Five figures moved steadily through the valley below, their forms small but distinct in the lens of his binoculars. He watched them with a mixture of disdain and anticipation, tracking every step they took. They were careful, their eyes frequently scanning their surroundings, as if sensing his presence. But he was skilled, maintaining a distance that kept him safely out of sight.
He adjusted his position slightly, crouching lower behind the cover of a jagged rock formation. The group he trailed had been trekking through the valley for hours, and he had followed them with unwavering focus. Each time they paused, he halted as well, blending into the rocky landscape with practiced ease.
From time to time, one of them would turn and peer into the distance, eyes narrowing as they searched for something—or someone—that might be shadowing them. He felt a flicker of irritation but quickly suppressed it. He could use his invisibility, slip into the shadows and become a ghost. But he knew better than to waste such a valuable asset on mere paranoia. The power had its limits, and it would be wise to reserve it for a moment of true necessity.
The figures below reached the base of the ridge and began to climb, their movements slow and cautious. He followed at a distance, his eyes never leaving them, his mind calculating every possible outcome.
A sudden movement caught his attention—a massive beast emerged a stone’s throw away from the group. The creature’s hulking form loomed menacingly, its eyes glinting with predatory intent. The five figures he had been tracking froze, not daring to move and risk triggering the beast’s aggression.
Seizing the moment, he dashed forward, summoning his Echo with a swift, practiced motion. The familiar sensation of invisibility washed over him, and he became a ghost in the landscape. This was his chance. Amid the chaos, he could steal the Resonance Key without them even knowing he was there.
He moved quickly, leaping from rock to rock, finding the nearest route to the now-immobilized group. His heart pounded with the thrill of the hunt, each step calculated and silent. As he neared, he noticed the beast had already begun attacking one of the group members, who was swiftly dodging its strikes. Despite the commotion, his focus remained on the Professor.
The Professor shouted, directing his voice toward the person the beast was attacking. The sound caught the creature’s notice, and it turned its massive head toward the Professor. This was his chance. He set himself, ready to move.
The beast dashed towards the Professor, its heavy footsteps thundering through the valley. As it did, another figure caught his eye—a boy who ran past him, not seeing him in his invisible state. The near-collision almost distracted him, but he quickly refocused on the Professor. He sprinted towards the Professor, knowing his own footsteps would be masked by the cacophony of the beast’s charge.
Just as the Professor dodged the beast’s attack, he leaped forward. With a skillful maneuver, his hand reached into the Professor’s right pocket, successfully pulling out the Resonance Key. He landed on his feet, almost losing his balance. He paused, heart racing, and looked at the Professor.
It seemed the Professor had felt something tug at him, but his attention quickly returned to the beast as it attacked two more from the group. Suddenly, a melodic whistle pierced the chaos, and the beast stopped, its aggression halted by the sound.
His attention was briefly drawn to the boy, who was approaching the beast with careful, measured steps. But he quickly brushed away the curiosity. His mission had been accomplished—he had the Resonance Key. There was no need to waste any more time here.
With calculated care, he began to move away, making sure to keep a safe distance from the group. They were all focused on the boy, their attention locked on what he was about to do with the beast. The distraction allowed him to slip into the shadows unnoticed, his movements deliberate and quiet.
As he retreated, he caught snippets of the group’s murmured conversation, their tone shifting. They had encountered someone from Eternal Resonance, a new development that piqued his interest, but not enough to risk his own position. He remained hidden, confident that his presence had gone undetected.
Once he was certain he was at a safe distance, out of earshot and unnoticed, he reached into his gear and grabbed the radio. With a steady hand, he pressed the button, his voice calm and measured as he spoke into it.
“Seems like the tide has changed. I have the Resonance Key.”
* * *
“Kellan has stolen the Resonance Key,” Kenzie announced to the group, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he held the radio in his hand.
Ivy crossed her arms, a hint of frustration in her voice. “We should have had it earlier if we’d just attacked the group. I can’t wait to make that girl pay for what she did.”
