Eclipse Requiem

Kael's breathing was uneven as he stared at the **black sword** in his grip. The violet flames along its edge flickered **softly**, almost as if the blade itself was alive—**watching him**.

The weight in his hand was unlike any weapon he had ever held. It felt... natural, like an extension of his own body. And yet, it carried something **heavy**—a presence that whispered at the edge of his mind.

Lyra cautiously approached. "Kael... what is that?"

Kael looked up, his eyes still **adjusting** from the visions he had seen in the Abyss. "I don't know. But I think—"

Before he could finish, a **pulse** of energy surged from the sword.

The **entire chamber trembled**.

The robed woman stepped forward, her silver eyes gleaming. "So, the blade has chosen you."

Kael tightened his grip. "What is this sword?"

"The Abyssforged Blade," she said calmly. "A weapon lost to time. It has no master—only those **strong enough** to wield it."

Kael frowned. "And what does that mean for me?"

The woman smiled faintly. "It means your **trial is not over**."

Before Kael could react, the chamber **shattered**.

No—**it changed**.

The torches lining the walls flickered and **died**, replaced by a swirling **black void**. The ground beneath him shifted, forming into a vast **arena of stone**, stretching far into the shadows.

A deep **rumbling** filled the air.

And then—

A **figure** emerged from the abyss.

It was **humanoid**, yet wrong. Its body was **tall and twisted**, its skin blackened like charred remains. Its face was hidden beneath a cracked iron mask, and **chains** coiled around its arms, rattling with each movement.

Kael took a cautious step back. "What is that?"

The woman's voice echoed through the void.

"Your true test."

The creature **moved**.

One moment, it stood across the arena. The next—

It was **right in front of him**.

Kael barely had time to react. A **blackened fist** came crashing down—

He threw himself aside **just in time**, feeling the shockwave of the impact as the stone floor **exploded** where he had been standing.

Lyra called out. "Kael!"

But he couldn't focus on her.

The creature turned toward him, its **empty eyes** locked onto his own.

It was fast. Too fast.

Kael's heart pounded.

If he didn't do something **now**, he was going to die.

His gaze flickered to the **Abyssforged Blade** in his hand.

He could feel it—**a hunger**.

It wanted to be **used**.

Kael clenched his teeth.

*"If I use this… will I still be myself?"*

The whispers in his mind only grew louder.

*"There is no self. Only power."*

The creature charged again.

Kael had no time to hesitate.

He **let go**.

The **Eclipse Seal** burned against his skin, and the sword **answered his call**.

A wave of **black energy** exploded from the blade, crackling with violet fire.

Kael didn't think—**he moved**.

Faster than he should have been able to.

The creature swung a **chain-wrapped fist**—

Kael twisted his body, dodging with unnatural **precision**.

His mind was clear. His movements felt **fluid**, guided by something beyond his own instincts.

And then—

He **struck**.

The Abyssforged Blade **sliced clean through** the creature's arm.

For a moment, there was **silence**.

Then—

The creature **howled**.

Black smoke **poured** from the wound, its body writhing as if reality itself was rejecting it.

Kael watched in stunned silence. His heart pounded in his chest.

*"I… won?"*

But then—

A sharp **pain** lanced through his body.

Kael gasped, falling to one knee. His **arm**—the one holding the blade—felt like it was **burning from the inside out**.

Lyra rushed to his side. "Kael!"

He could barely hear her. The pain was **unbearable**. The sword's whispers **grew louder**, demanding more, urging him to keep fighting, to **keep consuming**—

No.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to let go.

The moment his fingers **released the hilt**, the pain stopped.

The whispers **faded**.

The Abyssforged Blade landed on the ground beside him, its flames **dimmed**.

Kael panted, his body **shaking**.

The masked creature had vanished. The arena had dissolved.

They were back in the Veilborn chamber.

The robed woman smiled. "You understand now, don't you?"

Kael looked up at her, his eyes dark with realization.

"This sword… it's alive," he muttered.

"Not alive," she corrected. "But it does **hunger**."

Kael stared at the blade. His fingers still **ached** from holding it.

He had won the battle.

But he had felt it—the sword had tried to **take something from him**.

If he kept using it…

Would he **lose himself**?

The robed woman's voice softened. "This is the price of power, Kael. You must decide… is it a price you are willing to pay?"

Kael didn't answer.

Because deep down, he already knew.

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