The Shadow Realm had no sun—no sky—no sense of day or night. Yet somehow, the air shifted, the ground hummed, and Nyra called it a "light cycle." For Kian, it felt like living inside a storm that never ended.
By the time they left the sanctuary marker, the Ravager was gone. Not dead—just watching from the distance as if plotting its next evolution. The thought alone made Kian's chest tighten.
But he stayed close behind Nyra.
Her movements were sharp and precise. Every step she took seemed deliberate. Even the way her twin blades rested on her back gave her a presence that bordered on predatory.
Kian kept his hand on the stone pillar as they left, feeling the warmth drain from the Sigil under his skin.
"Stay aware," Nyra murmured without looking back. "The Ravager won't attack immediately. They observe before they strike."
"That's comforting," Kian muttered.
"It wasn't meant to be."
They continued walking through the twisted forest of shadowwood. The trees weren't normal—they pulsed faintly with dark veins, as if they had blood flowing through them. Some branches curled inward like claws. Others swayed even when the air was still.
Kian's stomach churned.
"Does everything here want to kill me?"
"No," Nyra said.
Kian exhaled in relief—
"Only most things."
"…Great."
They stopped at a clearing where the ground glowed with pale blue threads of light. Old, etched runes intertwined like roots underwater.
Nyra knelt beside one. "This place is stable."
"Stable how?"
"It won't warp or shift while we train."
"Warp?"
She finally faced him. "The land doesn't stay still in the Shadow Realm. It bends around power. Around predators. Around fear. Around you, if the Echo inside you is strong enough."
Kian swallowed.
"This world's alive, Kian. Never forget that."
He stepped closer, brushing dirt from his palms. "Fine. So… where do we start?"
Nyra rose, brushing her hands off. "With the Echo."
She pointed at his chest. "Everything begins there."
Kian placed his hand over his heart, where the Sigil pulsed faintly.
"So how do I control it?"
"By understanding what it responds to."
She circled him slowly, eyes analyzing him like she was reading a threat level.
"Fear triggers it. Anger strengthens it. Pain focuses it. Instinct amplifies it. But will—" she tapped her temple "—will is what controls it."
"So basically… everything triggers it except rational thought."
"That's why Echo Bearers rarely survive."
Kian sighed. "Of course."
Nyra stopped behind him.
"You're not a warrior, Kian. Not trained. Not prepared. But that may work in your favor."
Kian frowned. "How?"
"You have no bad habits to unlearn."
She walked in front of him again, lifting one blade.
"First lesson: sense the Echo."
"I can feel it right now."
"No. You're feeling the Sigil. The Echo is deeper."
Kian hesitated but closed his eyes. "Okay… how do I find it?"
Nyra's voice sharpened. "Strip away the surface."
He inhaled.
"Your breath. Your fear. The ache in your muscles. Ignore them."
He tried—really tried.
Then she stepped behind him and jabbed a finger into the bruise on his ribs.
Kian gasped. "Ow—!"
"Pain is noise," she said. "Silence it."
"Try repeating that when you're the one getting poked!"
She jabbed the bruise again.
He cursed loud enough to shake the leaves.
"Focus," she ordered.
Another jab—this time harder.
"Nyra!"
"Find the Echo."
Kian clenched his teeth, squeezed his fists, and tried to push the pain down. He tried to breathe deeply. He tried to ignore everything—
But the pain wasn't allowing that.
"Please—just wait—"
"No."
Another jab—sharper.
He stumbled forward. "Why—why are you doing this? I'm trying!"
"Trying is not enough. The Echo reacts instantly. You must learn to react with it."
She jabbed again—and this time, Kian grabbed her wrist.
Not consciously.
Not intentionally.
His hand just moved—fast.
Nyra froze. "There it is."
Kian blinked, panting. "There what is?"
"The Echo's instinct."
He didn't even remember reaching for her.
"I didn't think. I just… reacted."
