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Chapter 15
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2024-12-18 17:45:26Related chapters
Echoes 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 : 2024-12-19Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 19
As the sun started its gradual ascent into the pale sky, the ragged rocks towered over the desolate plain. Elara, Zara, and Kael were all awake and vigilant inside the cave, watching the horizon for any indication of Ardyn's warriors. They all understood that their time was running short, even though they had found temporary safety.Zara's tone was stern as she stated, "We have to move soon." The dawn light outlined her silhouette as she stood close to the door. "The longer we remain here, the more probable it is that they will discover us."Kael folded his arms and rested against the wall. "Where are we going? Will you march directly to the fortress and pray for a miracle?Zara said in a firm voice, "No." "We visit Black Hollow."Elara's face lost colour as she gasped. "The Hollow of Black? It's a cursed area!Zara added, "Ardyn's men will look for us there last." "And it might contain the secret to beating him if the legends are real."Kael's forehead wrinkled. "You're believing in
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 20
Zara had never experienced such silence in the desert. The hollow ache in her chest appeared to be intensified by the stifling silence of the landscape. Kael was no longer there, a sacrifice made for an unwon cause. The morning after their escape from the Black Hollow, Zara sat by a dwindling campfire, her gaze fixated on the horizon, as if willing Kael to reappear from the ruins.Elara sat under her cloak close by. Her normally vivacious personality was muted, and she was struggling to make a small meal with shaky hands. Both of them had been rattled by the loss, but Elara was obviously attempting to concentrate on the future.Elara broke the quiet by whispering, "We can't stay here." Despite the dispersion of Ardyn's men, his lieutenants remain in the field. His empire won't fall apart by itself.Zara took a while to reply. The burden of their losses weighed heavily on her, but she knew Elara was correct. At last, she gave a nod. "We'll go at sunset. It is safer to travel in the dar
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 21
The Spire of ObsidianWith its angular shape piercing the amber haze of the desert, the Obsidian Spire rose above the horizon like a sinister sentry. Standing at the edge of a rocky outcrop, Zara, Elara, and their newest friend, Lyra, looked towards their objective. The polished black stone glinted menacingly in the waning light, and it towered unnaturally tall."That's it," Zara whispered. Her heart thumped uneasily, but she spoke steadily.Elara narrowed her eyes. "It doesn't appear friendly.""It shouldn't be," Lyra remarked quietly, her face impassive. "People are kept out of the Spire, and whatever is inside is kept in."Zara gave her a stern glance. "You appear to be quite knowledgeable about it."Lyra gave a shrug. Before I went, I looked through Ardyn's archives. He believes the Spire is the secret to ultimate power, which is why he is obsessed with it. We might uncover something to use against him, if we're
Last Updated : 2024-12-20Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 22
The Deceptive SandsUnder the unrelenting heat, the golden dunes of the desert rolled like frozen waves in an unending expanse. As they trekked through the empty space, Zara adjusted the weight of Lyra's comatose form slung over her shoulder, perspiration streaming from her forehead. Elara moved forward, looking for any indication of cover or relief on the horizon.Zara shifted Lyra a little and grunted, "We can't keep this pace forever." "She weighs more than she appears."Elara's eyes widened in worry as she looked back. “The Whispering Oasis is not far away. The heat will kill us before Ardyn has a chance if we don't halt quickly.There was a glimmer of hope when the oasis was brought up, but Zara was also reminded of the rumours she had heard about it, which said that there were more risks than benefits.Reaching the Oasis of WhisperingThe sun was lowering by the time they arrived at the oasis, creating length
Last Updated : 2024-12-20Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 23
The Forgotten's ShadowsAs the three continued, the golden expanse of the desert gave way to rocky terrain, with the horizon now punctuated by the shapes of jagged cliffs and ancient ruins. Every shadow seemed to reach for them, and the earth looked to be alive with a heavy, watching silence. They were bruised and cautious from the Whispering Oasis's toll, but as they went on, Zara felt a deeper pain. It was the unanswered questions between them as much as the creepy surroundings.Elara spoke in a quiet, wary voice to break the silence. "These ruins aren't naturally occurring. This place was made by someone. or anything.Lyra nodded, clearly getting better but still feeble. She kept her gaze on the ragged rock formations partially obscured by the moving sands. We are near the Rift if these ruins are present. The desert has a reason for keeping secrets."The Rift?" Zara looked back, distrust weighing heavily in her voice. “Want to
