Chapter 13 – Memories of the Dead
The air grew heavy, charged with a tension that made James' skin prickle. The Cycle Hunter's approach was silent, but the presence radiated danger. Each step the Hunter took seemed deliberate, like a predator circling its prey.
James adjusted his grip on Blade Echo II, feeling the Fragment's energy thrumming through him. Lira stayed a few feet behind, eyes wide, clutching a makeshift spear.
"You… can't survive this," Lira whispered, voice trembling.
James shook his head. "I don't have a choice. If I run, he'll hunt me forever. We face this now… or never."
The Hunter stopped a few meters away, the long, dark blade glinting under the ash-gray sky. "So… you are the Last Cycle," he said, his voice cold, metallic through the helmet. "The culmination of every reincarnator's failure. Let's see if you're worth the name."
First Clash
The Hunter lunged, faster than James expected. Time slowed in his mind, every instinct screaming to react. Blade Echo II flared as he swung, sending afterimages streaking across the ruins.
The Hunter parried effortlessly, the sound of metal against metal echoing like a gunshot. Sparks flew. James felt a jolt of pain as the Hunter's blade grazed his arm. HP dropped.
[HP: 36/45]
"Damn it…" James muttered, feeling the sting radiate along his arm. The Fragment hummed louder, almost urging him to push further.
He pivoted, slicing again. The afterimage struck, catching the Hunter off-guard. A faint reaction—barely noticeable—but it was there. James' confidence surged.
[System Alert: Blade Echo II Active – Fragment Resonance 67%]
He lunged, pressing the advantage. The Hunter blocked, but the sheer force of James' attack pushed him back a step. The battle was evenly matched, a dangerous dance of life and death.
Memories Flooding
As they clashed, James felt something strange—visions flashing across his mind. The last moments of past reincarnators who had faced Hunters before him. Screams, fear, desperate strikes. Each image gave him insight: a missed attack here, a defensive stance there.
The Fragment seemed to translate these memories into skill, giving him intuition. He dodged an overhead strike just in time, spinning to land a clean hit to the Hunter's shoulder. The Hunter grunted, surprised.
[XP Gained: 5]
[Level Progress: 8%]
James' chest heaved. I'm learning… I'm adapting.
But the System's stability warning flashed urgently.
[System Stability: 6% – Critical]
[Warning: Overload Risk]
He grimaced. Every movement drained him, the cost of using the Fragment painfully clear. He could feel it eating at his body, the strain threatening to snap his bones and mind alike.
Lira's Intervention
The Hunter retreated a step, analyzing James. "Not bad… for a child of the Cycle. But power like yours always comes with a price."
Lira stepped forward, spear raised. "Leave him alone!"
The Hunter laughed, a cruel, echoing sound. "You? A human? You think you can stop me?"
Before James could protest, the Hunter's blade shot toward Lira. Instinctively, James threw himself in front of her. The dagger sliced through the air, Blade Echo II reacting on its own, forming a phantom shield that deflected the blow.
[System Alert: Fragment Overload]
[HP: 28/45]
James' body screamed in pain. His vision blurred. He forced himself to focus. I can't die here. Not now. Not like this.
He felt the memories again—past reincarnators who had fallen protecting others. Their courage, their failures, became his guide.
Turning the Tide
James surged forward, combining his intuition with Blade Echo II. Afterimages multiplied, strikes landing faster than the eye could follow. The Hunter staggered, caught in the flurry of attacks. James felt a surge of exhilaration.
"You… are more dangerous than I expected," the Hunter hissed, stepping back.
[System Alert: Fragment Resonance 90%]
[System Stability: 4% – Critical]
James knew he had one chance. He concentrated, calling upon every shred of energy, every memory, every instinct. Blade Echo II erupted, a storm of phantom blades slashing in all directions. The Hunter barely managed to block, staggering under the assault.
James' chest heaved. Pain seared his muscles, veins, and joints. Every nerve screamed. And then… the Hunter faltered, a cut across his armor, a grunt of surprise escaping him.
[XP Gained: 10]
[Level Progress: 15%]
James fell back, panting, barely standing. The Fragment's whispers were gone now, leaving silence—and the echo of every life that had come before him.
Aftermath
The Hunter retreated slowly, nodding once. "The Last Cycle… you may survive yet. But remember—power like yours draws attention. And every Hunter will come."
With that, he vanished into the gray horizon, leaving James bloodied, exhausted, but alive.
Lira ran to him, hands trembling as she checked his wounds. "James… you're insane! You could've died!"
James shook his head, managing a weak smile. "No… we survived. That's what matters."
[System Alert: Stability Recovering]
[System Stability: 12%]
The System chimed faintly, but James ignored it. He didn't care about numbers now. He had faced a Hunter—and lived. And more importantly, he had tapped into the power of the Fragment like never before.
Cliffhanger
James masters Blade Echo II partially, but at great personal cost.
System stability dangerously low, highlighting the danger of overusing Fragments.
The Hunter has acknowledged him, marking the beginning of a deadly rivalry.
Lira's loyalty and bravery strengthen the bond, foreshadowing her continued role in his journey.
Chapter ends with the distant sound of more Hunters approaching—the real test is only beginning.