At the top of the cliff, the path forked left and dipped, opening into a wide clearing. Jagged cliffs walled off three sides while the fourth opened out into the Coral Cove, and beyond that, the sea. There was another path on the right but it was blocked off by the military. It held Coastal mana wells owned jointly by the council highborn lords that controlled Sinai.
Overhead, the clouds were thick and fluffy, stretching across the sea like tufts of candy floss.
Devvyn heard a distant blaring. He turned to the shorelines. Far off in the distance, just past the breakers, two Echo Hunter ships were slicing through the water, toward the dock. The vessels were sleek with dull grey plating and two rotating vent fins that smoothly cut across the water. Even from up here, Devvyn could see the crates stacked neatly on their deck.
"They're almost here," he said, pointing. "Let's hurry."
They scrambled down the path, boots thudding against packed dirt and gravel as the incline steepened. Loose stones scattered under their steps, and sea mist clung to their clothes, damp and salty. By the time they reached the bottom, they were panting and sweaty.
The cove's entrance was narrow, but it quickly opened into a broad cavern with high stone walls. The land area inside was a flat stretch of rocky terrain, littered with driftwood, old nets, and half-buried anchor chains. Algae crept up the stone, slick and dark, and the scent of brine and rust lingered in the air.
Beyond the rocky floor, the ground sloped sharply downward into crystal-clear water that shimmered under shafts of light filtering in from a crack high in the cliffs. Beneath the surface lay the best part of the cove: a labyrinth of tunnels, submerged beneath the water.
Devvyn walked to the edge, just where the ground melted into the water and peered in. It was almost a year since they'd been here but he still remembered how to get through the tunnels. "Hey, why did we even stop coming here?" He asked, trying to remember.
Aela shrugged. "We didn't find any Echos like we thought and I got bored of it."
"Yeah. I guess." Jelric added.
The Coral Coves was the first place they had tried finding an Echo. It was rumored to still have Water Echos despite all the Echo harvesting but after four years of searching, they never found any. They knew the labyrinth's path like the back of their hands so exploring it quickly got old too.
"Let's come back…when we're bonded," Devvyn said, "we can practice here."
Jelric dropped his backpack onto a flat rock and unzipped it. "Alright," he said, grinning as he dug through the contents, "time to suit up." He pulled out a folded bundle of fabric and tossed it to Devvyn. "Here you go—overall, jacket, and cap. I think they have a particular kind of boots but the ones you have on shouldn't look too different."
Devvyn caught the bundle and shook it out. The fabric smelled faintly of oil and salt. He glanced at the faded Echo Hunter insignia stitched onto the sleeve and swallowed. They were actually doing this. He tried not to let his thoughts drift to what would happen if things went south. Without waiting, he pulled the overall over his clothing.
Jelric handed another set to Aela. "And for you, m'lady."
Aela snorted as she took the uniform. "Wow, I feel so honored."
Jelric adjusted the strap of his backpack and slid it to Devvyn. "The handkerchief is in the side pocket." He gave them both a firm look. "Alright, remember the plan. I'll stay up at the cliff and keep watch for any trouble. Red handkerchief means we've got the Echos. If anything feels off, we bail. Got it?"
Devvyn and Aela nodded in unison.
With the Hunter uniforms now fully on, Devvyn slung the now-empty backpack over his shoulder.
Jelric gave their outfits a quick once-over, then nodded with approval. "You two look convincing enough. Might not want to talk too much, though. Your voices might give you away."
He glanced toward the Cove, then back at them. "Go ahead and head down to the docks. I'll check for a good place to stash the Echos."
Aela raised an eyebrow. "Be careful. Don't let a water snake get you again."
Jelric smirked over his shoulder. "I'll be fine. You two just focus on looking like tired, underpaid Echo Hunters."
Devvyn took a breath and nodded. "Alright. See you soon."
He and Aela turned and began making their way out of the Cove, feeling weird in the borrowed uniforms. They made their way down the winding path to the shore, where the ships were now docked and being secured by a few crew members.
As they walked, Aela leaned in slightly. "I've been thinking," she whispered. "I'm better at nicking stuff. Let me be the one to swipe the Echos. You just keep lookout."
Devvyn hesitated mid-step, brows furrowing. "Aela…"
"Seriously," she insisted. "I've nicked more stuff from street vendors than I can count"
He sighed, knowing she had a point. Still, his voice dropped low. "Okay. But if anything happens—anything—you hand me the backpack and run. Got it?"
Aela gave him a tight nod. "Got it."
Devvyn handed over the backpack, and they continued toward the commotion near the docks. The salty air thickened around them. Uniformed Echo Hunters bustled around crates, shouting instructions and checking inventory lists. They slipped into the flow of movement near the docks, merging with the other Echo Hunters. Devvyn kept his head down, doing his best to match the posture and pace of the others.
No one paid them any mind until a sharp voice suddenly cut through the noise. "You two!"
Devvyn flinched as a Hunter strode toward them, his boots clacking against the stone. His uniform was like the others but had two silver insignias pinned to the collar—likely a sign of higher rank. His cap was tugged low over his eyes, but the stern line of his mouth and squared shoulders gave him an air of authority.
