Echo 4
I sprinted through the infirmary hallway, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps as I pushed my body to its limits. The sound of footsteps echoed behind me—multiple sets, closing in fast. I didn't dare look back; I knew they were after me. My mind raced as I darted down the corridor, my eyes scanning for the familiar desk I had passed earlier.
Finally, I saw it—a small reception desk, the same woman from before seated behind it. I skidded to a stop in front of her, the urgency in my voice clear. "Nico Adreaus Specter and Lilith—I don't honestly remember her last name… but where are they?"
The woman blinked, taken aback by my sudden appearance, but she quickly nodded. "Down the hall, to the right. Room 306."
"And Vallen?" I asked, though part of me already knew the answer.
Her expression shifted, a mix of sympathy and professionalism. "I'm sorry, I can't provide that information."
Frustration boiled inside me, but there was no time to argue. I spun on my heel and took off down the hall, my heart pounding even faster. I found the door to Room 306 and pushed it open, my breath catching in my throat as I saw them.
Nico and Lilith were lying side by side, both still and peaceful, their chests rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep. Relief flooded through me—they were safe, at least for now. But seeing them so vulnerable made my chest tighten with a mix of emotions I couldn't fully understand.
I approached Lilith first, my steps slow and deliberate. I knelt beside her, taking her hand in mine, the warmth of her skin grounding me. She was like a sister, one of my oldest friends after Nico. Gently, I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against hers. For a moment, I felt something—a faint pulse of Aether, like a whisper of power passing between us. My breath hitched as I saw a flash of those creatures again, but just as quickly, the vision faded, leaving me with only the quiet sound of her breathing.
"I'll keep you safe," I whispered, my voice trembling with the weight of the promise.
Reluctantly, I let go of Lilith's hand and moved to Nico's side. I reached out, brushing my fingers through his hair, my touch light and tender. A small smile tugged at my lips as I traced the line of his jaw, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips.
"I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice barely audible as I leaned down to press a soft kiss to his forehead. That same sensation returned—a fleeting connection, a brush of Aether that sent a shiver down my spine.
As I turned to leave, I felt Nico's fingers brush against mine, his grip weak but deliberate. It lasted only a second before he let go, but the gesture left me reeling, my heart aching with a mix of longing and determination. I wanted to stay, to be there when they woke up, but I knew I couldn't. Not yet.
Stepping out of the room, I let out a shaky breath, the emotions swirling inside me threatening to overwhelm. I needed to focus—to figure out what was happening, to understand the storm that was brewing both inside and outside of me. I had to protect them, but first, I needed answers.
As I walked down the hallway, the footsteps behind me grew louder, the people who had been chasing me finally catching up. I turned to face them, my body instinctively falling into a defensive stance. There were three of them, all clad in the uniform of the Vermillion Pheasant Syndicate, their expressions serious but not hostile.
"Stand down," one of them ordered, his voice firm but not aggressive. "We're here on Don Ignia's orders. We're not here to harm you."
I didn't move, my muscles tense and ready for a fight. My mind raced, trying to piece together my next move. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me—the uncertainty, the fear, the need to protect those I cared about. But I couldn't afford to lose control now. I needed to think, to strategize.
"I'm not looking for trouble," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was still pounding. "But I need answers. Why did this happen? What's going on with Vallen? What did you do to him?"
The man who had spoken before raised his hands in a placating gesture. "We understand your concerns, but you need to trust us. Don Ignia will provide you with the information you need. Right now, our priority is your safety."
"Safety?" I scoffed, my eyes narrowing. "From what? From who?"
"From the unknown," he replied, his tone careful. "We're just as in the dark as you are. That's why Don Ignia is trying to get to the bottom of this. But we need you to cooperate."
I studied them for a moment, weighing my options. They weren't my enemies, but that didn't mean I could trust them. Not completely. Not when there were so many questions left unanswered.
"Fine," I finally said, lowering my guard slightly. "But if I don't get the answers I'm looking for, I won't hesitate to take matters into my own hands."
