The quiet hum of the training facility seemed to resonate with Echo and Rook’s thoughts. They had faced brutal physical tests, and now, it was time to learn about something far more mysterious: the Veilmark. The mentors stood before them, their expressions serious, as if preparing to unveil a truth that would change everything.
“Do you think you’ve reached the peak of human potential?” Sentinel’s voice cut through the silence, his gaze piercing. “What you’ve accomplished so far is impressive. But you’ve only just begun to understand the true potential of your bodies. It’s time to talk about the Veilmark.”
Rook looked confused. “Veilmark?” he repeated, echoing Echo’s thoughts. “What’s that?”
Gladiator’s eyes gleamed as he spoke. “It’s not something you’re unfamiliar with. Every human is born with a Veilmark. It’s a dormant power that lies within you, waiting for the right moment to awaken. But the truth is, you’ve been living your life with it there all along, just beneath the surface.”
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The Stages of the Veilmark
Sentinel stepped forward, drawing a holographic diagram in the air, a series of glowing lines forming a map. “The Veilmark isn’t a weapon you wield. It’s a part of you—a mark that lives in your blood, your soul. It’s in all humans, but it remains dormant until you’re ready to unlock it.”
Rook raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “How do we unlock it? And what’s so special about this Veilmark, anyway?”
“It’s special because, depending on how and when you unlock it, the Veilmark can alter the very core of your being,” Gladiator explained, crossing his arms. “There are four stages to awakening it. You’ve already been living in the first stage without realizing it. The dormant stage.”
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Stage 1: Dormant
“The dormant stage,” Sentinel began, “is when the Veilmark is completely invisible to the outside world. It’s there within you, hidden, waiting for activation. It doesn’t affect you at all—until the moment comes when you’re ready to call upon it.”
Echo frowned, trying to imagine this invisible force lying dormant inside him. He had always felt like there was something deeper inside, but he had never known it had a name. “So, it’s just... there? But not doing anything?”
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“Exactly,” Gladiator confirmed. “You’re unaware of it, but it’s always been a part of you. It's like a seed in the ground—unseen, but full of potential.”
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Stage 2: Passive
Sentinel continued, his expression hardening. “Once you awaken the Veilmark, it enters the second stage—the passive stage. Your physical abilities are enhanced by 20%, though the mark is still invisible. At this stage, the Veilmark quietly boosts your strength, speed, endurance, and all your physical attributes without you even realizing it. You’re stronger, faster, more durable, but you won’t see any visible changes.”
Echo couldn’t help but imagine the advantages. “So, I’d just get stronger without even knowing why?”
“Correct,” Gladiator said. “The Veilmark makes you subtly more powerful, but the full extent of it is hidden. You might notice that you can run faster or lift heavier objects, but it won’t be obvious to anyone else.”
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Stage 3: Infant Powers
Rook leaned forward, eager to understand more. “What happens after that? Is there a next stage?”
“Indeed,” Sentinel said. “The third stage is when your powers start to reveal themselves. We call this the ‘infant powers’ stage. This is when the mark becomes visible to those who know what to look for. You begin to exhibit signs of power beyond what you should be capable of, like uncontrollable bursts of energy or abilities you can’t quite control.”
“There’s a catch, though,” Gladiator added with a somber tone. “When this happens, the power is still raw and unstable. You’ll see signs of it—a glow in your eyes, a sudden surge of energy—but it’s hard to control. It takes a lot of energy, and it can be dangerous if you’re not careful.”
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Stage 4: Active Power
“The final stage,” Sentinel continued, “is the active power stage. This is when the Veilmark fully activates, granting you full access to its abilities. The power is now visible to others and manifests in ways that can alter the very fabric of reality around you.”
“But there’s a problem,” Gladiator said grimly. “Active power comes at a cost. It takes a massive amount of energy to use, and while you’ll have control over it, the more you draw on it, the more you risk burning yourself out. The Veilmark is powerful, but it is not without its price.”
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The Burden of Power
Echo and Rook stood in silence, contemplating the power of the Veilmark. They had already begun to feel the intensity of their training, but now they understood that it wasn’t just their physical limits they would be testing—it was their very souls, their identity. The Veilmark was a path of ascension, but it also carried the risk of consuming them.
“So, we’re all born with this... and we have to decide when to activate it?” Echo asked, his voice steady but filled with new understanding.
“Yes,” Sentinel replied. “You can activate it whenever you feel ready. But know this: the moment you do, your journey will change. You will begin to ascend toward greater power—but you must control it. Or it will control you.”