Day 1
The morning sun was merciless, its light breaking through the thin canopy of clouds and spilling across the rolling hills. Kael awoke with a groan, his back aching from a second night spent on the hard ground. He rubbed his eyes, forcing himself to sit up and take in the sparse clearing he had chosen for camp.
The road ahead was the same as always—narrow, dusty, and stretching endlessly into the horizon. He sighed, pulling his pack closer and rummaging for a piece of bread. As he chewed, he let his thoughts drift.
Eclipsevane. What are you walking into, Kael? More importantly, why are you walking into it? He scowled at himself, tossing the last bit of bread into his mouth as he stood. No sense overthinking it now. It's not like you've got another option.
The day was uneventful, save for the occasional rustle of wind through the tall grass. The monotony of his steps was soothing in a strange way, though it left too much room for his mind to wander. By the time the sun dipped low, casting an orange glow over the landscape, Kael had settled into a rhythm. The questions were still there, but they felt distant, like a hum he could almost ignore.
When he finally stopped for the night, his body ached with exhaustion. He set up his bedroll in the shadow of a small hill, the stars just beginning to blink into view above him. As he stared at the sky, his thoughts returned to Lysa. What were you thinking, sending me to this place? Did you really believe this was the right choice?
The stars didn't answer, and sleep came slowly.
Day 2
Kael woke to a gray sky and a brisk wind, the chill biting through his cloak as he packed up his camp. The road felt different today—rougher, with more jagged rocks jutting out of the dirt. He had to watch his step carefully, each misstep threatening to twist an ankle.
The morning passed quietly, the only sound the crunch of his boots against the uneven ground. By midday, the hills began to level out, revealing a wide plain that stretched as far as the eye could see. The open space made him uneasy, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Nothing to worry about. Just a lot of empty space and your overactive imagination. Great combo. He smirked to himself, though it did little to ease the tension in his chest.
As the day wore on, Kael began to notice faint traces of something in the distance. At first, he thought it was just more hills, but as the hours passed, the shape became clearer. A structure loomed on the horizon, its silhouette stark against the pale sky.
That's got to be it. Eclipsevane. The thought sent a chill down his spine, though he quickened his pace.
By the time the sun began to set, the structure had come into view. It was massive, its dark stone walls rising high and casting long shadows over the surrounding plain. Even from a distance, the place felt imposing, its sharp angles and looming presence radiating an air of unease.
Kael stopped at the edge of the road, his gaze fixed on the guild. This is it. No turning back now.
He adjusted his pack and continued walking, his steps slower now as the weight of the moment settled over him.
Kael approached the towering gates of Eclipsevane as twilight bled into night, the deep orange sky casting long, jagged shadows across the path. His steps slowed as the guild came fully into view, the details sharpening like a memory he couldn't quite place—but something was undeniably wrong.
The gates, once a proud testament to craftsmanship, were a far cry from their former glory. The intricate ironwork that had once depicted sweeping arcs and powerful sigils was now warped and corroded, the designs twisted into shapes that resembled claws and snarling faces. Rust clung to the bars like dried blood, and sections of the gates sagged as though they might collapse under their own weight.
The stone walls that framed the gates rose high into the dimming sky, their surfaces marred with deep cracks and dark stains. Vines coiled like serpents along the crumbling masonry, their leaves tinged an unnatural shade of black that seemed to drink in the light rather than reflect it. Pieces of the wall had crumbled entirely, leaving jagged gaps that offered glimpses of the eerie courtyard beyond.
Above the gates, the guild's crest—a once-proud emblem of a phoenix soaring against a backdrop of stars—was now barely recognizable. The edges of the carving were chipped and broken, and the phoenix's wings seemed to sag under an invisible weight. The stars had been defaced, replaced with crude gouges that resembled hollow eyes staring back at him.
Kael stopped several paces from the gates, his breath catching as he took it all in. What happened here? This isn't a guild—it's a grave. The air around the entrance was heavy, charged with a faint hum that sent a shiver down his spine. It felt like standing on the edge of a storm, the kind where you knew lightning was coming, but you didn't know when.
The once-bustling guards' post beside the gates was now a ruin of splintered wood and shattered stone. A lone lantern flickered weakly in the gathering darkness, its light casting a pale glow that barely reached the ground. Two guards stood beneath it, their faces obscured by hoods. Their postures were stiff, their weapons drawn but held loosely, as though they were more accustomed to waiting for something terrible than defending against it.
