The train rattled along the tracks as Liam and Kaisa sat across from each other, quietly discussing a plan.
"We need to deal with the echo without making a scene," Kaisa said. "Especially not in front of normal people."
Liam frowned slightly. "Did Yaso tell you anything about keeping all of this a secret?"
Kaisa shook her head. "Of course he didn't. That's so like him—he loves being a pain."
She leaned back in her seat. "People who don't have divines—or weren't taught about them—have no idea they even exist."
Liam nodded slowly. "I guess that explains why I didn't know anything until today."
"Yeah…" Kaisa paused, resting her chin on her hand. "But I just realized something. Yaso is moving way too fast with you."
"What do you mean?" Liam asked, confused.
"Well, normally he takes his time teaching his students."
"Students?"
"There are about 200 teachers," she explained. "They train people like us—divines, combat, all that. Yaso is one of them."
"Oh… okay. But why is that a problem?"
Kaisa's expression turned more serious. "Because he's one of the best. He adapts to each person and is extremely patient. And he only teaches people with multiple divines… like himself."
Liam's eyes lit up a little. "That's actually pretty cool."
"Yeah," she said quietly. "But something feels off."
Liam's smile faded. "What do you mean?"
Kaisa hesitated. "I could be wrong… but this might be a trap."
"A trap?" Liam repeated.
"Everything is just happening too fast," she said.
Before he could respond, the train began to slow to a stop.
"We're here," Kaisa said.
They stepped off and made their way toward an old apartment building. It stood tall but worn down, its windows broken and walls stained from years of neglect.
Liam stopped. "Uhhh… what exactly am I looking at?"
Kaisa glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
"This place looks completely abandoned. Like… 'don't go inside' abandoned."
"It's been empty for 30 years," she said. "Five floors."
Liam sighed. "And we're here because…?"
"This is where the echo was last spotted."
"…So we actually have to go in there?" he asked, clearly uneasy.
Kaisa smirked. "Don't be such a baby."
"Fine," Liam said, stepping forward. "I'll go in first."
"That's better."
As they entered, the air felt heavy and still. Dust floated through the dim light, and every step echoed through the empty halls.
Kaisa felt it immediately—a strange, uneasy feeling in her chest.
Something's wrong…
"There are five floors and only two of us," Liam said. "Should we split up?"
Kaisa hesitated for a moment. "Yeah… sure."
"Wait—one question," Liam added.
"What?"
"What do echoes look like?"
Kaisa gave a small, knowing look. "You'll know when you see one."
"…That's not helpful," Liam muttered.
"I'll take the lower floors. You take the top," she said. "We meet on the third."
Liam nodded. "Got it."
As they split up, Liam headed for the stairs.
"Fifth floor it is…"
A few minutes later, Liam reached the top. The hallway was silent.
He began checking each room one by one.
Nothing.
The fifth floor was empty. So was the fourth.
After about twelve minutes of searching, he finally made his way down to the third floor, where Kaisa was waiting.
"Did you find anything?" she asked.
"Nope. You?"
She frowned. "Nothing. That's weird… we should've found it by now."
"Unless something happened to it," Liam said.
"Maybe…" she replied. "But we still have this floor."
"Let's clear it together," Liam suggested. "Just in case."
Kaisa shrugged. "Sure. Whatever works."
Liam ignored her tone.
They searched the third floor carefully, checking every room.
Still nothing.
Until they reached the last door.
Kaisa stopped. "This is the last one."
Liam nodded. "Let's do it."
"Be ready," she said.
"Always."
Kaisa slowly opened the door.
Both of them tensed—
But the room was empty.
Kaisa frowned. "Okay… now I'm confused."
"Same," Liam said.
"Look around," she told him.
They searched the room.
Then Kaisa spoke up. "Wait—I found something."
Liam walked over. "What is it?"
"A box," she said. "Just sitting here… by itself."
"Open it."
Kaisa didn't move. "Doesn't this feel like a trap?"
Liam looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"No echo. Nothing in the building. And then this?" she said quietly. "It doesn't feel right."
"Well, Yaso sent us," Liam said. "We should be fine… right?"
Kaisa shook her head immediately. "No."
Liam blinked. "What?"
"Yaso follows the rules of the Order," she explained. "If we're here, it means they told him to send us."
"But why would they do that?"
"I don't know," she said. "That's what worries me."
Liam tried to lighten the mood. "Maybe it's because we're just that good."
Kaisa rolled her eyes. "Compared to people with one divine, we're nothing special."
Suddenly, Liam froze.
"…Do you hear that?"
Kaisa looked at him. "Hear what?"
"It sounds like a bird… chirping. But really fast."
She shook her head. "I don't hear anything."
Liam pointed at the box. "It's coming from there."
Kaisa stared at it. "I still don't hear anything."
"…Maybe it's one of my divines?" Liam said.
Kaisa frowned. "No… Yaso told me what your abilities are. Unless—he didn't tell you everything."
"The sound is getting louder," Liam said, his voice tightening.
The chirping grew sharper. Faster.
Unnatural.
Kaisa slowly reached down and opened the box.
The moment it clicked open—
Both of their eyes widened.
A bomb.
9 seconds.
"GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" Kaisa shouted.
"What about you?!" Liam yelled.
"I'LL BE FINE—JUST GO!"
"I CAN'T DO THAT!"
"THERE'S ONLY 3 SECONDS LEFT!"
Time felt like it stopped.
The chirping became deafening.
Liam stepped forward.
"WAIT—HOLD ON—!"