It began with a silence.
Not the kind that follows death or destruction—
but something older, something emptier.
The stars over Ashenveil flickered unnaturally. For three nights, no dreams came. For three days, the sun pulsed as though breathing.
And on the fourth night, Elias Black woke up gasping.
His skin was cold.
His breath visible in the summer air.
He wasn't alone.
There was something in the room.
Not a creature. Not a presence.
Just eyes.
He looked toward the corner where shadows met wall.
There were no shapes. No movement. Yet something was watching him—
and it had no name.
> [System Alert – Emergency Protocol Triggered]
WARNING: Entity not bound to this reality has pierced the Veil.
Classification: The Voidborne
Status: Observing. Testing. Awaiting Response.
---
The Message
A sudden static pulse crackled through his mind.
> "You shattered the cage... but some cages were there to hold worse things in."
It wasn't a voice. Not exactly.
