Steel clashed.
Power surged.
The battlefield was no longer silent.
Kael moved like a shadow—precise, controlled, every strike calculated. His sword cut through the air with deadly intent, forcing back one Eclipse warrior after another.
Elara stood at his flank.
Water spiraled around her, sharp as blades, fluid as thought.
Riven—
smiled.
"…Now this feels better."
An Eclipse warrior lunged toward him—
fast—
silent—
Riven didn't move.
"…Too slow."
At the last second, he shifted sideways, letting the strike pass, then countered—not wildly—but perfectly placed.
The attacker staggered.
Riven tilted his head.
"…You guys look scary, but you're kind of disappointing."
Behind him—
a sudden force snapped around his arms.
He froze.
"…Oh come on—again?"
Kael didn't even look at him.
"Focus."
Riven struggled slightly.
"…I was focusing. On insulting them."
The hold tightened for a second—
then released.
Riven dropped his arms, glaring at Kael.
"…One day, I'm going to resist that."
Kael replied calmly,
"No, you won't."
Elara moved past them—
fast—
her blade cutting through a rising strike of shadow.
"…Less talking. More surviving."
Riven smirked.
"…You sound like him now."
Elara didn't respond—
but for a split second—
her expression almost shifted.
Then—
everything stopped.
Not fully.
But enough.
The Eclipse warriors pulled back.
Simultaneously.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"…Why?"
Riven exhaled.
"…That's never a good sign."
A slow clap echoed.
From above.
All three looked up.
Standing atop a broken pillar—
was another figure.
Different.
Taller.
More composed.
His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
Dark cloak flowing, unmoved by wind.
Eyes—sharp, almost amused.
"…Impressive," he said.
Riven squinted.
"…Oh great. Another dramatic entrance."
The figure smirked faintly.
"You've grown careless, Kael."
Kael didn't react.
"…You've grown bold."
The man stepped forward—
then dropped down effortlessly.
Landing without a sound.
"…Boldness is required when the truth begins to unravel."
Elara stepped forward slightly.
"…Another Eclipse?"
He looked at her.
Longer than necessary.
"…You're more unstable than expected."
Riven stepped in.
"…Alright, I officially don't like any of you."
The man ignored him.
"I am not here to fight."
A pause.
"I am here to observe… and report."
Kael's voice dropped.
"…To him?"
The man smiled slightly.
"…You already know the answer."
Silence.
Riven glanced at Kael.
"…That didn't sound friendly."
Kael didn't respond.
Instead—
his gaze hardened.
"Leave."
The man tilted his head.
"…You give orders like you're still one of us."
A pause.
"You're not."
The air shifted again.
Elara stepped forward.
"…Say what you came to say."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…The seal is weakening faster than predicted."
Silence.
"…And when it breaks—"
He looked directly at her.
"…you won't be able to control what you become."
Riven stepped beside her instantly.
"…She doesn't need your concern."
The man's gaze shifted to him.
For a brief moment—
he studied Riven.
"…Interesting."
Riven frowned.
"…What?"
The man didn't answer.
Instead—
he turned away.
"…We'll meet again."
A pause.
"Soon."
And just like that—
he was gone.
The remaining Eclipse warriors vanished with him.
Silence returned.
Riven exhaled loudly.
"…Why does everyone here speak like they're in some prophecy?"
Kael didn't answer.
Elara stood still.
"…What did he mean?"
No answer.
Riven looked at Kael.
"…You know, don't you?"
Kael turned slightly.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Riven raised an eyebrow.
"…And you're not going to share?"
Kael looked forward again.
"No."
Riven sighed.
"…Great. Love that."
Elara stepped ahead.
"…Then we find out ourselves."
Kael didn't stop her.
Didn't argue.
But his voice followed—
low.
"…Be ready."
A pause.
"For what comes next."
Riven stretched his shoulders.
"…As long as it doesn't involve me getting tied up again, I'm ready."
Kael glanced at him.
Riven immediately raised his hands.
"…I'm quiet. Completely quiet."
Elara moved ahead—
a faint hint of something unreadable in her expression.
And for a moment—
just a moment—
Riven leaned slightly toward Kael.
"…You really think she'll lose control?"
Kael's answer was quiet.
"…I know she will."
Riven's smirk faded.
"…Then we don't let her."
Kael didn't respond.
Because deep down—
he knew—
That might not be a choice anymore.
Far away—
in the unseen dark—
something stirred again.
Closer now.
Watching.
Waiting.
"The pieces are moving…"
"Good."
A pause.
"Let them grow closer…"
Silence.
"It will make the fall… more complete."