"And that is the Echo whispering."
Nyra pulled her wrist free.
"Now do it again. But this time—with control."
"You want me to grab you on purpose?"
"I want you to stop me before I touch you."
"I don't—"
Her hand flashed forward.
Kian dodged.
Barely.
But he dodged.
Nyra nodded once. "Good. Again."
She struck faster.
Kian moved—too late.
Her finger jabbed his shoulder.
"Slow," she said.
He growled. "You said the Echo boosts instinct. Why isn't it helping now?"
"You're expecting it to."
She stepped forward.
"The Echo favors desperation. Panic. Conflict. But if you can learn to summon it from calmness… then your potential becomes immeasurable."
Kian wiped sweat from his brow. "So… how do I summon it calmly?"
She smiled—but it wasn't kind.
"You don't."
She blurred.
Kian barely saw the movement before Nyra's hand whipped toward his chest—
And something inside him flared.
His body lurched back. His foot dug into the ground. His shoulder twisted at an angle that should have hurt—but didn't.
Her strike missed by inches.
A faint glow pulsed under his skin.
Nyra exhaled softly. "Better."
Kian stared at his hands. "That… felt… strange."
"Describe it."
"Like something inside me pulled me out of your way."
"Good. Again."
This time, she didn't warn him at all.
She lunged.
Kian dodged three times—awkward, stumbling, shaky—but it wasn't luck.
It was the Echo.
When she landed the fourth strike, he barely felt it. More like pressure than pain.
She stepped back.
"You're improving."
Kian bent over, catching his breath. "Already exhausted…"
"That's normal. The Echo drains your stamina until your body adapts."
"How long does that take?"
"Months. Years. Decades, depending on the bearer."
Kian stayed quiet.
Nyra looked at him for a longer moment, then spoke softly.
"But you… you're faster than most."
Kian blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You awakened the Echo in minutes. Children in the clans train for years to achieve what you did today."
He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure whether to feel proud or terrified.
"Is that good?"
"Good," Nyra said, turning away, "and dangerous."
She motioned him to follow.
"We're not finished. Next lesson: force output."
"Sounds painful."
"It is."
She stopped near a cracked stone pillar.
"Hit this."
Kian frowned. "With what?"
"Your fist."
He stared at her. "This rock is three times my size."
"Yes."
"And solid stone."
"Yes."
"…You want me to break my hand?"
"No. I want the Echo to protect it."
He stared between her and the stone. "Nyra, I'm not—"
She moved beside him, lowered her blade, and pointed.
"Strike."
Kian sighed, lifted his fist, and tapped the rock gently.
Nyra slapped the back of his head.
"OW—what was that for?!"
"Tapping won't awaken anything. Hit it."
Kian grumbled but repositioned himself.
"Fine. If my hand breaks, I'm blaming you."
He inhaled.
Pulled his arm back.
And punched.
The impact jolted up his arm. Pain shot into his knuckles. He winced. "Ow—!"
Nyra nodded. "Again."
"You want me to suffer."
"No. I want you to awaken."
He rolled his wrist, exhaled sharply, and punched again.
The pain was sharper.
But he noticed something strange: the Sigil pulsed when he felt pain… like it was observing.
Nyra saw his expression shift.
"You feel it."
"Yeah… it's like… watching."
"Good. Again."
He punched.
Harder.
The pain grew—but the Echo stirred. He felt it coil inside him like a hot breath waiting to be released.
He punched again.
And again.
And again.
His knuckles split.
Blood trickled down his fingers.
But now—now—the Echo whispered louder.
Nyra stepped closer. "You're close."
Kian sucked in a breath, clenched his bloodied fist—
And the Echo surged.
Heat filled his arm.
His vision dimmed at the edges.
He let out a raw shout and punched with everything he had.
BOOM.
The stone cracked.
A chunk broke off and fell at his feet.
