The Underground Network's training chamber had been a small taste of control, but Kael said real mastery came from the streets.
"You'll learn more aboveground than in any chamber," Kael told us as we exited the hidden tunnels. The city buzzed neon and electric, alive with the hum of Echo. "The streets themselves are your training ground now."
I glanced at Mira. "Training… in the city?"
"Yes," Kael said, voice firm. "The city reacts to Echo. You can hide, repel Remnants, and manipulate Echo currents—but only if you understand the environment. Streets, neon signs, vents, alleys… all part of the battlefield."
The shadow hovered closer. "This is your first field mission. Not against Collectors—yet. Minor threats only. But you'll see why raw control isn't enough. Awareness, timing, and creativity matter more than strength."
Mira frowned. "Minor threats? You mean more Remnants?"
Kael nodded. "Yes. Some will attack civilians. Others patrol Echo-sensitive zones. Your job is to contain them without drawing attention—or creating new threats."
---
We moved aboveground, sticking to side alleys and shadowed rooftops. The first few blocks were quiet. Too quiet.
A faint pulse of blue energy stirred in the air ahead.
The shadow whispered, "There—your first target."
A small Remnant, barely a foot tall, darted across the street, glowing faintly in electric blue. Its movements were erratic, chaotic—but dangerous.
I took a breath, shaping a thin ribbon of Echo around my fingers.
The Remnant struck suddenly, lunging toward a group of pedestrians.
I reacted instinctively. With a sharp push of Echo, I formed a protective barrier, shielding the civilians. The Remnant bounced harmlessly off it, shrieking.
Mira gasped. "Aren! That was amazing!"
The shadow murmured approvingly. "Good. But control your burst. Excess Echo can harm innocents."
The Remnant recoiled and split into two smaller forms. I had to act quickly. I focused, weaving a second ribbon of Echo to corral them together. My heart pounded with every pulse of energy.
Sparks flew as the Remnants collided mid-air, dissipating into harmless vapor.
"Not bad," Kael said from the rooftops above. "Now, the next challenge."
---
The streets ahead shifted suddenly. Holographic ads flickered, neon lights warped, and I realized we had entered a Collector patrol zone—a network of Echo-sensitive checkpoints.
The shadow's voice tensed. "These are controlled zones. Unauthorized Echo use will trigger alarms. You must navigate carefully."
I felt the Echo pulse stronger inside me, itching to be released.
"Focus," I muttered. "Observe, anticipate, control."
We slipped through the alleys, weaving shadows and neon light, avoiding the small drones scanning for unauthorized Echo. The air vibrated with tension. Every step required perfect timing.
Finally, we reached a safe rooftop. Mira slumped against the railing. "I thought… I thought they'd catch us."
I exhaled, my chest heaving. "We made it. Barely."
The shadow floated beside me. "Congratulations, Aren Hale. You survived your first real mission in the city. But this was just the beginning. The streets are alive. And every action you take will have consequences."
Kael's eyes glinted under the neon. "Tomorrow, we escalate. You'll face multiple Remnants simultaneously. And your control will be tested further."
I clenched my fists, feeling the pulse of Echo surge inside me. Fear was still there—but now it was matched with purpose.
The city below buzzed, oblivious to the unseen war taking shape above and beneath it.
And I was ready to fight.