Owner of The Eclipse

A tense atmosphere engulfed the arena when Silhou realized that the Eclipse Core was missing.
While the audience looked around in shock, even the finalist Saren struggled to comprehend what had just happened. At that moment, Marc, seated in the most exclusive section of the stands, immediately grasped the situation and took on a leadership role. Aware that the Eclipse Core was one of the most powerful symbols of the Realm of Shadows, Marc stood up without hesitation to take action.

With a strong and authoritative voice, Marc gave a command to the soldiers in the arena:

"The Eclipse Core has vanished from this arena. Each of you begin searching the area immediately. No one is to leave!"

At Marc’s order, the stationed soldiers quickly mobilized. They divided into groups to scan the area where the Eclipse Core had disappeared. One group inspected the ground and the last known location of the Core, while others began searching the stands and surrounding corridors. Each soldier moved with care and precision, doing everything they could to find the missing device.

As Silhou stared at the empty space where the Eclipse Core had been, the worry on his face grew deeper. Marc approached him and spoke in a calm voice to offer support:
"Don’t worry, Silhou. We’ll find it. Nothing in  can disappear that easily."

Silhou gave a faint nod in response, but his mind was already spinning with questions—who or what could have taken the Eclipse Core?

Then, Silhou turned his gaze to his father. His expression shifted between concern and determination. His voice echoed in the tense air of the arena:

"Soldiers alone won’t be enough. Call the Shadow Assassins. Bring the best trackers here immediately. Deliver my command at once!"

The Shadow Assassins were not only the finest trackers of the Realm of Shadows but also of all six kingdoms. Their ability to trace movements while remaining silent and swift was nearly supernatural. This mission was the kind of challenge that would draw out their full potential.

Responding to Silhou’s call, the soldiers quickly carried out the order. Soon after, shadowy figures emerged from a corner of the Eclipse Core Arena. Leading them was none other than Kaileth, the foremost leader among the Shadow Assassins.

Kaileth wore lightweight armor shaded in black and grey tones, crafted so precisely that it rendered him nearly invisible within the shadows. He had a tall and elegant build, and his movements were as quiet as the wind. His face was fully hidden by a mask adorned with intricate patterns—symbols that signified his tracking ability. His hands were poised and ready, each resting lightly near his blades. On his back, he carried a high-tech tracking device and small throwing knives. His eyes scanned every detail with razor-sharp intensity.

Under Kaileth’s leadership, the Shadow Assassins moved silently and in formation toward the center of the arena. They swiftly examined the soldier-guarded areas and began tracing the location where the Eclipse Core had disappeared. Kaileth approached Silhou, knelt with respect, and spoke softly:

"I heard your call, Your Majesty. We are here to track the Eclipse Core. The Shadow Assassins will begin the search immediately."

Silhou recognized the determination in Kaileth’s voice and nodded slowly. His tone carried authority:
"You understand the importance of this mission. Whoever stole the Eclipse Core—or whatever power is behind this—it won’t escape your eyes. Begin immediately!"

Kaileth rose silently and turned to his team. The assassins vanished into the shadows, spreading across the arena to begin their investigation. Every move was silent; every observation, flawless.

The Shadow Assassins quickly began scanning the area around the missing Eclipse Core. Kaileth led his team, analyzing even the faintest clues. Behind his mask, his eyes meticulously studied everything—from footprints to energy fluctuations. The soldiers watched in awe, realizing how effective the assassins truly were.

As the tension in the arena peaked following the disappearance of the Eclipse Core, a new figure entered through the smoke: Jayce. His confident stride and the glowing tablet in his hand immediately shifted the energy of the arena. There was a composed, assured expression on his face.

Marc noticed him and turned. Silhou was startled by Jayce’s sudden appearance but watched him, certain he had something important to say. Without hesitation, Jayce began to speak:

"This won’t be necessary. The Eclipse Core has a tracking chip. We can see exactly where it’s being taken."

