The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: The Night When the Eclipse Descended Upon the Order

The deepest part of the mountain range had long since ceased to resemble an ordinary mountain.

Hidden behind layers of dense forest, sheer cliffs, and natural barriers that made the region nearly impossible to reach, an enormous headquarters had been built into the mountainside.

It had started as nothing more than a few underground rooms.

Now, it was practically a fortress.

Several large buildings occupied the central valley, connected by stone pathways and underground passages that stretched deep into the mountain. Training grounds, storage facilities, living quarters, meeting halls, research rooms, and countless other facilities had been constructed as the organization continued to grow.

And standing at the very center of it all was a massive black statue.

The figure stood several meters tall, its face hidden beneath a hood, one hand resting against the hilt of a sword while the other hung loosely at its side.

The moonlight reflected faintly from the statue’s surface.

It was the image of the Eclipse.

And it had become the symbol of the organization.

Around it, the headquarters was alive with activity.

Clang!

Steel struck steel.

Two members crossed blades in the middle of the training ground, their movements fast enough that sparks flew from their swords with every exchange.

Another pair fought nearby, while several others practiced magic beneath the supervision of senior members.

"Again."

An officer stood at the edge of the training ground, watching the members carefully.

"Your footwork is still too wide. If your opponent changes direction, you’ll lose your balance."

"Yes, Lady Lydia!"

Lydia nodded before returning her attention to the training ground.

There were nearly three hundred members now.

Three hundred.

When the organization had first been created, that number would have sounded absurd.

Now, it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of everyone.

A faint distortion appeared beside Lydia.

She immediately turned.

A woman stood there as though she had simply stepped out of the darkness.

Lydia straightened and bowed.

"Lady Valentine."

"How is the situation?"

Valentine’s gaze moved across the training grounds.

"The numbers are approaching three hundred," Lydia answered. "Recruitment has remained steady, and the newer members are adapting well to the training regimen. The officers have also finished reorganizing the divisions."

She paused briefly.

"As for the Orders, the fifth through the first have nearly reached the structure we intended."

Valentine nodded.

"The Seekers?"

"Still focused on gathering information and locating anything connected to the ancient records. They’ve also been investigating several locations where unusual magical activity has been reported."

"And the Sentinels?"

"They’re responsible for the protection of our bases and important routes. Their patrols have already reduced the number of incidents around this region."

Lydia continued.

"The Vanguards have been handling field operations and eliminating threats before they become problems. The Watchers are monitoring movements among the various factions, while the Harbingers have been assigned to the most sensitive missions."

Valentine smiled faintly.

"So the five Orders are finally beginning to function as intended."

"Yes. There are still some gaps, but nothing serious enough to interfere with operations."

"Good."

Valentine looked toward the massive statue at the center of the headquarters.

"Has there been any word from the Eclipse’s Hand?"

"They’re currently inside the main building."

Lydia glanced toward the large structure overlooking the headquarters.

"They’re holding a meeting with the other officers and several members who have been given higher positions within the organization."

"I see."

Valentine nodded.

"I just returned from my mission, so I’ll report directly to them later."

She then remembered something.

"How is the hunting team?"

"They returned earlier today."

"And the supplies for Starlight?"

"We’ve secured most of what was requested. The remaining materials should arrive within the next few days."

Valentine considered that for a moment.

"I’ll handle the transportation myself."

Lydia looked slightly surprised.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes. It shouldn’t take long."

Valentine turned toward the training grounds once more.

"For now, continue patrolling the surrounding areas. Keep the members active, and make sure none of the nearby routes are left unchecked."

"Understood."

Lydia bowed again.

"Good work."

Valentine disappeared into the darkness as quietly as she had arrived.

Lydia watched her leave before turning back toward the training ground.

"Enough rest."

The members immediately raised their weapons.

"Begin the next round."

Clang!

The sound of steel once again echoed through the mountains.

Three hundred members.

Five Orders.

And countless people working beneath the symbol of the Eclipse.

What had once been a small organization hidden in the shadows was slowly becoming something far larger.

Something capable of moving across the world without ever revealing its true existence.

The same night, while the members of the Eclipse Order were still training outside, a figure suddenly appeared beneath the moon.

Lydia was the first to notice him.

She stopped watching the training and looked upward, her expression changing the moment she recognized the familiar silhouette floating high above the headquarters.

The members noticed her reaction and followed her gaze.

The sounds of clashing swords gradually stopped as one person after another looked toward the sky. There was no need for anyone to give an order. The moment they recognized the figure beneath the moon, every member immediately lowered their weapons and knelt.

Ares, the Eclipse, looked down at them in silence.

There really are a lot of members now.

When he had first created the Eclipse Order, he had never imagined that it would grow this quickly. Nearly three hundred members were now gathered beneath him, and unlike ordinary soldiers, most of them possessed enough strength to survive battles that would have been impossible for normal people.

Well, that’s a good thing.

After all, becoming a powerful organization was the whole point.

His gaze passed over the training grounds, taking in the members who were kneeling below. They were all looking at him with the same expression, their eyes filled with admiration as though they were witnessing something far greater than a man floating beneath the moon.

Ares raised one hand.

The moonlight suddenly began to change.

A dark ring slowly spread across the moon, covering it until the entire sky was illuminated by the faint silver-black glow of an eclipse.

The members stared upward in silence, their eyes widening as the light reflected across their faces.

Lydia lowered her head.

"All members of the Eclipse Order, remember this night. The Eclipse has appeared before us once again, reminding us that even when the world is swallowed by darkness, our path remains unchanged. We shall continue to grow stronger, protect those beneath our banner, and carry out the will of the Eclipse without hesitation."

Her voice echoed throughout the training grounds.

"We are the ones who walk beneath the darkness, and we shall never lose sight of the light that guides us."

The members raised their heads toward Ares, their expressions filled with excitement.

"Under the Eclipse, we advance!"

The voices of nearly one hundred members rang out together beneath the moon.

Ares simply watched them for a moment.

This is getting pretty serious.

He hadn’t expected them to take it this far.

Still, it wasn’t bad.

Actually, it was pretty cool.

With that thought, the Eclipse slowly disappeared from beneath the moon, leaving the members staring at the empty sky.

For several moments, nobody moved.

Then Lydia finally stood.

"Return to your training."

The members rose and returned to the training grounds, their excitement still lingering as the sound of swords once again echoed through the mountains.

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