The training chamber fell silent after the whisper faded.
Ira stood frozen, unable to move, unable to breathe.
Talia touched his arm gently.
"Ira… did you really hear him again?"
He nodded slowly.
"It was the same voice I heard on the roof. The same tone… the same feeling. I'm sure."
Commander Solas studied Ira with sharp, thoughtful eyes.
"A voice coming through the rift isn't impossible," Solas said. "But it is extremely rare. Only beings tied deeply to rift energy can communicate through worlds."
Talia frowned.
"But Ira's brother wasn't connected to magic. He was just… a normal boy, right?"
Ira lowered his gaze.
"Yeah. Riel was normal. He didn't have powers. He didn't have anything."
He paused.
"But… maybe something happened to him."
Solas folded his arms.
"Then this changes everything."
Ira looked up. "What do you mean?"
"If someone from another world is calling you through the rift," Solas said, "then the rift isn't only leaking creatures. It's connecting to something—or someone—directly."
Ira's heart dropped.
"You think Riel might be inside the rift?"
Solas didn't answer right away.
"It's possible," he finally said. "Or trapped between worlds."
Talia stepped forward.
"Then we should look for him! We can't just ignore this!"
Solas held up a hand.
"Calm yourself. Emotional decisions create danger."
But Talia didn't back down.
"He's Ira's brother. He's not some mission. He's family."
Solas sighed softly.
"I understand. But the rift is unstable. If Riel is inside it, finding him will require careful preparation."
Ira clenched his fists.
"I don't care how hard it is. I have to try."
Solas nodded.
"And you will. But first, Ira—your power must be stable. If you enter a rift without control, you won't survive."
Ira didn't argue. He knew Solas was right.
"Then train me," Ira said firmly. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Solas motioned for Ira to follow him.
"Come. If you truly wish to find your brother, then you must learn one of the most important skills a Warden can use."
Talia walked beside Ira, refusing to leave him alone.
"What skill is that?" Ira asked.
Solas pushed open a large iron door.
A new room stood before them—circular, with glowing lines covering the floor. In the center floated a blue orb, spinning gently like a tiny star.
"This," Solas said, "is the Echo Chamber."
Ira stared in awe.
"What does it do?"
"It lets you hear echoes of the rift—voices, memories, or messages from beings connected to it."
Ira's heart skipped.
"So… I can hear Riel again?"
"If the connection is real, yes," Solas said. "But it comes with danger. Listening too deeply can pull your mind toward the rift itself."
Talia shivered.
"That sounds terrifying…"
Ira took a deep breath.
"But I need to know the truth."
Solas stepped aside.
"Then place your hand on the orb."
Ira approached slowly.
The orb hummed softly, glowing brighter as he came closer.
Talia whispered, "Be careful, Ira…"
He nodded and pressed his palm against the surface.
---
The world vanished.
Ira felt like he was floating in endless darkness—black, empty, silent.
Then—
Crack.
A line of light split the space.
Voices leaked through the crack like whispers carried by wind.
"...help…"
"…lost…"
"…core unstable…"
"…find the link…"
Ira clenched his fists.
"Riel! Are you here?!"
The light widened.
A small silhouette appeared—blurry at first, then clearer.
A boy around his age, with short hair and tired eyes.
Ira's breath caught.
"Riel…?"
The figure turned slowly.
"Ira… I'm here…"
Ira stepped forward—but his foot sank into nothingness. The ground wasn't real.
He reached out desperately.
"Riel! Where are you?! Tell me!"
Riel's form flickered like a dying flame.
"I'm… not in your world… not anywhere… the rift took me…"
Ira's heart pounded painfully.
"No—no! I'll come for you! Just hold on!"
Riel lifted his head slowly.
His eyes glowed with strange silver light.
"The rift is changing… someone is pulling me deeper… you must hurry…"
"Hurry where?! Tell me!"
Riel's voice broke into static.
"…find the gate… the one with the broken star…"
Before Ira could ask more, the world shattered.
---
Ira gasped and collapsed on his knees.
Talia rushed to him.
"Ira! Are you okay?!"
"I—yeah… I think so."
Solas looked at him seriously.
"What did you see?"
Ira took a moment to breathe, then answered:
"I saw Riel. He spoke to me. He said he's stuck in the rift because someone—or something—is pulling him deeper."
Talia's eyes widened.
"Someone is pulling him?"
"Yeah. And he said to find the gate with a broken star."
Solas went silent. He seemed shocked.
"…The Gate of the Broken Star…" he whispered. "That gate was sealed long ago. If it's active again… then something very dangerous is happening."
Ira stood slowly, still trembling.
"Then that's where I'm going," he said.
Solas looked at him with a mix of fear and respect.
"You are walking into a place even Wardens fear," Solas warned. "But… if your brother is truly inside, then we must prepare."
Talia squeezed Ira's hand.
"And we're not letting you go alone."
Ira looked between them—Solas, strong and serious; Talia, brave and determined.
For the first time, he didn't feel weak.
He felt ready.
---