The Eclipsed One

Asteria’s heart pounded as she led Stary through the fields, keeping low and moving swiftly. The early morning mist clung to the ground, offering them some cover, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching.

The shadow in the forest had been no ordinary trick of the light. It had been alive. And it had known Stary.

"What are the Eclipsed Ones?" she whispered as they moved, her fingers tightening around Stary’s wrist.

He hesitated before answering. "I don’t know."

Asteria shot him a look. "You seemed pretty sure they were looking for you."

Stary’s glowing eyes flickered with uncertainty. "I felt them. When they called my name—my real name—it wasn’t a voice. It was like… a pull, deep in my bones." His gaze darkened. "Like they own a piece of me."

Asteria shivered. "That’s not terrifying at all."

They reached the edge of the eastern fields, where the land sloped upward toward the old watchtower. The structure had once belonged to the village’s early guardians, but it had been abandoned for years, left to decay on the cliffs.

Asteria had played there as a child, pretending to be a warrior defending against unseen enemies. Now, it was their only hope of escape.

"We’re almost there," she whispered, gripping Stary’s hand tighter as they climbed the rocky path. His steps were more confident now, stronger. It was as if the further he got from the village, the more energy he regained.

But the feeling of being watched never faded.

The watchtower loomed ahead, its stone walls covered in creeping vines. The wooden door was cracked and weathered, barely holding together. Asteria shoved it open, guiding Stary inside before slamming it shut behind them.

Dust swirled in the dim light filtering through the cracks in the walls. Old weapons and broken furniture lay scattered across the stone floor.

"It’s not much," Asteria said, catching her breath. "But no one will look for us here."

Stary wandered to the window, looking down at the valley below. His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "They’re coming."

Asteria stiffened and said "How do you know?"

He turned to her, his glowing veins pulsing slightly and said "Because I can feel them getting closer."

Asteria grabbed a rusted sword from the ground, gripping it tightly. "Then we need to be ready."

Stary hesitated before nodding. "If they take me," he said quietly, "don’t follow."

Asteria scowled. "Not happening."

Stary opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, the shadows outside began to move.

Dark tendrils slithered across the grass, twisting and writhing like living creatures. The air grew thick and cold, a strange whispering sound filling the tower.

Asteria’s grip on the sword tightened.

Then, the door creaked.

The Eclipsed Ones had arrived.

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🤫......who could it be

A demon, ghost or ... something, someone unknown....

let's see in next chapter what it is

Stay tuned

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