Nyx, with Uriel’s guidance, trudged through the wilderness, each step heavier than the last. It had been a full day since she began walking—since she lost everything. Her heart still ached, the weight of grief pressing down on her shoulders. The memories of her family, her home, and the forest consumed by flames refused to leave her mind.
The air around her was heavy with silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant calls of birds. Though the world seemed vast and empty, Nyx’s own thoughts felt louder, filling the void with her frustration and doubt.
She stumbled on a root, barely catching herself. “Uriel,” she muttered, brushing dirt off her palms. “Are you sure I’m going the right way? It feels like I’ve been walking in a straight line forever.”
“Affirmative,” Uriel’s calm, unbothered voice replied. “You are progressing toward the nearest civilization.”
Nyx let out a sharp exhale, both relieved and annoyed. “Also…” she began hesitantly, her voice quieter now, “since I can’t use my sight anymore, is there really nothing I can do? Like, maybe… ‘see’ in another way?”
Uriel’s response came without hesitation.“While your vision has been impaired, you still have access to Echo Vision, which allows you to sense magical essence.”
Nyx stopped in her tracks, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “What?! Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? I’ve been stumbling around like an idiot!”
Uriel’s tone remained neutral. “You did not ask.”
Nyx let out a groan, her hands flying to her hips. “Seriously? You couldn’t have mentioned it on your own?”
“Noted for future reference,” Uriel replied, entirely unaffected by her tone.
She rolled her eyes behind the Darkveil, shaking her head. “Fine. Just… activate Echo Vision, please.”
“Permission confirmed. Activating Echo Vision.”
Without warning, a soft, silver light shimmered across Nyx’s body. The warmth spread through her veins, and the world shifted. Though her eyes remained useless beneath the veil, she felt her surroundings come alive in her mind. Patterns of glowing energy pulsed faintly in the trees, weaving through the air like threads of starlight. Each step she took seemed to ripple with magic.
Nyx blinked—or tried to, out of habit—and gasped. “It’s… beautiful,” she whispered, her voice trembling with awe.
The forest wasn’t just alive—it was breathing magic, its essence wrapping around her like a gentle embrace. Though the shapes and colors were unfamiliar, the new perspective felt strangely comforting, as if she could finally navigate this vast world.
“You’re welcome,” Uriel said, its voice carrying the faintest trace of smugness.
Nyx’s lips twitched into a small smile despite herself. “Thanks, Uriel. This helps… a lot.”
She adjusted the Darkveil over her eyes, the fabric feeling less like a barrier and more like a shield now. Though her chest still ached with sorrow, the renewed sense of direction eased her burden, if only slightly.
Nyx continued walking, her steps steadier now, though exhaustion still weighed on her. As she moved, the reality of her situation crept back into her thoughts. She had lost her family—her constellations, her home—and there was no one here to help her anymore.
Her Echo Vision revealed the faint trails of magic lingering in the earth, remnants of the forest that had burned to ash. Each glowing thread she passed reminded her of what was gone, of the life and laughter that once filled her world.
A pang of guilt struck her chest. “I wasn’t ready for this,” she muttered under her breath, her voice breaking. “I wasn’t ready to lose them.”
Her steps faltered, and for a moment, she considered stopping altogether. But a faint pulse of magic caught her attention—a thread leading north, brighter than the rest. It glimmered like a distant beacon, urging her forward.
“Keep moving,” she whispered to herself, clenching her fists. “For them.”
Though Echo Vision gave her a new way of perceiving the world, it wasn’t perfect. The glowing patterns were beautiful but disjointed, their rhythm hard to decipher at first. Nyx stumbled over uneven ground, her arms outstretched to balance herself.
“Uriel,” she asked cautiously, “is this how it’s going to be from now on? This… new way of seeing?”
“For the foreseeable future, yes,” Uriel replied. Its tone softened, though only slightly. “Echo Vision will adapt as you use it, becoming more precise with time. You will grow accustomed to it.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Nyx frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. “What about my eyes? You said I wouldn’t get my sight back, but will I ever see like I used to?”
Uriel hesitated before answering. “Your physical sight is irreparable. However, Echo Vision will surpass your previous limitations, granting you a unique perspective that others cannot possess.”
The words hung in the air, bittersweet but oddly reassuring. Nyx bit her lip and nodded to herself. “I’ll make it work,” she said quietly. “I have to.”
As Nyx pressed on, the wilderness grew denser, the patterns of magic becoming more erratic. Some threads pulsed faintly, while others blazed brightly, stretching in directions she couldn’t yet follow. The path north remained consistent, but the sense of unease in the air was undeniable.
“Uriel,” Nyx said, her voice steady but cautious, “is there anything I should know about what’s ahead? Anything… dangerous?”
“There is no immediate danger detected,” Uriel replied. “However, the concentration of magical energy in this region is unusual. It may indicate an anomaly or remnants of past disturbances.”
Nyx’s grip on her veil tightened. “Remnants, huh? Let’s hope they’re friendly.”
