The moment Athisa let go of his consciousness, the world around him dissolved.
The sound of waves…
the distant shouts of soldiers…
Kai's voice calling his name…
—all of it faded like a dream slipping out of his fingers.
Darkness swallowed him gently, not with fear, but with an ancient, almost royal welcome.
Athisa opened his eyes.
He was standing in a vast, shimmering forest made of silver trees. Their leaves glowed like drifting fireflies, lighting a path through the silent realm. Time didn't exist here. His body felt weightless, but his heart—heavy.
"Welcome back… traveler between worlds."
A voice echoed, calm and deep.
Athisa turned and saw an old man—not human, not spirit—something in between. His robes moved like mist even though there was no wind.
"You again," Athisa murmured. "Last time I came here, I barely survived."
The old man smiled.
"This time, you come with purpose."
Athisa inhaled slowly.
"I need to protect an island. Hide it. Make it invisible to those who wish to hurt us."
The old man circled him, studying him with glowing eyes.
"You're asking for a veil spell. A powerful one. It can hide an entire land—erase its presence from the minds of your enemies."
"Can I do it?" Athisa asked.
"That depends… on whom you wish to protect."
Athisa didn't hesitate.
"Kai. Samreth. The survivors. All of them."
"And what of yourself?" the old man asked softly.
Athisa paused.
He thought of Kai smiling at him, trusting him, believing in him.
He thought of the warmth he felt when Kai leaned close.
He thought of the fear he felt whenever danger came near Kai's life.
"…I want to protect him too."
The old man's eyes softened—just a little.
"Then kneel."
Athisa stepped forward and knelt on the glowing roots. At once, the ground pulsed with energy. Silver veins wrapped around his wrists, his chest, his throat. His breath caught as the realm's magic entered him.
Pain.
Light.
Memories.
Power.
Flash after flash—every life he had ever lived, every world he had ever touched—rushed through him.
His heart pounded violently.
The old man spoke above the roaring magic:
"To hide the island, you must understand its soul.
To protect the people, you must anchor your own."
The light grew so bright Athisa could barely breathe.
"Repeat after me," the old man commanded.
Athisa forced his voice through the pain:
"I shield the helpless…"
The trees shook.
"I guard the forgotten…"
The ground split open with light.
"I become the veil."
A roar of thunder filled the realm.
The old man raised his hand, and the magic slammed into Athisa like a tidal wave. Athisa screamed—not of fear, but of being remade.
The silver forest vanished.
Darkness regained him.
And then—
Athisa opened his eyes again.
He was back on Rabbit Island.
Kai was shaking him desperately.
"Athisa! Wake up!"
Athisa gasped for breath, grabbing Kai's arm as if he were drowning and needed an anchor.
His eyes glowed faint silver.
"I… I know how to hide the island."
Kai froze, staring at him.
"You learned it?"
Athisa nodded, still trembling.
"Not learned," he whispered.
"Inherited."
And from afar, along the coastline, the Black Patrol continued searching—unaware that a new force had awakened, one powerful enough to erase their sight.