Chapter 4: The Echoes
Beneath Ruin
The van hummed softly as it sped down the moonlit highway, cutting through mist like
a blade. Eiji stood between Amane and Riku, arms crossed, legs cramped, and
already regretting not faking a cold.
"Remind me why I'm here again?" he muttered.
"Because this is your observation test",
Seraphina said from the front without looking
back.
"And because if you stayed behind, you'd probably peek into the girls' locker
room again."
"That was one time. And I was looking for... educational purposes."
Amane giggled softly beside him. Riku didn't even blink.
Seraphina's eyes glinted in the rearview mirror.
Ruins of Saint Merival Convent – 10:42 PM
The building loomed like a corpse, half-swallowed by ivy and time. Broken
stained-glass windows caught moonlight like shattered memories. An unnatural chill
hung in the air.
Eiji stepped out last, hugging his jacket close.
"Ugh. Creepy church ruins. What is this, a horror film?"
"No," Miya said dryly.
"You don't get to die first. You're the comic relief."
"Oh, thank goodness—HEY."
Seraphina gathered the group.
"This is a recon-exorcise mission,
" she said. Mana readings show multiple echo
anomalies. Primary objective: neutralize threats. Secondary: Protect Amane.
Tertiary…
" She looked straight at Eiji,"
…do not mess up.
Mission Start – Ruined Chapel Interior
The place reeked of mildew and regret. Statues of angels had long since crumbled.
The air pulsed unnaturally.
"Echoes,
" Ayaka whispered.
"They're here."
"Echoes?" Eiji asked.
"Residual memories,
" Riku said.
Think. They remember—and lash out."
"Violent souls trapped in mana loops. They don't
"Oh good,
" Eiji muttered.
"So we're fighting cursed holograms.
"
Eiji gave a thumbs-up.
"I'm built for failure. I'll nail it."
She sighed.
"Let me explain everyone's roles, for your tiny mortal brain."
She gestured like pieces on a chessboard.
"I'm the King. I lead from the rear and maintain our command circle."
"Riku is our Knight—swift and strategic frontline."
"Miya is the Rook. Brutal, fast, and terrifying when annoyed."
"Ayaka is our Queen. Versatile, powerful, and always one move ahead."
"Amane is the Bishop. Support and cleansing."
She turned to Eiji. A slow smirk curled on her lips.
"And you… You're the Pawn.
"
Eiji blinked.
Shining—"
"Wait—no. I'm probably, like, a hidden rook, right? Or the Knight in
"No. Pawn."
"Oh, I'm a paw—WHAAAT?! I'M A PAWN?!"
His voice cracked three times.
"I'm gonna cry. I'm seriously gonna cry."
"I brought tissues,
" Amane whispered kindly.
Miya walked past him.
"Try not to die first, Pawn-kun."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll sit here and soak in my self-worth."
Suddenly, a low hum echoed from the altar. A shape coalesced—a former priest in
tattered robes, eyes hollow, body dripping with black mist. A memory of someone
who once had faith… and lost it.
"Contact," Miya snapped.
"Engaging."
She launched first, her fists glowing with dark-red energy. Riku followed, drawing a
blade of condensed spirit. They fought with elegance and precision, but the echo
adapted.
Chains erupted from its arms. Spiritual barbs slammed into the walls. The phantom
screamed, its mouth unhinged.
Amane flinched. Her barrier shimmered, strained.
Eiji stood beside her, useless.
Until the barrier cracked.
A chain surged toward them.
"AMANE!"
Without thinking, Eiji threw himself between her and the chain.
Pain exploded across his arm as the impact sent him flying.
"Eiji!" she screamed.
He hit the ground hard, but didn't black out.
Instead… something else stirred.
The falcon seal on his hand glowed violently.
Then—BOOM.
A dark gauntlet erupted from his right arm.
Obsidian-black. Laced with violet runes. Fingers shaped like claws. A cracked
The amethyst gem pulsed on its back.
Eiji's breath caught.
"What the actual hell—"
The air around him trembled.
The phantom screeched, hesitating.
"Everyone, stand down!" Seraphina yelled.
Even Miya froze.
The mist around Eiji thickened. His gauntlet emitted a haunting hum. Amane's eyes
widened.
Seraphina stared, eyes narrowing.
That power… no. It can't be...
Eiji stood, shaky.
"What is this thing?"
The gauntlet responded. A tendril of violet flame lashed out, clashing with the
phantom's chain and vaporizing it midair.
"Holy—"
"Don't speak,
" Seraphina said quickly, eyes locked on his gauntlet.
The phantom shrieked and began dissolving, unable to hold form against the
Backlash of power.
Amane rushed to Eiji's side.
"Your arm…"
"I know! It's cool, isn't it, but edgier!"
"I don't know what that means."
"I don't either!"
Aftermath – Chapel Ruins
The echo was gone. The chapel is silent.
Eiji sat near the cracked altar, cradling his still-glowing arm. The gauntlet had
retracted… but the warmth remained.
The others gave him distance. Even Miya seemed uncharacteristically quiet.
Only Seraphina stood nearby, arms crossed.
"Eiji blinked."
...Cool.
"
Later – Outside
The team began to leave. Eiji lingered.
The moonlight bathed the ruined chapel in silver. Cold wind tugged at his jacket.
He stared at the empty altar. His hand flexed.
Two powers. One known. One unknown.
The Omnivore's Eye… and this new force.
He whispered to the night:
"What's happening to me…?"
The gauntlet's gem pulsed faintly.
But did not answer.
End of Chapter 4