Eclipse Requiem

The **black flames** around Kael flickered dangerously, pulsing in rhythm with his ragged breathing. His fingers **tightened** around the Abyssforged Blade, its heat sinking into his skin.

For a moment, he could still hear the whispers—**dark, insidious, tempting.**

*"Let go."*

*"Embrace us."*

*"Become what you were meant to be."*

Kael **shut his eyes** and forced the voices away.

When he opened them again, Veydris was still there, watching him with cold calculation.

"You felt it, didn't you?" The Inquisitor's voice was **measured**, but Kael could sense the intrigue behind it. "The power inside you. It's clawing to be unleashed."

Kael steadied himself, his heart **pounding**. "I don't care about your riddles, Veydris. I'll decide how I use my power."

Veydris let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Ignorance will be your downfall."

And then he moved.

Veydris's **silver aura flared**, his greatsword flashing in an arc of radiant light as he lunged.

Kael **reacted instantly**, raising his Abyssforged Blade to meet the strike.

**CLANG!**

The force **tore through the air**, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the chamber floor.

Kael **gritted his teeth**, locking blades with the Inquisitor.

He could feel the weight of Veydris's power—**dense, refined, unshakable**. It wasn't just strength; it was **mastery**. Every movement, every attack, carried the precision of a warrior who had **honed his craft for decades**.

Kael pushed forward, his **black flames surging**, but Veydris **countered effortlessly**, twisting his blade and slamming his armored elbow into Kael's side.

The impact **stole the breath from his lungs**, sending him **skidding back**.

*"Damn it… He's still stronger than me!"*

Kael clenched his jaw, but before he could recover, Veydris **was already in front of him again**, his greatsword slicing through the air.

Kael barely had time to raise his blade before—

**BOOM!**

The force **sent him flying**, crashing through a stone pillar.

"Kael!" Lyra's voice rang out.

Kael gasped for breath, his ribs aching. He struggled to push himself up, but his arms trembled.

Veydris approached slowly, his boots **crushing the debris beneath him**.

"You fight with rage, but without purpose," Veydris said. "You wield darkness, but without control. That is why you are **losing**."

Kael coughed, blood dripping from his lips. His vision blurred slightly, but through it, he saw Lyra standing a few feet away—**her daggers drawn, ready to interfere.**

No.

She couldn't.

If she stepped in now, Veydris would **kill her**.

Kael clenched his fists.

*"I can't let that happen."*

His Abyssforged Blade **shook in his grasp**, the flames flickering uncertainly.

He was at his limit. He **knew it**.

But something deep inside him refused to **fall here.**

He had to win.

Not for revenge. Not for power.

For Lyra. For the people still waiting for him.

For the ones who still **believed in him.**

Kael exhaled slowly.

He needed **more**.

More power. More control.

Not just to fight—**but to win.**

He closed his eyes.

And let the Abyssforged Blade's power **flow through him.**

The whispers returned—**stronger, clearer.**

*"You seek strength?"*

*"Then prove yourself worthy."*

Kael's Eclipse Seal **flared**, burning hotter than ever.

His veins felt like **fire**, his body trembling as his senses expanded. The world around him slowed—**every sound sharper, every movement clearer.**

When he opened his eyes again—

They **glowed with black fire.**

Veydris hesitated for the first time.

Kael **vanished.**

Veydris's instincts screamed, and he raised his greatsword—

But **Kael was already behind him.**

The Abyssforged Blade **sliced through the air**, trailing pure darkness as it struck.

Veydris barely managed to turn in time to block, but the **impact was different this time.**

The moment their swords clashed, **Kael's power surged forward, consuming Veydris's holy light.**

Veydris **staggered back**.

Kael pressed the attack, his movements faster, his strikes **heavier**.

His power wasn't just **wild fury** anymore.

It was **controlled.**

**Directed.**

Veydris gritted his teeth, his silver aura **struggling against the black flames.**

Kael felt it—**the shift.**

For the first time, Veydris wasn't dictating the battle.

For the first time, **Kael was pushing him back.**

A grin pulled at Kael's lips.

This fight **wasn't over yet.**