CHAPTER 12 — ECLIPSE

The ancient symbols beneath Maya's feet began glowing softly.

The entire hall fell silent.

Hundreds of candidates watched as the circle activated once again.

Maya sat calmly in the center with her eyes closed.

Unlike the previous candidate who had turned to ashes, there was no fear on her face.

Only determination.

Dev stood quietly nearby.

Even though Maya seemed confident, he couldn't stop worrying.

After what he had witnessed earlier...

The circle no longer felt safe.

Then suddenly—

A brilliant light erupted from beneath Maya.

But this time...

It wasn't white.

It was blue.

A deep, beautiful blue.

The entire chamber was illuminated by its glow.

The candidates gasped in surprise.

Even some of the examiners seemed interested.

The blue light continued growing brighter.

Then—

BOOM.

A powerful wave of energy spread through the hall.

The light slowly faded.

And when it finally disappeared...

A weapon rested within Maya's hands.

A spear.

Its silver shaft shimmered beneath the hall's lights.

Blue markings covered its surface like flowing rivers.

Its blade looked elegant.

Beautiful.

Deadly.

Dev stared at it silently.

For some reason, the spear felt alive.

As if it possessed a will of its own.

Maya slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment, she simply stared at the weapon.

Then a huge smile appeared on her face.

"I did it!"

She jumped to her feet excitedly.

The spear released a faint glow in response.

Maya laughed happily before running toward Dev.

"Dev!"

She held the spear proudly.

"Look!"

Dev couldn't help smiling.

"Congratulations."

Maya looked even happier.

"This thing is amazing!"

Before she could continue, Shaurya suddenly appeared beside them.

A grin covered his face.

"Told you you'd pass."

Maya laughed proudly.

Then she spun the spear once.

The weapon moved effortlessly through the air.

Almost as if it had always belonged to her.

For several moments, the three stood together.

Then Maya suddenly looked toward Shaurya.

"So?"

Shaurya blinked.

"So what?"

Maya pointed toward Nue.

"I got my weapon."

Her grin widened.

"Now it's your turn."

Shaurya immediately frowned.

"My turn?"

"I want to see your weapon."

The boy instantly looked nervous.

"No."

Maya crossed her arms.

"Why not?"

Shaurya sighed.

"Because I still can't fully control it."

Maya immediately looked disappointed.

"Aww..."

Then she looked toward Dev.

"Tell him."

Dev blinked.

"Why me?"

"Because I want to see it."

For several seconds, Shaurya remained silent.

Then finally—

He sighed.

"Fine."

Maya instantly cheered.

"Yes!"

Shaurya looked around carefully.

Then he pointed toward an empty section of the hall.

"Move back."

The excitement immediately disappeared from Maya's face.

She obeyed without hesitation.

Even Dev stepped backward.

Something told him this wasn't a joke.

Shaurya slowly drew Nue from its sheath.

The small black blade looked ordinary.

Almost harmless.

Yet the moment it appeared—

The atmosphere changed.

The air became heavier.

The smile vanished from Shaurya's face.

His expression turned serious.

Then slowly—

He raised the weapon.

"Nue..."

Dark energy began gathering around the blade.

The floor beneath his feet trembled.

Several nearby candidates immediately turned toward him.

"Nue..."

The darkness intensified.

Black clouds suddenly formed above the hall's ceiling.

Even Dev's eyes widened.

The pressure radiating from the weapon was overwhelming.

Then Shaurya shouted:

"UNLEASH YOUR POWER!"

BOOOOOOM!

Dark energy exploded outward.

The small blade instantly transformed.

A massive black sword appeared within Shaurya's hands.

Dark armor covered his body.

His eyes turned completely black.

The hall trembled violently.

Several candidates stumbled backward in fear.

Maya's mouth fell open.

Dev stared silently.

For the first time...

He truly understood why Hunters were respected.

This power was extraordinary.

Yet despite the transformation—

Something felt wrong.

Shaurya's body was shaking.

Sweat covered his face.

His breathing became uneven.

Then suddenly—

THUD.

Shaurya dropped to one knee.

The giant sword trembled violently.

"Nue..." he growled.

For a moment, it looked as though the weapon was trying to overpower him.

Then—

"RETURN!"

The darkness disappeared instantly.

The armor vanished.

The massive sword returned to its original knife form.

Shaurya collapsed onto both knees.

Panting heavily.

"Hah... Hah..."

Maya rushed toward him immediately.

"Are you okay?"

Shaurya nodded weakly.

"I'm fine."

Dev remained silent.

But he had noticed something important.

Shaurya wasn't controlling the weapon.

He was struggling against it.

As if Nue possessed a will far stronger than its owner.

Then suddenly—

Maya smiled.

"My turn."

The two boys looked toward her.

She held her spear confidently.

Then she whispered:

"Unleash."

The spear glowed softly.

A blue light spread across the area.

For a moment...

Nothing happened.

Then suddenly—

Dev froze.

His eyes widened.

Because standing before him...

Was Rani.

Her warm smile.

Her gentle eyes.

Everything looked real.

Beside her stood the traveler.

The two laughed together exactly as they had in the past.

For one brief moment...

Dev forgot where he was.

Forgot the Hunters.

Forgot the hall.

Forgot everything.

Only Rani remained.

"Didi..."

The word escaped his lips.

But then—

The vision vanished.

Like smoke in the wind.

Dev's eyes widened.

The illusion was gone.

Rani was gone.

Once again.

The pain returned immediately.

Maya looked surprised.

"What happened?"

Shaurya stared at her weapon.

"I think..."

He paused.

"Your weapon can show memories."

Maya blinked.

"Memories?"

"Or illusions."

The girl looked toward her spear.

A smile slowly appeared on her face.

Then she raised it proudly.

"I know what I'll call you."

The weapon glowed faintly.

Maya smiled.

"Eclipse."

The spear released a brilliant blue flash.

As though accepting the name.

Then suddenly—

She turned toward Dev.

A grin appeared on her face.

"Well?"

Dev raised an eyebrow.

"Well what?"

Maya pointed directly at the circle.

"Your turn."

The smile immediately vanished from Dev's face.

Because he remembered something.

The candidate who turned to ashes.

The Devil's contract.

And the terrifying possibility that the same fate awaited him.

For the first time since entering the hall...

Fear returned to his heart.

End of Chapter 12