The following morning, a sense of urgency hung in the air. News spread like wildfire across the Elysian Academy that the Echo Lords had been tasked with leading the investigation into the crack in the Valharen dungeon gate. The entire campus seemed to shift, moving with purpose and tension. The impending danger was real, and everyone—student and teacher alike—was preparing for what might come.
Jin stood by the training field, gazing at the distant mountains, where the crack had appeared. His mind was clouded with fragmented memories that were becoming more and more difficult to ignore. The echoes of a past life, a life that felt so distant yet so familiar, haunted him. Each memory felt like a piece of a puzzle, but the image was still blurry, out of reach.
"You're staring at nothing," came a voice behind him.
Jin turned to see Naelle, her arms crossed as usual, looking as though she had just finished a round of intense training. Her fiery hair swayed slightly in the breeze. She looked every bit as fierce as her mother, Aira.
"I could say the same about you," Jin replied, keeping his voice neutral.
Naelle gave a smirk, the corner of her lips lifting slightly. "You're not wrong. But I suppose we're all preparing for something big, huh?"
Jin nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. "This crack... it's more than just a breach in the dungeon. There's something off about it."
Naelle tilted her head. "You don't have to tell me. My mother's been on edge since it happened. She suspects something far darker is at play here. I can feel it too. A presence."
Jin glanced at her sharply, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"
Naelle stepped forward, her voice dropping low. "Something about the crack in Valharen feels... wrong. It's not just a dungeon gate opening—it's as if it's a tear in reality itself. And I've heard rumors. Strange creatures have been appearing around it. Not just monsters... something worse. My mother isn't talking about it openly, but I know she's preparing for something none of us can predict."
Jin's heart skipped a beat. The fragments of his memories seemed to shift, becoming clearer, as if they were responding to Naelle's words.
"Have you heard of the Echo Lords?" Jin asked, his voice quiet but intense.
Naelle's eyes sharpened. "The raid party? Yeah. They're elite. But you must have noticed the connection. Aegis, Ravyn, Cain... they all seem familiar to you, don't they?"
Jin's gaze drifted toward the mountains again. "I don't know why, but yes. There's something about them. Something tied to me, something I can't remember."
Naelle's expression softened for a moment. "I don't know what's going on with you, Jin, but I can tell you're involved in this. Whether you like it or not."
---
The following week, preparations were well underway. Jin was summoned by Headmaster Vael for a private meeting. The Headmaster was a stern but fair figure, known for his strategic mind and experience in handling crises.
"Jin," Vael began, his voice grave, "I've heard troubling reports from the frontline. The crack in Valharen is more than just a gate—it's an anomaly. We need all the help we can get to investigate it, and the Echo Lords will be leading the charge."
Jin nodded, waiting for the Headmaster to continue.
"I understand you've been... somewhat distant recently. But this isn't just about the gate. It's about what might be lurking behind it. We believe there's a powerful force trying to cross over—something that could threaten the entire continent."
Jin's pulse quickened. He knew exactly what Vael was implying. "A monster?"
Vael hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on Jin. "Not just any monster. We believe it could be something far older. Something ancient. I'm counting on you, Jin. I need you to be part of this mission. Your abilities are... unique. It's clear that whatever lies beyond the crack, it's going to require more than just typical reinforcements."
Jin took a deep breath. "And if I refuse?"
Vael's eyes darkened. "You don't have the luxury of refusing. This threat isn't just about one nation. It concerns all of us. If you want to protect those around you, you need to take action."
Jin felt a strange compulsion stir within him. Something deep inside pushed him toward the unknown. He had always been hesitant to confront his past, but now, with the fate of the world at stake, there was no turning back.
"Fine," Jin finally said. "I'll help. But I'm not doing this for anyone else. I'm doing this because I need answers."
---
The next morning, Jin, along with Naelle and several other elite students, stood at the edge of the Valharen Ridge, staring at the eerie crack that had torn open in the fabric of the world. The air was thick with tension. Everyone knew that whatever was about to happen here would change their lives forever.
"Stay close," Naelle said, her eyes scanning the area. "We don't know what's out there. We might need to retreat at any moment."
Jin nodded. As they ventured forward, the landscape seemed to shift. The crack in the ground was like a wound, pulsating with an unnatural energy. Strange, dark creatures moved around it, their forms barely visible in the mist. The closer they got, the stronger the sense of foreboding became.
Jin couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. And in the back of his mind, a voice whispered—a name, just out of reach, waiting to be remembered.
---
The group continued to advance, the atmosphere thick with danger. Naelle's voice cut through the tension.
"I'm not sure how much longer we can push forward like this. We need to find the source of this energy before—"
Before she could finish, the ground beneath them trembled violently. The crack widened, and a monstrous roar echoed from within.
Jin's heart raced. It was time.