CHAPTER 36

Chapter 36: The Awakening of the Echoes

The night sky above Lianhua was eerily still, the usual chorus of nocturnal life hushed as if the very world held its breath. Far beyond the city's walls, in the forgotten corners of the realms, ancient seals began to tremble and crack, releasing whispers of power long imprisoned.

The Fractured SealsDeep within the Caverns of Eternity, a place shrouded in shadow and legend, the first seal shattered. A surge of raw energy burst forth, rippling through the fabric of space and time.

From the fissure emerged a figure cloaked in shifting mists—an Echo of the Forgotten, a primordial being whose existence predated the gods themselves. Its eyes glowed with a cold, ancient fire, and its voice echoed like the distant thunder of a dying star.

"I am the beginning and the end," it intoned. "The forgotten shall rise, and the realms will tremble."

The Council's AlarmBack in Lianhua, the council convened urgently. Lian Hua, the Moon's Whisper, shared the grim news. "The seals that have held the Echoes for eons are failing. Their return threatens to unravel all we have fought to protect."

Xuan's expression hardened. "We must act swiftly. The alliances we forged must be strengthened, and our forces prepared."

Hwang Yi's gaze was steely. "The Echoes are unlike any foe we've faced. Their power is primordial, beyond even the Architects. We face a battle for the very soul of existence."

The Gathering of ChampionsSummons were sent across the realms. Warriors, mystics, and deities answered the call, converging on Lianhua to prepare for the coming storm.

Among the arrivals was Seraphina, the Flame Empress, whose fiery aura lit the gathering halls. Her presence was both a promise of hope and a reminder of the fierce battles ahead.

Kaelen, the Starborn Sentinel, shared visions of cosmic upheaval, warning of the Echoes' ability to twist reality itself.

The Shadows WithinAmidst the preparations, Xuan grappled with her own fears and doubts. The loss of her sister Mei Lin weighed heavily, and the looming threat tested her resolve.

In quiet moments, she found solace in Hwang Yi's presence, their bond a source of strength amid the encroaching darkness.

The First EncounterScouts reported the first signs of the Echoes' influence—villages swallowed by unnatural mists, stars flickering out, and shadows that moved with a will of their own.

A reconnaissance team led by Fenrir ventured into the affected lands, encountering twisted creatures born of the Echoes' corruption.

Their battle was fierce, a brutal test of skill and will, but they returned with vital knowledge of the enemy's nature.

The Rift's Lingering ThreatThough sealed, the rift's energies still pulsed faintly beneath Lianhua. Mystics warned that the Abyssal forces remained restless, and the Veil of the Eclipse's remnants sought to exploit the chaos.

The Cliffhanger: The Echoes' MarchAs the realms braced for war, the Echoes of the Forgotten advanced, their presence a shadow across the stars.

The final battle for the fate of all realms was beginning.

The awakening of the Echoes marked a new chapter—one of ancient power, desperate alliances, and the unyielding fight for light.