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Chapter 10
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2024-12-17 00:53:32Related chapters
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 11
The Warning of the KeeperClad in ragged, charcoal garments that appeared to blend into the surrounding darkness, the person stepped out of the shadows. Its face was hidden by a hood, and where eyes could have been, there was just a dim gleam of pale light. As it got closer, the temperature dropped, and Zara's palm shook around the crystal."Kael..." Zara's body was motionless as her voice faltered.Kael responded, "I see it," and moved ahead of her while brandishing his weapon. "Who are you?"A few yards distant, the figure came to a halt, its presence pressing down on them like an unseen weight with an odd, heavy intensity. Zara felt her spine tingle as it spoke in a chorus of dozens of overlapping tones.It said, "You have the shard." "The light that ought not to exist."Kael's posture strained, he gripped his blade tighter. "We wish to avoid trouble. We are merely transiting.As though thinking about what he had s
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 12
The Secrets of the TomeTension was high as Kael and Zara gathered close to the tower's base, the first dim rays of dawn piercing the dense fog. Zara lay on the chilly ground with the old book in her arms, as Kael stood guard, his blade still in hand. The warmth of the crystal, which had faded to a gentle light, served as a continual reminder of its existence.Zara traced the elaborate designs engraved on the leather as she brushed her fingers over the book's faded cover. Every design appeared to have a slight pulse, as though it were living. She whispered, "This book feels like it's breathing."Kael's expression was unreadable as he looked over his shoulder. It's most likely hazardous if it resembles the shard. Take caution.Zara nodded, hesitantly opening the book with her fingers. The content was packed densely in a language she didn't recognise, and the pages were thick and yellowed with age. Certain parts had
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 13
The Edge of Resolve Zara's gasps were quick and raspy in the silent air as her feet pounded the uneven ravine floor. With each step, the weight of the book and the crystal in her satchel pulled at her, but she was more aware of Kael's voice telling her to go than she was of her own fatigue.As she ran farther into the ravine, the terrain changed. A tiny route cut through steep cliffs, and the jagged rocks seemed to shut in. With every step she travelled, the distant clash of conflict became less audible as a small stream flowed along the base, its sound steady and quiet.At a bend in the path, Zara skidded to a stop, steadying herself with her palms braced against the jagged rock. The notion of Kael standing by himself against insurmountable odds made her heart tighten as she turned to face the direction she had come from."No," she shook her head and muttered. "I am unable to consider that. Not right now.She c
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 14
Imminent ShadowsAs they left the destroyed battlefield, Zara stood by Kael's side. The weight of Kael's wounds and the remains of her own fatigue weighed down each sluggish, heavy step. Kael held his blade tightly despite his illness, as if releasing it would mean he was giving up his will.The thick, ominous smoke plume was still visible in the sky. Between relief that Kael was still alive and fear for what was to come, Zara's mind was racing. She kept thinking about what the Keeper had said: The shard needs purpose."What did you discover?" Kael's voice rasped as he asked abruptly.Zara looked at him, not sure what to say. Though Kael had put everything on the line to keep her safe, the recollection of the masked figure and their enigmatic instructions seemed very personal. After a pause, she said, "Answers," but her tone was uncertain. "And more enquiries. There are always more questions.Kael coughed wh
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 15
Alliance FracturesZara and Kael snuggled together in the darkness that extended across the ruined remains of the imperial library. Every breath served as a reminder of how precarious their situation had become due to the heavy dust in the air. Like an unexpected visitor, night had arrived, bringing with it the distant sounds of the opposing forces moving through the city.Zara wriggled as the scratchy cloth dug into her skin as she repositioned the improvised bandage on her arm. Kael sat close by, his eyes focused on the dim flickering light of a bonfire. Since they had escaped the insurgent ambush earlier that day, he had hardly spoken.Zara whispered, "You're quiet," shattering the uncomfortable quiet.Kael's mouth clenched. "I'm thinking.""How about? The weapon? The groups? Or just how near death we were back there?"His face was unreadable as he turned to face her. "Everything. primarily about how it feels
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 16
