The morning light dimmed as thick clouds gathered outside the windows, casting shadows that pressed into Fairfax Manor's ancient stone walls. The air felt heavier, as if the house itself were holding its breath. Marco paced the long hallway, unease knotting in his chest. The strange whispers and flickers from this morning refused to fade.At midday, he returned to the library, clutching a leather-bound journal he had discovered the night before hidden in the antique desk. Its heavy pages smelled of dust and stories long forgotten. Opening it again, Marco saw the cryptic symbols scribbled in his grandfather's shaky handwriting."Veil of Glass," he muttered under his breath. "What were you hiding, Grandpa?"The entries hinted at secrets deeper than family legends. Marco's fingers trembled as he traced the faded ink of a century-old note:"The mirror does not simply reflect our world. It is a gateway. Only the chosen may see beyond. The whispers are echoes of those trapped between realities."His heart pounded. The whispers he heard that morning, the flickering mirror,all real. Not ghosts or mistakes.Suddenly the room chilled around him. His breath formed faint clouds."No, it can't be..." he whispered, eyes darting to the mirror.The glass shimmered eerily. Rippling like a stormy lake, the mirror's surface began moving as if alive. A pale, translucent hand reached out slowly.Marco stepped back, voice trembling."Who's there? What do you want from me?"The hand wavered, fingers beckoning. Suddenly, an icy force gripped him, pulling him forward despite his will.His fingers pierced the mirror's surface, cold and liquid, and everything shattered into shards of light and shadow.The façade of the manor disappeared. Marco tumbled through swirling visions,endless crystal cities, mechanical serpents weaving tight among glass towers, faceless figures chanting in haunting melody.Then a voice cut through the chaos with urgent clarity."Marco Le Fairfax," it said, glowing eyes piercing through the swirling void. "You hold the key. The System is waking."Marco landed hard on cold crystalline ground, shock shaking him."Where am I? Who are you?"The figure stepped closer, part machine, part human."I am Elaen, guardian of the Veil. The System's balance is fragile. Without your help, everything will unravel. Your world and ours will be consumed."Marco swallowed hard."Why me? I'm just a man.""Because you are of the bloodline. The Veil chose you," Elaen said. "Listen to the whispers,they are not threats. They are calls to arms."Marco glanced back toward the shimmering portal."If I refuse?""Then the Shattered Veil will tear reality apart. Darkness will seep in like poison, swallowing both realms."His mind raced. Fear warred with something deeper: a sense of responsibility heavy as stone."Tell me what I need to do," Marco said finally.Elaen extended a hand, eyes glowing brighter."Step forward. Accept your destiny."Marco hesitated a moment, then reached out. The warmth of her hand spread through him despite the cold air.The mirror shattered behind him, sending shards of light cascading into the abyss."I won't fail," Marco vowed, as the crystalline world around him shifted and the adventure truly began.
