A sudden hush fell over the area surrounding Vidar and Sprite. The Griffin suddenly jumps out scratching Vidars shoulders with its icy claws. Vidar's heart raced, and his shoulders throbbed from the icy claws that had pierced him moments ago. He couldn't help but voice his astonishment.
"What in the world was that?" Vidar exclaimed, his eyes wide as he scanned the chamber for any signs of danger.
His voice echoed off the ancient lush desert forest of Rakoth, a testament to the otherworldly encounter they had just faced. Sprite, still within Vidar's consciousness, provided an explanation that left Vidar both impressed and baffled.
"Griffins have an uncanny ability to mask their presence," Sprite explained. "It's a skill that makes them nearly undetectable to ordinary individuals."
Vidar, frowning as he recalled the chilling sensation of those icy claws, muttered in frustration. "Dammit, that Griffin infused its claws with ice echo energy. It cut through me like it was nothing."
Intrigued by Sprite's healing abilities using fire echo energy, Vidar couldn't help but inquire further. "Sprite, that fire echo energy you used to heal me, it's incredible. How did you do that?"
The miniature companion chuckled before offering a response that left Vidar both impressed and incredulous. "Well, Vidar, as a Griffonborn, you have the unique ability to communicate with your inner echo. Not only that, but I can also tap into echo abilities while you use your primary echo simultaneously."
Vidar's eyes widened as he absorbed this revelation. "You've been holding out on me, Sprite!" he exclaimed with a half-smile.
Sprite laughed softly. "There's always more to learn, Vidar, and we'll explore it further once we're out of this mess."
Their brief respite was disrupted as the Griffin launched another assault. Vidar and Sprite moved in unison, defending against the creature's relentless attacks. The Griffin roared, shooting beams of water and ice shards at Vidar with unwavering determination.
Dodging the icy onslaught by a hair's breadth, Vidar found a moment to speak to Sprite. "Sprite, do you have a plan?"
Sprite, his focus on maintaining Vidar's protection, replied, "I think I have an idea, but do you trust me, Vidar?"
Without hesitation, Vidar nodded. "Of course, I do."
Sprite began to channel fire echo energy, using it to warm Vidar's wounds and mend the claw marks on his shoulders. Vidar could feel the soothing energy coursing through him. "This is amazing! How are you doing this?"
The Griffin, confused and angered by Vidar's rapid recovery, intensified its attacks. Undeterred, Sprite explained, "As a Griffonborn, you possess a unique synergy with your inner echo. While you focus on one element, I can assist with others simultaneously."
Vidar smirked, even in the midst of battle. "Son of a biscuit eater, you've been holding out on me."
Sprite laughed but then became serious as he prepared for their next move. "Let's concentrate on this fight for now. I'll tell you more about our abilities later."
The Griffin, sensing Vidar's determination, roared and shot a beam of water towards him. Vidar unleashed a flaming chain that wrapped around the Griffin's wings, knocking it out of the air. However, the creature retaliated with a barrage of ice shards at lightning speed.
Vidar attempted to dodge, but the shards were too fast. He winced as an icy shard struck his right leg. Thanks to Sprite's quick application of flame echo energy, the injury healed almost instantly. Vidar couldn't help but thank his loyal companion. "Thank you, Sprite."
As the battle raged on, Vidar summoned flame echo energy from his fingertips and used it to immobilize the Griffin. The creature, roaring in pain, unleashed a torrent of ice shards into the sky, freezing the ground solid beneath them.
Vidar, cloaked in a protective layer of fire echo energy, took a deep breath. With a determined expression, he propelled himself towards the Griffin at incredible speed. Flames danced from his feet, propelling him forward. In his right hand, a sharp, flaming echo energy formed on his fingertips.
With a swift, fiery stab, Vidar pierced the Griffin's chest. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing. Vidar and Sprite shared a sigh of relief.
Vidar once again expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for that flaming echo protection ability, Sprite."
Sprite offered a humble response. "Don't mention it, Vidar. Griffonborns are remarkable beings, capable of utilizing all echo elements."
Vidar grinned, his curiosity piqued. "What else can you do with fire echo?"
