Ugh, my head. Again with these damn headaches.

  I felt like someone had driven a nail straight through my skull. I was flat on the ground - face-first, judging by the ache in my nose - and my body screamed like I’d just collapsed at the finish line of a marathon.

  Groaning, I slowly pushed myself up, wiping dust from my face, limbs shaking from exertion as I stood up and stretched. My vision was hazy, but I could feel it - eyes. Hundreds of them. Staring right at me.

  My own eyes finally adjusted.

  Shock. Apprehension. Curiosity. A few looks of jealousy.

  Why the hell is everyone looking at me like that?

  Then it hit me. The ceremony. The priest. The cage.

  Before I could fully collect myself, I heard the old voice again - calm and ancient. Yet I could hear a weird tone from it, something I couldn't fully describe.

  “Damian, who has no family. Kneel.”

  Shit.

  It was irritation.

  "Yes, Your Holiness."

  I dropped to my knees as fast as my aching muscles allowed. The priest stood before me once more, motionless and unreadable - the hood concealing his face just like before. Just the faceless clergy robe again. Polished white. Silent.

  Still… I couldn’t look directly at him. Part of me expected that man from before - with jade black eyes - to resurface. But no - all I felt now was calm. Oddly calm.

  I was always like this, unusually calm in moments of stress. Or maybe I was just so exhausted I couldn't care anymore. I had never really given it much thought.

  Whatever the reason, I stayed there, silent.

  Murmurs rippled through the room again. I swallowed the nervousness coiling in my chest. Had they seen my Divine manifestation while I was unconscious? If so… what color had it been?

  I had to trust Charlotte had masked it.

  Please don't be black. I don’t want to explain that to the Cardinal.

  For once in this life, I think I actually offered a heartfelt prayer to whoever would listen.

  The priest finally stepped forward.

  The weight of the moment settled on my shoulders like a blade. It felt like I was kneeling before an executioner - uncertain if his axe would fall.

  I barely breathed.

  Then, in a voice just faintly lighter than before, he spoke.

  “Damian, who has no family. Veilwalker on the Path of the Unwritten. We welcome you into the fold under His watchful eye. Rise, servant of the One True God. Serve Him faithfully, and never falter. You are free.”

  A surge of relief crashed through me.

  My knees nearly buckled as I rose - this time with permission. My heart, which had been hammering against my ribs like a war drum, finally slowed. My hands were still trembling slightly, mostly from the pounding still in my head, but I masked it behind my usual deadpan expression.

  I glanced at the priest as I turned. His hood concealed all. The white hood reflected candlelight, but the face beneath remained unseen. Untouchable. Unknown.

  He spoke, quietly this time, just before I turned to leave.

  "The Veil clings to you, boy. The stench of its embrace wraps you entirely. Forever be wary, and pray the Almighty protects you from its clutches. For your sake, and ours."

  I was shocked, staring at his unfazed figure for a bit longer than I should have. All I could muster was a short nod of recognition before leaving.

  He said the same thing Charlotte said.

  The Veil clings to you.

  What does that even mean? It won't leave me alone?

  I was more than a little curious.

  You know what, I think I'd rather stay curious right now.

  I had too many things on my mind to worry about a glancing comment.

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  I stepped down from the stage, the murmurs swelling behind me.

  “Two Veilwalkers!? Praise be to the Almighty and his prophet!”

  “The Path of the Unwritten? I’ve never even heard of it.”

  "It must be one of the Wandering Pathways! By our Lords grace..."

  “A commoner with no traceable lineage… who’s bastard is he?”

  Same song, different verse. I had heard it before, but not hearing heretic certainly made me feel much better. I didn’t have to look in the mirror to see that Charlottes eyes weren’t manifesting.

  "Wandering Pathway"? So they think I've inherited one of the twenty missing pathways. Great, just what I needed. More reasons for them to ogle at me.

  Guess its better than the alternative.

  I ignored them for now. It wasn't worth my attention.

  Except for the one pair of eyes boring into my back like twin daggers dipped in curiosity. I felt like my silk woven jacket would burn up in golden flames.

  Don’t turn around Damian. I don’t care how hard you’re staring, little princess. You’re not getting into my head, the last person I want to associate with is you.

  I returned to my seat and locked eyes with Arthur.

  As usual, that perfect poster-boy smile was on his face - but I could see it clearly now - he was shaken. Maybe even more than me.

