The night was deathly still, broken only by the crackling of campfires and the hush of uneasy soldiers. But at the edge of the forest, silence turned sharp — like the air itself was holding its breath.
Rihan's blade burned faintly red, firelight flickering along its edge. Sirena stood beside him, Moonblade drawn, silver runes glowing like a warning.
From the shadows, the masked assassin advanced, twin curved blades dripping violet energy. His mask — pale bone carved with strange runes — made his face unreadable, but his presence alone weighed heavy, like a predator circling its prey.
"You carry the flame," the assassin rasped, pointing one blade at Rihan.
"And you…" His gaze shifted to Sirena. "…bear the curse of betrayal. How poetic. Two broken souls walking the same path."
Sirena's grip tightened. "Say your prayers, cult dog. You won't leave this forest alive."
The assassin chuckled — a sound more chilling than comforting.
"Prayers? No. I bring messages. From the Mistress herself."
---
⚔️ The Clash Begins
With a speed that blurred the air, the assassin lunged. His blade slashed toward Rihan's neck.
Clang! Rihan barely blocked in time, the impact rattling his arms. Sparks flared where fire met violet corruption.
Sirena struck immediately, her blade a streak of silver. The assassin twisted, blocking with his second blade. For a moment, all three weapons locked, glowing with conflicting power.
The forest around them reacted. Shadows thickened, whispers grew louder. The trees themselves seemed to lean closer, hungry for blood.
"Rihan!" Sirena shouted. "Stay on guard! He's no ordinary fighter."
Rihan grit his teeth, pushing back. "I noticed!"
The assassin broke the lock, spinning low. His blade slashed across the ground, releasing a wave of violet energy. Roots tore up from the earth, whipping toward Rihan and Sirena like snakes.
FWOOOM! Rihan unleashed fire from his sword, burning through the roots, while Sirena danced forward, her strikes sharp and precise.
But the assassin laughed as he parried.
"Your resistance… amusing. But useless."
---
🌑 The Revelation
During a clash, the assassin leaned close to Rihan, voice low like venom.
"You feel it, don't you? The whisper in your bones. The hunger in your flame."
Rihan's eyes widened. "How do you—?"
"The reason is simple. You are not chosen by fate. You are forged by Draemir's will. That fire you wield? It was never yours. It belongs to him."
The words hit harder than any blade.
Rihan faltered for just a second. Forged… by Draemir?
Sirena saw the hesitation and shouted, "Don't listen to him, Rihan! He's trying to break you!"
But the assassin pressed, striking with words as sharp as steel.
"Why do you think his voice whispers louder in you than in others? Why do the cult seek you above all? Because you are his vessel. His return lies within your veins!"
Rihan's heartbeat thundered. His flame flickered wildly, fire trembling as if resisting his control. No… I can't… I won't be his puppet!
---
⚔️ Sirena Strikes Back
Seeing Rihan falter, the assassin moved for a killing blow. But Sirena intercepted, her blade flashing.
CLANG! She forced him back, her strength crackling through the runes on her sword.
"Enough!" Sirena's voice boomed with command. "You cult bastards always twist truth into poison. I won't let you touch him!"
The assassin tilted his head. "Ah… the fallen captain still plays protector? Do you not see the irony? You, who carry the same curse mark as him? Both of you are bound to Draemir, whether you admit it or not."
For a moment, Sirena froze. The assassin's words dug deep — because part of them was true. Her mark still burned faintly under her gauntlet.
But then she snarled, striking with renewed fury.
"That curse doesn't own me. And it won't own him either!"
---
🔥 Awakening Within
The assassin unleashed a flurry of blows, blades spinning in violet arcs. Sirena held her ground, but the sheer speed forced her back.
Rihan clenched his sword, breath ragged. Forged by Draemir's will…? A vessel?
The whispers in his head grew louder. Yes… embrace it… stop resisting…
"No!" Rihan roared, his flame surging. His sword erupted in blazing fire, brighter than before. The heat scorched the air, forcing even the assassin to hesitate.
For the first time, the assassin's voice lost its calm edge.
"…So. The vessel resists. Fascinating."
---
🌲 The Forest Reacts
As the fight raged, the entire forest began to twist. The trees groaned, shadows slithered along the ground. It was as if Draemir himself was watching, feeding energy into the assassin.
Soldiers back at camp stirred in panic, hearing the sounds of battle. Kael grabbed his weapon. "That's Rihan and Sirena! Come on!"
Elira's face was pale, but her eyes burned with determination. "We can't let them fight alone!"
They charged toward the treeline, but by the time they arrived, the forest had wrapped itself into a dome of shadows, cutting them off.
"Rihan!" Elira cried, banging against the barrier. "You have to win!"
---
⚔️ Final Exchange
Inside the dome, the assassin slashed again, his violet blade clashing against Rihan's flame. The clash shook the ground, fire and shadow colliding in waves.
"You cannot deny what you are," the assassin hissed. "You will bring Draemir's rebirth. Even now, the seal weakens!"
Rihan's teeth clenched. He could feel his fire raging, stronger than ever, but also unstable. If he lost control, the assassin's words might come true.
Sirena placed herself at his side.
"Rihan. Focus. You're not alone. I'll fight with you — curse or no curse."
Her silver blade lifted, runes glowing brighter as if feeding off her resolve.
For a heartbeat, Rihan felt his flame steady. Not Draemir's… not anyone else's… his own.
Together, they charged.
---
🌑 Cliffhanger
The assassin's mask glowed with violet runes as he prepared to meet them. But just as their blades clashed—
CRACK!
A surge of black lightning split the forest dome. A colossal eye opened in the sky above — not physical, but burning across the heavens like a wound.
Every whisper in the forest screamed at once.
The assassin laughed, voice filled with manic joy.
"Do you see, vessel? The Eclipse stirs! Draemir watches you even now!"
Rihan's fire flared in defiance as he roared back—
"Then let him watch me defy him!"
The clash exploded in fire, shadow, and thunder.