“You and your hasty decisions,” Kenzie replied. “We need a smarter approach. Last time, they outmaneuvered us. This time, we must ensure we accomplish our purpose, and return the favor to the Light-Bringer.”
“So where are we going next?” Titus asked, his gaze shifting between the others.
“The Light-Bringer said that once we take hold of the Resonance Key, we should head far west to the chasm—the border of Eternal Resonance and Negative Harmony, and create an opening in the barrier,” Kenzie replied.
* * *
“Do you really think the Resonance Key fell from Professor Mackenzie’s pocket?” Jazz asked in a quiet voice, glancing up at Leeland, who was walking beside him.
They were crossing the long hanging bridge, the sea of clouds stretching endlessly beneath them as they made their way toward the valley where they had encountered the beast. Leading the way were S’jarre and Professor Mackenzie, their figures steady ahead. Behind them walked Keilee and Gabe, followed by four other Mal’aks and Z’ari, the Mal’ak boy. Jazz and Leeland brought up the rear, walking quietly as they spoke.
“He said that it probably fell from his pocket during the encounter with the beast,” Jazz continued.
“There’s a possibility,” Leeland replied. “But I agree, that’s very unlikely of the Professor.”
“S’jarre asked him if it was the only possible place he could have lost it,” Jazz said. “And Professor Mackenzie told him that it was the only place where he could have lost it, during the time he was dodging the beast.”
“How about the possibility of a Rogue Resonant?” Leeland said.
“We’re thinking the same,” Jazz replied. “But Professor Mackenzie didn’t mention anything about it to S’jarre.”
“If Rogue Resonants might have already crossed his mind,” Leeland said, “he probably doesn’t want the Mal’aks to know about them.”
“He doesn’t want us to know either,” Jazz replied. “It’s because of his son.”
Leeland only replied with a nod and a thoughtful expression.
Soon, the creaking of the bridge faded as they crossed its final stretch, emerging from the thick sea of clouds that had cloaked them for so long. As they walked, the lush, tall grasses swayed gently in the wind, their tips brushing against their legs. The grasses gradually gave way to rocky terrain, and the valley unfolded before them, its uneven ground marked by the remnants of their past struggle.
Z’ari spoke to the Mal’aks in their native tongue, his voice steady and clear. He pointed toward the long valley, his arm sweeping through the air to indicate the area.
“This is the place where a Valkhor attacked you, right?” S’jarre asked, turning to Professor Mackenzie.
“Valkhor? Ah, the beast,” the Conductor replied, pausing for a moment as he recalled the attack. “Yes, this is the place, but I can’t specify the exact spot. The valley is long and much of it looks the same.”
S’jarre nodded thoughtfully before addressing the Mal’aks in their native language. He then turned back to the group, his expression serious and focused. “We’ll search this place and all the surrounding areas. Check everywhere—even places you’ve passed before.”
Hours passed as the suns neared the horizon, they began to regroup. One by one, they returned, their expressions resigned, but as the last of them arrived, there was no sign of Professor Mackenzie.
S’jarre glanced around and asked, “Where is the teacher?”
Leeland turned to Gabe. “Where is Professor Mackenzie? Wasn’t he with you?”
Gabe nodded, looking concerned. “He was, but he told me we should search separately and meet back here.”
S’jarre stepped forward, his expression serious as he addressed the group. “It will be dark soon. We need to head back to Skyward Cavern for safety. Once we are there, I will organize a group of Mal’aks to search the area tonight. They are more familiar with this terrain and will be able to cover more ground.”
Jazz, Leeland, Keilee, and Gabe exchanged worried glances, understanding the urgency but feeling the weight of the Professor’s absence even more. Despite their concerns, they nodded in agreement with S’jarre’s plan, recognizing the need to trust the Mal’ak leader’s judgment.
