AVA's EDGE

seventeen

As Ava stepped into the darkness, the air grew colder, the whispers from beyond the Veil growing louder in her mind. They were becoming bolder, sensing her presence more acutely. It was as if they were reaching out, probing the edges of her consciousness, testing the strength of her newfound connection to the ancient force. Her heart beat in sync with the rhythm of the Veil, a steady pulse that was both comforting and terrifying.

Victor and Liam flanked her, their presence a steadying force amidst the chaos that churned inside her. She could feel their worry, their unspoken questions, but also their unwavering loyalty. They weren’t just with her—they were part of this now, bound by the same oath, the same responsibility.

“Stay focused,” Victor murmured, his eyes scanning the dark passage ahead. “The deeper we go, the more unstable the Veil becomes. We need to be prepared for anything.”

Ava nodded, but the weight of his words lingered in her mind. The Veil was not just a barrier between worlds—it was an entity, a force of unimaginable power, and it was unraveling. She could sense its pain, the strain of keeping the creatures beyond at bay. But even as she felt the strain, she knew she was the one who held the threads together now. She was the Anchor, the point of stability, and every moment that passed brought her closer to the heart of the Veil’s mysteries.

They walked for what felt like hours, the passage twisting and turning, narrowing and expanding like the winding paths of a labyrinth. Ava’s senses were heightened, every sound, every movement around them amplified in her mind. The Veil’s presence was stronger here, pressing against her from all sides, a constant reminder of the fragile balance she now maintained.

Finally, they reached a clearing, a vast cavern illuminated by the faint glow of ancient symbols carved into the walls. The air was thick with the energy of the Veil, swirling in currents that rippled like waves in an ocean. In the center of the cavern stood a large stone altar, covered in moss and etched with the same symbols. Ava could feel the power emanating from it, ancient and unfathomable.

“This is it,” Liam said, his voice barely a whisper. “The heart of the Veil.”

Ava stepped forward, drawn to the altar like a magnet. The closer she got, the more she felt the pull of the Veil deepening, its energy surging through her like electricity. Her body responded instinctively, her hands reaching out to touch the stone surface. As her fingers brushed against it, a flash of light exploded in her mind, a vision of something vast and unimaginable.

She saw the Veil, not as a barrier, but as a living entity—an ancient force that spanned the very fabric of existence. She saw the creatures that lurked beyond, their forms shifting and writhing, their hunger endless. They were not just mindless beasts; they were ancient, intelligent, and patient. They had waited for eons, seeking the right moment to breach the Veil and consume everything in their path.

Ava gasped, pulling her hand away from the altar as the vision faded. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked up to find the others staring at her, their faces pale.

“What did you see?” Victor asked, his voice tight with concern.

Ava swallowed hard, struggling to put the vision into words. “I saw them. The creatures. They’re not just mindless things—they’re intelligent. And they’re waiting… waiting for us to slip up.”

Liam’s expression darkened. “So, the Veil is weakening. We’re not the only ones aware of that.”

Ava nodded, feeling the weight of their situation pressing down on her. “We need to find the Guardians. They’re the only ones who can help us understand how to strengthen the Veil, how to stop these creatures from breaking through.”

The cavern suddenly felt colder, the air thick with the presence of something watching them from the shadows. Ava’s senses flared, and she instinctively took a step back. The Veil was stirring, reacting to their presence, its pulse growing erratic.

“We’re not alone,” Ava said, her voice low.

Victor’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the darkness. “We need to move. Now.”

Before they could react, the air seemed to fracture, a rift opening in the very fabric of the cavern. Dark tendrils of shadow slithered out from the rift, coiling and writhing like serpents. Ava’s heart raced as she felt the creatures from beyond the Veil testing the boundary, probing for a way through.

The rift expanded, the shadows growing thicker, darker, until the entire cavern was filled with a palpable sense of menace. A low, guttural growl echoed from within the rift, sending a chill down Ava’s spine. She knew that sound. It was a sound she had heard in the vision.

“They’re here,” she whispered, her voice filled with both dread and determination.

The rift opened wider, revealing the twisted, monstrous shapes of the creatures beyond. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural hunger, their forms shifting and flickering like dark flames. Ava could feel the weight of their gaze, their predatory hunger directed squarely at her.

But she wasn’t afraid. Not anymore.

She stepped forward, her resolve hardening. “We fight.”

Victor and Liam flanked her, their faces grim but resolute. Together, they would face whatever horrors emerged from the Veil. Together, they would protect it.

With a final, determined breath, Ava raised her hand, summoning the energy of the Veil within her. The world around her hummed with power as she embraced her role, the Keeper of the Veil.