Night choked the academy
Not just quiet but hollow
Like something was waiting to be heard again after centuries of silence
Azel moved through the herb gardens near the old chapel
The guards had rotated late tonight
Good
He had ten minutes
The sealed sector was buried under the chapel ruins
Closed off since the Year of the Red Eclipse
Even the staff pretended it didn't exist
But maps don't lie
Not if you know how to read the old blood trails
He pressed his hand to the moss-covered stone at the chapel altar
A faint click
The floor split open
Dust spilled like dry sand
Stairs led down
He went without hesitation
The air hit different here
Heavy
Not rotten but still
Like it had weight
Not magic
Memory
He walked past broken cells
Each one twisted by some failed ritual
Bone carvings on the walls
Scratches not from claws
But nails
Some had messages
Others just numbers
One read
Still alive still listening still hungry
He ignored it
The hallway ended at a massive iron door
Chains wrapped around it
Not to keep people out
To keep something in
He reached into his system vault
Pulled the wax seal from the assassin's scroll
Pressed it to the center lock
> Trigger accepted
Access granted
Warning this action will awaken dormant subject
The door opened slowly
Inside was no monster
Just a boy
Chained to the floor
Eyes glowing faint silver
He looked at Azel and spoke before Azel did
So you're the next one trying to use me
Azel said nothing
He walked closer
The boy's hair was white from mana burn
Skin pale thin barely breathing
But his aura
It pulsed like a buried star
What's your name Azel asked
The boy smirked
I forgot it after the fifth resurrection
Call me whatever you want
Azel stood still
Thought for a second
Then nodded
Fine
You're Echo now
The boy blinked
Then laughed
Echo it is
Why are you here Azel
They're planning a culling
I need a monster
Echo tilted his head
And what makes you think I'm still one
Because you're still alive
Even when everything tried to erase you
That kind of survival
Is never normal
Echo's laugh turned quiet
Then sharp
You're crazier than the last one
Good
Azel pulled out a knife
Sliced across his palm
Held it out
Echo looked at it
Then did the same
Their blood touched
> Binding pact formed
Subject Echo unlocked
Danger rating classified
Result unknown
The chains loosened
Not broken
Not freed
Just aware
Echo stood for the first time in years
Eyes burning
Body shaking
Smile unhinged
So what do we destroy first
Azel stepped back into the tunnel
The ones who sent the assassins
Echo followed
Barefoot and grinning
Then let's burn their strings to ash