Chapter 14: Allies and Adversaries

"Fuck!"

—••••••••••—

BEYOND THE

VEIL: THE

GREAT SHIFT

CHAPTER 14:

ALLIES AND

ADVERSARIES

—••••••••••—

The Nameless Beast charged towards them, and in an instant, Daemon unsheathed his cane blade while a shimmering veil materialized around his neck.

The veil flowed with the wind, moving like a graceful dancer in perfect harmony with the melody. Selena managed to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing veil as it took shape.

The creature was a mysterious amalgamation of man and beast, crawling on all fours. Around its neck, a translucent veil hung, accompanied by a long curved blade without a handle. As the depiction unfolded, ancient words in Old Norse and Old Latin transformed before their eyes, revealing its true name.

"Dancer of the Spirit Body!"

Aryanna activated her own veil, and her transparent gloves began to morph, becoming indistinguishable from her hands. The only noticeable change was the ethereal aura surrounding her.

Suddenly, a purple barrier of pure energy enveloped each of them individually. Only Daemon and Aryanna remained outside the protective shield, ready to face the impending attack of the Nameless Beasts.

But before the creatures could strike, Daemon Eggers effortlessly evaded their onslaught, a faint ringing sound filling the air. It was as if a soundtrack had started playing.

Daemon moved with the grace and fluidity of a seasoned dancer, gliding through the beasts like water, swiftly making his way towards the furthest one.

With the force of crashing waves, he clashed with the beast, his cane blade severing its head. As Daemon retreated, the decapitated creature inadvertently caused damage to its companions.

Standing a few feet away from the stunned beast, Daemon smiled. He raised his arms towards the sky and began to chant the ancient words of House Elysium.

"For House Elysium, the noble ruler of the spirit realm; the majestic Serpent that bridges Heaven and Earth; The ancient guardian of House Elysium, bestow upon us your blessings and glory."

All eyes were fixed on Daemon as he uttered the three sentences, each word resonating with power, causing the surroundings to tremble as if an earthquake was shaking the very ground they stood on.

Suddenly, the intangible essence cascaded from the celestial realm, causing the sky to liquefy and pour down upon the earth. From this molten sky, ethereal arrows rained down, piercing the monstrous creatures and eliciting agonizing roars of pain as they dissolved into nothingness.

It was a brutal spectacle, as if the very substance composing their bodies was stripped away like a layer of makeup. Only three beasts remained, yet Daemon remained unfazed, devoid of worry or fear.

Before Daemon could react, the storm clouds above the world converged upon his location. With lightning speed, they unleashed three strikes upon the remaining beasts, reducing their forms to mere ash and bone.

The source of this cataclysmic event was not something Daemon, Aryanna, or Arthur had initiated. It was revealed through the rapid vibrations emanating from Elijah's left breast pocket.

Daemon observed the charred and burnt corpses of the beasts with a watchful eye, as a distant melody grew increasingly harmonious, akin to the grand finale of a magnificent symphony.

Amidst the lightning's fury, Daemon caught a glimpse of something that shook him to his very core. It was a sight of immense magnitude, something ancient and forgotten by the annals of history.

As he stood amidst the remnants of the charred bodies, Daemon noticed that the necks of the beasts bore the unmistakable marks of a serpent's bite. Memories of his studies in the illustrious Eggers libraries flooded his mind, and the words echoed within him.

'The Serpent shall rise once more after the Great Shift.'

—••••••••••—

Selena's eyes were drawn to the scene before her, but the vibrant purple light disrupted her focus as she struggled to make out Daemon standing amidst the lifeless bodies of those grotesque creatures.

However, beyond the ethereal barrier, the view was much clearer, allowing Selena to see Aryanna Eggers in all her glory.

Yet, there was something amiss about the elegant woman. Her complexion, already pale, seemed unnaturally so, as if she were about to be sick.

