Eclipse Requiem

Rendain's eyes gleamed in the dim tavern light, his fingers tapping lazily on the armrest of his chair. Around him, his guards tensed, their hands resting on weapons—not yet drawn, but ready.

Kael could feel it in the air. **They weren't here as customers. They were prey walking into a den of wolves.**

Saren was the first to move. She took a slow step forward, hands raised in a casual but non-threatening manner. "We need information, Rendain. And we're willing to pay."

Rendain chuckled, a deep rumbling sound. "Oh, I know what you need, little rogue." His gaze flicked to Kael. "And I know exactly why you're here."

Kael frowned. "You do?"

"Of course," Rendain said smoothly. "Word travels fast in Blackreach. The Eclipse Bearer is alive. The Holy Order is desperate. And now, whispers of **other Fragment wielders** are spreading across the continent." He leaned forward, his smile sharpening. "You want to know who they are, don't you?"

Kael's heart pounded. "Tell me what you know."

Rendain laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, boy. Information like that? **It's not free.**"

Saren sighed. "Of course it's not."

"Relax," Rendain smirked. "I'm not asking for gold. What I want… is something far more **interesting.**"

Kael's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

The room grew quieter as Rendain raised a single finger. "A favor."

---

### **The Hunt Begins**

Kael and Saren followed Rendain down a winding passage beneath the Hollow Fang, the air growing colder and damper. At the end of the tunnel, a heavy iron door loomed before them.

Rendain gestured lazily. "Behind this door is a problem that needs solving. Solve it, and I'll tell you what you want to know."

Kael didn't move. "What kind of problem?"

Rendain grinned. "A **beast.**"

Saren cursed under her breath. "Of course it's a beast."

Rendain ignored her. "A certain… **creature** has been making trouble for my business. It lives in the ruins beneath Blackreach, and it's been **eating my men.**"

Kael crossed his arms. "If it's that dangerous, why not send your own mercenaries?"

"I did," Rendain said. "They didn't come back."

Saren sighed, rubbing her temples. "So let me get this straight. You want us to go into some cursed ruins, fight a monster that's been **eating your people**, and just hope we survive?"

Rendain smirked. "Pretty much."

Kael's fingers twitched. He could feel the Fragment **stirring** inside him.

Something about this felt **off.**

But they didn't have a choice.

"Fine," he said. "We'll do it."

Rendain clapped his hands. "Excellent!" He pulled a lever, and the iron door **groaned open**, revealing a dark staircase descending into the abyss.

Kael took a deep breath.

And stepped inside.

---

### **The Ruins Below**

The air was **thick with dust and decay.**

The ruins beneath Blackreach were ancient, filled with broken statues and crumbling pillars that spoke of a civilization long forgotten. Faint **whispers** echoed through the halls, but there was no wind.

Just **silence.**

Kael tightened his grip on his sword. "Whatever's down here… it's not just a simple beast."

Saren nodded, daggers drawn. "Yeah. I can feel it too."

As they moved deeper, they found **remnants of the previous mercenaries**—shattered weapons, bloodstains on the walls, torn armor.

But no **bodies.**

Kael's gut twisted. "Something dragged them away."

Then—

A **low growl** rumbled through the darkness.

Saren spun, pressing her back against his. "Did you hear that?"

Kael nodded slowly. "Yeah. We're not alone."

The shadows **shifted.**

Then **it** emerged.

A hulking, **four-legged creature**, its body covered in thick, **blackened armor-like scales**. Its glowing **red eyes** locked onto them, and as it opened its maw, Kael saw **jagged fangs dripping with blackened venom.**

Saren's breath hitched. "That… is not normal."

Kael's blood ran cold.

Because he **recognized** the energy radiating from it.

The creature was infused with **Fragment energy.**

It wasn't just a beast.

It was a **warped creation of the same power that now flowed through him.**

And it was **hungry.**

---

### **The Battle of Shadows**

The beast **lunged.**

Kael barely managed to **dodge**, rolling to the side as its massive claws **tore into the stone floor** where he had just been standing.

Saren darted forward, her daggers flashing as she struck at its side—only for the **blades to scrape harmlessly** off its armored hide.

"Damn it!" she cursed, leaping back. "Its skin is too tough!"

Kael gritted his teeth, stepping between her and the beast. "Then we'll have to hit it where it's weakest."

The creature turned toward them, its mouth opening **unnaturally wide**.

Then—

A blast of **dark energy** erupted from its throat.

"Move!" Kael **shoved** Saren out of the way and barely managed to dodge himself as the attack **obliterated** the pillar behind them.

Stone **rained down**, and Kael's heart pounded.

**That wasn't just a monster.**

It was **evolving.**

Saren scrambled to her feet. "Okay, new plan—how do we kill that thing?"

Kael's eyes locked onto the beast's chest—where the glow of **corrupted Fragment energy** pulsed like a heartbeat.

He had a plan.

But he had no idea if it would work.

"Cover me," he said, his voice calm. "I'm going in."

Saren cursed but nodded. "Just don't die, idiot."

Kael took a deep breath.

And then he ran **straight at the beast.**

---

### **A Reckless Gamble**

The creature roared, its claws **swinging down.**

Kael **ducked**—barely avoiding instant death. He could **feel** the energy from his Fragment surging, his vision sharpening, his movements **becoming faster.**

Then—

He saw it.

A small **crack** in the beast's chest armor, just beneath the glowing Fragment energy.

That was **his target.**

Kael pushed his body further, channeling every ounce of power he had. **Abyssal Step activated—his body flickering through the air like a shadow.**

The beast tried to react—

But it was **too slow.**

Kael's sword **plunged into the weak spot.**

The beast let out a **piercing, inhuman scream.**

Its body **convulsed violently**, black energy spilling from the wound, pulsing erratically—

Then—

A final explosion of **Fragment energy** burst outward.

Kael barely had time to throw himself backward before the beast **collapsed.**

Dead.

The ruins fell silent once more.

Saren walked up beside him, panting. "You're insane."

Kael exhaled, his hands shaking. "Maybe."

Then, something **shifted in the air.**

At the center of the beast's remains, where its core had been—

A **black crystal** pulsed faintly.

Kael's breath caught.

Another **Fragment.**

And this time—

It was his for the taking.