The Order

The SUV's windows were tinted so dark that Ren could only see the city lights as blurry smears of color. Next to him, Director Mizuki tapped rapidly on a tablet, occasionally glancing his way. Two agents sat in the front, their faces impassive, while a third—a young man not much older than Ren—sat across from them, watching Ren with undisguised curiosity.

"Your vitals are stable," Director Mizuki finally said, breaking the silence. "That's good. First-time resonance can be... traumatic."

"I feel fine," Ren said, though 'fine' hardly described the sensation. It was like having a second heartbeat, a gentle presence that radiated outward from the jade pendant. "Where are you taking me?"

"Somewhere safe. A facility where we can help you understand what's happening." She set down her tablet. "You have questions. That's natural."

"You could start by explaining what an Echo actually is," Ren said. "And what's a Resonator? What's happening to me?"

The young man across from them leaned forward. "Can I, Director? I remember how confusing my first day was."

Director Mizuki nodded. "This is Kai Tanaka. He's been a Resonator for three years now."

"Four," Kai corrected with a smile. "Lost track of time with all the missions lately?"

The Director's expression remained neutral, but Ren detected a hint of warmth in her eyes.

Kai turned to Ren. "So, the simple version? Echoes are like... memories with a life of their own. Strong emotions leave an imprint on reality. Usually, these imprints fade away, but sometimes they break free and become entities—Echoes."

"Like ghosts?" Ren asked.

"Not exactly. Ghosts would be echoes of specific people. These are more like... echoes of emotions, events, concepts. They can take different forms. And they have power." Kai held up his wrist, revealing a bracelet with a crimson stone. "Mine came from a firefighter who died saving a family. The Echo is called 'Last Stand.'"

To demonstrate, Kai closed his eyes for a moment. The crimson stone glowed, and suddenly his hand was encased in swirling flame that gave off no heat.

"That's... impossible," Ren whispered.

"Says the kid with his mother's ghost inside him," Kai quipped, extinguishing the flame with a flick of his wrist.

"She's not—" Ren began defensively, then stopped. He wasn't sure what she was anymore.

I am still here, the Echo whispered in his mind. I am still me, but also something more now.

Director Mizuki glanced at Ren. "You can hear her, can't you? The Echo is communicating with you."

Ren nodded slowly.

"That's a good sign," she said. "It means your resonance is strong, stable. Some Echoes are... less cooperative."

Outside, the city lights faded as they entered a tunnel. When they emerged, they were in a part of Tokyo Ren didn't recognize—an industrial area near the bay.

"The Order of Reverie has existed for centuries," Director Mizuki continued. "Long before technology, before modern science. In every culture, there were stories of spirits, of people with unusual abilities. Many of those stories were about Echoes and Resonators."

"If this has been happening for centuries, why is it suddenly all over the news?" Ren asked.

The Director's expression darkened. "That's what we're trying to figure out. The Resonance Surge began approximately 72 hours ago, coinciding with the global launch of NeuraSense's new platform. We're seeing a 500% increase in Echo manifestations worldwide."

"We're calling it 'The Great Awakening' at HQ," Kai added. "Not very original, but it fits."

The SUV turned sharply, descending into an underground parking structure beneath what appeared to be an ordinary office building. Armed guards waved them through multiple checkpoints.

"Welcome to Reverie Tokyo," Director Mizuki said as they parked. "One of twelve major facilities worldwide."

Inside the building, the ordinary corporate appearance gave way to something that looked like a cross between a military command center and a research facility. Agents hurried across the open floor, displays showed maps with glowing dots representing Echo signatures, and in sealed glass rooms, Ren could see people working with what appeared to be contained Echoes—swirling masses of energy in various colors and forms.

"Whoa," Ren breathed.

"It's a lot to take in," Kai said sympathetically. "My first day, I threw up twice."

"This is just the monitoring floor," Director Mizuki explained, leading them toward an elevator. "We need to get you to Assessment."

As they walked, Ren noticed people stopping to stare at him—or more specifically, at the jade pendant. One woman actually gasped and whispered something to her colleague.

