Chapter 29: Through the Veil of Shadows

Kael’s lungs burned as he slowed his pace, his breath ragged from the mad dash through the mist. Behind him, the creature’s roars had faded into the distance, the shimmering net trap holding it long enough for them to escape. But he knew better than to feel safe. The Field of Shadows was relentless, and they had only bought themselves a brief moment of respite.

Alec bent forward, hands on his knees, breathing heavily. “That was too close,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. “One wrong step, and we would’ve been crushed.”

Mira nodded, her normally calm demeanor frayed by the close encounter. “These beasts… it’s like they were created just for this. They’re hunting us.”

“Exactly,” Kael said, his mind still racing, trying to anticipate the next danger. “The Field isn’t just testing our strength. It’s testing how well we think on our feet.”

Tarin leaned against a nearby tree, still catching his breath. “We got lucky with that trap. We can’t count on luck holding out.”

Kael agreed. The Field wasn’t a place where they could afford to rely on luck. Every step forward was a calculated risk. He took a moment to focus, letting his Sharp Senses and God Eye settle over the mist-shrouded area around them. No immediate threats—yet—but the disorienting fog wasn’t going to let them find the banner easily.

“We have to keep moving,” Kael said, his voice steady despite the tension. “Staying in one place will get us killed.”

The group began moving again, their pace slower and more cautious. Kael led the way, his eyes scanning the ground for any sign of traps, while Alec kept an eye on their rear. The fog seemed thicker now, clinging to them like a living thing, making every shadow stretch and warp as they moved deeper into the heart of the Field.

As they pressed forward, Kael’s thoughts drifted to the other recruits. They hadn’t seen anyone since the first recruit had fallen into the trap. Were they ahead, fighting their own battles, or had some already been eliminated? Darius had said only ten would make it to the banner, and Kael couldn’t help but wonder how many were still in the race.

Suddenly, Kael’s Sharp Senses prickled with warning. He held up a hand, signaling for the others to stop. His gaze shifted, searching the mist for the source of his unease.

“What is it?” Mira asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Kael didn’t respond immediately, his attention fixed on the strange pull he felt ahead. Something was wrong. The mist here felt… different, as if the air itself were heavier, more oppressive.

Alec frowned, his eyes narrowing as he, too, sensed something. “Illusion?”

Kael nodded slowly. “Most likely. We need to be careful. If we get caught in it, we’ll lose our way—or worse.”

The mist shifted again, this time swirling in patterns that seemed almost unnatural. Kael’s God Eye flickered to life, but even with its power, the illusions were hard to pin down. The Field was playing with their senses, bending reality to confuse and disorient them.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“We’ll need to split up to navigate it,” Kael said, hating the words even as they left his mouth. “If we stick together, the illusion will trap us all. Move in pairs. Alec, you go with Tarin. Mira, you’re with me.”

Alec gave Kael a quick nod, his expression resolute. “We regroup at the first clear landmark we find. Don’t get distracted.”

Tarin adjusted his bow, his usual easygoing nature replaced by grim focus. “Watch yourselves. This place wants us dead.”

With a final nod, the group split, Alec and Tarin veering off into the fog while Kael and Mira moved in the opposite direction. The mist quickly swallowed Alec and Tarin from view, leaving Kael and Mira alone in the disorienting maze of shadows.

As they walked, the fog thickened, turning the trees into warped silhouettes that seemed to shift and move with every step. Kael’s eyes darted around, his God Eye constantly searching for any sign of danger. But the fog made everything feel distant, unreal. His senses were sharp, but even they couldn’t pierce the veil completely.

“Stay close,” Kael murmured, his voice tight with concentration.

Mira nodded, her eyes wide as she took in their surroundings. “This place… it feels like it’s alive.”

Kael didn’t respond, but he agreed. The Field wasn’t just a place—it was a force, one designed to test them in every possible way. And right now, it was testing their ability to see through the lies it was creating.

