Chapter 22: The Unveiling

Tonight was the night of nights in Eldridge Falls. A masquerade ball was going down in the grand ballroom, and quite literally everybody was invited. Emma and Nathaniel knew a different story: the ball was only a cover-up for whatever the Order of the Veil had in store. They donned masks and costumes and entered the ball. At least, that was their aim: to get deep inside the Order and let the world know what was going on. Since they had gone deep inside, everywhere the bright, vulgar display of craze was seen: everywhere echoing with music, loud laughing voices, and tinkling glasses. Emma and Nathaniel blended themselves with the rest of the crowd, wherein they could easily conceal their identities. The two were alert for any member of the Order. Soon enough, a few of them were wearing the same masks. They kept themselves at the corner, speaking in hushed tones. Emma and Nathaniel followed them. Certainly, it wasn't hard for the two to overhear members of the Order talking about their plans. "Tonight, we shall be presenting to you our new leader," one said, "and he shall lead us into a new era of darkness." Emma and Nathaniel were shocked. They hadn't the slightest idea about the identity of this new ruler, but they knew they needed to stop him. Later that night, in that same ballroom, tension mounted with each passing minute. Music boomed louder, and people danced as if there were nothing wrong in the world. This was because the iron was hot, and Emma and Nathaniel knew just when to strike. They casually walked toward the figures in hoods. "You think you can hide in plain sight?" Emma said. "We know who you are." The figures in hoodies now faced them, their glares narrowing in their eyes. "You will pay for this," one said. And before Emma and Nathaniel could even do anything, they were attacked by the hooded figures. A fight ensued, and the ballroom went into chaos. Emma and Nathaniel fought with all their might, but they were outnumbered. It looked like they would, after all, be overpowered. That was when a figure arose from behind. It was Olivia. She had followed Emma and Nathaniel, knowing full well that somehow she might be able to help them. She saw that the girl was under some kind of attack by people in a hoodie-type garment and knew she had to intervene. Olivia fought gallantly; her agility with a sword was unmatched. She held off the hooded figures long enough for Emma and Nathaniel to make their escape. Pounding out of the ballroom, Emma and Nathaniel could hear a loud explosion. Somehow, the figures in the hoodies had managed to set off a trap, and the ballroom was collapsing. Looking backwards in terror, Emma and Nathaniel realized the ballroom started crumbling down. Both knew this was their chance to run lest they be buried alive. But as the Order of the Veil closes in and the town is in peril, Emma and Nathaniel have to face their very last trial: to run out from the ballroom as it makes its crumbling fall and evade any hint of evil plots of the Order. And what about Olivia, who risked her life to save them?