Inside the Eclipse Order's stronghold

Candlelight flickered against the obsidian walls. The room was quiet—too quiet. Only the sound of faint breathing echoed... heavy, strained... rhythmic.

Maldrath leaned back in his massive chair, shirtless, his body covered in cryptic runes that shimmered faintly with magic. A woman lay asleep on silken sheets beside him, and a goblet of dark wine rested by his hand.

A knock echoed sharply through the room. He didn't move.

Voice from behind the door (nervous): "My Lord... the echo from Arkwatch... it's gone."

Silence.

Maldrath slowly opened his eyes, glowing faint crimson. He didn't look toward the door, but the air in the room shifted—dense, cold, angry.

Maldrath (calm but venomous): "Elias Carter..."

He rose, walking to a nearby mirror. His reflection didn't show a man—but a silhouette wreathed in shadows.

Maldrath (to himself): "The boy collects power like it's owed to him... Perhaps it's time we collect him instead."

He turned back, his voice sharp:

Maldrath: "Send Arkan. Let's see if the blood of Nyxoth bleeds easily."

AFTER SOME TIME.

The double doors creaked open. A figure in a dark cloak stood silently before Maldrath, his presence more shadow than man.

Maldrath (leaning forward, smirking): "Arkan... I have a task for you."

No reply. Just the faint clinking of the chains wrapped around Arkan's wrists—restrainers, not for his punishment... but for everyone else's safety.

Maldrath (coldly): "The boy who bears Nyxoth's blood walks free. He has claimed his first echo."

Arkan finally spoke—his voice like gravel grinding against steel.

Arkan: "Then he believes himself ready."

Maldrath: "Bring him back... or break him."

Arkan (turning, low and steady): " If he bleeds... I'll find the color ."

He vanished into the shadows, no sound, no trace—like he was never there.

ARKWATCH

Dust was still settling. The light from the shattered ceiling spilled in faintly as Elias stepped out from the chamber, aura faintly crackling around him like smoke trying to take shape.

Faith rushed to him, eyes wide, relief barely hiding her panic.

Faith: "What's going on down there? Elias... are you alright?"

Elias gave a faint nod, wiping a thin line of blood from the corner of his mouth.

Elias: "I'm fine." "It fought hard. But I'm done here."

Dante approached, giving him a firm nod of respect.

Dante: "Whatever that was... it didn't sound fine. That whole place shook like it was gonna collapse."

Logan (chuckling nervously): "Yeah. You walked down there like a guy going shopping and came back like a goddamn walking thundercloud."

Faith (softly): "You scared us."

Elias (quiet, but steady): "Sorry. I had to face it alone."

Dorian stepped forward, eyeing him carefully, sensing the shift.

Dorian: "You've grown stronger. That aura... it's different."

Dante (half-smiling, to the others): "At this point, he's stronger than all of us."

They all fell quiet for a moment—an unspoken pride growing in the silence.

Arcane Spire – Council Chamber

The circular chamber shimmered with ambient arcane light. Runes glowed faintly on the walls, resonating with the subtle hum of layered enchantments. High seats were filled—Alden in the center, calm yet vigilant, and Varies lounging with a faint smirk as the report came in.

A messenger knelt at the base of the steps .

Messenger: "The Arkwatch mission is complete. Varik the Flayer has been neutralized by Dorian's team."

Alden (nodding): "And the settlement?"

Messenger: "All civilians were already corrupted—turned to thralls by Varik prior to the team's arrival. There were no lives left to save."

A quiet stillness fell. Even Varies leaned forward now, listening closely.

Varies: "That creature was an old threat... the fact he returned at all was concerning. But I must say, Dorian's team cleaned up well."

Alden: "What of Elias Carter? His presence near anomalies remains... sensitive."

Messenger: "No strange reports. He performed well. Dorian praised his efforts—nothing more."

Alden's eyes narrowed faintly, and he rested his hands against the edge of the council table.

Alden (low): "Lucian Carter's bloodline never was ordinary."

Varies (with a short chuckle): "That man was a storm in human form. But loyal. If Elias holds even half his spirit, we may be watching the rise of something rare."

One of the elder councilors—her voice thin but sharp—spoke from the shadows behind.

Elder Councilor: "During the battle, there was a pulse across the leyline grid. Faint, but laced with old magic—dense, unstable. That was no ordinary breakthrough."

Alden (coldly): "I felt it too. Only for a second. As if something cracked open... then vanished."

He tapped a sigil etched into the table. A soft glow pulsed. A private interface appeared—magic flowing through it like liquid light. Then he looked at Varies, his tone dropping lower.