Zara huddled beneath the ruins of an ancient archway, breathing steadily in spite of the mayhem that lay ahead. The remains of the once-grand imperial palace were bathed in an amber glow as the sun sank low in the horizon. As their search groups searched the grounds and rebel soldiers screamed orders, their weak cries reverberated across the open air. Zara's hand stayed firmly on the hilt of her blade even while her heart quickened. Hesitancy was not an option.She had been shocked by Kael's capture. They had struggled through peril together for weeks, united by necessity and an unspoken relationship that grew stronger with each experience they had in common. Now he was inside, imprisoned in the centre of the insurgent fortress. She questioned how long he could put up with their tactics. It had to be now if she was going to do anything.Zara had spent the last two days crafting a strategy, but it was as flimsy as the ruins themselves. By attentively listening to snippets of talks and
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 17
As though the entire universe had stopped to observe Zara and Kael's every action, the ruins appeared to hold their breath. There was no light or comfort in the murky grey sky above. Zara loosened her hold on the discarded knapsack that was slung over her shoulder. The little supplies they had managed to scavenge were inside, but they were nothing more than crumbs in comparison to what they would require."How far now?" Kael's voice was even and low as he asked."Not far," Zara snapped back. Her stomach ached, and she didn't need his doubt to make it worse.The Obsidian Fortress—or what remained of it—loomed in the distance as their goal. It had once been a glorious representation of imperial might, but now it served as a haven for the most vicious group inside the fallen empire. Now, motivated by need and the remote possibility that their bet would succeed, Zara and Kael were moving into its shadow.Never before had the stakes been so high. The map they were looking for was more than
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 18
In the ruins where Zara and Kael had camped for the night, the fire flickered softly. Eerie shadows swirled like ghosts, the glow barely illuminating the skeletal ruins of the surrounding structures. Sharpening her blade with careful, practiced strokes, Zara sat with her back against a collapsing pillar.Leaning against a piece of debris, Kael stared at the far-off Obsidian Fortress. There were many unanswered questions in the air between them, but neither of them dared to disturb the delicate silence.Finally, in a low voice, Kael stated, "We can't outrun him forever."Zara didn't raise her gaze. "We won't need to. We'll be prepared when he inevitably finds us, though.Kael scowled. "All set? We barely got out of there alive, Zara. Ardyn's men have superior training and equipment—Zara cut in with a harsh tone, "And overconfident." That is his flaw. We will take advantage of the fact that he undervalues us.Kael rubbed the back of his neck and moaned. Zara had a point, as much as he
Last Updated : 2024-12-19
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Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 91
The enormous mountain ranges of the Syvian Peaks towered over the tired travellers, creating an almost palpable sense of tension in the air. With their hearts heavy with doubt, the expedition, now reduced to a disjointed and distrustful crew, trekked through the harsh terrain. Fears that the shadows were more closer than they cared to acknowledge were stoked by the abrupt departure of Kael and Zara.Reluctantly taking on the role of leader now, Lorien halted in the middle of his stride and looked over the horizon. The sky appeared to have been painted by the gods themselves, a painting of deep purples and molten orange. She said firmly, "We'll make camp here," with a certainty in her voice that she didn't feel.With his fingers twitching close to the hilt of his blade, Jax mumbled under his breath, "We're sitting ducks out here." Who can tell that whatever took Zara and Kael won't target us next?Lorien gave him a fierce look. "Be my guest, Jax, if you're so ready to keep going. We al
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 90
It was both exciting and scary how the air in the room seemed to crackle with a charge. The city spread out in front of the thin piece of glass, lit by amber lamps. They didn't know that a storm was brewing inside this private space. Olivia looked over the decrypted files that were spread out on the meeting table with shaky fingers. Every piece of code and quickly written note pointed to a network that was much more complicated than she had thought.“This is it,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the computer racks in the corner. “Everything leads here.”“Not just here,” Asher interrupted, pacing behind her. He wasn't as sure of himself as usual; he seemed uneasy. “This is the nexus point. But the real question is: do we destroy it or let it implode?”“Implosion isn’t an option,” came the sharp voice of Mira as she entered the room, her shoes clicking against the polished floor. She put down a thick file on the table. The ends were frayed from being used so much.
