In the shadows of history, beyond the reach of mortal eyes, the Immortals have waged their secret wars, bound by the sacred code: *There can be only one*. "Eternal Duel: Untold Chronicles of the Immortals" brings to light the hitherto unseen sagas o...
The heat of the forge was oppressive, the air thick with the acrid scent of molten metal and sweat. The blacksmith, an Immortal known only as Hephaestus, labored tirelessly over the anvil, his muscular frame illuminated by the flickering glow of the furnace. The rhythmic clang of hammer against steel echoed through the ancient sanctuary, a testament to the skill and dedication of the craftsman.
Hephaestus had lived countless lifetimes, his existence intertwined with the very essence of the forge. He had crafted weapons for heroes and villains alike, each creation a masterpiece in its own right. But the sword he now forged was different—it was a weapon that could change the course of the Immortal struggle, a blade that could grant its wielder unimaginable power.
As he worked, Hephaestus's mind wandered to the events that had led him to this moment. The Kurgan, a formidable and ruthless Immortal, had come to him with a proposition: forge the ultimate weapon, a sword that could be assembled and reassembled at will, and in return, the Kurgan would spare his life. It was a bitter bargain, but one that Hephaestus had little choice but to accept.
The blacksmith's concentration was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching the forge. He looked up to see a figure emerge from the shadows, a woman clad in battle-worn armor, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and sorrow. Hephaestus recognized her immediately—Hannah, a seasoned warrior who had once served under the great Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
"What brings you to my forge, Hannah?" Hephaestus asked, his voice deep and resonant.
Hannah stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the sword taking shape on the anvil. "I heard whispers of a weapon being forged here, one that could alter the balance of power among Immortals. I had to see it for myself."
Hephaestus nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "The Kurgan commissioned this blade. He believes it will grant him victory in the Immortal contest."
A flicker of anger crossed Hannah's face at the mention of the Kurgan. "He is a monster, driven by an insatiable lust for power. I've seen the destruction he leaves in his wake."
The blacksmith sighed, the weight of his own mortality heavy on his shoulders. "I had little choice but to accept his offer. The Kurgan is not one to be denied."
As Hephaestus continued his work, the conversation turned to Hannah's past. She spoke of her former lover, Sarah, an Immortal whose love had once been her sanctuary in the chaos of their eternal existence. But that love had turned to bitter rivalry, leaving Hannah with a heart shattered beyond repair.
"We were torn apart by the very nature of our existence," Hannah confided, her voice tinged with sorrow. "The Immortal struggle demands that we fight, that we compete for The Quickening. In the end, our love could not withstand the weight of that reality."
