Apologize

The silence stretched on.

Hugo kept his gaze down, his hands clenched at his sides. His own words echoed in his head, twisting like a blade.

"I was weak.""I couldn't use Eclipse Mode.""Because of that… I lost."

Then—

A voice cut through the night.

A voice that wasn't human.

A voice filled with raw energy, wisdom, and a hint of ever-present smugness.

"Oh, for the love of the Cosmos—would you stop sulking already?"

Hugo's eyes snapped up.

The others all turned toward the source.

It was coming from…

Cosmos.

The sword hummed in the air, glowing faintly with both red and blue Arcana energy.

Darius blinked. "Oh, great. The talking sword finally decided to give a speech."

Cosmos huffed. "Oh please, I've been waiting for a moment like this. Can't waste a good dramatic opportunity."

Hugo let out a shaky breath. "...Cosmos."

The sword's glow intensified.

"Listen, Hugo," Cosmos said, voice firm but not mocking this time. "You lost. Fine. Big deal."

"You think that just because you didn't win, that makes you weak?"

"You think Xander's words suddenly make you nothing?"

Cosmos let out a low hum, like a chuckle.

"Let me remind you of something."

"You are the one who sealed Xander away a thousand years ago."

"You are the one who stood against the Perfect Life Forms."

"You are the Hero of the Eclipse."

"And whether you can use Eclipse Mode right now or not—"

The sword pulsed once.

"You are still you."

The group remained quiet.

Then—one by one—they spoke up.

Lena crossed her arms, still injured, but smirking slightly.

"You're acting like you're the only one who lost tonight, Hugo," she said. "Hate to break it to you, but we all got our asses kicked back there."

She nudged Ethan, who nodded.

"Yeah," Ethan added. "And I didn't see you crying when I nearly got blown up hacking the Dominion's files."

Lena sighed. "Point is, you're not alone in this."

Darius grinned, resting Drill Fang on his shoulder.

"Yeah, and besides—losing's just part of the game, Boss."

He shrugged.

"I've lost plenty of fights before. Doesn't mean I just sit around complaining about it."

His grin widened. "I train harder so I can hit even harder next time."

Stella had been silent this entire time.

But now—she finally spoke.

Her eyes met Hugo's.

"I know how you feel."

Hugo looked at her, surprised.

Stella took a slow breath.

"When Xander defeated you… I just stood there. I didn't move. I didn't help you. And it made me realize something."

Her hands clenched.

"I wasn't strong enough to stand by your side."

Her voice wavered slightly, but she continued.

"So I get it."

She met his gaze again, steady.

"But I'm not going to sit around hating myself for it."

"I'm going to get stronger."

"And you are too."

Iris exhaled dramatically, flipping her hair.

"Oh~ I hate emotional moments like these," she sighed.

But then—her eyes softened.

"You don't have to prove anything to us, Hugo."

She smiled slightly.

"You're already our leader."

"So, you lost once? Big deal. Just make sure next time, you win."

Hugo looked at each of them.

His team.

His friends.

They had all lost.

But none of them were giving up.

So why should he?

He let out a slow breath.

Then—he finally stood up straight.

"...Thanks."

He wasn't okay yet.

But he would be.

Because he wasn't alone.

And the next time he faced Xander?

He wouldn't lose again.

As the group continued their journey back to Requiem Prime, the mood had shifted.

Hugo still felt the sting of defeat, but the weight wasn't as crushing as before.

His team—his friends—had reminded him of something important.

He wasn't alone.

But even so—

His mind kept replaying the fight.

Xander.His black Arc-Blade, Vengeance.The overwhelming power of Voltra Mode.The effortless way he tore Hugo apart.

And the words that cut deeper than any wound.

"Without Eclipse Mode… you're nothing."

Hugo clenched his fists.

Xander was one of the Dominion's Seven Commanders.

That meant the other six was like him.

Maybe stronger.

And right now—Hugo wasn't ready.

He took a deep breath, looking up at the starry sky.

"No matter what it takes…"

"No matter how long it takes…"

"I will unlock Eclipse Mode."

"I have to. Because if I don't—"

"We have no chance of winning this war."

With that silent vow, Hugo kept walking.

A new fire burned inside him.

Because this time—he wouldn't fail.

After what felt like an eternity, Eclipse Zero finally stepped through the massive gates of Requiem Prime.

The towering Arcana-infused city stretched before them—bright neon lights, hovering transports, and bustling streets filled with people who had no idea what had just happened.