Sprite replied, "For now, just what you saw in that fight. But moving forward, we'll need to find someone who can teach us how to truly master the fire echo abilities. If you try to use any echo ability that isn't your primary earth echo, you'll become exhausted."
Determination burned in Vidar's eyes. "We'll find someone to teach us," he declared.
Sprite nodded. "You're absolutely right, Vidar."
Suddenly, their attention shifted to a familiar figure nearby. Vidar pointed in disbelief. "Hey, is that Reya?"
Vidar approached, but Reya disappeared, leaving him bewildered. "Huh? What's going on?"
Sprite wore a worried expression as he observed the strange occurrences. "I sense something's not right."
Reya reappeared, and Vidar hurried towards her, calling out, "Reya, say something!"
But once again, Reya vanished, leaving Vidar frustrated. "What is happening? Reya, where are you?!"
Reya reappeared once more, her voice barely audible. "Vidar, please help me."
Vidar desperately ran toward her, but she disappeared once again. Both Vidar and Sprite were now thoroughly puzzled.
Sprite couldn't hide his concern any longer. "What has Xenon done with your sister, Vidar?"
Determination filled Vidar as he clenched his fists. "I have no idea, but when I find him, I promise I'll save her. She needs to be safe again."
Vidar dropped to his knees, overwhelmed by frustration, and unleashed a fiery punch that left a massive crater in the ground. Meanwhile, Xenon observed their struggle from a distance, licking his lips in anticipation. "More power, more power," he whispered to himself, his thirst for power growing.
Xenon disappeared into the shadows, leaving Vidar and Sprite in a state of shock. Sprite, however, sensed a familiar energy that quickly vanished. He alerted Vidar, still shaken by the revelation. "I don't mean to alarm you, but I sensed a familiar echo energy just now. It could have been Xenon."
Vidar's shock turned to anger. "Has he been watching us this whole time?"
Sprite's voice conveyed uncertainty. "I have no idea how he's doing this."
Vidar clenched his fists, flames flickering around him. "We need to figure out why he's doing this. We need to be steps ahead of him this time."
With a determined expression, Vidar slammed his fists together. "I will find you, Reya. I promise."
Sprite offered a suggestion that intrigued Vidar. "You know, maybe it's time to search for an old legend I heard about many years ago."
Perplexed, Vidar inquired, "What do you mean?"
Sprite explained, "There's a legend, a myth about a war that happened at the beginning of this world's creation. I can't explain it, but I have a strong feeling that it might lead us to something that could greatly benefit our journey."
Vidar paused to absorb this information, his determination unwavering. "Do you think it could help us find my sister?"
Sprite nodded. "I believe it will lead us in the right direction."
Vidar's face lit up with hope. "Awesome. Let's go."
Sprite revealed the destination. "Great! There's a place called the Rimir Ruin."
Vidar accepted the new path. "Rimir, huh? Very well."
As Vidar made his way towards the Rimir Ruin, Sprite warned him about the treacherous forest they had to traverse. "Be careful, Vidar. The forest before Rimir Ruins is home to many evil and malevolent creatures. Getting through it alive won't be easy."
Vidar followed the path Sprite had indicated, but with every step, the atmosphere grew tenser, and the forest's inhabitants grew increasingly hostile. It was as if they sensed Vidar's approach and reacted with heightened aggression.
Just then, an indrik, a formidable creature with mastery over grass echo energy, launched itself at Vidar. It shot sharp, razor-like grass edges toward him, threatening to cut through even the molecules of his muscles.
Reacting swiftly, Vidar summoned his flame echo energy, creating barrages of fire energy that cut through the grass attacks with ease. The indrik, enraged, resorted to shooting lightning-fast vines toward Vidar's feet, attempting to drag him away.
Vidar deftly dodged the vines, realizing that the marks left by the indrik's hands held a peculiar energy. He responded with concentrated flame echo energy, so intense it could burn the lungs of any breathing being.
The indrik, finally vanquished, Vidar pressed on toward the Rimir Ruins. Upon reaching the entrance, he beheld a colossal stone structure with mysterious crevices.