The man nodded, his expression serious. "Understood. But please, come with us. Don Ignia is waiting."
With a final glance back at the hallway where Nico and Lilith lay sleeping, I followed the guards. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but one thing was clear: this was only the beginning. Whatever was happening, whatever truths were waiting to be uncovered, I would find them.
As we walked down the hallway, a sudden tremor shook the ground beneath us. The walls rattled, and a low rumble reverberated through the air. I staggered, grabbing onto the wall for support. My heart pounded as the realization hit me—this wasn't an ordinary earthquake. It felt different, more intense, as if the very fabric of the building was being tested by an immense force.
The guards around me exchanged quick glances, their expressions shifting from cautious to alarmed. "What the hell was that?" one of them muttered under his breath, his hand instinctively reaching for the weapon at his side.
I didn't wait for them to figure it out. My instincts screamed at me to protect Nico and Lilith, to ensure their safety before anything else. I turned on my heel and bolted back down the hallway, my feet pounding against the floor as the tremors continued to shake the building. The two guards who had stayed with me called out, their voices a mix of urgency and confusion, but I ignored them. I had one goal—get to my friends.
As I neared their room, the tremors intensified, accompanied by a distant roar that sent chills down my spine. It felt as though the very air was being torn apart by some immense, otherworldly force. I didn't have time to think, only react. I burst through the door of Room 306, skidding to a halt beside Nico and Lilith's beds.
I braced myself, ready to defend them from whatever threat was approaching. My mind raced, but my body was calm, steady—something inside me had clicked into place. The training, the battles, everything I had been through up to this point prepared me for moments like this. Yet, despite my resolve, a flicker of doubt gnawed at me. Was I strong enough to protect them? To keep them safe from whatever was coming?
The two guards who had followed me stood in the doorway, their expressions tense as they tried to gauge the situation. "Stay inside," one of them commanded, his voice laced with urgency. "We'll handle whatever's happening. Don't move."
"What's going on?" I demanded, my eyes locked onto the guard who had spoken. "What do you know about Vallen? Is he part of this?"
The guard hesitated, his gaze flicking to his partner before answering. "We don't know anything about Vallen's condition. Our orders are to keep you safe and to ensure the situation is contained. Now stay here."
Frustration bubbled inside me, but I knew pressing them for information wouldn't get me anywhere. They were just following orders, and whatever was happening outside this room was beyond their control.
The guards stepped back into the hallway, closing the door behind them with a resolute click. I was left standing in the room, the silence around me deafening in contrast to the chaos outside. My heart raced, my mind spinning with unanswered questions and fears.
I couldn't just sit here. I had to know what was happening, to see for myself that Vallen was safe. My friends needed me, and I couldn't let them down.
Taking a deep breath, I glanced back at Nico and Lilith. They were still unconscious, their faces peaceful despite the turmoil around us. I couldn't leave them unprotected, but I also couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Slowly, I crept to the door, pressing my ear against it to listen for any sounds from the hallway. The guards were still out there, but their voices were muffled, indistinct. I needed to get past them without drawing attention.
As I eased the door open just a crack, a sudden chill washed over me—a presence I hadn't felt since the Rift. My breath caught in my throat, and I froze, my eyes widening as I saw the outline of a small figure materializing in front of me.
He was small—no bigger than a house cat—with sleek, shimmering scales that appeared like dark water frozen in time, reflecting a subtle blue glow in the dim light. His large, sapphire-blue eyes glowed with an intensity that belied his chibi-like appearance. This was no ordinary creature—his aura radiated intelligence, authority, and an almost ancient wisdom, despite his small, adorable form.
As he fully materialized, a sense of calm washed over me, even as my heart pounded in my chest. "Who… what are you?" I managed to stammer.
Before the small dragon could respond, a deep, earth-shaking rumble reverberated through the building, causing the lights to flicker violently. The sound of distant crashes echoed from outside, followed by the unmistakable roar of something massive and enraged. The whole room seemed to tremble, dust falling from the ceiling as the walls creaked under the pressure.
