Chapter 6: Echoes of the Past
Kaylen kept moving, his mind a storm of unease after his encounter with the old woman. Her cryptic warning gnawed at him. He clutched the artifact tightly in his pocket, its faint hum an ever-present reminder of the power it held—and the danger it posed.
Power like that doesn't come cheap.
The words lingered in his mind as he slipped into a shadowed alley. He needed to know what the artifact was taking from him. Was it his energy? His life? Or something deeper?
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Night fell quickly, and Kaylen found himself on the outskirts of the city. The streets here were silent, abandoned save for the occasional rustle of wind through broken windows. He had chosen this area deliberately—no witnesses, no interruptions. If he was going to push the artifact further, he wanted to be alone.
Sitting cross-legged on the cracked pavement, Kaylen pulled the artifact out and set it before him. Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically, like a heartbeat. He stared at it, trying to will it to reveal its secrets.
"What are you?" he muttered.
The artifact gave no answer. Frustration bubbled to the surface, and Kaylen clenched his fists. It had given him a taste of power, but every step forward felt like he was teetering on the edge of a cliff.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the warmth emanating from the artifact. Memories of its previous activations flickered through his mind: the flame, the teleportation, the overwhelming surge of energy that had nearly consumed him. He reached deeper, searching for the connection he'd felt before.
The warmth grew, spreading through his chest and into his limbs. His breathing slowed as the world around him faded. Images began to form in the darkness—fragments of memories not his own. He saw flashes of people wielding incredible powers, their Signatures blazing like stars. He saw the artifact in their hands, glowing brighter than it ever had for him.
And then, he saw their faces—contorted in agony as the light consumed them. One by one, they fell, their bodies dissolving into ash.
Kaylen's eyes snapped open, his heart racing. The warmth from the artifact was gone, replaced by a cold, oppressive weight. He stared at it, his breath shallow.
"It… kills them," he whispered. "It takes everything."
He scrambled to his feet, his legs trembling. The artifact sat motionless, as if mocking his realization. It had given him power, yes, but at a cost no one could afford. He had to get rid of it—destroy it before it destroyed him.
But as he reached for it, the artifact flared, a sudden burst of light blinding him. He stumbled back, shielding his eyes. When the light faded, he wasn't alone.
A figure stood before him, cloaked in shadow. Their face was obscured, but their voice was clear and sharp. "You've seen the truth."
Kaylen's pulse quickened. "Who… who are you?"
"Someone who knows the artifact's price," the figure replied. "And someone who knows how to survive it."
Kaylen's hand hovered near the artifact, but the figure raised a hand, stopping him. "Don't. You'll only provoke it further."
"You know what this is?" Kaylen demanded. "What it's doing to me?"
The figure stepped closer, their movements smooth and deliberate. "It's called the Ember Core. A fragment of a greater power lost to time. It grants strength, but only by consuming its wielder. Every use chips away at you, burns pieces of your essence. Most don't survive long enough to master it."
Kaylen's throat tightened. "Then why use it at all? Why not destroy it?"
"Because some power is worth the price," the figure said, their tone cold. "And because not everyone is strong enough to wield it. But you… you might be."
Kaylen shook his head. "I don't want it. I never asked for this."
"Yet here you are," the figure said, gesturing toward the artifact. "You've already begun. You can't stop now. The Ember Core has chosen you, and it won't let go until it's taken everything—or until you master it."
Kaylen took a shaky step back, his mind racing. "Why should I believe you? For all I know, you're just here to take it for yourself."
The figure chuckled, a low, hollow sound. "If I wanted it, I'd have taken it already. But I've seen too many fall to its power. If you want to survive, you'll need guidance."
"Why help me?" Kaylen asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
"Because your survival benefits us both," the figure said simply. "And because the Hunters won't stop until you're dead. If you want to stand a chance against them, you'll need more than the Ember Core. You'll need control."
Kaylen hesitated, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and doubt. The figure's words carried a weight he couldn't ignore. The Hunters were already closing in, and the artifact was more dangerous than he'd realized. If he had any hope of surviving, he couldn't do it alone.
"Fine," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Teach me."
The figure nodded. "Good. But know this—once you begin, there's no turning back."
Kaylen glanced at the Ember Core, its faint glow casting long shadows in the dark. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.
There was no turning back. Not now. Not ever.