Veilbound: The Hidden Pact

The faint glow of Arcanova's neon skyline filtered through the cracks in the walls, mingling with the dim light of the flickering bulb overhead. Kai stirred on the battered couch, the hum of the fragment in his bag pulling him from a restless sleep. His body ached, and his mind felt heavy, weighed down by dreams of fire, shadows, and a power he couldn't yet control.

"You're awake," Ignis said, his voice cutting through the haze.

Kai sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. Ignis stood by the steel door, his golden eyes sharp and alert. He was already dressed, his stance rigid as he stared into the shadows of the corridor beyond.

"What time is it?" Kai muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the couch.

"Early enough," Ignis replied. "The market's quiet, and most of the clans' scouts won't be active yet. It's the best time to move."

Kai groaned, reaching for his bag. The fragment's faint pulse sent a shiver up his arm as he secured it against his chest. "I'm guessing breakfast isn't part of the plan?"

Ignis smirked faintly. "Not unless you plan to barter with your soul."

Kai gave him a deadpan look but didn't argue. He stood, slinging the bag over his shoulder as he followed Ignis to the door. "So, where are we going, exactly? You said something about the leyline core."

Ignis nodded, his expression grim. "The leyline core is the heart of magic in this city. It's where the fragment came from—and where we might find answers about the bond."

Kai frowned. "And you think whoever set this up will just be hanging out there, waiting for us?"

Ignis's smirk disappeared. "No. But the core doesn't just hold power—it holds knowledge. If there's a way to break the bond or control it, we'll find it there."

Kai swallowed hard, his nerves fraying at the edges. "And what happens if we don't?"

Ignis didn't answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but firm. "Then we won't live long enough to regret it."

---

The market was eerily quiet as they slipped through the narrow corridors, the faint hum of machinery echoing in the distance. Most of the stalls were shuttered, their makeshift barriers casting long shadows across the damp floor. Kai kept his head down, his eyes darting to every movement in the periphery.

"How far is this place?" Kai whispered, breaking the silence.

"Not far," Ignis replied, his voice low. "The core is beneath the industrial district, hidden in a Veil Zone. It'll take time to get there, but the path is clear—if we're not followed."

Kai's chest tightened. "Big 'if.'"

As they rounded a corner, a faint sound reached Kai's ears—a soft clicking, like claws on metal. He froze, his breath catching in his throat. "Ignis... did you hear that?"

Ignis raised a hand, signaling for silence. His golden eyes narrowed, scanning the shadows ahead. The clicking grew louder, accompanied by a faint, inhuman growl.

"Enforcers," Ignis muttered, his jaw tightening.

Kai's pulse quickened. "Again? How do they keep finding us?"

"The bond," Ignis said sharply. "The fragment's energy leaves a trail, even when it's dormant. They won't stop until they have it—or us."

Kai clutched the fragment tighter, the faint pulse growing stronger as his fear rose. "What do we do?"

Ignis stepped forward, his flames flickering to life in his hands. "We fight."

The shadows shifted, and three enforcers emerged from the darkness. Their glowing eyes burned with cold fire, their forms flickering like static as they moved with predatory grace.

"You are outmatched," one of them hissed, its voice layered and inhuman. "Surrender the fragment, and your deaths will be swift."

Ignis smirked, the flames in his hands growing brighter. "You're welcome to try."

The enforcers didn't hesitate. They lunged forward, their movements blurring as they closed the distance in an instant. Ignis met the first one head-on, his flames roaring as he slammed it into the wall.

The second enforcer went straight for Kai. He stumbled back, panic surging through him as the fragment pulsed harder. The energy felt wild and uncontrollable, but he had no choice. Raising his free hand, he focused on the fragment's power, willing it to respond.

A burst of light erupted from his palm, slamming into the enforcer and sending it sprawling. The recoil left Kai gasping for air, his knees buckling under the strain.

"Kai, focus!" Ignis shouted, dodging the claws of the third enforcer.

"I'm trying!" Kai yelled back, raising his hand again as the second enforcer recovered.

The fragment's energy surged, a spark forming in his palm. This time, Kai tried to control it, to guide the power instead of letting it consume him. The spark grew into a small flame, flickering uncertainly but steady.

The enforcer charged again, and Kai threw the flame with all his strength. It struck the creature in the chest, exploding in a burst of heat and light. The enforcer screeched, its form flickering before it dissolved into shadows.

Kai fell to his knees, his breath ragged. "That... actually worked."

"Don't get cocky," Ignis snapped, slamming the last enforcer into the ground with a burst of fire. The creature disintegrated, its glowing eyes fading into the darkness.

The alley fell silent once more, save for the faint hum of the fragment in Kai's bag. Ignis turned to him, his golden eyes sharp.

"You're improving," Ignis said, his tone grudgingly approving. "But you still have a long way to go."

Kai managed a weak laugh, pushing himself to his feet. "Thanks for the pep talk, coach."

Ignis smirked faintly but didn't respond. He turned, leading the way deeper into the alley.

"Come on," Ignis said. "The core is close. Let's finish this."

Kai followed, his legs shaky but his resolve growing stronger. He didn't know what awaited them at the leyline core, but one thing was certain: he wasn't going to back down.

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