The forest was still after the Echoed vanished, but the silence felt suffocating. The faint crackle of the dying fire was the only sound, and even that seemed muted, as if the world were holding its breath.

We stayed on high alert, weapons drawn and eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. But nothing came. Whatever the Echoed were, they had made their point—and left us alone with the weight of their warning.

“What’s the barrier?” Jessa asked, breaking the tense silence.

I stared into the darkness, the faint glow of my dagger catching the edge of a nearby tree. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But they’re protecting it. The traveler hinted at something similar—walls, not bridges. Maybe the barrier is what he meant.”

“Walls keeping what out?” Farron asked. “Or in?”

“No idea,” I said, though the thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Ryla slung her bow over her shoulder, her expression sharp. “They didn’t attack us. They wanted to scare us off.”

“And it worked,” Farron muttered.

Jessa gave him a sharp look. “We’re not running.”

“I didn’t say we should,” Farron replied. “I’m just pointing out the obvious: whatever we’re messing with, it’s scaring the things that already live here. That’s a bad sign.”

I tightened my grip on the dagger, its faint hum a steady presence in my hand. “The Echoed aren’t just afraid. They’re trying to stop something—something tied to the Nexuses. If the barrier falls...”

“Then everything they’ve been holding back gets loose,” Orin finished grimly.

I nodded. “And if Ecclesion’s experimenting with the Nexuses, they could be making it worse.”

The group fell silent, the implications settling over us like a heavy cloak.

“We can’t stop,” I said finally. “If we don’t figure this out, no one will. The Echoed might think they’re protecting the world, but they’re doing it by keeping everyone else in the dark.”

“And the traveler?” Jessa asked.

I hesitated, the memory of his words still fresh in my mind. “He knows more than he’s letting on. But he’s not going to help us—at least not willingly.”

“Then we figure it out ourselves,” she said firmly.

We broke camp before dawn, the first light of morning filtering through the trees as we set out. The path ahead wound deeper into the forest, the air growing colder and heavier with each step.

The Echoed’s presence lingered in my mind, a gnawing unease that refused to fade. Their warning had been clear, but so was the urgency in their actions.

Whatever the barrier was, it wasn’t going to hold forever.

By midday, the forest began to thin, giving way to rolling hills and rocky outcroppings. The faint outline of a fortress loomed on the horizon, its silhouette stark against the pale sky.

“That’s it,” Jessa said, pointing toward the structure. “The Ecclesion site.”

The fortress was built into the side of a hill, its walls high and reinforced with dark stone. Ecclesion’s banners hung from the towers, their golden sun emblem catching the light.

“Looks welcoming,” Farron said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Think they’ll invite us in for tea?” Ryla asked dryly.

We found a vantage point overlooking the fortress, hidden among the jagged rocks. From here, we could see the full layout: the main gate guarded by soldiers, watchtowers stationed at each corner, and a steady stream of activity within the walls.

“They’ve fortified this place well,” Orin said, his sharp eyes scanning the defenses. “Getting in won’t be easy.”

“What about under it?” Ryla asked, pointing to a narrow river running alongside the fortress. “That water’s coming from somewhere.”

“A drain,” I said, nodding. “If they’ve diverted the river, there’s probably an underground passage.”

“Which means it’ll be guarded,” Jessa said.

I tightened my grip on the dagger. “Guarded or not, it’s our best shot. If Ecclesion’s experimenting on a Nexus, we need to know what they’re doing.”

The descent to the river was slow and careful, every step measured to avoid drawing attention from the guards patrolling the fortress walls. The sound of rushing water grew louder as we approached, the narrow river carving a path through the rocky terrain.

We found the drain tucked beneath the fortress’s outer wall, a rusted grate covering the entrance. The water flowed steadily through it, disappearing into the dark tunnel beyond.

“Of course it’s a drain,” Farron muttered, crouching to examine the grate. “Nothing like sneaking into a fortress through literal sewage.”

“Better than the front gate,” Jessa said.

“Debatable,” Farron replied.

The grate came loose with some effort, revealing a narrow passage barely wide enough for us to squeeze through. The air inside was damp and foul, the sound of dripping water echoing off the stone walls.

“Lovely,” Ryla said, wrinkling her nose.

“Stay close,” I said, activating Shadow Veil. The familiar hum enveloped me, muffling my footsteps as I led the group into the tunnel.

