Broken Pursuit

Liam's body shook as Shadowfang crashed against Kael's blade. The hit sent a shockwave through the air, cracking the cavern walls and breaking the stalagmites around them into sharp pieces. Dust filled the air, stinging his eyes. The Echo inside him flared wildly, like a fire out of control, its power slipping from his hands.

[Warning: Echo Instability Critical. System Anchor Failing.]

His legs wobbled. The Echo's force hit his mind, filling it with sharp static. It wasn't just pain—it felt like something was breaking apart. His world seemed to twist, pulling him between two different moments.

Kael stepped back, his violet eyes watching with a mix of amusement and disappointment. "You feel it now, don't you?" he said, lowering his blade a little. "The Echo is pushing you away. You still think you can control it while holding onto them." His eyes moved to Elise, Mara, and Varik. "You can't."

Liam clenched his teeth. "I won't leave them."

Kael sighed. "Then you'll die."

He rushed forward.

Liam barely raised Shadowfang in time. Sparks flew as their weapons met again, the sound ringing in his ears like a hammer on metal. Kael pushed hard, forcing Liam to slide back on the rough stone floor, his boots scraping loudly. Kael was faster—his moves smooth, like the Echo was bending the world for him. Every hit carried power, not just strength, but something deeper—a control Liam didn't have.

Elise jumped in, slashing at Kael's side with her dagger. He turned, dodging her blade with a quick twist, his cloak flaring like a dark wing. With a wave of his hand, a burst of violet energy threw her back. She hit the wall hard, her body sliding down with a groan, dust rising around her.

Mara ran at him, her fists glowing with force, her cracked armor creaking. Kael stepped aside like a shadow, his movements too fast to follow. In a flash, he was behind her. His hand grabbed her armor, and with scary ease, he lifted her off the ground. He hurled her into a broken stalagmite, the impact sending shards of stone flying. She hit the ground with a heavy thud, gasping for air.

Varik fired his pistol, aiming for Kael's back. A clean shot rang out, the bullet cutting through the dusty air. Kael didn't even look. The bullet stopped in midair, just an inch from his head. His fingers moved, and the bullet turned to dust, falling like gray snow. Varik cursed under his breath, his hands shaking as he reloaded.

Liam's breathing grew heavy. His team was getting beaten like nothing. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the blood from a cut on his cheek.

He's too strong.

Kael turned to him, disappointment clear in his eyes. "You're too slow."

He vanished.

Liam had no time to react before pain exploded in his chest. Kael's knee hit him hard, sending him flying back. His back slammed into a rock, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. His vision flashed white, then cleared to show Kael walking toward him, slow and steady.

Shadowfang shook in his hand. The Echo inside pulsed—wild, desperate.

"You think you're special, Liam?" Kael's voice was calm but heavy. "You think the Echo picked you? It didn't. It tests you. And right now, you're failing."

Liam coughed, struggling to push himself up, his arms trembling. "You… were picked too, then?"

Kael's violet eyes burned. "No." He pointed his blade at Liam. "I took it. That's what the Sovereign Path needs. You either become stronger—or you break under the system."

The words hit deep.

Liam knew the Echo was changing him. Every fight, every close call—it was pushing him toward something new. Something dangerous. But unlike Kael, he wouldn't let it make him a monster.

Kael sighed. "I've seen enough." He raised his blade. The runes on it glowed with bright power, crackling like lightning. "This is mercy."

Liam forced himself to stand, Shadowfang shaking in his grip. His body screamed in pain, his legs barely holding him. But his mind stayed sharp.

He wasn't ready.

He wasn't strong enough.

But running wasn't an option.

Kael swung down.

The air split as a wave of violet energy rushed at Liam, strong enough to break the cavern apart. The ground under his feet trembled, rocks rolling loose.

[System Help: Echo Fixing Itself—Hold On!]

Liam's vision blurred.

The world shifted.

Then—everything stopped.

The energy froze in place, hanging like a purple wall. The cavern walls shook, then pulled back together, cracks sealing like magic. Even Kael's swing slowed, his blade stuck midair.

Liam felt something—or someone—reach through the Echo.

A cold, machine-like voice whispered in his mind.

"Fixing started. Get ready to fight."

Liam didn't understand, but his body moved.

Not by choice, but by something deeper. His grip on Shadowfang changed, and he turned his blade just as Kael's attack started again. When their weapons hit, a pulse shook the chamber, knocking loose more stones from the ceiling.

Kael's eyes widened—his stance broke for the first time.

Liam didn't wait.

He swung with all his strength, his muscles burning.

For the first time, Kael stumbled, his foot slipping on the uneven ground. He caught himself, but the surprise was clear on his face.

Liam's breathing was rough, his hands shaking. The Echo inside him wasn't just wild anymore—it was growing.

And Kael saw it too.

His smirk came back, but now there was something else in it.

Something like approval.

"…Interesting." Kael stepped back. He lowered his blade a little, looking at Liam closely. "Maybe you're not a total failure after all."

Liam didn't drop his guard, his chest heaving.

Kael let out a slow breath. "We'll see how long you last."

Then—he vanished, leaving only a faint violet glow where he stood.

The cavern went quiet, but not for long. A deep rumble started, the ceiling cracking wider. Dust and small rocks fell, hitting the ground with sharp clacks. The fight had weakened the cavern, and now it was falling apart.

Liam fell to one knee, breathing hard. The others moved—Elise groaned as she stood, her ribs bruised, Mara coughed in the dust, her armor dented, Varik held his hurt side, blood staining his shirt. Elise pressed a hand to her ribs, wincing. "That was… impossible." Mara shook her head, voice rough. "He's not human." Varik spat blood, muttering, "Family or not, he's a monster."

They stumbled toward the tunnel, helping each other over the broken ground. Elise led the way, her dagger ready despite her pain. Mara supported Varik, his steps slow and uneven. Liam followed, his body aching, Shadowfang heavy in his hand.

But a quick flash hit him—Kael standing over a fallen friend, blade raised. Was that his future too? His fingers twitched against Shadowfang's grip. The Echo inside him felt… different. Not stronger. Not weaker. Just—wrong. And it scared him.

The rumble grew louder. A large rock fell, blocking part of the tunnel ahead. Elise shouted, "Hurry!" They pushed forward, slipping through the narrow gap as more stones crashed behind them. The air thickened with dust, making it hard to breathe.

Finally, they burst out into the open, under a fractured sky. The cavern's collapse roared behind them, swallowing the darkness. Liam dropped to the ground, his hands still shaking, his team collapsing beside him. Varik leaned against a rock, his face pale. Mara sat heavily, rubbing her shoulder. Elise lay back, staring at the sky.

Kael Varik was alive.

And he was waiting.