The wind carried the scent of ash and rain as dawn broke across the Realm of the Dead.
For the first time in what felt like ages, there was peace.
Riku, Ren, and Mina sat around a small campfire, the flames flickering with hues of blue instead of orange — a strange quirk of this world. Mina had just woken up from her deep rest after her awakening. Though she was still pale, the light in her eyes had returned.
"Feeling better?" Riku asked gently.
She nodded with a tired smile. "A little dizzy, but I'm okay. I still can't believe what happened… I could feel every soul around me. It was overwhelming."
Ren tossed a log into the fire, the crackle echoing through the misty air. "That power of yours saved our lives, kid. But you need to learn control before it burns you out."
Riku looked up at him. "Ren, you said something during the fight. About the relic calling you?"
Ren paused. His usual smirk faded, replaced by something distant. "Yeah. For the past few nights, I've been hearing whispers. Not voices exactly — more like… a pull. It's drawing me somewhere north."
"Where to?" Mina asked, leaning closer.
Ren pointed toward the horizon where faint purple clouds curled around jagged peaks. "There. The Mountain of Echoes. The relic reacts every time I look in that direction. I think there's something — or someone — up there that wants me to find it."
Riku frowned. "The Mountain of Echoes… isn't that where they say one of the Ten Generals dwells?"
Ren smirked, his confidence returning. "Rumors. And even if it's true, we've handled worse."
Mina giggled softly. "We've handled one gang and almost died."
Ren shrugged. "Details."
Riku stood, slinging his sword across his back. "Then it's settled. If the relic's calling, we follow it."
Mina looked hesitant, but Riku placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll be careful. I promise."
⸻
A Journey Through the Silent Plains
Their journey took them through the Silent Plains — vast fields of gray grass that shimmered like glass under the fog. Sometimes, they saw faint shapes moving in the mist — shadows of lost souls wandering endlessly. Mina hummed softly to herself as they walked, her song keeping the spirits calm.
Ren glanced back at her. "You're good with them."
She smiled faintly. "They're not bad. Just… lost."
As they reached a ridge overlooking a valley of broken statues, Riku stopped suddenly. "Do you hear that?"
A faint whistle — sharp, rhythmic, cutting through the air like a blade.
Before they could react, something snapped in front of them. Riku's instincts flared — he swung Eclipsera upward just in time to deflect an arrow that glowed with purple energy. It shattered on contact, scattering particles of light.
"An ambush?" Ren barked, drawing his sword.
From the shadows above, a figure leaped down — graceful, silent. A woman cloaked in black and silver landed before them, bow drawn, eyes glowing faintly beneath her hood. Her hair — long and silver-white — moved like strands of moonlight.
"Not an ambush," she said coldly. "A warning."
Riku raised his sword defensively. "A warning for what?"
"That mountain you're heading toward," she said, lowering her bow slightly. "If the Relic is calling you there, then you're being lured into a trap."
Mina peeked from behind Riku. "Who are you?"
The woman hesitated, then removed her hood. Her face was sharp, beautiful, and tired — the kind of beauty scarred by grief. "My name is Arin. I'm a Soul Archer."
Ren tilted his head. "Never heard of it."
"You wouldn't," she said softly. "We were hunters once — meant to guard the souls that crossed this realm. But most of us were wiped out when the generals rose."
Her hand brushed the strange quiver on her back — instead of arrows, it held shimmering beams of light that vanished when not in use.
Riku lowered his sword slightly. "You said the mountain is a trap. How do you know?"
Arin's expression darkened. "Because my mentor went there three months ago. He heard the same call you did. He never came back."
Silence fell. Even Ren's usual smirk faded.
"So why warn us?" Riku asked.
She met his gaze. "Because you're the first fools I've seen who actually have a chance of surviving the climb."
Ren chuckled. "I like her already."
Arin sighed. "I can help you get to the base safely. After that, you're on your own."
Riku looked at the others. Mina nodded eagerly; Ren just smirked. "Welcome to the team, Soul Archer."
She frowned. "This isn't a team. It's suicide."
"Eh," Ren said, shouldering his blade. "Same thing most days."
⸻
Campfire Conversations
That night, the group rested near an ancient river that glowed faintly blue beneath the moonlight. Riku sat polishing Eclipsera while Mina hummed a soft tune beside him. Arin sat apart from the group, staring into the water's reflection.
Riku approached her quietly. "You said your mentor disappeared there. Were you close?"
Her eyes stayed fixed on the rippling glow. "He was like a father to me. He believed the Relics were connected — pieces of a larger power. He called it the 'Heart of Return.' When he went missing, I tried to find him. But every trail led to the Mountain of Echoes."
Riku nodded slowly. "Then we'll find out what happened. Together."
Arin looked at him for a long moment before nodding once. "You're different from most souls here. You still believe in 'together.' Don't lose that."
Ren called from across the fire, "Hey lovebirds, we've got company!"
Before anyone could move, several shadows crept from the trees — goons, their eyes hollow, armor cracked and ancient. There were only four, but their movements were fast and jagged.
Riku stood instantly, blade drawn. "I've got left!"
Ren grinned. "Then I'll take right!"
Mina raised her glowing staff, channeling a soft barrier of light that shielded them. Arin stood last, drawing a single arrow of pure energy.
The goons charged. Riku ducked under a spear and slashed upward, his blade slicing through the creature's body in a wave of blue light. Ren met another head-on, sparks flying as steel clashed against steel.
But Arin — she didn't move. She closed her eyes, whispered something under her breath, and released her arrow. It split into three streaks midair, each one striking perfectly through the heads of the remaining goons before they could reach them.
The silence afterward was heavy — and impressed.
Riku blinked. "That was—"
"Instinct," she said softly, lowering her bow. "Don't thank me. They were already dead."
Ren whistled. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Mina giggled, and even Arin allowed a faint, reluctant smile.
⸻
The Sky Trembles
As they packed up the next morning, a deep rumble echoed from the north. The ground vibrated beneath their feet, and dark clouds began to twist in the sky. The mountain was still miles away, but a chain of black lightning coiled around its peak — like a massive serpent in the heavens.
Riku's heart pounded. "What is that?"
Arin's face went pale. "That's no storm."
Ren squinted toward the horizon. "Looks like we've got company."
From afar, the faint silhouette of a massive figure stood at the mountain's summit — armor forged of shadow, a colossal chain dragging behind it.
Mina gripped Riku's arm. "Riku… is that—?"
Riku's voice came out as a whisper.
"One of the Ten Generals."
The wind howled through the plains, carrying with it a sound like screaming metal — the chains rattling across the sky.