The gate's white runes cracked, their white pulse roaring—"Unbound, step through or die." Soren gripped Kai's journal, its rune now white, burning in his hand. The hum was a maelstrom, wrath and dread drowning his senses, his Shadow Echo flaring, crimson eyes blazing. The chill of Corruption—95%—consumed him, like a void swallowing his mother's shadow. Step through or die. The hum screamed: I'm the key.
Night cloaked the vault, the gate's white vortex pulsing like a heart. Veyra, bloodied, stood firm, her Wolf Echo snarling, courage barely holding. Mira's Lightveil flickered, her fear sharp but her voice steady. "Don't go," she whispered, grabbing Soren's arm, her touch clashing with Lila's fierce loyalty, her pendant a vow. I'll come back stronger. Kai, restrained by guards, shouted, "I didn't open it! The runes—they're alive!"
Torren's suspicion was a blade. "Unbound, choose—face the gate or we end you." His guards raised runic blades, distrust choking the hum. Soren's Echo Pulse sensed the gate's core—a white flame radiating oblivion. A roar erupted, and a Primewraith emerged—an Echo of destiny, its form a colossus of bone and shadow, with glowing white eyes like dying suns. Its wrath crushed the hum, mother's shadow screaming—"Soren, fight."
Soren's Shadow surged, crimson eyes blazing, but the Primewraith's claws slashed, hurling him back. Corruption hit 100%. I'm gone. Mira's Lightveil burned, easing the chill. "Stay with me!" she cried, her voice breaking. Veyra's Wolf lunged, claws sparking, but the Wraith's eyes flared, knocking it down. Kai broke free, his owl striking, its white rune pulsing. "I can help!" he shouted, but his guilt lingered.
Soren's Shadow Bind restrained the Wraith's arm, Echo Pulse finding its core. Shadow Slash struck, Echo Ward deflecting a claw, but Corruption overwhelmed him, mother's shadow vanishing. I'm nothing. Mira's Lightveil burned brighter, Veyra's Wolf tore the Wraith's flank, and Kai's owl weakened its runes. Soren struck again, absorbing a fragment, vertigo crippling him, but strength surged, Bone Armor hardening.
The Primewraith wailed, dissolving, leaving a white runic core. Soren touched it, his status flickering:
Name: Soren Vey
Echo Affinity: Grief (Tier 3 - Volatile)
Resonance Points: 180/300
Skills: Emotional Echo (Passive), Shadow Slash (Active), Echo Pulse (Intermediate), Shadow Bind (Intermediate)
Traits: Bone Armor (+30% Defense), Resonance Sense (Intermediate), Echo Ward (Intermediate)
Corruption Risk: 100%
Corruption maxed. The hum was silent, replaced by a void. I'm not me. The gate's white vortex pulsed, pulling him. Veyra grabbed his shoulder. "Don't," she growled. Mira's eyes pleaded, but Kai's voice cut through: "It's your destiny."
A surge shook the vault, the gate opening, white light blinding. A figure emerged—cloaked, ancient, holding a runic scepter. "Unbound, you've opened the way," it hissed. Soren's Shadow flared, crimson eyes gone, replaced by white. I'm theirs.