A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 21: Whispers of the Past

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A New Beginning

After defeating the shadow guardian, the group pressed forward through the Realm of Echoes, their path illuminated only by the faint glow of the orb in Yuki's hands. The eerie silence that had filled the air was now replaced by a low hum, as though the realm itself was watching, waiting.

"Is it just me, or is this place getting creepier by the second?" Yuki asked, clutching the orb tighter.

"It's not just you," Aria replied, her eyes scanning the shifting landscape. "The energy here is changing. It's more… oppressive."

Kaida drew her sword slightly, ready for any sudden attack. "Stay alert. This place isn't done testing us."

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The Forgotten Village

As they walked, the mists began to clear, revealing what appeared to be a village, though it was unlike any they had ever seen. The buildings were ancient, made of a shimmering black stone, and faint, ghostly lights flickered in the windows.

"What is this place?" Yuki asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"A relic of the past," Aria said, her tone solemn. "This village was likely consumed by the Void long ago. It's a warning of what happens to those who lose themselves in its power."

"Great. A haunted village. Just what I needed," Yuki muttered.

Kaida shot him a look. "Focus. There might be something here we can use—or something waiting to attack us."

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The Voices Call

As they explored the village, a strange sound filled the air: whispers, soft and indistinct, as though carried on the wind.

"Do you hear that?" Yuki asked, looking around nervously.

"Yes," Aria replied, her grip tightening on her staff. "Be careful. The Void often uses whispers to lure people into traps."

Despite her warning, Yuki found himself drawn toward one of the houses. The whispers seemed louder there, almost as if calling his name.

"Yuki!" Kaida snapped. "Where are you going?"

"I… I just need to check something," he said, his voice distant.

Kaida and Aria exchanged a glance before following him inside.

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The Vision

Inside the house, the air was thick and heavy, and the whispers grew louder. At the center of the room was a cracked mirror, its surface rippling like water.

"Don't touch it," Aria warned, but Yuki was already reaching out.

As his hand brushed the surface, the world around him shifted. Suddenly, he was standing in a vibrant, bustling village—one that looked eerily like the one they had just entered, but alive.

"Yuki!" a voice called, and he turned to see a young boy running toward him. The boy looked familiar, almost like a younger version of himself.

"Who are you?" Yuki asked, but the boy only laughed.

"You don't remember? This is your home!"

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A Glimpse of the Void

Meanwhile, in the real world, Kaida and Aria watched as Yuki stood frozen in front of the mirror, his eyes glowing faintly.

"What's happening to him?" Kaida asked, drawing her sword.

"He's caught in a vision," Aria said, her tone urgent. "The Void is showing him something from his past—or something it wants him to believe is his past."

"Can we break him out of it?"

"We have to. If he stays in the vision too long, he'll be consumed."

Aria began chanting, her staff glowing as she tried to dispel the Void's influence.

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The Choice

In the vision, Yuki was surrounded by villagers, all smiling and calling his name. For the first time, he felt truly at peace.

"This is where you belong," the boy said, his voice soothing. "You don't need to keep fighting. Stay here, and you'll never be alone."

Yuki hesitated. The thought was tempting—no more danger, no more shadows, just a quiet, happy life. But something about it felt… wrong.

"This isn't real, is it?" he asked, his voice trembling.

The boy's smile faded, and the villagers' faces began to twist, their features warping into monstrous shapes.

"You can't escape the Void," the boy said, his voice now cold and menacing. "You are marked, and it will claim you."

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Breaking the Spell

Just as the monsters lunged at him, a blinding light filled the vision, and Yuki felt himself being pulled back.

He gasped as he snapped out of the trance, stumbling backward into Kaida's arms.

"Yuki! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I… I think so," he said, clutching his head. "That was… intense."

Aria stepped forward, her face serious. "What did you see?"

"A village. It was alive, and they said it was my home. But then…" He shuddered. "It all turned into monsters."

Aria nodded. "The Void was trying to trap you. It preys on your memories, your desires. You can't let it control you."

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A Warning from the Void

As they left the house, the whispers faded, but the air remained tense.

"Why does the Void care so much about me?" Yuki asked, looking down at the orb in his hand.

"Because you're different," Aria said. "You're marked, but you're not bound by the Void's rules. That makes you a threat—and a target."

"Lucky me," Yuki muttered.

Kaida placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out. You're not facing this alone."

For the first time in a while, Yuki smiled. "Thanks, Kaida. That means a lot."

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The Journey Continues

As they left the village behind, the trio couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to move closer, and the whispers, though faint, never completely disappeared.

But Yuki felt a newfound determination. He didn't fully understand his connection to the Void, but he knew one thing: he wasn't going to let it control him.

"Let's keep moving," he said, his voice steady. "We've got a lot more to face, and I'm not about to let some creepy shadows stop us."

Kaida and Aria exchanged a glance, then nodded. Together, they pressed on, the looming shadow of the Void always just a step behind.

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End of Chapter 21