Chapter Nine: The Wraithborn's Shadow
The full moon rose high above the Academy, casting a silvery glow across the courtyard. Its light bathed the stone buildings, the ancient runes that decorated their surfaces, and the young students who gathered in clusters, discussing their lessons. But beneath the tranquility of the night, a sense of unease lingered. Lila could feel it deep within her—a shadow that seemed to stretch across the Academy, slowly drawing closer.
She had bound the Veil, but the magic had not made her invincible. In fact, it had only intensified the danger she faced. The Wraithborn were still hunting her, their hunger relentless. She could feel their eyes on her, even in the safety of the Academy walls. They were close.
Lila stood on the balcony of her dormitory, gazing out at the moonlit landscape. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, each one tied to the prophecy she could no longer escape. The Seer, born of the Veil, who would awaken the ancient bond. She had known the words by heart, but now, they weighed on her soul with a terrifying clarity.
Thorne's warning echoed in her mind: The Wraithborn are still hunting you.
A shiver ran down her spine as she turned away from the balcony and made her way to the training hall. Her footsteps echoed through the darkened halls, the only sound breaking the silence of the night. She had to be ready. She had no choice but to face whatever came next.
Inside the training hall, the familiar circle of stones awaited her. The air felt thick, charged with an energy she could taste on the tip of her tongue. She wasn't alone. Thorne was there, waiting.
"You've bound the Veil," Thorne said, her voice soft but steady. "But that's just the beginning. Now, we prepare for the Wraithborn."
Lila nodded, her heart pounding. She had learned to wield the magic of the Veil, but she had no idea how to face the creatures that hunted her.
"How do I fight them?" Lila asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"You don't," Thorne replied, her eyes grave. "You avoid them. But when the time comes, you will have to stand your ground. The Wraithborn feed on fear and desperation. They will try to break you, to use your own magic against you. But you must not let them."
Lila clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She wasn't afraid of the Wraithborn—not anymore. She had the magic of the Veil, the strength to fight back. But she wasn't sure she was ready for what was coming.
Thorne stepped forward, her eyes piercing. "There are ways to strengthen your connection to the Veil, to make your magic more potent. But you must focus. The Wraithborn won't give you a second chance."
Lila's mind raced. How could she prepare for something like this? How could she stand against creatures who fed on the very fear that gripped her heart?
"Tonight," Thorne said, her voice a low whisper, "you will face a trial. You'll need to trust in the Veil—and yourself. There's a hidden power within you, Lila. But you must learn to unlock it."
A surge of energy filled the room, as if the very walls themselves were pulsing with magic. Lila stepped into the center of the circle, her senses heightened, her heart in her throat.
Thorne's words echoed in her mind: Trust in the Veil. Trust in yourself.
The stones beneath her feet began to glow, the symbols etched into their surface flickering to life. She could feel the Veil, alive and ever-present, swirling around her. The magic beckoned, calling her to harness it.
Lila closed her eyes, focusing on the pulse of energy within her. She could feel the surge of power, stronger than before, like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. With every breath, she drew the magic closer, until it enveloped her, its power coursing through her veins.
But as the magic grew, so did the shadows. They swirled at the edge of her vision, dark and foreboding. Lila's breath caught in her throat. The Wraithborn were near.
Thorne's voice cut through the growing tension. "Focus, Lila! Let the Veil protect you, but do not lose yourself in it. You are stronger than this."
Lila's pulse quickened. She had to fight back, to control the magic she had learned to wield. She reached for the Veil, pulling at it with every ounce of her strength. But the shadows crept closer, swirling faster, feeding on her fear.
Then, a whisper, almost like a breath on the wind, brushed against her mind: You cannot escape us.
Lila's eyes snapped open. The Wraithborn were here. They were real.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she faced the encroaching darkness. But she would not let fear control her. She had the Veil. She had the power.
With a sharp breath, Lila extended her hand, calling the magic of the Veil into her grasp. The shadows recoiled, as if repelled by the force of her power.
The Wraithborn may have fed on fear, but Lila had learned to stand her ground. She was no longer the girl who was running from her fate. She was the Seer. And she would fight for her life.
To be continued...