Prologue

Centuries ago, when humanity first began telling stories, their strongest emotions crystallized into living fragments called Echoes. Echoes manifest from powerful memories-grief, regret, rage, longing-and over time they grow monstrous, feeding on new emotions they inspire in others.

Some people are Resonants, able to manipulate or destroy Echoes. But Resonants pay a price: every ability burns away parts of their own memories. Too much use, and they forget who they are.

Societies have built hidden factions around controlling, suppressing, or weaponizing Echoes. Some fight to preserve memory, others want to erase it.