My heart leaped into my throat, and I instinctively backed away from the door. "What's happening out there?" I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.
Behind me, I heard a soft groan. I turned quickly to see Nico and Lilith stirring, their eyes fluttering open just as another violent tremor rocked the room. The overhead lights swung wildly, casting erratic shadows that only added to the chaos. Their gazes locked onto the small dragon, then onto me, their expressions a mix of shock, confusion, and growing fear.
"Lucian… what's going on?" Lilith asked, her voice shaky as she pushed herself up on the bed, her body visibly trembling from both exhaustion and the aftershocks.
Nico blinked, rubbing his eyes before looking between the dragon and me, his usually composed demeanor fraying at the edges. "The last thing I remember… we were in the Rift. How did we get here?"
But before I could answer, a series of deafening explosions boomed from outside, each one louder than the last. The walls of the infirmary shook violently, and I could hear the distant shouts of people in panic. The building groaned under the stress, and I knew the situation outside was spiraling out of control.
Nico and Lilith's instincts kicked in, and they scrambled out of bed, albeit shakily. Nico's hand went to his side, reaching for a weapon that wasn't there, while Lilith winced, clutching her side where she had been injured in the Rift.
They both stared at the small dragon, then at me, their eyes wide with alarm and urgency. "Lucian, who is this? And what the hell is happening out there?" Nico's voice was tense, his body poised for action despite the clear signs of fatigue.
Lilith, though still visibly shaken, managed to find her footing, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting the walls to cave in at any moment. "Is this another one of those creatures from the Rift?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and determination.
Kien, sensing their alarm, raised a small, clawed paw in a calming gesture. "There is no need for alarm," he said, his voice soft yet firm, carrying a reassuring authority that seemed to momentarily soothe their nerves, even as the ground continued to tremble beneath us. "I am Kien, young masters. I am here to help you escape this place."
Another explosion rocked the building, closer this time, and the sound of shattering glass filled the air as windows somewhere down the hall blew out from the force of the blast. The lights flickered again, threatening to go out completely.
Nico and Lilith exchanged panicked glances, but neither of them relaxed completely. "Escape?" Nico echoed, still on edge. "From what? What's happening out there?"
Kien turned his deep, sapphire eyes toward me, his expression both solemn and urgent. "Lucian, your power is the key to getting out of here safely. But it will require focus and trust, not just from you, but from all of you."
Another roar, this one more thunderous and terrifying than the last, shook the building to its core. The ceiling above us began to crack, and debris started falling around us. Time was running out.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "What do we need to do?" I asked, my voice barely steady over the mounting panic.
Kien floated closer, his presence calm yet intense even as the world around us seemed to be collapsing. "You need to channel my power to create the Veil of the Depths—an ability that will cloak all of you, hiding your presence from those who might mean you harm. It won't last long, but it will be enough to get you out of this place."
"But we've never done anything like that before," Lilith said, her voice wavering slightly. "Are you sure it will work?"
"It will work," Kien replied firmly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "But you need to trust in Lucian's abilities—and in my guidance. The connection between Lucian and the Phantasmal Sea is still forming, but together, we can use that connection to create a path to safety."
Nico, still eyeing Kien with cautious suspicion, finally nodded as the room shuddered violently once more. "If this is our only shot, then I'm in. Just tell us what to do."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I saw the determination in their eyes, even as the world outside descended into chaos. We were in this together, just like we always had been.
"Alright," I said, turning to Kien. "Let's do this."
Kien nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Focus, Lucian. Let the Aether flow through you—let it respond to your will. Imagine the shadows wrapping around you and your friends, concealing your presence from the outside world."
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I concentrated, blocking out the cacophony of destruction outside. I could feel the Aether within me, the same energy that had surged uncontrollably during our battle in the Rift. But now, with Kien's guidance, it felt different—more controlled, more focused.
