AVA's EDGE

fifteen

As the first light of dawn washed over them, a quiet resolve settled into their bones. The world they emerged into felt different, as if it had shifted while they were below, connecting with powers that lay beyond. Ava could still feel the hum of the plaquette pulsing in time with her heartbeat, a tangible reminder of her new bond with the Veil.

Victor led the way as they crossed a narrow stone path lined with ivy and shadows. The scroll tucked under his arm, he looked to Ava and Liam. “The Guardians are not easy to find. They conceal themselves not just from people, but from the very fabric of this world. They move through places between here and the Veil, blending into forgotten paths and hidden realms.”

Ava glanced back toward the rising sun, its light a faint reassurance in a world now tinged with mystery. “How do we follow them?”

Victor looked at the scroll, carefully unrolling a small section. “The symbols,” he said, gesturing to a circle of glyphs. “They’re not just markers; they’re gateways. To anyone else, they’re just ancient script. But if you’re bound to the Veil—like you are—they resonate.”

The words ignited a strange stirring in her chest. Without hesitation, she touched the scroll, letting her fingers hover just above the ink. As if responding to her touch, the symbols flickered, tiny pulses of blue light that spiraled outward from her hand. The scroll warmed under her fingers, and she felt a tugging sensation, like a faint current drawing her forward.

“They’re calling to you,” Victor murmured, his voice laced with awe. “The Guardians feel your presence through the symbols—they’ll know we’re coming.”

Liam’s hand tightened around the small blade he’d begun carrying, a symbol of his newfound courage. “And they’ll help us? Or do they want the Veil for themselves?”

Victor hesitated. “They are the oldest defenders of its secrets. Some may view Ava as a threat, especially those who’ve held their positions for centuries. But there are others who’ll see her as a guide, one who can bring the knowledge they seek. They understand the Veil as a bridge, not a barrier.”

Ava took a steadying breath. “Then we should move before they change their minds.”

They left the forest path behind, navigating through mist-shrouded fields and silent groves, the world around them somehow more vibrant and alive, as if resonating with the energy of the Veil itself. Ava could feel the connection growing stronger. Her senses seemed heightened, able to pick up on whispers of power lurking beneath the surface of reality.

Finally, they reached an old stone circle, half-buried in moss and overgrowth, and the symbols on the scroll flared brighter. “This is it,” Victor said, nodding toward the stones. “The Guardians’ first threshold.”

Ava felt the air change, thickening with a subtle vibration. She stepped forward, holding the scroll aloft. The stones began to shift, grinding and rumbling, revealing a spiraling staircase descending into darkness.

As they descended, shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, forming and then vanishing. Strange glyphs etched into the walls seemed to pulse with a life of their own. At the bottom of the stairs, a vast, cavernous hall awaited them, lit by a strange blue light that emanated from large crystals embedded in the walls.

In the center stood a figure, cloaked in robes of black and silver, his face hidden beneath a hood. He regarded them with a piercing gaze, his presence filling the chamber with an undeniable authority.

“Ava, the Anchor,” he intoned, his voice resonating like a distant storm. “We have awaited your arrival.”

Ava felt a ripple of fear but held her ground. “You are one of the Guardians?”

The figure nodded slowly. “One of many. But our order has been fractured over the centuries, and many of my brethren would not welcome an Anchor. They cling to the past, to methods of control. I, however,” he said, stepping forward, “see potential for something new.”

Liam glanced uneasily at Victor, who gave a barely perceptible nod of assurance.

“You’ve come to keep the Veil secure,” the Guardian continued, “but know this: to truly anchor it, you must go beyond knowledge or spells. You must undergo the Rite of Alignment, a binding ritual that will permanently fuse your spirit with the Veil.”

Ava’s throat tightened. “And what happens after that?”

“The Rite is… transformative,” he said, his tone grave. “It will strip away any ties you have to this world, leaving only your essence and the Veil. Few have endured it without being consumed, but I believe you may be strong enough.”

Victor leaned forward, his expression intense. “What about the creatures beyond the Veil? Will the Rite prevent them from breaking through?”

The Guardian nodded solemnly. “The Rite will strengthen the Veil beyond anything known. But it will also make you… visible to the beings on the other side. They will know you, Ava, and seek to challenge you.”

A chill ran through her. “Then… they’ll try to break through to me?”

“They may, if they believe they’re strong enough. But with every ritual, your connection will deepen, and so will your power. If you can complete the Rite, you will be a force as eternal as the Veil itself.”

Liam’s hand found hers, his grip warm and grounding. “Whatever you choose, we’re with you,” he said softly.

Ava met his gaze, feeling both the fear and determination in his eyes. Then she looked to Victor, who gave her a slight nod of encouragement.

Steeling herself, she turned back to the Guardian. “I’ll do it. I’ll undergo the Rite of Alignment.”

The Guardian gave a slow nod, extending a hand that shimmered with an ethereal energy. “Then step forward, Ava. The Veil awaits.”

As she took his hand, she felt a surge of energy rush through her, a sensation of being pulled into countless threads stretching beyond time and space. Every bond, every attachment, began to blur as she felt herself aligning with the power of the Veil, crossing the threshold into something greater than herself.

In that moment, she was no longer just Ava. She was the Anchor, bound to both worlds, and she could feel the creatures stirring beyond, drawn to her like moths to a flame.

But she stood her ground, unyielding. This was her destiny, and she would face whatever came through the Veil. She was no longer merely human—she was the Keeper of the Veil.