Chapter 24 – The Echoes That Bind Us

Reina stood alone in the shattered clearing long after Kairos disappeared into the gray haze of the wasteland.

His words echoed in her mind like cracks through crystal:

“Decide… not as their pawn… but as yourself.”

The portal behind her shimmered faintly, unstable — as if the gods themselves were watching, waiting for her to make the right decision.

But what was right?

She looked at her reflection in her blade — a divine weapon she never asked for. A Hero’s blade. Shining, sacred… and heavy.

Too heavy.

Hours Later — A Ruined Temple, Half-Buried Beneath Ash

The once-proud structure was broken, walls scorched, statues melted beyond recognition. Yet here, something called to Reina.

A whisper.

A presence.

She stepped cautiously into the ruined hall, her blade glowing dimly in response.

And then… she saw it.

Carvings — ancient ones — partially intact, half-erased by divine judgment. But enough remained.

A prophecy… rewritten.

She read the broken lines aloud:

“A Hero will rise from another world…
Destined to bring salvation…
And if he falters—
Another will be summoned to take his place.”

Her hands trembled.

“They always planned for replacements…”

Suddenly, the glow of her sword pulsed again — but not from her. A glyph on the ground lit up with ethereal blue, projecting a ghostly recording.

A younger Kairos stood in the projection. His voice was tired… but determined.

“To whoever finds this… if you bear the mark of the Hero… you’re next.”
“They will use you until you break. They’ll tell you the world depends on you. That without you, all collapses.”
“But that’s a lie.”
“I believed them. And I died for it.”
“Don’t let them chain you like they did me.”

The projection faded.

Silence returned — but not in Reina’s heart.

She clenched her fists. Her legs shook.

“Why… why am I even here?”

A flicker of light shimmered near the altar — a ghostly memory of Kairos, barely visible.

“Because… they think you’re controllable,” the echo whispered.

Reina stepped out into the night.

Her face, pale. Her mind, spinning.

But her grip on the sword… was firm now.

She looked to the direction Kairos had gone.

“You were right… We’re both trapped in someone else’s story.”
“But maybe… we can write a new one.”

And so, for the first time since her summoning, Reina stepped forward — not as a chosen Hero…

But as someone searching for the truth.

To be continued…