Kael's first breath in this new life was nothing like the one before.
The air was thinner, the city quieter, and the smell of smoke lingered faintly on the wind. His hands—smaller, weaker, lacking the callouses and scars that had once marked a warrior—shook as he tried to stand. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest.
This isn't my body…
Memories of betrayal returned in violent flashes: the clang of steel against steel, the cold gleam in his former ally's eyes, the laughter as his blood soaked the noble hall. Every moment replayed with excruciating clarity. And now he was reborn as a nobody, a powerless commoner, in a world that didn't care whether he lived or died.
"Kael…?"
A voice cut through the haze, soft but wary, sharp as a blade. He turned to see a young woman, dark hair whipping in the wind, holding a staff etched with glowing runes. Her eyes weren't just curious—they were assessing, reading him as though she could peer into his soul.
"I… I'm fine," he lied. He didn't know why he felt the need to lie; maybe it was instinct. It's not the first time I've had to pretend to be weak.
Her lips curled, half amused, half challenging. "Fine? You look like a dying lamb about to be dinner."
A smirk tugged at the corner of Kael's lips despite himself. "Maybe I am. Or maybe I'm something worse waiting to be unleashed."
The mage's eyes flickered—surprise? Or caution?—before narrowing again. "Careful with your words. Power isn't something you claim. It's something you survive to earn."
Kael's mind raced. Survive. Power. The Shadow Eclipse. He had heard whispers of it in his past life: a rare celestial event that granted immense strength to those who endured it. Only the strong—or the cunning—could harness its power. And soon, it would come.
He glanced at the horizon. Dark clouds had begun to gather unnaturally fast, tinged with crimson light. The air hummed with latent energy, like the world itself was holding its breath.
"You feel it too," Kael said. The mage's nod was almost imperceptible, but it carried weight.
"I do. And I don't trust you."
"Good. Neither do I," Kael replied.
Enemies by instinct, yet bound by the same invisible thread: survival. For Kael, survival wasn't just instinct—it was a path to revenge. Every stolen moment, every hidden glance, every shadow in this city could bring him closer to reclaiming what was taken.
A sudden roar echoed from a distant tower, followed by the crackle of flames and screams. The city shuddered as though it sensed the approaching chaos.
Kael's pulse quickened. "Looks like practice begins early," he muttered.
The mage's smirk returned, sharper this time. "Finally, some action. Let's see if you can keep up, 'nobody.'"
Step one: survive.
Step two: reclaim everything.
Step three… revenge.
Kael followed her cautiously, the sound of his own heartbeat loud in his ears. The streets of this district were narrow, winding like a maze, with soot-stained brick buildings leaning toward each other as if whispering secrets. Most windows were shuttered; people either hid or fled.
"Where are we going?" Kael asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"To see if you're worth my time," she replied without looking back. "Move fast, or you'll be dead before you learn anything useful."
Her words were biting, but Kael couldn't help but respect the confidence. He had learned in his first life that arrogance could kill—but cleverness, ruthlessness, and patience could overturn even the mightiest foes.
They reached an open square just as a group of city guards rounded the corner, torches in hand, shouting orders. Kael counted at least ten, armed with swords and short spears. Most were ordinary men, but a few had faint auras of magic flickering around their hands.
The mage's voice was calm, but her hands glowed with arcane energy. "Watch and learn, newbie."
A bolt of crimson light shot from her staff, hitting the lead guard squarely in the chest. He screamed, convulsed, and crumpled to the ground. The other guards hesitated, fear flickering across their faces. Kael's instincts screamed at him to run, to hide—but he stood frozen, fascinated.
This… this is how power looks now.
The mage's next moves were a blur: a whirlwind of fire and shadow, a dance of deadly precision. Yet Kael noticed subtle things—a shift in weight before an attack, a slight narrowing of the eyes, a hand gesture hidden beneath her cloak. These are clues. Patterns. If I pay attention, I can learn… I can survive.
The fight ended almost as quickly as it began. Smoke rose from the square, and Kael realized his heart was pounding, but not with fear. Excitement, anticipation, the taste of something bigger than himself—he hadn't felt this alive since his death in the noble hall.
The mage turned to him, chest rising and falling, eyes glinting with amusement. "You're still breathing. I expected less."
Kael straightened, a small, confident smile forming. "I can survive. That counts for something."
She studied him for a long moment, then shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see."
They moved through the city as night fell, lanterns flickering in the mist. Kael learned her name was Lyra, and that she worked alone for now—though she didn't explain why. He asked about her motives, her powers, the strange celestial event she mentioned: the Shadow Eclipse. Each time, she deflected, joked, or gave vague answers.
Typical mage, he thought. Always hiding something. But knowledge is power, and I will uncover it all.
He also noticed small details—her hand brushed against his once or twice when guiding him, her eyes lingered just a fraction too long, her tone softened slightly when he spoke of danger. This could be useful, he mused. Or dangerous. Either way… interesting.
Hours passed, and they reached a secluded warehouse at the edge of the city. Lyra pushed the door open, revealing stacks of crates and faded tapestries. She gestured for him to enter.
"Rest here," she said. "Tomorrow, we train. And if you survive that, maybe you'll earn more than just my tolerance."
Kael nodded, silently counting the days until the Shadow Eclipse. Every second in this powerless body was a reminder of his failure—and a spark of determination that would never die.
He lay on the cold floor, staring at the ceiling. Memories of his past life gnawed at him, a mixture of pain and clarity. He could feel the pieces of his former strength buried within this fragile vessel. It was only a matter of time before he unearthed them.
One day… they will all pay.
Sleep came slowly, uneasy and restless, filled with echoes of steel, betrayal, and fire. And when he awoke, he would take the first step into a new life—one built on cunning, power, and vengeance.
The next morning, the city was quiet, almost deceptively so. Kael could sense movement in the shadows, whispers behind closed doors, and the faint hum of magic in the air. The Shadow Eclipse was coming.
Lyra approached him, staff in hand, eyes sharp. "Time to see if you're more than just words."
Kael rose, fists clenched, a slow grin spreading across his face. "I hope you're ready to be impressed."
"Don't make me laugh," she said, though a spark of challenge danced in her eyes.
And then, the first clash of their training began—fire and steel, shadow and mind, two forces colliding in the silent anticipation of a storm that would soon consume them all.
Cliffhanger: Flames of the Shadow Eclipse are beginning to stir, and Kael realizes that even survival may not be enough to prepare for the coming chaos. Secrets, betrayal, and unexpected allies await—and the first threads of romance begin to weave between him and Lyra.