All Chapters of Echoes in the Ashes: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The Secrets of the TomeTension was high as Kael and Zara gathered close to the tower's base, the first dim rays of dawn piercing the dense fog. Zara lay on the chilly ground with the old book in her arms, as Kael stood guard, his blade still in hand. The warmth of the crystal, which had faded to a gentle light, served as a continual reminder of its existence.Zara traced the elaborate designs engraved on the leather as she brushed her fingers over the book's faded cover. Every design appeared to have a slight pulse, as though it were living. She whispered, "This book feels like it's breathing."Kael's expression was unreadable as he looked over his shoulder. It's most likely hazardous if it resembles the shard. Take caution.Zara nodded, hesitantly opening the book with her fingers. The content was packed densely in a language she didn't recognise, and the pages were thick and yellowed with age. Certain parts had

Imminent ShadowsAs they left the destroyed battlefield, Zara stood by Kael's side. The weight of Kael's wounds and the remains of her own fatigue weighed down each sluggish, heavy step. Kael held his blade tightly despite his illness, as if releasing it would mean he was giving up his will.The thick, ominous smoke plume was still visible in the sky. Between relief that Kael was still alive and fear for what was to come, Zara's mind was racing. She kept thinking about what the Keeper had said: The shard needs purpose."What did you discover?" Kael's voice rasped as he asked abruptly.Zara looked at him, not sure what to say. Though Kael had put everything on the line to keep her safe, the recollection of the masked figure and their enigmatic instructions seemed very personal. After a pause, she said, "Answers," but her tone was uncertain. "And more enquiries. There are always more questions.Kael coughed wh

Zara huddled beneath the ruins of an ancient archway, breathing steadily in spite of the mayhem that lay ahead. The remains of the once-grand imperial palace were bathed in an amber glow as the sun sank low in the horizon. As their search groups searched the grounds and rebel soldiers screamed orders, their weak cries reverberated across the open air. Zara's hand stayed firmly on the hilt of her blade even while her heart quickened. Hesitancy was not an option.She had been shocked by Kael's capture. They had struggled through peril together for weeks, united by necessity and an unspoken relationship that grew stronger with each experience they had in common. Now he was inside, imprisoned in the centre of the insurgent fortress. She questioned how long he could put up with their tactics. It had to be now if she was going to do anything.Zara had spent the last two days crafting a strategy, but it was as flimsy as the ruins themselves. By attentively listening to snippets of talks and

In the ruins where Zara and Kael had camped for the night, the fire flickered softly. Eerie shadows swirled like ghosts, the glow barely illuminating the skeletal ruins of the surrounding structures. Sharpening her blade with careful, practiced strokes, Zara sat with her back against a collapsing pillar.Leaning against a piece of debris, Kael stared at the far-off Obsidian Fortress. There were many unanswered questions in the air between them, but neither of them dared to disturb the delicate silence.Finally, in a low voice, Kael stated, "We can't outrun him forever."Zara didn't raise her gaze. "We won't need to. We'll be prepared when he inevitably finds us, though.Kael scowled. "All set? We barely got out of there alive, Zara. Ardyn's men have superior training and equipment—Zara cut in with a harsh tone, "And overconfident." That is his flaw. We will take advantage of the fact that he undervalues us.Kael rubbed the back of his neck and moaned. Zara had a point, as much as he

Zara had never experienced such silence in the desert. The hollow ache in her chest appeared to be intensified by the stifling silence of the landscape. Kael was no longer there, a sacrifice made for an unwon cause. The morning after their escape from the Black Hollow, Zara sat by a dwindling campfire, her gaze fixated on the horizon, as if willing Kael to reappear from the ruins.Elara sat under her cloak close by. Her normally vivacious personality was muted, and she was struggling to make a small meal with shaky hands. Both of them had been rattled by the loss, but Elara was obviously attempting to concentrate on the future.Elara broke the quiet by whispering, "We can't stay here." Despite the dispersion of Ardyn's men, his lieutenants remain in the field. His empire won't fall apart by itself.Zara took a while to reply. The burden of their losses weighed heavily on her, but she knew Elara was correct. At last, she gave a nod. "We'll go at sunset. It is safer to travel in the dar