  He leaned in and whispered.

  “Damian… I don’t know how you pulled that off. I was fully prepared to tarnish my reputation for you. But I didn't know you had two Pathways? That's unprecedented!”

  I put a finger to my lips, unusual worry on my face.

  “Arthur, please shut up. If people don’t have to know, then I’d rather as few people as possible did.”

  I'm just lucky Arthur isn't a religious zealot like the rest, albeit he's still more religious than me...

  Recounting all the religious studies I was enrolled in at the orphanage, I felt the need to grimace, but held it back.

  Arthur only shook his head, probably confused as to why I would hide something that could give me unprecedented fame and power.

  I only raised an eyebrow and whispered with mock offense.

  “Regarding your doubt in my abilities, the wounds may take years to heal my friend… but perhaps I can find it in my heart to forgive you - for a price.”

  I rubbed my fingers together in the classic money gesture.

  Arthur rolled his eyes, smirking. Glad that my humor hadn't soured from the experience.

  Then he nodded toward the stage.

  The Regent stepped forward once again, his tone commanding, holding his crystal amplifier with practiced authority.

  “Brothers and sisters. Need I say anything? Today, our city bore witness to the rise of a Veilwalker on the Path of the Hallowed - the first since the Emperor himself. And a commoner, with no noble lineage, has awakened to a pathway long thought lost to time. Another Veilwalker! The Empire's future is bright!”

  He let that linger. The crowd quieted. Gravity reasserted itself.

  “We are not merely witnesses to talent. We are witnesses to a turning point. And perhaps… a new age.”

  The chamber echoed with “Praise be to the Almighty!” and “Glory to the Emperor of Man!”.

  The Regent raised a hand again.

  “One more announcement, if you’ll indulge me. As General of Defense of the territory of the Greater Morren District, I have served this Empire for sixty years. Today, I announce my retirement.”

  Gasps. Shouts. Dozens of voices erupted in disbelief.

  Some of the old guards looked like someone had slapped them. Others seemed almost offended.

  Still - all of them respected him.

  Even I had to respect how plainly he said it.

  Straight to the point. I’ve always liked his style.

  “And today, I name my successor. He has served beside me for only six years, but his brilliance, loyalty, and capability are undeniable. You all know the man who single-handedly crushed the northern heretics. A faithful servant to the Empire, and one I’ve had the pleasure of calling a comrade. Please welcome… Arthur Solmere.”

  Thunderous applause. Cheers. Even some whistles. Though Arthur's reputation with traditional Nobles wasn't great, he had fought many battles for the city. For that reason, a lot of the military houses respected him.

  A couple glares from the same group of tables could be felt - their clapping seemed much less enthusiastic compared to the others. Yet they seemed to smile while sipping their drinks, as though they were relishing in the moment.

  Weird.

  I didn’t pay it much heed as I watched Arthur stand, wave with modest grace, and head to the podium. That smile again - the candlelight making his golden hair glow like a saint’s halo.

  But I could tell. That smile wasn’t just pleased.

  It was self-satisfied.

  Oh, he’s loving this. Great. I’ll never hear the end of it. He's sucking up all the oxygen in the room now.

  Arthur bowed slightly - until the Regent pulled him upright and said something I couldn’t hear. They shared a nod, a subtle exchange of power, and shook hands. They seemed like brothers, and the bond between the two was quite noticeable.

  Arthur took the podium.

  “Comrades. It is an honor to accept this position. The Regent has not just been our leader - he has been our shield, our mentor, and our father…”

  And I zoned out.

  Not completely from boredom - more from the weight of what had just happened.

  The cage. Charlotte. Her eyes.

  Why had it all felt so familiar?

  I flexed my fingers against the empty tabletop, trying to ground myself.

  Still no drinks. Just as Charlotte said, I should check up on that maid servant.

  For once, I would’ve welcomed the distraction. A glass of wine. A servant to interrogate about the ridiculous delay. Hell, even a cup of water.

  Instead I was left with my thoughts - Charlotte’s words, the priest’s warning, and the impossible truth of the “Path of the Unwritten.”

  The applause for Arthur swelled again, rattling me out of it.

  I glanced at the two hallways branching from the main chamber. Which one led to the servant’s wing? Which one led to answers?

  I didn’t know.

  But I knew this much - before the night was over, I was going to find the woman who was supposed to bring those damn drinks.

  And stop the future Charlotte had shown me.