No idea that the Dominion was preparing for war.No idea that the Neo Arcane Dominion had Xander, the Solstice, as a Commander.No idea that Hugo had lost.

The group walked through the city in silence.

Normally, they would have taken in the sights—Lena might have suggested stopping for food, Darius might have bragged about their "mission success," and Ethan might have been geeking out over some new tech.

But right now?

They were exhausted.

Their mission had technically been a success.

They got the evidence proving the Dominion's war plans. They destroyed a PLF relic before it could be weaponized. They freed the Chrono Reapers.

But none of it felt like a victory.

Because Xander had broken Hugo.

Because their leader—the Hero of the Eclipse—had lost.

Darius stretched, cracking his neck. "So, uh… straight to the mansion?"

Lena groaned. "Unless one of you wants to carry me to a ramen shop first, yes."

Ethan, still supporting her, rolled his eyes. "You can barely walk, and you're thinking about food?"

Iris sighed dramatically. "I suppose we could all use some rest," she admitted, glancing at Hugo.

Hugo didn't react.

He just kept walking.

Eyes forward.Expression unreadable.

His mind was elsewhere.

So, without another word, Eclipse Zero headed back to the mansion.

The grand doors of the mansion creaked open, revealing the familiar lavish interior of Hugo's home.

But before anyone could step inside—

A voice, smooth and refined, greeted them.

"Ah, welcome back, Master Hugo, Master Darius, Lady Stella, Lady Lena, Master Ethan, and Lady Iris."

Standing in the main hall, waiting for them, was Reginald.

The ghostly butler stood tall, his transparent form as composed as ever.

But the moment his glowing blue eyes flickered over the team—his expression shifted.

His usual calm demeanor softened.

"…You've lost."

The words weren't spoken as an insult.

They were spoken as a fact.

Darius groaned. "Geez, don't waste any time, huh?"

Lena sighed, limping inside. "No point in sugarcoating it."

Ethan helped her onto a nearby couch. "Yeah, we got out, but… it wasn't pretty."

Reginald's gaze settled on Hugo.

Unlike the others, Hugo hadn't spoken a word.

He had barely even acknowledged their arrival.

Reginald studied him carefully.

Then, after a pause, he bowed slightly.

"I shall prepare tea. You all look like you could use something warm."

Then, before anyone could respond, he vanished.

The team settled into the mansion's lounge, exhaustion heavy on their shoulders.

Hugo sat near the corner, arms crossed, eyes focused on nothing.

Stella, still weighed down by her own thoughts, sat quietly.

Iris, for once, didn't tease.

Ethan tended to Lena's wounds, while Darius leaned back, staring at the ceiling, letting out a long sigh.

Then—

Reginald returned.

Floating in without a sound, he carried a silver tray with an elegant tea set, each cup perfectly placed.

"Drink," he said simply.

The team didn't argue.

One by one, they took their cups, letting the warmth ease their tired bodies.

But Hugo?

He didn't touch his.

Reginald watched him carefully.

Then, he finally spoke.

"I have seen you in many states, Master Hugo."

"I have seen you proud. I have seen you determined."

"I have seen you angry. I have seen you broken."

"But never—"

His glowing blue eyes sharpened.

"—have I seen you defeated."

Hugo's fingers twitched.

The others listened carefully.

Reginald set the tray down, folding his hands behind his back.

"This… reminds me of a time long ago."

"When you were not yet the Hero of the Eclipse."

"When you were simply a boy with a sword, standing beside two others."

Hugo's breath hitched slightly.

Because he knew who Reginald was talking about.

Xander.

Mina.

Reginald's voice remained calm—but heavy with meaning.

"Tell me, Master Hugo…"

"Do you remember the first time you lost to Xander?"

Hugo didn't answer.

He stayed silent, staring into his untouched cup of tea.

Reginald, unfazed, simply nodded.

"Then allow me to remind you."

The ghostly butler folded his hands behind his back, his expression calm yet weighted with old memories.

A young Hugo, Xander, and Mina stood in the training grounds of what would one day become this very mansion.

The sun hung high in the sky, and the air crackled with Arcana energy.

Hugo, younger and filled with unshakable confidence, held Cosmos firmly in his grip.

Xander, standing opposite him, twirled his sword—a simple Arc-Blade at the time.

And Mina?

She sat on a stone ledge nearby, her harmonica resting in her hands, watching the two with a patient smile.

"You ready for this, Hugo?" Xander asked, rolling his shoulders.

Hugo smirked. "You're the one who should be asking yourself that."

Xander chuckled. "Alright then. Show me what you got."

