beyond the veil

chapter 7

Neon's journey to find her way back home was fraught with frustration and despair. Each attempt to return to her own world proved futile, leaving her stranded in a realm unknown to her

As Neon navigated the unfamiliar landscape of this strange world, she soon realized that the very essence of power and status revolved around the color of one's hair. In Infernia, where she found herself, the vibrancy of one's red hair determined their spiritual prowess. It explained Rowan's radiant red locks, which seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy.

Meanwhile, in the enemy nation of Snowvale, it was the lighter shades of gray hair that denoted superiority in spirit power. Neon observed the various hues of gray adorning the heads of Snowvale's inhabitants, each shade indicative of their strength and influence. Some even boasted white hair, a rare sight that filled Neon with a sense of unease, reminiscent of the man from her haunting dreams.

Amidst this backdrop of societal intricacies, Neon discovered the truth about her relationship with Rowan. He wasn't just her brother—he had been her caregiver, her protector, her everything since she was a toddler. The revelation struck Neon like a bolt of lightning, reshaping her understanding of the world around her.

"Brother," Neon called, her voice tinged with awe and gratitude. "You've always been there for me, haven't you?"

Rowan smiled tenderly, his eyes reflecting the depth of his love and devotion. "Of course, little one," he replied, his voice soft with affection. "You're more than just a sister to me. You're my daughter, my family, my everything."

Tears welled up in Neon's eyes as she embraced Rowan, the weight of his words washing over her like a warm embrace. "I'm so grateful to have you, Rowan," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Rowan held her close, his embrace a sanctuary amidst the chaos of their world. "You'll never have to find out, little one," he vowed, his voice unwavering. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

In that moment, surrounded by the love of her surrogate father, her brother, Neon felt a sense of belonging that transcended the boundaries of blood and lineage. With Rowan by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead, armed with the strength of their unbreakable bond.

As time flowed steadily in the unfamiliar world of Infernia, Neon found herself gradually acclimating to her new surroundings. Despite the initial shock of her circumstances, she embraced her fate with a newfound sense of contentment, for she had Rowan by her side—a constant source of love and support that she had never known before.

With Rowan's unwavering presence, Neon discovered a happiness she had never before experienced. She reveled in the simple joys of companionship, finding solace in the warmth of her brother's embrace and the sound of his laughter echoing through the halls of their home.

"Thank you, Rowan," Neon whispered one evening, her voice filled with gratitude as she leaned against her brother's side. "I never knew life could be this wonderful."

Rowan's smile was soft and tender, his eyes reflecting the depth of his affection for her. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, little one," he replied, his hand gently ruffling her hair. "And I'll do everything in my power to make sure you have it."

As Neon settled into her new life, she found herself drawn to the healing sect—an enclave of knowledge and wisdom where she could hone her skills and expand her understanding of the arcane arts. With her previous knowledge as a doctor guiding her, she immersed herself in the study of healing magic, her passion and dedication earning her acclaim from her teachers and peers alike.

"Neon, you truly are a genius," one of her instructors remarked, his eyes alight with admiration. "Talent like yours comes once in a blue moon."

The praise filled Neon with a sense of pride, but more than that, it filled her with a profound sense of gratitude towards her brother. Rowan's presence had transformed her life in ways she never could have imagined, and she found herself longing to make him proud.

One day, as she delved into her studies, Neon was surprised to find Rowan leaning against the wall of her classroom, a fond smile playing on his lips as he watched her with pride.

"Looks like my little one is so busy that she didn't even notice me," Rowan teased, his voice filled with affection.

Neon's eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of her brother, her heart skipping a beat at the prospect of spending time with him. "Brother, when did you come?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with delight.

"Just a while ago. Anyway, I brought you your favorite cake," Rowan replied, producing a slice of cake from his pocket with a mischievous grin.

Over time, Rowan's gestures of love and care only deepened Neon's dependency on him. He brushed her hair with gentle hands, brought her food, and took her out for walks, each act of kindness further solidifying their bond.

In return, Neon showered her brother with affection, her heart overflowing with love for the man who had become her everything. She knew she was becoming more dependent on him with each passing day, but in the safety of his embrace, she found a sense of security and belonging that she had never known before.

As they walked together, hand in hand, Neon couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the brother who had changed her life in ways she could never have imagined. And though she didn't know what the future held, she knew that as long as she had Rowan by her side, she could face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and strength.

As they walked together, enjoying the tranquility of the moment, Rowan couldn't help but feel a swell of pride and contentment at the sight of his sister by his side. He glanced down at her, his gaze filled with warmth and affection, before breaking the comfortable silence between them.

"You know, Neon, I'm happy that you've changed to your previous self ," Rowan remarked, his voice soft yet earnest.

Neon's brow furrowed in confusion at his words, her gaze searching his face for any hint of jest. "Changed? What do you mean, Rowan?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Rowan chuckled softly, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Before... you didn't like me very much," he admitted, his tone gentle. "You always pushed me away when you became teen, hated my presence, didn't even talked to me for months. But despite all the resistance you showed me, I always found ways to be closer to you."

Neon's eyes widened in realization as she recalled the strained relationship they had shared in the past. Memories of her own stubbornness and defiance flooded her mind, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the thought of how she had treated her brother.

"I... I didn't realize," Neon murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't understand why you were always so protective of me, why you never gave up on me."

Rowan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her amidst the tumult of her emotions. "I was afraid, Neon," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Afraid that you would be lost and alone, with no friends and no other family to take care of you. I couldn't bear the thought of you facing the world on your own."

Neon's heart swelled with emotion at his words, a wave of gratitude washing over her as she realized the depth of her brother's love and sacrifice. "Thank you, Rowan," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion