The alley's violet tear snapped shut.
One heartbeat—London rain, oily Shade tendrils reaching, that calm voice cutting through.
Next heartbeat—silence.
Joshua stumbled forward, oxfords sinking into soft earth instead of pavement.
Air thick with moss and faint starlight scent. Leaves rustling gentle overhead, like silver chimes in breeze.
He blinked.
Twilight forest endless—trees shimmering silver leaves, branches twisting light veins. Sky blazed stars too close, pulsing slow.
Shadows danced alive. Not scary. Purposeful.
Nymphs drifted between trunks—skin polished bark, eyes dew bright, laughter soft bells.
Starlit spirits flickered candle flames, gliding silent.
Joshua's breath caught. "Where...?"
The young man stood beside him, silver-white hair glowing faint under stars, turquoise eyes scanning trees. Black coat hems trailed blue wisps, shadow rippling subtle—white eyes watchful.
"Beyond the Mortal Veil," he said quiet, voice reverent. "Silvergrove. My lady's sanctuary."
A nymph approached—hair cascading willow branches, eyes starlit pools. Tilted head curious.
The young man murmured something low, nod respectful.
More nymphs gathered, whispers wind-soft.
Joshua's uniform felt wrong—blazer stiff, tie tight. Spark in chest hummed louder, warm restless.
"This... real?"
The young man's gaze flicked him. "More real than London."
Forest hum grew. Hymn on breeze.
Clearing opened—ancient trees circling, moss ground soft.
Figure waited center.
Tall. Ethereal. Cape shimmering galaxies.
Bow across back, stance unyielding.
Artemis.
Her eyes locked Joshua—cold starfire judgment.
Nymphs bowed low. Willow-hair one trembled faint.
Joshua froze. Legs heavy.
"You brought the anomaly, servant," Artemis said, voice booming soft, leaves shaking.
The young man knelt instant, head lowered. "As you commanded, my lady."
Artemis stepped forward. Air chilled sharper.
"Joshua Wise. Vessel of solar fire. Marked by rifts."
Joshua's throat dry. "I didn't ask for this."
Her laugh cold. "None do. Yet here you stand."
Gesture sharp.
Silver light erupted—mirrors forming air, fractured images soul-deep.
Library—Yumi's soft smile.
Confession raw.
Pain strike.
Bolt.
Leo's laugh twisting sharp under whispers.
Yumi's door—fear eyes.
Alley Shade feeding doubt.
Images surged closer. Emotions stripped bare.
Love for Yumi—wound open.
Shame heavy.
Anger at self. At whispers foreign.
Joshua stumbled, moss catching knees.
"Stop!"
Nymphs watched silent. Willow-hair fingers brushed shoulder—cold dew—then retreated at Artemis glare.
"You flee truth," Artemis commanded. "Shade struck because heart bound ancient fire. Rifts crave it."
Joshua's palms warmed. Spark restless.
"Why me?"
The young man knelt close, voice soft. "Vessel. Tied to sun. To rebirth."
Artemis pointed silver path winding deeper—violet shimmers pulsing stronger, nymph-guarded.
"Worse than Shades wait beyond Veil. Train here, boy. Or next rift shatters you—and all you hold dear."
Joshua's heart pounded.
Spark in veins stirred—not fire.
Promise.
Weight undeniable.
Silvergrove hum wove willow melody, spirits silent songs.
Pulled him forward.
Toward truths not ready.
Under Artemis unyielding gaze.