The Eclipse King’s Move

The air inside the temple was still thick with the weight of Emma's vision.

She stared at the Emerald Stone in her palm, her fingers still tingling with its power. The vision of her mother—or whatever that was—lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.

"The world is breaking, Emma."

She exhaled sharply. "We need to move."

Rahi nodded. "Yeah, before another magical death trial pops up."

They stepped out of the temple—and froze.

Because standing at the edge of the ruins, bathed in the eerie glow of the crimson moon, was an army.

Nightborn. Dozens of them.

And at the center—the Eclipse King.

Emma's breath caught in her throat.

"He's here."

A Dangerous Offer

The Eclipse King took a slow step forward, his dark cloak billowing in the wind.

"Three stones," he mused. "You're faster than I expected."

Emma didn't respond. She tightened her grip around the stones, feeling their power thrumming beneath her skin.

Rahi placed a hand on his dagger. "If you're here to fight, you should've brought more people."

The Eclipse King smiled. "Oh, Rahi. Always so eager for violence."

His golden eyes locked onto Emma. "But I didn't come to fight."

Emma scoffed. "Right. And I suppose you just happened to be passing through?"

He tilted his head. "I came to offer you the truth."

The Nightborn army remained still, waiting for his command.

Emma took a slow breath. "I don't need your truth."

The Eclipse King chuckled. "Oh, but you do."

He took a step closer. "The stones are not meant to be used separately. You feel it, don't you? The way they call to each other? The way your own power is growing beyond your control?"

Emma's fingers twitched. He wasn't wrong.

Ever since she had taken the Emerald Stone, something inside her felt different.

Stronger. Unstable.

The Eclipse King took another step. "You're incomplete. The stones were never meant to be divided. You can't fight fate, Emma."

Emma's heart pounded. "And what? You can?"

He smiled. "I don't fight fate. I shape it."

The words sent a shiver down her spine.

Rahi muttered, "Emma, let's just grab the next stone before this turns into a prophecy debate."

Emma ignored him. "What do you want from me?"

The Eclipse King's gaze darkened.

"Join me."

Rahi tensed. "What?"

Emma's stomach twisted.

The Eclipse King continued, his voice smooth as silk. "Come with me willingly, and I will show you the truth. The real reason the stones exist. The real reason they chose you."

His golden eyes burned into hers. "Or you can keep running, keep fighting, and walk blindly into a war you don't understand."

Emma's breath came shallow.

Her mother's vision flashed through her mind.

The storms. The world splitting apart.

And the whisper—"The storm and the tide must meet."

She clenched her fists.

"I don't trust you."

The Eclipse King smiled. "Then let me prove myself."

He raised a hand—and a shimmering portal appeared behind him.

"You don't have to decide now," he said. "But when the time comes, remember this—only I can give you the answers you seek."

The portal flickered.

The Eclipse King turned, stepping into the glowing rift. The Nightborn army followed, vanishing into the darkness.

And just like that—they were gone.

The Weight of a Choice

The ruins fell silent again. Only the distant hum of the Emerald Stone remained.

Rahi exhaled. "Okay. That was… bad."

Emma stared at the spot where the Eclipse King had stood.

"Come with me willingly."

She shook her head.

"We need to find the next stone."

Rahi raised an eyebrow. "That's it? No internal crisis? No breakdown about the villain being all mysterious and tempting?"

Emma forced a smirk. "I'll have my crisis later. Right now, we keep moving."

Rahi grinned. "That's the Emma I know."

But as they left the ruins behind, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that the Eclipse King's words had left a mark.

And whether she wanted to admit it or not—a part of her wanted to know the truth.