Whispers of Astoria

Chapter Eighteen: The Shattered Veil

The tear in the sky pulsed with dark energy, its edges crackling with the same twisted magic that Florence had felt within himself. The creatures that had surrounded them earlier were gone, their presence replaced by something far more ominous.

From the tear emerged a figure—a tall, imposing being cloaked in shadow, its form shifting and writhing like smoke. Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, and as it stepped forward, the air around it seemed to freeze.

Florence's heart raced, the storm inside him reacting violently to the presence of the Void's herald. He could feel the pull of the dark magic, urging him to give in, to let go.

Andre stood beside him, his sword raised, though Florence could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "What is that?"

Johmarrian's face was pale. "The Shattered One. A harbinger of the Void's arrival. It seeks to destroy the barriers between worlds and consume everything in its path."

The Shattered One's voice was a low, rumbling growl, like the sound of a distant avalanche. "Florence..."

Florence flinched at the sound of his name, the storm inside him surging in response. The figure's gaze was fixed on him, as if it could see straight through to his soul.

"You are the key," the Shattered One continued, its voice echoing unnaturally in the air. "You will open the gate."

"No," Florence whispered, shaking his head. "I won't."

The Shattered One's form shifted, its dark tendrils reaching out toward him. "You cannot resist. The Void is inevitable."

Florence felt the pull of the magic inside him, stronger than ever. His mother's words echoed in his mind—The storm is not your enemy. It's a part of you.

He had to make a choice. Fight the storm, or embrace it.

With a deep breath, Florence closed his eyes and let go.