He raised the tablet and showed the map on the screen. A moving dot indicated that the Eclipse Core was heading northwest of the capital. Jayce continued with seriousness:

"It looks like the Eclipse Core is being taken to Slaw City. The tracking device allows us to follow it, and that’s the current destination."

A heavy silence fell across the arena. Silhou, Marc, and the surrounding leaders focused on this unexpected revelation, their minds racing with new questions. But just then, the dot on Jayce’s screen vanished. The signal had been completely lost. The screen went black.

Jayce paused for a second, glanced at the screen, and muttered with frustration:
"Seems like whoever took it has always been one step ahead."

"Father, order all search units to move toward Slaw City. We must act immediately! We can’t let the thief escape. Soldiers, take the assassins with you. Move as fast as possible!"

Seeing Silhou’s firm resolve, Marc wasted no time and deployed the forces. The search units in the arena swiftly regrouped among the smoke and signs of destruction and began marching toward Slaw City. The silent speed of the assassins merged with the disciplined advance of the soldiers. Silhou took the lead at the front of this massive mobilization. As the forces exited the arena, they moved swiftly toward a dark and uncertain journey.

Meanwhile, near the base of a dark mountain beyond Slaw City, a lone figure stood: Nash. He had stolen the Eclipse Core with remarkable skill and completed his mission. Standing in the shadows of the mountain, he gazed at the night sky with a graceful yet menacing posture. In his hand, the glowing crystal of the Eclipse Core shimmered as a symbol of his victory.

With a slight smile, Nash spoke in a cold, calm tone:
"You were easier than I thought."

He carefully raised the crystal and placed it against his chest. As the chip locked onto his heart, something began to change. The internal mechanism of the Eclipse Core activated. The chip recognized Nash’s body and initiated its integration process.

After the Eclipse Core chip was embedded in Nash’s chest, fine crystal needles began to emerge. These glowing needles slowly pierced Nash’s skin and tissues, moving inward. A pulse of energy rippled through Nash’s chest. The chip was gradually softening his body, reshaping his tissues to make space for the crystal to fully embed itself. 

As Nash’s breathing quickened and his body tensed involuntarily, he still faced the process with unwavering resolve. The chip activated its full mechanism to fully integrate with Nash’s body.

Once the crystal was completely embedded in Nash’s chest, its outer surface sealed, and Nash’s body became one with the Eclipse Core. The crystal’s energy spread through his veins, enveloping him in a powerful aura. 

When Nash opened his eyes at the end of the integration, he was surrounded by a radiant energy. The pulsating red lights of the Eclipse Core in his chest had turned him into something far beyond an ordinary being.

After Nash synced with the chip, its effects peaked. He felt intense heat and pressure in his chest, but the sensation suddenly vanished. The moment the chip became one with his body, the electrical vibrations gave way to deep silence. The energy flowing through Nash’s body was now completely under control.

His mind was filled with this newfound power. As he felt the energy within for the first time, he realized how easy it was to control. Yet, while the sensation gave him a sense of mastery, it also made him feel the dark and foreign nature of the power. Nash was now more than just a man—he had become a new entity fused with the Eclipse Core.

After stealing the Eclipse Core and completing his mission successfully, Nash had rested briefly at the foot of the dark mountain. However, he soon noticed that shadow soldiers and assassins were advancing rapidly toward Slaw City. Anticipating their movements, Nash began planning his next step. He knew that completing this mission would require maintaining his secrecy and crafting a flawless false identity.

Despite the dark energy flowing through his body due to the Eclipse Core’s power, Nash returned to Slaw City while remaining completely invisible. He began hiding in a secluded area near the city’s entrance, staying out of sight. While carefully observing the surroundings, he noticed checkpoint zones and areas prepared for the arrival of the shadow soldiers.

From his hiding spot, Nash observed all the movements. The people at the city gates were gathering around the checkpoints, curiously watching for the arrival of the soldiers and assassins. Yet Nash managed to remain entirely within the shadows, unnoticed. His posture was calm, and his mind was razor-sharp.

