The voice disappeared, but its presence remained.
Kael stood frozen beneath the darkened sky, unable to move.
"The lost heir has finally awakened."
Those words repeated inside his mind.
He had spent eighteen years believing he was nothing special. A prince without magic. A disappointment to the royal family. A boy cursed to hear strange songs and voices that no one else could hear.
But now everything had changed.
The old woman, Seraphina, watched him carefully.
"You heard the voice, didn't you?"
Kael slowly looked at her.
"Who was that?"
Seraphina's expression became serious.
"Someone who should have remained forgotten."
The answer only created more questions.
"Stop speaking in riddles," Kael said. "I deserve to know the truth."
The old woman looked at the young prince for a long moment.
"You are right."
She turned toward the ancient trees surrounding them.
"But the truth of Elysium is not a beautiful story. It is a story of betrayal, sacrifice, and darkness."
Kael followed her gaze.
"Then tell me."
Seraphina touched the old symbol carved into the tree.
"Long ago, Elysium was not divided. Humans, magical beings, and ancient guardians lived together. The kingdom was protected by a power called the Echo Crystal."
"The Echo Crystal?"
"An ancient source of magic that carried the memories and strength of every generation before it."
Kael looked at his glowing hand.
"And I can hear it?"
Seraphina nodded.
"You are connected to it."
A sudden pain rushed through Kael's head.
Another vision appeared.
A young man wearing a golden crown stood inside a burning palace.
The same voice from before echoed.
"Protect the echoes. Never allow them to fall into darkness."
Then the vision changed.
The crowned man was betrayed.
A shadow entered the palace.
And Elysium fell.
Kael opened his eyes quickly.
"What happened to him?"
Seraphina looked away.
"He was the last king of Elysium."
"And?"
The old woman's voice became quiet.
"He was your ancestor."
Kael stepped back.
"My ancestor?"
"The echoes you hear are not random memories, Kael. They are the voices of your bloodline."
The prince stared at her.
"So why was I hidden?"
Seraphina's eyes filled with sadness.
"Because someone feared what you would become."
Before Kael could ask another question, a loud crash came from the forest.
The trees shook.
Seraphina immediately raised her hand.
"We have to leave."
Kael grabbed his sword.
"Not until you tell me everything."
The old woman looked at him.
"If you stay here, you will not live long enough to learn the truth."
A dark mist began spreading between the trees.
The same creatures from before emerged from the shadows.
But this time, there were more.
Kael prepared himself.
The mark on his hand glowed brighter.
The song returned.
But unlike before, it no longer sounded like a warning.
It sounded like a command.
Awaken.
Golden energy surrounded his body.
The Shadowborn creatures rushed forward.
Kael swung his sword, but the monsters barely moved.
"They are not ordinary creatures," Seraphina shouted.
"Then what are they?"
"The remains of those who betrayed Elysium."
Kael froze.
"Their souls?"
"Yes."
The creatures attacked again.
Kael closed his eyes and listened.
Not to the sounds around him.
But to the echoes.
Thousands of voices whispered at once.
Memories.
Battles.
Loss.
Pain.
Then one voice became clear.
"Do not fight with anger, heir of Elysium. Fight with remembrance."
Kael opened his eyes.
The golden light changed.
Instead of destroying the shadows, it surrounded them.
The creatures stopped moving.
Their red eyes faded.
For a brief moment, Kael saw what they truly were.
People.
Lost souls trapped by darkness.
And then...
They disappeared.
Silence returned to the forest.
Seraphina stared at him in shock.
"You didn't destroy them."
Kael looked at his hand.
"I freed them."
The old woman smiled sadly.
"Now you understand why they feared you."
Kael looked toward the distant mountains.
"If my power can save them..."
His expression hardened.
"Then I will save Elysium."
But far away, inside the forgotten kingdom, the enemy watched.
A figure stood before an ancient mirror.
Through the reflection, he saw Kael.
The figure smiled.
"So the heir has chosen his path."
A dark flame appeared in his hand.
"Let him come."
The shadowy figure turned away.
"After all..."
His eyes glowed red.
"I was the one who destroyed his family."
To be continued...