Chapter 9 – Ancient Echoes

The silence of the Valmere Academy library was almost sacred. Dark wooden shelves rose like ramparts, guarding centuries of knowledge. The candles on the walls cast trembling shadows that danced over the dusty covers of the books.

Ethan had been there since the early morning, his eyes scanning the ancient pages of forgotten treatises. He had found something. Or rather, remembered something.

In the clearing, shortly before the Whispering Void disappeared, he had seen a symbol engraved on a stone hidden by roots. It was an incomplete circle, bisected by a vertical line. And that had sparked something within him… a memory that did not belong to this life.

He had never studied that symbol before. He had never seen its design in modern books. Yet, he knew what it meant: Broken Balance.

This memory… it did not belong to his current life. It came from somewhere far away. From before his rebirth into this world.

The Forest of Ancients' Deer, now resting near one of the windows, raised its head upon sensing the emotional disturbance of its handler. Its antlers briefly shone, in sync with Ethan's inner tremor.

— I need to know more — murmured the boy, shutting the book firmly.

With the aid of some maps and forgotten records from the Guild of Researchers, Ethan managed to identify a possible origin for the symbol. An extinct sect from centuries past, known as The Path of the Silent Vortex, had studied anomalous energetic phenomena and creatures that did not belong to the "Natural Cycle." They were considered eccentric. Mad, even. But also… dangerously accurate.

Ethan found a fragmented reference to a creature recorded as the Whispering Void Specter. The note merely read:

> "It does not belong to our world. It feeds on doubt. It grows with fear. It arises when Balance is threatened."

He read the line repeatedly, feeling the weight of every word.

While Ethan continued his quiet search, the Academy mobilized patrols to scour the forest. Master Vaela and other instructors began reinforcing the limits of the training areas. Students whispered about legendary monsters and conspiracy theories, but the teachers tried to maintain order.

During an emergency meeting, Director Halvren declared:

— There is no solid evidence that any unknown creature has entered our domains. We will continue with the training, but with increased caution.

But Ethan knew. He had seen. And he had been seen.

That night, he returned to the clearing — more prepared, more alert. He brought with him not only the Forest of Ancients' Deer but also a simple artifact crafted from resonance crystals that he and his father had built long ago. A sort of sensory compass, capable of detecting energetic disturbances.

There, under the filtered moonlight, he walked to the stone where the symbol was engraved. He touched its cold surface with his fingertips.

And the world… whispered back.

Soundless words invaded his mind.

"You see. You remember. You walk between worlds..."

Ethan fell to his knees, breathless, his eyes wide. The Deer positioned itself between him and the darkness, in a defensive stance, its antlers pulsating with a vibrant energy.

The symbol began to glow faintly, as if recognizing his presence.

Ethan, still trembling, murmured:

— What do you want from me?

But there was no response. Only the sound of the wind and the rustling of leaves... like a distant laugh.

Back at his quarters, Ethan spent hours in front of his notebooks. He drew the symbol. He wrote the names. He reread the fragments.

He knew that it was no coincidence. That his presence at the Academy, his bond with the Deer, and even his rebirth into this world… were connected to something greater. Something ancient.

Perhaps the Void was not just a threat. Perhaps it was an invitation.

And he was willing to accept.