The white runes flared in Soren's mind, their ancient, commanding pulse echoing through the vault—"Unbound, the gate opens tonight." The hum roared, a storm of wrath and dread, his Shadow Echo stirring, crimson eyes blazing in his cell's darkness. The chill of Corruption—85%—gnawed like a void consuming his mother's shadow. I'm the key—or the sacrifice. The hum screamed: Time's running out.
Midday, Veyra freed Soren from lockdown, her Wolf Echo limping, her courage brittle. "The gate's active. We move now," she said, eyes flicking to Kai, who stood silent, journal clutched, guilt a deafening note in the hum. Mira's Lightveil flickered, her fear sharp but her voice steady. "We're with you," she said, her hand grazing Soren's, stirring Lila's fierce loyalty, her pendant a vow. I'll come back stronger.
In the Hall of Runes, Torren's suspicion was a storm. "The gate's runes are destabilizing the Citadel. Stop it, or we fall." His gaze pinned Kai. "Scholar, one misstep, and you're done." Kai's rune glowed faintly, crimson, matching the vault's pulse. Soren's hum screamed: He's hiding something.
The vault's core was a maelstrom of shadow, white runes pulsing on the gate like living eyes. The air thrummed with oblivion. Veyra's Wolf scouted, Mira's Lightveil lit the path, and Kai's owl hovered, its rune flickering. Soren's Echo Pulse sensed the gate's core—a white vortex radiating wrath. A roar erupted, and a Gatewraith emerged—an Echo of sacrifice, its form a skeletal titan with glowing white eyes, chains of shadow binding it.
Mother's shadow twisted—"Soren, fight." Soren's Shadow surged, crimson eyes blazing, but the Gatewraith's chains lashed, knocking him back. Corruption spiked: 90%. I'm breaking. Veyra's Wolf clawed the chains, but the Wraith's eyes flared, hurling her back. Mira's Lightveil burned, easing Soren's chill. "Stay with me," she pleaded, her touch a lifeline. Kai's owl struck, but its crimson rune faltered, the Wraith unaffected. He's holding back.
"Kai!" Soren roared, dodging a chain. "Your rune—it's tied to this!" Kai's face paled, journal trembling. "I didn't know!" he shouted, but his guilt screamed louder. Veyra's sword slashed, her courage crumbling. Soren's Shadow Bind restrained a chain, Echo Pulse finding the Wraith's core—a white flame. Shadow Slash struck, Echo Ward deflecting a lash, but Corruption burned: 95%. Mother's shadow screamed—"Hold on."
Mira's Lightveil weakened the Wraith's chains, Veyra's Wolf tore its flank, and Soren struck again, absorbing a fragment. Vertigo hit, strength surging, Bone Armor hardening. The Wraith dissolved, leaving a white runic crystal. Soren touched it, his status flickering:
Name: Soren Vey
Echo Affinity: Grief (Tier 3 - Volatile)
Resonance Points: 150/300
Skills: Emotional Echo (Passive), Shadow Slash (Active), Echo Pulse (Intermediate), Shadow Bind (Basic)
Traits: Bone Armor (+30% Defense), Resonance Sense (Intermediate), Echo Ward (Intermediate)
Corruption Risk: 95%
Tier 3? The hum mapped the gate's runes, but the chill was a void swallowing his soul. I'm not me anymore. Veyra clutched her arm, blood dripping. "The gate's opening." Kai dropped his journal, the crimson rune flaring. "I studied it… I didn't activate it," he stammered. Mira's eyes hardened. "Then who did?"
Torren stormed in, seizing Kai. "You're done, scholar." His suspicion drowned the hum. Soren grabbed the journal, the rune pulsing white. It's changing. A pulse shook the vault, the gate's white runes cracking. A voice roared: "Unbound, step through or die." Soren's Shadow flared, crimson eyes glowing. The gate's calling me.