Six days had passed. The morning sun filtered through the misty hills of Hosi Village as the wind carried a gentle hum through the valley. At Mole's home, the sound of a knock stirred the calm.
Zephyr had arrived.
Shawn opened the door and smiled.
"Zephyr," he greeted, stepping aside. "Come in. I've got food cooking."
Inside, the aroma of roasted root vegetables and grilled fish lingered warmly. Zephyr stepped into the familiar space, setting down his staff. Footsteps echoed from the hallway as Mole burst in, wide-eyed.
Mole: (shouting with excitement)
"Old man, you came!"
Zephyr: (grinning)
"Yes. I figured arriving early might be best."
Mole:
"So what are you gonna teach me first?!"
Shawn: (raising an eyebrow)
"I hope it involves books."
Zephyr: (with a slight chuckle)
"You'll find out soon enough. But first… we need to talk."
Mole: (expression shifting, eyes wide)
"What is it?"
Zephyr: (his tone serious)
"I can see it in your eyes—you're not sleeping well. What's wrong?"
Mole: (hesitates, then lowers his gaze)
"I… I keep having the same dream. Over and over. Every night. And I can't figure it out."
Zephyr:
"It could be a vision. If that's the case, don't worry too much yet. Your body needs rest to stay strong."
Mole:
"Okay…" (his voice trails off, more thoughtful now)
Zephyr: (soft smile forming)
"And one more thing… training starts tomorrow."
Mole: (suddenly leaping into the air)
"Cool!"
Zephyr:
"You're eight years old now, right?"
Mole:
"Yep!"
Zephyr:
"To participate in the Youth Elemental Tournament—the YET—you need to be at least fourteen. That's the official rule, correct?"
Mole:
"Yeah, that's what they say. But… why are you bringing this up?"
Zephyr:
"Because those who win the YET become Aces. Each year, only one champion joins the elite. It's a long road."
Mole: (his eyes lighting up with determination)
"Yeah… but where are you going with this?"
Zephyr: (meeting his gaze)
"I want you to make that your first real goal—Become an Ace."
Mole: (smiling with confidence)
"I will! I'll win the YET Tournament!"
Zephyr:
"Just make sure you do it before you turn twenty. After that, the tournament won't get you there. The path becomes… harder."
Mole: (his voice unwavering)
"My goal is to become an Ace. And I'll make it happen."
Shawn: (muttering while setting the table)
"Becoming one of the Four Kingdoms' elites… That might take more than just talent."
As they sat down for their meal, Shawn called for Lloyd to join. The family shared quiet moments, unaware of the storm building across the land.
✦ 9:50 AM — Kingdom of Ignisia ✦
The castle gates trembled as a man on horseback shouted, "Urgent message for His Majesty!"
The rider wore red leather armor scorched at the edges, a dagger at his side, and a sealed scroll in hand. Guards blocked him immediately, demanding identification.
Minutes later, a loud disturbance caught the attention of King Arin himself. Emerging from the golden arches of the throne hall, his voice cut through the tension.
King Arin:
"What is the cause of this uproar?"
The guards knelt. "A messenger from the west, Your Majesty. He carries a dagger and a note of warning."
The king's eyes narrowed. "Let him speak."
The messenger handed over the letter and dagger, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty, I come from Blackwood. We need aid."
King Arin read the note, his face hardening.
King Arin: (commanding)
"Send twenty of our best soldiers west. Now!"
As the guards scattered to follow orders, the king whispered to himself,
"If this message truly comes from Blackwood Thane… this might be a threat that endangers not just Ignisia, but all four kingdoms."
✦ 2:45 AM — Blackwood Village ✦
In the dark forest west of the kingdom, a Blackwood scout crept through thick underbrush. He knelt beside a deer with a clean, cauterized wound—stabbed, yet with no signs of blood. Alarmed, he pressed deeper into the woods.
Twenty feet ahead, he froze. A mountain lion, similarly wounded.
Snap!
He shifted and tripped—his boot catching on something soft. A man's body. Dressed in animal skins. No arrows. A hunter. Barely alive.
The scout hoisted him onto his shoulders and sprinted back to Blackwood Village.
By 3:00 AM, the hunter awoke at the medic's hut and gasped a single word before passing out:
"Echoflayer…"
The room fell still. The word echoed like a curse.
The scout dashed through the streets and burst into Blackwood Thane's quarters.
Scout:
"Echoflayers are near! We must prepare for battle—now!"
Without hesitation, Blackwood rang the emergency bell. Alarms pierced the village air. Soldiers assembled, villagers evacuated.
Strapping on his blackened armor, Blackwood muttered,
"This village... my people… I won't let them fall."
He handed a sealed note and dagger to the scout.
"Ride to Ignisia. Don't stop."
✦ Moments Later ✦
Just as the last villagers crossed the outer line, the sky fractured.
A beam of brilliant, pulsating light slammed into the heart of Blackwood Village. The explosion rippled outward—flattening homes, setting rooftops ablaze.
From the epicenter, a twisted humanoid figure emerged. A creature of writhing, oil-slick tendrils. Its skin shimmered with nightmarish color. It stood, inhuman and defiant.
The first Echoflayer.
Blackwood, enraged, dashed forward with fire trailing his sword.
Blackwood:
"ROYAL FLAMES!"
He sliced the monster clean in half. But then, more appeared—dozens of Echoes forming in its wake.
In the chaos, Melvin sprinted through the trees. The creature's screech tore through the forest as he stumbled and turned. A fellow scout shouted at him:
Scout:
"RUN, MELVIN! DON'T LOOK BACK!"
He didn't.
✦ 10:01 AM — Ignisia Castle ✦
King Arin:
"What is your name?"
Melvin: (bowing)
"Melvin Kite, Your Highness. Scout of Blackwood."
King Arin:
"Rise. Speak."
Melvin recounted the nightmare in gasping detail.
The king clenched his jaw.
"This time… things must end differently."
✦ Blackwood, Later That Day ✦
Ash filled the sky. Blackwood Thane stood amid ruin. His armor scorched. His sword dripping.
The final creature fell.
Blackwood:
"Thank you… all of you. But this is only the beginning. These weren't the real ones. This was a test."
He drank water, paused, and muttered to himself:
"My flames… still red. I've grown weak. I must train again."
Before he could sip again, thunderous hooves echoed from the east. Twenty mounted warriors in golden flame crests arrived—Ignisia's Elite Guard.
They barely finished introducing themselves when a deep voice rumbled from the forest.
???:
"Aeth'korva o'zhilak, Thara e'Khorva zhilakai…"
A second Echoflayer emerged.
Smaller—only 4.3 feet tall—but its presence shook the ground. Its eyes glowed like twin suns at noon. The soldiers gripped their blades. Fear spread like wildfire.
This one was different.
And they all knew it.