LYRRISE'S POV;
The masked boy moved like lightning. Before I could even react, he was already in front of Mathilda. She swung her scythe, shield mode snapping back into its long curved blade, but he caught it mid-swing and ripped it from her hands like it weighed nothing.
One strike to her chest and she was launched back into the wall, coughing as the wind left her lungs.
"Mathilda!" I shouted.
She groaned, trying to stand, but her body gave out, and Cyril dragged her up. "Get her to evacuation!" Edric's voice echoed from behind us, ordering all the other students out.
"But Lyrrise—" Mathilda started, eyes wide.
"Go!" I shouted, stepping forward, katana drawn.
The masked boy tilted his head slightly, his voice calm and eerily human.
"So… it's just you."
I didn't answer. My grip on the katana tightened, the familiar hum vibrating in my hands as I stepped into stance.
His body blurred again, coming at me with speed that nearly tore the air apart. I parried his first strike, barely keeping up, sparks flying as his clawed hands clashed against my blade.
We exchanged blows in a deadly rhythm—strike, parry, dodge. He moved with precision, no wasted motion, like he'd been trained. This wasn't some wild Riftborn beast. This was a fighter.
A slash from him grazed my shoulder, warm blood soaking through my uniform. Pain shot down my arm, but I didn't stop. I slashed upward, forcing him to leap back. Both of us stood there, breathing heavily, eyes locked.
The Temptation
He lowered his arms slightly, voice smooth.
"You're just one of us… you feel it, don't you? If you join us, no one could ever stop us."
He took a slow step closer, mask gleaming under the crimson lights.
"Let's make the world better. Together, we'd be unstoppable."
I said nothing, only raising my blade again.
He chuckled softly. "Still stubborn."
I dashed forward, ignoring the pain in my shoulder, slashing fast and hard. He met me head-on, blocking with claws shimmering in red energy.
As we locked blades, his voice came low and sharp:
"If you keep those eyes of yours, you'll attract every Riftborn within miles. You don't want that to happen… right?"
I pushed off, eyes narrowing. "Who am I to you?! Who the hell am I really?!" I screamed.
The masked boy laughed—a deep, hollow sound that sent chills through me.
"You don't know? Because you're—"
A sharp clang rang out as something pierced through the masked boy's back.
He jerked, looking down in shock. Cyril's twin blade had gone straight through him from behind.
Cyril stood there, green eyes sharp and voice cold. "You talk too much."
The masked boy staggered, turning his head toward Cyril, then back at me. Even behind the mask, I could feel his smirk.
"Interesting…" he whispered, before dissolving into crimson mist, vanishing completely.
I collapsed to one knee, gripping my bleeding shoulder, my chest heaving. The fight had felt… personal. His words still echoed in my head:
"You're just one of us."
"If you join us, no one could ever stop us."
Cyril knelt next to me, gripping my uninjured arm to help me up. "You okay?"
I shook my head slightly, still catching my breath. "No. Because I think… he knew me."
Cyril's jaw tightened. "We'll figure this out. Later. For now, you need medical attention."
But deep down, even as he led me out of the wrecked hallway, I couldn't stop hearing his laugh… and wondering what he was about to say before Cyril's blade silenced him.
The hall was quiet now, the masked boy's Rift energy fading into nothing. The evacuation alarms had stopped, and faint medical drones buzzed in the distance as injured students were taken care of.
I stared at my blood-stained hands, the memory of that fight still pounding in my head. His words echoed louder than the alarms ever could:
"You're just one of us… you belong to me."
Something in my chest cracked. I clenched my fists, tears blurring my vision, and suddenly I shouted:
"Cyril!"
He turned, slightly startled, but calm as always.
I stepped toward him, tears streaming freely now. "What the hell is going on? Why did he say those things? Why do Riftborn keep looking at me like I'm one of them?!" My voice broke, raw and loud enough to echo down the hall.
For once, Cyril didn't answer immediately. His eyes softened, and he let out a slow, heavy sigh.
Then he said it:
"I'm not an ordinary human… Lyrrise."
My chest tightened. "What?"
He met my gaze evenly, no hesitation now.
"I'm also a humanoid Riftborn… like the boy you fought earlier."
He walked past me and sat down on a nearby bench, the weight of what he said hanging in the air like gravity itself had doubled. I slowly followed, my hands shaking as I sat next to him.
Cyril leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, speaking quietly. "We're called Eclipsed—Riftborn who were… made in human form. Unlike normal ones, we can think, feel, and choose. We're rare, and most people don't even believe we exist."
I swallowed, tears still sliding down my cheeks. "So you're saying… the boy I fought—he was one too?"
Cyril nodded slowly. "Yes. And he wasn't lying about one thing, Lyrrise. You… you really do have something that draws Riftborn to you. Your eyes, your power—it's like a beacon to them."
