Veilborn: Into the Magic World

The longer she stared, the more Ellie felt a strange pull—a connection forming between her and the rune. It wasn't just an image on paper anymore. It was alive, brimming with energy and meaning, though its purpose remained a mystery.

Her pulse quickened. She snapped the sketchbook shut, shoving it into her bag. The whispers stopped immediately, leaving behind a ringing silence.

She glanced around the park one last time. It was empty, utterly still.

"Enough for tonight," she said, her voice thin, feeling as if looking any other second at the rune may engulf her whole. Scrambling up to her feet, she brushed grass from her jeans.

She slung the bag over her shoulder and headed towards the exit, her pace brisk. The feeling of being watched clung to her, heavy and oppressive. Shadows seemed to reach for her as she passed, their fingers just shy of her heels.

She didn't look back.

At the edge of the park, Ellie stopped beneath a flickering streetlamp. She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. The air felt lighter here, less stifling.

"You're just tired," she muttered. "Overworked and overtired. That's all."

But even as she said it, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. The sketchbook felt heavier in her bag, its secrets pressing against her like a weight she wasn't ready to carry.

Forcing herself to breathe deeply, taking out her earphones, Ellie turned towards the city lights, listening to a slow paced song and began the long walk home. She liked being on foot as it gave her space to get out of her thoughts, while savoring the streets full of life at this moment of the day after getting full with the peace of the park.

Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything since the little brunch she had at the cafe.

Her pace quickened as she reached a familiar corner. Tucked between a laundromat and an old bookstore was Mama Lu's Diner, its neon sign buzzing faintly. The scent of fried chicken and fresh-baked pies wafted through the air, and Ellie felt a small flicker of relief.

She pushed open the door, greeted by the soft sound of a jukebox playing an old tune and the clatter of dishes from the kitchen. The diner was quaint and cozy, with red leather booths and a long counter where a few regulars sat nursing thier favourites.

Ellie stepped up to the counter, scanning the chalkboard menu above. She knew what she wanted for herself, but her thoughts quickly turned to Sophia. She had a picky palate, but there was one thing she would never turn down.

"Hey, Ellie!" a cheerful voice called from behind the counter. It was Clara, the diner's bubbly waitress who seemed to know everyone in the neighborhood.

"Hey, Clara," Ellie said, smiling despite the weight on her mind. "Can I get an order of chicken tenders, a side of mac and cheese, and a slice of the chocolate cream pie? Oh, and a burger and fries for me."

Clara's pen hovered over her notepad as she glanced up. "Getting dinner for Sophia, too?"

Ellie nodded. "Yeah, it's been a long day. She loves the mac and cheese here."

Clara grinned. "Good choice. I'll have that ready in about ten minutes."

Ellie slid into a booth near the window, her gaze drifting to the small TV mounted in the corner. It played a local news segment, the anchor's voice tinny and distant. She caught fragments of words—something about a string of unusual murders in the area.

Her stomach tightened. The news stories had been circulating for a few weeks now, whispers of people being murdered in dark alleys. No fingerprints, no DNA, nothing just some strange signs on the bodies. A shiver ran down her spine, but she shook it off. She was probably just spooking herself, her overactive imagination weaving the rune into the narrative.

The sound of her order number being called jolted her back to the present. Ellie grabbed the paper bag from the counter after payment, the heat radiating through it presented a comforting contrast to the cool evening air outside.

"Tell Sophia hi for me, okay?" said Clara.

"I will. Thanks, Clara," Ellie replied, grabbing the bag and heading for the door.

Outside, the night air was crisp, and Ellie felt a small comfort knowing Sophia would be happy with dinner. She had been her rock in so many ways, a grounding presence when Ellie's thoughts veered too far into the strange and surreal.

As she walked home, she felt the eerie feelings of being watched. Something was present, keeping its eyes on her, from the dark corners, from the passing thin, shallow alleyways. Ellie took a glance here and there just to be sure. She saw nothing, but the feeling was there.

She arrived at her apartment building and climbed the stairs to their third-floor unit. The faint sound of music leaked through the door—Sophia was likely sprawled on the couch, headphones in, as usual. Ellie pushed the door open, and the scent of lavender greeted her.

"Hey, I brought dinner!" Ellie called, setting the bag on the counter. It was a small living room, having enough space for a couch, a few chairs, a dining table and a few low cabinets, and a book shelf. It had an open open kitchen near the entrance and their shared bathroom in the a corner.

Sophia appeared from her room, her dark hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. "You got mac and cheese, right?"

Ellie smirked. "Of course. And chocolate cream pie."

Sophia's face lit up as she grabbed the container from the bag. "You're the best."

"Don't forget to eat the chicken tenders first," Ellie teased, pulling her own burger out.

Sophia stuck out her tongue playfully before digging in.

As they ate, Ellie's gaze drifted to her bag lying on the counter top. The symbol remained imprinted in her mind, glowing faintly even when she closed her eyes. It was as if it had branded itself onto her very soul, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Was it a warning? A message? Or something else entirely? Ellie couldn't be sure. But one thing was certain: the rune wasn't just a product of her imagination. It was real, and it had chosen her for reasons she couldn't yet understand.