The Vein Between Worlds: Blood remembers. Reality obeys

In 1987 Derbyshire, two teenage boys—Ben and Gregory—stumble into a hidden cave while fleeing local bullies. What begins as a desperate escape turns into something far stranger when the cave warps reality itself, pulling them through a rupture known as the Vein—a living thread connecting worlds.They emerge in Branook, a dying, otherworldly land of copper forests, lilac skies, and creatures twisted by ancient magic. There, they narrowly survive encounters with corrupted beasts and undead soldiers before being rescued by Drut, a centuries-old Crachow—an intelligent, badger-like being who becomes their guide. As they journey deeper into Branook, Gregory undergoes a mysterious transformation after consuming a rare Radisig root, awakening ancestral combat instincts tied to a forgotten bloodline. Meanwhile, the boys learn a terrifying truth: the Vein is tearing open, and at its center is an undead chieftain—Diarmuid—resurrected through forbidden magic. What remains of him is cruel, incomplete, and growing stronger as he feeds on the Vein’s power. In the hidden village of Red Hollow, the boys uncover deeply personal stakes. Ben reunites with his long-lost sister, aged decades in Branook’s warped time, while Gregory discovers his missing father—alive, but dying after years trapped in this world. Together, they learn of an ancient agreement broken by necromancy, and of a final hope: a legendary weapon, forged with sacred blood, capable of destroying the unmade king—but only for the right bearer. With only days before the Vein fully ruptures and Diarmuid becomes unstoppable, Ben and Gregory must grow from frightened boys into something far more dangerous. Guided by unlikely allies—including a massive warrior-beast and a strangely wise bat—they face a choice: find the weapon, confront the king, and risk everything… or watch two worlds collapse into ruin. Read more