Echoes of the Lost

Elara entered the room, carrying a tray with a glass of water and a pill. She placed it on the bed. Nam took the pill, and as Elara picked up the tray to leave, she spoke firmly,

"If you're really not feeling well, tell me next time!"

Her tone was serious. Nam simply nodded.

He glanced at the bedside table—there was a book, a candle, scattered papers, and most importantly, the pendant. Gathering his courage, he reached for it.

It felt strange.

Was Larod telling the truth? Or was he lying?

As Nam picked up the pendant, he examined it carefully.

It was made of iron. On the front, there was an Ouroboros symbol; on the back, a sword emblem.

Something was off about the sword symbol. Its tip wasn't sharp, and the hilt was broken—as if it was incomplete.

The moment Nam touched the tip of the sword, the pendant clicked open.

Inside, there was a picture.

A girl.

She looked familiar, yet he couldn't remember her.

At that moment, Elara entered the room again, smiling.

But… her smile was terrifying.

The room darkened.

Nam reacted quickly, stepping back as a voice echoed around him.

"Do you remember…?"

Nam woke up, drenched in sweat, his breath shaky.

It felt as if Elara had spoken to him while he was looking at the pendant, yet he couldn't remember clearly.

The only thing echoing in his mind was that voice—"Do you remember…?"

He sat up and walked over to the table, looking out the window. His hand rested on the wooden surface as he took a deep breath.

Fear lingered on his face.

He touched his forehead, as if trying to ground himself. Then, a realization hit him.

"Why the hell am I in Nam's body?!"

Larod's voice trembled.

The last thing he remembered was writing a book in the void.

Then, in the blink of an eye, he found himself here.

"Wait a minute… Does this mean Nam's soul is missing?!"

His voice sharpened with frustration. He slammed his fist onto the table, then turned toward the window.

"Who the hell took Nam's soul?!" he growled.

Then, something clicked in his mind. A sinister grin spread across his face.

"So that means… the whole world is mine!"

He paused.

"Oh, right. My power is passive."

He turned toward the door.

"I need to find Nam immediately, or I'm done for!"

He stepped out and glanced around.

His father was nowhere to be seen.

Larod tried to walk quietly, but—

"Hey! Brother! You need to rest!"

Elara had heard his footsteps.

As Larod put on his shoes, he replied, "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Elara was about to protest, but before she could, Larod had already left.

When he stepped onto the street, the city was bustling—children laughing, couples walking together, merchants calling out their prices.

Ignoring them, Larod kept walking.

And got lost.

By the time night fell, he had wandered for hours, unable to find his way home.

The night wind was harsh.

Cold enough to freeze him.

"Damn that idiot Nam. Why didn't the pendant protect him?"

He turned into a narrow alleyway. The ground was paved with uneven stone. It was an abandoned-looking street, littered with a few broken barrels and scattered rocks.

Then, he felt it.

He was being watched.

Larod tensed, then turned sharply, his eyes serious.

"Come out, Vaelis Duskbane!"

A slow clap echoed through the alley.

"Oh? So you noticed," a playful voice responded.

Vaelis stepped into the dim light.

He had gray hair—not too long, but slightly messy.

His outfit was regal.

A long, deep burgundy coat draped over his shoulders, its collar and cuffs embroidered with silver patterns.

Underneath, he wore a fitted black shirt. His dark, slim-fitting pants ended just below the knees.

Larod clenched his fists. He didn't want to say it, but—

"Vaelis, you've realized it too, haven't you? Our original souls… are missing."

Vaelis scratched his head, looking up. "Of course, I noticed. But why are you so worried about the original soul?"

He paused, then let out a sly, mocking chuckle.

"Oh, don't tell me you—"

Larod grabbed a nearby barrel and hurled it at him.

Nam sat up in bed, still sweating.

With difficulty, he pulled off the blanket and forced himself to stand.

"What's happening…?"

A strange scent was seeping into the room.

Nam walked over to the table, glancing out the window.

A thought crossed his mind.

Should I visit Luth?

He opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

The only sound in the house was his father's snoring. There was no sign of Elara.

Slipping on his shoes, he stepped outside.

The streets were alive with people.

Even though he wasn't sure where the hospital was, he had a rough idea.

Along the way, he passed through a crowded marketplace. Vendors were calling out their prices, customers haggling. Some carried heavy bags, others counted their coins.

Nam kept walking.

And got lost.

The sky had darkened.

Neither the hospital nor his home was anywhere in sight.

He entered an empty alley.

Scattered stones. A few barrels.

Then, that feeling crept over him.

He was being watched.

Nam turned sharply.

"Show yourself, whoever you are!" His voice was firm.

Larod hurled a second barrel at Vaelis.

Vaelis, still dizzy, staggered but quickly steadied himself.

Annoyed, he shattered the barrel mid-air.

"That hurt, damn it! Why the hell did you attack me out of nowhere?!"

Larod let out a mocking chuckle.

"Revenge. 600 years of it."

His tone was taunting.

Vaelis grabbed a nearby rock and threw it full force.

"And how the hell do you even remember 600 years ago?!"

Larod barely dodged it, but the rock crashed into a wall, shattering it.

He pointed at the broken wall.

"You know you're gonna get fined for that, right?"

Nam was still staring at the empty alleyway.

No one was there.

Then—

The wall beside him collapsed.

His eyes widened in shock.

Something had struck it. Hard.

Yet… he wasn't hurt.

The silence of the night pressed against him.

Then—

A song drifted through the air.

"~ Shadows whisper in the dark,A name I used to know,Fading echoes call me back,To places I can't go. ~

~ Footsteps lost in silent streets,Moonlight paints the sky,Memories like falling leaves,Drift before my eyes. ~

~ Tell me, tell me, who am I?A voice without a name,Searching for the past I lost,In dreams that feel the same. ~

~ If I reach beyond the night,Will I find the truth?Or will I fall into the light,And fade away with you? ~

The melody was hauntingly peaceful.

Nam's heart pounded as he quickly scanned his surroundings.

No one was there.

Where had that voice come from?

Without hesitation, Nam ran out of the alley.

Vaelis rubbed his hand. "Forget the fine. We're in deep trouble right now."

Larod glanced around and nodded.

"Whatever's happening here… we're screwed."

Vaelis, slightly pale, muttered, "Yeah… you're right."