Part I: The Phantom's Gift
It began with a whisper in the shadows.
Yui had just returned from the Vault with Azazel, Elion, and Vera when a thick silence fell over the sanctuary. No wind. No flickering torches.
Just… stillness.
Then—
> [System Alert: Dimensional Breach Detected]
Unknown Presence Identified: ██████████
Alias: The Echo Phantom
Elion turned to speak—and no sound came out.
He opened his mouth. Eyes wide. He clutched his throat.
Yui spun toward him. "Elion?!"
Nothing. Not even the sound of his breath.
Behind him, the air rippled—and something stepped forward: a figure stitched from shadow, flame, and memories.
Azazel unsheathed his claws. "So… he sends a puppet."
The phantom smiled with no mouth.
> "We are only here to taste your fear," it whispered through Yui's voice.
Then it vanished—leaving Elion collapsed, his mouth still moving in silence.
> [System Warning: Soul Anchor Severed – Elion's Voice Taken]
Echo King's Message: "She will burn like the rest. One by one, I will silence your light."
Yui gritted her teeth.
"I'm going to make him scream."
Part II: The Empress Ascends
In the throne room, far above, the Empress stood alone with a blade to her chest—and a tome bound in demon sinew before her.
> "They think I'm afraid. I am fear."
She opened the tome.
Darkness screamed.
Chains of shadow and ancient fire bound her limbs as she stepped into the Infernal Crown, an artifact left behind by Azazel's fallen predecessor.
Her veins turned black. Her hair silver. Her crown cracked and fused with molten bone.
> [Corruption Level: 31% → 78%]
New Form: The Dread Empress
Class Acquired: Crown of Ruin
Her guards fled.
The walls wept red flame.
And in her mind, a voice hissed:
> "You'll never be queen of this world again. You'll be its reaper."
She smiled, blood on her lips.
"So be it."
Part III: Broken and Bound
Yui knelt beside Elion in the Sanctuary.
He wrote slowly, trembling:
> "He took my voice… but I can still fight."
She gripped his hand.
Azazel stared at the horizon—where dark clouds gathered, spiraling over the capital.
"She's changing," he said coldly. "The Empress didn't just merge with a demon… she became one."
Yui stood.
"We stop her before she loses herself."
Vera stepped forward, her face pale.
> "And what if she already has?"
System Update
> Echo Threat Level: ★★★☆☆
Flame Resonance: 64%
Bonus Quest Unlocked: Restore Elion's Voice (Reward: Echo Resistance)
Main Quest Update: Confront the Dread Empress