The Veil of Elaria

o obscure not only vision but thought. Every step Kaelen took felt heavier, as though the very air sought to pull him d

oom. Kaelen kept close behind, his grip on the dagger tightening with every muffle

e barely audible over the oppressive

the shadow of his hood. "The Otherworld reflects the mind of the travel

chest as he forced himself to focus on Haldwyn's words. But the whispers began s

was faint, familiar, a

blood turning

ly. "Do not listen. The shadows know yo

Kaelen protested, his voi

hardened. "It is no

r argument. He nodded and trudged forward, though the whisper

ore him stood a figure-tall, cloaked, and impossibly still. Its face was hidden bene

Kaelen asked, hi

pping his staff tightly. "A Sh

s voice was a deep, resonant echo that seemed to come from everywhere at onc

eight of the Shade's presence made him doubt it would be of

," the healer declared, his

low. "The Glade is not for the we

coalescing into dark, writhing shapes that surrounded them. Shadows with glo

eflect it, the blade slicing through the misty form. It recoiled, r

uted, panic creep

blue light that scattered the shadows momentarily. "Their strength co

, and this time, he didn't retreat. Instead, he stepped forward, slashi

ments grew more confident as he fought, each swing of his dagger imbued with newfound determ

gest shadow, dispersing it completely. The remaining shapes hesitated

ir victory. "You have shown strength, but the path ahe

d like water, and it sank into the

s knees, his chest hea

shoulder. "The Otherworld does not grant passage

m. He glanced around the clearing, his gaze lingering on t

Glade?" he asked, his voi

rther than you think. Rest while y

pped, but their echo lingered in his thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling th

him, a single thought burned in his mind: H