The Veil Of The Hollow Moon

The first time Rowan saw the stranger was on the night the moon split open like a glowing wound across the sky. The entire town of Hollow Glen woke to a trembling earth and a shiver in the air that tasted like silver dust. But Rowan felt something different. She felt watched. As though the moon itself had opened its eye and focused on her.

Rowan lived alone in a small wooden cabin at the edge of the glen surrounded by dying trees. She had moved there after her mothers death hoping the quiet would silence the grief that gnawed at her. Instead the hollow silence only made her feel as though she were sinking into something she could not name.

That night she stepped outside her cabin clutching a candle. The forest looked strange as though time had twisted just enough to change its shape. The moon hung low bleeding silver light over the ground. The mist crawled along the earth moving as though alive.

Then she saw him.

A figure stood by the old well his back to her. His hair was white not aged white but shimmering like moonlight itself. His clothes were dark fitted with patterns that glowed faintly as if communicating with the night. Rowan froze gripping the candle so tightly wax dripped onto her hand.

She whispered Who are you

The man turned slowly and when she saw his eyes her breath caught in her throat. They were pale silver swirling like storm clouds trapped beneath glass. He looked at her as though he already knew her.

He stepped closer his voice low and gentle. My name is Kael. I am here because the Veil has thinned. And because you Rowan Callister are the one who tore it.

Rowans heart hammered. I did not tear anything. I just walked outside.

Kaels lips curved in a faint sad smile. The Veil responds to blood not intention. Your mothers blood awakened it.

Rowan stepped back shaking her head. My mother was normal. She was human.

Kael studied her quietly as though choosing whether to reveal a truth she was not ready to carry. Your mother belonged to an ancient line of Veilwalkers. Those who can move between the worlds of light and shadow. She tried to protect you from that history. But the night she died the Veil marked you as its next keeper.

Rowan felt the forest tighten around them. The air thickened with something pulsing and restless. She whispered Why are you telling me this

Kaels expression softened with a strange pain. Because the moment the moon split the shadows woke. They will come for you. And I am bound to protect you.

Rowan laugh came out shaky. Protect me from what exactly

Kael lifted his hand and the mist around them twisted forming shapes of black faceless creatures crawling on clawed limbs. Their movements were jerky unnatural like broken dolls. Rowan stumbled back fear flooding her chest.

Kael flicked his fingers and silver fire erupted around them causing the creatures to screech and dissolve into smoke.

Rowan gasped staring at him. What are you

Kael lowered his hand the fire dying instantly. His voice was almost a whisper. I am a guardian of the Veil. Or at least I was before I lost my place. Now I exist between forms no longer mortal no longer spirit. I can only manifest when the Veil weakens. And you Rowan you are the first person to see me in a hundred years.

The forest hummed around them as though listening.

Rowan forced herself to breathe. Why me Why do I feel like my entire life changed without my consent

Kael stepped closer his eyes glowing softly. Because fate does not ask for consent. It chooses. And sometimes it chooses painfully.

Rowan held his gaze anger and fear twisting inside her. What do you want from me

Kael hesitated before answering. I want nothing. But the Veil wants everything. You must restore it or the shadows will consume both worlds. But restoring it will demand a price.

Rowans chest tightened. What price

Kaels jaw clenched. If you restore the Veil your humanity will fade. You will become what your mother refused to be. The keeper between worlds. Immortal yet alone. Bound to guard a gate that never sleeps.

Rowan whispered So either I die or I live forever in isolation.

Kael looked at her with a sadness that felt centuries deep. I am sorry.

She shook her head tears burning her eyes. There has to be another way.

Kaels eyes flickered with something like hope but also fear. There is one. But it is forbidden. To restore the Veil without becoming its keeper you must form a soul bond with a guardian. Your soul merges with theirs. The power divides instead of consuming you. But it ties your fate to theirs forever. If they die you die. If you fade they fade. And the bond is unbreakable.

Rowan stared at him heart pounding. And you Are you that guardian

Kael looked away. I could be. But I should not be. I have already failed once. I lost the one I loved long ago because I could not control my power. Because of me she vanished into the shadows. I cannot risk repeating that pain.

