Eclipse

Serpant glanced up at the sky, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "It's a solar eclipse today," he said, his voice low and almost reverent.

Moloch nodded, his own grin matching Serpant's. "Yes… the devils' day. The perfect time to solidify our dominance."

But from the ground, Cyrus coughed and pushed himself to his knees, blood staining his armor. He smirked, his strength seeming to return in defiance of his injuries. "No, Moloch. Today… is my day."

Moloch turned toward him, his expression twisting in confusion. "What are you talking about?" he growled, irritation creeping into his voice.

Cyrus laughed weakly but with growing confidence, extending his hand toward Rufus. "Brother, it's time."

Rufus, still reeling from the attack, reached out and clasped Cyrus's hand. Together, they stood, their energy beginning to swell and intertwine. "Eclipse," they said in unison, their voices echoing across the battlefield.

A sudden surge of power erupted from the brothers, their auras merging into a single, overwhelming force. Sunlight and moonlight coalesced, creating an ethereal glow that bathed the entire area. The weight of their combined energy pressed down on everything, and the very ground beneath them trembled. Across the planet, beings of all kinds felt the shift—the overwhelming presence of their fused power.

Moloch and Serpant staggered, their confidence replaced by disbelief. "What… what is this?" Moloch stammered, his voice losing its edge.

"This," Cyrus said, his voice now resonating with power, "is the form of my brother and me—stronger than your dark devil could ever hope to be."

Rufus added, his tone steady and resolute, "We were saving this power… for him. To destroy Dark devil once and for all. But with the celestial king still standing and Toron alive, I can spare this form to ensure you both are obliterated."

Panic flickered in the eyes of Moloch and Serpant. They exchanged a glance, realizing the futility of their fight. "We're no match for them like this," Serpant hissed.

Moloch growled, his confidence shattered. "Then we leave. Now."

The two devils turned to flee, desperation fueling their escape attempt. But before they could make it far, Cyrus and Rufus raised their hands, channeling their combined energy. A beam of unimaginable intensity—blending the blistering heat of the sun with the icy chill of the moon—shot forth, its brilliance lighting up the darkened sky.

The beam struck Moloch and Serpant with devastating precision, the sheer force obliterating them instantly. Their screams were silenced in a heartbeat as their forms were torn apart, reduced to nothing but ash in the wind.

As the light faded, the battlefield fell into an eerie stillness. Clara, still bound by the chains, stared in awe and disbelief. "They… they did it."

Cyrus and Rufus stood together, their fused form radiating a quiet, powerful glow. But even in victory, a somber air surrounded them. Cyrus glanced at Rufus, a small, tired smile on his face. "We did what we had to, brother."

Rufus nodded, his grip tightening on Cyrus's hand. "For the kingdom… for our people."

The eclipse began to wane, the light of the sun returning to the world. But for a brief moment, the memory of their power—the sacrifice they were willing to make—remained etched in the hearts of all who witnessed it.

As the radiant glow of the brothers' combined power began to fade, the chains binding Clara shattered into fragments. She stumbled forward, the weight of the battle and the events pressing heavily on her shoulders. She rushed toward Cyrus and Rufus, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow. "Why?" she demanded, her eyes welling with tears. "Why did you do this? Elesta is already gone… and now you two… We need stronger warriors, not fewer! How will we face the future without you?"

Rufus, leaning heavily against his brother, gave her a faint smile. His voice was calm, even as his strength ebbed away. "Clara… if we kill all the devils here and now, the next generation will live in peace. They won't have to face what we've faced. That's the legacy we leave behind."

Clara shook her head, her fists clenched tightly. "But the cost… It's too high! You could've lived, fought another day… found another way…"

Cyrus, still standing tall despite the visible toll on his body, placed a hand on Clara's shoulder. "There is no other way. Sacrifice is the burden of those who lead. For every life we save, there's a piece of ourselves we must give up." He turned his gaze to the sky, the faint remnants of the eclipse still visible. "It's time for me and my brother… to rest."

Rufus nodded weakly, his grip on Cyrus's arm loosening. "Tell the celestial king… and Toron… that we did our duty. Protect the light. Carry on the fight." He gave Clara one last look, his eyes filled with a quiet determination. "Promise me, Clara."

She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "I… I promise."

Cyrus closed his eyes, his lips forming a faint smile as he spoke softly to himself, "Elesta… we're coming to join you. The three of us, together again."

With that, their forms began to dim, their bodies dissolving into particles of light. The warmth of the sun and the coolness of the moon lingered in the air, a testament to their sacrifice. Clara fell to her knees, clutching at the empty space where her comrades once stood, tears streaming down her face.

The battlefield was silent, save for the faint rustling of the wind. The world had lost two of its mightiest defenders, but the devils were gone, their threat eradicated.

Clara wiped her tears, rising to her feet with renewed resolve. "You gave everything for this world," she murmured, her voice steady now. "I won't let your sacrifice be in vain."

She turned, her eyes burning with determination. The fight wasn't over. It never would be. But she would carry the weight of their sacrifice, leading the next generation toward the peace they had fought so hard to secure.