Eclipse of the Azure Flame

Chapter 7: The Gathering Storm

A World in Motion

The assassin had disappeared into the night, but the weight of their presence still lingered.

Riven clenched his fists, his Azure Storm Flames still faintly crackling around his body. His mind was racing.

"Someone sent them after me. Why?"

Lorien had answers, but he wasn't sharing them yet. Instead, he simply muttered, "We need to move."

And so they did.

They left the ruins behind, moving through the desolate landscape under the cloak of darkness.

But the world was already shifting around them.

---

A Secret Meeting

Far from the battlefield, hidden in the depths of an ancient citadel, figures gathered in the shadows.

The Council of the Veil—a clandestine group that had lurked behind the scenes for centuries—had convened.

Seated around a massive circular table, seven figures cloaked in dark robes whispered among themselves.

A man with piercing golden eyes and raven-black hair leaned forward, his expression unreadable.

"The assassin failed."

The room fell silent.

A woman with a scar across her cheek sighed, tapping her fingers on the table. "I told you. The boy is not to be underestimated."

Another figure, their face concealed beneath an iron mask, spoke in a deep voice. "We should have sent more than one assassin."

The golden-eyed man smirked. "No need. That encounter was merely a test."

He stood, gazing at the massive map of the continent hanging on the wall.

"We now know one thing for certain—"

His golden eyes glowed as he whispered the words that would set everything in motion.

"Riven Kaelstrade… has awakened."

---

Power Explanation: The Azure Storm Flames

A rare and nearly extinct power, once wielded by ancient warriors.

It combines lightning and fire, creating an energy that can both burn and shock at the same time.

Few can control it without destroying themselves in the process.

---

Lorien's Warning

Back in the wilderness, Riven and Lorien had stopped to rest in an abandoned temple.

Riven sat on the cold stone floor, staring at his hands. The faint embers of blue lightning still flickered at his fingertips.

"These flames…" he muttered. "They feel… familiar."

Lorien sat across from him, arms crossed.

"They should. They're part of your bloodline."

Riven's eyes snapped up. "What do you mean?"

Lorien exhaled.

"The Kaelstrade bloodline was once legendary. Warriors who wielded the Azure Storm Flames with unmatched skill."

"But they were wiped out."

Riven's breath caught in his throat. "Wiped out? By who?"

Lorien's expression darkened.

"The same people who sent that assassin after you."

Silence.

Riven's mind spun. "That means—"

Lorien nodded grimly. "Yeah. They're coming for you next."

---

The First Betrayal

The temple was supposed to be abandoned.

But they weren't alone.

A shadow moved near the entrance.

Riven and Lorien shot to their feet, weapons drawn.

A familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Took you long enough to figure it out."

From the doorway, Kieran stepped forward.

His usual smirk was gone. His violet eyes held an eerie, unnatural glow.

Riven's stomach twisted. "Kieran? What are you doing here?"

Lorien's face had turned to stone.

"You already know the answer to that, don't you?" Kieran said, stepping closer. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade.

Riven's heart pounded. "No… You're not saying—"

"I was sent to kill you, Riven."

Riven staggered back, disbelief flooding his mind.

"Kieran… We've fought together! We've bled together!"

Kieran's expression didn't change. "That's why I gave you this long to run."

His violet aura flared to life, the energy of his Void Blade crackling in the air.

"But now, you leave me no choice."

---

Power Explanation: The Void Blade

A forbidden technique that allows the user to channel pure void energy into their weapon.

The blade erases anything it touches from existence.

Using it comes at a price—the wielder's soul slowly erodes with each strike.

---

The Duel Begins

Lorien stepped forward, eyes locked onto Kieran.

"You always were a coward."

Kieran smirked. "And you were always blind."

Without another word—

He struck.

Kieran's Void Blade clashed against Lorien's flaming gauntlets, sending shockwaves through the temple.

Riven watched, frozen in place.

His best friend had betrayed him.

His only ally was now locked in battle.

And the world around him was falling apart.

But deep inside—

The Azure Storm Flames roared to life.

And Riven knew.

He couldn't run from this fight.

---

End of Chapter 7