Kaelun carried Nolan north through changing terrain that grew stranger with each passing mile. The plains gave way to wider patches of stone where cracks traced patterns like old maps. The wind whistled through these cracks creating thin musical tones that drifted across the open land.
Nolan tried not to think about how the tones sounded almost like voices.
Kaelun moved with steady urgency.
The cliffs are close The air already shifts
Nolan gripped its mane tightly.
What exactly are the hollow winds
Air that carries no scent and no life But holds memory of sound
That does not help
You will understand when we arrive
The land sloped upward into tall ridges made of pale rock. Their surfaces were carved by deep cuts as if shaped by claws larger than any creature Nolan had seen. The wind here felt hollow cold in a way that did not belong to the normal world.
When they reached the top of the ridge Nolan’s breath caught.
The cliffs stretched far beyond sight like giant ribs of a stone creature. The hollow wind moved through gaps creating deep tones that vibrated through Nolan’s chest.
Kaelun lowered its posture.
Be mindful Nolan Graves These cliffs are old They remember more than they show
Nolan stepped toward the nearest edge. Far below the ground shimmered with heat even though the air here felt cold. The cliffs hummed like the inside of a massive drum.
Kaelun spoke softly.
The third echo hides here
Where
Kaelun lifted its head listening.
The wind will reveal it
The hollow wind shifted direction suddenly blowing toward the far side of the ridge. Nolan followed Kaelun quickly gripping the creature’s tail whenever the stone path thinned or sloped dangerously.
They reached a large circular hollow carved into the cliffside. It looked natural but also intentional like something carved it with purpose.
Nolan felt the air change.
Inside the hollow the wind spun in a perfect vertical circle like an invisible wheel of air.
This is it Nolan whispered
Yes Kaelun replied The echo rests within the hollow wind
Nolan approached slowly. When he reached the edge of the spinning air he felt a deep rumble move through him like a growl from beneath the cliff.
He placed his hand into the spinning wind.
The cliffside dissolved around him.
He saw himself again this time not in his world but walking alongside Kaelun across plains across forests across rivers each step echoing into the ground as if shaping new paths.
Then he saw the shadow
Not as a fragment but as a larger presence like a tall formless giant covered in shifting darkness. It watched him with no face but its awareness pressed into him like weight.
Then he saw something else
A crack in the sky
A thin line splitting open revealing swirling light on the other side
A rift
But this one was larger wider more dangerous than the one he had passed through.
The vision snapped and Nolan gasped pulling his hand away.
Kaelun stepped closer its eyes sharp.
You saw the larger rift
Yes and it is growing
Then the shadow is gathering strength faster than expected
Nolan brushed dust off his palms.
Kaelun how many echoes are left
Kaelun turned slowly its tail curling around Nolan protectively.
Three more But each one will challenge you more deeply
Nolan nodded even though his heart felt heavy.
So what now
Kaelun lowered itself so he could climb on again.
Now we follow the hollow winds to their end Beyond these cliffs the land breaks And the fourth echo rests where the sky falls into stone
Nolan sighed.
I guess rest is not happening
Rest travels with you when you carry purpose Kaelun answered
Nolan smirked a little.
You say things that sound wise but make me tired
Kaelun made a low amused rumble.
Then hold on keeper The world shifts again
They stepped along the edge of the cliffs toward a new path forming in the rising hollow wind.
The shadow far to the east pulsed like a distant heartbeat growing stronger with every echo destroyed.
And Nolan knew the real fight was coming soon.