I stared at him, my voice trembling. "Then… what am I?"
He looked at me for a long moment before saying quietly, "That's what we need to find out. But first, you need to understand what being like me means—and why people like him want you."
The silence between us lingered, broken only by the distant hum of medical drones and the faint chatter of evacuated students. My tears had slowed, but my chest still ached from everything that had just happened.
I turned to Cyril, voice trembling. "Tell me… what exactly are Eclipsed Riftborns? How are they made?"
Cyril looked at the floor for a long moment before leaning back on the bench, his green eyes losing their usual calm. "It's a long story," he said quietly.
"I'm not going anywhere," I replied, gripping my knees tightly.
He gave me a small, sad smile, then nodded. "Alright… listen carefully, Lyrrise."
The Story Begins
"Most people think Riftborn are just… monsters," Cyril said. "Creatures born from those crimson portals with no thought, no reason—just hunger and rage. That's true… for most of them."
He paused, rubbing his hands together. "But a long time ago, during the first year of the Crimson Veil Agency's founding, there were scientists who thought differently. They believed that if Riftborn energy could be controlled, humanity could make weapons powerful enough to stop any invasion. They started experimenting… and that's how the first Eclipsed were created."
I frowned. "Created? You mean… you weren't born?"
Cyril shook his head slowly. "Some of us were born human… others weren't. The scientists took Riftborn essence—the energy that gives them their unnatural strength—and fused it with human DNA. The result was… people like me. People who look human, feel human… but have Riftborn cores beating inside their bodies."
The First Generation
Cyril's gaze went distant, like he was remembering something painful. "The first generation of Eclipsed wasn't stable. Half of them lost control and turned into the very monsters they were designed to stop. The other half…" He sighed. "They became soldiers. Assassins. Weapons for the Agency."
"Like you?" I asked softly.
He gave a humorless chuckle. "Not exactly. I wasn't part of that first generation—I came later, after they perfected the process. I was… raised as one of them. Trained from the time I could walk. I learned to use my power, to keep the Riftborn instincts buried deep. I learned to act human even when half of me isn't."
The Truth Behind the Masked Boy
I looked at him, remembering the masked boy's words. "So… he was one of you? Another Eclipsed?"
Cyril nodded. "Yes. I don't know his name yet, but I know what he is. And he wasn't wrong about one thing, Lyrrise—you are like us in some way. Your eyes, your speed, the way you fight without even thinking? That's what we train for years to achieve… and you're doing it naturally."
My chest tightened. "You're saying I'm… not fully human?"
Cyril hesitated, then said, "I don't know what you are yet. But Eclipsed like me… we can sense each other. And when he looked at you, I saw it in his stance—he didn't see you as a target. He saw you as family."
The Price of Power
Cyril's tone grew heavier. "Being an Eclipsed isn't a gift, Lyrrise. It's a curse. We age differently. Our powers… attract Riftborn. The stronger we get, the more Riftborn see us as either leaders… or prey. That's why he warned you about your eyes. The glow? That's a sign of awakening—a Riftborn trait."
I touched my face unconsciously, thinking about how my eyes had glowed crimson like the bloody moon. "So every time I use it…"
Cyril nodded grimly. "You risk drawing more of them. Not just the small ones. Originals… leaders… maybe even worse."
Cyril's Confession
For the first time, I saw something in Cyril's expression I'd never noticed before—regret. "I didn't want you to find out this way," he admitted quietly. "I thought I could protect you from it… maybe let you live like a normal student, even with those instincts of yours."
I whispered, "But I'm not normal, am I?"
He shook his head slowly. "No. And neither am I. But at least now… you know what I am. And you know what he was."
I sat there in silence, processing everything he'd said. My tears had dried, but the ache in my chest was heavier than before. Eclipsed Riftborn… half-human weapons created by people who thought they were saving the world. And one of them just tried to take me.
I clenched my fists. "Cyril… what am I really?"
He looked at me for a long time, then simply said: "That's what we're going to find out. Together."
I was still sitting on the bench next to Cyril, his words echoing in my head: "That's what we're going to find out. Together." Without realizing it, my hand had drifted closer to his on the bench, fingers almost touching.
For a moment, we just sat there quietly, the weight of everything hanging heavy between us.
Then—
"Wow."
We both jerked our heads up to see Mathilda standing a few feet away, hands on her hips and a pout on her face.
"So you two are holding hands like you're in some kind of romance book?! Tell me, are you two secretly dating?!"
The Awkward Pause
My eyes went wide. "W-What?!"
Cyril blinked, glancing down—and sure enough, our fingers were just barely touching on the bench. We both pulled away instantly, our faces heating up like we'd just been caught doing something forbidden.
