Chapter 70: A New Echo and Distant Threats in the Light of the Lantern
As the vibrant, golden light that emanated from the heart of Aethelburg's Lantern enveloped Kael and pulled him back from the brink of death, the atmosphere in the Echo Chamber had changed completely. When Kael opened his eyes, he felt an indescribable weariness in his body, but also a clarity and power he had never felt before. The Lantern's life force had not only brought him back to life, it had also deepened his bond with the Chitauri core, taking his abilities as an Echo Carrier to a new level. He could no longer just hear the echoes, he could see them, feel them, and even shape them to some extent. The core was no longer a tool in his palm, but a part of his soul, warm, alive, and in complete harmony with Kael's will.
Aslan embraced Kael in tears. The last surviving Shadow Squad soldier and the wounded Dr. Aris Thorne witnessed this incredible moment with astonishment and respect. This man had literally come back from the dead and saved a planet.
A short while later, Orion, the leader of the Lantern's guardians, entered the room. His face bore the marks of fatigue and battle, but his eyes were bright with gratitude. "Echo Bearer," Orion said, his voice in tune with the Lantern's revived song. "You have restored hope to Aethelburg's Lantern and to our people. Words cannot express our gratitude."
Outside, the purifying wave of energy emanating from the Lantern was healing the planet's surface, reviving the Void-tainted lands, healing the wounds of the Aethel warriors. In the sky, the remnants of the Void fleet were receding as if fleeing the Lantern's wrath. It was a definite victory.
Captain Rostova from the Odyssey radioed in. Her voice was filled with joy and wonder. "Kael... I don't know what happened, but... you did it! The Void fleet is scattered! The Lantern... The Lantern is singing again!" The ship was undergoing urgent repairs, but the crew's morale was high.
But this triumph was overshadowed in Kael's mind by a new and even more frightening truth: the original invasion fleet of the Lords of the Void was still there, and this defeat must have angered them even more. The Lantern's awakening had sent a powerful signal of hope to the universe, but it had also drawn the Void's full attention to this small point of resistance and its hero.
Over long-range communication with Commander Maria Hill, Kael relayed what had happened and the new information the Lantern had whispered to her. Hill could not contain her surprise when she heard of Kael's "return from the dead" and the Lantern's revival. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Council would be forced to reassess Kael's status in light of these new developments. He was no longer just an "advisor" or an "asset"; he had become one of the most important figures in this cosmic war.
"Echo," Hill said, his voice both serious and a touch respectful. "Earth and S.H.I.E.L.D. are grateful to you. But this new information... the Lords of the Void's main fleet... It changes everything. You must return to Earth as soon as the Odyssey is repaired. We must establish a defensive line here against this threat."
"I understand, Commander," Kael said. "But there is something else the Lantern has shown me." Kael focused on the Chitauri core. It glowed more clearly than ever, now in harmony with Aethelburg's Lantern. His mind flashed images of other echo points, weakened but still holding out, in different corners of the galaxy, and the distress calls from those points. And the Star Compass was now flickering to the most urgent of these points. "The Lords of the Void are targeting not just Aethelburg, but the entire Great Seal. If those other beacons are extinguished, Earth's defenses will be meaningless."
This was a new dilemma for Commander Hill. Recall Kael to Earth's defense, or allow him to continue this hopeless yet perhaps only chance for a cosmic mission?
As if he had heard Kael's words, Orion intervened. "The Echo Bearer is right, Commander. Aethelburg's Lantern is only a fragment of the Great Seal. If the others fall, our victory will be fleeting." The Aethel leader turned to Kael. "My people and I are grateful to you. The light of the Lantern is with you now. And some of our technology and knowledge, the legacy of the Creators, may aid you on your journey."
Kael was aware of this new and even greater responsibility. This was no longer just a battle to protect a planet or a system, but a battle that would affect the fate of the entire universe. And he would have to walk on the front lines of that battle.
"Where is the next target, Kael?" Aslan asked, as always at his side, ready to support his decision.
Kael looked to the Star Compass and the urgent call from the Chitauri core. "I do not know, Aslan," he said. "But the light of the Lantern and the song of the Echo will guide us." It was a harbinger of a new journey, new adventures, and even greater battles against the darkness of the Void. The fate of the Echo Bearer would now be written in those unknown echo points beyond the stars.