Suddenly, a low voice echoed through the mist, distant but familiar.

“Kael…”

Kael froze. The voice—it couldn’t be.

“Kael…”

Mira’s head snapped toward the sound, her face pale. “That… sounded like Sera.”

Kael’s heart clenched. The voice was unmistakable, but it was impossible. Sera wasn’t here. She hadn’t made it to the Academy. She couldn’t be in the Field with them. But the voice called again, this time louder, closer.

“Kael! Help me!”

Kael’s blood ran cold. He could feel his pulse pounding in his ears, the voice pulling at him, urging him to follow. His instincts screamed at him to move, to find her.

“Kael, wait,” Mira said, grabbing his arm. “It’s not real. It’s the Field—it’s trying to mess with you.”

Kael clenched his fists, fighting the urge to run toward the voice. He knew Mira was right. He had to be rational, to stay focused. The Field was using Sera’s voice, trying to play on his emotions. It wanted him to let his guard down.

But the voice continued, growing more desperate. “Kael, please! I’m trapped!”

Kael’s breath hitched. He could hear the pain in the voice, the fear. It sounded so real, so much like the Sera he knew. For a moment, doubt crept into his mind. What if…?

“No,” Kael muttered, shaking his head. “It’s not real.”

Mira tightened her grip on his arm. “You know it’s a trap. The Field is using her voice to lure you in. We have to keep moving.”

Kael nodded, forcing himself to focus. He couldn’t afford to lose control, not now. Not when the stakes were so high. He took a deep breath, pushing the voice from his mind.

But the illusion wasn’t done with them yet.

As they moved forward, the mist swirled around them, and the trees began to shift again. This time, Kael saw shadows moving in the fog—figures, indistinct but human in shape. They moved like ghosts, slipping in and out of sight, their forms distorted by the mist.

Kael’s God Eye flared, trying to identify the figures, but the illusion was strong. The shadows were not real, but they moved with a purpose, as if they were watching him, waiting for him to slip up.

Mira’s eyes darted around, her breath coming in quick bursts. “What are they?”

“More illusions,” Kael said, his voice low. “They’re trying to confuse us. Don’t let them get inside your head.”

But the shadows kept coming, their movements erratic and unnatural. Every time Kael tried to focus on one, it slipped away, replaced by another. It was disorienting, designed to make them feel surrounded, vulnerable.

Kael forced himself to move, pulling Mira along with him as they pushed deeper into the mist. The figures followed, but Kael refused to let them distract him. His focus was on the ground, on the traps that were no doubt hidden beneath the fog.

Suddenly, the mist parted slightly, revealing a clearing up ahead. Kael’s eyes narrowed—this was too easy. The Field wasn’t about to give them a safe place to rest. It was a trap, just like everything else.

But they had no choice. They needed to keep moving forward, and the clearing was the only path ahead.

“Stay close,” Kael said, his voice tense.

They stepped into the clearing, the mist swirling around them as if it were alive. The ground beneath their feet felt unstable, shifting with every step. Kael’s Sharp Senses flared again, but this time, the danger wasn’t coming from the ground.

It was coming from above.

A loud screech echoed through the air, and Kael’s eyes shot upward just in time to see a massive winged creature swooping down from the fog, its talons extended toward them.

“Get down!” Kael shouted, pulling Mira to the ground as the creature’s talons slashed through the air above them.

The beast circled back, its wings beating the air with terrifying speed. Kael’s heart raced as he drew his sword, ready to defend himself. This was no illusion. The Field had sent another guardian beast, and this time, there was no running.

Mira scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide with fear. “What is that thing?”

Kael didn’t take his eyes off the creature as it circled overhead. “A guardian. It’s here to stop us.”

The creature let out another ear-piercing screech before diving toward them again. Kael braced himself, his sword ready, but the beast was fast—too fast.

They would have to fight, and this time, there was no escape.