Mina, amused, lifted her harmonica to her lips.

And as she played a soft, steady tune—they clashed.

Hugo came in fast, swinging with all the confidence of someone who thought he had already won.

Xander parried easily.

Hugo struck again—Xander sidestepped.

Hugo tried a feint—Xander didn't fall for it.

Then, in a blur of movement—

Xander slipped past Hugo's guard and slammed the hilt of his sword into his stomach.

Hugo's breath caught.

Then—Xander swept his legs out from under him.

Hugo hit the ground hard.

Before he could recover—Xander's blade was already at his throat.

Hugo stared wide-eyed at the sky above, completely stunned.

Mina lowered her harmonica, giggling softly. "That was fast."

Xander grinned down at Hugo. "Well, that was disappointing."

Hugo gritted his teeth.

"I—I wasn't ready!"

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Thought you told me I should be the one worried?"

Mina smirked. "I did warn you he was good, Hugo."

Hugo sat up, rubbing his stomach. "Tch… one lucky win doesn't mean anything."

Xander rolled his eyes, offering a hand to help him up.

"Lucky?" Xander repeated, amused. "No, Hugo. You lost because—"

"—you underestimated me."

Hugo paused.

Xander grinned.

"You thought because you had the stronger weapon, you had already won."

"But strength alone isn't enough."

"You lost because you relied too much on power, not on skill."

Hugo stayed silent.

Then, he gripped his sword tighter.

"...Fine. Again."

Xander smirked. "That's more like it."

And as Mina's harmonica filled the air once more, the two clashed again.

Reginald's voice faded, bringing them back to the present.

The fire crackled softly in the lounge.

Hugo remained motionless.

The others stayed quiet, absorbing the story.

Then—Reginald spoke again.

"That was the first time you lost to Xander."

"But it was not the last."

Reginald's glowing blue eyes softened.

"But every time you lost—you grew."

"You became better. Wiser. Stronger."

He stepped forward, looking directly at Hugo.

"And now, Master Hugo, I must ask…"

He paused.

Then, his voice, gentle but firm—

"What will you do this time?"

The room remained silent, the weight of Reginald's words hanging in the air.

Hugo's fingers curled tightly around his own arms, his head still slightly bowed.

He remembered that day.

The first time he lost to Xander.

Back then, losing had been frustrating, but it had driven him to get stronger.

But now?

This loss felt different.

Because back then, Xander had still been his friend.

Now?

Xander was an enemy—one who had completely overpowered him.

Hugo let out a slow breath.

Then, for the first time since their return—he spoke.

"...You're right, Reginald."

The others looked at him.

"I underestimated him," Hugo admitted. "And I relied too much on power."

His grip on his arms tightened.

"I thought just having Corona and Luna Modes would be enough."

He exhaled, eyes narrowing.

"But Xander is stronger than before. Far stronger."

"And if I want to defeat him… If I want to protect all of you—"

His white eyes flickered with something new.

Not despair.

Not fear.

Determination.

"I have to become stronger."

"I will unlock Eclipse Mode."

"No matter what it takes."

The room was quiet.

Then—

Reginald smiled.

A proud, knowing smile.

"Good," he said simply.

The others exchanged glances, and despite the tension still lingering—

For the first time since the mission, they saw it.

Hugo's will to fight had returned.

And this time—he wouldn't lose again.

With Hugo's resolve reignited, the tension in the room finally eased—if only slightly.

Reginald, seeing that his words had served their purpose, gave a small nod before vanishing, leaving the team to process everything.

Darius stretched, cracking his neck. "Alright, well, that's enough emotional talk for one night."

Lena groaned. "Agreed. I need sleep. And medical treatment. But mostly sleep."

Ethan sighed. "You need both, actually."

Stella remained quiet, her thoughts still heavy, but she gave Hugo a small glance before standing up.

Iris, stretching her arms behind her head, gave a playful smirk—though it lacked her usual sharpness.

"Big day tomorrow~ Can't wait to see how that goes."

Hugo finally looked at the group, nodding slightly.

"Yeah. The Council Hall is expecting us in the morning."

The team exchanged glances.

They all knew what that meant.

They had the evidence to prove that the Dominion was preparing for war.

Tomorrow, they would present their findings to the Council of Requiem.

And what came next…

Would change everything.

"Get some rest," Hugo said finally. "We'll need it."

Without another word, everyone headed to their rooms.

Hugo stayed behind for a moment, staring into the glow of the fireplace.

Then, with one last deep breath, he turned and walked away.

Tomorrow…

Would be the beginning of the next battle.