As the portal sealed behind them, Canila and Freya (Amelia in the real world) stepped back into Elysium, the weight of their recent battle still heavy on their shoulders. The familiar landscape of Ashfall stretched before them, yet something felt off. The air was colder, the skies darker, and an unnatural stillness had fallen over the once lively region.
Freya adjusted her grip on the obsidian tablet, its glow dimming but still pulsing with faint energy. "Do you feel it?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Canila nodded, scanning the horizon. "It's like the world is holding its breath."
They had succeeded in stabilizing the heart of the Echoes, but the Herald's warning echoed in Canila's mind. The power of the Echoes was not gone; it was simply dormant, waiting for the right moment to return.
"We should report back to the guild," Canila suggested. "They'll want to know what happened at the heart. Plus, we need to regroup and plan our next steps."
Freya hesitated, her eyes fixed on the distant mountains. "The Herald said the Echoes would continue to haunt this world. What if we don't have much time before the next wave hits?"
"We'll deal with it when it comes," Canila replied, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're stronger than before. We can handle whatever comes next."
Freya gave a small nod, though the tension in her expression remained. Together, they began the long trek back to their guild base, the wind whispering around them like forgotten voices.
---
The journey to the guild's stronghold took longer than expected. Along the way, Canila noticed subtle changes in the environment—trees withered faster, rivers ran slower, and the wildlife seemed eerily absent. The balance of the world felt delicate, as though their actions at the heart had rippled across Elysium.
When they finally arrived at the Silverlight Guild's fortress, the sun was setting behind the massive stone walls. The once bustling entrance, filled with guild members and merchants, now stood quiet, with only a few guards patrolling the area.
"Something's wrong," Freya muttered, tightening her grip on the tablet.
Canila felt it too. The air was heavy, and an unsettling silence greeted them as they passed through the gates.
Inside the main hall, they were met by Kael, the guild's strategist, who was hunched over a table covered in maps and reports. His sharp eyes flicked up at their entrance.
"You're back," he said, relief evident in his tone. "But things have gotten worse since you left."
"Worse? How?" Canila asked, stepping closer.
Kael gestured to the map. "There's been a surge of dark energy across several regions. We've had reports of strange occurrences—villages disappearing overnight, creatures emerging from the shadows, and most concerningly, our communication with the other guilds has been cut off."
Freya exchanged a worried glance with Canila. "It's the Echoes. Their influence must be spreading faster than we anticipated."
Kael nodded grimly. "That would explain the silence. We've been trying to send scouts, but most don't return. Those who do… well, they come back changed."
"Changed how?" Canila asked, feeling a knot of dread form in his chest.
"Corrupted," Kael replied, his voice low. "Twisted by the darkness. They don't remember who they are, and their minds are filled with the Echoes' whispers. It's like the power of the Echoes has seeped into their very souls."
Freya shuddered. "The Herald warned us about this. The balance we restored was only temporary."
"Then what's our next move?" Canila asked, his resolve hardening.
Kael glanced around to make sure no one else was listening before he spoke. "We've received word of an ancient artifact hidden deep within the Ruins of Aetheros. It's said to be capable of permanently severing the Echoes' connection to this world. But it's a dangerous mission. The ruins are infested with powerful creatures, and the path there is treacherous."
"Sounds like the perfect challenge," Canila said, his voice firm. "We can't let the Echoes consume this world."
Freya nodded, her expression determined. "We'll go to Aetheros. If there's even a chance that this artifact can help, we have to try."
Kael looked between them, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and hope. "You're the only ones I trust for this mission. But be careful. The Echoes' corruption is spreading, and I fear the worst is yet to come."
The following morning, Canila and Freya prepared for their journey. The path to Aetheros would take them through several dangerous territories, and they couldn't afford any mistakes. As they stocked up on supplies and checked their weapons, a figure approached them from the shadows.
It was Braxus, the guild's warrior, his massive frame casting a long shadow across the courtyard. "I heard you're going on a suicide mission," he rumbled, crossing his arms.
"We prefer to think of it as saving the world," Canila replied with a grin.
Braxus snorted. "Well, if you're going to face off against ancient evils, you'll need someone to watch your back. I'm coming with you."
Freya raised an eyebrow. "You sure? The ruins aren't exactly known for their hospitality."
Braxus shrugged. "I've faced worse. Besides, I'm not about to let you two have all the fun."
Canila smirked. "Glad to have you on board. With you by our side, those Echoes won't stand a chance."
With their team assembled, the three set off toward the Ruins of Aetheros, the weight of their mission pressing down on them like a storm cloud on the horizon. The road ahead would be long and filled with danger, but they were ready.
As they walked, Canila couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them—an unseen presence lingering in the shadows. The Echoes were always there, waiting, plotting.
But no matter what came their way, Canila knew one thing for certain: they wouldn't stop until the world was free from the Echoes' grasp.
And so, with the fate of Elysium hanging in the balance, their journey into the heart of darkness began.