MTLNOVEL Chapter 35: The Unseen Veil
Chapter 35: The Unseen Veil
Elias sat in the dimly lit room, staring at the black insignia resting in his palm. The intricate symbols carved onto its surface seemed to shift subtly under the flickering candlelight, almost as if they were alive.
Across from him, Leira observed with narrowed eyes. Her fingers tapped lightly against the wooden table, betraying the unease she was trying to suppress.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice low.
Elias exhaled slowly, his gaze lingering on the insignia. "We don't have a choice. If we want to get closer to the core of the Shadow's Hand, we need to take this risk."
Leira frowned but didn't argue. Instead, she leaned forward, her voice almost a whisper. "Then we should be careful. We don't know what kind of people we'll encounter at this… gathering."
The so-called Midnight Assembly—a secret meeting rumored to bring together individuals tied to the unseen forces of the world—was their next step. The information they needed wouldn't be found in books or whispered in taverns; it would be exchanged in the shadows, among those who lived in them.
As the night deepened, Elias and Leira made their way through the labyrinthine alleys of Valenford. The streets were nearly empty, save for the occasional passerby who disappeared into the fog like a phantom. The city, usually bustling during the day, felt like a different world at night—one ruled by silence and the unseen.
Their destination was an old, abandoned theater tucked away in the outskirts of the merchant district. The building's once-grand façade was now worn and forgotten, its entrance obscured by creeping vines and time itself.
Elias approached the heavy wooden doors and knocked twice—pause—then once more. A narrow slit opened at eye level, revealing a pair of cold, scrutinizing eyes.
Without a word, he raised the insignia.
The slit closed. A moment later, the door creaked open just enough for them to slip inside.
The interior was vastly different from the decayed exterior. The chandeliers, though dimly lit, still carried a semblance of their former grandeur. Velvet curtains draped the walls, their deep crimson color absorbing the light. The scent of old paper, ink, and something faintly metallic filled the air.
Scattered throughout the room were figures clad in dark robes and masks, their faces obscured. Some sat in silence, while others murmured in hushed tones. There was an unspoken rule in this place—no real names, no unnecessary questions.
Elias and Leira found a secluded corner. Their goal was simple: listen and learn.
As time passed, different figures took turns speaking. They exchanged information, traded rare items, and occasionally hinted at knowledge that seemed beyond human comprehension.
Then, a voice cut through the murmurs.
"A new cycle is approaching. The tides of power are shifting once more."
Elias stiffened. He turned his gaze toward the center of the room, where an individual in a silver mask stood. Their presence commanded attention—not through volume, but through sheer presence.
"The Silent Veil has lifted. The Forgotten Manuscript has resurfaced. The gears of fate have begun to turn once again."
Murmurs spread like wildfire. Leira shot Elias a look, a silent question in her eyes.
Elias remained calm, but his mind raced. The Forgotten Manuscript… He had seen brief mentions of it in old records—an artifact tied to the origins of the Shadow's Hand. If it had truly resurfaced, then their mission had just become even more dangerous.
The masked figure continued, their voice measured. "For those who seek the truth, there will be an opportunity. The path will not be easy, nor will it be safe. But for those who are willing… the doorway shall reveal itself."
A small, seemingly ordinary book was placed onto the table before them. No title, no markings. Just an unassuming leather-bound cover.
Yet, Elias knew better.
This was no ordinary book.
And neither was the path he had just stepped onto.
To Be Continued...