Voices in the Walls

The Sanctuary of Echoes stood in silence, as though it had awaited our arrival for centuries. Its white stone walls were covered in ancient inscriptions, and a light mist curled along the steps leading to its entrance. Each step we took forward resounded with a strange echo, as if thousands of unseen voices were repeating our movements.
—This place gives me the creeps, —Nara muttered, eyeing the fog that seemed to follow us.
—Since when do you like anything? —Rei shot back with dry irony, though his tense expression betrayed that he was just as uneasy.
We crossed the threshold, and the air changed instantly. Inside, the walls echoed our steps with a deep rumble. Torches lit themselves, revealing a seemingly endless corridor.
—Welcome to the Sanctuary of Echoes, —a voice declared, coming from everywhere at once. —If you seek the Oracle, you must first prove yourselves worthy of hearing the truth.
The doors behind us slammed shut, and the corridor split into several branching paths.
—A trial… —Lysbeth whispered, tightening her grip on her sword.
The floor beneath us glowed, and in the blink of an eye, we were all separated.

---
I found myself alone in a dark hallway, guided only by a faint blue light. The silence was absolute until the murmuring began: my own voice, but distorted.
"You brought death to those who trusted you. Piko, Aria… all of them will end the same."
—Shut up! —I growled, charging forward with my sword raised.
The shadows around me took form: twisted versions of myself with hollow eyes, lunging at me with blackened blades. I fought them, each strike crashing like thunder. But for every one that fell, two more rose.
"You are weak. You always were. Only I can give you the power you need."
The voice of the shadow within me joined the echo, coaxing, insistent. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating.
Then I remembered Lysbeth’s words: “As long as you have the others, you’ll never be alone.” I drew in a deep breath and roared, releasing a burst of energy that tore through the shadows. I didn’t do it alone—I did it thinking of Aria, of Rei, of Nara, of all of them. The hallway lit up, and the door at its end swung open.

---
Meanwhile, Aria walked down a different corridor. Reflections of herself and Kiseki appeared on the walls, their faces merging into one.
"One soul divided… If he saves Kiseki, you will cease to exist."
—No! —Aria struck at the visions with her magic, but the images multiplied, showing her how Kaoru chose Kiseki over her.
The pain broke her from within, but she forced herself to breathe. —No matter what you say. Kaoru chose me. And even if we share a soul, I’ll fight so that both of us can live.
Her faith ignited a light in the hallway, dissolving the visions.

---
Rei faced the shadow of his mother, begging him to give up his vengeance.Nara saw a future where she was utterly alone, buried beneath the corpses of her friends.Lysbeth relived the failure of her troops, condemned by her hesitation.
Each of them faced their deepest fears, and though they faltered, none of them fell.
At last, the paths converged into a central chamber. We reunited, exhausted, but with our resolve hardened.
—Is everyone… okay? —I asked, scanning their tense faces.
—More or less, —Nara replied, folding her arms. —I hate to admit it, but I think I needed that.
Aria took my hand, squeezing it tightly. —We’re together again. That’s what matters.
In the center of the chamber, a circle of runes began to glow. A hooded figure emerged from the light, floating slightly above the ground.
—You have faced your echoes and did not break, —it said in a deep voice. —Then you may stand before the Oracle.
The doors at the far end of the chamber opened slowly, revealing a golden radiance that blinded us for an instant.
Aria exhaled deeply. —There it is.
I stepped forward, my chest burning with anxiety. The voice inside me whispered with amusement.
"At last. Let’s see how prepared you are to hear the truth."
I shuddered, but kept moving. Whatever awaited us beyond those doors could change everything.