Eclipse Requiem

The clash of steel rang through the chamber like a war drum, each strike shaking the ground beneath them.

Kael **moved faster than ever**, his Abyssforged Blade weaving through the air in **dark arcs**, his attacks pushing Veydris back. The once-untouchable Inquisitor was now on the defensive, his silver greatsword struggling to repel the **relentless assault**.

**This was it.**

Kael wasn't just swinging wildly anymore. He wasn't just relying on raw emotion.

For the first time, he was in **control.**

Veydris blocked another slash, but his stance **shifted slightly**—a misstep.

Kael **saw it.**

He feinted left, then spun low, his blade **cutting upward**.

Veydris barely had time to react—Kael's blade **tore through the plates of his armor**, dark flames **erupting on impact**.

The Inquisitor grunted, his first true **sign of pain.**

Kael's eyes widened slightly.

*"I… I landed a clean hit!"*

But he didn't stop to celebrate. He pressed forward, his blade a **black blur**, forcing Veydris back step by step.

Each swing, each strike, sent **cracks through the chamber floor**, the sheer force of their battle **shaking the air itself**.

Veydris's silver aura **flickered**, his expression unreadable behind his helmet.

Kael could feel it.

The **balance had shifted.**

For the first time since the fight began, **Veydris was no longer in control.**

Kael's heart **pounded**, the Abyssforged Blade **thrumming in his hands**, almost as if it was alive.

And yet—

Something was **wrong.**

Kael's muscles **ached**, not from exhaustion, but from something deeper.

A **tugging sensation**, pulling at his core.

Like something was trying to **break free.**

*"Not now."*

He **shook it off**, focusing back on Veydris.

The Inquisitor exhaled slowly, adjusting his stance. "So… you are learning."

Kael didn't answer.

He just **attacked.**

He **vanished**—his speed now so fast that even Veydris struggled to track him.

He reappeared at Veydris's side, slashing downward.

The Inquisitor turned **just in time**, raising his blade to meet Kael's strike.

The moment their swords clashed—

**Something snapped.**

A **wave of black fire** erupted from Kael's blade, **exploding outward**.

The impact sent **both of them flying**, stone shattering beneath them.

Kael landed hard, sliding across the ground. His vision **blurred**, his chest heaving.

But when he looked up—

His **stomach dropped.**

Veydris was standing again…

But something was **wrong.**

His silver armor was **cracked**, the once-pristine metal **blackened from the flames**.

But more than that—

His **right arm was trembling.**

Kael's breath **caught in his throat.**

Veydris looked down at his own hand, flexing his fingers. For the first time, his **calm demeanor wavered.**

Kael **grinned**.

"You're not as untouchable as you thought, are you?"

Veydris slowly lifted his gaze.

And Kael's **smile faded.**

Because the moment their eyes met, he realized something **terrifying**.

Veydris… wasn't **angry.**

He wasn't **worried.**

If anything—

He looked **amused.**

"Interesting," Veydris murmured, rotating his wrist as if testing his strength. "I wasn't expecting you to force me this far."

Kael's **blood ran cold.**

*"What is he talking about…?"*

Veydris exhaled, then reached up—

And **removed his helmet.**

Kael's breath caught.

The Inquisitor's face was **younger than he expected**—chiseled features, short silver hair, and piercing violet eyes that seemed to **glow in the darkness.**

But more than that—

Kael saw **something unnatural.**

A **mark** on Veydris's forehead.

A glowing sigil, etched into his skin like **burning silver chains.**

*"That's…"*

Before Kael could process it, Veydris spoke again.

"I think it's time we stop playing around."

Then—

The **sigil pulsed.**

And Kael's world **exploded.**

A **shockwave of silver light** blasted outward from Veydris, slamming into Kael like a tidal wave.

Pain **shot through his body**, his **Abyssforged Blade screaming in protest.**

The force **crushed him**, sending him **crashing into the far wall**.

His vision blurred.

His body wouldn't **move.**

He could barely breathe.

Lyra's voice was distant, **calling his name**, but it sounded so far away.

Veydris **stepped forward**, his greatsword now **radiating with raw, unrestrained power.**

Kael could barely **lift his head.**

Veydris looked down at him, almost… **disappointed.**

"I was hoping for more," he said. "But it seems you're still **bound by your chains.**"

Kael gritted his teeth, trying to move.

But his limbs **refused to obey.**

Veydris lifted his sword.

Kael felt **cold steel against his neck.**

This was it.

He was going to—

**BOOM.**

A sudden **shockwave tore through the chamber**, knocking Veydris back.

Kael's **eyes widened.**

Not from the blast—

But from what he saw.

His Abyssforged Blade…

Was **floating.**

The black flames around it had **changed**, turning into something deeper, something **more alive**.

A voice echoed in Kael's mind.

*"You are not done yet."*

The Eclipse Seal on his arm **burned like a star.**

His vision **darkened**.

And then—

The chains **broke.**

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