Eclipsed

Chapter 41

Takehiko stood at the entrance of Ren's small room, his voice sharp and commanding. "Ren, come with me."

Ren, though still sore from the day's events, didn't question the order. Something about Takehiko's tone left no room for hesitation. Rising from his bed, he followed silently as Takehiko led him through the labyrinthine corridors of the lair. The walls seemed to close in, growing colder and darker the further they went. The torches lining the walls flickered faintly, their flames casting eerie, shifting shadows.

The deeper they ventured, the more uneasy Ren felt. The air grew heavier with each step, an oppressive weight settling in his chest. Finally, they reached an isolated chamber, its entrance guarded by two large, rusted doors covered in intricate carvings that Ren couldn't make out in the dim light.

Takehiko pushed the doors open with ease, revealing a dimly lit room. In the center stood a pedestal encased in thick, polished glass. Inside the glass case was an artifact that immediately caught Ren's eye. It was a small, obsidian-black object shaped like a jagged shard, its surface etched with glowing crimson runes that pulsed faintly, as if alive. A soft hum filled the room, emanating from the artifact, its resonance unsettling.

Ren instinctively took a step back. "What... is that?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.

Takehiko turned to him, his expression unreadable. "This," he said, gesturing to the artifact, "is something I want you to have."

Ren's brow furrowed. "Why?"

Takehiko didn't answer. Instead, he placed a hand on the glass case, muttering an incantation under his breath. The runes on the artifact flared brighter, and the glass seemed to dissolve into the air. Before Ren could react, the artifact moved—no, it launched itself at him with blinding speed.

"Wait—!" was all Ren could manage before the shard collided with his chest, right over his heart. He had no time to dodge or block it; the artifact pierced through his clothing and skin as if they weren't there.

A searing pain erupted in his chest, and Ren dropped to his knees, clutching at his heart as if trying to rip the agony away. His breathing grew ragged, sweat dripping from his face as he gasped for air.

"What the hell did you do to me, Takehiko?" Ren managed to choke out, his voice strained as he braced himself against the cold stone floor.

Takehiko stood above him, his expression calm, almost amused. "What I did," he said, "was give you a little... incentive to stay loyal."

Ren's hands trembled as he clutched at his chest. "Incentive?"

Takehiko smiled, his middle-aged features sharp in the flickering torchlight. "That artifact is no ordinary object. It's a device. Should you ever try to betray me—or Yoruzen—you'll experience pain far worse than what you're feeling now. And I assure you, Ren, it will be unbearable."

Ren gritted his teeth, his head still bowed as he glared at the ground. "You're insane," he spat through clenched teeth.

Takehiko ignored the insult, reaching down to pat Ren's back with a mock sense of camaraderie. "It's simple, really. Don't betray us, and you won't have to feel that pain again. Consider it... motivation."

As Takehiko turned and began walking away, Ren remained on the floor, his body trembling. His mind raced with questions and fury, but one thought rose above the chaos: he couldn't trust anyone in this place—and now, he was even more trapped than before.

Ren struggled to his feet, his breath still ragged as he forced himself to follow Takehiko. Each step felt like a monumental effort, his chest aching from the ordeal. Takehiko glanced back at him with a twisted smirk, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small, metallic device. It was sleek, no larger than the palm of his hand, with a single ominous button glowing faintly red.