The camp slowly returned to quiet after the hunters left.
Kai sat by the fire that night with Lira and Mira because the fight had left him tired but proud.
Mira counted her new cards and smiled.
She said "I got five good ones today. One is even called 'Leader Punch Card' because of how you hit that scarred man."
Lira checked the bandage on Kai's shoulder and said "You stayed in control the whole time. No voice takeover. That is real progress."
Kai nodded and felt the nine Echoes inside him resting peacefully.
The small god fragments were still quiet, and he was grateful for the calm.
The next morning training started early again.
Kai practiced switching between Echoes on purpose, and he moved smoothly between shadow step and fighter strength without losing himself.
Mira threw practice cards at him while laughing.
She said "Dodge this one! It is my new 'Kai's Funny Snob Voice' card."
Kai dodged and answered in the rich snob voice for fun.
"My dear collector, such attacks are most unbecoming."
Everyone laughed because it felt light and normal.
Lira smiled and said "You are getting better at choosing when the voices speak."
In the afternoon they went on a short patrol west of the camp.
The land was quiet, but the purple cracks in the sky looked wider than before.
Kai felt a small Echo signal in the distance, but he chose not to follow it.
He said "We leave it alone. I do not need more right now."
Mira looked at him with surprise and said "You said no. That is new and good."
Lira walked beside him and said "Every time you choose not to collect, the god fragments become weaker. Keep doing that."
They returned to the camp before dark and helped fix the walls.
Elder Voss watched Kai work and said "You are becoming someone who can protect others without losing yourself. That is important."
That evening they sat by the fire again.
Kai told them more stories from his old life as a game tester, and Mira laughed at every silly detail.
Lira listened quietly and then said "The big Quake is coming soon. When it arrives, many people will need help. We must be ready to protect them without you taking too many Echoes."
Kai looked at the cracked sky and said "I know. I will be careful. I want to stay me."
Mira leaned forward and said "And I will keep making support cards. My Kai collection is getting really strong."
They talked late into the night because the fire felt warm and safe.
Kai felt grateful for his friends because they had stayed with him through the worst days.
The small god fragments inside him remained quiet.
The overlap risk was low, and Kai felt more like himself than he had in a long time.
But in the back of his mind he knew the peace was temporary.
The big Quake was getting closer every day, and the hunters had promised to return.
Kai looked at Lira and Mira and said quietly "Whatever comes next, we face it together."
Mira grinned and said "Of course! Team Echo Thief forever."
Lira smiled softly and said "Together."
Kai nodded because he believed it.
For now the camp was safe, and he was still himself.
The road ahead would be hard, but he was not walking it alone.