Kael took a step closer, his boots crunching against the loose gravel scattered across the path. The sound echoed too loudly in the stillness, drawing the guards' attention. They straightened, their movements mechanical, and the air seemed to thicken as their gazes locked onto him.
"What's your business here?" one of them asked, their voice hollow and devoid of warmth.
Kael hesitated, his eyes flicking back to the warped gates and the crumbling walls. Why does this feel like walking into a nightmare?
"I'm here to meet someone," he said finally, his tone steady despite the unease crawling up his spine. "Her name is Jane."
The guards exchanged a glance, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods. One of them stepped forward, their footsteps deliberate and heavy. "You sure you want to go in there?" they asked, their voice laced with a strange mix of pity and suspicion.
Kael smirked faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Not really," he admitted. "But here I am."
The guard studied him for a long moment before stepping aside and motioning toward the gates. The second guard raised a hand, and with a low groan, the rusted iron bars creaked open, revealing the courtyard beyond.
Kael's breath hitched as the gates parted. What lay beyond was worse than he'd imagined. The once vibrant heart of the guild was now a desolate wasteland. The cobblestones were cracked and uneven, with dark stains pooling in their crevices. The grand fountain at the center was dry, its basin filled with debris and the shattered remains of what might have been statues. The buildings that framed the courtyard were dark and foreboding, their windows shattered and their roofs sagging as though the very weight of the sky bore down on them.
As Kael stepped inside, the gates groaned shut behind him, the sound reverberating through the courtyard like a final warning. He stood there for a moment, his hands tightening into fists as he took in the decay around him.
Eclipsevane. The name felt like a curse now, heavy and inescapable. Whatever this place had been, it was gone—swallowed whole by something darker than he could imagine.
Kael stepped cautiously into the desolate courtyard, his boots crunching against loose cobblestones. The weight of the gates closing behind him sent a shiver down his spine. The air was heavy, thick with a tension that seemed to pulse through the cracks in the walls and the dry fountain at the center of the space. He scanned the area, his hand reflexively brushing against the strap of his pack.
"Kael?"
The voice cut through the eerie silence, deep and familiar, but without the warmth he remembered. Kael turned slowly, his breath catching as he saw a figure emerging from the shadows of the crumbling guildhall.
Merrick.
The older man looked almost exactly as Kael remembered him. His frame was still broad and sturdy, his weathered face marked with the same deep lines of wisdom and strength. But there was a weariness in his step, a shadow in his eyes that hadn't been there before. He approached with cautious curiosity, his gaze fixed on Kael as though trying to piece together who—or what—he was.
Kael hesitated, his heart pounding. For a moment, the flood of memories threatened to overwhelm him: the battles they had fought together, the words of guidance Merrick had offered, the shared losses. And yet, there was no recognition in Merrick's eyes. No flicker of familiarity.
Kael swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Merrick's gaze. "That's me," he said, his voice steady but distant.
Merrick studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "You're new, aren't you? Haven't seen you around here before."
Kael's chest tightened, but he managed a faint smirk. "Yeah. First time."
"What brings you to Eclipsevane?" Merrick asked, his tone polite but guarded. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of the sword at his hip—a subtle gesture, but not one Kael missed.
Kael shifted his weight, trying to ignore the twisting in his gut. "I'm looking for someone. A girl named Jane. I was told she's part of the guild."
Merrick's brow furrowed slightly, and he folded his arms. "Jane. That's a name I haven't heard in a while." His gaze swept over Kael, measuring him. "What's your business with her?"
Kael paused, the words catching in his throat. How much could he say without giving himself away? He forced a shrug, keeping his tone casual. "She's important to someone back home. I was asked to find her and… check in, I guess."
Merrick's expression softened slightly, though his stance remained firm. "You'll have a hard time finding her," he said after a moment. "Jane doesn't exactly make herself easy to reach."
Kael nodded, his smirk faltering. "Figures."
Merrick's gaze lingered on him, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face before it quickly vanished. "You're welcome to stay while you look," he said finally. "But don't get too comfortable. Eclipsevane isn't the kind of place for settling in."
Kael let out a dry laugh, the sound hollow in the empty courtyard. "Didn't plan on it."
Merrick nodded, gesturing toward one of the smaller buildings near the edge of the courtyard. "There's a spare room in the west wing. You can use it for now. And if you're planning on sticking around, you'll need to report to the guildmaster."
Kael's stomach turned, though he kept his expression neutral. "Understood."
As Merrick turned to lead the way, Kael hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze dropping to the ground. He wanted to say something—anything—to bridge the gap between them, to break through the veil of unfamiliarity. But the words wouldn't come.
