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All Chapters of Echoes in the Ashes: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

124 Chapters

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 updateLast Updated : 2024-12-18
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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
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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
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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
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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 updateLast Updated : 2024-12-18
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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 updateLast Updated : 2024-12-19
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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
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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
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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
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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 updateLast Updated : 2024-12-19
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