The "echoes" of the cities in *The Echoes of Forgotten Cities* are meant to be time-locked fragments of ancient, forgotten civilizations. They should appear:
**1. Preserved Yet Ancient**
These cities should look old and timeless, with structures that have weathered countless centuries but appear untouched by decay. Imagine them as ruins that, instead of crumbling, remain perfectly intact as though frozen in time.
**2. Blending Old and Futuristic**
The cities might have elements of classical ancient architecture (think of temples, towers, or old-world buildings) but fused with futuristic technology. For instance:
- **Buildings**: Ancient stone pillars and arches could be interwoven with glowing panels, holographic interfaces, or floating structures.
- **Streets and Pathways**: Cobblestone roads could lead to portals or energy fields that hum faintly with a futuristic glow.
- **Statues and Monuments**: Statues made of bronze or marble might have digital overlays or inscriptions that shift and change like holograms.
**3. Ethereal and Haunting**
Since they are echoes, the cities should feel somewhat otherworldly. They could shimmer slightly, as though not fully anchored in reality, or cast strange shadows and light that defy natural physics.
- **Materials**: Some structures could be transparent or refract light oddly, giving them a ghostly, ephemeral quality.
- **Sounds**: Echoes of voices, footsteps, and old-world machinery might emanate from within the buildings, creating an eerie atmosphere.
**4. Cosmic Influence**
Given that the cities are time-locked fragments that could unravel the universe, their surroundings could be affected by cosmic forces.
- **Skies**: Strange star patterns, swirling vortexes, or energy storms could hang over the cities.
- **Landscape**: Time distortions might cause parts of the cities to float, warp, or appear duplicated at different points in the city.
In essence, these cities should feel like they exist at the intersection of time and space—both ancient and futuristic, stable yet unraveling.