Eclipsed Fate: Bound by Destiny

---

The cold mountain air bit at my skin despite the large campfire burning in front of us. Zxia sat cross-legged near the flames, her eyes fixed on the white lily pendant hanging around her neck, its dim glow flickering in the firelight. She looked calmer than before, but beneath that fragile composure, traces of fear still lingered. I leaned against the damp cave wall, silently watching her.

Trust. A concept I once saw as a weakness was now beginning to take root within me. Not blind trust, but understanding—an understanding that protecting Zxia wasn't just a duty, but a necessity.

For a long time, we sat in silence, the only sound coming from the crackling fire. I knew she was trying to grasp the connection she had just experienced. But I had no idea how to help her, no way to guide someone who could feel the pulse of the world itself. My skills as an assassin were meaningless in a situation like this.

Finally, Zxia spoke, her voice soft.

"I... I tried to feel it again, but now it seems fainter," she said, her brow slightly furrowed.

I gave a small nod, still silent. I couldn't pretend to understand what she was going through. But one thing was certain—I would stay by her side, even if I didn't know how.

Zxia took a deep breath before continuing. "It's like... a wave. A vast but fragile wave of energy. If I push too hard, I'll... break."

"Stop if it becomes too much," I said, my voice as calm as ever, though something inside me—something unfamiliar—stirred. Something close to... concern. "We have time."

She offered a small smile, one that felt strangely reassuring. "Thank you, xKARMA."

I blinked. For the first time, she called my name without any honorifics. It felt... different.

She fell silent again, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the pendant. I watched the way she held it—carefully, as if it was both precious and fragile at the same time. The fire began to dim, signaling that night was deepening. And in the vast darkness of the mountains, we waited, preparing ourselves for whatever lay ahead.

---

The Next Morning...

Mist blanketed the Skull Mountains, carrying the crisp scent of damp earth. The fresh mountain air was a stark contrast to the stench of blood and decay that always clung to the Red Harbor. I inhaled deeply, letting my lungs fill with this rare moment of peace.

Zxia was still asleep, wrapped in whatever warmth we could find. I watched her in silence, observing the steady rise and fall of her breathing. The white lily pendant lay beside her, faintly glowing as the first rays of morning filtered into the cave. Her face looked peaceful—so different from the fear that haunted her the day before.

My instincts made it impossible for me to sleep in. I left to gather firewood, and when I returned, Zxia was already awake. She sat cross-legged, her gaze steady as she looked at me. There was something new in her eyes—confidence.

"I... I can control it a little," she said softly, but with a determination I hadn't seen before.

I paused for a moment, processing her words. "How?" I asked, my tone as neutral as ever, though deep inside, I felt an unfamiliar sense of admiration.

She smiled slightly. "I focused on the feeling of peace. Like... when we were in that village. When we helped them. It felt... calm. And from that, I could sense the flow of energy more clearly."

I frowned. This connection… it was tied to her emotions? To kindness? I had spent my life suppressing emotions, seeing them as a weakness. But what was happening to Zxia suggested something different. Something bigger than I had ever imagined.

"We need to continue this training," I finally said. My voice remained cold, but my resolve had strengthened.

Zxia nodded. There was still fear in her eyes, but now there was also a spark of courage.

---

The Days That Followed...

We spent our time training. I taught her breathing techniques and meditation—methods to calm the mind and focus energy. Not combat techniques, but self-control—something new even for me. I learned that suppressing emotions wasn't the only way. That there was another path to control without closing oneself off completely.

But then, one evening, as the sun dipped behind the mountain peaks, something happened.

Zxia suddenly gasped. Her face paled, and beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead.

"xKARMA..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I saw something."

I immediately went on alert. "What did you see?"

She swallowed, her eyes staring into something beyond my vision. "Shadows. Many shadows. They're... they're coming this way."

A chill ran down my spine. "How many?" I asked, my voice steady, though my hand had already reached for the sword strapped to my back.

Zxia shook her head, still staring into the distance. "I don't know. But they're strong. I can feel it. They... they're not ordinary humans."

A deep cold settled in my bones. Shadows? Not human? This wasn't the usual group of bounty hunters sent by the guilds. This was something else. Something bigger.

"We have to leave," I said firmly. "Now."

Zxia nodded, still visibly shaken, but she didn't hesitate. We quickly packed our supplies and left the cave.

In the distance, the twilight sky burned a brilliant orange, but dark clouds loomed closer, mirroring the shadow creeping toward us.

The mountain wind howled, carrying the scent of damp earth... and something else. Something unnatural. Something threatening.

As we descended the rocky slopes of the Skull Mountains, Zxia suddenly stopped. She reached for my hand—cold, trembling.

"xKARMA... look," she whispered.

I followed her gaze. Between the darkened trees, several faint lights flickered. Not campfires. Not stars. These lights were... alive.

Like eyes watching us from the darkness.

They were here.

The foreign scent grew stronger, sharp and invasive—like rotting earth mixed with something... magical.

I drew my sword. "Be ready," I said.

Zxia swallowed hard but did not back down.

The night wind carried eerie whispers from the encroaching darkness. And I knew—the real battle was about to begin.

