Chapter 15: Trial of the Silent Echo

Nightfall trapped the squad in the ruins longer than planned. An unexpected quake had blocked the exit path, and they had to camp until support arrived.

Ryuu paced, annoyed. Tetsu kept watch.

Kael sat near the altar.

And the whisper came again.

Face what you fear, or it will consume you.

A cold wind swept the temple floor. Kael looked up—and suddenly, the room was empty.

Tetsu, Ryuu, the others—gone.

The walls flickered, colors dulling.

And from the altar rose a shape. Human-shaped, cloaked in shadows, with glowing violet eyes. Kael stumbled back.

"Who are you?"

The figure didn't answer. Instead, it mirrored Kael's stance.

It attacked.

Kael dodged, instincts kicking in. He stepped—Voidstep—without summoning. Shadows pulled him sideways. He clashed with the figure, blow for blow, each strike a reflection.

It ended with Kael slamming his fist into the figure's chest.

The shadows dispersed.

The temple was normal again. The others unaware.

But Kael... had changed. He didn't say a word, but Tetsu noticed.

"You saw something again, didn't you?"

Kael only nodded.