The Throne Beyond Infinity

Chapter 13: The Eclipse Covenant

A flash of emerald light lit up the forest.

One by one, the five heirs stepped out of the portal and back onto Earth.

For a moment, everything seemed normal.

The wind blew gently through the trees.

Birds sang from the branches.

Ryker stretched his arms and smiled.

"Home at last."

Darius looked around.

"It's hard to believe we were standing before gods just a few seconds ago."

Kael looked at the map of Earth that Aetherion had given him. One location glowed brighter than the others.

"The First Fragment is somewhere north of here."

Elias examined the map.

"If we leave now, we should reach it before sunset."

Zane remained silent.

He couldn't shake the strange feeling that someone was watching them.

"Let's not waste any time," Kael said.

The five friends began their journey.

---

Far beyond Earth...

Hidden within a fortress drifting through the darkness between universes...

The Eclipse Covenant gathered.

Rows of warriors knelt before a massive black throne.

The mysterious leader slowly rose.

His face remained hidden beneath a hood.

Only his glowing violet eyes could be seen.

"The heirs have completed their First Divine Trials," he said calmly.

"They are becoming stronger."

A tall man carrying a dark spear stepped forward.

It was Varok.

"My Lord..."

"Allow me to retrieve the First Fragment."

The leader looked down at him.

"You will not go alone."

Two more figures emerged from the shadows.

One was a woman dressed in silver-black armor, holding twin curved blades.

"My name is Lyra."

"The heirs won't even see me coming."

Beside her stood a giant warrior covered in heavy armor.

He rested an enormous hammer on his shoulder.

"I am Gorath."

"I'll crush anyone who stands in our way."

The leader smiled.

"The three of you will recover the First Fragment."

"But remember..."

"Do not underestimate the heirs."

"They now possess the First Divine Forms."

Varok bowed.

"We will not fail."

The leader raised his hand.

A dark portal opened before the three commanders.

"Go."

The commanders stepped into the portal and vanished.

---

Meanwhile...

Kael and the others reached the edge of an ancient forest.

The trees were taller than any they had ever seen.

Broken stone pillars stood among the roots.

"It feels..." Elias whispered.

"...ancient."

Kael's emerald mark suddenly began to glow.

"It's close."

The group followed the light until they reached a gigantic stone staircase leading underground.

At the bottom stood an enormous temple, hidden beneath centuries of vines and moss.

The symbol of the Primordial Gods was carved into its entrance.

Ryker smiled.

"I guess we found it."

Kael slowly walked toward the door.

As soon as he placed his hand on the symbol...

The entire temple trembled.

RUMBLE...

The giant stone doors slowly began to open.

A cold wind rushed out from the darkness within.

Darius swallowed nervously.

"I have a feeling..."

"We're not the first ones to find this place."

Far away...

Three figures watched from the shadows.

Varok smiled.

"Good."

"They've found the temple for us."

The three commanders silently followed the heirs into the darkness.

To Be Continued...