The Veiled Realm

rnational Institute of Historical and Archaeological Studies, a place Aria had once considered her second home. She had left

where she was going. Her khaki field jacket and well-worn boots seemed out of place among the tailored

illed with research notes and obscure references, evidence she'd spent years compiling, piece by painstaking piec

hinges. The space was a mess of scattered books, old manuscripts, and half-filled coffee cups, which was the e

sive map of the region covered one wall, marked with pins and red circles indicating pote

ticism. Professor Latham, the head of the institute and a renowned archaeologist in his own right, stood in the centre, his arms cross

ng, so let's hear it. What new evidence do you have about your so-called Veiled

erences," she said, her voice steady despite the frustration simmering beneath. "Not just in regional myths but in texts that date back centuries and I have also cross-referenced these texts with geological surveys of the north

younger historians, Dr Hannah Quinn, a rising star in the academic world who had nev

descension. "We're archaeologists, not treasure hunters. The idea that there's some hidden realm p

ll due respect, Dr Quinn, myths are often rooted in history. Just

as magical powers. There is no evidence to support that the orchid, or the Veiled Realm, ever existed. You're a respect

Veiled Realm is not just a legend. It's a place that was lost to history, hidden away, and I believe I can find it. And i

ly spoke openly about her sister's illness, but this time, it was necessary. She had to make

w what your sister is going through. We sympathize. However, this institute cannot sponsor an expeditio

t the satellite anomalies, the magnetic field disturbances in the northern regions, the ancient maps that all

id quietly. "Not enough to r

on, I'll go on my own. I have the coordinates, the evidence, and the will to see this through. I've spent years buil

ous, especially when it blinds you to reason. But if you choose to pursue this o

permission to do what's right. I'll find the Veiled Realm, I'll f

folder with a mixture of anger and determination. She felt the judgmental stares of her coll

r been afraid of standing apart, of defying expectations. She had faced harsh climates, dangerous excav

on their last camping trip. Andrea's smile was bright and full of life. It was a reminder of why she

deep in the northern wilderness. An isolated, uncharted region where the Veiled Realm was rumoured to be hidden. According to her calculations, the

, and she glanced at the scr

l, Aria said hastily as she pi

y sighed. "We'v

t able to find the flower by then,

Andrea anymore, her body cannot fight anymore. We need to let her

She had a week until the eclipse, a week to prepare for the journey that would either save her sister

led her to believe in the existence of the Veiled Realm. With a determined breath, she opened it to the page marked w

d to herself, tracing the faded ink with her

eology, she stood, grabbed her field bag, and walked out, leaving the scepticism of her colleagues be