Kaelun ran across the plains with long strides that barely seemed to touch the ground. Nolan held tightly to its mane like textured warm rope that pulsed with faint energy. The wind brushed against his face while the land rolled past like painted strokes. The sky brightened as the sun lifted but the eastern horizon kept its bruised colors as if refusing to welcome day.
Nolan lowered himself closer to Kaelun’s back trying to stay balanced as they crossed uneven terrain. Each leap Kaelun made felt smooth and controlled like a creature born to move across wide spaces without slowing. The plains shifted into tall grass fields that rippled like an ocean of green.
Kaelun spoke as it ran.
The riverlands lie ahead They hold ancient memories and water that remembers past travelers
Water remembers
Yes Some rivers here echo the steps of those who touched the world too deeply Their reflections show more than faces
Nolan had no idea what that meant but he kept listening because Kaelun had guided him through everything so far.
By noon they reached the first sign of the riverlands a soft roll of damp air carrying the scent of wet stone and cool moss. Pools of clear water dotted the land reflecting the sky like polished mirrors. Thin white reeds swayed gently though no wind touched them.
Kaelun slowed to a walk.
The shadow fragment moved this way
How do you know Nolan asked
Kaelun lowered its head to sniff the ground.
Because the air carries its hunger Like a smell that is not a smell
Nolan shivered.
They approached a cluster of shallow ponds. Their surfaces were too still almost unnaturally smooth as if frozen glass covered them. Nolan knelt beside one of the ponds. When he leaned closer he expected to see his reflection. Instead he saw something else.
A desert highway stretching into warm twilight
Broken fences
A rescue center sign flickering with sun damage
The life he had left behind
Nolan blinked hard and the vision faded leaving only his reflection staring back at him with tired eyes.
He whispered.
This place is messing with my head
Kaelun stood beside him.
The riverlands reflect memory They show what shapes the heart
It feels unfair
The world does not seek fairness Only truth
Before Nolan could argue the water in the next pond rippled even without a breeze. The ripples formed patterns like intertwined rings of light bending and shifting.
Kaelun’s voice sharpened.
The echo of the rift is near
Nolan stood ready though he did not know what readiness even meant here.
They walked toward the largest pond in the area a circular pool the size of a small arena. The water glowed faintly like moonlight caught beneath the surface. The reeds around it leaned inward like bowing to an unseen presence.
Nolan swallowed.
This one is different
Yes Kaelun said This pool holds the second echo
Nolan stepped closer. The surface shifted. Scenes rose within it not of his world but of the forest the plains and a swirling point of light like a whirlpool of energy connecting two skies.
A rift
Nolan whispered. That is it
Touch the water and it will show you its memory
Nolan hesitated. I do not like your definition of memory
Your courage holds true Kaelun reminded him gently
Nolan knelt and placed his fingertip in the pool.
The world snapped again.
His vision filled with swirling colors like sand storms mixed with storm clouds. He saw himself stepping into the glowing light back in his world then he saw the shadow chasing behind the light like a predator lunging from the dark.
Then something else
Something huge
A coiled shape
Eyes like distant stars
Watching him
Waiting
The vision shattered and Nolan gasped pulling his hand away.
Kaelun lowered its head.
You saw it
Yes I saw something staring at me
The hunger is not a simple force Kaelun said It was born from an ancient creature long disappeared but its desire remains
So the shadow is part of a dead creature
A remnant A will without a body
Great Nolan muttered Just what I needed A ghost monster that wants me
Kaelun nudged him gently with its snout.
Not want you The rift energy that clings to you It hungers for what you brought
What did I bring
Kaelun paused.
A thread between worlds
Before Nolan could respond the air trembled. The water in the ponds vibrated violently forming spirals that circled inward.
Kaelun stepped in front of Nolan.
It is here
The ground cracked slightly as a shape rose from one of the smaller ponds. The shadow twisted its form like smoke caught in a jar. It no longer appeared thin or childlike. Instead it had thick edges forming unstable limbs. Its body pulsed with a faint glow like it had consumed something since their last encounter.
Nolan stepped back.
It looks stronger
It fed on the echo Kaelun said It will grow with each echo it finds
The shadow jerked toward them.
Kaelun leaped.
Its tail swept like a whip breaking the shadow into splinters but this time the splinters reformed quickly into its shape again.
Nolan shouted. Kaelun watch out
Kaelun struck again but the
Kaelun growled.
It adapts
Nolan looked around desperate. The pools reflected his fear distorted his face into stretched shapes. He stepped back and stumbled into a reed. The reed hummed as if reacting to him and a small current of energy moved across it.
Nolan blinked.
Everything here echoes
Kaelun engaged the shadow piece by piece trying to keep it distracted. Nolan looked to the large pond the swirling memory still faintly visible.
Echoes show what shapes the heart
Echoes reflect
Echoes transform
He crouched beside the large pond again ignoring the trembling ground.
Nolan placed both hands into the water.
Energy surged up his arms burning without heat.
The water brightened forming a circular wave that spread outward like a ripple from his palms.
Kaelun sensed it immediately.
Nolan what are you doing
I am using an echo
You cannot shape it
I do not need to shape it I just need it to react
The ripple reached the shadow.
The creature’s form convulsed breaking into scattered pieces that rearranged into a swirling mass. It grew confused its body unable to hold a shape while the water’s reflection distorted every outline it tried to form.
Kaelun struck again this time hitting its core.
The shadow shattered into dust that drifted into the air and dissolved like smoke caught in bright sun.
The tremors stopped.
The ponds calmed.
Kaelun walked toward Nolan who pulled his shaking hands from the water.
You okay buddy Nolan breathed
Kaelun stared at him with something between shock and pride.
You used the echo without fear
I used it because fear was not helping me
Kaelun bowed its head.
Then you have begun to understand the world’s memory
Nolan let out a long slow breath.
So where is the next echo
Kaelun turned its gaze north.
Where the sky bends and the ground breathes The cliffs of hollow wind
Nolan sighed.
Of course it cannot be close or easy
The path never is Kaelun replied
They stepped away from the riverlands leaving the quiet ponds behind.