Chapter 41: The Planet Where Life Echoes and the Hidden Guardians
After the nightmare of the Fortress of the Void, this new world was an oasis for Kael and Aslan. The sky was illuminated by the soft light of multiple suns, and the leaves of the giant emerald trees surrounding them danced on the forest floor. The air was filled with the heady scent of a thousand different flowers and fresh soil. The air was filled with the luminous spores floating in the air and the sounds of exotic birds chirping around, showing how intertwined this planet was with life.
Kael felt the energy of this vibrant environment heal his wounded body and exhausted soul. The Chitauri core pulsed calmly yet powerfully in his palm, resonating with the pure life energy of this planet. Unlike the echoes of chaos and destruction he had felt before, this place whispered peace, balance, and renewal. As the Echo Carrier, he could perceive this natural energy more clearly, and find some kind of harmony with it.
"This place is… incredible," Aslan said, mesmerized by the beauty around him. "After the previous hell, this is heaven."
"Don't be fooled by appearances, Aslan," Kael warned, still alert, even though the peaceful atmosphere impressed him. "It's unlikely that this place is untouched by the Lords of the Void. There may be dangers hidden beneath this beauty."
After a few hours of rest and recovery, they began to move deeper into the forest, guided by the Star Compass. The compass led them to a vast riverbed and a mysterious city fed by this river, built of stone and moss that was clearly ancient. The architecture of the city was unlike anything they had ever seen before; it seemed to be an extension of the trees and rocks, intertwined with nature.
As they approached the entrance to the city, they were greeted by an unexpected encounter. Humanoid beings, with skin resembling bark and eyes that glowed like the deepest green of the forest, blocked their path. They held bows and spears made of glowing crystals and living vines. These beings were not noble or wise like the Star Singers, but they carried the power of the land and the resilience of the wild.
"Stop, strangers!" said a figure with a horn-like crown, who seemed to be their leader. His voice was like the sound of wind and flowing water. "You shall not approach our Sacred Forest and the 'Heart of Life' without permission."
"We are not here to harm," Kael said, pointing to the Chitauri core and the Star Compass. "I am an Echo Bearer. I am here to strengthen the Great Seal against the Lords of the Void. The Compass guides us to the 'Heart of Life'."
The guardians of the forest paused for a moment at Kael's words and the artifacts in his hand. They whispered to each other in a language they did not understand. Their leader looked Kael up and down. "Echo Bearer? Our ancient legends speak of you. But the shadows of the Void can also take many forms." The leader looked Kael in the eyes. "If you have truly come to protect the Heart of Life, you must first prove to us the purity of your intentions."
This time, the test was not a maze or a puzzle. The guardians of the forest led Kael and Aslan to an area where the energy of the Void was seeping through, rotting part of the forest and threatening the life there. "This," the leader said. "is the poison of the Void. If you are truly an Echo Bearer and worthy of the Heart of Life, you must stop this rot and restore life here."
This was a new challenge for Kael. Previously, he had focused on destroying or manipulating energy. Now, he had to create, heal. The Chitauri core was filled with the pure life energy of this planet. Kael closed his eyes and tried to remember the harmony, the balance he had felt during the Star Singers' test. He began to channel the echo energy, not as a weapon this time, but as a source of healing.
When the pure, white light from his palms touched the rotten soil and the dying plants, something incredible happened. The soil began to revive, the plants began to grow, and the darkness of the Void began to retreat. It was a grueling process that took hours and required all of Kael's will and energy. The lion guarded him during this time, keeping watch for any possible attack.
Finally, the rotten area was completely cleared, giving way to fresh shoots and vibrant colors. Kael was exhausted, but he had succeeded. The guardians of the forest bowed to Kael in respect as they witnessed this miracle.
"You," said their leader, his voice filled with admiration. "You are indeed an Echo Bearer. The Song of Life is with you. You are worthy to enter the Heart of Life."
Guided by the guardians of the forest, Kael and Aslan reached the center of that ancient city, the "Heart of Life" hidden in the roots of a gigantic tree, pulsating with a powerful life force. It was the echo point on this planet and one of the most important parts of the Great Seal. And now Kael was ready to strengthen it.
But just as they had stepped into this sacred space, Kael's Chitauri core suddenly began to vibrate violently. A distant cry for help, a distress signal, echoed into his mind. It was not from this planet, nor from any nearby star system. This signal... came from Earth. Fisk's shadow, the worries of the Nova Corps, and the small Echo he had left behind, suddenly came back to Kael's mind.