Eclipse Requiem

The tension between Kael and **Inquisitor Veydris** was thick, almost suffocating. The torches lining the chamber walls flickered wildly, as if the very air had become unstable from the **clashing auras** of their weapons.

Kael tightened his grip on the **Abyssforged Blade**. The sword's dark flames flickered violently, as though it was as eager for battle as he was.

Across from him, Veydris stood **unshaken**, his **silver greatsword** humming with radiant energy. Despite his heavy armor, he carried himself with **unnerving ease**, like a seasoned executioner ready to deliver the final blow.

Lyra was tense beside Kael, her daggers already drawn, but she hesitated. She had fought alongside Kael for years, but this was different—this was **personal**.

"Kael," she muttered, her voice low. "Are you sure about this?"

Kael didn't take his eyes off Veydris.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Veydris exhaled slowly, adjusting his stance. "I admire your resolve. It will make this execution **more satisfying**."

Then—

**He moved.**

Veydris **vanished** from his spot, reappearing right in front of Kael in the blink of an eye.

A **silver arc of energy** tore through the air as his greatsword came **crashing down**.

Kael **reacted on instinct**.

The Abyssforged Blade **rose to meet the strike**, its dark flames clashing against Veydris's holy light.

A **shockwave** erupted from the impact, sending cracks through the stone floor and nearly knocking Lyra off balance.

Kael gritted his teeth as the force pushed him back. His arms **trembled** from the sheer **power** behind Veydris's attack.

*"He's… stronger than I thought."*

But Kael **wasn't the same person** he had been before entering this chamber.

With a surge of will, he pushed **back**, his **black flames flaring** as he twisted his blade and deflected the strike.

Veydris skidded back a few steps, but he barely looked fazed. If anything, he seemed **amused**.

"You've improved," he remarked. "Not enough to survive, but enough to entertain me."

Kael's grip on his sword tightened. "I'll do more than entertain you."

He launched forward.

This time, **he** was the one to vanish.

Veydris's eyes barely had time to widen before Kael **reappeared behind him**, his Abyssforged Blade **slashing** in a deadly arc.

But Veydris reacted **instantly**.

His greatsword **whirled around**, intercepting Kael's strike at the last possible moment.

Another **shockwave** blasted through the chamber.

Kael didn't stop. He pivoted, unleashing a rapid flurry of slashes, each one burning with **black fire**.

Veydris met every attack with **precision**, his silver blade moving almost lazily, as though he had already anticipated each strike.

Then—

Kael overextended.

Veydris's blade **shifted**, and in an instant—

A **knee** slammed into Kael's stomach.

The force sent him **flying backward**, slamming into a stone pillar with a sickening **crack**.

Lyra shouted. "Kael!"

Kael gasped for breath, his vision blurring for a moment.

Veydris didn't let up.

Before Kael could recover, the Inquisitor was already on him, his greatsword **descending like a guillotine**.

Kael **rolled to the side** just in time. The blade **split the stone pillar in half**, reducing it to rubble.

Kael forced himself back up, wiping blood from his lips.

Veydris exhaled, disappointed. "Is this all? I expected more from the son of a heretic."

Kael's **anger flared**, but he didn't let it control him.

*"I can't fight him head-on. He's too strong, too experienced."*

He needed a **different approach**.

Then, out of the corner of his eye—

He saw Lyra **move**.

She was already behind Veydris, her daggers gleaming in the dim torchlight.

Kael's heart **leaped**.

Veydris hadn't noticed her.

She was fast, incredibly fast, and her movements were **silent**.

She lunged.

Her dagger aimed for **Veydris's exposed flank**.

Kael's pulse **pounded in his ears**.

*"This is it!"*

But—

At the last second—

Veydris **turned his head slightly**, almost as if he had **sensed** her approach.

And then—

His **elbow** lashed out.

It caught Lyra **right in the stomach**.

Her eyes went wide as the impact sent her **hurtling backward**, crashing against the stone wall.

Kael's **blood went cold**.

"LYRA!"

She **didn't get up**.

Veydris exhaled, shaking his head. "Predictable."

Kael **snapped**.

A deep, **primal fury** surged through him, his Eclipse Seal **burning like fire**.

The **Abyssforged Blade roared to life**, its black flames turning **violent**, spiraling around him in a storm of shadows.

Veydris paused, his expression finally **changing**.

"You…" he muttered. "That power…"

Kael **vanished**.

This time, even Veydris wasn't fast enough.

Kael **reappeared above him**, his sword already in motion.

Veydris barely had time to raise his blade before Kael's **attack connected**.

The **black flames exploded**.

The force of the impact **shattered the ground beneath them**, sending stone fragments flying in all directions.

For the first time—

Veydris was **pushed back**.

He **gritted his teeth**, struggling against the overwhelming force pressing down on him.

Kael's eyes **blazed**, his voice dark with fury.

"I don't care if you're stronger than me. I don't care if I have to give up everything—"

His grip tightened around the **Abyssforged Blade**.

"I **WILL KILL YOU!**"

The sword's flames **intensified**, as if feeding off his rage.

Veydris growled, his greatsword **flaring with holy light** as he shoved Kael back.

They **stared each other down**, their auras clashing, the air between them **crackling with raw energy**.

Kael could feel it.

This battle had only **just begun**.

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