NOVEL WEB Chapter 19: Chapter 19
The figure shifted, a subtle movement that suggested surprise. "How do you know that?" their voice dropped, laden with suspicion.
Vastian maintained his composure, hiding any sign of the significance of what he'd just revealed. "Don't worry about it," he replied coolly. "Can you confirm the location of the crates?"
The figure hesitated, as if weighing whether to trust Vastian or extract more from him. Finally, they spoke. "They're in a building a few blocks from here. Looks ordinary from the outside, but it goes several stories underground. The crates are on the lowest level, guarded by more than just locks and steel doors."
Vastian nodded, absorbing the information. "Thanks," he said, turning to leave. But before he did, he cast a final glance over his shoulder, his voice laced with a quiet threat. "If your information is wrong, I'll be back."
The figure remained still, their expression unreadable in the fading light. "You'll find what you're looking for," they said, almost as if they knew Vastian's next move before he did. With that, Vastian melted into the shadows, his mind racing with the possibilities of what lay ahead.
As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that the figure knew more about the breach in reality than they were letting on—and that their paths would cross again before this was all over.
It didn't take Vastian long to locate the building the figure had directed him to. It stood inconspicuously among the other worn structures, its façade plain and unremarkable. Yet, something about it felt off. As he approached, he noticed the men standing guard, their postures alert and disciplined. They were armed with high-tech rifles—military-grade, not the kind of weaponry that was easily accessible, especially not to some low-level gang in the city's underbelly.
This wasn't just some ordinary operation.
Vastian's instincts kicked in, urging caution. He decided to use the Visión del Velo, a technique that allowed him to peer beyond the visible spectrum. As he activated the ability, the world around him shifted, the mundane peeling away to reveal the hidden. Beneath the building, the ground teemed with life. He could make out the faint outlines of at least thirty figures, moving with purpose in the underground levels.
Just as the figure had hinted, there was far more to this place than met the eye.
Meanwhile, on a military training ground, Jacob, Tessa, and Lynn were hard at work. The Unveiling had gone smoothly, and now the girls were being taught the basics by Kira, with Jacob assisting when needed.
"So, that strange glow we saw back when everything started going crazy—that was you guys using anima to empower yourselves?" Tessa asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Basically, yes," Jacob confirmed with a nod.
Kira continued the lesson, her voice authoritative as she walked around them. "You'll need to master the basics first: channeling anima through your veins, blood vessels, and muscle fibers to enhance your physical capabilities. Once you've got that down, the next step is choosing a medium."
Tessa and Lynn exchanged curious glances, but before they could ask, Kira clarified, "A medium is an object that helps you channel your anima to influence the surrounding amrita. And amrita is what we believe to be the fundamental particle of creation."
The four of them were drenched in sweat, their training gear clinging to their bodies as evidence of the rigorous exercises they had endured. It was clear just by looking at them how much effort they had put into their training.
"The medium varies depending on the person and the abilities granted by the God they're bonded with," Kira continued, her tone serious. "You'll need to complete the mission given to you by your respective Gods as quickly as possible if you want to join us in the upcoming operation." She paused, giving them a moment to process. "That is, of course, if you still want to be a part of it."
Kira was referring to the looming mission that would take them back to the ruins—a place where Kadmon had been relentlessly searching, yet had found nothing. Preparations were being made to investigate the ruins more thoroughly, to go deeper than before.
"We understand," Lynn replied, determination in her voice. "Can you give us some examples of mediums? It might help us start thinking of ideas."
"As I said, it depends," Kira answered thoughtfully. "For instance, Lynn, since the color that showed up for you was vermillion, it indicates that you might bond fully with Ares. A weapon would be optimal for you. And no, guns don't count—they're considered too impersonal."
Kira then turned her attention to Tessa. "For you, it's a bit more complicated. Your color was a mix of whitish and blackish hues, which usually signifies a bond with Morpheus. In your case, a talisman would be more suitable."
Kira let out a sigh before concluding, "In the end, the medium is just a tool to help you project your anima outward, influencing the amrita around you and activating the abilities granted by your bonded God."
After the brief explanation, training resumed with a renewed sense of urgency. There was no time to waste—the mission loomed ever closer, and every second counted.
Meanwhile, Vastian was carefully scouting the building, his eyes sharp and calculating. The main entrance was heavily guarded, but he had anticipated this. He decided it was the perfect time to test Espirales del Olvido, a sigil that could allow him to bypass the fortified entry and find another way inside.
When the moment presented itself, he didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he traced the sigil in the air using his left index finger. Immediately, a peculiar sensation washed over him, as if reality itself were unraveling. The world around him twisted and warped—walls elongated, objects distorted, and unfamiliar shapes flickered into existence. It was as if he had stepped into a surreal, ever-shifting landscape where nothing was solid and everything was in flux.
But there was no time to marvel at the disorienting spectacle. Vastian's instincts kicked in, reminding him that he had only a few seconds to act before the sigil's effect would dissipate. He spotted the wall he had chosen earlier, now appearing fluid and malleable in this altered state. He dashed toward it, heart pounding, and as he reached the wall, he held his breath and stepped forward.
The wall parted like a curtain, allowing him to slip through. On the other side, reality snapped back into place, and the world returned to its usual, rigid form. Vastian exhaled, his senses recalibrating as the sigil's effect faded.
Inside, the building was unremarkable—a sterile, white corridor that stretched endlessly before him. The mundane appearance belied the secrets it held. Vastian moved cautiously, his eyes scanning for any clues that might lead him to the lower levels. After a few tense moments, he noticed a tile on the floor that seemed out of place. He knelt down and carefully pried it up, revealing a hidden staircase descending into the depths below.