Cherreads

Chapter 40 - Veils Unraveled

Location: Veilborn Sanctuary — beneath Iskarra's forgotten catacombsTime: Midnight, where shadows are thickest

The walls pulsed with faint leyline energy, veins of pale light tracing forgotten runes beneath cracked stone.

The emissary led the scholar and Kael through twisting halls, eyes gleaming like stars caught in darkness.

The Truth in Shadows

"The Veilborn abandoned the Accord centuries ago," the emissary began, voice echoing softly,"Not out of fear or cowardice — but because we saw what the Crown truly is."

They paused before an ancient mural — depicting the Circle of Seven, shattered and bleeding.

"A wound on the world.The Crown doesn't just bind magic — it feeds on it."

A Hunger Revealed

"We do not seek to stop the Crown.We seek to control its hunger.To become the hunger."

The scholar's eyes narrowed.

"You mean to wield the Crown's power — not destroy it."

The emissary smiled, thin and knowing.

"Power is never destroyed.It only changes hands."

A Dark Offer

"We can teach you to harness the leyline's hunger — to bind it without breaking.To survive what the Accord cannot endure."

Kael's hand moved to his dagger.

"Or to burn with it."

The emissary laughed, a sound like dry leaves.

"Choose wisely.Because in this war, there are no true allies.Only those who wait to see who falls first."

A New Danger

As the chamber's shadows deepened, a sudden tremor shook the sanctuary.

The leyline thrummed — unstable, alive.

"The Crown stirs," the emissary whispered."And soon, all will hunger."

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