Eclipse of the Azure Flame

Chapter 10: Shattered Bonds

The Return of the Past

Kieran lay in the rubble, gasping for breath. His body ached, his vision blurred, but his grip on the Void Blade remained tight.

Riven stood a few feet away, fists clenched, Azure Storm Flames still flickering around him. He wasn't letting his guard down.

He had learned that much.

"You're hesitating, Kieran." Riven's voice was cold. "You had the chance to finish me, but you didn't."

Kieran coughed, forcing himself to stand. "And yet, you're the one holding back."

Riven's jaw tightened. It was true.

Even now, he couldn't bring himself to kill Kieran.

But why?

Was it because of their past? Their promise?

Or was it because—deep inside—he still believed there was another way?

Kieran sighed, rolling his shoulder. "This is pointless, Riven. You won't kill me. And I can't stop now."

"Then tell me why!" Riven shouted, his flames surging. "Why are you doing this?!"

Kieran's expression darkened.

And then—

He told him.

---

The Truth Revealed

"You don't understand, Riven. None of you do."

Kieran tightened his grip on the Void Blade. His violet eyes burned—not with anger, but with pain.

Riven had never seen Kieran look like this before.

"What do you mean?"

Kieran exhaled.

"The world you see? The masters we serve? They've already chosen our fate." His voice was low, almost bitter. "They made their decision the moment we were born."

Riven frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Kieran's eyes flickered with a memory—one that had haunted him for years.

---

Flashback – The Night of the Betrayal

It had been a stormy night when Kieran learned the truth.

He had overheard the conversation—the masters, the council, speaking in hushed voices.

About him.

About all of them.

"The Azure Storm warriors are powerful, but unstable."

"If they grow too strong, they will become a threat."

"We must act before that happens."

Kieran had stood in the shadows, his heart pounding in his chest.

The same people who had trained them, who had raised them, were planning to eliminate them.

"We'll use them for as long as they're useful. And when the time comes—"

"We'll erase them."

Kieran had felt his world collapse in that moment.

And then—he ran.

He ran as fast as he could, his Void energy trembling, his mind racing.

That night, he made a choice.

He wouldn't wait to be erased.

He would survive.

Even if it meant turning against the people he once called brothers.

---

Present – The Weight of Betrayal

Riven's breath caught.

"You're lying."

Kieran shook his head. "You know I'm not."

Riven's flames flickered, his heart pounding.

It couldn't be true.

The Masters, the council…

They wouldn't do something like that.

Would they?

Kieran took a step forward. "I tried to warn you, Riven. But you didn't listen."

"That doesn't justify this!" Riven's voice cracked. "Lorien is lying there, bleeding out because of you! You nearly killed him!"

Kieran's expression darkened. "I did what I had to."

"You had a choice!"

"No." Kieran clenched his fists. "I didn't."

Riven's flames surged. His mind was a storm of emotions—anger, sorrow, doubt.

But before he could respond—

A voice echoed through the ruined temple.

Cold.

Sharp.

"How touching."

Riven's blood ran cold.

---

A New Enemy Arrives

A figure emerged from the shadows—tall, clad in dark robes, with piercing golden eyes.

Riven recognized him immediately.

Master Vael.

One of the elders of the council.

And the man who had trained them all.

Kieran's fists clenched. His entire body tensed.

"So," Vael said, stepping forward. "You told him, didn't you?"

His smile was cruel.

Riven's stomach twisted.

It was true.

Everything Kieran had said.

Vael knew.

And he didn't deny it.

"You used us," Riven whispered.

Vael tilted his head. "Used? No, no. I merely ensured that fate took its natural course."

Riven's flames exploded.

"You were going to kill us!"

Vael smirked. "Of course. Did you really think you were special?"

Kieran's Void Blade ignited.

Riven clenched his fists.

And in that moment—the true battle began.

---

Power Explanation: Master Vael's Forbidden Arts

Eclipse Binding: A technique that allows Vael to suppress the abilities of weaker warriors by sealing their energy flow.

Void Manipulation: Unlike Kieran's Void Blade, Vael's mastery lets him bend reality itself, distorting time and space to his will.

Black Phoenix Flames: A corrupted form of Azure Storm energy, consuming everything in its path—including the user's soul.

---

The Three-Way Battle

Vael moved first.

A single gesture—and the air cracked.

Riven felt his body freeze.

His flames—gone.

He couldn't move.

Kieran's eyes widened. "What—"

Vael smirked. "Did you really think you could challenge me?"

And then—

Vael struck.

Kieran barely dodged, his Void Blade clashing against Vael's power.

The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ruins.

Riven gritted his teeth. He had to move.

He forced his Azure Storm energy to break free.

And then—

He launched forward.

---

End of Chapter 10