"Why are you slacking off?" the man snapped, eyes narrowing as they stopped in front of him. "Standing around like tourists while everyone else is working?"
Devvyn opened his mouth, but the man didn't give him a chance to speak.
"Forget it. Just get moving. Join the offloading team, now!" He jabbed a finger toward the cluster of Hunters unloading crates from the ship's hull. "We're behind schedule."
Devvyn and Aela both nodded quickly and hurried in the direction he pointed. As they moved, Devvyn whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "Well...that was close." Then he grinned as they exchanged a quick glance. Offloading the Echos themselves? Luck was smiling on them.
Devvyn subtly scanned the scene as they blended into the line of workers. His eyes moved quickly over the docks—the shadowed tents, the deckhands shouting orders, the crates stacked high—and lingered for a second on each face, searching for Gaur. He wasn't sure if this was Gaur's unit, but it was better to be cautious.
"If you see Gaur, let me know," he murmured to Aela beside him.
She gave a small nod and kept moving.
They stepped onto the ship, the wooden deck creaking softly under their boots. Around them, Echo Hunters moved in swift, practised motions, lifting crates from stacks and hauling them to the dock in a steady rhythm. They were the last two on the line so Devvyn used the time to look around the ship. There wasn't much to see, just rows of crates and Echo hunting equipment.
Aela went first. She hoisted a crate with a grunt, her slim frame straining under the weight, but she managed to keep pace, disappearing down the ramp.
Devvyn stepped up next. He grabbed the edges of a crate marked with a stencilled label: EARTH.
As he lifted, his gaze fell on the next crate in line.
FIRE.
His heart skipped.
The Hunters brought more than one type.
His grip tightened on the Earth crate as he followed the others down the ramp, a quiet, rising excitement pulsing in his chest. They could pick an Echo they actually wanted to bond with. He turned quickly, almost slipping on the deck.
Aela had slowed down, waiting for him so he hurried down the deck. Together, they followed a pair of Hunters off the ship and along the dock, heading toward the nearby warehouse. The sun was now at full blast, eviscerating the morning chill. Devvyn burned beneath his uniform, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and into his eyes, stinging them.
Inside the warehouse, they laid their crates beside a growing stack along the back wall. One by one, the other Hunters dropped theirs and filed out with barely a word.
Then it was just them.
"They got different Echos, Aela." Devvyn breathed. He couldn't believe they were that lucky.
"I saw! I know we're stealing and all, but it feels like we're supposed to do this." Aela said. "I'll get one for you first." She moved to an air Echo crate.
Devvyn glanced around. He moved to the door, peeking out to keep watch while Aela circled back to the crates. She crouched quickly and popped the crate. Her fingers worked fast, sifting through the dense straw on top until they found what they were looking for. Echos, wrapped in metal containers.
The first one she brought out was marked with a five. She dropped it and checked for another. Her fingers wrapped around a smaller Echo, this one glimmering faintly beneath its casing. The number 1 was stamped near the base.
"Got one," she whispered, slipping it quickly into the backpack.
Devvyn gave a tight nod from the doorway. "Nice. Now hurry. Hunters are heading back."
Aela glanced at another crate nearby, one labeled Earth, and stepped toward it.
"Leave it," Devvyn said sharply. "They're close."
She froze, then reluctantly backed away from the crate and hurried to him. She adjusted the strap of the backpack and turned to him. "Does anything look off? Too bulky?" She whispered as she joined Devvyn at the door, a flush of adrenaline on her face.
Devvyn gave her a quick once-over. "No. Looks fine."
They didn't waste another second.
As they headed back toward the ship, Devvyn's stomach flipped. Jelric's father and the neighbor were standing just off the gangplank… speaking to Gaur. Mizuho's bloody teeth. Devvyn's eyes widened. He quickly ducked his head and nudged Aela. They slipped past the group, eyes down, hearts thudding, and stepped quickly back onto the ship.
Only one crate remained on the ship now, set apart from the others near the stern. Its metal latches had been unhooked, the lid cracked open to reveal the soft red glow of Fire Echos resting in their cushioned slots.
A tall Echo Hunter stood beside it, scribbling on a clipboard. He glanced up as Aela approached with Devvyn trailing behind her.
"You," the man said, pointing to Aela. "Help me count these. I'm reporting directly to Gaur, and I want my numbers clean."
Devvyn tensed, but Aela simply nodded, stepping forward as though she was used to taking orders. She leaned over the crate and began calling out numbers as the man noted them down.
"…six…seven…eight…" she said.
The Hunter grunted his approval when she finished. "Thanks. Take it to the warehouse."
He turned and headed down the gangplank, boots clunking heavily on the wooden boards.
As soon as he was out of sight, Aela moved quickly.
She leaned into the open crate and pulled out an Echo. She turned and slid it carefully into the backpack beside the Air Echo.
Devvyn stopped her. "Wait, we counted those."
Aela smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I left one out."