Alden: "I want someone observing Elias. Quietly. Constantly."

Varies (grinning): "You're late to the party. Already done."

They shared a long, calculating glance.

Alden (whispering): "Lucian... what did you leave behind in that boy?"

DORIAN AND TEAM RETURNED FROM ARKWATCH.

The chamber doors opened with a solemn hum as Elias, Faith, Logan, Dante, and Dorian stepped forward. Elias' steps were steady, but faint bruises peeked from beneath his collar.

Behind him, Logan walked with a casual confidence, while Faith maintained her composed stance, though her eyes occasionally flicked toward Elias with quiet relief.

The Arcane Council awaited them.

Alden stood, his gaze firm but approving.

Alden: "You've returned... not only alive, but victorious. The threat of Varik the Flayer has ended." He paused. "You have done well."

A quiet nod of respect echoed across the chamber from the councilors. Even Varies offered a slow clap from his seat, smirking.

Alden (formally): "By the will of the Arcane Council, you are now officially recognized as an operative team under the banner of the Grand Circle. Your actions have proven your resolve, strength, and unity."

A rune flared behind the council—glowing gold—an ancient sigil of acceptance and honor.

Elder Councilor: "Two more members shall join your ranks—bringing your squad to completion."

From behind, two figures stepped forward.

The first was a tall young man, confident, wrapped in deep blue robes etched with ancient runic patterns. His presence alone seemed to ripple the air—pressure and power rolled off of him.

Alden (introducing): "Vance Soran , the most recent Supreme-tier awakened. ."

Vance gave a calm nod to the group, eyes briefly resting on Elias with analytical curiosity before moving on.

Faith and Logan realizing everybody was talking about him in school that day , the newly awakened supreme tier magic user.

The second figure was a lean girl, her expression unreadable, a pair of slim daggers strapped to her hips, and a small magical glyph glowing at her neck.

Alden: " Alice Vaer. Specialist in illusion and kinetic magic. She graduated from the Inner Ring trials with distinction."

Faith nodded to her politely. Logan gave a short wave. Elias offered a subtle nod. Alice returned it with calm restraint, taking her place.

Alden: "Your final team roster: Elias Carter. Faith Lockhart. Logan Pierce . Vance soran . Alice Vaer. Under the mentorship of Dorian Aldritch ."

Then his eyes shifted to Dante.

Alden: "And what of this one? A non-magic user taken into a restricted operation—against Council law."

Before Dorian could speak, Elias stepped forward, voice clear.

Elias: "He was there for me. For us. He held his own. He risked everything, just like the rest of us. He deserves to be here. We'll protect him. And he'll protect us."

Silence. Then Dorian added,

Dorian: "He was instrumental. Brave. Smart. More than capable."

Alden studied them for a moment, the silence heavy.

Alden: "You've broken a rule. But in war, judgment must sometimes yield to instinct. No punishment will be cast." He turned to Dante. "You are not a core operative. But on Elias Carter's request, you may assist them on lower-tier and supervised missions. You are part of this unit—an auxiliary member."

Dante exhaled, smiling faintly. Elias gave him a nod, proud.

Alden: "Dismissed. Prepare yourselves. The peace won't last long."

As the group exited the chamber together—newly formed, newly tested—a sense of something greater loomed behind their steps.

A team was now truly born.

Unknown Location, Underground Chamber.

The walls were jagged, layered with roots and stone, the room dimly lit by floating crimson orbs. Candles flickered, casting strange symbols on the ceiling. A round table sat at the center, old and cracked. A map of the world, etched into obsidian, lay across it.

A man stood before it—his back straight, hands folded behind him.

He was cloaked in deep gray and black, his presence calm yet commanding. On his back, a long staff crackled softly with pale-blue light, and his left eye glowed faintly—imbued with something... unnatural.

Voice of some underlings : "They retrieved the Echo from Arkwatch."

The man didn't move. He simply nodded.

underling (nervous): "We couldn't intercept them. The Flayer is gone... "

Finally, the man spoke—his voice smooth, controlled.

Arkan: "Then it begins... as I foresaw."

He reached down, lifting a small crystal—faintly pulsing with energy. He crushed it between his fingers.

Arkan (quietly): "Let them gather strength. It will make their fall... more meaningful."

He turned, eyes now fully visible—one a normal calm blue, the other pitch-black, filled with spinning glyphs.

Arkan: "let see how worthy you are Elias Carter"

END OF CHAPTER 7

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