Conqueror Of The Dark Soul

Chapter 14 - Darbend The Eclipse

A few years ago.

Alden's current age is around sixteen years.

About three years after Alden's group arrived in the city of Virshire.

Inside the cabin of a partially destroyed ship on the beach. Alden leans back, seeking shelter from the sun inside. His hands are behind his head as he covers his eyes, attempting to sleep.

At that moment, the Black Orb gives him a warning. "Alden. It's about to begin."

Alden opens his eyes. The greenish gleam reflects the vast expanse of white sand through the cracks in the ship's cabin. "How much time do I have?" he asks.

Black Orb hesitates before answering, "Two days."

Alden sighs.

Then, the Black Orb gives another piece of advice. "Meet your mother first."

Alden blinks without much meaning. Seemingly enjoying the coastal breeze.

This beach is not far from the center of Virshire City. Alden is here mainly because he is currently a fugitive from the Church of Mercury.

...

The distance between the beach and the city center is only an hour through the normal route. But for Alden, it takes at least three hours to reach the city center because he has to avoid people.

No one essentially recognizes him. And perhaps the Guardians no longer care about the fact that he is a fugitive. But currently, his face is on posters plastered everywhere.

Quietly entering the city, Alden uses his cloak to hide his face.

Reaching his destination, a small residential area. The sun is almost setting, casting an orange glow on the horizon.

At that moment, Alden sees a middle-aged woman sitting in front of a small hut. The woman has a gentle yet weary appearance. She has dark green eyes, slightly different from Alden's bright green eyes.

The black hair of the middle-aged woman flows long in the cool wind, occasionally swaying.

She is Zenith, his biological mother. Throughout the long journey with many challenges, Alden never lost sight of her. Even though she doesn't recognize him now, Alden still wants to protect her from danger.

However, Black Orb is marked with Destiny in its name. Whether he likes it or not, Alden has to believe that the middle-aged woman in front of him will face a much greater danger than anything that has happened before.

At that moment, Zenith's eyes move and accidentally meet Alden's gaze. For some reason, in Alden's heart, there is a desire to greet or at least call his mother. But it's impossible; for Zenith, Alden is just a stranger.

Strangely, though, Zenith smiles at him. Even if it's just for a moment.

"Zenith, come help me light this fire." Someone calls from inside the hut.

Alden recognizes the voice; it's Luth, the one who taught him swordsmanship, in other words, his Master. Luth is also Zenith's younger brother, making him Alden's uncle.

"Alright, wait a moment." Zenith says and quickly stands up from her place, entering the hut.

Alden takes a long breath. Then, he gazes at the calming orange sky.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk to her?" Black Orb says with a low regretful voice.

"No. This is enough." Alden says.

...

The next day.

The sky is suddenly covered by swirling dark blue clouds. It looks like a curtain that can engulf the city of Virshire in an instant.

Everyone's gaze is fixed on this phenomenon.

Everything turns into a nightmare moments later.

It's a scene similar to what happened in his previous village. Alden sees people running, asking for help, screaming in pain. Hundreds of Dark Souls fall from the sky like rain. Whether it's Goblins, Skeletons, Undead, Treants, and many other types of Dark Souls.

Not excluding the Dark Soul from the sixth floor of the Dark Dimension, the Dragon.

With wings that can destroy buildings below, breath that can scorch the surrounding area, roars that instill despair in the inhabitants—it's like a signal commanding the guardians to stop fighting.

In the residential area where Zenith is, one dragon specifically lands and immediately destroys the surroundings. The giant creature has wings wider than the buildings around it.

Dark red, menacing blue eyes, tough skin. That's the creature that is said to be the ruler of the skies, Dragon.

Alden is there, silently witnessing.

Someone there, riding the dragon like a tame horse. A man with two ball-shaped energies following him. The energies emit two different auras, darkness and light.

"Do you see him?" Black Orb asks firmly.

Alden just nods, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Darbend The Eclipse." Black Orb says with a deep emphasis.

Darbend The Eclipse has a terrifying appearance, with parts of his body covered in black shadows. The aura from the two orbs following him is so massive that Alden trembles just by looking at it directly.

"Aargh!" A voice full of determination is heard from the half-destroyed hut.

Alden realizes that there is no more sound after that. He realizes that the scream came from Luth, causing pain and a sinking feeling in his heart.

Alden focuses on what is happening there; Darbend The Eclipse emerges from the hut with Zenith on his back.

Too focused that he doesn't realize since earlier an arm has been coiled around his shoulder. "Do you think this is a good sight?" It's the voice of a man breaking his concentration.

Alden can't move, as if there are shackles locking his movements.

"Shit! I was careless! I didn't notice his presence!" Black Orb says in a panic.

Alden doesn't turn to find out what kind of person is currently embracing him.

"Alden, don't stare into his eyes!" Black Orb warns, but it's too late; he saw the figure. No, more precisely, the eyes of that figure.

Cold, red eyes. "Oh, that survival instinct is quite surprising." The man smiles.

A moment later, "Darbend, see what I got!" The man pulls Alden out of his hiding place. Still, embracing him like an old friend spending time together.

However, Alden's gaze is empty. As if there's no sparkle left.

Darbend, the terrifying-looking man, turns to look at Alden. His eyes widen as he sees Alden, surprised as his face starts to scrunch up.

He walks toward Alden, seemingly reaching out his hand toward Alden's head as the man embracing him stops Darbend's action. "What are you doing? He's my toy; you already have your own toy, don't you?" The man dismisses Darbend's arm while tightening his embrace on Alden.

"Do you see the appearance of this boy?" Darbend says coldly, his voice slightly hoarse.

The man stretches his head and looks at Alden carefully. On the other side, Alden continues to avoid the gaze of that man. "Oh, he looks very much like that guy, doesn't he?"

"Allen The Fate has erased his own existence from the world. I read this woman's memories and found that in her memories, Allen never exist." Darbend says , "Well, that's a shame." The man still looks at Alden seriously.

"Let me read his memories. He might be connected to Allen The Fate." Darbend extends his hand again.

"Fine, if you insist." The man releases his embrace from Alden and pushes him towards Darbend.