The veil shimmered like oil on water, placing between two derelict skyscrapers in an deserted district. Elara approached it together with her blade slung across her lower back and her moonstone ring glowing faintly.
Crossing it felt like stepping through ice. She stumbled, then gasped as the world changed.
Here, the city was silent. Glass skyscrapers floated, twisted at impossible angles. The sky bled shades of violet and crimson. Time moved like molasses.
"Welcome, Monroe," came a voice behind her.
Vessara stood on a bridge of bones, flanked by two masked figures. Her red eyes gleamed.
"You entered alone. Bold."
Elara straightened. "I came for answers."
Vessara tilted her head. "Then ask."
"Why does the Sealed Court care about me? About Aldric's bond?"
"Because Aldric is the last piece keeping balance from collapse," she replied coolly. "And you… you are the unpredictable variable."
One of the masked guards stepped forward—but Elara drew her blade before he could move.
Vessara smirked. "You're learning."
Suddenly, the Veil shook. A distant, echoing howl split the air. Vessara paled.
"You brought something with you," she hissed. "Something ancient."
Elara didn't understand. But the glyph on her chest burned.
And something in the Veil screamed her name.