The Veilguard

                                    

                                          
Raven awoke with a jolt, her head throbbing and her vision slowly clearing. She found herself in a dimly lit room, its air thick with the scent of dust and neglect. As she struggled to sit up, she noticed the little furnishings: a single bed with a tattered blanket, an old wooden chair, and a small table with an empty glass. The walls were bare stone, cold and unyielding, amplifying the sense of isolation and confinement.
Panic began to rise within her as the memories of her last conscious moments with Moody flooded back. She tried to recall the exact sequence of events, but her mind was hazy, the details faded by whatever potion he had given her. Sitting up slowly, she took in the room. The stone walls were cold and unwelcoming, devoid of any decoration or personal touch. A sense of dread settled in her chest as she realized she was trapped. The only door was closed, and there were no windows.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand, but her legs were weak and wobbly. She stumbled to the door and tried the handle, but it was locked tight. She pounded on the door with her fists.
"Let me out!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the small space. "Where the hell am I!?"
There was no response. The silence was oppressive, and the realization that she was truly alone set in. She backed away from the door and sank back onto the bed, her mind racing with questions and fears.
How long had I been here? And most importantly, why?
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as she sat there, her thoughts chaotic. She had no way to measure the passage of time, no way to distract herself from the mounting fear. She tried to focus on her breathing, to calm herself, but it was a losing battle.
Eventually, the sound of the door creaking open broke the silence. Raven's head snapped up, and she watched as a figure stepped into the room.
The man was tall and lean, with dark, wavy hair that looked neatly done. His eyes were a striking shade of green, and a playful smirk danced on his lips. He looked to be in his late twenties, dressed in a well-tailored suit that seemed out of place in the dingy room.
"Good evening," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "I see you're awake. How are you feeling?"
Raven glared at him, her anger flaring up at the sight of this stranger. "Where am I? Who are you?"
The man chuckled softly, stepping closer and offering her a glass of water. "My name is Theodore. You can call me Theo if you like. I'm a Veilguard. And as for where you are, well, let's just say you're in a safe place for now."
Raven knocked the glass away, sending it clattering to the floor. "I don't want your water. I want answers. Why am I here?"
Theo's smile never wavered, though there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "I understand you're upset, but throwing a tantrum won't help you. You're here because you're special, Raven. Your magic is... unique."
She narrowed her eyes, her suspicion growing. "What on earth are you talking about?"
Theo sighed, as if explaining something to a child. "You possess ancient magic, Raven. Magic that is rare and powerful. My associates and I are very interested in people like you."
Raven's heart pounded as she processed his words. "What do you want from me?"
He leaned in closer, his demeanor shifting from playful to serious. "We want you to understand your potential. To see the bigger picture. But more importantly, we need to... manage your abilities."
Raven felt a surge of defiance. "I don't need your help. And I don't trust you."
Theo's smile returned, but it was colder now, more calculating. "Trust is earned, not given. But I assure you, we have your best interests at heart."