ECLIPSED VEINS — Episode 10: "The Trial of Shadow and Sun"
The floor beneath Seong-min began to tremble.Runes crawled like glowing veins across the stone platform, pulsing between cold lunar black and searing sun-gold. The air grew heavy, as if the chamber itself were drawing breath.
Yuna held tight to Seong-min's wrist.His shadow wriggled beneath their feet like a restless animal caught in a trap.
Halmeoni whispered sharply, "Do not lose focus. The more you doubt, the stronger it becomes."
Seong-min swallowed, voice low.
"I don't know if I can control it."
Yuna's grip tightened.
"You will. You're not alone."
The Council watched silently. The tallest figure extended their hand. Lines of light spiraled down the walls, merging into a ring around the platform.
A voice echoed—
"Begin."
Shadow erupted from Seong-min like a burst of black wind.It rose high, twisting into a shape too large to belong to him — sinewed, wide-shouldered, silver-eyed, crowned with hornlike shards of darkness. The beast's claws scraped the air, leaving cuts shaped like bleeding moons.
It turned toward Seong-min.
A perfect mirror of hunger.
Yuna stumbled back, eyes wide."That… that's what's inside you?"
The shadow-beast opened its maw. Words spilled from it like broken glass scraping through a throat.
"NOT… HIM."
Seong-min froze.
Yuna stepped forward. "Seong-min, don't listen—"
"HE DOES NOT DESERVE THIS LIFE."
Seong-min's breath shook. His voice cracked.
"I never wanted any of this…"
The shadow lunged.
It moved with such speed the air ripped apart in its wake.
Yuna jumped between them, her palm blazing as she screamed—
"STOP!"
A barrier of light burst from her hand. The impact cracked like a thunderclap, blasting both Sunwarden and Eclipsed apart. Seong-min flew backwards, slamming against the runed floor. His breath left him in one choked gasp.
The shadow skidded against the barrier, amused.
"YOU SEE? SHE DEFENDS YOU. YOU ARE WEAK."
Seong-min struggled up on shaking arms.
"I'm not weak…"
The beast lowered its head, silver eyes burning brighter.
"PROVE IT."
The Fight Within
The runes sealed Yuna out, barring her from entering the platform. She slammed her fist against the barrier again.
"Let me in! I can help him!"
The Council's unified voice answered coldly—
"If you interfere, he fails. If he fails, he dies."
Yuna's eyes blazed gold.
"You're forcing this! He's not a threat!"
Halmeoni grabbed her arm, voice hoarse.
"It's not about threat… it's about control. If he can't rule his own shadow now, later he won't be able to choose. And when that happens, you will be the first it kills."
Yuna stared back at the platform.Seong-min gasped for air as black tendrils coiled around his ankles, pulling him down. The beast leaned over him like a judge over a criminal.
"GIVE IN."
Seong-min pushed against the tendrils, but they tightened, sinking deeper, cold cutting through his legs.
"I… don't want to become you."
The shadow tilted its monstrous head.
"THEN YOU MUST COMMAND ME."
Seong-min shook violently, fists clenching.
"How?"
For the first time, the beast smiled.
"WITH HUNGER."
The Council Speaks
The tallest Council member stepped forward, voice layered and grave.
"The Eclipsed are not monsters because they kill. They are monsters because they hunger for power without purpose."
Halmeoni whispered, "This is what you must learn… not to starve your shadow. To give it purpose."
Yuna's voice trembled.
"He's never wanted power."
"That is why he is rare," a different Councillor rasped. "Most crave power before awakening. He fears power even now."
Yuna stared at Seong-min, whispering,
"…that fear will kill him."
Halmeoni nodded."Yes. Unless someone gives him a reason to want to live with it."
Breaking Point
Seong-min was dragged to his knees.The tendrils crawled up his spine, cold as death. His shadow's voice filled his head, thundering like storm tides.
"LET ME DRIVE. LET ME PROTECT. YOU ARE TOO FRAGILE. TOO KIND. TOO HUMAN."
Seong-min gritted his teeth, tears streaking down his face.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to lose myself."
The shadow crouched before him.
"SACRIFICE IS CONTROL."
Seong-min's eyes widened.
The beast lifted a claw and slashed its own chest. Darkness spilled like liquid night. It pushed the wound toward Seong-min.
"TAKE THIS. ACCEPT WHAT YOU ARE. NOT A WEAPON. NOT A VICTIM. A CHOICE."
Seong-min stared.
Was this… a test of dominance? Or acceptance?
Yuna slammed the barrier again.
"Don't take it! That's how it corrupts you!"
The Council murmured in disapproval.
"You do not understand the Eclipsed," they intoned. "Shadow grows when denied. It rends the mind to escape. It must be fed. With meaning."
Halmeoni's eyes shone with fear and realization.
"Yuna… if he refuses his own power, it will replace him."
Yuna froze.
The shadow pushed the wound closer.
"TAKE ME. OR BE DESTROYED BY ME."
Seong-min's hand shook.Darkness dripped toward his palm.
He whispered:
"I'm tired of being afraid."
The shadow grinned.
Then Seong-min spoke louder, choking through tears.
"But I won't let you control me. WE do this my way… or not at all."
He grabbed the wound.
Not like prey.
Like he was claiming it.
Darkness roared through him.His veins ignited silver-black.The platform screamed with light and shadow clashing in violent harmony.
The Council backed away, shielding their robes.
Halmeoni whispered in awe.
"He's not absorbing it… he's binding it."
Yuna breathed out, trembling.
"He's choosing what he becomes."
Seong-min stood. His shadow reared behind him, no longer monstrous, but tall and razor-sharp — a warrior's silhouette, silver-eyed, bowing its head in obedience.
Seong-min raised his hand.The shadow mirrored it.
He spoke, voice steady, exhausted, powerful.
"You are my power. Not my replacement."
The runes on the floor ignited gold and black simultaneously — merging into unity.
The Council lowered their heads.
"The Eclipsed… has passed."
Aftermath
The barrier dissolved.Yuna rushed forward, catching Seong-min as he collapsed. His head fell against her shoulder, breath ragged.
"I did it… right?"
She cradled him, tears blurring her vision.
"You did more than that. You chose who you are."
His shadow curled around them both gently, protective like a cloak.
Halmeoni rested her staff, finally allowing herself to breathe.
"He has done the impossible. He bonded with his hunger rather than being consumed by it."
The Council's tallest member approached, voice humbled.
"Then the era has changed."
Another Councillor whispered darkly—
"Or the war has begun anew."
Seong-min stirred faintly."What war?"
The Council looked down at him.
"The one that begins when light and shadow no longer obey their masters. A rebellion against fate itself."
Yuna held him tighter.
"Let it come. We're not afraid."
Seong-min closed his eyes, whispering almost weakly—
"As long as you're here."
His shadow bowed once more.
And somewhere above the hidden city, in the world of sunlight, something ancient stirred.
A Lightkeeper felt the shift.
And smiled.
To be continued…