* * *
The room was softly illuminated by the steady glow of a crystal embedded in the stone wall. The crystal’s light cast gentle shadows on the cold stone floor, bathing the space in a calming, almost ethereal glow. The air was cool, carrying the scent of earth and ancient stone.
Keilee sat on one of the low wooden platforms, her back straight and her hands resting in her lap, listening intently as she joined in the conversation. Gabe reclined on another bed, propped up on one elbow, his eyes shifting between the others, his expression thoughtful but focused on the discussion. Leeland sat in a carved wooden chair with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the others, his legs casually crossed at the ankles as he leaned forward slightly, clearly engaged in the exchange. Jazz stood near the doorway, leaning against a beam with his arms folded, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert, watching the group closely as they talked.
“So you two are thinking that the Rogue Resonants might have followed us here to Eternal Resonance?” Keilee asked.
“Yes,” Jazz replied. “And it’s possible that the Rogue Resonant with invisibility stole the key from Professor Mackenzie—either during the night we camped or while the beast attacked us.”
“Both Jazz and I are leaning toward it happening during the attack,” Leeland added.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t he tell us?” Gabe chimed in.
“He probably used that chance while we were focused on finding the key and didn’t have time to tell us,” Leeland replied.
“Or maybe he didn’t want us getting involved anymore,” Jazz added. “Remember, he told us that his son’s mind seems clouded. But now the stakes are higher—the Mal’aks are involved. He probably still wants to protect his son, but we don’t know what his son is planning, or what the Mal’aks would do to the Rogue Resonants if they try to use it for something dangerous... which they probably will.”
“I suggest we tell S’jarre,” Gabe said. “They could help us track the Rogue Resonants.”
“Nah!” Keilee interjected, shaking her head. “The Conductor didn’t want the Mal’aks to know, since it would probably put his son in danger, as Jazzy said. If the Conductor doesn’t want that, what gives us the right to tell the Mal’aks?”
“You guys have a point,” Gabe replied. “So what should we do now?”
“Find Professor Mackenzie and follow him,” Jazz said. “We need to be there for him, fight alongside him—probably help him persuade or save his son.”
“I think S’jarre is already suspecting Professor Mackenzie—or even us,” Leeland said. “When we entered this room, there were two Mal’aks stationed in the hallway by that door. I think we’re already being guarded.”
“We cannot go by the door,” Keilee said, standing up and walking toward the window. She pulled aside the heavy curtain with a quiet swish. “Maybe this will do.”
Keilee carefully slid the window open, the sound of creaking hinges barely audible in the stillness of the night. She leaned out slightly, peering down at the vast drop below. The ground seemed miles away, shrouded in darkness, but the faint outline of jagged rocks could be seen far beneath them. The wind rushed up from the depths of the cavern, cold and sharp against their skin.
The others gathered behind her, their gazes following the line of her sight down the sheer drop. The height was dizzying—far higher than any of them had expected. They were perched on the edge of the Skyward Cavern, surrounded by the night air, with nothing but darkness and the distant echo of wind.
Leeland whistled softly, shaking his head. “That’s a long way down,” he muttered, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
“I think we could step on those,” Keilee said, pointing toward a series of narrow beams that jutted out from the wall, faintly visible in the dim moonlight. They looked sturdy enough, but the path down was precarious.
Jazz and Leeland exchanged a brief look, then nodded in agreement. They turned to Gabe, who stood a little farther from the window, his eyes flicking between the beams and the long drop below. The three of them silently studied him for a moment, as if weighing the possibility of him following them on such a risky descent. Gabe met their gaze with a raised brow, clearly aware of their unspoken thoughts.
“Nah, I know Deep Tone could do it,” Keilee said with a grin, giving Gabe a playful wink. She crossed her arms, her expression confident as she looked at him. “You’ve got this, Gabe.”
