Castle of Phantea, strategy chamber. Mia and Mo sit ata round table with the map of Centopia spread out before them. The atmosphere is heavy.

  No one smiles.

  Mo places his hand on the map. The symbols of the pieces begin to glow faintly. Mo:

  The next piece... is in the Valley of Echoes. A place no one wants to enter. Mia:

  Why?

  Mo:

  Because there... the echoes don't repeat what you say. They repeat what you're hiding.

  Mia swallows hard.

  It's not the moment for fear.

  Mia:

  Then we go. We're not wasting any more time.

  Mo looks at her.

  It's the first time he's seen Mia this determined. Mo:

  For Yuko.

  Mia:

  For Yuko.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The map pulses strongly, as if confirming their decision.

  Mia and Mo reach the valley. It's quiet. Too quiet.

  The air is cold, and the sounds return distorted. Mia:

  Mo... be careful.

  This place... isn't normal. Mo takes a step forward. An echo answers, but not with his voice. Echo (strange voice):

  You're not ready, Mo...

  Mo freezes.

  Mia grabs his arm.

  Mia:

  Don't listen.

  It's just magic.

  The echo laughs.

  Echo:

  No... it's the truth.

  Mia clenches her teeth. Mia:

  Ignore it.

  Find the piece.

  Mo closes his eyes, breathes deeply, and places his palm on the ground. A circle of light expands.

  Mo:

  It's here.

  Under us.

  Mia takes out a small guiding crystal. Its light points toward a rock.

  Mia:

  There!

  But the echoes begin to scream.

  Echoes:

  You don't deserve the piece... You are weak...

  Yuko suffered because of you... Mia trembles, but doesn't stop. Mia:

  Shut up!

  You won't touch us anymore! She strikes the rock with the crystal. A burst of blue light erupts. The 11th piece appears, floating. Mo catches it carefully. Mo:

  We have the piece.

  The echoes stop instantly. The valley becomes silent. Mia:

  Let's go.

  don't want to stay here another second.

  Castle of Phantea.

  Raynor stands in the throne room, dressed in royal armor.

  The cursed sword hangs at his waist, wrapped in a black cloth. Milya, his wife, watches him with fear. Milya:

  Raynor... please...

  Don't let yourself be consumed by hatred. Raynor doesn't answer. He places the crown on his head. His gaze is cold, fixed, unshakable. A soldier enters.

  Soldier:

  Your Majesty.. the conference hall of the Seven Kings is ready.

  Raynor rises.

  Raynor:

  Good.

  Today... am no longer just a king. Today am a judge.

  The soldier swallows hard. Raynor walks past him. The room trembles slightly as the cursed sword pulses beneath the cloth. Final shot:

  Raynor walking toward the hall of the Seven Kings.

  Xeanon and Zeanon are absent. Drake is waiting for him. Centopia stands on the edge of a war.