The tunnels of the Underground Network were colder than I expected, but the neon-blue hum of Echo energy made the darkness feel alive. Kael led us through twisting passages, her staff glowing faintly as she scanned every corner.
"This is the main training chamber," she announced, opening a hidden door in the tunnel wall. The room stretched wide, with walls lined in reflective metal. The air shimmered faintly, reacting to our presence.
"This is where Echo-Readers learn control," Kael continued. "And you, Aren Hale, are about to learn how dangerous it is to release it without thought."
The shadow floated beside me, nodding. "Your first lesson is simple… but critical. Channel your strongest emotion into a controlled form. Fear, anger, desperation… it doesn't matter. But it must obey your will."
I swallowed hard. "Sounds… risky."
Kael smirked. "It is. That's why most fail the first day. And those who do survive… never release Echo recklessly again."
Mira's hand tightened around mine. "I'm staying right here. If you explode again, I'll cover my eyes."
I shook my head. "No. I need to do this. Now."
Kael handed me a small, metallic sphere, faintly glowing with embedded Echo circuits.
"This will help you focus," she said. "Release a tiny portion of your Echo into it. If it breaks… well… that's why you have the shadow to guide you."
I stared at the sphere. My heartbeat thudded. Fear, excitement, and determination clashed inside me.
"Focus," the shadow murmured. "Let your mind clear, but your feeling sharpen."
I inhaled deeply. Thoughts of the Collector. The Remnant. The city. My fear. My panic. My determination not to die.
I placed my hands on the sphere.
Blue light erupted. The sphere vibrated.
A small wisp of Echo leapt from my chest, swirling around my hands. It didn't explode. It didn't vanish.
Mira gasped. "It's… beautiful."
The shadow's voice was calm. "Good. Now control it. Shape it."
I concentrated. The wisp of Echo obeyed… slowly. I tugged it to the left—it floated. Pushed it forward—it moved. Pulled it back toward my chest—it returned.
I laughed nervously. "I… I'm doing it!"
Kael clapped once. "Not bad for a beginner. But this is just the start. The next step is harder: maintain the Echo while moving, while thinking, while under stress."
A panel in the chamber slid open, revealing a holographic projection of the city streets above. Several Remnants appeared on the projection, moving toward highlighted points—the locations of Echo-Readers, including me.
"Simulated threat," Kael explained. "You need to release Echo in a controlled burst and repel them without letting it spill. One mistake, and the city would be in chaos."
I felt the fear surge. But this time… I didn't panic.
I took a breath, visualized my fear as a sharp, blue blade, and released a controlled blast toward the holographic Remnants. The energy struck, scattering the images perfectly, without spilling over.
The chamber shimmered. The hum grew softer. The shadow floated closer, nodding.
"Well done. You have taken your first real step as an Echo-Reader," it said.
Mira hugged my arm. "I knew you could do it!"
Kael's mask glinted in the dim light. "Remember this, Aren Hale: Echo can save you, or destroy you. Learn to control it. Train hard. And when the real Collectors come… you won't hesitate."
I nodded, feeling something I hadn't felt before. Power. Control. Responsibility.
And deep down… a thrill.
This was only the beginning.
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