Jaeden awakens in a serene room filled with the scents of cinnamon and vanilla, relieved to find himself free from the weight of the chimaeric serpent that had previously crushed him. As he gathers his thoughts, he is greeted by an ancient voice, which he learns belongs to a spectral figure named Echo, a memory of a forgotten wizard, or god.

Echo, playful yet cryptic, engages Jaeden in a confusing dialogue about time and existence. The old man appears amused by Jaeden’s attempts to understand the situation, challenging him with questions about his identity and the nature of the world around him. Jaeden, feeling overwhelmed, struggles to grasp the full weight of Echo's insights, while also trying to assert his own perspective.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

When Jaeden mentions the "Swamp of Sorrows," Echo reacts with disbelief, insisting that what Jaeden sees is not a swamp but a beautiful kingdom. The conversation takes on a frantic tone as Echo demands to know the current year, indicating a deeper significance to Jaeden's arrival. As the two engage in this bizarre exchange, Jaeden grapples with his own confusion, realizing that he is at the center of a mystery far more complex than he anticipated.