"Why is everyone looking at me like that?" Ren asked quietly.

Kai leaned closer. "Guardian-class Echoes are rare. Really rare. And stable ones like yours? Even rarer."

The elevator took them down deeper beneath the building. When the doors opened, they stepped into a sterile white corridor.

"This way," Director Mizuki said, leading them to a room labeled "Assessment Chamber 3." Inside was what looked like a medical examination room, with various unfamiliar equipment.

"I need to check on the situation upstairs," Director Mizuki said. "Kai will stay with you. Dr. Yamaguchi will be here shortly to begin your assessment."

After she left, Ren turned to Kai. "Assessment? What exactly are they going to do to me?"

"Nothing invasive," Kai assured him. "They'll run some tests to measure your resonance strength, stability, and determine your Echo's classification more precisely." He gestured to a hospital gown on the examination table. "But yeah, you'll need to change into that. The pendant stays on, obviously."

Ren hesitated. "And if I don't want to do this?"

Kai's expression grew serious. "Look, I get it. This is all happening fast. But right now, there are dangerous Echoes manifesting all over Tokyo. Some bonded to Resonators who have no idea what they're doing, others just... wild. The Order is the only organization equipped to handle this."

"That message I got," Ren said. "About the Hollow Choir. Who are they?"

Kai's face darkened. "Bad news. Cultists who worship Echoes. They believe in breaking down the barrier between past and present completely. They don't care how many people get hurt in the process." He hesitated. "They particularly target new Resonators. Try to recruit them before the Order can help them."

Before Ren could respond, a middle-aged man in a lab coat entered the room, followed by two assistants.

"Ah, our new Resonator," the man said with a gentle smile. "I'm Dr. Yamaguchi. I understand you've had quite an evening, Nakamura-san."

Ren nodded cautiously.

"May I?" the doctor asked, gesturing to the pendant.

After a moment's hesitation, Ren nodded again. The doctor approached and held what looked like a small scanner near the jade pendant without touching it. The device emitted a series of beeps and displayed readings the doctor studied with increasing interest.

"Fascinating," he murmured. "A perfect harmonic resonance pattern. No turbulence, no instability." He looked up at Ren. "When did your mother pass away?"

The question caught Ren off guard. "Three weeks ago. How did you—"

"The emotional signature is unmistakable. Parental protection is one of the strongest emotional anchors for Guardian-class Echoes." Dr. Yamaguchi's expression softened. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks," Ren said quietly.

The doctor gestured to the examination table. "If you're comfortable, we'd like to run a few basic tests. Nothing invasive, I promise."

You can trust him, his mother's Echo whispered. But remain vigilant.

Ren hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."

An hour later, Ren sat in a conference room, now dressed in a simple gray uniform similar to what the younger agents wore. The assessment had been strange but painless—brain scans, reflexes, and tests involving the pendant that measured its "resonance field."

Kai had stayed with him the entire time, explaining things when the doctors got too technical. Now they were waiting for Director Mizuki to return with the results.

"So what happens now?" Ren asked. "Do I just... go home?"

Kai looked uncomfortable. "Not exactly. New Resonators usually stay here for a while. Training, mostly."

"Stay here? For how long?"

"Depends on the Resonator and the Echo. A few weeks, usually." Kai looked away. "But with everything that's happening now..."

The door opened, and Director Mizuki entered with Dr. Yamaguchi and another man Ren hadn't seen before—older, with streaks of gray in his dark hair and an aura of authority.

"Ren Nakamura," Director Mizuki said, "this is Commander Hiroaki Sato, head of the Asia-Pacific division of the Order."

Commander Sato studied Ren with intense eyes. "So this is our Guardian-class. The doctors tell me your resonance is remarkably stable."

"I suppose," Ren said, uncertain how to respond.

The Commander turned to the others. "I need a moment alone with Mr. Nakamura."

Director Mizuki looked surprised but nodded. "Of course, sir."

After everyone left, Commander Sato sat across from Ren. "Do you know what's happening out there right now?"