The passage twisted and turned, the air growing colder as we moved deeper. The faint glow of runes etched into the stone walls caught my attention, their patterns eerily similar to those on the Nexus and the Echoed’s masks.

“They’re channeling something here,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “The runes—they’re drawing energy from the Nexus.”

We reached a wider chamber at the end of the tunnel, lit by flickering torches and filled with the low hum of machinery. Strange devices lined the walls, their surfaces covered in runes that pulsed faintly with energy.

In the center of the room stood the Nexus.

It was smaller than the one we’d found in the cliffs, but no less imposing. Its crystalline structure glowed with an unsettling light, and cables snaked from its base to the surrounding machinery.

“What the hell is Ecclesion doing?” Farron asked, his voice filled with unease.

“Something they shouldn’t be,” Jessa said, drawing her blade.

Before we could move closer, the sound of footsteps echoed from a side corridor. We ducked into the shadows as a group of Ecclesion soldiers entered the chamber, their armor gleaming in the dim light.

They were escorting someone—a tall figure clad in dark robes, their face obscured by a hood. The figure moved with purpose, their attention fixed on the Nexus.

“Is that...?” Ryla whispered.

I shook my head. “Not the traveler. Someone else.”

The figure raised a hand, and the room fell silent as the Nexus flared brighter. The energy it emitted grew stronger, the hum vibrating through the air like a storm waiting to break.

“Prepare the final phase,” the figure said, their voice cold and commanding.

I felt a chill run down my spine. Whatever Ecclesion was doing, they were close to finishing it.

And if the Echoed were right, the consequences could be catastrophic.

“Now what?” Jessa whispered, her gaze locked on the Nexus.

I tightened my grip on the dagger, my heart pounding.

“Now,” I said, “we stop them.”

The storm was gathering.

And we were about to walk straight into its heart.

The air in the chamber felt alive, pulsing with the energy radiating from the Nexus. Every instinct screamed at me to retreat, but we didn’t have that option. Whatever Ecclesion was planning, it was happening now—and if we didn’t act, the consequences would be unimaginable.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The robed figure continued issuing orders, their voice calm and measured. The soldiers fanned out, each taking up positions around the Nexus. Their presence made a direct approach impossible.

“Final phase?” Farron whispered, his tone laced with unease. “That doesn’t sound like a rehearsal.”

“It’s not,” Jessa said. “They’re activating something.”

I scanned the room, my thoughts racing. The machinery surrounding the Nexus wasn’t just drawing energy—it was focusing it, channeling it for a purpose we couldn’t yet see. The cables stretched to various points around the chamber, disappearing into walls and floors, suggesting that whatever Ecclesion was doing, it extended far beyond this room.

“Any ideas?” Ryla asked, her voice low but steady.

I tightened my grip on the dagger, its faint hum a steady reminder of the power I carried. “We can’t take them head-on. We need to disrupt the machinery—cut off whatever they’re doing before it’s too late.”

“Subtle,” Farron muttered, not sounding thrilled. “Love it.”

Jessa nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the room. “If we take out the cables, the flow of energy should stop. That’ll give us a chance to figure out what they’re doing.”

“Assuming it doesn’t just blow us all to pieces,” Orin said.

“It’s a risk,” I admitted. “But we don’t have time to play it safe.”

We split into pairs, each group taking a different section of the chamber. Ryla and Orin moved toward the left side, their movements silent as shadows. Jessa and Farron circled to the right, keeping low and out of sight. I stayed near the entrance, watching for an opening.

The robed figure remained near the Nexus, their hands raised as they began to chant in a low, resonant tone. The light from the Nexus flared brighter, casting long, jagged shadows across the chamber.

“Whatever you’re doing,” I muttered under my breath, “you’re not finishing it.”

I activated Shadow Veil, the familiar hum cloaking me as I slipped closer to one of the machines. Its surface was covered in glowing runes, the energy from the Nexus flowing into it in steady, rhythmic pulses.

The cables were thick and heavily reinforced, but the faint glow at their connectors suggested a weak point. I raised the dagger, its edge shimmering with faint energy, and struck.

The blade cut cleanly through the connector, sparks flying as the machine sputtered and dimmed. The flow of energy faltered, and for a moment, the hum of the Nexus grew quieter.

The disruption didn’t go unnoticed.

The robed figure turned sharply, their hooded head snapping in my direction. “Intruders!” they barked, their voice echoing through the chamber.

The soldiers reacted instantly, weapons drawn as they moved to intercept us.

