◆◇◆
In the capital, multiple layers of the armed forces stood to protect the palace and the capital, prepared to repel any threat that dared approach
They were known collectively as the King's Armies, divided into four sects: The Army of Godlight ,the Iron Bastion, the Oathbound Sentinels,
and the Shadow Army. Each had its role.
The Oathbound Sentinels served the king directly. The Iron Bastion defended the outer capital. The Army of Godlight handled internal threats. But above them all stood the Shadow Army(S.D.A.) filled with spies, assassins, and intelligence gatherers. They were considered the mind of the kingdom.
◆◇◆
Inside the shadow sect base..
"Commander! you need to hear this...."
"What is it? the commander said, feeling annoyed. "And who are you?"
"Sir, i'm new here. Still undergoing training."
"hmm, you said you have important information?" the commander said
"yes commander.... it is about the Eclipse"...
"Rumors whispered around.
They had begun to move.
Two of them were said to be spotted within the capital itself drinking openly in a tavern."
"The Eclipse." The commander's voice was heavy.
" A terrifying organization. with just seven known members, yet their powers rival that of all the King's armies combined.
"How true is this information, young man?" the gaze he gave was terrifying that the young man fell on his knees." you know, i dislike false information.
"Commander, another member of an higher rank interfered, "i just confirmed this information. it is true, two of the eclipse were spotted at the local tavern."
"Is that so....?" the commander said as he clenched his fist.
"they vanished for years, for them to reappear now.... means only one thing"
"destruction!"
"Why not go and capture them, Commander.. another member asked. "since they are only two of them its better we capture them while they let their guard down drinking in the bar
The commander shook his head.
"We cannot act rashly. A single eclipse could level this capital. Try as much to bring them in without a fight. If a fight breaks out…"
He paused.
"It will be disastrous."
"Take only our most skilled shadows."
"Yes, Commander."
As the officer turned to leave, the commander spoke again.
"If negotiations fail… we have a card of our own."
A thin smile formed.
"One they will never expect."
"Yes" commander…
the commander turned to the new young man on the ground and asked
"What's your name, young man.?"
"my...name.. is Luwin!, my name is Luwin sir!"
"Luwin, hmm here, take it welcome to the shadow army..." the commander turned to leave
Luwin smiled with joy as he shouted
"thank you sir.."
◆◇◆
"To think we'd meet like this in the capital, Fenric"
A woman walked towards the tavern, Blue eyes. long hair with a faint pink shimmer. and a flowing white and pink dress. while she held a longsword in her hand
"Phewww another! The drink in this tavern tastes wonderful.."
A massive man slammed his mug down, laughter echoing with an Eclipse tattoo burned on his left arm.
"Insolent," she said coldly.
"Drunk on a mission… Why are men like this? it would have been fun if lady Aris was here"
Fenric grinned.
"Haha! It's been a long time, Lady Ze'el. Still remember my offer? I'm still open."
Crack.
Every bottle and glass in the tavern shattered at once.
"No my drink.." Fenric yelled.
Her aura crushed the air.
"Do you wish to die?"
"You witch! That's why you're still single," Fenric laughed. he turned to the tarven owner
"Relax, Old Man there is nothing to be afraid of, I'll pay for the damage."
He leaned forward.
"Did you hear"? Lady Aris has gotten a disciple and he is from the house of Veyrun…. to think those people was still alive, Aris that bastard...
"Yes i heard it…. unfortunately he is not a Veyrun but an adopted child, and i heard he can't use soul energy, seriously what made Aris took him as a disciple. he is going to be left behind by the other six disciple..
Fenric laughed
"don't you think its weird for Aris to take him in...? that kid must be special."
"And they are a lot similar too, Zerakki burned the village of that boy.. and also a similar thing happened to her, i guess she pities him"
Ze'el's eyes darkened.
"it was tragic what happen to him, the incarnate of Zerakki really is something."
"if he was to learn that boy survived that massacre, he might come for him...
"Enough talk," Fenric said.
"The mission. What did you find?"
"This is not the place," Ze'el replied.
"We're being watched by some stealth users, i think they are from the shadow sect"
Fenric cracked his knuckles.
"Then let's deal with them."
"For once," Ze'el said calmly,
"I agree."
"Hey you old man" get the hell of this place, we are about to wreak havoc
She drew her blade.
Slash.
The tavern split in two.
Figures emerged from the shadows.
"As expected of the eclipse…. Seeing through our stealth, impressive
"This guy looks strong, Fenric said with excitement.. Clenching his fist ready to throw hands
" Hold on fenric i don't sense any ill intention from these people…."
Her blade hovered near the man's throat.
"Speak. Why are you here?"
"We bring no hostility," the commander said.
"Our commander requests an audience."
"An audience?" Fenric scoffed.
"With ten shadow soldiers behind you?"
"I am merely a messenger," the man replied calmly. "I understand your suspicion but we hold no ill intent."
Ze'el glanced at Fenric.
"We should go. What's the worst that could happen?besides this could help us on our mission."
◆◇◆
"Seven phases of the eclipse? What a strange name…. "
"You fool"... Rhapel snapped.
If anything strange, it's you"
"As I was saying…. Where was I now,
"Each Phase represents the stages of a solar and lunar eclipse."
"But there are twelve phases of an eclipse including total solar eclipse and lunar eclipse if we represent the Eclipse, why only seven members" I asked feeling curious
Rhapel smiled.
" You are quite smart Gray" Rhapel said, bumping his hand on my back…."
Originally we were the twelve phases
"Together, the Eclipse embodies all stages of both solar and lunar eclipses."
but we were split into two factions
The Lunar consisting of seven members which are obviously the strongest, The only members known to the world
"The remaining five represent the Total Eclipse support specialists. Healing, crafting, finance." they are very well known around the world, and also very rich..
"We call them the Five Geniuses."
"Without them," he added,
"This organization wouldn't exist."
"Interesting" I muttered "with this much power they could take over this kingdom if they want"
"There is hierarchy even among the seven," Rhapel continued.
"And it extends to us disciples."
Which means if your master represents the fourth phase, you as a disciple could be ranked first…
First uhhh?.. I said "I wonder what phase does my master represent"
"You mean lady Aris?... She represents the second phase as she is the second strongest here"
I froze.
"Second? But She's the Grandmaster's incarnation…isn't incarnations crazily strong?"
"Quiet surprisingly right?"
So if my master is second, who represents the first?
Rhapel voice dropped
"Lord Eryth…. He is the strongest member of the phase he is a true demon…. He is the reason why we are able to control large armies of demons"
you might have seen him around, he is always with Grandmaster
"And his disciple.. that guy is a monster too none of us have been able to beat him… even together he is an absolute beast…"
"I guess he should also number one..."
I looked up as the infirmary came into view.
Then turned to Rhapel.
"That is about to change" as we walked inside.