"Some kind of... Echo outbreak?"

"The worst in recorded history. Tokyo has twenty-seven major manifestations ongoing. Osaka has eighteen. Beijing, Seoul, Manila—all reporting similar numbers. And that's just Asia." The Commander's expression was grim. "We're losing control of the situation."

He slid a tablet across the table. On the screen was footage of something massive and serpentine moving through the waters of Tokyo Bay, its body glowing with an eerie blue light. Another clip showed what appeared to be a burning samurai, three stories tall, striding through Shinjuku as people fled in terror.

"These are what we call Wild Echoes—those without Resonators to stabilize them. They're driven by the raw emotions that created them. Fear. Anger. Vengeance."

"What does this have to do with me?" Ren asked, though he was beginning to suspect the answer.

"Guardian-class Echoes are the natural enemies of destructive Wild Echoes. They exist to protect. And yours is remarkably powerful." The Commander leaned forward. "We need your help, Mr. Nakamura."

A chill ran down Ren's spine. "I don't even know what I can do yet."

"You'll learn. Faster than you think. The Echo you carry retains the protective instincts of your mother, amplified a hundredfold. That power is now yours to command."

He speaks truth, the Echo whispered in Ren's mind. I can feel it... the ability to protect.

"What if I say no?" Ren asked. "What if I just want to go home?"

The Commander's expression hardened slightly. "You are seventeen years old, Mr. Nakamura. Legally, we can hold any minor Resonator for training purposes. It's for your own safety—and the safety of those around you."

Anger flared in Ren's chest. "So I'm a prisoner?"

"A student," Commander Sato corrected. "And potentially, if you choose to be, an agent. The Order has always relied on Resonators who want to help maintain the balance." His expression softened slightly. "Think of what your mother would want you to do with this gift she's given you."

Ren felt the pendant grow warm against his skin. Inside, he could feel his mother's Echo stirring.

The choice is yours, she whispered. But I did not remain to see you caged. I remained to protect you... and through you, to protect others.

Before Ren could respond, alarms began blaring throughout the facility. Red lights flashed in the corridor outside.

The door burst open, and Director Mizuki rushed in. "Sir, we have a situation. The Shinjuku Echo has changed course. It's heading directly toward us."

"How?" the Commander demanded, rising to his feet. "This facility is shielded."

"Unknown, sir. But it's not alone. We're detecting multiple signatures converging on our location." Her eyes shifted to Ren. "And we're receiving a transmission... from the Hollow Choir. They're claiming responsibility."

Commander Sato's face darkened. "They're after the boy."

"Me?" Ren said in disbelief. "Why would they—"

The building shook violently, dust raining from the ceiling. The lights flickered.

"That was just the outer perimeter," Director Mizuki said grimly. "Sir, we need to evacuate. Now."

The Commander nodded and turned to Ren. "It appears events have forced our hand, Mr. Nakamura. Your training begins immediately."

"What? No, I can't—" Ren began.

"You can," Kai said, rushing into the room. "And you'll have to. They've breached the east entrance. We have maybe ten minutes."

"To do what?" Ren asked, panic rising in his throat.

Director Mizuki placed a hand on his shoulder. "To awaken your Echo's power. Or we all die here tonight."

The building shook again, harder this time. Emergency lights activated as the main power failed.

Inside Ren, the jade pendant burned hot against his skin. His mother's Echo surged with energy, responding to the threat.

Let me help you, she whispered. Let me show you what we can do together.

"How?" Ren whispered back.

Think of what you want to protect. Who you want to protect. Focus on that feeling... and call me forth.

Director Mizuki was shouting orders into a comm device. Kai was checking a weapon that glowed with the same crimson energy as his bracelet. Commander Sato was on the phone, his voice urgent.

And in the distance, Ren could hear something massive approaching. The sound of destruction. Of chaos.

He closed his eyes and gripped the jade pendant. He thought of his father, alone at home, unaware of what was happening. He thought of the agents in this building, of Kai who had shown him kindness. He thought of his mother's smile, her protective embrace.

