Eclipsed

Chapter 36

Ren let out a tired sigh, brushing a hand through his silver hair. "I'm heading off to get some rest," he said to Alric.

Alric nodded. "See you around."

Ren walked down the quiet, dark streets, the city silent at this late hour. As he stifled a yawn, something flickered in the corner of his eye. He paused, scanning the shadows. "I'm just tired," he muttered before shaking it off and continuing toward the apartment.

When he entered, Valen, Kael, and Alina were seated around a table covered with maps.

"You're still up?" Ren asked, raising an eyebrow.

Valen nodded. "We've been planning."

Kael, munching on bread, added, "Something about disciples and taking them out."

Ren sighed. "Liora almost ambushed Alric tonight. She bypassed the barrier completely."

Alina looked alarmed. "She's here?"

Valen leaned back. "I already explained-she's powerful enough to do that. The barrier slowed her but wasn't enough."

Kael squinted at the map. "So, what's the plan? Punch her, or is this one of those spooky magic fights?"

Valen smirked faintly. "Both."

Ren shook his head. "We'll track her. You focus on the disciples."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Splitting up? Isn't that how people get wrecked?"

Valen kept calm. "Stick to the plan."

Ren gave a tired smile. "Let's hope it works."

"Our leader, we know you are residing in there..."

Ren's heart skipped a beat, his body instinctively tensing. From the moment the voice echoed through the night, Valen's hand was on his daggers, his posture alert. Alina's fingers wrapped tightly around her staff, her eyes narrowing in focused anger. Kael, never one for subtlety, immediately raised his scythes, an aggressive growl escaping his lips. "Oh hell no."

Ren's grip on his katana tightened, his eyes scanning the shadows. Every instinct screamed that something wasn't right. He was ready to strike.

Without warning, the front door shattered as dark figures, like shadows made solid, lunged into the room. They were swift, moving with an almost unnatural precision, but they weren't aiming for Ren. They bypassed him completely, focusing solely on Valen, Kael, and Alina. The leader of the intruders, a tall figure cloaked in midnight black, spoke with a sneer.

"You peasants are not worthy to accompany our leader."

Kael, his patience thinning by the second, barked a sharp, mocking laugh. "What leader? What are you talking about?" His scythes gleamed in the dim light as he gripped them tighter, waiting for a response, his eyes full of disdain.

The leader's cold, calculating gaze snapped toward Ren. Without warning, he pointed directly at him. "You. The HEIR of Yoruzen."

Kael's smirk faltered. His eyes widened in disbelief, his grip on his weapons loosening for just a moment. Alina froze, her expression shifting into one of disbelief. They turned in unison to face Ren, shock and suspicion painting their faces.

Ren's breath caught in his throat. The words echoed in his mind, refusing to let go. "What the hell?" He took a step back, trying to process the revelation. "Who the hell are you people? I'm not the son of Yoruzen."

Valen, who had been studying the scene with a calm yet serious demeanor, slowly stepped back, his expression hardening as the pieces began to fall into place. His hand tightened around the hilts of his daggers. "I know now what this is," he muttered, his voice low but sharp.