Kai stood on the balcony of his apartment, the cool night breeze brushing against his face. The city lights glittered below like scattered stars, but his mind was far from the cityscape. His thoughts swirled around Lila's cryptic words.
"The Celestial Echo doesn't just hold memories... it holds destiny."
He replayed her voice over and over in his head, trying to unravel the meaning behind it. Destiny? What destiny?
As he absentmindedly plucked the strings of the Celestial Echo, a soft melody filled the air haunting yet beautiful. The moment the last note faded, the world around him seemed to pause.
Suddenly, the sky shimmered. The moonlight intensified, casting an otherworldly glow, and as he blinked, Kai found himself no longer on his balcony but standing on a misty hill under a silver sky.
"Welcome back," a voice said softly.
Kai turned swiftly. Standing there was the woman from his visions, her silver dress flowing like water, her eyes reflecting both sorrow and hope.
"You…" Kai whispered. "Who are you?"
She stepped closer, her gaze intense. "We don't have much time. The veil between our worlds grows thinner, but danger follows you."
Kai's heart pounded. "Why me? What am I supposed to do?"
She smiled sadly. "Because you made a promise long ago. A promise to find me… to protect me."
"But I don't remember!" Kai exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.
"You will," she said gently, reaching out to touch his chest, right above his heart. "Your soul remembers, even if your mind doesn't."
Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the night like a crack in the sky. The vision around them began to tremble, like shattering glass.
"They're coming," she whispered, her form starting to fade. "Kai, find the other half of the Echo. Only then will you remember everything."
"Wait! Who's coming? What other half?" Kai shouted, reaching out to her, but it was too late.
He snapped back to reality, falling to his knees on the balcony, gasping for breath. The Celestial Echo hummed quietly in his hands, its strings vibrating as if alive.
His hands trembled, but his resolve hardened.
"Find the other half... and protect her."
Kai stood up, determination in his eyes. His journey had only just begun, and he was ready to uncover the truth no matter where it led.
To be continued...