Rowans breath caught. You loved someone before

Kaels voice was barely audible. Yes. And I paid for it. The Veil punished me trapping me in this half existence. I am only allowed to return when a Veilwalker awakens. That is you. But if I bond with you I could destroy you too.

Rowan stepped closer without thinking. Her voice trembled. I do not want to die Kael. And I do not want to be alone for eternity. But if the shadows are coming I cannot run from this. So tell me the truth. Do you truly believe bonding would kill me or are you afraid of feeling again

Kaels eyes widened. He stepped back as though her words struck him physically. I am afraid of losing again.

Rowans heart softened. She reached out touching his hand. His skin was warm with a pulse like moonlight. Then trust me she whispered. You do not have to lose me.

Before Kael could answer the ground shook violently. The trees bent backward as a massive shadow rose from the forest floor forming a towering beast with hollow eyes and a mouth filled with endless darkness.

Kael cursed under his breath. The Hollow King. He is stronger than I expected.

The creature roared shaking the air with a force that made Rowans bones vibrate.

Kael grabbed her hand. Run

They sprinted through the forest the shadow beast tearing trees apart behind them. Kael pushed Rowan ahead of him shielding her from flying debris forcing his weakening form to stay solid. They reached an abandoned stone temple covered in vines. Kael shoved the doors open and they rushed inside.

The temple walls lit up as Rowan entered glowing with symbols that responded to her blood. The air hummed.

Kael leaned against a pillar breathing hard. Rowan we are out of time. The Hollow King will break through soon. You must choose now. Bond with me and fight or I will hold him off and you flee. If you run you may survive some days. Maybe a week. But he will find you.

Rowan looked at him tears falling freely. And if I bond with you

Kael looked up at her his voice breaking. Then our souls will join. You will gain my power. You will feel what I feel. You will live as long as I live. And you will never be alone again. But if I fail in battle your heart will stop with mine.

The doors of the temple cracked open as the Hollow King struck them.

Rowan stepped close placed her hand on Kaels chest feeling the frantic beat of his borrowed life. She whispered I choose you.

Kaels breath hitched. Rowan

There is no time she said. Bond with me.

Kael raised his hands trembling. His silver energy wrapped around her sinking into her skin. Rowan gasped as the power surged through her body burning and healing at the same time. Kaels voice echoed inside her mind.

Do you accept my soul

I accept she whispered.

Light exploded around them. Kael cried out as his body solidified his form gaining strength. Rowan felt her heart merge with his beating in perfect synchrony.

The temple doors shattered and the Hollow King lunged in.

Kael stepped forward his aura blazing. Rowan moved beside him silver flames leaking from her fingertips. Their voices rose together forming an ancient incantation neither knew they had learned.

Energy poured from them exploding into the Hollow King. The creature shrieked thrashing as the power of the bond tore through its core. Rowan felt Kaels pain Kaels strength Kaels determination. And he felt her grief her hope her courage.

Together they unleashed a final surge of power that shattered the creature into dust.

Silence fell.

Rowan collapsed to her knees panting. Kael knelt beside her pulling her into his arms.

Are you hurt he whispered.

She shook her head leaning against him. I am alive because of you. And you

He pressed his forehead to hers his breath unsteady. I have not felt whole in centuries. You brought me back.

Rowan smiled a small trembling smile. Then we save the Veil together.

Kael nodded. Hand in hand they walked to the altar at the heart of the temple. Rowan raised her palm and light poured from it forming a bridge of silver that sealed the tear in the moon. The forest exhaled as though relieved.

When the Veil settled back into place Kael turned to Rowan touching her cheek gently.

The bond is permanent he whispered. You are tied to me in this life and the next.

Rowan met his silver eyes without fear. Then do not vanish. You hear me Kael Do not leave me.

Kael pulled her into a soft trembling embrace. Never. You are my soul now. I will never walk without you again.

Outside the temple the moon mended glowing full and whole once more. But its light now held two shadows walking side by side. The guardian and the Veilwalker bound forever by fate and by love that neither had expected but both needed.

And the world whispered their names in the wind knowing the Veil would never fall again as long as their hearts beat as one.