Slowly, I extended my hand, imagining the shadows around us bending to my will. The air grew cooler, and I could feel the Aether responding to my command. Gradually, a veil of darkness began to form, wrapping around Nico, Lilith, and me, shrouding us from view.
"It's working," I whispered, my eyes opening to see the faint outline of the veil around us, even as the walls around us cracked further, the sound of collapsing structures growing louder.
Kien hovered beside me, his expression approving despite the urgency. "Well done, Lucian. Now, move quickly. The guards won't see you, but you must be careful. I will guide you through the halls—trust in the shadows, and they will lead you to safety."
Nico and Lilith stood close to me, their eyes wide with awe and fear, but also with trust. They trusted me, and I couldn't let them down.
"Let's go," I whispered, and together, we slipped out of the room, the Veil of the Depths cloaking us from sight.
As we moved through the infirmary, Kien's voice echoed in my mind, explaining more about my power and how it tied to the Phantasmal Sea. "Your Gift, Lucian, is not just about control—it's about understanding. The Aether responds to intent, to will. The more you connect with it, the more it will reveal to you. But for now, focus on getting out. There will be time to learn more later."
We moved swiftly and silently, the shadows guiding us as Kien directed us through the winding corridors. The guards were oblivious to our presence, their gazes passing over us as if we were nothing more than a trick of the light.
But as we neared the exit, the ground suddenly trembled beneath our feet with a force that nearly knocked us off balance. A massive explosion from outside blew the entrance doors off their hinges, sending a shockwave of debris and dust barreling down the hallway toward us. The Veil of the Depths flickered dangerously, and I could feel Kien's concern in the air.
"We need to hurry," Kien urged, his voice tinged with urgency. "Something is happening—a force that's causing instability. If we don't leave now, you may be caught in the aftermath."
I nodded, quickening our pace as the tremors grew stronger. The tension in the air was palpable, and I knew we were running out of time.
But as we reached the final stretch, the ground shook violently, and the ceiling above us began to crack and collapse. Panic surged through me, but Kien's presence remained calm, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"Stay focused, Lucian. You have the power to protect them. Channel it, and we can make it out of here."
Taking a deep breath, I gathered every ounce of my will, pouring it into the Veil of the Depths. The darkness around us solidified just as the ceiling above began to give way. We moved forward, determined to reach the exit before it was too late. The walls crumbled behind us as we slipped through the shattered entrance, the chaos of the outside world hitting us full force.
As we emerged from the shattered entrance of the infirmary, the chaos outside was far worse than I could have imagined. The world around us was in turmoil—smoke filled the air, flames crackled from the remains of buildings, and the sky above was darkened with storm clouds, rumbling ominously. The ground beneath us continued to tremble with aftershocks from the explosion that had rocked the building. But amidst all this, a sudden realization hit me like a blow to the chest.
"Vallen!" I gasped, my voice laced with panic. "We forgot Vallen! He's still inside!"
Lilith and Nico both froze, their eyes widening in horror as the weight of my words sank in. But before any of us could move, Kien's voice cut through the rising panic.
"There's no time to go back," Kien said firmly, his sapphire-blue eyes glowing with an intense focus. "The entrance is blocked, and the building is collapsing. You have to trust that he will be safe. There are others—Arts users—who can protect him."
"But—" I started, the guilt gnawing at me, but Kien's presence remained unwavering.
"I know it's hard, Lucian, but you have to keep moving. If you go back now, you'll only endanger everyone, including Vallen. Trust me," Kien insisted, his voice carrying the weight of authority that I couldn't ignore.
Reluctantly, I nodded, though the knot of guilt tightened in my chest. I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. We needed to get out of here, and fast.
As we moved through the rubble-strewn streets, the world around us seemed to shift in and out of focus. The ground beneath our feet was unstable, and the distant sounds of battle echoed through the air. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each step feeling heavier than the last. My mind was racing, trying to process everything that had happened, but there was no time for answers—only survival.
