The group had gathered in the study hall of Hugo's mansion, a dimly lit chamber lined with ancient books, scattered maps, and a massive round table at the center.
Hugo stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Iris," he said, his voice even. "You said you had inside knowledge about the Dominion base. Tell us everything you know."
Iris grinned, flipping her silver hair over her shoulder as she leaned casually against the table.
"But of course, darling~," she teased before shifting to a more serious tone. "The facility we're infiltrating is officially labeled as an Arcana Research Outpost, but in reality, it's a front for something much bigger."
She tapped on a holographic display, bringing up a rough map of the Dominion base.
"They've been using this site for PLF relic experimentation—which means they're not just studying relics… they're trying to weaponize them."
The group exchanged glances.
Stella frowned. "You mean they're actively developing Perfect Life Form tech?"
Iris nodded. "Exactly. And if they succeed? The Republic will not be able to stop them."
Lena whistled. "Well. That's terrifying."
Darius smirked. "So, in short: We blow it up?"
Hugo didn't respond immediately, his white eyes locked onto the map, analyzing every detail.
As Iris continued laying out the base's structure, speaking with unexpected precision, Reginald stood quietly near the back of the room.
And for the first time in a long while…
He felt nostalgic.
He had seen this exact scene before.
Not in this mansion.
Not with this group.
But a thousand years ago.
Before the Eclipse War.
A dimly lit war room. A wooden table covered in maps and battle plans.
Three figures stood around it.
Hugo. Xander. Mina.
"You sure about this plan, Xander?" Hugo asked, his voice lighter, unburdened.
Xander leaned over the table, smirking. "Trust me. It's solid. We go in fast, disrupt their supply lines, and get out before they even know what hit them."
Mina, sitting nearby, played a soft tune on her harmonica while skimming over the plans. "And if it doesn't go as planned?"
Xander scoffed. "Then Hugo swings his fancy sword, you do your Arcana magic, and I improvise. As always."
Hugo grinned. "Reassuring."
Reginald, standing nearby, smiled faintly.
They were young, reckless, and stubborn.
But they were unstoppable together.
Back then… Hugo had two people by his side that he trusted more than anything.
And now—
Reginald blinked as the memory faded, bringing him back to reality.
He looked toward Hugo, standing at the head of the table once again—but this time, without Xander or Mina beside him.
Yet now, he wasn't alone.
Iris, Stella, Lena, Darius, Ethan—this was a different team. A new group standing beside him.
Reginald's expression softened.
"Perhaps… history does not always repeat itself."
Hugo studied the map of the Dominion facility, his white eyes scanning every corridor and access point.
"Alright," he said, his voice firm. "Let's break this down."
The group leaned in, focusing as the discussion shifted fully to strategy.
Iris tapped the map, highlighting a heavily secured section near the center.
"This is their research lab—where they're conducting PLF relic experiments. It's the most critical area, but also the most heavily guarded."
Lena crossed her arms. "Figures. And the security?"
Iris nodded. "Multiple layers. Arcana barriers, automated sentries, and Dominion enforcers on rotation. Not to mention, if the alarms go off, they'll reinforce fast."
Ethan frowned. "So a quiet approach is our best bet."
Hugo nodded. "Exactly. We don't rush in—we infiltrate."
He pointed at a secondary entrance along the map.
"There's a maintenance tunnel on the eastern side. It's used for energy core transfers, so it won't be as heavily guarded as the main entrance."
Darius smirked. "And once we're in?"
Hugo continued, "We split into two teams: One secures evidence. The other plants charges to destroy the relic."
The group absorbed the plan as Hugo divided the roles.
The Infiltration Plan:
Team One – Evidence Retrieval (Objective: Find proof of the Dominion's war plans)
Lena & Ethan – Hack into the research servers and extract classified files. Iris – Provides cover and acts as a decoy if needed.
Team Two – Relic Destruction (Objective: Neutralize the PLF relic)
Hugo & Darius – Locate the relic and plant Arcane demolition charges. Stella – Provides defense and backup, ensuring no reinforcements interfere.
Extraction Plan:
Once both teams finish, they regroup at a hidden exfiltration point near the loading docks. If things go wrong? Escape through the underground waste tunnels.
Lena nodded. "Alright. I can get us into their servers, no problem."
Ethan smirked. "And I'll handle any security overrides."
Darius cracked his knuckles. "And I get to smash things. Perfect."
Stella looked at Hugo. "What about the relic? Do we even know what it is?"
Hugo's expression darkened. "No. But whatever it is, we can't let the Dominion use it."
Iris grinned. "Sounds fun~. And if things do go sideways?"
Hugo met her gaze.
"Then we fight our way out."
The plan was set.
The infiltration of the Dominion research facility would begin at nightfall.
As the team finalized their plan, a brief silence settled over the room.
Then—Darius smirked.
"Alright, since we're officially infiltrating enemy territory like a bunch of badasses, I think it's time we name our organization."
Lena raised an eyebrow. "Organization?"
Darius leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Yeah. Think about it! We're a group of powerful misfits going up against a world-threatening force. That's basically what the original Eclipse Requiem did, right?"
Ethan chuckled. "I think I see where this is going…"
Darius snapped his fingers. "Eclipse Requiem 2!"
The room went silent.
Then, in perfect unison—
"No."
Hugo, Stella, Lena, Iris, and Ethan all shut him down immediately.
Darius stared at them. "Wow. No hesitation? Not even a little consideration?"
Lena smirked. "Absolutely not."
Stella sighed. "We're not naming ourselves after the original rebellion."
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, that's way too much pressure."
Iris grinned. "And it sounds so unoriginal~."
Darius groaned, slumping in his chair. "Fine. No 'Eclipse Requiem 2.' But we should come up with something!"
Hugo exhaled sharply. "We don't need a name."
Darius was grumbling about his rejected name when—
"Eclipse Zero."
The room fell silent.
Everyone turned toward Hugo, who had spoken the name without hesitation.
Stella frowned. "What?"
Hugo leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.
"If we do need a name… we'll be Eclipse Zero."
Darius blinked. "Wait, seriously? You of all people are naming us?"
Ethan tilted his head. "Okay, but… why Eclipse Zero?"
Hugo's white eyes glowed faintly as he glanced at the group.
"Eclipse Requiem was about redemption—righting the wrongs of the past," he said. "But we're not them."
He tapped the table lightly.
"Zero means a reset. A new beginning."
Stella, Lena, and Iris exchanged glances, thinking it over.
Iris smirked. "Oh, I like it."
Lena nodded. "Not bad. Better than 'Eclipse Requiem 2.'"
Darius grinned. "Okay, yeah, I can get behind that."
Ethan pumped his fist. "Then it's official! We're Eclipse Zero."
The room settled.
For the first time, their group—a collection of warriors, rebels, and misfits—finally had a name.
Hugo exhaled. "Now that that's settled—"
He stood up, his voice firm.
"Let's get to work."
The mission was about to begin.