Saharabi: Awaken the Veil

Whispers

"Ah, yes, there's that flicker of magic. You saw it, didn't you? You mustn't answer, it's rhetoric. But I know you did. It's the joy they all feel from Adil's revival. His presence gives them hope. It breeds ideas in their heads and makes them powerful and determined.

"Who is this? Whose voice is this? They do not know. Neither do you, but I will share the knowledge you lack. And answer the question you harbour. At least, the pressing ones.

"How? How is Adil alive?

"Allow me to put those pieces into place for you.

"After the hard-won battle against Marzathor's minions, the group lingered, regrouping and learning as you saw, but they had no idea what was coming. I knew. I saw the darkness reside and begin festering on Adil's flesh the moment those heinous creatures slashed him. The ghostly cankerworms they carried ate at his flesh. That was the power of Marzathor, the symbol of his plague. His magic was preternatural but repulsively dark. One touch was enough to spread those crawlers all over as they feasted on the life energy of everything.

"They burrowed into his soul, gnawing at his essence of life until only husks remained. He didn't feel it yet. Not fully. But soon... soon, he did.

"Nia's attempt to profess her realization of love was dwindling right in front of her. Siyani was losing the one who he called brother. As for Sekai, he was not only losing a kindred spirit, he was forced to relive the same darkness. Bearing witness to the same evil that took his father away from him. He trembled with trauma as the marks spread across Adil's body similar to that of his father. Yet again, helpless, and forced to watch. 

"And Zara—she questioned not just her competence, but her very worth as a leader. She had power again, but was it enough to save the person her sister loved? Was it enough to rule, to lead, when her guidance faltered? Her guidance did nothing to save Adil who lay dying. The person she had come to respect for loving her sister unconditionally. Zara's spirit tore apart at her incompetence. Ignorant to the reprieve her power gave him in his last moment.

"It is well if you did not see these moments, or hear these things in their hearts. Unlike me, you are not all-knowing. You follow them as they move blindly, unable to see the picture I see.

"I've seen it for ages—shifting, swirling, ties binding them all together in ways they can't yet imagine. But soon will be revealed.

"I see that look on your face. You didn't expect this, did you? That's the thing about fate—it twists and turns in ways we can't predict. Well— you can't.

"But I—I can predict. I can tell you that moment could not be the end of Adil. It was far too early. I've watched Nia's every step as she awakened her sister, knowing full well the burden she now carries. Even now, she still walks with looming doubt, as her power grows. That is why his life could not be lost. He is her compass until she can find her confidence. He who loves her wholly can teach her to love herself too.

"Losing him will surely have left her lost and in tandem, destroyed the ones connected to her.

"You see, it is a ripple effect of sorts. Life breeds life and death...Instead of parables, I will tell you what would have happened.

"Nia losing herself over Adil would endanger Zara's life. Though presently apart, they are one entity. Bonded since before their manifestation. Theirs is a linkage, one depends on the other. And in this world, the dependent is Zara.

"Do you realize what I'm getting at? Or do I have to spell it out too? Another rhetoric, I will spell it out.

"When Nia falters, Zara wanes. Her existence is dependent on her sister. Adil dies, Nia regresses, Zara dies. Another lost.