“So much for subtle,” Farron muttered, loosing an arrow that struck one of the soldiers in the shoulder.

“Stick to the plan!” Jessa shouted, her blade flashing as she engaged another guard.

Chaos erupted in the chamber.

The soldiers were well-trained and heavily armed, but their focus on protecting the Nexus left openings we could exploit. Ryla’s arrows flew with deadly precision, striking weak points in their armor, while Orin moved like a ghost, his blade finding gaps and seams with ruthless efficiency.

I darted between the machines, the hum of Shadow Step propelling me through the shadows as I struck at the remaining cables. Each cut sent a jolt of energy through the air, the light from the Nexus growing erratic and unstable.

The robed figure moved to the center of the room, their hands raised as they shouted over the chaos. “Secure the Nexus! Do not let them interfere!”

The remaining soldiers converged around the Nexus, their shields forming a tight defensive ring.

Jessa slashed through one of the cables, the severed connection sparking violently. “They’re stalling!” she shouted. “Whatever they’re doing, they’re trying to buy time!”

“We can’t let them finish!” I said, the dagger’s hum growing louder in my hand.

As the last of the cables was severed, the machinery sputtered and died, the flow of energy from the Nexus abruptly cutting off. The light from the crystalline structure flickered, then flared violently, sending a shockwave through the chamber that knocked us all off our feet.

The robed figure staggered but remained standing, their voice rising in an incantation that reverberated through the walls. The Nexus pulsed once, twice—then steadied, its glow intensifying as the energy it had been channeling now concentrated inward.

“What are they doing?” Farron shouted, pulling himself to his feet.

“Something bad,” Ryla said, her bow drawn and aimed at the figure.

Before she could fire, the Nexus emitted a low, resonant hum that filled the chamber. The light from its surface stretched outward, forming tendrils of energy that lashed at the air like living things.

The robed figure turned to us, their hood falling back to reveal a face etched with runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. Their eyes burned with the same eerie light, and their voice carried a weight that seemed to shake the ground beneath us.

“You have disrupted the convergence,” they said, their tone cold and filled with contempt. “But you cannot stop what is already in motion.”

The tendrils of energy lashed out, striking the walls and floor with explosive force. The chamber shook violently, chunks of stone falling from the ceiling as the Nexus flared brighter.

“We need to move!” Jessa shouted, grabbing my arm.

I hesitated, my gaze fixed on the Nexus. The energy pulsing from it wasn’t just chaotic—it was building toward something.

The robed figure raised their arms, their voice rising in a final incantation. “The barrier weakens. The path will open, whether you wish it or not!”

With a final, deafening pulse of light, the Nexus exploded outward, its energy surging through the chamber in a blinding wave.

The last thing I saw before the light consumed everything was the robed figure’s burning eyes, filled with triumph and something far darker.

And then, there was nothing but silence.

When I came to, the chamber was in ruins. The machines were shattered, their cables strewn across the floor like broken vines. The Nexus was dark, its crystalline structure fractured and lifeless.

Jessa’s voice cut through the haze, sharp and urgent. “Ash! Are you okay?”

I nodded weakly, pulling myself to my feet. The others were already regrouping, their expressions grim and tense.

“The robed figure?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

“Gone,” Orin said. “Vanished when the Nexus blew.”

I turned to the shattered remains of the Nexus, its presence no longer radiating through the air. Whatever Ecclesion had been trying to do, we had stopped it—but not before they had achieved something.

“The barrier weakens,” I muttered, the robed figure’s words echoing in my mind. “The path will open.”

“What does that mean?” Jessa asked.

I didn’t answer.

Because deep down, I knew the answer wasn’t something any of us were ready to face.

And whatever lay on the other side of that path, it was coming for us.

The silence in the ruined chamber was suffocating. The glow of the Nexus was gone, replaced by jagged shards of crystal scattered across the floor like shattered glass. The air felt heavier somehow, as though the energy it once radiated had seeped into the walls and ground, waiting to resurface.

Jessa helped me to my feet, her hand firm but her expression grim. “We stopped them. Whatever Ecclesion was trying to do, it’s over.”

“Is it?” Ryla asked, her voice sharp. “That robed figure didn’t seem too worried about their experiment failing. If anything, they looked... satisfied.”

Her words sent a chill through me. She was right—the figure’s final expression hadn’t been one of defeat. It had been triumph.

