Chapter 15 - Echo XIII — Thana & Incarnation

Despite the beauty of the moment, Kael sensed something strange.Thanatos' aura, once so powerful, so commanding,was gradually fading.His gaze darkened with concern.She noticed it instantlyand offered him a soft smile, almost amused by his worry.With a slow gesture, she shook her head gently.A sign of refusal.As if to tell him there was no need for alarm.— Don't worry, she murmured.My current form is ephemeral.Her voice was calm,but Kael could detect a note of weariness.— I was able to maintain it thanks to the massive amount of energy I absorbed all at once.Normally, I would've lasted longer, but…She paused,as if gauging her own stability.— The synchronization after retrieving fragments of my memoryand part of my power cost me dearly.I won't be able to hold this form much longer…But you don't need to worry about that.Kael didn't answer right away.He watched her closely.She felt less ethereal than before.More… real.— So what?You're going to disappear again?Thanatos stared at him for a moment.Then gave him an enigmatic smile.— No.This time, I'll stay.His brows furrowed.— How?— In avatar form.Her tone was gentle,but resolute.— As long as you accept it, I'll remain by your side, in this diminished form.I won't be a distant presence anymore.A silence fell.Kael pondered.Deep within,something was shifting.Profoundly.He wasn't just gaining an ally.He was recovering a part of himself he hadn't known was lost.He was about to speak…But she anticipated.Gently placing her hand over his lips.— You want to know what changes this will bring?Her voice was calm, deep, almost solemn.He nodded.She looked away.A sigh.As though annoyed by an invisible constraint.— Certain conditions prevent me from speaking of it for now.But… very soon, you'll understand for yourself.Kael studied her.Hoping to glimpse a clue.Then shook his head.A faint laugh escaped his lips.— Hah… Of course.More mysteries.She smiled too.He didn't know why…But deep down,it felt like a distant relative,long gone,had finally come home.He opened his mouth to ask something,but she raised her hand again.Placed it over his lips.Again.Her gaze now serious.— We must hurry.The space we're in is becoming unstable.And time here…works differently from reality.— When we leave, not a single second will have passed since your disappearance.She paused briefly.Her tone turned graver.— We have no time to waste.You'll need to absorb as much information as possible in the shortest time.Kael, disoriented,struggled to grasp the magnitude of what was happening.He fought to stay focuseddespite the flood of information.She gently placed her right hand on his face.A soothing touch.Then, in a firm voice:— You may suffer for a moment,but you must endure it.Kael hesitated.Despite everything he had endured.— Is there still a pain more unbearable than what I've felt?His worst memories flared up briefly.But another thought silenced them all:— What if I can't withstand this one?Even if he had changed…Even if his body was stronger…That fear had never left him.Suddenly, a strangled cry escaped.His teeth clenched.But no sound came.He tried to push Thana's hand away.To escape her touch.In vain.The pain.Like a searing needle.Piercing his left eye.All the way to his soul.He fought.Gathered every ounce of strength.But his body wouldn't move.Thana's hand remained still.Light.Unyielding.Like an ancient force.As ancient as Death itself.He strained harder.Nothing.Not even a millimeter.The pain lasted barely twenty seconds.But for him…An eternity.Then…It subsided.He tried to raise his hand.But Thana held it back.— Not yet, she whispered.The graft has just been completed.Kael stilled.Fingers suspended in the air.She moved her hand to his face.With rare gentleness.— The graft went perfectly.You were brave, Kael.You held strong.As always, I'm proud of you.Her tone was light.But each word carried weight.She placed her other hand on his cheek.A quiet smile bloomed on her lips.Kael looked at her.And understood.A simple truth.Thana wasn't pretending.Her emotions were pure.Always real.She never smiled without reason.She never lied.He wondered…Did she even know how to lie?To fake?Her purity…was almost unreal.As he pondered, she went on.— I'll take advantage of your eye's restto briefly explain the main changes.A short pause.— First,we'll now be able to communicate more efficiently and discreetly,without excessive energy use.Kael remained silent.Thana smiled softly.— You'll understand in due time.But as I said, time is short.Kael nodded.Resolved.Like a student before a master.She continued:— Thanks to this graft,a portion of the hidden world will now be accessible to you.Let's say……a bit more visible.Kael looked even more lost.She placed a hand on his cheek.Tenderly.— Don't worry.I'll explain everything little by little.She leaned in.Her movements slow, precise.Her gaze deep, unfathomable.Locked on his.Her hand brushed his face.Right over his left eye.— Stay still, she murmured.Whatever happens…Do not resist.Before he could answer,she began an incantation.The words wove together.Rapid. Fluid.A stream of incomprehensible syllables.Layered.Like crashing waves.No pause.No breath.Only a whisper.A murmured dream.He felt a strange warmth.A shiver. A gentle burn.Fusion.— Now.Open your eye.Slowly.Don't force it.Let it adjust.I swallowed.My body begged me to refuse.But it was already too late.