Eclipsed monarch

After Serene returned with vital information, Kale and his team made their way to the Divine Order's secret base. Moving through the labyrinth of hidden passages, they navigated deeper into the stronghold until they reached a concealed chamber.

Kale stopped at the entrance. "Stay here and watch the perimeter," he ordered. "If anything goes wrong, don't rush in."

Rei hesitated. "Are you sure about this?"

Kale's gaze was steady. "I know what I'm doing."

Without another word, he stepped inside.

The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and dried blood. In the dim light, he saw her—a woman shackled to the wall, her body battered and frail. Her once-proud posture had crumbled; her head hung low, tangled strands of hair hiding her face.

She didn't react to his presence.

She didn't even flinch.

Kale took a step forward. "I came here to take you."

The words were soft, yet they shattered the silence like a blade.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, she stirred. Slowly, almost fearfully, she raised her head. Her eyes—once bright, now dulled by torment—searched his face, desperate to understand whether this was another cruel trick of the mind.

"…Someone came?"

Her voice cracked, barely more than a whisper.

The weight of disbelief crushed her. She had dreamed of rescue before, only to wake to the cold bite of chains.

But now—now there was a man standing before her, speaking words that should have been impossible.

The dam broke. Tears welled up and spilled down her bruised cheeks as a choked sob escaped her lips. The surge of emotion was too much for her weakened body. She collapsed forward, unconscious.

Kale caught her before she hit the ground.

"She's burning up," he muttered, adjusting his grip. With no time to waste, he carried her out of the chamber, his team quickly falling in line beside him.

They moved through the hidden corridors, weaving past the watchful eyes of the Divine Order. But just as they neared the exit, Kale's steps slowed.A shadow loomed at the end of the passage, blocking their escape. A man stood waiting, his sword gleaming under the dim torchlight.

"You knew, didn't you?" Kale murmured under his breath, his grip on the woman tightening.

The figure took a step forward. "You should have never come here."

Kale exhaled sharply. "So it's you."