Her pace quickened, her determination pushing her forward despite the exhaustion creeping into her limbs. Though the forest’s silence felt oppressive, she refused to let fear control her. She would keep moving—no matter what lay ahead.
“Let’s go, Uriel,” she said firmly, her voice carrying a spark of resolve. “We’ve got a lot to figure out.”
“With you, always,” Uriel replied.
And so, with Echo Vision illuminating the path and her companion guiding her steps, Nyx continued toward the unknown, her heart heavy with loss but steady with determination.
Nyx took another shaky step, her legs trembling as exhaustion weighed her down. Her balance wavered, and for a moment, she thought she might collapse. She pressed on anyway, each movement spurred by a stubborn resolve to survive.
The path ahead felt endless, and the silence of the wilderness gnawed at her mind. A day had passed since everything fell apart, since her family was torn from her. The ache in her chest burned like an open wound.
But her stomach reminded her of a different ache entirely.
Grrrr… Grrrrrr… GGRRRRRR.
The sound cut through the stillness, loud and insistent. Nyx clutched her midsection, the gnawing hunger impossible to ignore. It had been a full day since she’d last eaten—since her birthday feast, surrounded by laughter and warmth.
Her steps faltered as the memories hit her like a wave. If only I didn’t fall asleep… The thought lingered, guilt and self-reproach twisting inside her. If only I had been more prepared.
Another loud growl from her stomach snapped her out of it. GGRRRRRR.
“Umm… Uriel?” she asked hesitantly, her voice breaking the silence. “Can you pick up on any food nearby? I haven’t eaten anything since… that night.”
Uriel responded without hesitation. “Of course, Nyx. Scanning the perimeter… One moment.”
Nyx stopped in her tracks, brushing her fingers lightly against the rough bark of a tree for support. She rested her forehead against the cool surface, letting the textures ground her as she waited.
“Scan complete,” Uriel announced. “There is a food source up ahead. North, on your right. Be advised: traces of faint magic essence detected nearby. Use caution.”
Nyx’s pulse quickened, a mix of hope and apprehension swirling inside her. “Thanks, Uriel. Let’s hope it’s something edible.”
Guided by Uriel and her echo vision, Nyx moved cautiously. Her magic illuminated the faint glow of essence in the distance, painting a picture of her surroundings. Every step forward revealed more detail, the shimmering shapes of trees and undergrowth taking form in her mind’s eye.
As she neared the food source, she caught sight of a bush laden with small, shimmering berries, their hues shifting between red and deep purple. The faint magical aura surrounding them made her hesitate.
She crouched, reaching out tentatively toward the bush. “Uriel… are these safe to eat? They’re glowing, and that usually means trouble.”
Uriel remained silent for a beat, the pause stretching her nerves taut. “Nyx,” it finally answered, “I cannot confirm whether they are poisonous. However, your skill Eternal Rebirth will automatically neutralize any toxins. You cannot be harmed by them.”
Nyx tilted her head, her fingers hovering over one of the berries. “So… even if these are poisonous, my body will just deal with it?”
“Correct,” Uriel replied, its tone unflinching.
Nyx let out a dry laugh. “Well, that’s one way to take the fun out of foraging.” Her stomach growled again, louder this time, demanding action. “Alright, here goes nothing.”
She plucked a berry, inspecting its smooth, glistening skin. After a hesitant moment, she popped it into her mouth. A burst of sweetness greeted her tongue, followed by a subtle tartness that made her gasp softly. “Oh… these are amazing!”
Relief flooded her as she reached for more, plucking the berries eagerly and eating them. The flavors filled her senses, washing away the sharp edge of her hunger and replacing it with warmth and energy.
As she ate, her echo vision pulsed faintly, picking up the magical traces Uriel had warned her about. They seemed to linger just beyond her immediate surroundings, faint but persistent.
“Uriel,” she said between bites, “that magical essence you mentioned earlier… it’s not moving closer, is it?”
“Negative,” Uriel replied, its tone calm. “The essence remains stationary. There is no immediate threat.”
Nyx exhaled, her shoulders relaxing. “Good. The last thing I need right now is a fight on an empty stomach.”
She continued eating until she felt full, brushing her hands clean on her cloak. The tension in her chest had eased slightly, though the ache of her loss still lingered. She adjusted the Darkveil over her eyes and straightened herself.
“Thanks, Uriel,” she said softly. “I feel… a little better now.”
“You’re welcome, Nyx,” Uriel replied smoothly. “It is essential to maintain your strength.”
Her echo vision flickered faintly, a reminder of the faint magical traces lingering nearby. Though Uriel had assured her they posed no threat, Nyx couldn’t shake the sense that she wasn’t entirely alone.
The wilderness around her was vast and unfamiliar, but as she took her first cautious steps forward, she felt a small spark of determination reignite. She had survived this far, and she would keep going.
For the constellations. For herself.
With her hunger sated and her strength renewed, Nyx pressed onward into the unknown, her steps steady and her resolve unyielding.