The moonlight passed diffusely through the broken windows of the toppled tower, casting faint beams upon the floor of the room. Kyle did not move, his fingers trembling lightly as a strange heat seemed to emanate from the middle of his chest. The feeling had grown stronger since in the forest, pulsating softly within him like a second heartbeat.
He sneaked a look at the system panel hovering in the periphery of his vision—its lines more crisply drawn than they'd ever been, as though the interface had matured.
System Update: Core Stabilization (Phase I Complete). New Skill Unlocked – Echo Sense.
Kyle furrowed his brows. Echo Sense?
Before he could venture deeper, there was a creaking sound behind one of the downed pillars. He turned around, his hand near the handle of his dagger, though he knew already.
Aster emerged, brushing soot from her robe. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I think I've touched one," Kyle muttered, still staring at the system text vanishing from view. "Or maybe I'm becoming one."
Aster raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She strode to the stone pedestal in the room's center and lit the edge with a tiny flash of fire and flame from her palm. The runes on the stone burst to life—ancient runes that burned silver in the darkness.
Kyle moved closer. "What is this?"
"A communion circle. Pre-Epoch. Old magic—before the Gates, before the Veil even broke." Her tone turned respectful. "If this still works, it can synchronize your aura with the tide beneath this place."
Kyle wasn't sure if she was joking him or offering him something real. But the flame in his chest started to smolder once more, acting almost on autopilot.
"I believe it's already happening."
System Notification: Aura Alignment – In Progress.
Aster turned her head, words heavy. "What?"
Kyle drew in a breath, focusing on the burn. The runes on the ground flared into fire unannounced, and the room realigned. The walls pressed out in every direction, shadows bending into smooth curves. He wasn't in the tower anymore—not exactly.
The room filled with the whispering emptiness of a round world where there was only the suspended platform at his feet. Whispers of voices closed in on him, some known—his brother's laughter, his mother's last words—others old and strange.
The new system prompt flashed on, slower this time.
Initiating Inner Echo Trial. Warning: This test cannot be paused.
Kyle didn't have time to react. Suddenly, there was a figure encased in black, his face hidden behind a twisted silver mask. The air was condensing around him, and Kyle was barely able to breathe.
"Face yourself," said the figure of the masked man, and his voice was Kyle's voice.
A reflection came up to him—his height, his posture, even his scars. But the eyes were void, blazing with silver fire.
Kyle's reflexes responded, but this was a battle of flesh. The fake Kyle raised his hand and—
Memories rushed. Kyle's initial murder. His reluctance at the river crossing. The falsehood he uttered to Aster. When he had allowed someone to die so that he might live.
Pain shot through his head. He held it, but a voice spoke low and urgent, Accept it. Or be destroyed.
Kyle breathed shakily. "I remember… and I'm still standing."
He looked up, and the reflection figure stumbled this time.
Trial Phase Complete. Echo Sense Evolved – New Functionality Unlocked: Memory Anchor.
Kyle lurched forward as the void gave way, light pouring back. The tower closed around him again, Aster looking at him with open eyes.
"What did you see?"
He shook his head slowly. "Myself. And someone I don't want to become."
The air was still, but Kyle could feel something had changed. Not just in his head—but in how the world reacted to him. The system had gone quiet again, but not asleep.
You have touched the Echo.
And in the darkness, something had seen