Keilee was the first to climb out of the window. With a deep breath, she carefully swung her legs over the sill, gripping the stone edge with one hand and the beam she had pointed to with the other. Her movements were swift and precise, the cold night air rushing past her as she slid her feet onto the narrow beam. Her eyes flickered down briefly, steadying herself before moving with purpose towards a small balcony just a few feet away. Within moments, she was safely on the balcony, her feet planted firmly, and she turned to give a quiet nod to the others.
Next was Leeland. He followed Keilee’s lead, swinging his legs out and finding his balance on the narrow stone edge of the window. His brow furrowed slightly as he leaned against the wall for support, using the beam for leverage. The wind howled around him, making the task seem more daunting. As he shifted his weight onto the beam, it creaked under him, causing him to pause. His face showed a flicker of worry, but he continued to move steadily, his eyes focused on his path. He made his way to join Keilee on the balcony, his steps cautious and deliberate.
Jazz was next. He moved quickly and confidently, swinging his legs out and finding his footing on the beam with ease. His movements were fluid, the wind blowing through his hair as he navigated the narrow path. There was a determined set to his jaw as he progressed, his eyes never leaving the beam. Within moments, he had joined Keilee and Leeland on the balcony, his expression calm but focused.
Finally, it was Gabe’s turn. He hesitated at the window, looking down at the sheer drop below. The others held their breath, watching him closely. Gabe gave a small sigh, his face scrunched in determination. His hands gripped the stone as he eased himself out of the window, but the initial shift of his weight made him pause, his foot wobbling on the edge of the sill. A brief silence stretched out, the wind howling louder than before.
“C’mon, Gabe,” Jazz muttered under his breath, as if willing him on.
Gabe took a deep breath and, with a final grunt, he shifted his weight onto the beam, his feet finding purchase. His movements were slower than the others, but he found his rhythm. He grimaced with each shift, the beam creaking beneath him, but he kept going, inch by inch. His face was flushed with effort, beads of sweat on his forehead despite the cool air. The others stood on the balcony, watching, their eyes locked on him with a mixture of anticipation and quiet concern.
The wind continued to whip around them, but Gabe’s determination kept him moving. Slowly, he made his way across, each step a little more steady than the last. Finally, with a small exhale of relief, Gabe reached the balcony. He gave them a quick grin, sweat streaking his face.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Gabe said, his voice slightly shaky but proud.
The others exchanged looks, their breaths a little more even now that they were all safely across.
From the balcony, they quietly moved to the edge, where the stone met the sloping roof of a lower floor. One by one, they transferred from the balcony to the roof, their footsteps careful and silent.
They continued their descent, moving from roof to roof, each step deliberate to avoid making noise. The ancient building’s roofs provided a precarious path, but they navigated it with determined precision. The stones were worn and uneven, but they found footholds and handholds, making their way downward.
Finally, they reached the lower floor of the ancient building. The last stretch took them to the roof of the large wooden bridge they had crossed earlier. The bridge’s roof was wide but exposed, and they dropped to their hands and knees, crawling to avoid being seen.
They kept low, moving slowly and deliberately, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. The shadows cast by the moonlight provided some cover, and they used it to their advantage, inching forward with a mix of urgency and caution.
As they neared the edge of the bridge’s roof, they could see the deep chasm below. The faint glow of crystals embedded in the stone walls cast an eerie light, highlighting the vastness of the drop. They exchanged glances, silently communicating their next move.
One by one, they carefully lowered themselves to the edge of the roof, jumped to the ground below, and silently walked, ducking low to avoid being seen.
“Who knows the way out?” Keilee whispered to the group.
“I do,” Leeland whispered back. “Let me lead from here.”
They moved swiftly and quietly, transferring from platform to platform, their eyes scanning for any signs of detection. The path was precarious, but they managed to navigate it with a mix of agility and caution.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally found themselves nearing the exit of the Skyward Cavern. The familiar sight of the entrance loomed ahead, but their hopes were dashed when they saw two Mal’aks standing guard.
