Through the Veil

Chapter Three: Echoes of Fate

The air in the lavishly decorated room thickened with tension as the violet-hued rift crackled ominously. Selene felt its cold energy like icy fingers crawling up her spine. Her hand drifted toward the hidden dagger strapped to her thigh—a habit born of survival, though she doubted it would help against something so... unnatural.

Without warning, the rift widened with a pulse of dark energy, and a towering, armored figure stepped through. Its cloak rippled like living shadows, and its jagged sword glowed faintly with runic light. The room’s warm candlelight dimmed in its presence.

“Ronan Kane...” the figure intoned, its hollow voice reverberating through the room. “Your reckoning is overdue.”

Ronan’s expression hardened, his silver-gray eyes narrowing with lethal focus. He moved with fluid precision, drawing a sleek black blade etched with glowing runes from beneath his coat. Its edge gleamed with an otherworldly light that seemed to hum with power.

“You should’ve stayed in the shadows where you belong,” Ronan said coldly, stepping forward.

The creature didn’t respond—its answer came in the form of a sudden, brutal charge. Their blades met in a thunderous clash, sending sparks flying and shaking the walls. The force of the collision knocked over the heavy oak desk and shattered a nearby glass cabinet.

Selene stumbled back but kept her footing. Her heart pounded as she scanned the room for something—anything—that could be useful. The dagger in her boot felt like a toothpick compared to the monstrous sword the creature wielded.

Ronan moved with deadly precision, each strike calculated and precise, but the dark figure fought with relentless ferocity. Its blows were heavy, powered by something beyond human strength.

Selene clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus. Fear wouldn’t save her now. Her eyes landed on a fallen iron candelabra near the shattered cabinet—its twisted metal could serve as a makeshift weapon.

With a burst of determination, she darted toward it, narrowly avoiding a stray arc of energy from the clashing blades. She wrenched a sharp piece free, the metal cold and heavy in her hands.

“Ronan!” she shouted, hurling the jagged weapon with all her strength.

Ronan shifted just in time, creating an opening. The iron shard struck the creature’s exposed side, embedding deep into its armor. A distorted screech of pain erupted from its throat, echoing like fractured glass.

Seizing the moment, Ronan surged forward, driving his enchanted blade into the figure’s chest with brutal precision. The creature spasmed, dark mist spilling from the wound, before collapsing into a lifeless heap.

Selene’s breath came in ragged gasps, her pulse still racing. She expected Ronan to bark orders or offer a cutting remark, but when he turned to her, there was something different in his gaze—sharp, calculating, yet tinged with reluctant respect.

Before he could speak, the rift flickered again, shrinking but still unstable. Selene’s chest tightened. If these creatures could come through...

“That was no accident,” she said, voice steady despite the rising dread. “That thing came for you.”

Ronan wiped the dark ichor from his blade, eyes never leaving the dying rift. “It’s not the first... and it won’t be the last.”

“What is that?” she demanded. “How did it get here?”

“The Veil is weakening,” he replied grimly. “Between this world and... others.” His gaze sharpened. “If you thought you were safe here, you were wrong.”

Selene’s mind reeled. Had her strange arrival in this world somehow torn through reality itself? Before she could process the thought, Ronan sheathed his blade and crossed the room with swift purpose.

“You’re coming with me,” he ordered, voice cold and commanding. “Now.”

Selene hesitated, every instinct screaming at her to resist—but she wasn’t foolish. Staying here meant death—or worse. Nodding stiffly, she followed him toward the exit, her mind still racing with unanswered questions.

As they fled the shattered room, one thought burned in her mind: the Veil between worlds was tearing... and whatever lay beyond was coming for them both.

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