Amara gripped the Veil tightly as she paced her apartment. Its surface flickered, showing fragments of different times like fleeting memories—glimpses of Spanish galleons, bustling pre-war Manila, and a city shrouded in smoke and fire.
"He's jumping through time," Kailan said, his tone sharp. "Cortez doesn't understand what he's dealing with. Every leap he makes widens the fracture, and soon, there will be no timeline left to stand on."
Amara's pulse quickened. "Then show me how to find him. How do I track someone who's unraveling history?"
Kailan studied her for a moment. "The Veil is attuned to the one who awakened it. You can follow the ripples he leaves behind… but doing so will cost you. Every jump will draw more of your life away."
"Then I'll pay it," Amara said firmly, sliding the Veil into her palm. "I won't let him destroy everything."
She focused, breathing deeply. The Veil's light expanded, creating a swirling map of glowing threads. One thread pulsed brighter than the rest, like a vein of fire tearing through the fabric of time.
"There," Kailan pointed. "World War II. The Japanese occupation. He's tampering with a crucial moment—one that shaped the Philippines' freedom."
Before Amara could respond, the Veil consumed her in a rush of light.
---
1944, Manila
Amara landed hard on a cobblestone street. The sound of boots striking the ground echoed through narrow alleyways, and a siren blared somewhere in the distance. The air smelled of gunpowder and smoke. She realized she was in the heart of Manila during the war.
"Stay hidden," Kailan whispered beside her. "This time is volatile. One wrong move, and you might never return."
Amara peeked around a corner and saw them—Japanese soldiers patrolling, their rifles gleaming under the dull sun. Civilians scurried past, heads lowered. And in the distance, standing near the ruins of a church, was Cortez. He was studying the scene with a predatory grin, holding a fragment of the Veil in his hand like a weapon.
Amara's blood boiled. She wanted to run to him, to stop him—but Kailan's voice stopped her.
"You mustn't be seen by him or anyone here. You're not supposed to exist in this moment. If you cross his path, you'll both unravel."
"Then how do I stop him?" Amara hissed.
"Observe, and wait. The Veil will show you when it's safe to act."
But Cortez was already moving. Amara watched as he approached a group of resistance fighters secretly exchanging messages. He was talking to them—changing their actions.
"No, no, no…" Amara whispered. Every word Cortez spoke was another ripple in time.
Suddenly, a soldier spotted her silhouette in the alley.
"Hey!" he shouted, raising his rifle.
Amara's heart leapt into her throat. She bolted, the sound of gunfire cracking behind her. She darted through alleys, desperately clutching the Veil.
"You're drawing too much attention!" Kailan shouted. "If they capture you, you'll never return to your timeline."
A bullet struck the wall beside her, showering her with dust. Amara stumbled into a deserted courtyard and slammed her hand on the Veil, praying it would work.
The artifact flared, pulling her out just as the soldiers rounded the corner.
---
Back to the Present
She fell onto her apartment floor, shaking, her breath ragged.
But something was wrong.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. The lock screen showed a family photo—but her parents' faces were… different. Younger. As if her entire family history was rewriting itself in real time.
"Kailan!" she cried. "I saw him. He's changing things. I felt it."
Kailan's expression was grave. "Cortez has crossed a line you haven't. He's directly influencing the past. The more he meddles, the faster your reality collapses."
Amara's voice trembled. "Then what do I do?"
"You need to find the Zero Point," Kailan said. "The heart of the Veil's power. It's the only place you can reset the threads. But to get there, you'll have to stop Cortez before he tears a hole so deep that not even time itself can mend it."
to be continued...