Chapter 118 - The Chamber of Kneeling Echoes

Date: End of July X788 — Late Evening

Location: Monastery Core Chamber

The heavy double doors opened slowly, their glyph lines cracking and glowing as if they were bleeding light. A deep red glow spilled into the hall. Teresa stepped inside, her cloak brushing over the stone, her sword held low but ready.

The chamber looked like an upside-down cathedral. The ceiling curved downward, covered in strange rune lines that pulsed like veins. Stone pillars bent at odd angles, some sinking straight into the ground like twisted roots.

Along the walls, rows of statues knelt, their heads pressed to the floor in deep submission. Fine glyph lines covered their surfaces like scars — prayers or curses, it was hard to tell.

At the far end stood a huge altar, made of bone, stone, and raw glyph energy twisted together. In the center of it sat a glowing orb that looked like it held a tiny storm inside.

In front of this altar stood a figure.

It wore old monk robes now fused into its skin. Its body was covered in deep scars and rune burns. Its eyes were sunken but alive, glowing with a wild, desperate light.

When it saw Teresa, it tilted its head.

"Another echo... or the original?" it croaked, its voice echoing strangely, as if more than one voice was speaking at once.

Teresa didn't reply. She watched carefully, each small shake in its hands, each slight movement that hinted at weakness.

The figure stepped forward, spreading its fingers.

"The monks gave up their voices... but I heard the deeper pulse! Beyond the vaults, beyond all echoes!"

Its hands lit up with mana, sending energy lines into the altar behind it. The orb started glowing brighter and brighter, crackling like lightning trapped in glass.

"I will awaken the final hymn!" it screamed.

Teresa moved first.

The creature lunged, claws out. Teresa shot forward low to the ground, moving faster than a blink. Her sword flashed upward and took off its arm at the elbow. The creature howled, spinning and slashing wildly with its other arm. Teresa ducked under it, pivoted, and cut across its side.

Dark mana sprayed out, sizzling as it hit the stone. The creature stumbled but didn't fall.

It slammed its hand on the floor. Glyph lines spread out fast, and twisted, statue-like creatures clawed their way up — broken pieces fused with flesh and glowing veins.

Teresa stood straight, her eyes narrowing. She exhaled, her energy pulsing around her.

The first creature jumped at her with a jagged stone blade for an arm. Teresa stepped aside and cut upward in one smooth motion. It fell apart immediately.

Another creature tried to circle her. Teresa dashed forward, slicing it cleanly at the torso.

Two more attacked together. She moved between them, spinning low as her cloak whipped around. In one quick circle slash, both fell to pieces.

The main figure screamed, its face covered in pulsing glyph lines. It grabbed the altar behind it. The orb blazed so bright it looked like it might explode.

"ENOUGH! KNEEL! EVERYONE MUST KNEEL TO THE FINAL SILENCE!"

A huge wave of corrupted mana blasted out. The walls cracked, and debris rained down.

Teresa planted her feet, sword held across her body like a shield. The force pushed her back, her cloak flaring wildly. Her boots carved lines into the floor as she held her ground.

She breathed deeply, memories flashing through her mind:

The old Claymore fields at night.

The faces of old allies are now gone.

Romeo stood in the arena, calm flame on his blade.

Macao's shaking hands as he gave a sword meant for a true fighter.

Her eyes sharpened.

She stepped forward — once, twice, three times — each step firm and certain.

She disappeared in a single Phantom Step.

She reappeared right in front of the creature, sword already moving.

One powerful swing cut through the creature's torso and sliced the orb behind it in the same strike.

The creature froze, mid-scream. Its eyes softened for a moment, as if realizing something too late.

"I... heard... the pulse..." it whispered.

Then it split in half, turning into black mist that quickly dissolved into the floor. The orb behind it shattered into pieces, the shards scattering like stars.

Silence filled the chamber. True silence.

Teresa stood still, blade lowered. Dust fell slowly around her like snow. She let out a calm breath. The golden glow faded from her eyes, leaving only steady focus.

South Ridge Camp — Same Night

Romeo sat at the campfire, his new sword resting on his knees. Suddenly, he looked up, as if he felt something change far away.

Macao glanced at him.

"You felt that too?"

Romeo nodded.

"Yeah... like something finally ended."

Kinana came closer, smiling warmly.

"She's still out there. Choosing her silence, every time."

Romeo looked at his sword, fingers tightening around the handle.

"Then I'll keep training. One day, I want to stand beside her, not behind."

Macao smiled, shaking his head but proudly.

"You'll get there. One cut at a time."

Monastery Chamber — Aftermath

Teresa walked past the broken altar. She stopped at the exit, tilting her head slightly, as if listening.

"I choose my silence," she whispered to herself.

Then she stepped into the corridor beyond, her cloak trailing behind like a quiet promise.