The next morning, the sky looked worse. More purple cracks spread like spider webs. Small pieces of the Veil fell like black rain.
Kai woke up feeling heavy. Nine Echoes + the god fragment Nyxar made his head hurt. The voices were quieter today, but they waited like hungry wolves.
Mira packed her bag with a big smile. "Today we reach the safe house! Then you can rest and I can sort my new cards."
Lira looked at Kai carefully. "How do you feel?"
Kai stood up slow. "Like ten people live in my body. But I am still me… mostly."
They started walking again. The forest path was narrow and dark. Twisted trees moved a little even when there was no wind.
After one hour, Kai's radar pinged strong.
**Dying Echo detected. Very close. High quality.**
He stopped. The pull felt stronger than before. The god voice Nyxar whispered inside, "Take it. The tenth will make you powerful. We can control the next Quake together."
Kai shook his head. "No. I said I will wait."
But his feet moved by themselves toward the signal. Lira and Mira followed.
They found a small clearing. A strong-looking man in broken armor lay on the ground. Blood covered his chest. A big wound from a monster claw was killing him fast.
The man looked up at Kai. His eyes were clear. "You… the Echo Thief. I heard of you. Take my Echo. Do not let the Hunters or Sanctum have it. My name is Thorne. I fought for the Breakers."
Lira gasped. "Thorne? My uncle!"
She ran to the man and held his hand. "Uncle… hold on."
Thorne smiled weak. "Too late, little Lira. The wound is poisoned. Take my Echo. It will help you and your friends."
A blue screen appeared for Kai.
**[New Echo Found!]**
**Name: Thorne the Breaker**
**Skills: Fate thread control (stronger than Lira's), Veil resistance, sword mastery**
**Personality: Brave, calm, protective**
**Will you take it? (Y/N)**
This was the tenth Echo. The last normal slot.
Kai's hands shook. All nine Echoes shouted "Yes!" The god Nyxar spoke calm and strong, "Take it. With this, we become one. You will never be weak again."
Mira's eyes were wide. "Tenth Echo! This one looks super shiny! Think of the combo!"
Lira looked at Kai with tears in her eyes. "Please… do not take it. Uncle wants to help, but if you reach ten, the god may take you. I do not want to lose you."
Kai stood there. His body felt hot. The voices were so loud now.
Reginald: "A gentleman must accept a gift."
Jax: "Power! Take the strength!"
Shadow: "Take it quietly."
Blaze: "Burn away weakness!"
Gust: "Do it fast!"
Iron Fang: "Bite the chance!"
Alpha Shadow: "Command more power!"
Nyxar the god added, "Choose strength, little thief. Or watch your friends die when the next big Quake comes."
Kai looked at Lira. She held her uncle's hand. Mira waited excited but quiet for once.
He remembered waking up in the morgue. He remembered the first Echo and the funny snob voice. He remembered fighting with the girls.
"I am Kai Voss," he said loud. "I died once. I choose to stay me."
He stepped back. "I will not take it."
The screen stayed open.
Thorne smiled. "Good… choice. Lira, take my power yourself if you can."
Lira closed her eyes. Her silver threads wrapped around her uncle. Some power moved to her, but not all.
Thorne closed his eyes and stopped breathing.
Kai felt sad. But also proud. He did not take the tenth Echo.
But Nyxar was not happy. The god voice became loud and angry inside Kai's head.
**"Fool! You reject my help? Then feel the price!"**
Pain exploded in Kai's body. The god fragment attacked the nine Echoes. They fought back.
Kai fell to the ground screaming. His body shook. Different voices came out of his mouth one after another.
"Wine!"
"Punch!"
"Hide!"
"Burn!"
"Run!"
"Bite!"
"Lead!"
Then purple light came from his eyes. Nyxar took control again.
Kai (as Nyxar) stood up. His voice was deep and cold. "If you will not take power, I will force it."
He raised his hand. The dead Thorne's body glowed. A small part of the Echo flew out and tried to enter Kai by force.
Lira shouted, "No!" She sent her silver threads to block it.
Mira threw many cards to make explosions around Kai. "Wake up, Kai! Fight the god!"
Kai fought from inside. He pushed against Nyxar with all his will.
For a moment, he won.
He fell again and the extra Echo piece disappeared into the air.
Kai breathed hard. "I… did it. No tenth Echo."
But he was very tired. His overlap risk was now 99%. The voices were almost in control.
Lira helped him stand. "You chose well. But the god is angry now. We must reach the safe house fast. There is a way to push the fragment out."
Mira looked serious for once. "Yeah… you almost became purple-eye Kai. Not fun."
They continued walking. Kai leaned on Lira a little.
The sky cracked louder. A new big Quake was coming soon.
Kai whispered, "I am still me… for now."
But he knew the real fight was inside him.
The god Nyxar was quiet now, but planning.
And the tenth Echo was still out there somewhere, waiting for the moment Kai became weak.