The Veiled Realm

adows over the ancient parchment, highlighting the intricate lines and symbols she'd studied a hundred times before. This tim

Her condition worsened every day, and now she could not move or speak at all. The only communication left was the small, desperate movements of her sister's eyes. Aria's thoughts drifted back to five years ago before Andrea started showing symptoms of her illness. Andrea was a social butterfly, she loved the outdoors, she loved hiking, she loved camping and most

p and balance, her speech became slurred and her nerves began to degenerate. Now she was trapped in her own body, in her own mind, fully aware of her surroundings, and her emotions, perceiving everything happening around her but not

, a sanctuary, and, most importantly, a flower. The Selene's Orchid, the texts called it, a flower said t

deep in shadow, with a clearing bathed in moonlight. A solitary flower was marked at the center, petals shining like stars. She k

she'd seen the reports, and spoken to people who claimed to have seen glimpses of something they couldn't

thoughts. She hesitated before an

le for her sister's care. They had become close o

he office, aren't

" she said, trying to inject a note of lightness she d

ed "There's something I need to tell you. "An...drea's lungs are failing." He stuttered. "H

lutched her

...

ce. "I'm this close, I swear I am. I've found the coor

. You need your rest. I will see you in the hospital when you come to visit." With that he said, he hung up the phone, leavi

nal closer, her father's old notebook. He'd been the first to tell her the s

ting read, "Legends are born from truths,

h for, clues to uncover. She was so close, closer than she'd ever been. The coordinates she'd pieced together point

she whispered to the emp

heavy, it seemed to hang low in the sky, as if watching her. A shiver ran down her spine, but she ign