As we rounded a corner, a flash of movement caught my eye. Through a gap in the crumbling wall, I saw a scene that made my blood run cold. Amara was locked in battle with two figures who were unmistakably my aunt and uncle, but they looked… different. My aunt had taken on the form of a Girtablilu, her body a terrifying blend of human and scorpion, her stinger tail lashing out with deadly precision. My uncle, on the other hand, was shrouded in an aura of dark energy, his once-human form now angelic, with black wings extending from his back and a broken, black ring hovering over his head. They both moved with a terrifying grace, their powers unleashed in full force.
Amara was holding her own, but the strain of fighting two such formidable opponents was evident in her movements. Sweat glistened on her brow, and her breath came in short, ragged gasps. Yet, despite the odds, she fought with a ferocity that made it clear she wasn't going down without a fight.
I couldn't stand by and watch. Without thinking, I sprinted forward, determined to help Amara. But just as I was about to reach her, a force slammed into me, sending me tumbling backward. I looked up, dazed, to see Amara standing over me, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Stay back, Lucian!" she snapped, her voice laced with frustration. "This isn't your fight!"
Before I could argue, I saw my uncle, James, raise his hand, a beam of energy forming in his palm. Time seemed to slow as I watched him aim it at Nico. I shouted in panic, but the words caught in my throat as the beam shot forward. To my astonishment, it didn't harm Nico; instead, it seemed to pass through him, leaving him unscathed. My uncle's expression was unreadable, and before I could process what had just happened, Amara knocked me aside again, her eyes narrowing.
"Get out of here! Now!" Amara barked, her voice filled with urgency. "Take your friends and run!"
Kien, who had been hovering close by, suddenly intervened. His small form expanded, and with a mighty surge of energy, he conjured a massive wave of water that crashed down between us and my aunt and uncle. The water solidified into an impenetrable barrier, cutting off any chance of them following us.
"Amara, go!" Kien commanded, his voice carrying a power I hadn't heard from him before. "I will hold them off. Take them to safety."
Amara hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "This way!" she shouted to us, gesturing toward a narrow alleyway that led away from the battle. We didn't waste any time, sprinting after her as Kien leaped into a ripple in the air, disappearing from sight only to reappear beside us moments later.
As we ran, the weight of the situation pressed down on us. The world around us was collapsing, both literally and figuratively, and the stakes had never been higher. My mind raced with questions, but there was no time for answers. We had to survive.
Amara led the way, her movements swift and deliberate despite the destruction around us. I could see the exhaustion etched on Nico and Lilith's faces—they were struggling to keep up, their bodies still recovering from the ordeal in the Rift. I wanted to reassure them, to tell them everything would be okay, but the words felt hollow in the face of everything that had happened.
Finally, Amara slowed, leading us into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway that offered a brief respite from the chaos outside. We huddled together, catching our breath as the sounds of battle faded into the distance.
"Where are we going?" Nico asked, his voice shaky, his eyes darting around as if expecting another attack at any moment.
"We're heading to Sky Island Halthor," Amara explained, her tone clipped as she kept a watchful eye on the entrance to the alley. "It's a safe place where Vallen is being treated. We need to get there before this situation escalates any further."
As Amara spoke, her words hung heavy in the air, their implications sinking into the group. "Sky Island Halthor," she repeated, her tone firm. "Vallen is being treated there."
Nico's brow furrowed in confusion. "Sky Island Halthor? But… that's halfway across the globe. How did he get there so fast?"
Lilith's eyes widened, her voice trembling with disbelief. "We were just in the Rift together… How could he have already been moved to Halthor? That doesn't make sense."
Amara's gaze hardened as she looked at each of us in turn. "I know it seems impossible, but the situation is far more complicated than you realize. The details aren't important right now—what matters is that Vallen is safe, and we need to focus on getting ourselves out of here."
"But how can we trust that he's really there?" I pressed, the gnawing uncertainty still clawing at me. "Why won't you tell us how he was moved?"
Amara hesitated, her eyes flickering with something unspoken—a secret she wasn't ready to share. "There are forces at play that you're not yet prepared to understand," she finally said, her voice low and serious. "But I assure you, Vallen is where he needs to be. Our priority now is to ensure your safety."
