The chamber where the Trial would take place was an orb of shimmering light, suspended between realities. Akira stood alone inside, the Worldheart pulsing in his chest like a heartbeat in the void.
Anaya's voice echoed softly, carried on the currents of the echoes themselves."Remember, Akira—the echoes will not only reveal your past, but test your resolve. Face them with an open heart."
🌠First Echo: The Lost Childhood
The air rippled, and a scene unfolded before Akira's eyes: a vibrant village in Sorahunase, Varthur—his childhood home on Earth, but shadowed by an unnatural silence. Children laughed, then vanished one by one, swallowed by an unseen darkness.
A voice whispered, cold and accusing:"You left them behind…"
Akira's heart clenched. He saw his younger self running, powerless, while the shadows consumed everything.
"No," Akira said, his voice steady. "I survived so I could fight. So I could bring light."
The scene shattered, replaced by a wave of warmth—the laughter of those children, now echoes themselves, calling to him in hope.
🌌 Second Echo: The Burden of the Worldheart
The chamber darkened, and Akira saw himself cradling the glowing Worldheart—a crystal humming with infinite memory. But the crystal's light flickered, threatened by creeping blackness.
A chorus of voices murmured:"Too much for one soul to bear…"
Doubt and fear flooded Akira's mind. Could he truly carry this burden without losing himself?
Then a new voice rose, clear and unwavering: Anaya's words,"You are not alone. The echoes sing with you."
Akira reached inward, drawing strength from the Worldheart's warmth, embracing the burden as a sacred trust.
🌠Third Echo: The Shadow Within
Suddenly, the chamber grew cold. The air thickened with malice. From the shadows emerged a figure—Seraphel, the Shadow's Herald, her obsidian mask gleaming.
She hissed,"You cannot escape me, Starborn. Your light will burn out."
Akira's fists clenched. The Worldheart flared in defiance, and a wave of radiant energy surged through him, pushing Seraphel back.
"You underestimate the strength of echoes bound by hope," he declared.
Seraphel vanished with a final, chilling promise:"This is only the beginning."
🌌 Emergence
The light softened, and Akira found himself back in the chamber, breathless but unbroken.
Anaya's voice greeted him warmly: "You have faced the Trial with courage and truth. The echoes are with you."
Akira looked at the Worldheart—its glow steadier than ever, a beacon of resilience.
Vaelin entered, her expression unreadable but her eyes proud. "Welcome back, Starborn. The Conclave awaits your next move."
🌠A New Path
As Akira stepped out, the members of the Conclave greeted him with renewed respect. Mirai approached with a grin."You passed the Trial. Now the real journey begins."
The Shattered Memory stood beside Akira, her voice firm. "We must find the Celestial Sigils. They hold the power to turn the tide."
Lyra nodded. "The Council's Hidden Archive is where they reside. But beware—the Court's shadows stretch even there."