The Blood Eclipse

Every legend begins with a choice. Every destiny begins with a secret.

The rain had been falling since sunset.

Cold droplets slid down the windows of the nearly empty city bus as Elijah Vale rested his forehead against the glass.

His headphones were on, but no music played.

His mind was elsewhere.

Tomorrow was his twenty-second birthday.

Normally, birthdays made people excited.

For Elijah, they only reminded him that another year had passed without answers.

He had never known his father.

His mother refused to speak about

And every year, on the night before his birthday, she became strangely afraid.

His phone vibrated.

Mom: Come home before nine. Don't stay outside tonight.

Elijah smiled.

His mother always worried too much.

He typed a quick reply.

Elijah: Don't worry. I'll be home soon.

A few seconds later, another message appeared.

Mom: Please... promise me.

Before Elijah could answer, the bus stopped.

He stepped onto the sidewalk.

The city felt unusually quiet.

The wind had stopped.

The air felt heavy.

Even the birds had disappeared.

Then...

The moon slowly turned red.

People around him stopped walking.

Some stared at the sky.

Others pulled out their phones.

A little girl pointed upward.

"Mom... why is the moon bleeding?"

Before anyone could answer—

A deafening roar echoed through the streets.

BOOM!

The pavement cracked.

A giant black creature crashed onto the road.

Its silver eyes glowed in the darkness.

Its claws were stained with blood.

People screamed.

Cars swerved.

The creature lunged at the nearest man.

Its claws pierced his chest.

Blood splashed across the pavement.

The creature lifted him into the air like a toy.

Everyone ran.

Everyone...

Except Elijah.

Fear rooted him to the ground.

The monster slowly turned.

Its glowing silver eyes met his.

It sniffed the air.

Then...

It smiled.

"So..."

"It really is you."

Elijah's heart pounded.

"W-Who are you?"

The creature laughed.

"I have searched for centuries..."

"...and tonight I finally found the Last Heir."

It took one step closer.

"The Void Heart belongs to us."

Before Elijah could move—

SHING!

A silver flash cut through the darkness.

The creature's arm fell to the ground.

A young woman landed between Elijah and the monster.

She wore a long black coat.

Her silver hair flowed behind her like moonlight.

In her hand was a glowing sword covered in strange blue symbols.

Without looking back, she spoke.

"Run."

Elijah couldn't move.

"Who are you?"

The woman tightened her grip on her sword.

"My name doesn't matter."

"What matters..."

"...is that if we don't leave now, you'll die before sunrise."

Behind them, the blood-red moon reached its highest point.

A burning pain exploded inside Elijah's chest.

He fell to his knees.

A strange black symbol slowly appeared on the back of his right hand.

The woman's face turned pale.

"No..."

"The prophecy..."

"...has begun."

Far beyond the clouds...

Seven ancient kings opened their eyes.

A voice echoed through the darkness.

"The Void Heir has awakened."