"We're not—" I stammered.
Cyril cleared his throat, looking away. "It's… not like that."
Mathilda smirked, leaning against the wall with her scythe. "Mhm, sure. I walk in, and you're sitting all cozy and whispering like you're in a romance holo-novel. Did I interrupt your big confession scene?"
I buried my face in my hands. "Mathilda, please."
She just grinned wider. "Relax, I'm joking… mostly."
Cyril stood, brushing off his uniform and coughing awkwardly. "We were talking about serious things, Mathilda. Things you wouldn't understand."
Her smirk faded slightly, replaced with a curious frown. "Try me."
But before Cyril could respond, the Academy's PA system blared overhead:
"Team Veil, report to the Command Hall immediately. This is urgent."
Cyril looked relieved to have an excuse to change the subject. "Guess we'll have to explain later."
I stood up quickly, still red in the face. "Let's just go."
Mathilda followed behind us, smirking again. "I'm still watching you two, lovebirds."
I groaned under my breath. This is going to be impossible to live down.
The Command Hall was packed, every division leader and top-ranked student present. Edric stood at the front, golden eyes sharp as he prepared to brief us on the breach. I tried to focus, but before I could take a step closer, a familiar voice called out:
"Lyrrise! Hey, are you okay?"
I turned to see Jace walking toward me. He was tall and athletic, dark brown hair tied back loosely, and he had that easygoing smile that made people feel instantly at ease. He wasn't holding any weapon, just a notebook in his hand.
"Jace," I said, blinking in surprise. "Yeah… I'm fine. Just… tired, I guess."
He scratched the back of his neck. "Heard about what happened… that fight with that masked Riftborn guy. I was worried."
I gave him a small smile. "Thanks, but I'm fine. Really."
The meeting had already started—Edric was outlining battle formations and security failures—but Jace and I… we weren't listening.
"You like music, right?" Jace asked casually.
My eyes widened. "How do you know that?"
He grinned. "I saw you humming during training breaks sometimes. Thought I was the only one who liked the old bands."
I laughed softly. "Okay, wow, yeah. I love music… and food. Especially the good stuff they keep in storage and pretend doesn't exist."
Jace chuckled, leaning a little closer. "Guess we've got the same vibe, huh? Music and food. That's rare around here."
I blinked, feeling my face warm slightly. He's easy to talk to…
For a second, we both just smiled at each other.
Right as it felt like something was about to happen, someone stepped between us—Cyril.
"Hey," Cyril said smoothly, smiling but with an edge behind it. He gently took my arm and started pulling me away. "Sorry, Jace. Lyrrise is busy."
Jace blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Busy? We were just—"
Cyril cut him off with that same polite smile. "Debrief's about to get complicated. She needs to focus."
Before I could even say anything, Cyril had already guided me to the opposite side of the hall, away from Jace.
"Um… thanks?" I said awkwardly. "But I was just talking."
Cyril gave me a look, still smiling but with something unreadable behind his eyes. "Yeah. I noticed."
Cyril finally let go of my arm, but I could feel the tension radiating from him like static. He stood beside me, looking at the front of the hall as if nothing had happened.
From the side, Mathilda leaned against her scythe and gave a sly grin.
"Wow… Cyril, I didn't know you had that side to you."
Cyril raised an eyebrow, still calm. "What side?"
She smirked wider. "The side where you swoop in and drag Lyrrise away from a guy mid-conversation. That was smooth. Jealous, much?"
My face flushed instantly. "Mathilda!"
Cyril sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Focus on the meeting, Mathilda."
"Oh, I'm focused," she said, smirking even more.
Edric's Revelation
At the front, Edric's voice cut through the chatter like a blade.
"Enough. Pay attention. This isn't about who's dating who. This is about the Riftborn breach—and the humanoid Riftborn who walked into our Academy as if he owned it."
The room went silent.
Edric's golden eyes scanned the crowd. "That masked boy wasn't random. He knew where he was going, and he asked for Lyrrise Valemont by name. That means someone leaked intel, or worse… we have an infiltrator helping them."
A low murmur spread among the students. My chest tightened. He came for me… and someone might have helped him.
New Teams Announced
Edric continued, his voice firm.
"To prevent further breaches, teams are being reassigned. Mathilda, you're joining Team Vanguard."
Mathilda straightened, surprised but quickly shrugging like it didn't bother her. "Fine by me. I'll carry them too."
Then Edric turned his eyes toward us.
"Lyrrise Marcilles, Cyril Avencrest—you two are now part of a special operations unit. Your mission will focus on humanoid Riftborn detection and elimination."
Two more names were called, but one stood out immediately.
A matcha-green-haired girl stepped forward. She had long hair tied into a loose braid, a black crop top that exposed toned abs, high-waisted utility shorts, and knee-high combat boots that looked reinforced with Riftborn alloy.
