The rooftop was quiet. Mira leaned against the wall, still catching her breath. The city below hummed, alive with neon energy, unaware of the unseen war unfolding above and beneath it.
Kael's mask reflected the faint glow of the city. "Good work today. But don't get comfortable. You've just entered the front lines."
I nodded, but my mind was racing. The mission felt like a success, but the Collector I'd glimpsed on the building earlier… it had been studying me. Waiting.
The shadow hovered nearby. "You've performed well. But raw skill alone won't be enough. You'll need strategy, allies, and awareness of other Echo-Readers. Not all are friendly."
Mira frowned. "Other Echo-Readers? Friendly? Aren, you mean there are more like you running around?"
"Yes," the shadow said. "Some aligned with the Network, some independent… and some… dangerous."
Before I could ask more, a faint ripple of Echo energy swept across the rooftop.
I froze. The sensation was subtle, but it was there. Someone else… had Echo.
A figure stepped from the shadows of the adjacent building. Sleek, black outfit with faint neon lines, similar to Kael's but sharper, more angular. A short, hooded cloak hid most of their face, but glowing amber eyes reflected the city lights.
"You Aren Hale?" the figure asked. Voice low, confident, edged with mockery.
I tensed. "Who are you?"
The figure's lips curved slightly under the hood. "Call me Soren. I hear Echo. And I've been… watching you."
The shadow stirred nervously. "Soren is a rogue Echo-Reader. Highly skilled. Extremely unpredictable."
Mira's hand gripped mine. "Rogue? Aren… be careful."
Soren took a step closer, letting the amber glow of their eyes shine brighter. "Impressive first mission. But sloppy. I could have taken that Remnant before you even reacted."
I swallowed. "So… are you friend or enemy?"
Soren tilted their head. "Neither… yet. That depends on how well you handle what comes next."
The shadow floated closer, voice tense. "This is a test, Aren. Your control, your instincts, your courage… all will be measured. And Soren is not someone you can underestimate."
Soren's eyes flickered toward Mira. "And you've got a tag-along. Interesting choice. Let's see if you can protect her… while controlling your Echo."
I clenched my fists. Fear, adrenaline, and determination surged through me. I focused on the blue glow within my chest—the Echo I had shaped and controlled earlier.
Soren lunged forward, releasing a thin, jagged stream of amber Echo energy toward me. It struck the rooftop near my feet, splintering the concrete edge.
I reacted instinctively, unleashing a controlled wave of my blue Echo to counter it. The amber and blue clashed mid-air, sparking like neon lightning.
Mira gasped. "Aren! Watch out!"
I pushed harder, focusing every ounce of control. The collision of Echo forces created a brief shockwave, throwing both of us a few feet back. Soren landed gracefully, smirk returning under the hood.
"Not bad," they said. "But raw energy won't save you. You need precision."
The shadow's voice rang out urgently. "Remember, Aren. Echo is power—but it is also responsibility. Control it. Anticipate. Do not rely solely on force."
I nodded, feeling the weight of their words. This wasn't a simple fight. This was a lesson, a challenge, and a warning all at once.
Soren took another step forward, amber eyes gleaming. "Let's see what you've truly got, Echo-Reader."
I exhaled, heart pounding. The city below hummed with energy. The rooftop felt alive. And deep inside me, the Echo pulsed like a storm ready to break.
This was the first real test against another Echo-Reader.
And I wasn't planning to lose.
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