Eclipse Requiem

Kael barely had time to react as **Orin lunged**.

A crimson **blade of energy** extended from his hand, slicing toward Kael's chest. Kael twisted, raising his sword just in time to deflect the blow. **Sparks erupted** as their weapons clashed, sending shockwaves through the throne room.

Orin's strength had grown. **Far beyond what Kael remembered.**

Saren leaped forward, daggers flashing, but Orin spun, **blasting her back with a wave of energy** before she could even land a hit.

She crashed into a pillar, groaning. "Oh, I hate this guy."

Kael steadied his stance. "Orin, stop this!"

Orin **smirked**, his crimson blade humming with power. "You're hesitating, Kael." His voice was calm, but there was **a dangerous edge to it.** "You always hesitate."

Kael gritted his teeth.

Then Orin **vanished.**

**Abyssal Step.**

Kael **felt** the distortion of energy and reacted on instinct—raising his sword just as Orin **reappeared behind him**, slashing down.

Their blades **collided**, and Kael felt the force shake his entire body.

Orin **was faster. Stronger. More ruthless.**

And he wasn't holding back.

Kael **gritted his teeth** and pushed back. "You think this is strength?!"

Orin's smirk widened. "Strength is the ability to change the world." His **eyes gleamed**. "You're either the one breaking chains, or you're the one wearing them."

Kael's **anger flared**. "And you think you're the one breaking them?"

Orin raised his hand, gathering energy into a swirling sphere of **crimson and black lightning**. The air around them crackled with raw power.

"I'm not just breaking them," Orin said. "I'm **shattering** them."

Then he **thrust his hand forward.**

A **shockwave of destruction** exploded toward Kael.

Kael **reacted on instinct**—his **Fragment pulsing** as shadows **whirled around him**, absorbing the impact. **Dark tendrils lashed out**, cutting through the blast before it could engulf him.

Orin's eyes flickered with interest. "So you are getting stronger."

Kael steadied his breathing, his sword **coated in abyssal energy.**

"You're right about one thing, Orin."

Kael's aura **flared**.

"I'm done hesitating."

Then he **charged.**

Their blades **clashed once more**, sending tremors through the throne room. **Faster. Harder. Sharper.** Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, shaking the walls.

Saren, recovering from the earlier blast, **gritted her teeth**. "Okay, I've had enough of this."

She darted forward, aiming low—daggers **slashing for Orin's legs.**

But Orin **sensed it**.

Without looking, he twisted his body, narrowly dodging her strike. Then, with lightning speed, he slammed his elbow into her stomach.

Saren gasped, stumbling back.

Orin **barely broke his stride.**

"Not bad," Orin said, eyes gleaming. "But not enough."

Kael **ignored the pain in his arms** from their constant clashes. He gripped his sword tighter, exhaling.

If he kept fighting **like this**, he wouldn't last.

Orin was overpowering him.

He needed to **change tactics.**

Kael's **eyes narrowed.**

Then, in an instant—

He **lowered his sword.**

Orin's expression flickered. "Giving up?"

Kael clenched his fists. "No."

Then, with **every ounce of power he had**, he let his **Fragment energy explode.**

**Darkness flooded the room.**

Orin's eyes **widened** as the shadows swallowed everything. "What—?"

Then Kael **vanished.**

---

### **The Power of the Eclipse**

In the **total darkness**, Kael moved.

Fast. **Faster than ever before.**

His **Fragment pulsed**—a deep, resounding hum in his veins. He could feel the energy wrapping around him, merging with him.

This wasn't just **shadow.**

This was the **Eclipse.**

And he controlled it.

Kael's voice echoed through the darkness. "You wanted to see my strength?"

Orin turned sharply, trying to find him.

Kael **struck.**

**A blur of shadow and steel—**

His sword **sliced across Orin's armor**, sending him **staggering** for the first time.

Kael didn't stop.

Before Orin could counter, Kael was **behind him.**

Then—

**Another strike.**

A clean, precise slash across Orin's side. **Blood splattered across the stone floor.**

Orin **gritted his teeth**, eyes burning. "Tch…"

Kael could feel it.

For the first time, **Orin was on the defensive.**

But Orin was still **smiling.**

"You really have grown," Orin muttered. His **Fragment pulsed, the darkness starting to crack apart.**

Kael **tightened his grip.**

**This was it.**

He had a chance to end this.

To stop Orin before he went too far.

But before Kael could strike again—

**BOOM.**

A massive **explosion rocked the fortress.**

The walls **shook violently**, dust and debris crashing down from the ceiling.

Saren coughed, staggering to her feet. "What the hell was that?!"

Kael's senses **flared**.

Something was **wrong.**

Then—

A deep, rumbling **horn blast** echoed through Ironvale.

**An army was approaching.**

Orin chuckled, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Looks like we're out of time."

Kael's heart pounded. "What did you do?"

Orin's grin was sharp. **"I didn't do anything. But it looks like the Holy Order finally caught up to us."**

Kael froze.

Saren's eyes widened. "You mean—?"

**The Holy Order's forces were here.**

And they were about to lay siege to Ironvale.

---