The Past

The sun had nearly set by the time Eclipse Zero arrived at Flowerfield Village. A soft evening breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and distant flowers, yet an unspoken tension lingered in the air.

Hugo led the group to a small, quiet inn, a modest yet cozy place nestled in the heart of the village. The moment they entered, exhaustion finally caught up to them.

Lena stretched. "Two days of walking. Never again."

Darius flopped onto a chair. "Agreed. Next time, we take an Aetherrunner."

Ethan chuckled, glancing at Hugo. "You sure this is the place?"

Hugo nodded slowly, his gaze distant. "Yeah… this is it."

Iris, sharp as always, caught the change in his tone. "Then it's time, isn't it?"

Hugo sighed, rubbing the back of his head before sitting down. "Yeah. It's time I told you all… everything."

The group settled in, their full attention on Hugo. He exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts, then finally began.

"Before I was the Hero of the Eclipse… before I was even a warrior… I was just a wanted outlaw."

The group blinked in surprise.

Nathan tilted his head. "Wait—you were a criminal?"

Hugo smirked. "Depends on who you ask."

He leaned forward, voice laced with nostalgia. "Back then, I was known as Hugo the Eclipse, an outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor."

Lena narrowed her eyes. "You were some kind of Robin Hood?"

Hugo chuckled. "Yeah, basically. I grew up with stories about heroes who defied corruption and helped the weak. So, I decided I'd be like them. I wasn't strong back then, but I was fast and had just enough tricks up my sleeve to stay ahead of bounty hunters."

Darius smirked. "Let me guess—Xander was one of those bounty hunters."

Hugo grinned. "Not one of them. He was the best."

"Before he became Solstice, the feared leader of Eclipse Requiem, Xander was a bounty hunter."

Ethan leaned in. "And he was after you?"

Hugo nodded. "All the time. The moment I started making a name for myself, Xander was put on my trail. And let me tell you—he was terrifying."

Nathan's eyes widened. "You mean… he was even stronger back then?"

Hugo shook his head. "Not at first. We were about equal in those days, but Xander had something I didn't—discipline. He never gave up. No matter how many times I escaped, he always found me again."

Lena smirked. "I bet that was frustrating."

Hugo sighed dramatically. "Understatement of the century."

Iris, watching Hugo closely, asked, "How did you two go from enemies to allies?"

Hugo exhaled, voice growing more serious. "That… started with her."

"One day, while Xander was chasing me—again—I ended up running through this very village."

Eclipse Zero listened carefully as Hugo continued.

"I was trying to shake him off, but Xander was relentless. Just when I thought I'd found a way out… I accidentally bumped into someone."

He paused, eyes distant.

"A girl. She was carrying a basket full of flowers, and I knocked them all over the ground. Before I could apologize, she turned and scolded me."

Nathan laughed. "She scolded you? In the middle of a chase?"

Hugo chuckled softly. "Yeah. And it wasn't even about knocking her over—she scolded me for being reckless and 'endangering the village with my nonsense.'"

Lena smirked. "I like her already."

Darius leaned forward. "And Xander?"

Hugo's smile grew nostalgic. "He caught up, saw the scene, and did something I never expected."

Eclipse Zero listened carefully as Hugo's voice softened.

"He stopped. He looked at her. And instead of arresting me… he apologized to her."

The room fell quiet.

"That girl was Mina."

Hugo's gaze lowered slightly, the weight of old memories settling over him.

"That was the day everything changed."

Hugo leaned back in his chair, exhaling as he continued his story.

"Mina didn't just scold me—she scolded both of us."

Eclipse Zero listened intently, their eyes fixed on him as he recalled the moment that shifted the course of history.

A young Hugo, breathless and covered in dust, stood awkwardly in the middle of the village square, having just crashed into a girl with a basket full of flowers.

Xander, the relentless bounty hunter, stood just a few steps away, his arms crossed, gaze locked onto his target.

And between them?

A furious Mina, her hands on her hips, glaring at both of them with fiery determination.

"You two are unbelievable!" Mina snapped.

Hugo blinked, confused. "Uh—wait, what?"

Mina pointed at him first. "You! Running around the village like some kind of lunatic! Do you have any idea how many people could have gotten hurt?!"

Hugo scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh… well—"

She immediately turned her glare onto Xander. "And you! Chasing him like you're some kind of wild animal! What's wrong with you two?!"

Xander, the feared bounty hunter, blinked once. Then he actually looked… guilty.

"My apologies," Xander said, lowering his head slightly. "I was only doing my job."

Mina sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "Unbelievable. And now my flowers are ruined…"

Xander straightened up, then—in a move that shocked even Hugo—he reached into his pocket, pulled out some coin, and said, "Allow me to compensate you for your troubles."

Mina raised an eyebrow. "...Really?"

Xander nodded. "And, if you'd allow it, I would also like to pay for your meal."

Hugo snorted, crossing his arms. "Wow. Real smooth, bounty hunter."