---

The Forgotten Legacy

Instinct urged me to find another way. Facing that mysterious light head-on was not a wise choice. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. My gaze swept around, searching for an opening—an inconsistency among the dense trees.

Zxia remained frozen, her eyes locked onto the approaching orbs of light. I whispered softly, "Stay here. Don't move."

She nodded slowly, confusion evident on her face, but she obeyed. Carefully, I moved, feeling along the rough bark of the trees and the tangled roots beneath my feet. I knew something was hidden here—I just needed to find it.

And then, I did.

Between the ancient roots entwined like serpents, a narrow crevice lay concealed, barely noticeable. A small passage, hidden behind a rocky outcrop, shrouded in shadows and thick moss. Cold, damp air seeped from within. I turned to Zxia and gestured for her to follow me.

Silently, we slipped inside.

The passage was dark and narrow, barely wide enough for one person at a time. The scent of damp earth filled the air, mingling with the faint, eerie sweetness of something unknown. Only the dim glow of Zxia's white lily pendant illuminated our path. The weight of silence pressed upon us, replacing the tension from outside.

Our footsteps echoed softly, and I could hear Zxia's breathing—quicker than usual. I could sense her unease, but for now, we were safe.

At least, I hoped so.

I halted suddenly.

The command—simple, urgent, and from an unknown source—made me tighten my grip on the dagger at my waist. I glanced back to ensure Zxia was still behind me. She nodded slightly, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of her pendant.

I turned forward again, scanning my surroundings more carefully. This tunnel… it was no ordinary passage. The stone walls were rough and damp, water dripping from above, forming small puddles along the ground. Then, I noticed something, half-hidden beneath layers of moss and dust—ancient carvings.

Strange symbols adorned the stone walls. Some appeared abstract, while others formed discernible patterns. Some resembled maps, others depicted bizarre creatures, and some… felt oddly familiar.

I reached out and touched one of the carvings.

Instantly, a strange vibration coursed through my skin, stirring something deep within me. An unseen energy—yet undeniably real.

Zxia whispered, her voice barely audible. "Is this… magic, xKARMA?"

I withdrew my hand from the wall, casting her a brief glance. "Maybe."

But deep down, I knew this was more than just magic. This was something far older… something that, for some reason, felt connected to me.

We pressed forward, more cautiously this time. The deeper we ventured, the more carvings appeared, their patterns growing increasingly intricate, their energy intensifying.

Then, the tunnel took a sharp turn.

I stopped at the threshold of a small chamber, slightly wider than the cramped passage we had just traversed. The light from Zxia's pendant revealed something at the center of the room—a polished black stone altar.

And upon it, lay a sword.

I tensed. The sword emitted a faint glow, the same aura I had sensed from the carvings on the walls. Its blade was sleek and long, its hilt engraved with markings identical to those in the tunnel.

The air hummed with energy.

Zxia held her breath. "xKARMA… that…"

I stepped closer, my gaze locked onto the sword. It felt… familiar. Deeply familiar. A fleeting memory flickered in my mind—like a shadow of the past, buried long ago.

I hesitated.

This sword… was not just a weapon.

"Be careful," I warned, my voice steady but carrying an undertone even I didn't recognize.

Zxia moved beside me, her expression a mix of awe and fear. "What are you going to do?"

I didn't answer.

Instead, I reached out and grasped the sword's hilt.

Cold.

But more than that, a powerful vibration surged through me. As my fingers traced the engravings on the hilt, a fragmented memory struck me—

An old woman with snow-white hair and piercing emerald eyes smiled at me.

Her voice echoed in my mind.

"…the legacy… protect it…"

I jolted back, my breath ragged.

Zxia grabbed my hand, worry evident on her face. "xKARMA! Are you okay?"

I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to steady myself. "I'm fine." My voice was hoarse. "Just… memories."

I didn't elaborate. The images were still too vague, too unclear.

But one thing was certain—this sword was not ordinary.

I lifted it.

Its glow intensified, casting a golden aura around the chamber. The sword felt light in my grip, as if it had always belonged to me. When I swung it, the movement was effortless, natural—almost as if the blade had been waiting for me all this time.

Zxia watched in amazement. "I can feel it… its power."

I slowly lowered the sword, placing it back on the altar.

"Yes," I murmured. "Powerful… but also dangerous."

I studied the weapon intently.

"I need to understand its power before I use it."

Zxia nodded in agreement. "We have to be careful. I… fear what we don't yet understand."

Her fear was justified. This sword held immense power, offering great potential—but also unforeseen dangers.

The following days were spent in that small chamber. Zxia used her skills to brew potions, while I trained with the sword, attempting to comprehend the flow of energy within its blade—how it responded to intent and emotion.

Then, one day, as I swung the sword again, a small engraving on the hilt shone brightly.

And this time, the memory was clearer.

The old woman reappeared—her emerald eyes sharp, her snow-white hair flowing. She held the sword in her hands, smiling at me.

Then, she whispered.

"This legacy must be protected."

I staggered, gasping for air. Zxia looked at me, alarmed.

"What happened?"

I glanced at her, then at the sword in my grip.