Her weapon? A sleek staff-like hybrid—half spear, half conduit, glowing with Riftborn-tech inscriptions.
She stopped in front of us and gave a confident smirk.
"Name's Kaelenna Vey, but call me Kael." She spun the staff effortlessly, resting it on her shoulder. "I'm Black Crescent—Arcane and Support Unit. Healing arts, Riftborn-tech gadgets, and hybrid weapons. Basically… I keep people like you alive and make sure you hit harder."
She winked at me specifically. "Heard you're Mythical rank. Guess I finally get to see what all the gossip's about."
I blinked, still processing her presence. She's got confidence to spare…
Cyril glanced at Kaelenna, expression unreadable. "We'll see how well we work together."
Kaelenna grinned, spinning her weapon again. "Oh, trust me, you'll love me by the end of the week."
Mathilda, still standing by her new team, smirked at me. "Have fun without me, lovebirds."
I groaned quietly, covering my face with one hand.
We were still processing Kaelenna's bold introduction when a calm voice came from behind us.
"Looks like I'm the last one here."
We turned, and I immediately noticed him—a tall, dark-haired guy with deep blue eyes that held a quiet confidence. His uniform was modified; a short-sleeved top that showed his toned arms and a crop-style cut that revealed defined abs. He carried himself with an effortless poise, a katana sheathed at his side.
He smiled—soft, polite, the kind of smile that felt… safe. "Name's Deyon Kaelric. Red Shield—Vanguard Tank. I take the hits so you don't have to."
The Shield Demonstration
Kaelenna tilted her head. "Red Shield? That's rare these days."
Deyon nodded slightly and drew his katana. "Mine's… special."
He pressed a hidden trigger near the hilt, and the blade shifted with a mechanical hum—panels unfolding and locking until the katana had transformed into a broad energy shield taller than his torso, glowing with reinforced Riftborn-tech.
I blinked, stepping closer. "That… is amazing."
Deyon chuckled lightly, turning the shield slightly so I could see the intricate markings glowing across its surface. "Made from a Riftborn alloy core. Can absorb elemental energy, deflect physical strikes, and—if I angle it right—redirect attacks. I'll be your wall when things get rough."
First Impressions
Kaelenna whistled. "Well, we've got a healer and a shield now. Guess we're untouchable."
I found myself staring for a moment longer than I should have—his polite posture, the way his muscles tensed naturally as he held the shield, and the easy confidence in his smile. He looked more like a gentleman than a typical front-line fighter.
Deyon noticed me looking and smiled softly again. "Don't worry, Lyrrise. I'm here to protect you all."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks and quickly looked away, pretending to inspect my katana instead. Great… first Jace, now this guy? Focus, Lyrrise.
We barely had time to process Deyon's polite smile and shield demo when another voice echoed from behind us:
"Sorry I'm late."
We all turned.
A tall girl strode confidently into the hall, green hair tied in a loose ponytail that swayed behind her, white eyes glowing faintly like polished jade. She wore a black crop top like Kaelenna's but tighter, emphasizing a toned, athletic frame. Her abs were defined, her shoulders broad, and she stood a full head taller than me.
I couldn't help but blink in surprise. She's… huge… and strong-looking.
The Introduction
She stopped a few feet from us, resting a sleek metallic bow across her shoulder. The bow itself pulsed faintly with Riftborn-tech energy.
"Name's Soryn Halvine," she said, her voice even and calm, though a little rushed. "Green Eye—Scout and Tracker Division. Specialists in detection, reconnaissance, and long-range support."
Kaelenna tilted her head, impressed. "Scouts are rare. You any good with that bow, tall girl?"
Soryn gave a faint smirk. "It's not just a bow." She tapped a side switch, and the limbs of the bow extended, shifting into a sniper-like energy rifle with a sleek, angular barrel. "This converts into a long-range precision weapon when needed. Tracking targets, marking enemies, clearing paths—you name it."
First Impressions
Deyon let out a low whistle. "Now that's impressive."
Soryn shrugged casually. "I'm just here to keep you all alive by making sure nothing sneaks up on us. And, uh…" She glanced at Edric, then at us. "Sorry I'm late. Got caught up calibrating this thing."
Edric nodded curtly. "You're here now, that's what matters."
I stared at her for a moment, taking in how much taller and more imposing she was compared to me. Not only did she look powerful, but there was a calm confidence to her posture that made me feel oddly… safe.
Soryn noticed me staring and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
I quickly looked away. "N-Nothing! Just… nice to meet you."
She smirked faintly, then extended a fist. "We'll get along fine. Trust me."
I hesitated, then bumped fists with her, feeling her grip firm and steady. Okay… this team is something else.