Eclipsed

Chapter 30

As they approached the massive dragon, Tiberon, its shimmering emerald scales gleamed under the fading sunlight. The beast lowered its head slightly, allowing the group to climb aboard. Alric, with an air of confidence, patted the dragon’s neck and said, “Alright, let’s get moving. Hold on tight; Tiberon doesn’t do ‘slow.’”

Valen muttered under his breath, brushing his dark hair back nervously. “Reckless as ever...” he grumbled, climbing on behind Alric.

Ren climbed aboard last, gripping the dragon’s scales as they launched into the air. The force of the ascent pressed them back, and the wind howled around them, carrying the faint scent of the sea below. As the dragon soared higher, the world stretched out into a tapestry of endless sky and scattered forests below.

Breaking the silence, Ren leaned forward, shouting slightly to be heard over the rush of wind. “You said you haven’t told anyone about your abilities yet? Why’s that?”

Alric glanced back at Ren, his blonde hair catching the sunlight and almost glowing against the deep blue of the sky. He hesitated, as if weighing whether to answer, before speaking. “Well... I probably shouldn’t be telling this to two strangers I just met. But, since we’re here...” He sighed and ran a hand through his windswept hair. “I prefer to work in secret. If word got out about what I can do, the kingdom would force me into military campaigns, treat me as nothing more than a tool. I’d be stuck fighting battles I don’t believe in. That’s not the life I want.”

Ren tilted his head, considering Alric’s words, while Valen, at the back, seemed lost in the view, his sharp green eyes fixed on the horizon.

“That’s fair enough,” Ren replied, his tone thoughtful. “But don’t you want to protect your loved ones?”

Alric’s expression softened, a flicker of something—pain or regret—crossing his face. “Of course I do. But... I don’t really talk to them much. Except for my sister. I’m not close with the rest of my family.”

“I see,” Ren said, his voice quiet.

Alric glanced at him. “What about you?”

Ren hesitated before answering. “It’s... complicated. I’m an orphan, so I never knew my parents. I was raised in a monastery in a village called Haruka Valley.”

Alric’s brows furrowed slightly. “Haruka Valley... I’ve heard rumors about that place being destroyed.”

At the mention of the village, Ren’s gaze dropped, his shoulders tensing. Grief darkened his features, but he quickly masked it.

Alric, noticing the shift, frowned. “I... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine,” Ren interrupted, though his voice betrayed his inner turmoil.

There was an awkward silence before Alric spoke again, shifting the topic. “So, you and Valen took out Ozythar and Rhulgar, right? How did that go down?”

Valen finally looked away from the sky, chiming in with a smirk. “Me and two of our other members dealt with Rhulgar. Ren here? He took out Ozythar all on his own.”

Alric’s blue eyes widened in surprise. “You’re kidding. Ren, that’s... that’s insane! Taking down Ozythar solo? That’s one hell of a feat.”

Ren gave a small shrug. “It wasn’t easy. The fight could’ve gone either way.”

“Still impressive,” Alric said, grinning. “So, with those two gone, there are what—ten left?”

Ren nodded. “Yeah. Excluding Karnazoth, since we already dealt with him, there’s Varkoth, Zhaakri, Tamaris, Kallius, Lysandra, Karaz, Liora, Aelira... and the Protector of Liora.”