on!"
They ran, the Shriekers' screeches echoing behind them. Kael's lungs burned, his legs screaming in protest, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.
The village was in chaos. People screamed, their voices drowned out by the Shriekers' cries. Kael's heart pounded as he searched the crowd for Lira.
"Lira!" he shouted, his voice breaking. "Where are you?"
A Shrieker lunged at him, its claws slashing through the air. Kael ducked, his body moving on instinct. He grabbed a broken piece of wood from the ground and swung it at the creature. It hissed, retreating for a moment, but more were coming.
"Kael!" Erynn's voice was desperate. "We have to go!"
"Not without Lira!"
He pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning every face. And then he saw her—Lira, standing frozen in the middle of the square, her small frame trembling.
"Lira!" Kael screamed, running toward her.
A Shrieker stepped into his path.
Time slowed.
The creature's mouth opened, a low, guttural sound escaping its throat. Kael's grip tightened on the piece of wood, but he knew it wouldn't be enough.
And then the Veil surged.
A wave of light erupted from the hole, slamming into the Shrieker and sending it flying. Kael stumbled back, his eyes wide as the light wrapped around him, pulling him toward the Hollow.
"Kael!" Lira's voice was faint, distant.
He reached for her, but the light was too strong. It dragged him into the abyss, the world around him dissolving into darkness.
The last thing he saw was Lira's face, her eyes filled with tears.
And then he was falling.
........