We regrouped near the remnants of the Nexus, the faint hum of residual energy still vibrating in the air. Farron was inspecting one of the ruined machines, his brow furrowed as he poked at the wreckage with the tip of an arrow.

“Whatever these were doing, it wasn’t just drawing power from the Nexus,” he said. “It was redirecting it. Like they were trying to focus it somewhere.”

“Where?” Jessa asked, her voice tight.

Farron shrugged, gesturing to the shattered cables. “No way to tell now. But wherever it was going, it wasn’t staying here.”

Orin crouched near one of the cables, his sharp gaze scanning the runes etched into its surface. “These symbols... they’re not Ecclesion’s.”

We all turned to look at him.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“They’re similar,” Orin said, running a finger along the faintly glowing marks. “But these aren’t the runes we’ve seen on Ecclesion’s banners or weapons. This is... older. More deliberate.”

“The Echoed,” Ryla said quietly.

I felt the knot in my chest tighten. If the Echoed had ties to this place, then Ecclesion wasn’t working alone.

“We need to leave,” Jessa said, her voice cutting through the tension. “If Ecclesion knows we’ve been here, they’ll send reinforcements. And after that explosion, I’m betting they already know.”

I nodded, but my gaze lingered on the remains of the Nexus. Something about it felt wrong—unfinished.

“The robed figure said the barrier weakens,” I said, breaking the silence. “They didn’t care that we destroyed this place because it wasn’t the end. It was just a step.”

“A step toward what?” Farron asked, his usual humor gone.

“The path,” I said, the words heavy in my mouth. “They said the path will open.”

Jessa’s expression darkened. “Then we stop them before they get any further. Whatever they’re planning, we can’t let them reach the next Nexus.”

“They’ve already started,” I said. “This isn’t just about the Nexuses anymore. If the barrier is weakening...” I trailed off, the weight of the realization sinking in.

“What?” Ryla pressed.

I turned to face the group, my voice quiet but firm. “If the barrier falls, it’s not just this world at risk. It’s everything.”

The words hung in the air like a lead weight.

For a moment, no one spoke. Even Farron seemed at a loss, his usual quips silenced by the gravity of the situation.

Finally, Jessa stepped forward, her blade sheathed but her stance resolute. “Then we don’t stop moving. Whatever Ecclesion’s doing, we cut it off at the source.”

“And how do we find the source?” Orin asked.

I looked down at the shattered remains of the Nexus, the faint hum of energy still brushing against the edges of my awareness.

“The Nexuses are connected,” I said. “If we find the next one, we’ll find Ecclesion—and whoever else is pulling the strings.”

The journey out of the fortress was tense. The tunnel we had entered through was still intact, but the air inside felt heavier, colder, as if the explosion had left an invisible scar.

We moved quickly, keeping to the shadows as we made our way back to the surface. The sky above was a dull gray, the sun hidden behind thick clouds that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction.

“We’ll need to move fast,” Jessa said as we emerged onto the rocky hillside. “If Ecclesion sends scouts, they’ll track us.”

“Let them try,” Orin said, his tone sharp.

The descent into the plains was slower than I would have liked, every sound amplified by the stillness of the landscape. Even the wind seemed reluctant to move, its whispers faint and sporadic.

We stopped near a grove of trees to catch our breath, the branches above swaying gently in the breeze.

“We need a plan,” Ryla said, crouching near the base of a tree. “We can’t just keep chasing the next Nexus without knowing what we’re up against.”

“She’s right,” Jessa said, looking at me. “What’s our next move?”

I hesitated, the weight of their stares pressing down on me. The truth was, I didn’t have a clear answer. The pieces of the puzzle were scattered, and every step forward seemed to uncover more questions than solutions.

But one thing was clear.

“The traveler,” I said finally. “He knows more about the Nexuses than anyone we’ve met. If we’re going to stop Ecclesion, we need to find him again.”

“And convince him to talk,” Farron added. “Good luck with that.”

“We don’t have a choice,” I said, my voice firm. “He warned us once. If the barrier falls, he’ll have to act. And when he does, we’ll be ready.”

The group nodded, the tension in the air giving way to quiet determination.

As the sun began to set, painting the horizon in hues of orange and red, I felt the faint hum of the Nexus once more. It was distant, barely perceptible, but it was there—a reminder of the path ahead.

The storm was building, and we were running out of time.

But if Ecclesion thought we’d back down, they were wrong.

The fight wasn’t over.

It was only beginning.