Kian staggered back, clutching his hand—only to realize…
His knuckles weren't bleeding anymore.
The Sigil's glow faded slowly.
He stared at his fist, trembling. "I… did that?"
Nyra's eyes glinted. "Yes. And you will do far more."
He dropped down onto a rock, breathing hard. Sweat dripped down his jaw. His arm tingled as if lightning had passed through it.
"Does it always feel like that?"
"The first time, yes."
"And the second?"
"You won't notice it."
"…Good to know."
They rested for a moment—silent except for Kian's labored breathing. He studied Nyra from the side.
"You keep calling me dangerous," he said quietly. "Why?"
Nyra didn't answer immediately.
Then:
"Because an Echo Bearer can reshape the Shadow Realm. For better… or for ruin."
Kian's throat dried.
"And you think I might ruin it?"
"I think you might destroy far more than this realm."
He went cold.
Nyra placed a blade in the dirt and leaned on it.
"Kian… this world is collapsing. The hunters grow stronger. The creatures mutate faster. The barriers are decaying. And your Sigil—your Echo—is reacting to all of it."
Kian stared at her. "Is that why you're helping me? To use me?"
Nyra finally met his eyes.
"No. I'm helping you because the last Echo Bearer destroyed everything."
The air thinned.
Kian swallowed. "Destroyed… everything?"
"Yes. Lands. War-clans. Even the old sanctuaries. The Echo corrupted him. Hollowed him out. When he lost himself, millions died."
Kian's skin chilled. "What happened to him?"
"He became a Rift Devourer."
Kian's pulse stuttered. "That… sounds very, very bad."
"It is."
"What happened to him after that?"
"He was killed. By someone like me."
Kian's voice softened. "A Warden."
Nyra nodded.
"So… if I lose control…"
She didn't finish for him.
"You will kill me," Kian said quietly.
Nyra didn't answer.
But silence… was answer enough.
Kian looked away, chest tightening. "Great. So either I die… or I turn into a monster that destroys the world."
"Or," Nyra said, stepping closer, "you become strong enough to survive and rewrite your fate."
He looked up.
Her expression wasn't cold now.
It was something else.
Determined.
"Which path you take depends on the choices you make," she said. "And the discipline you build."
"And if I don't want any of this?" Kian muttered.
"You don't have a choice," Nyra replied. "The Sigil chose you."
He wanted to scream. To break something. To run. But he had already tried running—and the Shadow Realm responded with monsters that grew stronger from his fear.
So instead, he breathed.
And stood.
"Fine," he said. "Let's keep going."
Nyra nodded once. "Good."
"Next lesson?"
Her expression sharpened. "Speed."
"Oh come on—"
She vanished.
Kian barely had time to blink before she reappeared behind him, sweeping his leg.
He hit the ground.
Hard.
"OW—what the—?!"
"You must learn to move before your mind catches up."
"I would appreciate at least ONE warning!"
"No."
She lunged again.
Kian rolled—barely escaping her blade's blunt strike.
He scrambled to his feet.
Nyra dashed in.
Kian dodged.
She struck again.
He ducked.
She twisted her wrist
Her blade hovered against his throat.
Kian froze.
Nyra leaned in. "Dead."
He pushed her sword away, annoyed. "I moved—"
"Too slow."
"It's been ten seconds!"
"And in ten seconds, a Ravager can tear you in half."
He glared. "This training sucks."
"Yes. It is supposed to."
Her expression softened only slightly.
"But you are improving," she said. "Your Echo is adjusting. Your body is responding. You learn fast."
Kian wiped sweat from his brow. "You think I can do this?"
"I think," Nyra said slowly, "you might survive."
Kian almost smiled. "High praise coming from you."
"Don't get used to it."
They trained for what felt like hours.
Dodging.
Rolling.
Reflexes.
Echo bursts.
Even basic weapon handling—though Nyra refused to give him a real blade yet.
