Eclipsed

Chapter 49

The grand hall of the Kagetsu barracks was dimly lit, the stone walls adorned with banners bearing the kingdom's insignia: a silver crescent moon surrounded by crimson flames. Inside, a special unit of elite knights stood in formation, their silver armor gleaming faintly in the torchlight. Among them was Miyako, her face obscured by the visor of her helmet, standing motionless at attention.

At the front of the room stood Commander Ryunosuke Tetsuya, a tall, imposing figure with piercing green eyes and shoulder-length black hair tied neatly behind his head. His dark crimson cloak billowed slightly as he turned to face the group. His stern gaze moved across each knight, pausing momentarily as if to assess their readiness.

Ryunosuke raised his voice, his tone sharp and commanding. "We have just received a message from the outskirts—specifically from a village called Hiratsu." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "The son of Yoruzen was spotted there."

The room fell silent for a moment, save for the faint crackle of torches on the walls. A ripple of shock passed through the knights, some exchanging glances, others raising their eyebrows in disbelief. The infamous name hung heavy in the air.

"The son of Yoruzen?" one knight muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Ryunosuke continued, his tone unwavering. "That's right. Reports confirm his presence. If this information is accurate, then we cannot afford to waste time. You all know the threat he represents."

Some of the knights nodded, their expressions growing more serious. Miyako, standing among them, remained still, though beneath her helmet, her heart raced. Her thoughts swirled with the name she had heard mere hours ago—Ren.

The commander's sharp gaze swept across the group. "Your orders are simple. Track him down. Bring him back to Kagetsu alive." He stepped forward, his boots echoing against the stone floor. "Failure is not an option. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Commander!" the knights responded in unison, their voices firm and resolute.

Ryunosuke nodded, satisfied. "Good. You leave immediately. This mission is of the utmost importance to the kingdom."

Miyako clenched her fists under her gauntlets. The name Ren lingered in her mind, and her emotions churned beneath the surface. As the group filed out of the hall to prepare for departure, she kept her composure, knowing her duty came first—even if her heart wavered.

As they exited the barracks and mounted their horses, Ryunosuke called out one last time. "Remember, bring him back alive. The king will decide his fate."

The special unit rode off into the night, their silver armor glinting in the moonlight. Miyako, silent and concealed beneath her helmet, couldn't shake the conflicting emotions rising within her.

Ren galloped through the dense forest, the sphere in his hand glowing brighter as he drew closer to Aiko's location. The trees were thick, their shadows stretching like claws across the moonlit path. Ren muttered under his breath, frustration evident in his tone.

"I wish I had Rhaegar now... I might have already saved Aiko by now."

The sphere pulsed faintly, pointing him toward the east. He tightened his grip on the reins and urged his horse forward. Suddenly, a shadow passed over him, and he looked up. His eyes widened in disbelief as a massive dragon soared overhead, its crimson scales gleaming in the moonlight.

"Is that... a dragon?" he muttered, startled. But before he could process it, another dragon followed close behind, this one a deep emerald green with a spiked tail.

As he stared in awe, flaming arrows rained down from above, their fiery tips illuminating the forest. Ren's instincts kicked in, and he yanked the reins, steering his horse to dodge the incoming flames. Confusion and panic flashed across his face as he glanced upward again, spotting knights in silver armor atop the dragons, their helmets glinting in the firelight.