Varsha City never truly slept. Even at midnight, neon signs flickered like dying stars, and distant traffic hummed like a restless heartbeat. But for Aarav Sen, the world was louder than anyone else could ever hear.
Because he could hear… them.
Whispers crawling under the wind. Footsteps where no one walked. Shapes twisting behind the Veils—unseen by humans, but painfully visible to him.
That night, drizzle shimmered on the street as Aarav walked home from coaching class, bag swinging at his side. He tried to ignore the cold prickle on his neck.
Not again… please, not tonight.
A streetlight flickered.
A distorted figure clung to it—upside down—its limbs bending like broken branches. A Wraith-Born. Its voice scraped inside his skull.
"You see me…"
Aarav froze. His breath cracked.
The creature shrieked, leaping toward him—
And the Silver Seal on his wrist exploded with light.
Symbols burst outward like burning chains, slashing the darkness. The Wraith-Born recoiled in a howl of agony.
Aarav stared at his glowing wrist, terrified.
A calm voice spoke behind him.
"Don't panic. You just awakened something impossible."
He turned.
A woman stood beneath the trembling streetlight—tall, fierce, violet eyes burning with controlled power.
"I'm Riya Sable," she said. "Veilkeeper."
Lightning crackled overhead.
"And whether you like it or not, Aarav Sen… your real life starts tonight."