"You are not ready," she said. "A blade amplifies the Echo. You would lose control."
"How can I lose control from just holding a weapon?"
She stared at him. "Because Echo Bearers do not wield weapons. They feed power into them. Those who lack discipline kill their allies before touching their enemies."
He swallowed. "Right. No blade. Got it."
Eventually, they paused near the edge of the clearing.
Kian's clothes were torn. His skin was scraped. His muscles burned. But he stood.
Barely.
Nyra watched him with a measured gaze. "Enough for today."
Kian collapsed onto the ground. "Thank the gods."
"There are no gods here."
"…Figures."
He leaned back, staring at the endlessly twisting sky.
Nyra remained standing.
After a long silence, Kian spoke.
"You said earlier… the last Echo Bearer destroyed everything. But how did the Echo choose me? What makes me different?"
Nyra's jaw tightened slightly. "I don't know."
He turned his head toward her. "You're lying."
She didn't move.
"Nyra."
Still nothing.
Kian slowly stood up, ignoring the ache in his legs.
"Tell me."
Nyra's eyes flickered—not with anger, but with conflict.
Finally, she exhaled.
"When the Collapse began… the Sigils scattered. They vanished from the clans. The Wardens believed they were lost forever."
She paused.
"Until you arrived."
Kian blinked. "Arrived… how?"
"You fell from the Vein Storm."
"Right. You mentioned that before."
"No." She stepped closer. "You don't understand. Nothing survives falling through a Vein Storm. Nothing enters the Shadow Realm from the mortal world. Nothing crosses the veil between realms anymore."
She stared directly into his eyes.
"But you did."
Kian's breath caught.
"And the moment you hit the ground," Nyra continued, "the Sigil awakened inside your chest. As if it had been waiting for you."
Kian's heartbeat thumped loudly.
"Meaning… what?"
Nyra answered with a voice barely above a whisper.
"Meaning you weren't chosen randomly."
"You were sent here."
The world tilted.
Kian stared at her, unable to breathe properly.
"Sent… by who?"
Nyra didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Because the silence said everything—
Someone, somewhere, across unknown realms… had thrown him into this dying world with a power that had once destroyed everything.
Not by chance.
Not by accident.
But by design.
Kian sank onto a rock, hands shaking slightly.
Nyra knelt in front of him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You're not alone in this," she said quietly. "I will train you. Guide you. Protect you if needed."
Kian looked up at her. "And kill me if you have to."
Her hand tightened very slightly.
"Yes."
Kian met her gaze steadily.
"Then make sure I never give you a reason to."
Nyra's lips twitched—not a smile, but something close.
"Then get stronger."
He nodded.
She stood and looked toward the dark woods.
"We're being watched."
Kian stiffened. "By the Ravager?"
"No." Her eyes narrowed. "Something older."
"Older than a Ravager?"
"Yes. And far more dangerous."
Kian stood, wiping his hands on his torn pants. "Should we run?"
"No." Her blades glimmered faintly. "We prepare."
"For what?"
Nyra's eyes hardened.
"For the first true hunt."
The wind shifted.
The shadows moved.
From the depths of the forest, glowing red eyes blinked into existence.
One pair.
Two pairs.
Five.
Ten.
A dozen.
Shapes emerged—tall, thin, with elongated limbs and skull-like faces.
Nyra's expression darkened.
"Shade Reavers."
Kian stepped back. "Those sound… friendly."
"They aren't. They feast on Echo energy."
"That's the opposite of friendly!"
The creatures crept closer, their jaws unhinging with a faint clicking sound.
Nyra lowered into a battle stance.
"Kian."
"Y—yeah?"
"Remember your training."
He swallowed. "The training you gave me today?"
"Yes."
"That training?"
"Yes."
"…We're dead."
Nyra's blades glowed faintly as the first Shade Reaver stepped forward.
"No," she said.
"We fight."
And the creatures rushed them.