The camp stayed underground for two more days because the tremors kept coming.
Kai helped carry supplies and check the walls while the ground shook every few hours.
Lira stayed close to him and said "Your overlap risk is still low. The god fragments are quiet. Keep breathing slow when the shaking gets worse."
Mira handed out her new cards to everyone.
She said "These are 'Steady Ground Cards.' Throw one if the floor moves too much. They make a small safe circle for a few seconds."
Kai smiled because Mira's cards were actually helping people feel less scared.
He said "You turned a nightmare into trading cards. Only you could do that."
On the third morning the tremors stopped completely.
Elder Voss gathered everyone and said "The second wave is coming soon. We must go above ground and repair what we can before it hits."
They climbed out carefully.
The camp looked damaged but still standing. Purple cracks in the sky were wider, and the air felt heavy.
Kai felt many new Echo signals all around them.
People and animals were awakening faster because the Quake was getting closer.
He took a deep breath and said "I will not collect any today. We focus on fixing the camp."
Lira nodded and said "Good choice. Every time you say no, you get stronger in the right way."
They worked together all morning.
Kai used stone skin and shadow step to move heavy stones quickly. Lira used her threads to lift beams and tie broken walls. Mira threw support cards that made the repairs stronger and brighter.
Mira said "Look! My 'Repair Boost Card' is working perfectly. The wall looks almost new."
By afternoon the main gate was fixed and the outer walls were stronger.
Elder Voss looked at the team and said "You three are the reason the camp is still safe. Thank you."
Kai felt tired but good.
The nine Echoes inside him stayed calm, and the small god fragments did not wake up.
In the evening they sat by a small fire outside.
Mira roasted bread and said "Tell us what you will do after the big Quake is over, Kai."
Kai thought for a moment and said "I want to help people who are scared and newly awakened. I know how it feels to wake up with strange power and no control."
Lira looked at him with soft eyes.
She said "That is a good plan. You understand what they are going through better than most."
Mira grinned and pulled out a new card.
She said "I made this one today. It is called 'Future Kai Card.' It shows a picture of you helping people after the Quake."
Kai laughed when he saw the card.
The drawing was simple but it made him feel hopeful.
The ground shook again that night.
This time it was stronger than before. The second wave had started.
Elder Voss shouted "Everyone back underground! This one will be worse!"
They ran to the safe rooms while the earth moved violently.
Kai helped carry an old woman who could not walk fast.
He said "Hold on. We are almost there."
The tremors grew stronger.
Rocks fell from the ceiling in some rooms, but Mira threw her Steady Ground Cards and created safe circles.
Lira used her threads to hold up weak spots in the ceiling.
She said "Kai, help me with this beam. It is about to fall."
Kai used stone skin and pushed the heavy beam back into place.
His arms burned, but he held it until everyone was safe.
Mira said "You two are amazing! My hero cards are going to sell out if we ever have a market again."
The shaking continued for hours.
Kai stayed awake with Lira and Mira because he wanted to make sure no one was hurt.
In the quiet moments between tremors, Mira told silly stories to keep everyone calm.
She said "When this is over, I am opening the first Echo Card shop. 'Mira's Amazing Collection – Buy one, get one funny voice free!'"
Everyone laughed because her energy made the dark underground rooms feel less scary.
Kai looked at his friends and felt grateful.
He said "I do not know what I would do without you two. You kept me human when everything was trying to change me."
Lira took his hand and said "We are a team. We always will be."
The ground shook one final strong time.
Then everything became quiet again.
Elder Voss checked the rooms and said "The second wave has passed. But the big one is still coming. We need to rest while we can."
They climbed back above ground when it was safe.
The camp had more damage, but no one was badly hurt.
Kai looked at the sky.
The cracks were much wider now, and the purple light was brighter.
He felt more new Echo signals appearing all around them.
The temptation was there, but he chose not to follow any of them.
He said "We fix the camp again. We help the new awakened people. And we prepare for the big one."
Mira raised her cards and said "I am ready. My collection is growing every day."
Lira smiled and said "We face it together."
Kai nodded because he believed it.
The small god fragments inside him stayed quiet, and the overlap risk was still low.
The big Quake was coming soon.
Hunters might return. Other gods might be watching.
But for now, Kai was still himself.
He looked at Lira and Mira and said quietly "Thank you for staying with me. No matter what happens next, I am glad we are together."
The three of them stood side by side as the purple light from the sky grew brighter.
The final storm was approaching.