Echoed Lands

Chapter 96: Everfrost Ruins XIII


Colm stepped forward, making his way toward the scattered ruins, his steps pressing into the damp ground. The once-massive structure that had collapsed earlier still loomed ahead, pinning down what he assumed had been the largest Cryoshark based on the massive fin he had seen beneath it. Now, that same fin was slowly melting away, its form dissolving into nothingness as the last traces of the freezing water faded.

He paused at each Cryoshark corpse he passed, gesturing for his phantoms to assist. With precision, they carved out the glowing Cryoshark eyes, allowing him to deposit them into his inventory one by one.

Hopefully, these sell for a good amount.

Holding up one of the blue, luminescent orbs, he examined it closely, still puzzled. Why are these such a high tier though? Normally, creatures within echoes matched the expected tier except for bosses and rare spawns, yet these Cryosharks had remained stronger than they should have been.

His thoughts lingered as he reached the largest ruined column he had found earlier. The giant fin pinned beneath it was monstrous, its sheer size making his stomach twist. He watched in silence as it slowly melted, the last remnants of the once-dominant beast fading away.

A shiver ran down his spine.

If that thing had still been alive when everything settled...

The grim thought surfaced before he could stop it.

"What would've happened to me?"

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head to dispel the dread creeping into his mind.

"Okay," he muttered, glancing around, trying to figure out his next move.

One thing was clear: if there were any Cryosharks left, they'd have no way to move now that the water was gone. That could make his path forward easier, but it also meant one major downside.

His shoulders slumped.

"No easy levels," he sighed. "And no more feeling like an absolute powerhouse in the water."

He frowned, kicking at a loose stone.

"Really should've thought things through earlier," he muttered, regret tinging his voice.

With a sigh, he turned his gaze toward the ruins, scanning for any paths that stood out.

The Cryosharks had originated from one direction, off to his right. He turned toward it, considering his options.

"Maybe that's the way to go," he shrugged.

With his phantoms in tow, he headed toward the only promising direction.

The minutes ticked by as Colm pressed forward, his steps echoing softly against the shallow water.

"How big is this chasm?" he wondered, his gaze sweeping over the endless ruins stretching before him. "This is no ordinary fountain depth... I've never seen anything like this."

He passed crumbling structures, each more ancient and worn than the last. The air was thick with a lingering chill, remnants of the once-submerged ruins still thawing.

"Really does give the name Everfrost Ruins an apt description," he mused, watching as sheets of ice slowly melted, droplets of water pinging against the puddles below. The sound was rhythmic, almost hypnotic, like a ticking clock marking the passage of time.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

His mind drifted back to the portal, to the sheer volume of water that had flooded into the Lucent Grove.

"How much actually drained through?"

"And... how long was I just standing there, staring at the petals?"

A troubled frown settled over his face. "It doesn't seem possible... it was as if I was in some kind of trance."

The memory clawed at the edges of his mind: the overwhelming beauty, the way it had stilled him, unearthed old wounds, and left an ache in his chest that refused to fade.

He shook his head. Not now. He had no time to dwell on it.

"Hey, Carver," he said, coming to a stop, grateful for the distraction.

His Phantom Warrior halted beside him, turning its spectral gaze toward him, waiting.

Colm grinned. Without hesitation, he activated Phantom Harbinger.

Then, slowly, the knight turned its helmeted head toward him, awaiting orders.

"I still can't get over this... its incredible," he muttered, watching as his other phantoms immediately became more solid and defined.

"Let's keep experimenting and see what Herb can do."

Focusing on the connection, he gestured forward. The Harbinger moved with surprising grace, each step creating small shockwaves as puddles of water erupted from its feet.

When it swung its massive blade in a test strike, the resulting tidal wave of energy sent created tidal water crashing in all directions.

Colm's laughter rang out, wild and exhilarated. "Oh... this is going to be a lot of fun."

Colm gestured forward and his entire phantom army began to advance. The Phantom Harbinger led the charge, each massive step continuing to create shockwaves that rippled through the water. Carver, Lance, and Robin flanked the towering knight, their reinforced forms moving with newfound coordination.

The sight was breathtaking: it looked like a legitimate squad, a spectral battalion that moved like a tide across the ruined landscape.

The Harbinger's presence seemed to synchronize his other phantoms, creating a formation that was both intimidating and tactically sound.

A smile pulled at his lips.

"Hurry up, slowpokes!" he called back, laughing as he sprinted ahead, his exhilaration mounting.

The crumbling ruins, once frozen and submerged, flashed by as he sped through the open pathways. He barely registered them, his mind focused on one goal: moving forward.

But as the minutes ticked by, Colm found himself settling into a comfortable rhythm with the massive spectral knight that empowered his phantoms and his own self at his side as he would summon it each time it faded.

He let out a breathless chuckle, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted to the power flowing through him.

"Hey buddy," he smirked, glancing at Carver. "We're gonna reach amazing heights, I can feel it."

He clenched his fist, his pulse still thrumming from the adrenaline of the sprint, the aftershock of power leaving a strange, almost addictive longing in his chest.

Turning, he glanced back.

In the distance, Lance and Robin's silhouettes flickered against the ruins, their forms slowly catching up.

"Heh, we'll give them a minute to—"

Then his eyes widened.

"Wait... I forgot!"

"I leveled up Phantom Harbinger earlier," he blurted out, his hands already moving as he pulled up the ability's description.

Active Ability: Phantom Harbinger (Level 1)

Mana: 50

Summons a towering spectral knight for a short duration. The Harbinger is slow but heavily armored, capable of absorbing attacks while delivering devastating cleaving strikes. While active, all other Phantoms gain increased durability. Only one Harbinger can be active at a time.

Tide Attunement Effect: The Phantom Harbinger's strikes crash like tidal waves, sending out small shockwaves that knock back enemies in its path. Additionally, while active, other phantoms regenerate gradually, mirroring the rise and fall of the tide, ensuring they last longer in battle.

"Nice!" Colm grinned, noting that the duration terminology had changed to short, his voice echoing through the ruins.

Carver glanced over at the outburst, and Colm waved a hand. "Just checking on the upgrades, buddy."

His mind buzzed with the possibilities of having the Harbinger as a more reliable companion, no longer needing to worry as much about timing or limitations.

"Alright," he said, voice brimming with anticipation. He turned his gaze toward the depths of the ruins, eyes alight with newfound purpose. "Let's see how far we get this time." His smile deepened as he took off, feet already moving.

"Hopefully... we make it to the end."

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