The Solar Eclipse

Vastarael and Farrynelle faced each other, weapons ready, the crowd murmuring in anticipation. But before they could exchange a single blow, an unnatural stillness fell over the area.

A shadow swept across the land.

Students glanced upward as the bright midday sky darkened unnaturally fast, the sun's rays snuffed out. Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire. Vastarael hesitated, his glaive lowering slightly as he followed their gaze.

His heart sank.

The sight was like something out of a nightmare. High above, the three moons of Spheraphase began to move unnaturally. Two full moons aligned, while the third shattered moon, its jagged pieces orbiting like shards of glass, seemed to shift unnervingly into place. Together, they formed an eerie solar eclipse. The glowing red ring at the edges of the alignment cast an ominous light that seemed to pulse with menace.

It was far too close to the atmosphere that it dominated the sky. Vastarael felt his stomach churn. The sight was grotesque, absurd and terrifyingly real. His hands clenched his glaive tightly but his grip faltered when a piercing scream broke the silence.

It was Adelasta.

Then Narisva.

Then Eldrigan, Xander and then Farrynelle.

All around him, the Seventh Enlightenment students began to writhe in agony. Farrynelle dropped her chakrams, clutching her sides as if her very essence was being ripped apart. Narisva Starisnova fell to her knees, clutching her head.

Adelasta Viaca let out a choked groan, her eyes wide with terror as she doubled over, trembling uncontrollably. Even Xander Fedres collapsed under the weight of the searing pain.

Then it hit Vastarael.

A scorching fire erupted through his body, starting in his chest and spreading outward, consuming him entirely. It was like his blood was boiling, his bones cracking under some invisible force.

He staggered, dropping his glaive, his knees threatening to buckle as he clawed at his chest. His vision blurred as he struggled to breathe. The agony was unbearable, worse than anything he'd ever felt.

Worse even than his first death.

"What… is this…?"

He gasped, barely able to speak as his body convulsed. His knees finally gave out and he fell to the ground, his hands digging into the stone floor as he tried to steady himself. But it was useless. The pain was relentless, tearing through him like someone was smashing his body over and over with a hammer.

"Everyone back! Move now!" The lecturer's voice cut through the chaos. Several trainers sprinted toward the collapsing Seventh Enlightenment students, their faces pale with panic.

"Get out of here! All students, evacuate the training grounds immediately!"

Students scrambled to follow the command, their fear evident as they hurried away. Some cast terrified glances at the Seventh Enlightenment students, who remained frozen in their torment, writhing and screaming as if their very souls were being crushed.

For Vastarael, the world became a haze of pain. His vision darkened further, his strength draining rapidly. The last thing he saw was the monstrous solar eclipse above, its red light searing into his mind as his body gave out. He collapsed fully, the agony dragging him into unconsciousness.

The eerie silence that followed was almost worse than the screams.

°°°°°°°°

The white void was eerily quiet, a silence so profound it pressed against Vastarael's ears, drowning out the chaotic memories of pain that had preceded his arrival.

He lay motionless on the ground—or what seemed like ground. It was difficult to tell when everything around him stretched infinitely into white nothingness.

Slowly, he sat up, his hand trembling as he touched his chest. The burning sensation that had wracked his body moments ago was gone, leaving behind an echo of exhaustion. His golden eyes darted around, searching for anything familiar in the void.

Then, she appeared.

Thyrexxa, the Primordial of Time, stood before him in her ethereal form.

Her face was neither warm nor cold; it was a perfect balance of indifference and understanding.

"We meet again, Veneri. It's been what, seventeen years? It's been days to me. I didn't expect you to be back here so soon. So it's that time... huh. Didn't expect it to happen so fast."

Vastarael froze, his mind struggling to reconcile the memories of his first death with this moment. The void. Her presence. It was all too familiar. Slowly, realization dawned on him after gathering his memories.

"Thyrexxa… why… why am I here again?"

Thyrexxa, standing there with her usual ethereal grace, tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

"Hmm, I'm not sure. Maybe it's because you've been such a stellar protagonist. You know, the kind that gets to die and come back for more punishment."

Vastarael blinked, his brows furrowing.

"Wait. You're making fun of me now?"

"Of course I am. You made it easy. First, you're sent to a world to save it and instead of being a beacon of hope, you're... well, the tragic hero. Just can't seem to catch a break, can you? Being hunted by a god at thirteen and survived."

He shot her an irritated look.

"I thought you said I was 'destined' for greatness. This doesn't feel very great."

"Oh, it's greatness all right," she teased. ")You're the perfect example of why pain and suffering are so important. You've got the charm, the good looks, the divine blessings, but you just can't get a happy ending, can you?"

"Really, I can't? This is your idea of fate?"

"Oh, I'm not saying it's easy. In fact, you make it look like a full-time job just trying to survive. But that's the thing about you. You're supposed to endure the pain. That's what makes your eventual success all the more poetic. The universe's twisted way of saying, 'Hey, you're the hero, but first, enjoy this endless suffering!'"

Vastarael folded his arms, looking at her with a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

"I'm pretty sure there's nothing poetic about dying every time something major happens. This is getting ridiculous. First, the Butterfly Effect, now the eclipse? What next? Another death trap?"

"Possibly. But hey, look on the bright side. You're a prince, right? And a super handsome one at that. Maybe you'll get a parade when this whole 'saving the universe' thing is over."

Vastarael groaned, rubbing his temples again.

"Well, I'm glad my misery is entertaining to you. How about you just tell me why I'm really here before I start considering whether I can somehow disappear into this white void and never return?"

"Simple," she said with a flourish. "You're here because the universe is about to mess with you. Big time. That eclipse? A little teaser of what's coming next. Remember that part about you being the 'key' to saving everything? Yeah, well, the clock is ticking and let's just say you're about to face some real challenges. This time, it's going to get personal."

Vastarael frowned, the playful tone in her voice cutting through the haze of confusion.

"Personal? What does that even mean?"

"Let's just say… the next chapter in your life is going to have a lot more people involved. And some of them might not be as easy to charm with that pretty face of yours."

Thyrexxa chuckled to herself, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing.

Vastarael blinked.

"I'm going to regret asking this, but... what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Don't worry," she said sweetly, "you'll find out soon enough. But don't get too used to the idea of death being your biggest problem. The universe has a way of complicating things when you least expect it. But that's your job, right? To suffer through it all before saving the universe?"

Vastarael groaned again.

"Is this how you always talk to people who are about to save the universe? Because if so, you really need to work on your motivational speeches for your Vessels."

Thyrexxa raised an eyebrow, smirking as she tapped her chin.

"Motivational speeches? Oh no, Veneri. I'm just being honest. The universe doesn't care about your feelings. You're just… a piece in a much bigger game."

"And I'm supposed to be okay with that?"

"Well, you don't have much of a choice now, do you? It's your destiny. Now, go back and fulfill it. Unless, of course, you're ready to stay here with me and keep making sarcastic comments. I'm sure we'd have a lovely time. I'm getting lonely."

"You really know how to make a guy feel special, don't you?"

"I try. Now, go. Your next trial awaits. And who knows? Maybe this time, you'll actually survive long enough to enjoy your parade. Just one thing before you leave."

He listened intently.

"When you arrive on your first Cycle, look for The Orchestral Vialex. If you don't, you will die. And you know that in there, fate doesn't apply. So you won't die in a woman's arms when you're there."

"Wait. The Epoch Cycle? Wait. Wait!"

With that, the white void started to fade once more and Vastarael found himself caught between the surreal conversation and the reality that awaited him. As always, the universe had plans for him.

And as always, they were anything but simple.