Night had fallen completely over Echo Valley.
The sky stretched out endlessly, filled with thousands of stars glimmering like a sea of light.
The moon hung high above the ancient circle of stones standing atop the small hill, bathing the entire land in soft silver radiance.
The campfire still burned bright.
Its glow cast a warm haze through the night air, which had begun to turn cold.
The creature beside Aurelia moved gently.
Its line of light pulsed steadily, following the core that remained ever vigilant.
The units behind guarded their network.
Yet even though the camp seemed peaceful...
Those voices had not faded away.
They were still there.
Still echoing throughout the valley.
Sometimes sounding close.
Sometimes far away.
Sometimes nothing more than a brief laugh.
Sometimes fragments of half-spoken conversation.
It was as if the whole valley was filled with memories that refused to be forgotten.
Kael sat near the fire, knees drawn to his chest.
