The fog over Sira had thickened again, almost tangible, curling around rooftops and alleyways like a living thing. Shadows twisted in corners where none should exist, and Prince—inside Nasir's body—moved with deliberate calm.
Every step was measured. Every breath cataloged. Every flicker of movement in the streets became a signal.
The city had begun testing him.
The First Field Trial
Prince entered a narrow alley, the Reflection Avatar beside him, almost imperceptible. Tonight, he intended to test the Path of Mystic Insight in the field.
He paused near a broken fountain. The threads of the Veil pulsed faintly, responding to his presence. Prince extended awareness beyond Nasir's body. The Avatar mirrored his intent, reaching toward hidden sigils etched into walls, doorways, and even the cobblestones.
He observed patterns invisible to ordinary eyes: the faint aura of protective wards, the alignment of Veil currents, and the subtle movements of masked figures—Veil enforcers—watching from a distance.
Everything is connected, he thought. Every action, every inaction, every ripple.
A Higher-Stakes Discovery
A glimmer caught his attention—a sigil fractured, faintly glowing in the dark. Someone had tampered with it, attempting to manipulate the flow of Veil threads.
Prince crouched and examined it through the Reflection. The sigil wasn't just a ward—it was a map of hidden Veil currents, a tool for tracking or even controlling newcomers.
His mind raced: the faction responsible wasn't just guarding knowledge—they were experimenting. Mapping the Veil threads, recording responses, controlling access.
They think they are careful, he mused. But they cannot anticipate the mind behind the vessel.
The First Real Confrontation
Suddenly, a faint shift in the threads alerted him. Masked enforcers moved silently, converging.
Prince did not panic. The Reflection extended subtly, creating a phantom presence that distracted one of the enforcers. Another paused, sensing something off, while a third began to circle cautiously.
Prince remained calm, analyzing their movements, calculating probabilities. Each mask, each cloak, each slight hesitation revealed their training, their hierarchy, their intent.
A single gesture of thought, subtle and precise, and the Reflection shifted to intercept attention. The enforcers faltered, confused but not alarmed—they were experienced, but Prince had foresight.
Cosmic Threads Stir
As the enforcers retreated, Prince felt something deeper. Threads of the Veil, far beyond Sira, responded faintly. Cosmic, alien, patient. Something was aware of him—not now, not close, but observing, waiting.
A shiver ran down Nasir's body, but Prince remained calm. The threads of his Path had responded, and he had survived. Observation, calculation, patience—tools stronger than any blade.
The city has secrets, he thought. The Veils have secrets. And beyond them… there are truths not meant for human minds.
Prince stood in the alley, shadows stretching unnaturally around him. The Reflection shimmered faintly at his side. Sira had revealed a deeper layer tonight, and he had survived the first real test.
But he knew the game had only just begun.