A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 18: The Echo of Truth

---

The Tower's Pinnacle

The trio stepped off the glowing platform and onto the smooth, gleaming floor of the Tower's summit. The room was unlike anything they had seen before—a vast circular chamber with walls made of pure light. Floating above them, suspended in a web of shifting energy, was a crystal orb, its surface shimmering with a million colors.

Aria's breath caught. "The Heart of Infinity…"

Yuki tilted his head, staring at the orb. "That's it? Looks like a fancy marble to me."

Kaida shot him a warning glance. "Stay focused. If the Sentinel was guarding this, it's more than just a 'fancy marble.'"

The air around them grew heavy, crackling with energy. A deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber.

"You have climbed the Tower of Infinity and proven your unity. Now, you shall face the ultimate test: the truth of your existence."

The light within the orb flared, and the room transformed around them.

---

A World of Memories

The trio found themselves standing in a strange, dreamlike landscape. Fragments of memories floated in the air like shards of glass, each one reflecting a moment in time.

Kaida saw herself as a child, training under her father's harsh guidance. The memory shifted, showing her standing over the bodies of fallen comrades, her face twisted with grief.

Aria's past unfolded around her—a young girl trapped in chains of light, struggling against the oppressive will of the Void.

Yuki saw flashes of his own life: his carefree days in the village, the countless times he had stumbled into danger, and the moments when his improbable luck had saved him.

"Why are we seeing this?" Yuki asked, his voice uneasy.

The voice from the orb replied, "The truth lies not in the future, but in understanding your past. Each of you carries a piece of the Void's design. Only by confronting it can you move forward."

---

Kaida's Revelation

Kaida's fragment grew larger, pulling her into its depths. She found herself back on the battlefield where her comrades had fallen, the stench of blood and ash overwhelming her senses.

"You failed them," a voice whispered. "You were their leader, and you let them die."

Kaida clenched her fists, her heart pounding. "I didn't… I didn't abandon them!"

The voice grew louder, more accusing. "You promised to protect them, yet you survived while they perished. What kind of leader are you?"

Kaida's sword trembled in her hand. The guilt she had buried for so long threatened to consume her.

Then she heard Yuki's voice, faint but clear. "Kaida! You're stronger than this! Don't let it win!"

Kaida took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I made mistakes," she admitted. "But their sacrifices weren't in vain. I carry their memory with me, and I'll keep fighting to honor them."

The battlefield dissolved, and Kaida found herself back in the chamber.

---

Aria's Struggle

Aria's memory enveloped her, pulling her into the Void's oppressive embrace. She stood before the silver throne of her past, chains of light binding her wrists and ankles. The figure of her old master loomed over her, his voice cold and commanding.

"You were born to serve the Void," he said. "No matter how far you run, you cannot escape your destiny."

Aria struggled against the chains, her anger and fear boiling over. "I am not your servant! I choose my own path!"

The chains tightened, and the master's laughter echoed around her. "You are nothing without us. Your power, your purpose—it all comes from the Void."

Aria closed her eyes, summoning every ounce of her will. She thought of Yuki's foolish optimism, of Kaida's unwavering strength, and of the bonds they had forged.

"My power comes from within," she said, her voice steady. "And my purpose is my own."

The chains shattered, and the memory faded.

---

Yuki's Test

Yuki's fragment engulfed him, pulling him into a strange, distorted version of his village. The people he had grown up with stared at him, their expressions filled with contempt.

"You're nothing but a fool," one of them sneered.

"Why would anyone follow you?" another added.

Yuki flinched, the weight of their judgment pressing down on him. He saw versions of himself—stumbling, tripping, barely surviving every challenge he had faced.

"Maybe they're right," he muttered. "Maybe I really am just a fool."

Then he remembered Kaida's faith in his luck, Aria's trust in his heart, and the countless times he had managed to defy the odds.

"So what if I'm a fool?" he said, standing tall. "I've made it this far because I don't give up. If being a fool means surviving, then I'll embrace it!"

The villagers' faces blurred, dissolving into light.

---

The Truth of the Void

The trio reunited in the chamber, their trials behind them. The orb floated above them, its light pulsating with energy.

"You have faced your past and emerged stronger," the voice said. "Now, you are ready to learn the truth."

The orb descended, its light expanding to engulf them. Visions filled their minds—fragments of the Void's creation, its purpose, and its role in shaping their world.

They saw the Void as a vast, sentient force, neither good nor evil, but a balance between chaos and order. It had created the Realm of Echoes to test those who sought its power, ensuring that only the worthy could wield it.

"You are the chosen," the voice continued. "Together, you hold the key to reshaping the future. But beware—the Void is not without its enemies. The shadows stir, and greater challenges await."

The light faded, and the trio found themselves back in the chamber.

---

A New Resolve

Yuki was the first to break the silence. "So… no pressure, right?"

Kaida rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "We've faced worse."

Aria nodded, her expression resolute. "The Void has given us the answers we sought. Now, it's up to us to use them."

As the doors of the chamber opened, revealing a path back to the Realm of Echoes, Yuki couldn't help but grin. "Well, we survived another crazy trial. Let's see what's next."

Kaida and Aria exchanged a glance, their confidence renewed. Together, they stepped forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

---

End of Chapter 18