Chapter 39: The Names Whispered by the Mark
The sun filtered dimly through the crimson haze that draped the sky, casting long, haunted shadows across the ancient ruin they had just entered. The four of them—Elias, Kaien, Noira, and Thorne—stood silently, their footsteps echoing in a hall forgotten by time. The walls of the structure pulsed faintly, almost breathing, as if the ruin itself remembered them.
It had been two days since the battle with the Shattered Warden. Since then, their journey had become more than just survival. Elias could feel it—the Mark on his hand, a strange, burning symbol that had appeared after the first incident, was growing restless.
"This place feels... wrong," Noira whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the thick silence.
Thorne, ever cautious, unsheathed his dagger. "It feels like we're being watched."
Kaien moved ahead, his large boots thudding softly on the ancient stone. "Let's just get through this fast. The sooner we're out of here—"
A sharp pulse of light erupted from Elias's Mark. It glowed a violent blue, illuminating the entire hall. The others stumbled back in shock.
"Elias!" Noira cried.
He dropped to one knee, gritting his teeth. Visions flooded his mind—cities floating in the sky, an enormous tree splitting the heavens, a battle fought in the heart of a collapsing star. And then... the voice.
> "Those who bear the Echo... shall not walk unnamed."
The voice was neither male nor female, ancient yet newborn. It spoke in their minds.
> "You stand at the edge of destiny's spiral. The Mark sees you. The Echo binds you. From this moment, your names are not your own—but gifts of fate."
The ruin trembled. Ancient runes appeared on the floor beneath them in a circular pattern. Each of the four stood within one segment of the glowing sigil.
> "Elias: You are Echoheart — for the burden of time pulses within you."
"Kaien: You are Ironstride — unyielding will beneath endless storms."
"Noira: You are Whisperveil — the unseen wind that alters the tide."
"Thorne: You are Shadowbind — for light and darkness obey your call."
Then, in unison, the voice spoke again:
> "Together, you are the Keepers of the Echo."
The light dimmed.
Silence.
Elias looked up, panting. His body trembled, but something in him had changed. The others stared at him—and at each other.
Kaien was the first to speak. "So... we have titles now?"
Thorne shook his head slowly, then smirked. "No. We've been chosen."
Noira didn't speak. Her eyes lingered on Elias's Mark, which still glowed faintly. There was fear in her gaze... but also understanding.
Elias stood. "Whatever this Echo is... it's not done with us."
The air around them grew cold. Far off in the ruin, something stirred.
From the darkness, a whisper:
> "They awaken..."