Last Updated : 2024-12-20
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Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 100
Zara and Kael stepped out of the shadows, their features etched with resolve, and the cavern lay in eerie silence. Splintered weaponry, smouldering debris, and the lingering echoes of the carnage that had nearly engulfed them were all visible behind them. Nevertheless, a sense of resolution was evident despite the debris. The worst was behind them, but the last test was still to come.Kael touched Zara's shoulder in a comforting manner. With a steady yet worried tone, he questioned, "Are you ready?"Zara gave a nod. "We can't stop now; we've come too far. This is our time, if the prophecy is accurate.The Prism of Unity, the ancient artefact they had been searching for the entire time, was located in the centre of the cavern. It seemed alive, pulsing with the energy of innumerable generations, encased in a swirling tornado of light and shadow. However, the air became denser as they approached, brimming with an almost intolerable tension."What could be a trap?" With his hand automatic
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 99
The kingdom was eerily silent when the dawn broke. Sunrise's once-bright colours appeared subdued, as if the natural world was holding its breath. Zara's boots clicked on the stone floor as she paced the war room's length. Across the centre table were blueprints, maps, and hurriedly scrawled notes. Kael, sitting close by, frowned in concern as he observed her motions.The silence was broken by Kael's statement, "You're wearing yourself thin." "We need you sharp for what lies ahead."Zara hesitated, her hands on a chair's back. "With our adversaries already inside our gates, how can I remain observant? They get deeper the longer we wait.Kael got up and walked up to her. "Zara, you've brought us this far. Have faith that we can complete the task at hand. We now have the advantage thanks to our partnership with the mountain tribes and the arcanists."If they honour their commitments," Zara said to herself. A series of eventualities, each more awful than the previous, rushed through her
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 98
The chilly wind of the high cliffs nipped at Zara's skin as she stood on the citadel's balcony, her heart pounding. The kingdom lay below, lit by the dim radiance of lamps that resembled a constellation reflecting the stars above. Even so, the night's beauty was insufficient to conceal the storm that was building within of her.His final words to her were vague but flavoured with resolve: "Trust the bond, Zara." Kael had disappeared two nights prior. It will direct us both. With each shared struggle and victory, the bond—a mystical connection created during their dangerous journey—had gotten stronger. It was her only hope of finding him now.She closed her eyes and gripped the amulet Kael had given her, its dim light throbbing with warmth.Zara, pay attention. Experience the connection.At first, the feeling was subtle, like a murmur in the recesses of her consciousness. And then a rush of heat filled her senses, accompanied by brief visions—a blacked-out forest, a secret cavern, a si
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 97
With his heart racing and the events of the last few days replaying in his head, Kael paced the edge of the cliff with a view of the raging ocean below. The encounter with the Council had not proceeded as expected. No one could have predicted the events that had been triggered by Zara's revelation—her ancestry entwined with the ancient forces that everyone had underestimated. He understood that she had the key, and they were both aware of its significance.His thoughts were disrupted by the sound of footsteps. He looked over to see Zara coming out of the woods, her face showing both exhaustion and resolve. The faint illumination coming from inside the little satchel she carried hinted at the artefact they had risked all to get.With a mixture of relief and trepidation in his voice, Kael remarked, "You found it."Despite the tension in the air, Zara's voice remained steady as she said, "It wasn't easy." The Shadow Keepers didn't let up. They are aware of our closeness, Kael. Until they
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 96
