The cold wind howled through the narrow streets, echoing off the stone walls as Achem and Lysara made their way toward the abandoned temple. The weight of the news from Garron still lingered in Achem's mind—people were looking for them. The kind of people who wouldn't hesitate to take extreme measures. He could feel the tension mounting in the air, every step they took into the unknown, a constant reminder of the danger closing in around them.
They had to keep moving.
"We need to be careful," Lysara whispered, her hand resting lightly on her blade. "The city's not as quiet as it seems. They might be watching."
Achem nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The world had become more complicated with each passing day. First, the Veil, then the sudden appearance of another person from his world—the 21st century. That encounter had rattled him more than he cared to admit. What was the purpose of these strange people? Why had they been dragged into this world? And more importantly, how were their fates intertwined?
"I don't trust this," Achem muttered under his breath. "None of it."
Lysara turned to him, her eyes scanning the street. "What do you mean?"
He hesitated, his mind spinning. "I thought I understood what was happening. I was just a guy stuck in a world that didn't make sense. But now… now I'm wondering if I'm just part of something bigger. These other people, they're from my world, too. They don't belong here either. Something's pulling us all together, and I'm starting to think it's no coincidence."
Lysara paused, considering his words. "You think they're connected to the Veil?"
"Maybe," Achem said, his voice tinged with frustration. "Maybe they're part of some larger scheme. Or maybe they're just as lost as I am. Either way, it's only making things more complicated."
As they neared the temple, the oppressive silence of the city seemed to intensify. The buildings loomed overhead, their dark shapes casting long shadows across the street. The air grew heavier, thick with an unsettling presence. They were close now—too close for comfort.
Suddenly, a soft footstep echoed from behind them. Achem's hand instinctively went to his sword, his body tensing. Lysara immediately drew her blade, her stance shifting into a defensive position.
"Stay calm," Lysara whispered. "We're not alone."
Achem didn't need to be told twice. He spun around, his eyes scanning the area, but saw nothing. Only shadows. His pulse quickened. Whoever was following them was skilled. The step had been too quiet, too calculated.
Another footstep, this time closer.
Before Achem could react, a figure emerged from the shadows—a tall man with a long cloak, his face obscured by the hood. He stepped forward slowly, his movements smooth and deliberate. Achem's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike if necessary.
The man stopped a few paces away, his gaze lingering on Achem and Lysara. His voice was calm, but there was a strange intensity in it, as if he knew exactly who they were.
"I've been looking for you," the man said, his eyes gleaming from beneath the hood.
Achem's heart skipped a beat. "Who are you?"
The man's lips curled into a faint smile. "Someone who knows what you're searching for. Someone who knows about the Veil."
Lysara's eyes narrowed. "You're not from this world. Are you?"
The man tilted his head slightly, as if considering her question. "No, I'm not. But I have my reasons for being here. And so do you, Achem Powers."
Achem froze, his blood running cold. "How do you know my name?"
"I've been watching you," the man replied, his voice soft but chilling. "I know why you're here. And I know what you'll do next. But you're not the only one with a stake in this game."
Lysara stepped forward, her blade raised. "You're going to tell us everything. Now."
The man's eyes flickered toward her blade, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he took a step back, lifting his hand in a gesture of peace.
"Easy now," he said, his voice almost amused. "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to offer you a choice."
Achem's brow furrowed. "A choice?"
The man nodded. "You're tangled in a web of fate, Achem. And the choices you make will shape the future. But if you want to survive—if you want to uncover the truth—you'll need more than just strength. You'll need allies. And you'll need to trust me."
Lysara scoffed. "Trust you? How can we trust someone who's been hiding in the shadows?"
The man's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Because I'm the only one who knows how to stop what's coming. The Veil isn't the only threat you'll face. There's something much darker, much more dangerous, coming for all of you. And if you don't act soon, it will consume everything."
Achem exchanged a glance with Lysara, her gaze skeptical but intrigued. "What do you want from us?"
The man took a step forward, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I want you to help me stop it. And in return, I'll give you the answers you seek. Everything you need to know about the Veil, about your fate in this world. But time is running out."
Achem was silent for a long moment, his thoughts racing. This stranger—this man who knew so much about him, who claimed to have the answers—could be a valuable ally. But he could also be a dangerous manipulator. He had no choice but to proceed with caution.
"I'm listening," Achem finally said, his voice steady.
The man's smile returned, this time with a hint of approval. "Good. Let's start with what you don't know about the Veil. It's not just a group. It's something much older, something that's been manipulating the flow of time itself."
Lysara's eyes widened. "Time manipulation?"
The man nodded. "Yes. They've been pulling the strings for centuries, controlling events, shaping history. But there's a flaw in their system. Something they didn't account for."
Achem felt a chill run down his spine. "What flaw?"
The man's smile faded once more. "You."
Achem's heart stopped. "What do you mean, me?"
The man stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. "You are the key to undoing everything the Veil has built. But you must make your choice. Will you join me in stopping them, or will you let them continue their manipulation of time?"
The weight of the decision hung heavily on Achem's shoulders. He had thought he was just a pawn in a game of politics and power. But now, he was something much more. He was a force that could change the course of history.