Mina shot Hugo a glare. "Don't act like you're any better!"

Hugo flinched. "Hey—what'd I do?!"

Mina turned back to Xander, contemplating. After a moment, she sighed. "Fine. You can pay for my meal."

Hugo smirked. "Well, that's great for you, bounty hunter. Enjoy your little lunch date."

As he turned to sneak away—

Both Mina and Xander grabbed him by the collar.

"Not so fast," Mina said sternly.

Xander sighed. "If I'm paying, he's coming too."

Hugo groaned. "You've got to be kidding me."

Mina dragged him forward, completely ignoring his protests.

And so, Hugo, the outlaw, and Xander, the bounty hunter, sat down for a meal together—because of Mina.

Eclipse Zero sat in complete silence, processing everything.

Darius was the first to break it. "Wait, wait, wait—so you and Xander went from trying to kill each other to sitting down for a casual meal?"

Hugo chuckled softly. "Yeah, pretty much."

Nathan smirked. "And Mina was the only reason you didn't run away?"

Hugo nodded. "She had this… way about her. Like you couldn't say no."

Ethan leaned forward. "And after that?"

Hugo sighed, rubbing his temple. "After that… things got complicated."

Lena smirked. "You do realize how ridiculous this sounds, right?"

Hugo smirked. "Oh, trust me. I know."

The tavern's warm atmosphere remained calm, but tension still hung between Hugo, Xander, and Mina as their unexpected meal continued.

Then—a voice echoed from the table.

"I see. So this is the moment when everything begins."

Xander's hand instinctively went to his weapon, and Mina visibly flinched, her eyes widening as she glanced around in alarm.

"Who said that?" Xander demanded, his tone sharp.

Mina scanned the room but saw no one new. "I heard it too, but—"

Then her gaze landed on Hugo's sword, which rested beside him on the table.

She paled. "No way…"

Hugo sighed, placing a hand on his sword hilt. "Relax. That's just Cosmos."

Mina's jaw dropped slightly. Xander's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"…Your sword can talk?" Xander muttered, clearly skeptical.

Hugo smirked. "Yeah. Surprising, isn't it?"

"I'd say it's more surprising that you waited this long to introduce me, Hugo." Cosmos's voice hummed with amusement.

Xander gritted his teeth, clearly thrown off. He had fought and chased Hugo countless times but had never seen the sword speak.

"Since when?!"

Hugo shrugged. "Since always. But it only speaks when it wants to."

Mina was still staring at the blade, her mind racing. "That's not normal. Arc-Weapons don't just… talk."

Hugo nodded. "Exactly."

He glanced between them, finally deciding it was time to explain. "There's a reason why the Perfect Life Forms put such a high bounty on my head."

Mina and Xander immediately focused on him, sensing the shift in tone.

"The reason wasn't because of my crimes," Hugo admitted, tapping Cosmos. "It was because of this sword."

Mina frowned. "What do you mean?"

Hugo exhaled. "Cosmos isn't just any Arc-Weapon. It's a weapon the Perfect Life Forms have been searching for for centuries."

Xander's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Hugo smirked bitterly. "Because it was never meant to be found."

Hugo leaned forward slightly, voice lowering as he continued.

"The Perfect Life Forms rule over Arcana. They control the flow of power. But there's one thing they fear—Cosmos."

Mina's brows furrowed. "Why would they fear a weapon?"

"Because I am not bound by their laws," Cosmos answered smoothly, its voice calm but firm. "I am a creation they could never control."

Xander watched the blade carefully, calculating. "Then why do you belong to Hugo?"

Hugo smirked slightly. "Because Cosmos chose me."

Mina's eyes widened slightly. "It chose you?"

Hugo nodded. "I didn't find Cosmos. It came to me. And the moment I picked it up, the Perfect Life Forms marked me as a threat."

Xander leaned back slightly, processing. "So that's why they put a bounty on you."

Hugo exhaled sharply. "Yep. They couldn't risk me growing stronger with Cosmos in my hands. So, they forced me into the life of an outlaw."

Mina shook her head in disbelief. "So this whole time, you weren't just some criminal running wild—you were hunted."

Hugo sighed. "Pretty much."

Xander was quiet for a long moment. Then, finally, he muttered, "That… changes things."

Hugo chuckled darkly. "You think?"

Mina glanced between them, her mind racing. She had spent her whole life believing criminals were criminals—but here was Hugo, someone branded as a criminal not for what he did, but for what he had.

For the first time since meeting him, she questioned everything.

Eclipse Zero sat in stunned silence as Hugo finished the story.

Nathan whistled. "So… you were forced into being a wanted man?"

Hugo nodded. "Yeah. The moment Cosmos chose me, my fate was sealed."

Ethan crossed his arms. "So, in a way, the Perfect Life Forms created the legend of Hugo the Eclipse."

Hugo smirked. "That's one way to look at it."

Lena leaned back. "And to think, we've been traveling with a weapon the Perfect Life Forms fear most."

