Eiji, Lyra, Pyra, and Kael trudged through the dense forest, following a faint trail of ancient runes that glimmered like breadcrumbs in the undergrowth. The river behind them had settled into calm ripples, but the air still carried the faint scent of magic—sharp, electric, and a little… judgmental.
Eiji wiped his dripping hair from his eyes. "So, Temple of Echoes. Sounds dramatic. What does it even echo? Warnings? Your inner thoughts? Bad jokes?"
Lyra laughed, shaking her head. "Apparently it echoes history. Old prophecies. Maybe a curse or two. And probably a ton of magical paperwork."
Pyra hovered overhead, sparks flicking lazily. "Mostly doom. Mostly doom and your incompetence."
Eiji groaned. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Kael remained silent, scanning the forest with sharp eyes. "We're close. Be alert. The Guild's scouts may already be trailing us."
They emerged from the forest into a clearing. Before them rose the Temple of Echoes, carved into a cliffside. Its stone walls shimmered with faint runes, humming softly, as if whispering secrets in a language only magic could speak.
Eiji's medallion pulsed violently at the sight. "Uh… that thing is really excited," he said nervously.
Lyra adjusted her alchemy belt. "Or scared. Could be either."
The group stepped inside, the air thick with old magic. Every footstep echoed, and the walls seemed to hum in response, resonating with the medallion's glow.
A sudden voice filled the chamber, soft but firm. "The Oracle returns."
Eiji spun around. "Uh… hi? Who's there?"
From the shadows stepped a figure cloaked in white, face obscured by a hood. The medallion flared in Eiji's hand, tugging toward the figure.
"You carry the seal's spark," the figure said, voice echoing eerily. "And yet, your journey has just begun. You are the reincarnated Oracle, and the cycle resumes."
Eiji blinked. "Reincarnated? Cycle? Wait, are you saying I've… done this before?"
The figure nodded. "Many lifetimes ago, you failed. Now, you have another chance. But the Shadow Guild grows stronger. Their knowledge of the seals and your power increases daily."
Pyra floated close, sparks buzzing with tension. "Finally, some answers. About time."
Lyra tilted her head. "So, Eiji, you've done this before? That explains the… chaotic luck."
Eiji groaned, collapsing onto a stone bench. "Of course I have. Why wouldn't I? And I still don't know how to do this without disaster."
The cloaked figure extended a hand toward the medallion. "The First Seal is broken, but the others await. Your next steps must be precise. Learn the past, avoid the mistakes, and gather allies who can withstand the trials. Only then can Zorynthia be protected."
The medallion pulsed gently in Eiji's hands, almost like it understood.
Eiji looked at Kael. "Gather allies… survive trials… save the world. Got it. And maybe, try not to explode anything for once."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You might be the worst Oracle in history."
Pyra hovered above Eiji, sparks flicking in amusement. "And yet somehow, the universe refuses to let you die. Mostly."
The cloaked figure stepped back into the shadows. "The temple will guide you. Look and listen. The echoes of the past are your greatest teacher… and your loudest warning."
The chamber fell silent. Only the faint hum of magic and the pulsing medallion filled the space.
Eiji sighed. "Great. Ancient warnings. Past failures. And apparently, more running, fighting, and accidental heroism. Just what I needed."
Lyra patted him on the back. "Cheer up. This is going to be fun. Mostly."
Pyra muttered, "Fun for them. Probably not for you."
Eiji looked down at the medallion. It pulsed softly, whispering in rhythm with the ancient runes.
"Prepare, Oracle. The next seal awaits. The cycle continues… and calamity follows."
Eiji groaned again. "Fantastic. Just fantastic."