Protect, he thought. I need to protect them.

The pendant pulsed, once, twice... and then erupted with blinding jade light.

When Ren opened his eyes, everyone in the room was staring at him in awe. Looking down, he saw that his hands were encased in what looked like flowing water that gave off a soft jade glow. The liquid armor extended up his arms, across his chest, rippling like a living thing.

"Guardian Echo, defensive mode," Dr. Yamaguchi whispered, recording the phenomenon on his tablet. "Extraordinary."

Director Mizuki stepped forward. "Ren, can you hear me?"

Ren nodded, surprised to find his thoughts perfectly clear despite the strange power flowing through him.

"Good. We need to get you to the secure bunker. Whatever the Hollow Choir wants with you, we can't let them—"

The wall exploded inward, sending everyone diving for cover. Through the dust and debris, a figure stepped forward—a woman in flowing black robes, her face covered by a porcelain mask painted with haunting eyes. Behind her came others similarly dressed, and with them...

Ren gasped. It was another Echo, but unlike his mother's protective presence, this one manifested as a tall, skeletal figure made of what looked like black smoke and crimson fire.

"The Guardian awakens," the masked woman said, her voice eerily calm. "Right on schedule."

Commander Sato had drawn a weapon, but the masked woman flicked her hand, and a wave of dark energy sent him flying across the room.

"The Order has kept the truth from you, young Resonator," she said, addressing Ren directly. "About what you are. About what is coming."

"Don't listen to her!" Kai shouted, his entire body now wreathed in protective flame. "The Choir wants to use you!"

The masked woman laughed softly. "Use? No. Set free. There is a difference." She extended her hand toward Ren. "Come with us willingly, and no one else needs to be hurt tonight."

Ren looked around—at Commander Sato struggling to get up, at Director Mizuki taking a defensive position, at Kai preparing to attack.

Inside him, his mother's Echo surged with protective energy.

We can fight, she whispered. Or we can flee. But we must decide now.

The masked woman took another step forward. "The Resonance Surge is just beginning, Ren Nakamura. Your mother's Echo is just the start of your journey. Don't let the Order cage that potential."

"Don't do it, Ren," Director Mizuki warned. "They're trying to manipulate you."

The building shook again, more violently. More debris fell from the ceiling.

"Time is running out," the masked woman said. "The great Echoes are coming. The ones the Order has been hiding for centuries. Choose now."

Ren looked down at his hands, still encased in the flowing jade energy. Then at the enemies before him. Then at the people who, despite their methods, had tried to help him.

He made his choice.

The jade energy surged outward from his body, forming a massive protective barrier between the Hollow Choir and the Order agents. Both sides looked equally surprised.

"I'm not going with either of you," Ren declared, his voice echoing with his mother's power. "Not until I understand what's really happening."

Before anyone could respond, Ren thrust both hands toward the wall opposite the breach, focusing on the protective energy within him. The jade water responded, blasting through concrete and steel, creating an escape route.

"Ren, wait!" Director Mizuki called out.

But Ren was already moving, the Echo's power carrying him forward with impossible speed. Behind him, he heard shouts, the sound of conflict resuming. Ahead, through the hole he'd created, was open air—they were several stories up.

Without hesitation, Ren leapt into the night, trusting his mother's Echo to protect him.

I've got you, her voice assured him as jade energy swirled around him, slowing his descent to the street below.

As his feet touched the ground, Ren looked back at the Order facility. Half of one side was in ruins, and he could see flashes of various colored energies as Echoes and Resonators battled within.

He turned away and began running, the jade energy still flowing around him like armor.

Where are we going? his mother's Echo asked.

"Home," Ren replied aloud. "I need to make sure Dad is safe. Then we figure out who's telling the truth."

As he ran through the darkened streets of Tokyo, the sky above him flickered with strange lights as more Echoes manifested across the city. The Resonance Surge was growing stronger.

And Ren Nakamura, newly awakened Guardian Resonator, was caught in the middle of it all.