And just like that, everything was different.
I broke apart from Ryoko to look in her dark eyes, hoping mine reflected my overwhelming gratitude.
“You did it,” she beamed, flecks of light dancing around her irises.
I brushed my fingers along her cheek, overwhelmed with affection. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“How do you feel?”
“Strange...” I waved my hand in front of my face, confused by the faint sensation. Almost as if my hand wasn’t here.
From the corners of my eyes, I could see black smoke curling in pillars. Yet, when I turned to look at it properly, it wasn’t there. But I could feel it, tugging on me, luring me closer, much stronger than ever.
The Veil. It was here, hidden in the shadows, swirling around Ryoko. The smoke was almost palpable, touchable. It beckoned
