Chapter 35: The Labyrinth of Echoes

The path started to become crooked and narrow; there was a feeling of life bursting from every element in the forest around us. Misty walls closed in, dim light flashing at irregular intervals. No more whispers, yet this exchanged silence was far worse than the thin silence, a pressing emptiness weighing upon us. 

Every footstep weighed more than the last, as if even the air itself would pull us backward. Ember trotted at my side, her golden eyes scanning the world for dangers. Silvermane went ahead, unswerving; in the weak light shed by the shard in my hand, her fur was a dull gleam of silver. 

The Veil doesn't relent," she returned hotly, her voice loud in the heavy silence. "Each test is another layer that wants to strip us of power. And if we stop, at all, it will overtake us. 

She was right-the first day had tested our strength, but now it seemed the following way was no less relentless.