He doesn't recognize me. None of them will. Maybe that's for the best.
Kael adjusted his pack and followed Merrick, the shadows of the guild looming over them like silent sentinels.
The halls of Eclipsevane were a labyrinth of decay. Crumbling stone walls framed the narrow corridors, their surfaces scarred with scorch marks and strange, winding cracks. The faint scent of mildew and ash hung in the air, and Kael's footsteps echoed too loudly in the oppressive silence.
Merrick walked ahead of him, his strides steady but deliberate. The older man's posture was tense, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword. Kael followed in silence, his gaze flicking to the darkened doorways they passed. The guild felt hollow, as though the very walls were mourning something lost.
Finally, they reached a large set of double doors at the end of the corridor. The wood was warped and splintered, the once-ornate carvings reduced to jagged outlines of their former beauty. Merrick paused, his hand hovering near the door handle as he glanced back at Kael.
"Elara's not quite the same as she used to be," he said quietly, his voice carrying a note of warning. "She'll listen, but don't expect her to make it easy."
Kael nodded, his chest tightening as Merrick pushed the doors open.
The room beyond was dimly lit, the flickering light from a single chandelier casting erratic shadows across the walls. At its center stood a large, circular table, its surface cluttered with maps, documents, and half-melted candles. And at the head of the table, seated in a high-backed chair, was Elara Windwhisper.
Her appearance was startling. Gone was the composed and regal figure Kael remembered. Her silver hair was disheveled, streaked with strands of black, and her once-bright eyes burned with a feverish intensity. She wore a tattered cloak over her armor, the fabric frayed and stained. Despite her disheveled state, there was a sharpness to her presence, a piercing intelligence that cut through the air like a blade.
"Elara," Merrick said, his voice steady as he stepped forward. "This is Kael. He's here… looking for someone."
Elara's gaze snapped to Kael, her lips curling into a faint, almost predatory smile. "Kael, is it?" she said, her voice smooth but edged with something unsteady. "And who, exactly, are you looking for?"
Kael straightened, meeting her gaze despite the knot of unease tightening in his stomach. "Her name is Jane. I was sent to find her and—"
"Jane," Elara interrupted, leaning back in her chair with a strange, hollow laugh. "Oh, yes. Jane. Everyone's always looking for Jane, aren't they?"
Merrick shifted uncomfortably, but Kael held his ground. "I was asked to make sure she's okay," he said firmly. "That's all."
Elara's smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. "And who sent you, Kael? Who deemed it so important that you venture all the way to this rotting carcass of a guild just to check on one girl?"
Kael hesitated, his mind scrambling for the right words. "A friend," he said finally. "Someone who cares about her."
Elara tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "And what do you care, Kael? You, who walks in here like a ghost, carrying nothing but empty answers. What do you care about Jane?"
Kael's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "I care enough to be here," he said, his voice low but firm. "Is she here or not?"
Elara stared at him for a long moment, the room heavy with silence. Then, she let out a slow sigh, her posture relaxing slightly. "You've come at an interesting time, Kael," she said, her tone shifting to something softer, almost conspiratorial. "Jane… is complicated. But then again, so is everyone in this guild."
She gestured vaguely toward the maps and documents scattered across the table. "You can stay, for now. But don't expect answers to come easily. This place has a way of testing those who think they know what they want."
Kael nodded, though the tension in his chest remained. "Understood."
Elara's smile returned, though it was sharper now, like the edge of a knife. "Good. Then welcome to Eclipsevane, Kael. I hope you find what you're looking for."
Kael stood in the dim room, the flickering chandelier casting long shadows on the cluttered table. He hesitated, glancing toward the scattered maps and documents, before turning his attention back to Elara.
"Where can I find her?" he asked, his voice steady despite the unease that still lingered in his chest. "Jane, I mean."
Elara leaned back in her chair, a faint, humorless smile playing at her lips. "Jane," she repeated, her tone softer but still edged with something sharp. "She's somewhere in the guild. Always wandering, always searching for some shadow of a man from her past."
Kael's breath hitched, though he kept his expression neutral. "A man from her past?" he echoed, feigning casual curiosity.
Elara shrugged, the motion almost careless. "Someone she knew before everything fell apart. She doesn't talk about him—not to me, anyway—but it's obvious. She's always looking, always hoping. A little tragic, don't you think?" Her smile widened, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course, that's Jane for you."
Kael felt his throat tighten, but he forced himself to nod. "What's she like?" he asked, his tone careful.
