The streets above Lumina District were alive with neon, but tonight they felt different. Every billboard, every glowing storefront, seemed to pulse in rhythm with the Echo lingering in the air.
Kael led Mira and me through the side alleys, her staff faintly glowing. The shadow floated beside me, a silent guide and constant reminder that the city was no longer safe.
"Your first mission," Kael said, "is simple in theory: repel a minor Remnant attacking civilians without attracting a Collector. Think of it as a test."
I swallowed. Minor Remnant.
After facing the one in the chamber, "minor" sounded anything but safe.
We stopped at a busy intersection. Holo-ads flashed everywhere. People hustled past, oblivious to the unseen threat.
Kael pointed to a glowing blue wisp hovering above a subway entrance. "There. That's your target."
The shadow drifted closer. "Remember, control is more important than strength. Let your fear guide you, but do not let it consume you."
I nodded. Slowly, I reached inward. Feel the Echo. Pull it, shape it… control it.
A cold breeze swept past. The wisp darted downward, its form solidifying. Small limbs, glowing eyes, jagged edges. A minor Remnant.
It shrieked, invisible to everyone except me and Mira.
"Go!" Kael whispered.
I exhaled. Pushed the fear aside, focused. I raised my hands, and a sharp pulse of blue Echo shot forward. It struck the Remnant, scattering parts of its form like sparks.
The wisp reformed immediately, but I kept it under control, swinging bursts of Echo with precision.
Mira shouted, "Be careful, Aren!"
A pedestrian suddenly stepped into the path of the Remnant. I froze for a split second, but the shadow nudged me. "Focus. Protect them."
I angled a wave of Echo, forming a barrier that shielded the pedestrian. The Remnant shrieked again, bouncing off the barrier harmlessly.
"Good," the shadow murmured. "You're learning fast. But stay aware—the city reacts to Echo."
I realized what it meant when the neon lights flickered violently, holographic ads warped, and a faint hum grew louder.
A sleek, masked figure appeared atop a building across the street—another Collector.
"You've drawn attention," the shadow said sharply. "They sense your Echo."
Panic tried to rise inside me. But Mira squeezed my arm. "You can do this."
I took a deep breath, feeling fear and determination blend into a sharp, glowing energy. I unleashed a controlled wave of Echo that sent the Remnant retreating into the shadows of the subway.
The Collector's mechanical voice echoed: "Extraction delayed. Subject not yet secured."
I barely exhaled before Kael shouted: "Time to disappear!"
We dashed through alleys, using the shadow to mask our Echo trail. The city felt alive, reacting to every heartbeat, every flicker of power I emitted.
Finally, we reached a hidden rooftop. Mira slumped against the wall, breathing hard.
"You did it," she said.
I wiped sweat from my brow. "We did it."
The shadow hovered close, nodding. "First mission complete. But remember this: the city is always watching. And the next Remnant won't be minor."
Kael's voice softened slightly. "You survived today. That means you have potential. But surviving is just the first lesson. You will need strategy, allies, and control to survive what's coming."
I clenched my fists, feeling a spark of excitement and fear. The streets below buzzed with Echo, alive and unpredictable.
The first real taste of the city had changed me.
This was not a game. This was life—or death.
And I was ready to play.