Before dawn, Akano and Sayano slept deeply in the inn, lulled by the relative safety of their room. But beyond the walls, in the ether of this world and beyond time, The Silent Creator forged a new being, the incarnation of corruption and boundless greed: he named it the Echo of Desolation.
This being thought only of itself. Greed and the desire for power guided it, with no consideration for the lives of others. Its logic always placed its own interest above all else, even if it meant sacrificing millions to satisfy its ambitions. Every breath it drew carried the promise of manipulation, betrayal, and total domination.
The Silent Creator infused it with omniscience: the ability to perceive, understand, and manipulate everything happening around it. The Echo could already sense the mechanisms of the world, the weaknesses of every living being, and how to turn every situation to its advantage.
Its voice immediately echoed in the void, dark, mischievous, and full of pride:
- "The only truth life knows is self-preservation. Everything else is illusion and weakness."
- "Those who stand at the top must trample the rest, for pity is the luxury of the dead."
- "Every mind can be a weapon, every heart a currency… and every life a price I decide to pay or crush."
As it rose above the world, the Echo of Desolation observed continents, villages, and dungeons, scrutinizing every life, every gesture, every thought. Its voice addressed The Silent Creator:
- "I see this world… and it is weak, fragmented. These creatures are mere ants, moving without knowledge. May I observe their dance and decide when to intervene?"
- "Yes," replied The Silent Creator. "Your place is above. You will see, you will judge, you will manipulate if you wish. But remember: your role is not to rule yet, but to learn, understand, and weigh the fragility of this world."
- "Then I will remain, and I will watch these ants stir… until the right moment comes to sow chaos or take what is mine," murmured the Echo.
Dawn finally slid through the inn's shutters. Akano and Sayano awoke, their senses immediately alert: the subtle rustle of leaves, the distant calls of unknown creatures.
- Sayano: "The village seems… peaceful, yet tension lingers beneath the surface."
- Akano: "Peace is only a mask. Strength reveals the truth hidden beneath."
They descended into the courtyard. The villagers, few and cautious, cast glances betraying their unease. Three women followed at a distance, submissive in posture, heads bowed. Sayano observed, noting how instinctive fear could be measured and controlled.
- Sayano: "The fear they carry… it's raw, almost quantifiable."
- Akano: "Useful. It allows us to evaluate both control and influence."
The innkeeper approached hesitantly.
- Innkeeper: "Greetings, travelers. Do you plan to stay long in the village?"
- Akano: "We need provisions and information. Everything else is secondary."
Their morning unfolded between the market and the village streets. Akano cataloged the inhabitants: humans, dwarves, and a few elves, all performing mundane tasks, yet their posture and movement revealed social hierarchy, magical conditioning, and survival instinct.
Suddenly, commotion arose: a merchant shouted, pointing at a boy whose body shimmered with a strange light. Akano identified the residue of an artifact.
- Sayano: "A child and an artifact… dangerous combination."
- Akano: "Let's observe discreetly."
The crowd stepped back, fascinated or terrified. Akano neutralized the artifact's aura with a subtle gesture, and whispers spread through the villagers.
By midday, they returned to the inn. Akano unfolded a detailed map: lands, dungeons, ruins.
- Akano: "The dungeon was only a fragment of this continent. Every kingdom hides secrets of power, lost arts, forbidden knowledge."
- Sayano: "And those who hold them… are not always visible."
- Akano: "We will find them. And then, the balance will change."
They summoned the three women. Fear enveloped them like a second skin.
- Akano: "You will serve. Information, obedience, survival this is your path."
- Wolf-Woman: "Yes… my lords."
- Human: "I understand."
- Demon: "We will not fail."
Before nightfall, Akano spent the evening observing them, analyzing every move and reaction. At night's onset, he released them: they were free to leave, free to return or not. The initial fear had transformed into silent, lasting respect, yet their independence remained intact.
As the night progressed, a distant shiver was felt. Akano narrowed his eyes: something ancient and formidable stirred beneath the earth.
- Akano: "A pulse… neither from this village nor any known dungeon. Something moves in the ancient world."
- Sayano: "The hierarchy of powers… already in motion. And we are now in its path."
- Akano: "Then we prepare. Tonight we rest, and tomorrow we act."
Night fell heavily, whispers of power caressing their consciousness. Even in sleep, their minds scanned the horizon.
As their sleep deepened, a shiver ran through Sayano's mind. The Echo of Desolation silently penetrated his subconscious, appearing as an imposing, terrifying presence. For the first time in his life, Sayano sweated, his body trembling despite the inn's safety.
He found himself plunged into an oppressive void. The Echo's voice echoed, dark and mischievous:
- "Fear is your master, Sayano. Accept it, or it will consume you."
- "The world is but a chessboard, and you… a naive pawn who thinks he knows power."
- "Alliances are worthless, loyalty an illusion, and morality… a toy for those who fear the truth."
- "Every life has a price I decide to pay or crush. And you are nothing but a fragile observer of my will."
Sayano tried to awaken, but the Echo blocked all access to his conscious mind. Each word saturated his thoughts with anguish and visions of manipulation and domination.
- Echo: "Do you think you can resist what you do not even understand? Your fear is the beginning of clarity… and soon, you will know what it truly means to be powerless."
Desperate, Sayano finally spoke:
- Sayano: "Who are you to enter my mind like this? What do you want from me?"
- Echo: "I am the one who sees, the one who judges. And you, miserable human, will bitterly regret daring to enter my domain."
- Sayano: "You think I am weak… I am not a pawn!"
- Echo: "A pawn believes it can move at will. But in my universe, every movement belongs to me… and you do not comprehend the scope of what you face."
- Sayano: "Then I will show you… I will not be manipulated. Even without an artifact, I can defend myself!"
In a cry of desperation and defiance:
- Sayano: "MIRROR!"
The artifact activated, a divine light enveloping him, suffocating the Echo's presence.
- Sayano: "Mirror, make a pact with me! Allow me to wield the full power of artifacts and repel this entity!"
The Echo tried to oppose, but the Mirror's power was absolute. Its voice became an insignificant whisper. The pact was sealed.
- Sayano: "MIRROR! Send this being back where it came from and plunge it into darkness!"
The Echo was disoriented, cast into the ether, limited in its actions. Exhausted from the psychic battle, Sayano finally fell asleep again. The night continued peacefully outside, but the shadow of the Echo and the power of the Mirror left an indelible mark on his consciousness.