The Unbound Flame

The city trembled beneath their feet, shifting like a living entity as Idris and his team pushed forward. The path to the Eidolon Core twisted and reshaped itself, forcing them to navigate an ever-changing labyrinth of light and stone. The air buzzed with static energy, and Idris could feel the weight of time pressing against him—this place was rejecting them.

Then, suddenly—

A deep boom echoed through the city, followed by a violent pulse of energy that knocked everyone off balance. Elise barely managed to steady herself against a nearby railing. "What the hell was that?"

Before anyone could answer, a figure emerged from the blinding light ahead.

She moved like a shadow cutting through the chaos—calm, steady, and utterly unbothered by the city shifting around her. Long, dark braids framed her sharp features, and her piercing golden eyes held a weight that demanded attention. A single pauldron rested on her left shoulder, its intricate design hinting at a warrior's past, but the rest of her outfit was purely functional—worn leathers, reinforced boots, and a dagger strapped to her thigh that gleamed like it had tasted blood more times than anyone could count.

But it wasn't her appearance that made the team freeze.

It was the way she carried herself—like she was meant to be here, like she had seen everything the universe had to offer and was unimpressed.

The girl tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over them with disinterest. Then, in a voice dripping with confidence, she spoke:

"So, you're the ones causing all this noise."

Idris blinked. "Uh—"

"Not impressed," she cut in, folding her arms. "I was expecting something more. You're all running around like headless birds."

Elise bristled. "Excuse me—?"

"I don't do repeats," the girl interrupted. "And I don't waste my time. Who's in charge?"

Idris forced himself to recover. "Who are you?"

She let out a short laugh, like the answer should've been obvious. "Name's Zahra. And before you ask—no, I'm not on your side."

"Then why are you here?" Nyla asked cautiously.

Zahra's golden eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Because this city belongs to my ancestors. And because if you idiots break something important, I'd rather be here to watch it burn."

Idris frowned. "You're a descendant of the Sa'Khel?"

At that, Zahra's expression darkened, and for the first time, there was real fire behind her words.

"I'd rather die than claim their blood."

Rook stepped forward. "Then who—?"

"The Kha'ren," Zahra cut in. "The ones who saw through the Sa'Khel's lies long before the rest of the world did. My ancestors didn't abuse time." Her lip curled slightly. "We resisted it."

The Kha'ren.

Idris had never heard of them, but something in her voice told him they were more than just a forgotten tribe. They were survivors. Rebels. People who had refused to be swallowed by the Sa'Khel's grand experiments.

And now, one of them was standing in front of him.

Elise crossed her arms. "So what, you're just here to judge us?"

Zahra smirked. "Judging you is easy. But nah—I'm here because I heard the Echo's voice tearing through this place. And since I actually know what I'm doing, I figured I'd see who was stupid enough to wake up something that should've stayed buried."

Idris clenched his jaw. "We're trying to stop it."

"Yeah?" Zahra lifted an eyebrow. "And how's that going?"

Silence.

That was all the answer she needed.

Zahra sighed dramatically, stretching her arms behind her head. "Alright, fine. I'll help."

Idris stared. "Wait, really?"

"Not for you," she clarified. "For me. If the Echo destroys this place, it takes the last remnants of my people with it. And I'm not about to let the sins of your ancestors erase mine."

Elise muttered under her breath, "I already hate her."

Zahra grinned, clearly hearing her. "Good. Keep up, princess, or you'll be the first to die."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked into the storm of shifting architecture as if the city itself bowed to her presence.

Idris exhaled, rubbing his temples.

This was going to be interesting.

---

Expanding Zahra's Presence

Zahra strode through the chaotic cityscape like she belonged, never hesitating when a wall twisted or a bridge folded itself into a spiral. She moved like she could read the city's pulse.

"How do you know where you're going?" Idris asked, hurrying to keep pace.

"Because I actually listen," Zahra replied without looking back. "The city speaks. You're just too loud to hear it."

Elise scoffed. "And what does it say, oh wise one?"

Zahra smirked. "That you shouldn't be here."

Elise grumbled under her breath, but before she could snap back, a deep howl echoed through the city—low, guttural, and wrong.

The Echo.

A sickly pulse of energy swept through the structures, making the glowing veins along the streets flicker wildly. The towers groaned under the weight of time distorting around them.

Then—

The shadows moved.

Dark figures twisted into form—distorted remnants of beings that should have never existed. They flickered between timelines, their shapes glitching as if they belonged to every possible version of themselves at once.

"Paradox Wraiths," Zahra murmured, eyes narrowing. "The Echo's puppets."

Rook tightened his grip on his weapon. "Any brilliant ideas?"

Zahra cracked her knuckles. "Yeah. Try not to die."

And with that, she moved.

Faster than Idris thought possible, Zahra vaulted over a shifting platform, spinning mid-air as she unsheathed her dagger. The first Wraith lunged, but she was already underneath it, twisting her blade through its unstable form. The creature howled, flickering violently before shattering into fragments of broken time.

"Move!" Idris shouted.

The team sprang into action. Elise fired precise shots from her energy pistol, forcing the Wraiths back. Rook smashed through two of them with raw force, his mechanical arm pulsing with kinetic energy. Nyla wove through the battlefield, her agility keeping her just out of reach of their claws.

And Zahra?

She moved like she was dancing. Each strike was perfect, each motion effortless. She fought like she had done this before, like she had always been meant to fight against the Echo.

Idris barely had time to process it all before one of the Wraiths lunged at him. Instinct took over. He ducked, pivoting to drive his blade into the creature's core. The impact sent a shockwave through his arm, but the Wraith disintegrated.

The fight didn't last long.

Within minutes, the last of the Wraiths collapsed into nothingness, their broken timelines scattering like dust.

Zahra sheathed her dagger. "Not bad. For amateurs."

Idris wiped sweat from his brow. "You do realize we're on the same side now, right?"

She smirked. "That's cute."

Elise groaned. "Oh, I hate her so much."

Zahra stretched lazily, like they hadn't just fought for their lives. "Come on, then. Let's get to your stupid Eidolon Core before something worse shows up."

Idris exchanged a glance with Rook.

Yeah.

This was going to be a long journey.