Her words, though meant to reassure, only added to the growing tension. The mystery surrounding Vallen's sudden relocation to such a distant and isolated place felt like a shadow hanging over us, one that threatened to obscure any sense of safety or clarity. But there was no time to dwell on it—Amara's urgency left little room for doubt.
The weight of the situation bore down on me, making it difficult to focus. I could feel the unease in Nico and Lilith, their eyes darting around as if expecting something worse to be lurking in the shadows. The narrow alleyway felt like a cage, the walls closing in around us as we tried to make sense of everything.
Amara led us forward once again, her steps brisk and sure, but I could sense her tension too. The once familiar cityscape now felt like a labyrinth of danger, every corner hiding potential threats, every sound a possible warning of more chaos to come. As we continued, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that something sinister was following in our wake.
Kien, ever vigilant, remained by my side. His presence was a steadying force, but even he seemed more alert than usual, his sapphire eyes scanning our surroundings with a sharpness that set my nerves on edge.
We pressed on, the path ahead seeming to stretch endlessly, the night thick with anticipation. But then, without warning, the ground beneath us trembled again—this time, more violently than before. The air crackled with a strange energy, and a cold dread washed over me as I felt the atmosphere shift.
"We're close to the exit," Amara said, her voice taut with urgency. "But something's wrong. We need to move faster."
We quickened our pace, but with each step, the air grew heavier, more oppressive. The distant sounds of destruction were getting closer, and it felt as though the very city itself was coming apart at the seams. The sense of impending doom was palpable, a weight that pressed down on us with every breath.
Finally, we reached what Amara had described as the exit—a hidden door in the side of a crumbling building. She pushed it open, revealing a narrow staircase that descended into darkness. The air inside was cold and stale, a stark contrast to the chaos above. It felt like stepping into the unknown, a place where the outside world's rules no longer applied.
"This will take us to a safe route out of the city," Amara explained, her voice a strained whisper. "Once we're clear, we can regroup and plan our next move."
But as we prepared to descend, Nico suddenly stiffened beside me. A familiar dark energy began to swirl around him again—stronger, more concentrated than before. It was the same void energy we had encountered in the Rift, and now it was radiating from Nico with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"Nico…?" I began, worry gnawing at me as I reached out to him. But before I could do anything, the energy surged outward in a violent burst, the force of it knocking us all back. For a split second, it felt as though the entire world had been swallowed by darkness, the void threatening to consume everything.
But just as quickly as it had come, the energy retracted, pulling back into Nico like a recoiling serpent. He stood there, trembling, his eyes wide with shock and fear.
"I… I'm sorry," Nico stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to…"
Kien was at his side in an instant, his small form glowing with a calming blue light. "It's the Void," he said softly, yet with a gravity that made my blood run cold. "It's trying to take hold of you, Nico. You have to resist it. Don't let it control you."
Nico nodded shakily, struggling to regain his composure. The fear in his eyes was mirrored in the expressions of everyone around us—this was no ordinary power, and its implications were terrifying. Even Amara, usually so composed, looked deeply troubled.
"We can't stay here," she said finally, her voice heavy with urgency. "Whatever's happening to Nico, it's only going to get worse if we don't get out of here now. We need to reach Halthor—there, we might find some answers."
With a final glance at Nico, who looked pale and exhausted but determined, I nodded in agreement. Together, we began our descent into the darkness, leaving behind the collapsing world above. The weight of what had just occurred hung heavily over us, an ominous prelude to the storm that was brewing on the horizon. Every step down the narrow staircase felt like a step closer to the unknown, and yet, there was no turning back.
As we moved deeper into the darkness, the air grew colder, and the shadows around us seemed to stretch endlessly. The sense of impending disaster was thick, suffocating, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking into something far more dangerous than we could comprehend. But with Kien at my side, guiding us, and my friends close behind, I knew we had to press on, no matter what awaited us at the end of this path.