Chapter 35: The Whisper Beneath the Stones
A dense fog blanketed the ancient city of Eridale, rolling through its winding stone streets like silent tides of memory. The morning light had barely pierced the clouds, casting a pale silver sheen on the castle's spires. At the edge of the kingdom, where wild forests stretched endlessly, the four travelers stood before a forgotten ruin—one whispered about in myths and warnings.
Yuto stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the intricate patterns engraved into the marble door. "This… it matches the symbol in my dream," he muttered, reaching out but hesitating just before touching it.
Rin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure this is where the voice wanted us to come?"
"Yes," Yuto said with certainty. "It's been guiding us for days. This is the place."
Flashback — Two Nights Ago
The fire crackled softly in the cave. Yuto sat apart from the others, staring into the flames, when the mark on his hand began to glow a dull blue.
"Seek the Whisper Gate," the voice echoed in his mind. "Where echoes of time rest in stone, and truths are carved in silence."
He gasped and clutched his wrist, the vision pulling him into a swirl of ancient runes, spiraling into an abyss before revealing the image of the door now in front of him.
Present — The Door of Echoes
Aiyana stepped forward, her cloak billowing slightly in the breeze. "Let's not waste time. Whatever's inside might finally tell us why we're here."
With a collective nod, Yuto pressed his palm against the marble. A tremor passed through the stone. The carvings shimmered, and the door melted away into soft blue mist.
They stepped into a circular chamber, walls lined with stone shelves holding relics, scrolls, and crystals. At the center was a pedestal, and above it, a glowing crystal suspended in mid-air.
Kai, ever curious, approached first. "What is this place…?"
From the shadows, a figure emerged—cloaked in silver, face hidden. "The Hall of Origins," the figure said, voice resonating with age and calm. "You four have reached the first gate."
"Who are you?" asked Serin, her hand on her dagger.
"A Watcher," the figure said. "We are few, bound to time itself. We guard what was and guide what may become."
The crystal pulsed. Yuto felt a pull in his chest—as though his soul recognized it.
The Watcher raised his hand. "You are not the first travelers through time. But you may be the last who can stop the collapse."
Yuto's breath hitched. "The collapse?"
The Watcher pointed to the wall, which shimmered to reveal an image—a city burning, a sky torn with lightning, and a man standing atop a throne of bones.
Kai whispered, "That's… someone from our time. He was in the records, a scientist—Dr. Hoshima."
Serin clenched her fists. "He's the villain trying to reshape history."
The Watcher nodded. "He tampered with time's stream. Now it fractures. The world's balance is threatened."
The chamber began to pulse. The crystal sent out waves, and suddenly, the four saw visions—brief, fragmented:
A young Yuto, crying alone beside his father's grave.
Aiyana, standing before a throne she never asked for.
Kai, watching a lab burn.
Serin, holding a letter in shaking hands.
The visions faded, leaving them breathless.
"You each carry burdens," said the Watcher. "Only together can you face what's coming."
Aiyana wiped her eyes. "Then tell us what we must do."
The Watcher extended his hand. "Take the crystal. It will show you the next path. But beware—your enemy grows stronger with every step you take."
Yuto stepped forward. As his fingers touched the crystal, light engulfed the room, and a new mark formed on his other hand—a crescent moon cradled in a triangle.
He gasped. "What does this mean?"
"It means you are chosen not only to protect the past," the Watcher said, "but to bear the burden of knowing the future."
Elsewhere — Unknown Location
A man stood atop a cliff, watching the skies turn. In his hand, he held a device humming with energy. His eyes glinted red.
"They've found the first gate," he muttered. "Good. Let them think they have hope. The end is already written."
Back in the Chamber
As the light dimmed, the four stood in silence. Outside, a storm began to brew.
"We keep going," Yuto said, voice steady. "We learn. We fight. We protect this world, past and future."
Their journey was far from over—but for the first time, they knew where to step next.
---
End of Chapter 35