Chapter 31: First Echoes in Foreign Lands and Ancient Ruins
As the portal closed behind them, Kael and Aslan found themselves in the eerie silence of an entirely foreign world. The eerie growls and shadowy figures that slithered through the twisted trees and glowing mushrooms beneath the purple sky offered no welcoming welcome. The Chitauri core burned like a warning fire in Kael's palm, drawing him toward the ancient, dilapidated structure in the distance. This was the hunting ground of the "ancient enemy," and they were the prey.
"Get ready, Aslan," Kael said, his voice muffled by the strange acoustics of this foreign world. He pointed the energy-modified weapon in his hand at the shadows.
The first attack came with unexpected speed and ferocity. Dark-skinned, humanoid yet animal-like creatures with sharp claws leapt out from the depths of the forest. These creatures seemed driven by pure rage and lust for destruction; there was no shred of reason or compassion in their eyes. They must have been the loyal servants of an ancient enemy.
Kael and Aslan faced the first attack back to back. Kael's every shot found its target with perfect accuracy, drawing power from his Chitauri core, piercing the creatures' weak points. His marksmanship had not failed him even in this alien world. Aslan, on the other hand, was able to weave through the creatures with incredible agility, delivering deadly blows with his blades. The survival skills he had acquired on the streets of New York were useful even in this cosmic arena.
But the creatures were numerous and attacked with an insatiable fury. Kael knew that at this rate their energy would run out. "We must move towards the ruins!" he shouted to Aslan. "We can take cover there!"
They began to fight their way back. The alien vegetation and rugged terrain were obstacles to both them and the creatures. Kael, while firing, tried to find the shortest and safest path to that ancient structure that the Chitauri core had projected into his mind. The core was not only a guide, but also whispered about the dangers of this world; hidden swamps, poisonous plants, other creatures lurking...
After what seemed like hours of struggle, they finally reached the ruined structure. It was a huge temple or castle that had once been magnificent, but was worn down by the ages and perhaps countless wars. Its walls were covered in moss, its towers were broken, but even the parts that still stood bore the traces of an ancient power and a forgotten civilization. Its architectural style was not like the Chitauri or any other known race; it had more organic, more fluid lines. Perhaps this place belonged to those "Creators" that Kael had seen visions of in his mind.
Once they entered the ruins, the creatures' attacks diminished somewhat. It seemed that these ancient walls provided some kind of protection against them. But the danger was not over. The ruins were filled with dark corridors, ruined halls, and mysterious rooms. Around every corner might lie a new threat or an ancient secret.
The Chitauri core guided Kael deeper into the ruins, toward an area that resembled a central courtyard. In the center of the courtyard stood a massive, carved stone tablet. The tablet was covered in intricate symbols and pictograms, similar to those he had seen in the Infinite Library.
As Kael approached the tablet, the Chitauri core suddenly began to glow even more intensely. The energy emanating from the core resonated with the symbols on the tablet, and each of the symbols began to glow and come to life. Those ancient whispers filled Kael's mind again; this time, a history, a warning, a message of hope.
He saw… that this planet had once been one of the Creators' most important safe havens. That an ancient enemy—the whispered name "The Lords of the Void"—had attacked this haven, and that the Creators had hidden in these ruins, in a last hope, some of their power and the key to sealing the Lords of the Void. The Chitauri cores were part of that key, and the Echo Bearers had been chosen to protect that seal, or reactivate it if necessary.
And Kael understood. The burden on his shoulders was more than just being an Echo Bearer. He was the last soldier in an ancient war that would perhaps decide the fate of the universe.
At that moment, from a dark passage behind the tablet, a figure appeared, larger, more intelligent, and more deadly than any they had ever encountered. The figure's eyes were blazing with a hatred that had been going on for thousands of years, and in his hand was a sword made of pure darkness.
"So another Echo Bearer has finally set foot on these sacred grounds," the figure hissed, its voice echoing directly into Kael's mind. "The Creators' last hope... How pitiful. As a servant of the Lords of the Void, it is my honor to destroy the likes of you."
This was no ordinary servant. This was a commander, a champion of the Lords of the Void. And Kael's true test in these ruins had now begun.