Exhausted from his extensive use of flame echo energy, Vidar let out a sigh. "Well, it seems I overdid it back there."
Sprite couldn't resist a teasing remark. "Oh, you don't say, you butt monkey?"
Vidar chuckled, then closed his eyes to rest for a moment. Sprite kept a vigilant watch over him as he recuperated.
After a brief respite, Vidar awoke, and Sprite greeted him with playful banter. "Rise and shine, you butt monkey. It's time to enter the Rimir Ruins."
Vidar rubbed his eyes, still trying to shake off the fatigue. "Legends and myths, huh? I'm intrigued. Tell me more about what we might find there."
Sprite's expression turned more serious as he shared his knowledge. "The legends say that Orion, a powerful being, played a crucial role in creating this universe. The Rimir Ruins hold untapped secrets from an ancient war that took place eons ago."
Vidar's determination flared anew. "Right. Let's go."
As Vidar ventured into the Rimir Ruins, he could feel the weight of history bearing down on him. The very ground seemed to shake with the echoes of battles long past.
He couldn't help but comment on the eerie atmosphere. "This place must have witnessed a colossal battle."
Sprite nodded, his gaze distant. "Not just any battle, Vidar. This looks like a full-scale war."
Vidar's eyes widened with realization. "Wait a minute, wasn't this the war you told me about?"
Sprite confirmed, "Of course, you butt monkey."
Sprite appeared deep in thought. "You may not be able to master it instantly, but close your eyes, kneel down, and focus."
Intrigued and eager to learn more about his newfound abilities, Vidar complied. He closed his eyes and knelt, focusing his inner echo energy. As he did, he witnessed a vision: a young man named Orion lay battered and beaten on the battlefield.
Vidar reached out to Orion, attempting to offer assistance, but his hand passed through the figure. He felt frustrated and asked, "Hello?"
Sprite, observing Vidar's efforts, chimed in. "You can't hear, see, or touch him, Vidar."
Vidar's disappointment was evident. "Son of a biscuit eater, seriously?"
Sprite explained, "Oh yeah, butt monkey. But I'll admit, I wasn't expecting you to adapt to this so quickly. You've managed to sync even deeper with your inner echo of earth, and since this planet never forgets, you can tap into the spiritual energy it leaves behind."
Vidar examined his own hands in awe. "I need to master everything related to my earth echo powers first."
Sprite laughed, visibly impressed. "You have a lot to learn, but your determination might even shake the core of Lenart. Can't wait to see that, you butt monkey."
Just as they were getting ready to move on, a voice echoed through the dimly lit forest. "Well, well, look who we have here."
Vidar spun around, there emerging from the shadows, was Grigori, the mage they had met in previously. He bore a knowing smile adorned with intricate runes.
"Grigori!" Vidar exclaimed, relieved to see a familiar face. "What are you doing here?"
Grigori approached with a measured stride. "I could ask you the same question, young Griffonborn. But it seems fate has brought us together once more."
Vidar explained their journey and the events that had led them to the Rimir Ruins. Grigori listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each word.
"Xenon, you say?" Grigori mused. "A dangerous adversary, indeed. But I may have some information that could aid your quest."
Vidar leaned in, eager to hear more. "What do you know, Grigori?"
The mage gestured for Vidar to follow him deeper into the forest, where ancient carvings covered the trees. "I've heard rumors of Xenon's activities spreading to the nearby town of Valor."
Vidar's eyes narrowed. "Valor? What's there that would attract Xenon?"
Grigori sighed, his gaze distant. "I cannot say for certain, but there have been whispers of strange happenings, mysterious disappearances, and echoes of dark magic."
Sprite, always vigilant, chimed in from Vidar's consciousness. "We need to go to Valor, Vidar. It could be the key to finding Reya."
Vidar nodded in agreement. "You're right, Sprite. Grigori, thank you for the information. We'll make our way to Valor immediately."
Grigori offered a reassuring smile. "Be cautious, young Griffonborn. Xenon's reach is long and his powers formidable. But remember, you are not alone in this journey."
With those words of encouragement, Vidar and Sprite left the forest and continued their mission—to find Reya and put an end to Xenon's sinister plans.