Chapter six : The voice in the veil
633 Words
🌸 Chapter Six: The Voice in the Veil
Sleep came fitfully, her mind restless even in the sanctuary’s calm.
At first, Elara dreamed of fire, wind, water, and shadow — the four brothers circling her, their powers burning bright. But then the dream shifted.
The light dimmed.
Mist coiled around her ankles, cold and heavy, until the crystal cavern was gone. She stood in a vast emptiness, a world of midnight and silver stars.
“Elara.”
The voice slid through her like smoke — smooth, low, magnetic. It was not Kael’s flame, not Riven’s wind, not Theron’s tide, not Darius’s shadow. It was something older. Wilder.
She spun, heart pounding. “Who’s there?”
The mist stirred, and a figure emerged. Tall, broad-shouldered, hair as dark as night itself. His eyes glowed violet — not the colors of flame, water, wind, or stone, but something beyond.
When he smiled, it was both a promise and a warning.
“You’ve found the four,” he said softly. “But you’re not complete without me.”
Elara’s breath caught. “You’re… the fifth.”
His smile deepened. “Malrik fears me most, little star. And he will do everything to keep us apart. But no matter what chains he forges… you will find me.”
He reached out, his hand nearly brushing her cheek. The touch sent a shiver racing through her, equal parts longing and dread.
“Who are you?” she whispered.
The dream began to unravel, stars scattering like broken glass. His voice chased her into waking, a whisper curling into her soul:
“I am yours. As you are mine.”
Elara woke with a gasp, the cavern ceiling swimming above her. Sweat clung to her skin, her pulse wild.
The other brothers still slept, but she could not shake the echo of violet eyes burning into hers.
The fifth was real. And he was waiting.
Elara sat up slowly, her hands trembling as she pulled the blanket around her shoulders. The cavern was quiet except for the trickle of water. Kael slept lightly, his fire dimmed to embers at his fingertips. Riven sprawled carelessly, a smirk even in sleep. Theron lay serene, as though the earth itself breathed through him. Darius stood against the far wall, eyes open, shadows coiling — awake, watching, always.
Her chest tightened.
She almost spoke. She almost whispered the truth: I saw him. The fifth. He called to me.
But something inside stopped her. A voice — not his, but her own — urging her to guard this secret. If the brothers knew, would they try to keep her from him? Would they fear him, the way Malrik supposedly did?
Elara swallowed hard, pressing her lips together. No. Not yet. Not until she understood what the dream meant.
She dipped her hands in the pool, letting the cool water wash away the sweat clinging to her skin. But no amount of water could cleanse the echo in her heart: I am yours. As you are mine.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
Elara jumped, nearly spilling the water. Riven lounged nearby, one eye cracked open, grin lazy. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I…” she forced a smile, clutching the blanket tighter. “Just… restless.”
Riven tilted his head, studying her too intently for comfort. For a moment, she thought he might press, dig into her secret. But then he only chuckled softly and rolled back onto his side.
“Get used to it, star. Your life won’t be restful again.”
Elara’s chest ached as she lay back down, staring into the glowing crystal ceiling. The secret burned inside her, heavy as stone.
And she knew one thing for certain: if the brothers discovered her dream, everything would change.
- Writer
