All Chapters of Echoes in the Ashes: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

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

The Call of the RiftAs the group continued, the ruins disappeared into the distance, but the piece Zara was carrying seemed to hum softly, a menacing beat against the wasteland's quiet. As though the air itself opposed their existence, each stride they took towards the Rift felt heavier. The arid landscape went on forever, and the sky above changed to strange colors—bruised purples, dotted with green lightning bursts that lit up the horizon.Zara looked at Elara, who strode forward with unwavering determination. Lyra followed, her strides shaky but determined. There was a heavy quiet between them, weighed down by fatigue and unsaid anxieties."Are we not getting close?" The silence was finally broken by Zara's question.Elara turned back and nodded. "The air seems thinner. Everything is pulled by the energy of the Rift."The magic here is wild," Lyra continued, holding onto her staff for support. The laws of n

Uncharted TerritoryThe trip back from the Rift seemed unreal, as if time had stopped to allow the three of them to comprehend the gravity of what they had done. Elara, Lyra, and Zara walked silently through the desolate area, each absorbed in their own thoughts. The once-roiling skies had started to clear, revealing dim stars that twinkled like forgotten memories, and the air was lighter now, free of the oppressive weight of the Rift's energy.The Burden of SurvivalZara's knuckles whitened with every stride as she gripped the strap of her pack. The flashing light, the Rift sealing, and the brief pain of gripping the fragment as it merged with the chaotic energy were all vivid memories that she couldn't get out of her head. Her own essence had seemed to be disintegrating, but here she was, still alive."How are we standing at all?" Zara's raspy voice pierced the silence. "I was certain that we would be destroye

As Zara, Kael, Elara, and Lyra made their way through the ruins' bleak streets, their breaths creating little clouds in the chilly, ash-filled air, the ruins were strangely still. Overhead, the dense veil was scarcely broken by the glimmer of morning. Every step they took towards the rebel stronghold felt like a march into uncertainty as the weight of their mission weighed hard on their shoulders.Kael took aim, watching for any movement with alert, keen eyes. Even though the former heir to the empire had repeatedly shown his fealty, Zara's mind was still plagued by memories of his past. But as she looked at him, she was comforted by the resolve on his face. This was a man battling for a better future, not the same man who was now burdened by the sins of the empire.Following closely behind were Elara and Lyra, whose presence was both consoling and complicated. They had already been saved several times by Elara's strategic abilities, but her distant manner frequently made it hard to d

Despite the dim glow of the fire, the chill of the night on the rock soaked into their bones. With her palm resting on the hilt of her blade, Zara kept watch at the edge of the camp. Everything she could think of was the artefact, a formidable mystery Doran had described. Their survival, the distribution of power, and even their dismal future could all be altered if it were real.With cautious but silent steps, Kael joined her. He gave her a mug of herbal brew that was scorching hot. His voice was firm yet gentle as he added, "You'll need your strength tomorrow."Zara looked into the darkness and said, "I'll sleep when we're off these cliffs." We're more than just climbing rocks, if Doran is speaking the truth. We are entering a realm beyond ourselves.Kael frowned as he turned to face Doran, who was sitting by the fire and talking softly to Lyra and Elara. "Are you sure you trust him?""I have no faith in anyone here. However, we cannot afford to ignore him if he is aware of the situ