Elara tilted her head, her gaze narrowing slightly as if trying to gauge his motives. "She hasn't changed much," she said after a moment. "Smart. Strong. More empathetic than most. She has this way of making you feel like she actually cares, even when you know she probably shouldn't."
Her smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of something that might have been respect—or pity. "But she's different now, too. Spends most of her time alone, unless there's a mission. It's like she's trying to outrun something. Or maybe someone."
Kael nodded again, swallowing the questions that threatened to spill from his lips. Instead, he shifted the focus. "And Eclipsevane?" he asked, his tone sharp enough to cut through the tension in the room. "I've heard stories about it—how it was one of the strongest guilds around. But now… this." He gestured toward the crumbling walls, the warped table, the flickering light. "What happened here?"
Elara's expression darkened, and for a moment, the feverish intensity in her eyes burned brighter. "What happened?" she repeated, her voice low. "What happens to anything that flies too close to the sun? It falls. Hard."
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Eclipsevane was great once. A beacon of power and purpose. But greatness comes with a cost. Everyone wants to take a piece of it, and eventually, there's nothing left but scraps." Her gaze met Kael's, sharp and unyielding. "This is what happens when a place like this is left to rot. The strong leave. The weak perish. And the rest? They endure."
Kael frowned, her words settling heavily in his chest. He glanced around the room again, the weight of her explanation making the decay feel even more oppressive. "Endure," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "Right."
Elara leaned back once more, her sharp smile returning. "You're quick to judge, Kael. But you're here now, aren't you? Maybe you'll figure out why soon enough."
Kael didn't respond, his thoughts too tangled to form a reply. Instead, he gave a faint nod, his gaze dropping to the maps on the table. The stories he'd heard about Eclipsevane had painted it as a shining example of strength and unity. The reality was a stark and bitter contrast.
And now I'm here. Whatever that means.
Elara waved a hand dismissively, her piercing gaze softening just slightly. "That's enough for now," she said, her voice regaining some of its smooth control. "You've had your introduction, and I've had my questions. Go to your room, Kael. You'll find it in the west wing."
Kael hesitated, but before he could respond, Merrick stepped forward, nodding toward the door. "I'll show him the way," the older man said, his tone steady.
Elara's smile returned, faint but sharp. "Good. Rest well, Kael. And remember—answers aren't always what you expect."
Kael gave a curt nod, his chest tightening as he followed Merrick out of the room. The doors creaked shut behind them, the weight of Elara's words lingering in the air like smoke.
The corridor was dim and quiet, the only sound the echo of their footsteps against the stone floor. Merrick walked a few steps ahead, his posture relaxed but alert, his hands resting at his sides. After a moment, he glanced back at Kael.
"So," Merrick began, his voice lighter now, almost conversational, "Jane, huh?"
Kael looked up, his expression carefully neutral. "Yeah. What about her?"
Merrick shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "She's a good one. One of the few left who hasn't let this place break her. Not completely, anyway."
Kael frowned, his pace slowing slightly. "Not completely?"
Merrick's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Jane's strong—always has been. But you can only carry so much before the weight starts to show. She's been through a lot, more than most. Still, she keeps going. It's… admirable."
Kael didn't respond immediately, his gaze dropping to the floor as his thoughts churned. "She seems important to a lot of people," he said finally, his tone measured.
Merrick chuckled softly. "That's Jane for you. She has this way of making you believe things can get better, even when everything's falling apart." He paused, his expression growing more somber. "But lately, she's been… distant. Keeps to herself most of the time, unless she's out on a mission. It's like she's looking for something—or someone."
Kael's chest tightened, though he forced himself to keep his tone casual. "Someone?"
Merrick nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. "Yeah. She doesn't talk about it, but you can tell. There's this… weight she carries. Like she's trying to find something she lost."
Kael swallowed hard, the words hitting closer than he'd expected. She's still looking. Even after all this time.
They reached the door to Kael's assigned room, a simple wooden frame set into the stone wall. Merrick stepped aside, gesturing toward it. "Here you go. It's not much, but it's better than sleeping in the courtyard."
Kael nodded, his hand resting on the door handle. "Thanks."
Merrick gave him a long, appraising look before stepping back. "If you need anything, just ask. And… good luck with Jane. She's worth it."
Kael didn't respond, the knot in his chest tightening as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was small but functional, with a narrow bed, a wooden desk, and a single window that let in faint light from the courtyard.
As he set his pack down, Merrick's words echoed in his mind. She's still looking.
Kael closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment as he tried to steady his thoughts. Whatever answers he found here, he knew they wouldn't come easily.