Darius grinned. "Kinda makes things more exciting, doesn't it?"

Iris gave Hugo a knowing look. "And here I thought you were just a stubborn hero."

Hugo sighed, shaking his head. "I never wanted to be a hero. I just wanted to survive."

Stella, who had been quiet this entire time, finally spoke.

"…Did Mina know all of this?"

Hugo's smirk faded slightly, his gaze lowering.

"She learned it piece by piece. And eventually, it changed everything."

Eclipse Zero listened carefully as Hugo exhaled.

"Because after that… Mina convinced Xander and me to work together."

The warm glow of the inn's lanterns flickered gently as Hugo continued his story. Eclipse Zero sat in rapt attention, hanging on to every word.

Hugo exhaled slowly, a small smirk appearing as he leaned back in his chair.

"After that meal, everything changed. Mina had learned the truth about me, about the bounty, and about Cosmos. And, like everything else in her life, she refused to sit back and do nothing."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "So what? She immediately had a grand plan?"

Hugo chuckled. "Oh no. First, she yelled at me for not telling her sooner."

Nathan grinned. "That sounds about right."

Hugo's smirk faded slightly, his voice softening as he recalled what came next.

"But then… she did something neither Xander nor I expected."

The night was quiet as Hugo, Xander, and Mina sat together, long after their meal had ended. The once-tense atmosphere had shifted into something different—something unpredictable.

Mina leaned forward, her sharp gaze fixed on both of them.

"You two need to work together."

Hugo and Xander immediately turned to her, eyes widening in unison.

"Excuse me?" Hugo blurted out.

Xander frowned. "That is a terrible idea."

Mina crossed her arms. "No, it's exactly what needs to happen."

Hugo scoffed, waving a hand. "Yeah, because that's worked so well before."

Xander narrowed his eyes. "I exist to catch him, Mina. Not to join him."

Mina glared at both of them. "Neither of you see the bigger picture, do you?"

She turned to Xander first. "You blindly follow laws that are written by the powerful to protect themselves. And you think that's justice?"

Xander opened his mouth, but Mina cut him off.

"Meanwhile, Hugo," she turned to him now, "you want to fight corruption, but you're just running in circles. Stealing from the rich helps—but it doesn't change anything."

Hugo frowned. "What are you saying, Mina?"

Mina's eyes burned with determination.

"I'm saying that both of you are wasting your potential."

Hugo and Xander exchanged an uncertain glance, neither knowing how to respond.

Mina leaned forward, lowering her voice. "What if you worked together? What if we stopped playing by their rules and started making our own?"

Xander stared at her. "You're suggesting we… become criminals together?"

"No," Mina shook her head. "I'm suggesting we do what neither of you can do alone."

She stood up, eyes fierce with determination.

"We create something new. A force that doesn't just steal, doesn't just enforce laws, but actually fights back against the corruption."

Hugo sat up slightly. "You mean like… a rebellion?"

Mina smiled. "A rebellion, a movement, a cause—call it whatever you want. But if we do this, we don't just steal from the corrupt. We dismantle their power completely."

Xander narrowed his eyes. "And you expect me to turn my back on everything?"

Mina's voice softened. "I expect you to think for yourself, Xander. You know this world is broken. You see it. Stop pretending you don't."

Silence fell between them.

Hugo exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "This… is insane."

Mina smirked. "Yeah. But it's our kind of insane."

Xander was silent for a long moment, tension thick in the air.

Then—he sighed. "If I do this… I'll become a wanted man."

Mina tilted her head. "Then I guess you'll finally understand how Hugo feels."

Xander closed his eyes for a brief moment—before slowly extending a hand toward Hugo.

Hugo stared at him. "…You're serious?"

Xander smirked faintly. "Mina isn't going to stop talking about this unless we do it."

Hugo chuckled. "You're not wrong."

After a long pause, Hugo clasped Xander's hand.

At that moment, the first spark of Eclipse Requiem was born.

The room was silent as Hugo finished speaking.

Darius finally let out a low whistle. "So, let me get this straight. You, a wanted outlaw, and Xander, a bounty hunter, created the rebellion together?"

Hugo nodded. "With Mina leading the way, yeah."

Nathan was still processing. "And that's how Eclipse Requiem started?"

Hugo exhaled, leaning back. "That was the first step. From there, we started recruiting. The small-time rebels, the ones who had no home, no future. Xander trained them, I inspired them, and Mina led them. And that's how we became the greatest threat the Perfect Life Forms had ever seen."

Lena smirked. "I have to admit, I was not expecting that story."

Ethan crossed his arms, thoughtful. "So what went wrong?"

The question hung in the air.

Hugo's expression darkened slightly, his voice quieter. "Everything."

The weight in his tone made Eclipse Zero pause.

Hugo exhaled slowly. "But that's a story for another time."

For now, they all sat in silence, processing the truth of the legend they had only heard in pieces—the story of how a thief, a bounty hunter, and a girl who believed in them both changed the world.