The council hall smelled of oil lamps and old wood.
Ren stood at its center, Lyra at his side, Borin a step behind like an unmoving shadow. Draven had been barred from entering after loudly asking whether councils were known to sacrifice children "for safety reasons."
The elders sat in a half circle.
Some Ren had known his entire life.Others had only ever spoken to him in passing.
Now, every gaze weighed more than it ever had before.
The elder woman who had guided them through everything spoke first.
"This meeting is not a trial," she said calmly."No one here accuses Ren of wrongdoing."
Several elders shifted uncomfortably.
"But," she continued, "it is a decision."
Ren nodded.
"I understand."
One elder leaned forward, hands clasped.
"You spoke with the forest," he said carefully."You drew the attention of sects… and worse."
Ren didn't deny it.
Another elder added, voice tight:
"Our village has survived because we were small. Quiet. Forgotten."
Lyra's jaw tightened.
"And now?" she asked.
"Now," the elder replied, "we are visible."
Silence stretched.
Ren felt the echo stir faintly.
Listening.
Measuring.
An older woman spoke next, her voice shaking slightly.
"My granddaughter cried last night," she said."She asked if monsters would come again."
Lyra inhaled sharply.
Ren bowed his head.
"I'm sorry."
The woman's expression softened.
"I don't blame you, child."
Another elder cut in sharply.
"But good intentions don't stop disasters."
Borin growled low in his throat.
Ren lifted a hand, stopping him.
"I won't deny the danger," Ren said calmly."And I won't pretend things can return to how they were."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Lyra turned to him.
"Ren—"
He met her eyes.
"I need to say this."
He turned back to the council.
"The world noticed me," he said."That's the truth."
The echo pulsed once.
Several elders flinched.
"But the world didn't notice you," Ren continued."You didn't call it. I did."
One elder frowned.
"What are you saying?"
Ren straightened.
"I won't let this village pay for my existence."
Lyra grabbed his sleeve.
"No."
Borin stepped forward.
"You're not throwing yourself away."
Ren shook his head gently.
"I'm not leaving tonight. Or tomorrow."
The tension spiked.
"But I will prepare to leave," he said."When the time is right. On my terms."
The elder woman studied him closely.
"And what are those terms?"
Ren didn't answer immediately.
Because the answer mattered.
"When I can protect myself," he said."And when I can protect the people who stand with me."
Lyra felt her chest tighten.
Borin nodded slowly.
The elders whispered among themselves.
Finally, the elder woman raised her cane.
"Enough."
The room stilled.
"Ren," she said, voice firm but kind,"this council will not banish you."
Lyra exhaled sharply.
Draven would have screamed in relief if he were there.
"But," the elder continued,"we will not pretend the danger is imaginary."
Ren nodded.
"That's fair."
"You may remain," she said,"but the village will prepare."
Ren's brow furrowed.
"Prepare how?"
"Defenses. Signals. Escape routes."She met his eyes."And alliances."
Lyra stiffened.
"With who?"
The elder answered calmly.
"Sects. Clans. Anyone willing to listen."
Ren felt the echo hum — curious, alert.
"That means they'll ask about me," Ren said.
"Yes," the elder replied.
"And I won't be hidden," Ren said quietly.
The elder smiled faintly.
"No. You won't."
She leaned forward.
"But you will be protected — not because of fear… but because you belong here."
Something warm cracked inside Ren's chest.
The echo softened.
One last elder spoke, voice heavy.
"Ren… if the day comes when you must leave… will you go peacefully?"
Ren didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Lyra's hand tightened around his.
"And when that day comes," Ren added,"it will be because I chose to walk forward."
The echo pulsed.
Strong.
Certain.
The elder woman nodded.
"Then this council is concluded."
The elders rose slowly.
As Ren turned to leave, Lyra leaned close and whispered:
"You're already carrying this like a leader."
Ren shook his head slightly.
"I don't want to lead anyone into danger."
Lyra smiled, fierce and unwavering.
"Then you're exactly the kind of leader the world doesn't know how to handle."
Behind them, Borin followed.
Outside the hall, Draven immediately tackled Ren in a hug.
"YOU'RE NOT EXILED! WE'RE NOT DEAD! THIS IS A GOOD DAY!"
Ren laughed despite himself.
But as he looked toward the road beyond the gate…
The echo pulsed again.
Not fearful.
Not hiding.
Waiting.
Because tomorrowwas no longer theoretical.