Chapter 11: Into the Abyss
The quiet of the training hall had barely settled when a ripple of energy cut through the air. Lila stood still, the Veil humming around her like a living thing, but it was different now. The calm after the storm felt… uneasy, like the world was holding its breath.
She could still feel the Wraithborn lurking at the edges of her mind, their shadows whispering in the dark. But now, she was no longer afraid. The magic of the Veil surged within her, its power thrumming like a heartbeat beneath her skin, and with it came the understanding that she was no longer the prey. She was the hunter.
Thorne stood at the center of the room, her expression unreadable as always, but Lila could sense a shift in her. Something had changed—something deep and unspoken.
"You've done well," Thorne said, her voice low and steady. "But this is just the beginning. The Wraithborn will not be so easily deterred. And now that you've drawn their attention, they will come for you with everything they have."
Lila's heart quickened. They will come for me. The words felt like a weight, pressing down on her chest.
"I'm ready," she replied, her voice firm. She didn't feel ready, not completely, but she knew that there was no turning back now. The prophecy had already begun to unfold.
Thorne nodded, a faint glimmer of approval in her eyes. "Good. But remember, it's not just about strength. It's about understanding the magic of the Veil. You've touched its power, but now you must learn to wield it."
Lila stepped forward, the magic of the Veil swirling around her in shimmering tendrils. She could feel it, the raw energy, the potential. It was like standing on the edge of something vast, something unknown, and it called to her.
"Show me," Lila said, her voice steady but tinged with anticipation.
Thorne's gaze softened, and she raised her hand. A faint glow flickered in the air between them, and Lila could feel the magic pulse, a beacon of light and darkness intertwined. Thorne extended her hand, and the Veil responded, curling around her like a protective shield.
"This is the first step," Thorne said. "The Veil is not just a weapon. It's a bond. A connection to the world beyond, and to yourself. To truly understand its power, you must learn to connect with it fully."
Lila closed her eyes, focusing on the pulse of magic beneath her skin. She could feel the energy, a restless tide that surged and pulled at her, as if the Veil was calling her to dive deeper.
But with the power came something else—the Wraithborn. Their presence was growing, the shadows in her mind expanding, pressing in on her thoughts.
Lila pushed through the growing darkness, reaching for the Veil. She could feel its pulse steadying beneath her fingertips, like a living thing, responding to her touch. She felt the familiar hum of magic, but now, it was stronger. More potent.
And then she felt it—the darkness that lurked just beneath the surface, the Wraithborn. They were coming for her, their cold hunger stretching through the Veil like a rift.
Lila's eyes snapped open. She could see it now, the faint shimmer of the Veil, a barrier between her and the encroaching shadows. But it was fragile, thin.
"They're coming," Lila whispered, her voice tight with urgency. "How do I stop them?"
Thorne stepped forward, her eyes darkening. "You don't stop them. You face them. You use the Veil to protect yourself, to keep them at bay. But you can't fight them the way you think. The Wraithborn feed on fear, on the very essence of what you are. The only way to defeat them is to face the truth of who you are."
Lila swallowed hard. She had known this moment would come—the moment when she would have to confront the darkest parts of herself.
"Are you ready to face yourself?" Thorne asked, her voice low and almost sorrowful.
Lila stood still, the weight of the question settling over her. She could feel the magic swirling around her, the Veil, the Wraithborn, the darkness—all of it pressing in, demanding an answer.
For the first time, Lila understood. This wasn't just about power, about defeating the Wraithborn. It was about embracing who she was, accepting her place in this world and the destiny that had been thrust upon her.
With a deep breath, Lila nodded.
"I'm ready."
The Veil responded to her will, its magic flaring around her in a blinding rush of light and shadow. The Wraithborn recoiled, their forms twisting and shrieking, but Lila stood firm. She had accepted herself. She had embraced the magic, the darkness, and the light.
And for the first time, she felt the power within her, a force that was no longer just a connection to the Veil. It was a part of her—of who she had become.
The Wraithborn paused, their hunger shifting, uncertain for the first time.
"You've taken the first step," Thorne said, her voice tinged with pride. "But this is just the beginning. The true battle has yet to come."
Lila's eyes burned with determination as the magic of the Veil pulsed around her. She was no longer just a Seer. She was something more.