The camp was a hive of activity as dawn broke, casting a golden hue over the battered landscape. Ashen stood atop a ridge, overlooking the remnants of the Obsidian Bastion. The cube they had retrieved pulsed faintly in his hand, a constant reminder of the message it bore.
Lyra approached, her armor gleaming in the morning light. "The scouts report no sign of Kael or his riders," she said. "It's as if they vanished into thin air."
Ashen nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "He's out there, gathering strength. We need to be ready."
Thorne joined them, a map unfurled in his hands. "Based on the cube's message, the nearest Echo shrine lies within the Whispering Woods, a day's journey east."
"Then that's our next destination," Ashen declared. "We leave at once."
The journey to the Whispering Woods was uneventful, the path winding through rolling hills and serene meadows. But as they approached the forest's edge, an unnatural stillness settled over the land. The trees stood tall and silent, their leaves unmoving despite the breeze.
Selene, ever the scholar, consulted her scrolls. "The Whispering Woods are known for their illusions and enchantments.We must tread carefully."
As they ventured deeper, whispers began to echo around them, voices from the past and future intertwining. Ashen tightened his grip on his sword, the Emberfang, its warmth a comforting presence.
Suddenly, the path split into three, each leading into darkness. The cube in Ashen's hand glowed brighter, pointing towards the leftmost path.
"This way," he said, leading the group forward.
The path led them to a clearing where a stone altar stood, ancient and weathered. As they approached, the cube levitated from Ashen's hand, settling atop the altar. A beam of light shot skyward, and the ground trembled.
From the light emerged a figure, translucent and ethereal. It was a woman, her eyes burning with the same fire as Ashen's.
"I am Elara, the first Emberbearer," she intoned. "You have awakened the first Echo. The path ahead is fraught with peril, but you must persevere."
Ashen stepped forward. "What must I do?"
Elara's gaze pierced him. "Seek the remaining Echoes. Only then can you unlock the true power of the Emberfang and confront the darkness that threatens our world."
With that, she vanished, the light dissipating. The cube returned to Ashen's hand, now etched with a new symbol.
Lyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "One down, several to go."Yuri Translations+6GoodNovel+6GoodNovel+6
Ashen nodded, determination in his eyes. "Let's move."
The camp was a hive of activity as dawn broke, casting a golden hue over the battered landscape. Ashen stood atop a ridge, overlooking the remnants of the Obsidian Bastion. The cube they had retrieved pulsed faintly in his hand, a constant reminder of the message it bore.
Lyra approached, her armor gleaming in the morning light. "The scouts report no sign of Kael or his riders," she said. "It's as if they vanished into thin air."
Ashen nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "He's out there, gathering strength. We need to be ready."
Thorne joined them, a map unfurled in his hands. "Based on the cube's message, the nearest Echo shrine lies within the Whispering Woods, a day's journey east."
"Then that's our next destination," Ashen declared. "We leave at once."
The journey to the Whispering Woods was uneventful, the path winding through rolling hills and serene meadows. But as they approached the forest's edge, an unnatural stillness settled over the land. The trees stood tall and silent, their leaves unmoving despite the breeze.
Selene, ever the scholar, consulted her scrolls. "The Whispering Woods are known for their illusions and enchantments.We must tread carefully."
As they ventured deeper, whispers began to echo around them, voices from the past and future intertwining. Ashen tightened his grip on his sword, the Emberfang, its warmth a comforting presence.
Suddenly, the path split into three, each leading into darkness. The cube in Ashen's hand glowed brighter, pointing towards the leftmost path.
"This way," he said, leading the group forward.
The path led them to a clearing where a stone altar stood, ancient and weathered. As they approached, the cube levitated from Ashen's hand, settling atop the altar. A beam of light shot skyward, and the ground trembled.
From the light emerged a figure, translucent and ethereal. It was a woman, her eyes burning with the same fire as Ashen's.
"I am Elara, the first Emberbearer," she intoned. "You have awakened the first Echo. The path ahead is fraught with peril, but you must persevere."
Ashen stepped forward. "What must I do?"
Elara's gaze pierced him. "Seek the remaining Echoes. Only then can you unlock the true power of the Emberfang and confront the darkness that threatens our world."
With that, she vanished, the light dissipating. The cube returned to Ashen's hand, now etched with a new symbol.
Lyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "One down, several to go.
Ashen nodded, determination in his eyes. "Let's move."