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 89
The air was silent, weighed down by the fallout from disclosures that had shaken their lives to their core. Every character stood on a cliff, gazing into the abyss of choices that would permanently change their course. Once a representation of riches and secrecy, the mansion now served as a memorial to realities that had forced their way to the public eye.The Storm That Is ComingClara strode deliberately inside the darkened library, her restless steps scuffing the once-immaculate rug under her boots. On the desk, the diary she had found in the grand piano's secret compartment was open, its pages chock-full of mysterious diagrams and notes. The weight of unknown stories seemed to vibrate through every word.She traced a finger over the faded ink and whispered, "If these coordinates are correct, then everything… everything is connected."Thomas folded his arms and leaned against the doorway. Clara was frightened by the calm focus that had replaced his usual bluster."Are you certain a
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 88
Tension permeated the air within the safehouse, a force that appeared to weigh down on each person inside its four fractured walls. With her boots scuffing the concrete floor, Sofia paced back and forth. The ambush, the coded warning, and the eerie calm that followed their escape were all replayed in her memory as it rushed through the previous few hours. For the time being, they were safe, but they couldn't get rid of the sense of impending disaster.Dante was crouched over a makeshift table across the room, skilfully disassembling a gadget he had taken from his pursuers' destroyed drone. As he forced open its casing, sparks erupted and he saw a blinking tracker and a complicated network of circuitry.He murmured, "Found it," and threw the tracker to the ground, breaking it under his boot. "We should have some time because of that."Sofia halted her pacing and gave him a fierce look. "What is the time for? Dante, they will continue to arrive. You are aware of that.She became even mo
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 87
As the team assembled around the big digital table in the safehouse, there was a noticeable hum of electricity in the room, a mixture of excitement and fear. The Syndicate's most recent movements were shown on the holographic map, which was a network of connected dots spanning the metropolis. Never before had the stakes been so high. Mia felt a little uneasy as she looked around the room. Something didn't feel quite right.The instructions had been straightforward: go into the Syndicate's primary fortress tonight and take the encrypted drive that held their financial documents. If successful, it would reveal the Syndicate's reach and impair their activities. However, Mia's gut told her to be cautious.She said, her voice firm despite the roiling in her stomach, "Everyone knows their roles." "We enter quietly, take out the information, and go. No heroism. We've prepared for everything, but keep in mind that the Syndicate never lets you down. Remain alert.Each member of the crew checke
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 86
As allies arrived from near and far, the room was alive with a restless energy. Every face conveyed a unique tale of hardship, determination, and the hope that persisted in the face of adversity. The murmurs were silenced by Maria's imposing presence at the head of the table. Kofi worked beside her, going over maps and dossiers, his attention to detail making sure everything was in order. This was hardly a routine meeting; rather, it marked the start of the last conflict.Maria said, "We can't wait any longer," in a determined tone. The Syndicate's hold over the weak is getting stronger. We run the risk of losing everything we've worked for if we wait.Throughout the room, there were murmurs of agreement. Everyone there was scarred by the Syndicate, a clandestine organisation that thrived on instability and exploitation. Their reach looked endless, ranging from planning killings to uprooting entire towns. However, a coalition had now emerged, a unified front committed to destroying th
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 85
In stark contrast to the hope it represented, the Sanctuary of Elarion stood. The sky appeared to be punctured by tall spires of whitish stone, their surfaces gleaming dimly as if illuminated by starlight. But there was a lot of anxiety in the air, and even the sun had trouble warming up within the sanctuary. With the burden of their mission bearing down on them, the comrades moved gingerly through the imposing archway.Amara glanced at the elaborate sculptures that covered the walls. In the dim light, images of heroes, old battles, and celestial beings appeared to come to life. "It’s beautiful," she whispered, her voice a little awed and nervous."Beautiful but haunted," Kieran answered, keeping his hand close to his sword's hilt. "This place feels… wrong."The namesake and keeper of the sanctuary, Elarion, seemed to be called forth by their words. From the shadows, a figure in flowing silver robes appeared, moving with the fluidity of water. Even though a glittering covering covered
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 85
In stark contrast to the hope it represented, the Sanctuary of Elarion stood. The sky appeared to be punctured by tall spires of whitish stone, their surfaces gleaming dimly as if illuminated by starlight. But there was a lot of anxiety in the air, and even the sun had trouble warming up within the sanctuary. With the burden of their mission bearing down on them, the comrades moved gingerly through the imposing archway.Amara glanced at the elaborate sculptures that covered the walls. In the dim light, images of heroes, old battles, and celestial beings appeared to come to life. "It’s beautiful," she whispered, her voice a little awed and nervous."Beautiful but haunted," Kieran answered, keeping his hand close to his sword's hilt. "This place feels… wrong."The namesake and keeper of the sanctuary, Elarion, seemed to be called forth by their words. From the shadows, a figure in flowing silver robes appeared, moving with the fluidity of water. Even though a glittering covering covered
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 84
Vibrant orange and gold hues covered the sky as dawn broke over the horizon, promising fresh starts. Now united by their common struggles and victories, the gang was confronted with a crucial juncture in their path. The Whispering Chasm, a huge and dangerous gorge that lay between them and their ultimate objective—the long-lost Sanctuary of Elarion—was what they were standing at.It was a chasm unlike anything they had ever seen. The bottom was shrouded by thick, swirling clouds, and the wind's eerie cries carried whispers of lost souls with them. However, despite the overwhelming difficulty, there was an irresistible charm, as though the abyss itself were calling to them.The Historic BridgeDespite the doubt in his eyes, Cassian's voice remained calm as he stated, "We have to find the bridge." According to the map they had taken from the Elder Tree, there was an old bridge buried in the fog. It was said that this bridge was the sole safe way to cross the abyss, although it was very
