Eclipse Requiem

Kael's footsteps echoed as he walked through the crowded streets of Ironvale. **Everywhere he looked, there were soldiers—mercenaries drawn to power and war.** The air smelled of burning coal and steel, the constant clashing of swords ringing through the fortress city like a battle hymn.

Orin was here.

And if the growing army was any indication, he was no longer the boy Kael once knew.

Saren nudged him. "So… how do we get inside the keep without getting impaled?"

Kael scanned the entrance. Heavily armored guards stood at the gate, their expressions cold and unyielding. **No way they'd let two strangers just walk in.**

"We need information first," Kael muttered.

They ducked into a nearby tavern—**The Ember Fang.**

Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Warriors drank in silence, eyes flickering toward the door when they entered. These weren't ordinary fighters. **They were killers.**

Kael and Saren took a seat in the corner. A **scarred mercenary** sat nearby, hunched over a mug of ale. His armor bore the insignia of Ironvale—a crimson wolf's head.

Saren leaned in and whispered, "He looks like he knows something."

Kael nodded. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a **small silver coin**, spinning it between his fingers.

The mercenary's gaze flickered toward the coin.

Kael smirked. "Buy you a drink?"

The mercenary grunted. "Depends. What do you want?"

Kael leaned forward. "Information."

The mercenary took the coin and downed his drink. "Ask."

Kael's voice was calm. "Orin Voss. What do you know?"

The tavern **fell silent.**

The mercenary's eyes darkened. "You don't want to be asking about him, stranger."

Kael kept his expression neutral. "And why is that?"

The mercenary leaned in. "Because Orin isn't just some warlord gathering men. He's preparing for something bigger. Something…" He hesitated. "Something unnatural."

Saren frowned. "Unnatural?"

The mercenary glanced around, lowering his voice. "Orin has power. More than a man should have. Some say he's been **blessed by the gods.** Others say he's been **cursed.**"

Kael's heart pounded.

"Where is he?" he asked.

The mercenary hesitated. "He's in the keep. But he doesn't meet with just anyone. If you want to see him, you'll have to prove yourself."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "How?"

The mercenary smirked. "The **Blood Trial.**"

---

### **The Blood Trial**

The Blood Trial was held in Ironvale's **underground arena**, a massive pit surrounded by roaring spectators.

Kael and Saren stood near the entrance as a massive iron gate loomed before them. Beyond it, warriors **fought to the death** for the chance to join Orin's ranks.

Saren crossed her arms. "So, let me get this straight. If we want to meet Orin, we have to survive a gladiator match against a bunch of bloodthirsty killers?"

Kael sighed. "Pretty much."

"Great," she muttered. "You really pick the best plans."

A **robed announcer** stepped forward, his voice booming. "New challengers! Step forth and prove your worth!"

Kael and Saren entered the arena.

The crowd **erupted.**

Across from them, the gate opened—**and three opponents stepped forward.**

A towering brute wielding a massive war hammer.

A slender assassin with twin blades.

And a hooded figure… **whose aura pulsed with Fragment energy.**

Kael's grip tightened on his sword.

Saren exhaled. "Oh, this just keeps getting better."

The announcer raised his hand.

Then—

He dropped it.

"Begin!"

---

### **The Battle of the Arena**

The brute **charged first**, his war hammer swinging like a wrecking ball. Kael dodged, feeling the **shockwave** as the weapon shattered the stone where he had stood.

Saren moved like a shadow, vanishing before appearing behind the assassin, her daggers flashing.

Steel **clashed.**

Kael faced the hooded figure. The man **radiated Fragment energy**, his hands crackling with black lightning.

"Another wielder," Kael muttered.

The hooded man grinned. "You're not the only one with power, Eclipse Bearer."

Kael's eyes widened. **He knew.**

Before Kael could react, the man **vanished—then reappeared behind him, a blade of pure energy slashing toward his back.**

Kael barely had time to parry, the impact sending him sliding backward.

Saren dispatched the assassin with a quick strike, then turned to Kael. "Need help?"

Kael shook his head. "I've got this."

The hooded man smirked. "Let's see how strong you really are."

He **unleashed a wave of black lightning.**

Kael's Fragment **responded.**

Shadow energy **exploded** around him as he activated **Abyssal Step**, dodging the attack in an instant. He reappeared **behind** his opponent, blade glowing with dark energy.

Then—

**He struck.**

The hooded man's eyes widened as Kael's sword pierced his defenses, sending him crashing to the ground.

The arena **fell silent.**

Then—

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Kael exhaled, lowering his sword.

They had **won.**

The announcer stepped forward. "The newcomers have proven their strength!" He gestured toward the keep. "Orin Voss will see you now."

Kael's heart pounded.

After all these years…

He was finally going to see Orin again.

But would he still recognize him?

Or was his brother **already lost?**

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