“There were no guards here when we first came,” Leeland muttered, his voice barely a whisper.
“Probably S’jarre put them up, or maybe they’re only stationed at night,” Keilee whispered back, her gaze fixed on the two Mal’ak guards standing by the entrance.
Keilee’s hand reached down, her fingers brushing against a small stone. With a careful look around, she picked it up and, with a swift motion, threw it toward the far corner of the cavern. The sound of the stone clinking against the rock echoed faintly in the distance.
The two guards turned toward the sound, exchanging confused glances. They spoke in hushed tones, the first guard shrugging as if unsure whether it was a threat.
After a moment, one of them nodded and stepped away from the entrance and headed toward the noise.
The remaining guard glanced back, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“Now,” Jazz whispered.
Leeland shot him a quick look of agreement. Jazz, already tensing, sprang into action. With his feet light against the stone floor, he sprinted toward the entrance, his movements fluid and quick.
The guard saw him coming. “T’stira!” he shouted, his voice commanding and urgent. “Haar as’nok!”
Seeing that Jazz wasn’t slowing, the guard drew his Echo, summoning it with a sharp motion. A glowing arrow materialized, aimed directly at them.
In an instant, the group responded in unison. Jazz’s sword emerged from his Echo, its blade gleaming with energy. Keilee’s nunchucks snapped into form, their ends glowing with rhythmic power. Leeland’s bow appeared, the string taut, ready to fire. Gabe, standing just behind, summoned his battle axe, its massive form crackling with potential energy.
The guard raised his weapon, aiming the arrow at Jazz, and let it loose with a sharp twang. Jazz, with his speed, intercepted the arrow with his sword. The collision sent a burst of light and sparks flying, the force of the impact vibrating through the air.
Behind them, the other guard had been alerted by the noise and, now aware of the confrontation, took his position. He pulled another arrow from his quiver, firing it swiftly toward the group.
Keilee, anticipating the strike, spun her nunchucks with expert precision, catching the arrow in the swinging loop of her weapon. The arrow clattered off with a dull thud as Keilee continued to deflect it, her focus unwavering.
Jazz moved with a burst of speed, his sword held ready, his body a blur as he closed the distance between him and the guard. The guard, startled by his sudden advance, reached for his own weapon, pulling out a sword in defense. But Jazz was faster. With a swift motion, he slashed downward, the blade of his sword flashing through the air. The guard’s sword was cleaved from his hand, falling to the ground with a metallic clang.
Before the guard could react, Gabe was upon him. With a mighty swing of his battle axe, Gabe struck the guard on the side of the head, using the blunt end of the axe to deliver a powerful blow. The guard crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he could even hit the stone floor.
Behind them, Keilee was in constant motion, expertly blocking arrows fired by the second guard. Her nunchucks moved like a blur, each strike deflecting the arrows with precision, sending them bouncing off the stone walls or to the ground with a soft thud. She kept her eyes on the guard, never letting up, never faltering in her defense.
Leeland, eyes focused, raised his bow with steady hands. He drew the string back, his aim steady and true. He released the arrow, watching it fly through the air, its sharp tip heading directly toward the second guard’s leg. The arrow struck with precision, piercing the guard’s thigh. The guard let out a pained grunt as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his leg in agony.
“Sorry about that,” Leeland muttered to himself.
Without wasting another second, they all turned and ran towards the exit, their footsteps light but urgent as they neared their way out of the Skyward Cavern.
As they stepped onto the hanging bridge, the mist of the sea of clouds swirling beneath their feet, a sudden, sharp sound sliced through the night air—bells ringing in rapid succession. The deep, resonant tolls echoed through the cavern walls, reverberating in the distance, signaling an alarm.
Jazz, Leeland, Keilee, and Gabe exchanged quick, tense glances, their pace quickening as the realization set in: they had been discovered. The bells’ tolls echoed like a countdown, signaling that time was running out—Mal’aks would be in pursuit soon.
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