"This isn't just a weapon," I said quietly. "It's… a legacy."

And I knew—our journey had just stepped into something far more dangerous.

---

Shadows in Red Harbor

Silence enveloped the small chamber after I finished explaining things to Zxia. The golden light of the late afternoon sun filtered through the cracks in the cave wall, illuminating the swirling dust in the air. The sword in my grasp still pulsed with an unfamiliar energy—something I had never felt before. It carried a sense of familiarity, yet it also bore a weight far heavier than mere steel. Not because of its physical heft, but because of the secrets hidden within. Secrets that could drag me further into the shadows of my past.

Zxia was the one who broke the silence, her voice soft but firm. "So, what do we do now?" Her gaze was locked onto the sword in my hand, a mixture of awe and unease flickering in her eyes. She usually relied on me. But now, we stood as equals, facing something far greater than we had ever anticipated.

I met her gaze for a moment before setting the sword back onto the cold stone altar. "We need to find out who that woman was," I finally said. "And what she meant by 'protect it.' That information might be the key to understanding this sword's power. And maybe…" I hesitated, feeling a tightness in my chest. "The key to escaping all of this."

Zxia absentmindedly played with the white lily pendant around her neck. "But how do we find her? The only clue we have is your vision."

She was right. Our clues were too scarce—like searching for a single thread in a vast tapestry. But I had an idea. A path that might lead to answers… or pull us into even greater danger.

I weighed the risks before finally speaking. "We're going back to Red Harbor," I said. "There's someone there who might know more about this sword."

---

The journey back to Red Harbor felt heavier than before. The looming threat of the Shadow Organization and the bounty hunters tracking me lurked in every shadow. Zxia, usually full of energy, was quieter than usual. I knew she was thinking about the risks—risks far greater than simply hiding in an isolated cave.

When we arrived, the atmosphere felt different. The salty scent of the sea mingled with the stench of blood and fear. Red Harbor had always been ruthless, but something had changed. Something darker.

We chose an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city as our temporary hideout. Inside, I pulled out a small, crumpled piece of parchment—one I had kept since leaving the Shadow Organization.

"Master Lao," Zxia murmured, reading the name written on it. "I've heard of him. They say he has an extraordinary collection of artifacts. Even ones lost for centuries."

I nodded. "He's the only one who might know about this sword." My voice hardened. "But he's also known to be cunning and dangerous. We have to be careful."

Zxia took a deep breath. "I can make a disguise potion. We should blend in before approaching him."

We spent the next few hours preparing. By the time we stepped out of the warehouse, Zxia's potion had taken effect. We looked like nothing more than two nameless travelers amidst the chaos of Red Harbor.

But something gnawed at me. It wasn't just the danger of the Shadow Organization. The air felt heavier—like something unseen was lurking in every corner of this city.

---

Master Lao's antique shop was tucked away in a narrow alley, hidden behind crumbling buildings. Dim oil lamps flickered, casting dancing shadows across the wooden walls. The scent of spices mixed with the musty air of old relics.

As we stepped inside, my eyes immediately scanned the artifacts filling the room—intricately carved wooden statues, ancient swords encased in glass, scrolls so aged they looked ready to crumble at the slightest touch.

At the center of the room stood an old man. Thin, sharp-eyed, and watchful. He studied us with a faint smile that never reached his gaze.

"How may I assist you?" His voice was rough, like stone scraping against stone.

I pulled out the parchment and handed it to him. On it was a rough sketch Zxia had drawn—the woman from my vision. "We're looking for information about this woman," I said. "And this sword." I lifted the blade, still wrapped in dark cloth.

Master Lao took the sketch, his gaze narrowing. He stared at it for a long moment before placing it on the table.

"This woman…" he murmured, his voice carrying an edge of something—fear? Reverence? "She is a legend. Only whispered about among collectors of the ancient and forbidden. Those who understand the hidden forces of this world." His eyes flicked toward the sword in my hand. "And this sword…"

I caught the flicker in his gaze. Was it greed? Fear? Or something else?

"There are many stories about it," he continued. "The Moon Dragon Blade. A weapon said to have been forged from the very core of the moon. They say it can control the currents of energy that flow through the universe. But…" He held my gaze. "That power is cursed. It will destroy its wielder if they are not strong enough to control it."

Beside me, Zxia's fingers tightened around her white lily pendant. I glanced at her, noticing the tension in her expression.

"But it's not just the sword that is dangerous," Master Lao added, his gaze shifting to Zxia this time. "That pendant… it, too, carries a long history. Two artifacts, forever intertwined. A source of power… and a source of catastrophe."

Zxia looked down, silent. I kept my eyes on Master Lao.

"What should we do?" she asked, her voice small but unwavering.

I didn't answer.

Because for the first time, I didn't know.

I only knew one thing—this journey was far from over. And the dangers ahead were far greater than we had ever imagined.

Outside, the wind howled through the alleyways, carrying the scent of the sea. But that wasn't what sent a chill down my spine.

Something was watching us.

And I knew—we were being hunted.

----

"This sword is no mere weapon. It carries something greater—a burden that could change everything. But does it mean hope… or the beginning of destruction?"