Chapter Six: The Seer's Burden
The weight of the prophecy hung over Lila like a storm cloud, heavy and suffocating. The words she'd found in the book still echoed in her mind, repeating themselves in a constant loop. The Seer, born of the Veil, who would awaken the ancient bond between realms. And the choice. The one that could shatter the Veil forever. She hadn't understood it fully, but she knew, deep down, that this wasn't just some vague myth. It was her future, and it was unraveling before her very eyes.
Lila sat in the library, the ancient book still open in front of her. Her fingers hovered over the faded text, her eyes scanning the prophecy again, willing it to reveal more. She had to understand it, to know what this meant for her. But the more she read, the more the words slipped away from her grasp. It was as if the book itself was shifting, changing, as if the knowledge was deliberately keeping itself just out of reach.
"Anything interesting?" Thorne's voice broke the silence, her presence a sudden, welcome interruption.
Lila looked up, startled, and quickly shut the book. Thorne raised an eyebrow, clearly noticing the unease that had settled over her. "I thought you were getting into the books," she said, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Lila. "You've barely touched them since we came here."
Lila let out a breath, her shoulders sagging as she leaned back in her chair. "I found something. A prophecy. It says I'm the Seer, the one who will awaken the bond between the realms. But there's more. It says I have a choice...a choice that could shatter the Veil forever."
Thorne's eyes darkened, and she leaned forward, her voice serious. "You should be careful with what you read here. Not all prophecies are as clear-cut as they seem. Sometimes, they hide more than they reveal."
Lila frowned, her mind racing. "What do you mean?"
"The prophecy you're talking about," Thorne continued, her voice low, "isn't the first of its kind. There are many prophecies about the Seer—some say the Seer will heal the Veil, others say they will destroy it. No one knows which one will come true, because no one knows the Seer's true choice. But there's one thing we do know for certain: the Veil is weakening, and the Wraithborn are coming for it. They're hunting for you, Lila, and they won't stop until they find you."
Lila felt a cold knot form in her stomach. "What does that mean for me? For everyone?"
Thorne hesitated, then spoke, her voice grim. "It means you're in more danger than you realize. The Wraithborn aren't just after you because of your bloodline—they're after the power you hold within you, the power to either protect the Veil or destroy it. And if they get to you before you can understand what you're capable of... everything will be lost."
Lila felt her heart race at the weight of Thorne's words. She wasn't just a girl caught in a strange world anymore. She was the center of something far bigger, far darker than she could have ever imagined.
"I don't even know how to control this power," Lila whispered, her voice shaky. "I barely understand it. And now I'm supposed to save the world? Make a choice that could destroy it?"
Thorne's eyes softened. "You're not alone in this. We're all in this together. The Academy, Caelum, me—we're here to help you. But you need to understand that this is more than just a fight for survival. It's a battle for the future of both worlds, and you are the key."
Lila swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing. The weight of her new reality was overwhelming. But there was no turning back now. The prophecy was clear—she was the Seer. She was the one who could tip the scales between destruction and salvation.
"How do I even start?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Thorne placed a hand on her shoulder, her grip firm and reassuring. "You start by trusting yourself. The magic is inside you, Lila. You've felt it. You've seen it. You have the power to control it, to use it to protect the Veil. But you have to understand it first. You have to learn the ancient ways, the old rituals, the truths hidden within this Academy."
Lila nodded, though doubt still lingered in her chest. She wasn't sure if she could do it. But one thing was certain—she had no choice but to try.
"You'll have your first lesson tomorrow," Thorne continued. "The Academy teaches you more than just magic—it teaches you how to harness the power within you. You'll need that training, especially now that the Wraithborn are out there."
Lila glanced around the library, as if expecting to see the shadow of the Wraithborn lurking among the shelves. Her pulse quickened at the thought. They were out there. And they were hunting her.
"Okay," she said, determination creeping into her voice. "I'll do whatever it takes. For the Academy. For the Veil."
Thorne's gaze softened, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Good. The path ahead won't be easy, but you're stronger than you think, Lila. And together, we'll make sure you're ready."
Lila nodded again, a flicker of hope igniting deep within her. She wasn't sure how this would all play out, but one thing was clear: she would fight for both worlds. Even if it meant making a choice she could never take back.
To be continued...