Soon after, the shadow soldiers and assassins searching for the Eclipse Core reached Slaw City. Led by Silhou, the forces quickly positioned themselves in an orderly formation at the city entrance. While the shadow assassins quietly and swiftly began sweeping the surrounding areas, the shadow soldiers reassured the public and tightened security. Silhou was advancing toward the city center, planning how to locate the Eclipse Core.

In the midst of the chaos, Nash prepared to create a false identity. He brought the dark energy and the power of the embedded Eclipse Core under full control. To appear as a warrior in service of Silhou, he adjusted his stance and movements. He knew exactly how to move without attracting attention—quickly analyzing the surroundings, he blended in with the shadow soldiers.

Nash infiltrated the ranks of those searching for the Eclipse Core without drawing attention. His silent and focused movements made him look like a genuine servant of Silhou. He listened to the conversations of the soldiers and assassins, following every motion carefully. He completely blended into the group.

Meanwhile, the shadow assassins and soldiers continued their search throughout the city. Nash took part in the sweeps, flawlessly playing his role under his false identity. But deep down, he knew the Eclipse Core was still under his control, and no one had realized it.

Silhou moved swiftly among the shadow soldiers and assassins under his command. His determination and sharp gaze were evident as he examined each warrior. But something caught Silhou’s attention—a familiar figure among the warriors: Nash.

Silhou paused. He sensed something unusual about this figure that didn’t quite fit. Still, as a leader, he raised his voice with measured calm:

“Hey Nash, come here.”

Until that moment, Nash had perfectly concealed himself among the shadow soldiers. But he couldn't ignore Silhou’s call. He slowly turned his head and confidently yet cautiously stepped toward him.

Silhou looked directly at Nash’s face and asked clearly:

“I didn’t see you in the arena. Were you occupied with something?”

Nash was prepared for the question. He knew he had to respond with both a natural tone and a brief explanation. With a slight smile and direct eye contact, he replied:

“I was there, Your Majesty. Just observing from a distance. After we realized the Eclipse Core was stolen, I joined the search with the other soldiers.”

Silhou listened carefully to Nash’s reply. But there wasn’t a full expression of trust on his face. He furrowed his brows slightly, digesting the explanation. It didn’t completely erase his doubts, but for the moment, he saw no need to question further. After a short pause, Silhou spoke in a calm voice:

“Alright, continue your search.”

Following those words, Silhou kept observing Nash. Nash appeared to be perfectly aligned with Silhou’s leadership, actively searching for the Eclipse Core with the shadow soldiers. Yet Silhou’s mind still harbored suspicions about him.

As the search for the Eclipse Core continued at the city’s gates, Mythos and Marc arrived shortly after, catching up to Silhou. With the chaos sparked by the Eclipse Core’s theft, Silhou had taken command. As Mythos and Marc assessed the situation at the entrance, they approached and spoke directly.

Marc asked in a firm voice:

“What’s the situation, Silhou? Any progress?”

Silhou turned to Mythos and Marc. His expression was serious and focused. His voice reflected the intense pressure and responsibility:
“So far, we’ve found no trace. I’m going to lock down all city exits. No one leaves.”

After a brief pause, Silhou narrowed his brows slightly and continued:
“And there’s something strange. Nash, who recently joined under my command… wasn’t in the arena. But now he’s suddenly here. Feels a little too convenient.”

Marc took a deep breath after hearing Silhou’s concerns. He knew that the theft of something like the Eclipse Core could be part of a much larger plan. Nash’s situation was a detail he couldn’t ignore. In a calm but firm tone, Marc replied:
“That is strange indeed. We need to keep an eye on him. Underestimating this could be a serious mistake.”

As he listened, Mythos continued observing the area. The movements within and around the city seemed like the beginning of the chaos the loss of the Eclipse Core would bring. Silhou, Mythos, and Marc decided to keep a close watch on Nash throughout the operation.

But Nash had anticipated this all along—and moved as though he had been born a shadow warrior.