CHAPTER 6: ECLIPSE PROTOCOL — THE RIVAL RETURNS
[Scene 1 – Dawn Over Veil City]
Mist rolled over the skyline, glowing faintly under the crimson dawn.Kaen stood on the rooftop of Veil Academy, cloak fluttering in the wind. The golden-black flame behind him pulsed with every heartbeat.
He whispered,
"Feels different now… stronger. But heavier."
Rei's voice echoed from the comm crystal, static breaking through.
"Kaen! Report to the East District now. There's been a dimensional rupture—one we've never seen before."
Kaen leapt off the rooftop, landing on a flicker of flame midair.
"On my way."
[Scene 2 – East District Ruins]
The streets were shattered—buildings half-melted as if light itself had devoured them.Kaen landed, smoke curling around his boots.
At the center of the crater… a figure stood with his back turned. Cloaked in obsidian armor, a black halo swirling faintly behind him.
Kaen froze. "No way…"
The figure turned—gray hair, sharp eyes glowing faintly red.
"It's been a while, Kaen."
Kaen's throat went dry.
"Ryo… you're supposed to be dead."
Ryo smirked. "Guess death didn't want me."
The air cracked between them, pressure shaking the ground.
[Scene 3 – Ryo's Revelation]
Kaen took a step forward. "What happened to you? Why this?"
Ryo lifted his hand—dark energy danced across his palm like black lightning.
"They call it Eclipse Energy. The perfect opposite of your Celestial Flame."
Kaen clenched his fists, aura flaring. "You're using forbidden Veil tech! That'll tear your soul apart!"
Ryo laughed quietly.
"Maybe. But it gave me truth. The world you're protecting—Veil Academy, the so-called Guardians—they're the ones who sealed the Flame inside you. You're not chosen, Kaen. You're caged."
The words hit harder than any blow.Kaen's eyes widened, his aura flickering. "You're lying."
Ryo tilted his head. "Am I? Then why do you still hear that woman's voice every time you burn?"
The Celestial Flame inside Kaen pulsed violently—like it reacted to Ryo's words.
"He speaks truth," whispered the voice in Kaen's mind."They sealed me in you… to keep the balance. To keep me from him."
Kaen stumbled back, shaking his head. "No… No, this can't—"
Ryo's expression hardened.
"Wake up, Kaen. The balance is breaking. I'm here to end it."
[Scene 4 – Clash of Light and Shadow]
Kaen roared, his aura exploding in golden flames.Ryo's aura surged black and violet, devouring light around him.
"AURA DRIVE – PHASE THREE: SOLAR RESONANCE!""ECLIPSE DRIVE – PHASE THREE: VOID ASCENSION!"
The impact cracked the sky. Light and darkness collided like two storms.Waves of power tore through the ruins, energy screeching like metal on fire.
Kaen swung forward, fists blazing.Ryo countered, black lightning wrapping around his arm.Every strike was a memory—of friendship, rivalry, betrayal.
"You used to fight beside me!" Kaen shouted."I still am," Ryo replied coldly, "just on the right side of history."
[Scene 5 – Interrupted Fate]
Before either could finish their attacks, a blinding pulse erupted between them.A ring of symbols appeared in the sky—ancient glyphs spiraling faster and faster.
Rei's voice screamed through the comm:
"Both of you, stop! The Eclipse Protocol has activated! You're triggering dimensional collapse!"
Kaen's and Ryo's attacks met one final time—then everything went white.
[Scene 6 – Aftermath / Unknown Realm]
Kaen opened his eyes to find himself floating in a void.No ground. No sky. Just endless shimmer between gold and black.
The Celestial woman appeared again—but now, half her body was in shadow.
"The balance breaks… The Eclipse begins."
Kaen whispered, "Ryo… what have you done?"
Her voice echoed softly,
"He has not destroyed the world yet… but you both are now bound by fate. Flame and Shadow. Creation and End."
Kaen clenched his fist.
"Then I'll rewrite fate—my way."
[Chapter End – Narration]
The sun and eclipse have collided.In their wake, reality bends.And a new world, born of light and shadow, begins to awaken.
End of Chapter 6 – "Eclipse Protocol — The Rival Returns."