Darkness swallowed the space where Riven had stood, leaving behind only whispers and the fading echo of his name. Lysara's hands trembled as the last strands of shadow slipped through her fingers.
Kael grabbed her wrist. "We have to move. Now."
"But Riven—!"
"I know." His voice was low, steady. "But if we're dragged in too, we can't save him. We need answers first."
The corrupted forest groaned around them, alive and watching. Every tree, every shadow seemed to breathe with malevolence.
Suddenly, the Seed of Aether pulsed again. A thread of silver light extended from it, stretching ahead like a path.
"It's… guiding us?" Lysara murmured.
Kael nodded. "Then we follow. Fast."
They moved through the maze of trees, the thread of light illuminating only a few feet ahead. Behind them, faint footsteps echoed—far too soft to be human.
"The Echo?" Lysara whispered.
Kael didn't answer. His grip tightened on his sword.
At the heart of the woods, they found it—a hidden glade, untouched by corruption. An ancient monolith stood there, covered in runes glowing faintly blue.
Lysara approached and touched the stone. A voice filled the air—calm, ancient, feminine.
"Child of Aether… You seek what lies beyond memory."
"Where's Riven?" Lysara asked.
"Trapped between time and shadow. You broke the Veil, but some pieces chose to live on. He has been taken to the Hollow Plane."
Kael frowned. "Can we reach it?"
"At great cost. You must descend into the Echo's birthplace—where even the gods dare not tread."
Lysara took a deep breath. "Tell us what to do."
The runes shifted. The stone cracked open, revealing a spiral staircase descending into the earth—into utter blackness.
Kael looked at her. "No turning back."
She nodded. "We save him. No matter the cost."
Together, they stepped into the dark.