Eclipse Requiem

The iron doors of the keep groaned as they swung open, revealing a long, dimly lit hall. Torches lined the stone walls, their flickering light casting **jagged shadows** across the floor.

Kael and Saren stepped inside.

At the far end of the hall, a **massive throne** sat atop a raised platform. And on that throne—

**Orin Voss.**

Kael's breath caught.

He barely recognized him.

Orin had always been **strong**, but now—**he radiated power.** His once-short black hair had grown long, streaked with silver. His armor was dark and intricate, lined with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with energy. But it was his **eyes** that unsettled Kael the most.

They weren't the sharp, determined eyes of the friend he once knew.

They were cold. Calculating.

Orin smirked. "Well, well. Look who finally found me."

Kael stepped forward, his fists clenched. "Orin."

Orin leaned back, resting one arm on the side of his throne. "I'll admit, I wasn't sure if you'd make it through the Blood Trial. But I should've known better. You were always the stubborn one."

Kael's eyes narrowed. "And you were always the reckless one. Looks like that hasn't changed."

Orin chuckled. "No, Kael. Everything has changed."

Saren crossed her arms. "Enough with the pleasantries. We know you're gathering an army. What are you planning, Orin?"

Orin's smirk faded. "I'm doing what needs to be done."

Kael's chest tightened. "What does that mean?"

Orin stood, his presence **commanding**. "You don't get it yet, do you?" He spread his arms. "The world is broken, Kael. The **Holy Order** rules with an iron fist, hunting Fragment wielders like us as if we're monsters. The weak suffer while the powerful sit in their towers, pretending to be gods."

Kael remained silent.

Orin's voice grew sharper. "I won't stand by and let it continue. I will **change this world.** And if that means war—then so be it."

Kael's heart pounded. "Orin, this isn't the way."

Orin's expression darkened. "Then tell me, Kael—what is the way? Hiding? Running? Hoping the world will change on its own?" He shook his head. "I refuse to be a slave to fate. And you shouldn't either."

Kael exhaled. "So you'd rather burn everything down?"

Orin stepped closer, his **Fragment energy pulsing**. "I'd rather burn the **corrupt** and build something new." His eyes locked onto Kael's. "And I want you to fight by my side."

Saren stiffened. "What?"

Kael's blood ran cold.

Orin extended a hand. "You're strong, Kael. Stronger than most. Together, we could reshape everything."

Kael's fingers twitched.

Part of him **understood** Orin's anger. He had seen the cruelty of the Holy Order firsthand. He knew the world was broken.

But war…

War wasn't the answer.

Kael took a slow breath. "I can't, Orin."

Orin's smirk vanished.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

Orin sighed. "That's disappointing."

Kael tensed.

Orin's expression hardened. "I had hoped you'd see reason."

The temperature in the room **shifted**.

A pulse of energy rippled through the air—**Orin's Fragment activating.**

Kael gritted his teeth. "Orin—"

Orin **vanished.**

In an instant, he reappeared **right in front of Kael, a blade of crimson energy forming in his hand.**

Kael barely had time to **block.**

The force of the blow sent him skidding backward.

Saren drew her daggers. "Guess we're doing this the hard way!"

Orin's eyes **glowed**. "If you won't join me—"

He raised his hand—**energy swirling around him.**

"—then I'll break you."