LOGINShare
Chapter 36
Last Updated:
2024-12-25 06:42:19Related chapters
Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 37
The early morning sun was having a hard time breaking through the canopy of the thick forest, which was a maze of tall trees and tangled vegetation. Zara kept the party moving at a steady pace while keeping an eye out for any indication of a chase. Although the Vanguard had suffered a serious setback in the battle at the river, they were also directly targeted.With just hand gestures and sporadic murmurs for communication, the group travelled in silence. Every movement was exact, every stride deliberate. They were getting ready for something more significant than merely surviving.They arrived at a clearing before midday, where a slender path wound its way up into the hills. Anya stopped and looked at a hand-drawn map with several sites of interest highlighted on it."The eastern outpost is accessible via this trail," she stated. Although it's a smaller base, their communication network depends on it. We'll make it impossible for them to organise reinforcements in this area if we can
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 38
Tension was high during the trip across the hills. The Vanguard could no longer afford to make even the slightest error because of their increasing awareness of their movements. Their nerves pricked at the sound of faraway wind or the rustle of leaves. They had hit the eastern outpost hard, but there would be strong vengeance.By daybreak, the company arrived at a remote cavern concealed by a bramble forest. They were somewhat relieved from the unrelenting march by the natural shelter. Ever the thinker, Anya unfolded her map and started determining their next move.Her voice was low as she whispered, "This cave won't keep us safe for long." "No matter how cautious we are, the Vanguard will be looking, and we're leaving tracks."Kael looked up as he carefully sharpened his blade. Before they can reorganise, we must strike them once more. Keep them off-balance.Lyra sat on a rock close to the cave's entrance and looked out over the horizon. We cannot simply continue to attack outposts.
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 39
As the troop advanced, the smouldering remains of the Vanguard's core hub were left in their wake. The air was clear. Never had victory tasted so sour. The crew felt that their battle was far from finished and that invisible eyes were watching them every step of the way, even though they were successful.The first person to notice it was Anya. She stopped in the middle of her stride, her head cocked slightly as though she was trying to hear something that was just out of her regular range.Her voice was tense as she muttered, "They're following us."Kael's hand automatically reached for his sword. "Are you certain?"Anya gave a nod. "I would wager my life on it." It's too quiet in the forest. They are good, whatever they are.The gang should seek cover in the thick undergrowth, Zara signalled. Breathing shallowly and deliberately, the group vanished into the darkness. A little while later, there was a slight rustling sound coming from the trees."Scouts from Vanguard?" Holding a tiny
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 40
The group was restless once the Obsidian Syndicate was revealed. Even though their battle with the Vanguard had been terrifying, this mysterious group felt like a storm approaching. Each member of the crew dealt with the ramifications in their own manner in the silence of their temporary hiding place.As Anya tried to delve deeper into the Syndicate's networks, she sat cross-legged by her computer's pale glow, her fingers moving over the keys. Her discovery of encrypted files exposed disjointed ties to corrupt officials, large corporations, and underground trafficking networks.Her voice was thick with realisation as she whispered, "They're everywhere." It's more than just a group. It is an empire.Sitting close by, Elara looked up from her spellbook. "And we've just become their latest target."Anya gave a nod. A pawn was the Vanguard. All along, the Syndicate has been pulling strings.Kael leaned against the cave's entrance and looked out over the horizon. Zara walked towards him, h
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 41
As the team assembled around the holographic map Anya had decrypted, the Obsidian Syndicate's shadow was more pronounced than before. The Obsidian Nexus, a vast facility encircled by layers of security and buried deep beneath the soil, was more than just a command centre; it was the centre of the Syndicate. Destroying it would be a devastating blow to the Syndicate's kingdom of fear and control."This is the plan," Anya said, her voice firm in spite of the gravity of what was about to happen. Entrances, power centres, and what appeared to be a central data core were among the sites of interest that pulsed throughout the map. "This place is too well-fortified for us to destroy with force. However, we can disrupt their activities and expose the Nexus if we strike important infrastructure points.Kael leaned across the table and looked at the arrangement. "You mean we take it apart from the inside out?"“Just that,” Anya said. We knock out their communication systems, turn off their elec
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 42
The weight of what the squad had just done weighed heavy in the air, yet beyond them the charred remains of the Obsidian Nexus smouldered. Their victory felt short-lived, even ephemeral, as they made their way through the dark, dense jungle. They were aware that this was only the start of a more perilous stage and that the Syndicate's fury would arrive quickly.At a safe location tucked up in the highlands, the squad gathered. It was a plain building that blended in perfectly with the surroundings, fortified but unobtrusive. Anya started working right away, connecting her encrypted terminal to the stolen device. With their actions instinctive from years of preparation, the rest of the team assessed their injuries and rearmed.The silence was finally broken by Kael, who was pacing close to the window. "How long before they come here and find us?"Anya remained glued to her television. "I'm trying to get past the encryption on the drive in order to access the contents. We have a few day
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 43
The Architect wasn't a legend. He was a man whose name inspired equal parts terror and awe, a figure cloaked in layers of anonymity so deep that mentioning him was tantamount to inviting catastrophe. His complex systems were infused with the Syndicate's lifeblood, and in order to cut off this beast's head, they would want more than just physical strength—they would also need wisdom.The breadcrumbs hidden in the stolen data marked the start of the team's search for him. Deciphering encrypted messages and discovering pieces of correspondence that pointed to a single location—a private complex in the centre of a vast urban metropolis known simply as Concordia—Anya laboured relentlessly.Anya projected a holographic map of the facility onto the table and declared, "It's a fortress." Every security measure imaginable has been put in place by the architect. This isn't just another base for the syndicate. It is the centre of their nerves.Zara studied the map, leaning closer. "We'll need as
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Echoes in the Ashes Chapter 44
The weight of their victory felt strangely light, even though the dust had just begun to fall around the property. They set up a temporary cell inside the compound, and Eidolon, seized and restrained, sat in the corner. In spite of his captivity, his presence loomed huge. Even though they had the Architect, Kael could still hear what he had to say."You can't kill an idea."Kael gazed through the strengthened bars at him. Eidolon seemed eerily composed despite the turmoil they had just endured, as if his intricate schemes had taken this into consideration.The Group ReevaluationsThe team assembled around a sizable screen in the main operations room, where Anya had successfully compiled the information from the Architect's servers. Locations, identities, financial data, and designs of Syndicate activities around the world were all included in this treasure trove.With a hint of wonder in her voice, Anya declared, "This is it." "This could completely destroy the Syndicate.""How much d
Last Updated : 2024-12-27
Latest chapter
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
