Eclipse Requiem

Kael's hands tightened around the parchment. His mind raced as he reread the name written at the bottom of the list.

**Orin Voss.**

A name from his past.

A name he never wanted to see again.

Saren noticed the way his expression hardened. "Kael… who is he?"

Kael swallowed, his voice low. "Orin Voss was a friend." He exhaled slowly, correcting himself. "No—he was like a brother to me."

Saren's brows furrowed. "And now he's a Fragment wielder?"

Kael gave a slow nod, his fingers curling into a fist. "Looks like it."

Rendain leaned back in his chair, watching the exchange with amusement. "I take it this is personal?"

Kael shot him a glare. "Where is he?"

Rendain's grin widened. "Eager, are we? Well, according to my sources, Orin has been sighted in **Ironvale**, a fortress city to the north. He's been gathering mercenaries—powerful ones."

Kael's stomach twisted. "He's building an army?"

"Not just any army," Rendain said. "A **Fragment-wielding one**."

Saren tensed beside him. "So he's recruiting people like you?"

"Seems that way," Rendain said lazily. "And from what I hear… he's not exactly being subtle about it. If he keeps this up, he'll attract the wrong kind of attention. Or worse…"

Kael finished the thought. **The Holy Order will come for him.**

Saren crossed her arms. "If Orin is anything like you, he won't go down easily."

Kael's grip on the parchment tightened. "He was always strong. Even before the Fragments."

The memory of Orin **flashed** in his mind—his sharp eyes, his confident smirk, the way he used to push Kael beyond his limits during training. They had fought side by side countless times.

And now, they were on **opposite paths.**

Rendain leaned forward, his expression suddenly serious. "I'll give you a piece of advice, Eclipse Bearer. If Orin really is gathering an army, you need to make a choice."

Kael met his gaze. "What kind of choice?"

Rendain smirked. "Will you **stop** him… or will you **join him?**"

The words sent a chill down Kael's spine.

Saren scoffed. "Kael's not that stupid."

Rendain chuckled. "You'd be surprised how quickly people change when power is involved."

Kael remained silent.

Deep down, he **knew** he would have to face Orin.

And when that moment came—

Would they still see each other as brothers?

Or as **enemies?**

---

### **A New Journey Begins**

The next morning, Kael and Saren left Blackreach, heading toward **Ironvale**.

The road was rough, winding through dense forests and steep cliffs. The air grew colder as they traveled north, and the looming silhouette of Ironvale's fortress walls soon came into view.

Saren pulled her cloak tighter around her. "So, what's the plan when we get there?"

Kael kept his eyes forward. "Find Orin. Talk to him. See what he's after."

Saren raised an eyebrow. "And if he doesn't want to talk?"

Kael didn't answer.

Because deep down, he had a feeling—

**This wasn't going to end with just words.**

---

### **The Arrival at Ironvale**

The city of Ironvale was a **fortress carved into the mountains**, its high walls bristling with guards. Unlike the lawless chaos of Blackreach, Ironvale was **organized, militarized, and filled with warriors.**

As they entered through the gates, Kael's gaze swept over the streets.

Mercenaries were **everywhere**. Groups of soldiers trained in the open courtyards, their weapons gleaming in the morning sun. He could feel the tension in the air.

Ironvale was preparing for **war.**

Saren muttered under her breath. "Well… this is bad."

Kael scanned the city until his eyes landed on a **massive stone keep** near the center.

He could **feel** it.

Orin was there.

Waiting.

Saren followed his gaze and sighed. "You sure about this?"

Kael exhaled. "No."

Then he took a step forward.

Because there was no turning back now.

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