Echoes from the Sky

## Echoes from the Sky Ever since Ava could remember, the world was filled with echoes. Some folks found them annoying, but her father always said, "They keep us connected, Ava. They tell our stories." He'd tap his head, grinning like he held a secret. Well, maybe he did. Now, she stood on the edge of the porch, staring at the broken shards of what used to be her family's ancient echo recorder. It was her father's most prized possession, and now it was rubble. Earlier that day, Ava found a letter buried under the floorboards. "Listen for the truth," it said. Her father wrote these words before he vanished three years ago. Ava couldn't tell if it was crazy or genius, but she was definitely going to find out. By any measure, New Lazuli was an odd place. Built on ruins from a past civilization, rumors floated around of buildings speaking at night, of wind carrying messages from ancestors. Ava used to giggle at these tales. Lately, though, they seemed all too plausible. Having no other choice, she decided to visit the Botanica Ruins, the last place her dad visited. It was an area heavy with history and echoes that were louder and wilder than any she'd ever heard. Surrounding her were tattered walls and cracked statues, remnants of a time long past. Her palms sweaty, she adjusted her backpack and stepped forward. Each step led her further into the whispers. "Protect... Secrets... Truth," the echoes chanted, disjointed but intriguing. They danced around her earlier memories of her father—kind, thoughtful, a penchant for mystery. Childhood moments clustered alongside words she didn't recognize... In the heart of the ruins, she discovered an ancient bridge, laced with ivy and moss. It was collapsing, like everything in the Botanica, but she knew she had to cross. Every echo thickened her resolve. Besides, she'd been to places no teenager dared brave before. Solving mysteries was her thing. As Ava tread cautiously across, fragments of old voices enveloped her. What felt like eons but was just moments later, she reached the bridge's center. Suddenly, a holograph bloomed right in front of her—tiny pinpricks of light joining together in an elaborate dance. Sparkling eyes peered back at her; her father's. "Ava," his voice—clearer than any echo she'd heard—echoed around her. "Trust the echoes, but also trust yourself." Something fierce hit her gut as the world brightened, a collection of images forcing their way to the surface: Her dad working, looking over plans, whispering final goodbyes. Ava's knees weakened, and she took a deep breath. Behind him appeared a map, hidden until now. She saw the path it marked—a winding journey towards deeper parts of the Botanica. Her father always hinted at something more. Perhaps, even, his disappearance. Trembling, Ava picked herself up, facing the unfolding destiny that shimmered before her. "I hear you," she whispered to the wind, following the map's route. An old stone path, strewn with wildflowers, guided her deeper into the labyrinth of secrets. At the path's end, she found a concealed chamber. The echoes were a beautiful, chaotic symphony here. Her fingers brushed the walls, triggering a glowing panel that shifted to reveal a recording. "Ava." The voice was resolute, calm. "If you're watching this, they haven't found you yet. This holds everything we knew—our history, our records. Protect it. It's our legacy, yours to awaken." Tears welled, but Ava quickly dried them. In this chamber, she found more than just her father's guidance, but hers as well. A fresh start, a connection to something greater, a way to rewrite history. She knew then the truth extended even beyond her father's warnings. Her mission had changed. Now, it wasn't just about finding him, but ensuring the echoes—every precious whisper—remained safe for generations to come. With newfound purpose, Ava stepped back onto the worn path, her mind alive with possibilities. As the labyrinth closed behind her, she realized the echoes were never in hindsight. They were an invitation, the truest parts of a story still unfolding.