Chapter 99: Secrets of the Eclipse Blade
After their encounter with the Celestial Spirit in the Hall of Remembrance, Yun-ho, Nova, and Ethan were left with more questions than answers. The mention of the Eclipse Blade haunted them. A weapon capable of turning the tide of battle could be their greatest asset, but Nova's concerns about a possible curse echoed in their minds.
The following day, they met up in Eternity Academy's courtyard to discuss their next move.
"We need to find out more about this Eclipse Blade," Yun-ho said, his gaze firm. "It could be the key to defeating the Heart of Darkness."
Nova crossed her arms, leaning back against a pillar. "I agree, but we can't rush into it. Relics like that are never easy to control, especially if it's been lost for so long. We don't know what kind of damage it could do to the wielder."
Ethan, always the optimist, chimed in, "It's worth the risk, though. The Heart of Darkness isn't going to wait for us to figure everything out. We need more power, and we need it fast."
Nova shot him a look, but before she could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "I might have some insight into your little predicament."
The group found themselves at an impasse. Despite their collective strength, they were unsure of their next move. Yun-ho, Nova, and Ethan had exhausted all their usual strategies and still hadn't found the clues they desperately needed to face the looming threat. As they sat in quiet contemplation, a strange yet familiar feeling swept over Yun-ho.
"Elara…" he whispered under his breath. He hadn't seen her in a long time, but something in the atmosphere told him she would soon appear.
"Elara?" Nova asked, raising an eyebrow. She had heard of the mysterious figure from Yun-ho but had never met her. "Are you saying she's the key to this?"
Yun-ho nodded. "She's not someone who attends this academy. Elara is… different. She appears when guidance is needed most, but only when the time is right. She finds us, not the other way around."
"Great," Ethan muttered, clearly uneasy. "So, we're sitting here waiting for someone to drop out of the sky with all the answers?"
Yun-ho smiled faintly. "In a way, yes. But trust me, when she shows up, things become clearer."
Nova looked skeptical but remained silent. She knew better than to question Yun-ho when it came to mysterious matters like these. He had navigated many strange and unpredictable moments, and this felt like another one of those instances.
As the group prepared to set out on their next mission, a gust of wind blew through the academy grounds, colder than usual. It sent a chill down Yun-ho's spine, and he stopped in his tracks.
"She's close," he said softly.
Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the world around them seemed to shift. The shadows grew longer, and in the dim light of the courtyard, a faint silhouette began to materialize in front of them.
Elara had arrived. She moved with an ethereal grace, her eyes knowing and distant, as if she had already seen everything that would unfold.
"You've come far," she said, her voice soft but carrying a weight of ancient knowledge. "But your journey is only beginning."
Nova stepped forward, her skepticism replaced by awe. "You're Elara?"
Elara nodded, her gaze fixed on Yun-ho. "The path ahead is treacherous. You've absorbed the Heart of Darkness, but it's not just a burden. It's a key. One that you will soon learn to unlock."
Yun-ho clenched his fist. "But at what cost?"
Elara smiled faintly. "That's for you to decide. But first, you'll need allies. More than just your immediate circle. Seek out the contractors, and gather those who are willing to fight. You will not survive this alone."
Her words hung in the air, leaving the group with a sense of both urgency and unease. As quickly as she had appeared, Elara vanished into the shadows, leaving them with more questions than answers.
"She always does that, doesn't she?" Ethan muttered, shaking his head.
Yun-ho sighed. "It's her way. But she's right. We need more than just the three of us."
"We'll find them," Nova said firmly. "But we have to move quickly."