Aldin stirred his head swimming as he sat up in a bed he had never seen before. The sheets were soft, and a dim light filled the room. He had no clue how he had gotten here but he guessed he would know soon enough. Throwing his blankets off and sitting up he looked around the room. It was small but comfortable. The bed, a nightstand and a wardrobe were all that filled the room. He saw his robe folded and sitting on the end of his bed. When he lifted it up Ranelli fell out onto the bed.

Hey! Her strong inner voice shouted into his mind.

“Sorry Rane, I didn’t know you were there.”

Hmm. She scoffed before resettling underneath the blanket. Be more mindful.

“Of course.” He replied with a wry smile. He reached down and under the blanket to rub her scaled head and received a deep almost purr in response.

Dawned his robe and as it fell into place his door opened and Melissa walked in Luna trailing behind her. They both stood just inside the door holding hands. Luna looked at him and he smiled. She ran over and jumped at him, wrapping him in a huge hug. He hugged her back, tears slowly winding down his face.

“You okay brother?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Good to see you awake, when you’re ready we’ll be downstairs waiting for you. There’s a lot to talk about.” Melissa stated.

“Yeah, I’ll be down in a minute.” he replied, wiping away the warm tears.

They both left the room and closed the door. Aldin took a deep breath and reached to open it himself. But when he opened it, he was not in the building anymore. Outside was a large smooth cavernous tunnel that led on for a while. He only hesitated for a moment then stepped out. He knew what was to come and the choice he had to make.

Following along he eventually came into a large cavern. A bright blue light shimmered along the walls cascading out of a basin upon a pedestal in the very center of the cave. Aldin slowly approached it and the light, as if reacting to his presence, surged out and coalesced into a featureless humanoid form.

“Hello Sorcerer.” It greeted him with a bow. Its voice sounding like a thousand all speaking at once. “We have waited a long time for your return.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“I know. Is this where I think it is?”

“The Cave of Souls. Before you I stand, the incarnation of the Soul Basin. We sense the first incarnation within you yearning for release. However, your job is unfinished. Before you can complete it, you must release the power back into me.”

“Tempus yeah, he mentioned that. He explained a little about this. Would you care to elaborate?”

“Tempus the First. He came and acquired our help so he could accomplish what you know as the veil. Since we are linked, I said yes. You…”

“The veil. I feel like that was needed before, but the world is a different place now. It’s up to me to keep or remove it?”

“Yes. You must also give back what was taken.”

“I have to give up my connection to Corthus and my ability to reincarnate right?”

“You will not be harmed, nor your power. But you will no longer Reincarnate. Once this vessel of your soul dies, you will return to me. To pass on to the next and help with their power. Corthus will no longer continue to live and his soul will dissipate into the cosmos.”

“Okay, what do I have to do?”

“Place your hands upon the basin’s edge. Touch the water and will it with your intent. Everything you have been given returned to me. A piece given; a price paid. With it, I will break down the veil. Magic will be revealed to the world and Corthus will be no more.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Aldin stepped forward doing as the being said. As soon as his hands touched the water a chill that slowly turned into warmth washed over his soul. He could barely feel it as it fled from him and back to the Basin.

“Good luck in your future endeavors Aldin the mage.” The being known as the Soul Basin said, flicking its wrist at him. He was immediately back in the room, hand on the handle.

“Was that… was that real?” He asked out loud to no one in particular.

As he opened the door, he collided with someone.

“Damn bro, that hurt.” Luna said rubbing her nose.

“Sorry. I thought you guys were waiting downstairs?”

“Yeah, that was before we saw the news. Something isn’t right, come see.”

Aldin followed her downstairs. “Where are we by the way?”

“Oh, right. You were unconscious but mom… Melissa, oh that’s weird… she found this building around the base near where we entered. It was untouched. I think it was Corthus’s mansion. The whole covens here.”

“How long was I out for?”

“A week. We were worried at first, but Mrs. Tempe came by and assured us you were fine. Anyway, just in here.” She led him into a large office with a seventy-five-inch tv on one wall. On it a news anchor was talking about the destruction of Mount Rainier and the different flashes of light that had surrounded it.

“I don’t believe it. It’s like the veil has been dropped.” Melissa stated in bewilderment.

“Actually…” Aldin began.

“What did you do?” Luna asked. “Now that I’m asking, what happened at the mountain? You were thrown into the void, and we saw you disintegrate?”

“Well, the veil, it’s... gone.”

“What do you mean?” Melissa asked.

He explained everything to them. The Collective, Tempus, how everything had begun and the veil and why he ended it.

“That’s a lot. What do you think that will do to the world.” Luna questioned.

“Hopefully make life easier. For everyone.”

“Hey! You didn’t answer my question. How did you return?”

“Oh that. It’s a long story. Starting with me being thrust out of the void into a den of dragons…”