> "Resonance Link: Initiating..."
The system's whisper echoed through Yui's thoughts, but it was her heart that answered.
> "Akari," Yui said aloud, "I'm coming to you."
Akari's blade trembled mid-swing.
Azazel staggered backward, wounded but still standing. Elion rushed to his side, dragging him clear just as Vera flared a wall of fire to block Akari's advance.
> "What is she doing?" Vera hissed, watching Yui kneel into the flames.
> "Something dangerous," Azazel muttered. "She's trying to reach her through the Echo."
[Echo Resonance: Active]
Yui's body remained still.
But her mind plunged into Akari's soulscape—a cold, endless sea of broken glass floating in obsidian light.
> "Akari!"
The shards around her flickered. A school hallway. A bloody knife. Her name scrawled in chalk, crossed out. Loneliness, rage, confusion—all screamed in silence.
And then—
Akari appeared, surrounded by a ring of floating memories. Eyes wide. Face pale.
> "Yui…? You're here?"
"You pulled me in. I just followed."
Akari's hands curled into fists.
> "I didn't want to remember."
One shard hovered between them—showing the moment Akari awoke in this world, broken and alone, captured by Echo priests, and twisted into a weapon.
Yui stepped closer.
> "You're not alone anymore."
> "You say that now," Akari snapped, voice cracking. "But you left us! You always looked away!"
Yui didn't flinch.
> "I did," she whispered. "And I regret it. But I'm here now. And I'm not leaving you again."
---
System Prompt
> [Echo Chain – Established]
Skill Acquired: Memory Tether
— Allows user to bind one soul to their own, shielding it from corruption (Target: Akari)
> Warning: Use of this ability exposes your soul to external influence.
Confirm?
Yui placed her hand on the memory shard between them.
> "Yes."
A surge of blinding light surged through the soulscape—flame meeting echo, pain meeting hope.
---
Reality
Akari collapsed to her knees, blade dropping.
Tears streaked her cheeks.
> "I… remembered my mother's voice," she whispered. "I hadn't… in so long."
Yui stood over her, exhausted but burning with quiet strength.
> "Come back to us."
Akari's eyes met hers—and for the first time, the Echo light dimmed.
> "I'll try."
---
System Update
> Memory Tether: Linked (Akari)
Corruption Level: Receding
Flame Resonance: 98%
New Trait Gained: Soulbinder – Can share emotions and fragments with tethered targets.
Side Quest Completed: Unfinished Goodbyes
---
But as calm settled—
The earth trembled.
From the ruined city below, a shockwave surged through the air.
Vera spun. "The seal beneath the capital—"
> "It's breaking."
Elion's voice turned cold.
> "The true Demon King is waking up."