BLADE OF CHRONOS ‎SO1 EO3 — THE SHADOW THAT REMEMBERS YOU

Kairo’s vision blurred as the temporal wave swallowed him. The world twisted—sky bending, ground stretching, colors melting into spirals of blue and gold. He dropped to one knee, gripping his sword as time screamed around him.‎‎Then—‎‎Silence.‎Stillness.‎Cold.‎‎Kairo opened his eyes.‎‎He was standing in the middle of a vast empty plain—white, endless, echoing like a dream. The sky had no sun. No clouds. No horizon.‎‎Just glowing particles floating like fireflies.‎‎Aira appeared beside him, though her voice sounded far away.‎‎“Kairo… this is the Time Vein. The pathway between broken timelines.”‎‎Kairo touched his chest. His heartbeat echoed in the emptiness.‎‎“How did we get here?”‎‎“You triggered your ability,” Aira said. “You bent time around us. Your blade responded before you did.”‎‎Kairo frowned. “I don’t understand any of this.”‎‎“You will,” she said softly. “But there’s something you must see first.”‎‎She pointed ahead.‎‎A crack appeared in the empty air—like a tear in glass.‎‎Inside it, a shadowy figure stood with its back turned. A tall silhouette, wrapped in swirling darkness, ticking faintly like a cracked clock.‎‎Kairo felt his breath freeze.‎‎The shadow slowly turned its head…‎And Kairo’s heart dropped—‎‎It had his face.‎‎A distorted version of him… eyes glowing red, expression empty.‎‎Kairo stumbled back.‎“What—what is that?!”‎‎Aira’s expression darkened.‎‎“That… is your Chrono Echo.”‎‎“My what?”‎‎“When someone gains the ability to manipulate time,” she explained, “a reflection forms. A version of yourself created from moments you haven’t lived yet. It represents what you could become if time twists the wrong way.”‎‎The Echo stepped forward, dragging its blade along the ground. Sparks of blue flame trailed behind it.‎‎Kairo swallowed.‎“…Why does it look hostile?”‎‎Aira whispered:‎‎“Because it wants to replace you.”‎‎The crack widened—‎The Echo leaped forward.‎‎Kairo barely raised his sword before the two blades clashed. A shockwave ripped across the empty plain, scattering light like shattered stars.‎‎The Echo moved faster—far faster. Each strike came with a ticking sound, like a countdown.‎‎Kairo’s countdown.‎‎He was being overwhelmed.‎‎Aira shouted from behind him:‎‎“Kairo! Your blade responds to emotion. Focus your mind—slow time again!”‎‎“I—I can’t! Not while fighting!”‎‎“You must!”‎‎The Echo lifted its sword to deliver a killing strike—‎‎Kairo closed his eyes.‎‎He didn’t think.‎He didn’t analyze.‎He just felt. To Be Continued....

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