Prologue: The World's Rupture
A gentle breeze drifted through the air, softly lifting Alynia’s hair, as though these revelations had done nothing to disturb the world itself. Vohrak let out a quiet chuckle at the sight of Veil and Alynia, both standing frozen in place.
“So that’s all you’re capable of? Look around you. Where are your companions? Do you really think you can stand against me?” he said with undisguised contempt.
Alynia turned toward Veil and saw his vacant stare, his face completely devoid of any reaction. She reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly.
“Don’t listen to him, Veil. You know we’re together. We made a promise that day, and I’ve never doubted your word,” Alynia said, her voice trembling.
Veil turned to look at her, his eyes glistening. He gently pulled Alynia’s hand toward him. She looked surprised, but before she realized what was happening, she found herself wrapped in his arms.
“I know, little wolf. I’ve never doubted you,” he replied with a smile.
He let go of her hand and gently cupped her cheeks, looking at her with the same gaze she had always known. Relief washed over her as she realized he still believed in her. He leaned closer until his lips met hers, and for a moment, time itself seemed to stand still as Alynia finally relaxed into the kiss.
“That’s why I can’t let you keep going. You’re my reason for living, Alynia... and I refuse to lose you again,” he continued, his voice gentle, yet carrying a colder resolve.
Alynia didn’t understand his words at first, but then one of Veil’s hands came to rest against her stomach. Before she could react, a powerful gust of wind burst between them, hurling her away from him before she could regain control of her body.
“What are you doing, Veil?! Stop this, now!” she cried, struggling against the force.
But beneath the sadness on Veil’s face, his gaze had turned cold. The hand holding Alynia back made a sharp motion. She felt the force pushing her begin to weaken and immediately tried to seize the opportunity.
Then another violent gust struck her head-on, sending her stumbling backward as the impact made her head spin.
“Forgive me... I can’t let you do this this time,” Veil murmured.
He raised his other hand, and the wind answered at once, quickly forming a dome that sealed him inside with Vohrak alone. Alynia dropped to her knees and tried to crawl forward, but her hands met its surface as though an invisible pane of glass stood between them.
Veil focused, and the snow surrounding Alynia began to melt. The water spread across the dome before freezing over, forming a shell of ice around it.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you won’t protect her. Once you’re dead, it’ll be her turn,” Vohrak sneered.
The dome crystallized into a translucent shell, so pristine it looked almost too fragile to exist. Yet every blow Alynia struck against it failed to leave even the slightest mark.
Veil sheathed his sword and drew the crystalline dagger, lowering his eyes to its blade. Memories surged through his mind in a sudden flash, reminding him of every mistake he had made... of everything he had ultimately lost.
“I need you... please. I’ll give you everything I have left. But help me... just one last time,” he said quietly.
Only silence answered him.
His words seemed unable to reach the dagger, which remained completely dull, without the faintest glimmer of light. Vohrak’s laughter grew louder at the sight.
“Did you really think you were that special? You’re nothing, Veil. Just a human. A worthless toy that’s long overdue to be broken,” he growled.
Veil’s eyes never left the dagger, but the last of his hope faded when he realized that even now, it still refused to respond.
So this is how it ends? I was never going to make it... I can’t protect her until the very end, Veil thought.
He gripped the dagger tightly and closed his eyes, channeling his mana into his hand before letting it flow into the blade in a steady stream.
“Take it all. I’m giving you everything I have left. But please... do something. Don’t leave me like this,” he pleaded, his voice filled with frustration.
“Well, this is starting to drag on. If that’s all you’ve got, I’m done waiting,” Vohrak growled.
He closed his eyes as the air around him suddenly erupted, sweeping everything away. The nearby trees were crushed beneath the sheer force, while a dark veil began to seep from the ground.
“You’re about to learn that a god’s power has no limits. I want to savor every moment as the life fades from your eyes,” he continued.
Horns began to grow from the top of his head, cracks spreading across them as a crimson glow pulsed from within. His head and body transformed, becoming covered in a strange armor through which that same red light spread, coursing across his entire form.
The air had grown unbearably heavy. Veil struggled to breathe, yet he continued pouring his mana into the dagger. At last, Vohrak opened his eyes, his piercing gaze locking onto Veil with the unmistakable intent to finish this once and for all.
“Just look at yourself. Even now, they’ve abandoned you. But I promise you one thing... they’ll be next. This time, no one will come to save you,” he said coldly.
The air blurred as a shadow rippled through the landscape. In the blink of an eye, Vohrak appeared before Veil. He raised his hand, ready to strike—
Then he froze.
A deafening impact echoed above them. A brilliant blue light had gathered at the top of the dome. Cracks spread across its surface in every direction, flooding the forest with radiant light. Alynia, who was still trying to break through the ice, was thrown backward by the shockwave.
The blue radiance blazing atop the dome pulsed violently as the dagger suddenly began to vibrate in Veil’s hands, absorbing the light pouring through the fractured ice.
“What is this...? Did... did I do this?” Veil asked, bewildered.
Before he could make another move, a strange sensation overtook him. He felt his strength slipping away, yet a veil of water began to form around him as the dagger finally lit up.
Its bluish glow pulsed fiercely, and a faint smile crossed Veil’s face at the sight of it finally responding.
Then searing pain tore through him.
The dagger’s light spread across his skin, piercing through it before flowing into his blood.
That radiant glow coursed through his entire body, while the water surrounding him settled gently against his skin.
