A modest apartment. The walls, pristine white, exude a sense of simplicity and almost rigid order. Every piece of furniture, from the worn yet clean sofa to the light wood table, seems perfectly in place, a testament to a calm and methodical life. A bookshelf, filled with books aligned with near-military precision, adds a touch of personality to this minimalist environment.

The artificial light of a hanging lamp bathes the room in a yellowish hue. It casts a soft, almost comforting warmth, in stark contrast to the darkness outside. The city, beyond these walls, remains silent, as if the entire world were holding its breath.

From the bathroom, a steady sound softly echoes: running water. It's a simple, soothing melody that fills the space. Steam escapes through the gap of the slightly ajar door, blending with the cooler air of the apartment. On the mirror, the fog forms an opaque veil, erasing any trace of reality.

In this bubble of warmth and humidity, Veil stood under the scalding jet of water. His forehead rested against the cold tiles of the shower, letting the water cascade over his tense body. His black hair, weighed down by the water, clung to his face, while countless relentless droplets trailed down his athletic back, carving fleeting paths across his skin.

Veil (internal thought, resigned): Another day to forget. Everything feels so mundane. Routine, work, exhaustion… and then repeat.

He exhaled deeply, the steam swirling around him like a veil. His shoulders, taut with tension, gradually relaxed under the heat. Yet a lingering sense of dissatisfaction persisted—a heaviness he couldn’t shake.

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Veil (internal thought, hesitant): Maybe I’m asking for too much. But... is this really my life?

A sigh escaped his lips. He reached out to turn off the faucet. The water stopped, and an abrupt silence filled the room, broken only by the last droplets splashing against the bathtub's surface.

Veil stepped out of the shower slowly, pulling the curtain aside with a weary motion. His wet feet met the cold tiles, sending a slight shiver through him as he reached for a towel hanging nearby.

But a clumsy motion made it slip from his fingers. The towel fell to the floor with a soft thud.

Veil (weary): "Tch... Seriously?"

He bent down, irritated, to pick up the towel. A single moment of inattention was all it took. His foot slipped, desperately searching for stability.

Veil (shouting, off-balance): "No... no! Not this!"

His arm reached for the edge of the sink, but it was already too late. Gravity pulled him down with force. His skull struck the edge of the sink with a dull thud. A flash of pain tore through his mind.

Veil (disoriented thought): What... what's happening?!

His body hit the cold floor heavily. A throbbing pain spread through his skull, radiating to his temples. He tried to move, but his muscles refused to respond.

Veil (gasping, panicked): "Move... come on... move!"

He clenched his teeth, but his strength quickly abandoned him. His vision blurred, and the ceiling seemed to ripple like a mirage. A biting coldness set in, as if the air around him had frozen still.

Veil (internal thought, panicked): Is this it? Does it end like this?... Not now...

His eyelids grew heavy. Darkness spread, slowly engulfing everything he could see. He tried to fight it, but it was like swimming against the current of a raging river.

A bright flash suddenly pierced through the darkness. A vivid, intense, almost oppressive light. It seemed to call to him, pulling him toward it, irresistible.

Veil (internal thought, weakly): Is this... it...?

And everything plunged into nothingness.