Eclipse Requiem

A deep, guttural **rumbling** shook the underground chamber, dislodging dust and debris from the ceiling. The glowing **eye** within the shadows flickered with an ominous light, its gaze locked onto Kael.

*"Prove yourself, Eclipse Bearer."*

The voice wasn't just heard—it was **felt**. A force that rattled Kael's very bones.

Then—**the darkness moved**.

From within the void, a **monstrous form** emerged. A **beast of shadow**, its body shifting and writhing as if it were **half-real**. **Clawed hands** scraped against the stone floor, and a deep **growl** reverberated through the air.

Kael's instincts screamed at him to run.

But there was **nowhere to go**.

Lyra grabbed his arm. "Kael—what is that thing?!"

The robed woman who had led them here stood calmly at the altar, unfazed. "Your test."

Kael turned to her, fists clenched. "What kind of test is this?!"

The woman smiled. "Survival."

Before he could react, the **beast lunged**.

Kael barely had time to twist out of the way. The **clawed hand** swiped past him, slamming into the ground with a **crack**, shattering the stone.

Lyra pulled her daggers. "We're fighting, then!"

Kael's mind raced. He didn't know what this thing was, but its presence felt… **wrong**. Like something out of the abyss itself.

*"Prove yourself."*

The words echoed in his mind.

Kael's gaze flickered to his **Eclipse Seal**.

Was this what they wanted? For him to use its power?

The beast **roared**, eyes burning with violet light, and charged again.

Kael acted on instinct. He **raised his arm**, willing the Eclipse Seal to activate.

Darkness **pulsed** from his skin.

The world around him slowed. The beast's movements became **predictable**, as if he could see the attack before it even happened.

Kael ducked low, avoiding the swipe, and then—

He **moved faster than he should have been able to**.

His body felt **lighter**, his muscles filled with a power that wasn't his own. He spun behind the beast and slashed his dagger across its back.

The blade met **nothing but air**.

Kael's eyes widened. His dagger had **passed straight through it**.

The beast didn't even flinch.

Instead, it **whirled around**, its arm morphing into a **blade-like shape**. It swung—

Kael barely managed to bring his arm up in time.

The **Eclipse Seal pulsed**.

A wave of **black energy** erupted from his arm, **clashing** against the monster's attack. The entire chamber **shook**, the force sending Kael skidding backward.

Lyra jumped in front of him, daggers raised. "That thing's not normal!"

Kael gritted his teeth. "No kidding!"

The robed woman observed them with an amused expression. "Your dagger is useless. You cannot harm the Abyss with mortal weapons."

Kael scowled. "Then how am I supposed to fight?!"

The woman's silver eyes gleamed. "You already know the answer."

Kael glanced at his **Eclipse Seal** again.

His **own power**—

That was the only way.

The beast **charged once more**, its form flickering like a shadow in the wind.

This time, Kael didn't dodge.

He stepped **forward**.

He reached for the darkness within him.

The **Seal burned** against his skin, and in that instant—**Kael understood**.

He wasn't supposed to fight the abyss.

He was supposed to become **part of it**.

As the beast's claws descended, Kael's body **faded into shadow**.

The attack passed **through him**.

Kael reappeared behind the beast, his hand **crackling with black energy**. Without thinking, he lashed out—

The energy **tore** through the creature.

The beast let out a guttural **screech**, its form **collapsing inward**, consumed by the very darkness it had emerged from.

And then—**silence**.

The air in the chamber grew **still**.

The glowing eye in the shadows slowly **dimmed**.

Then, a voice—whispering, ancient.

*"You have taken the first step."*

The presence **vanished**.

The robed woman **smiled**. "Interesting."

Kael exhaled, his body shaking. He hadn't just used the Eclipse Seal's power—he had **become** it, if only for a second.

Lyra grabbed his shoulder. "Kael, are you okay?"

He nodded slowly. "I… I think so."

The woman stepped forward. "You wield the Abyss as if it is a part of you. That is good. But your trial is not yet complete."

Kael frowned. "What else is there?"

She gestured toward the altar. "Now… you must make your **choice**."

On the altar, a **black crystal** pulsed with a soft, rhythmic glow.

"The power of the Eclipse comes with a price," the woman said. "If you wish to continue, you must **accept it**."

Kael stared at the crystal.

It **called** to him.

The whispers in the chamber began again—this time, **inside his mind**.

Lyra grabbed his wrist. "Kael, wait."

He turned to her.

She looked at him with worry in her eyes. "You don't have to do this."

Kael hesitated.

Did he?

The Celestial Church wanted him dead. The Shadow Guild was **using** him. And the **only** people who seemed to have real answers were these Veilborn.

If he turned back now…

What would he be left with?

Kael clenched his fist.

No.

He had already made his choice.

He stepped forward and reached for the **crystal**.

The moment his fingers touched it—

**Darkness exploded outward.**

The whispers turned into **shouts**.

The entire chamber **vanished**—

And Kael found himself **falling into the Abyss**.

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