Concerned, Selena couldn't help but blurt out, "Are you alright, Miss Aryanna?" The words slipped out effortlessly, catching Aryanna off guard. She turned her head and offered a faint smile. "No need to worry, I'm just a little tired."

It was evident that something was terribly wrong.

The kind of wrong that even novice actors would recognize. The kind of wrong that would ruin your reputation in the industry. Selena could read it all in Aryanna's expression, and she nodded understandingly.

"I understand, Miss Aryanna. If anything comes up, please don't hesitate to let me know."

—••••••••••—

Lost in his own thoughts, Matthew absentmindedly bit his thumb, his mind consumed by a multitude of thoughts and topics.

One prevailing thought that constantly resurfaced was his overwhelming feeling of insignificance in a world filled with towering giants who seemed indifferent to his existence.

With a single glance, Matthew observed Elijah's weary and burdened eyes, and beside him, Augustus wore the same heavy expression, his heart weighed down by something unseen.

"You seem tired," Matthew remarked, pulling Elijah out of his own reverie. Elijah grimaced slightly, sighing away his fatigue.

"I haven't been sleeping well lately," Elijah confessed, his tone and demeanor shifting. Matthew nodded knowingly, studying him intently. "Then open your heart," he suggested.

Elijah scoffed at the simplicity of those words. "Why should I? You know just as well as I do what my problems are..." he retorted. "I did know your problems. But lately, it feels like you're growing more distant from me," Matthew replied.

Elijah could only look down, his voice barely a whisper. "How much time do we even have...?" Matthew glanced at Daemon and then up at the sky. "Enough time to talk - unless you're referring to something else, in which case, I have no clue."

"You never have a clue, brother. That's who you've always been - the blind optimist," Matthew teased, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at Elijah. Elijah shook his head, a small chuckle escaping him.

"No, no. I'm more of a... gullible idiot than an observant pessimist," Elijah admitted. Both brothers shared a soft smile, nodding in agreement.

"And what about you, dear poet?" Matthew turned his gaze towards Augustus, his eyes glimmering with curiosity. Augustus seemed taken aback by the question, muttering in a confused tone, "What do you mean?"

"What kind of person are you? You've been quiet ever since we left the lovers' cliff," Elijah finished Matthew's question. Augustus pondered for a moment, his shoulders tensing with the weight of self-reflection.

"I can't really label myself honestly," Augustus replied, struggling to find the right words. Matthew chuckled, his eyes filled with understanding.

Sure, I could take a guess if you'd like. Augustus nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts elsewhere. "You know, you may come across as a quiet and reserved individual, but deep down, you possess a natural intelligence that sets you apart. Unfortunately, your competitors fail to see that and label you as a lucky conman with no education. But you prove them wrong time and time again, especially when it comes to expressing your thoughts, like with the fountain incident."

Every word hit Augustus like a sharp blade, for it held a grain of truth. He couldn't help but smile genuinely and raise his hands in surrender. "You've got me, I am indeed a conman." Matthew's face fell slightly, clearly not expecting this response. Instead of engaging in a meaningful conversation, they both played along with the charade.

Letting out an audible sigh, Matthew plopped down on the dirt floor and sat patiently. With both Elijah and Augustus' eyes fixed on him, he chuckled and rubbed the back of his head.

"It seems like you two are avoiding my question, but that's alright. We'll discuss it when we have a chance, as long as we make it through to tomorrow."

—••••••••••—

Daemon's attention was finally diverted from the Serpent's mark on the beast. Despite the obviousness of the situation, it was clear that Daemon had not lost sight of his objective tonight.

His destination was 1845 Gram Street, the exact location of the Twilight Church.

As he turned around, Daemon caught sight of his wife, Aryanna, hunched over on the ground, expelling the contents of their breakfast. Selena, who had been gently rubbing Aryanna's back, had lost her ethereal barrier.

In that moment, Daemon extended his hand, only to have it seized by a hand resembling bone. His heart skipped a beat as a single thought echoed in his mind.

Utter Death!