The sky was painted in crimson and orange hues as the morning light blazed fiercely over the horizon. The gloom that had engulfed Kael and Zara's lives in the previous weeks stood in stark contrast to now. Rumours of revolt spread like wildfire, stirring the camp with cautious confidence. There was optimism for the first time in months, a glimmer that the Dominion's crushing hold may be broken.Kael was standing close to the main tent, fiddling with his leather armor's strap. His face was scarred by the demands of leadership, but his determination had only gotten stronger. Zara walked towards him with a determined yet worried look on her face. She was right in the middle of the looming battle in her new position as strategist.She gave him a paper and declared, "The scouts have returned." The convoy route has been verified. Although it's closely guarded, this is our opportunity to attack.Kael studied the map and unfolded the scroll. Its disruption may seriously impair the Dominion's
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 95
The turmoil that was building inside Kael and Zara's emotions was reflected in the storm outside. Every shadow appeared to bear the weight of their assailants as the rain battered the safehouse's windows, and every floorboard squeak suggested a potential betrayal. The events at the cathedral had permanently changed the two's path, even though they had been avoiding detection for days.Kael was sitting at the little wooden table, carefully polishing his pistol's barrel. The thoughts rushing through his head were a sharp contrast to the silent accuracy of his actions. Zara was leaning against the wall across the room, her arms around her legs, staring at the flickering candlelight with a blank expression. Her normally bright eyes had become lifeless, burdened by fatigue and something more fundamental, a deep grief that Kael could sense but could not identify.Kael broke the silence by saying, "We need a plan." He spoke steadily, yet with a hint of desperation. "They're getting closer. I
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 94
Whispers of the past and warnings of the future were carried by the winds as they howled ferociously across the rocky mountain pass. Standing on the edge of a sheer cliff with a view of a valley shrouded in a spooky silver mist, Kael gripped Zara's hand tighter. In sharp contrast to the fierce resolve in Zara's gaze, the Heartstone pulsed gently in her bag, its brightness pale and uncertain.Zara whispered, "The Gate of Eternity is just beyond the veil," her voice scarcely heard above the clamour of nature's wrath. "But something doesn't feel right."Kael looked across the horizon and nodded. "Magic permeates the air. The mountain itself seems to be alive and observing us.They had overcome unspeakable obstacles and enemies to get this far. However, it felt heavier to take this last step towards their fate, as if invisible forces were working together to prevent them. The rest of their group, including the stalwart warrior Aiden, the crafty outlaw Lyra, and the mysterious sorcerer Eld
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 93
With the sea screaming beneath him like a thousand voices crying his name, Kael stood at the edge of the cliff. He felt the weight of his choices pressing down on him, yet he didn't waver. Zara was beside him, holding his hand firmly, her presence bringing him down in the midst of the chaos.Her voice could almost be heard above the breaking waves as she muttered, "Kael." "Are you certain of this?"His eyes were furious but also full of compassionate resolve as he turned to face her. "We can't go back now because we've travelled too far. This is the only way we can find the truth and put an end to this cycle.The others waited nervously behind them. As Jorath gripped his weapon, his fingers twitching as though he were expecting an attack, Liora, with her ever-calculating intellect, searched the horizon. Over the last few days, the group had become fatigued, but their resolve had not wavered.At Kael's feet was the antiquated artefact they had recovered from the ruins. Its elaborate en
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 92
Zara stood at the edge of the camp, gazing into the dense forest as the beginning of a new day painted the sky in shades of amber and gold. Blood, treachery, and disclosures had characterised the path to this point, which nevertheless left her speechless. Her heart was troubled by Kael's absence, which served as a continual reminder of the sacrifice he made. Now warm on her palm, the medallion he had left behind pulsed softly, as though it were echoing with his soul."Zara?" The quiet was broken by Layla's tentative yet gentle voice.Zara turned, a mixture of vulnerability and strength on her face. "Is everyone ready?"Layla looked at the gathering, which had gotten smaller over the past few weeks, and nodded. "They are. However, Zara, are you prepared?Zara clenched her fingers around the medallion. She nodded and inhaled deeply. "I must be. Layla, we're closer than ever. Kael didn't give his life so that we may now falter."The gang assembled close to the campfire's remains. Their s
