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Eclipse Sovereign
Chapter 3: The Weight of Shadows

Chapter 3: The Weight of Shadows

The sun was fully visible now, its light casting long shadows across the cracked pavement as Kai walked away from the abandoned town. His chest still ached where the Solar Eclipse Beast had struck him, but the pain was dull, almost distant, as if the shadows within him were numbing it. He kept his head down, his AR glasses scanning the area for any signs of movement. The Eclipse was over, but that didn’t mean it was safe.

His mind raced as he walked, replaying the events in the subway station. The Beast, the shadows, the voice—it all felt like a dream, but the wound on his chest was proof enough that it had been real. He glanced at his AR glasses, which now displayed a new interface he didn’t recognize. The Void Eclipse System had integrated itself seamlessly into his tech, its cold, mechanical presence a constant reminder of what he’d become.

"Sovereign Status: Initiate. Corruption Meter: 18%. Void Points: 200."

Kai frowned. The Corruption Meter had gone up since the fight. He didn’t know what would happen if it reached 100%, but the warning from the system was clear: Permanent damage. He couldn’t afford to let that happen, not when he was just beginning to understand what this power could do.

As he walked, he noticed something strange. The shadows around him seemed… alive. They shifted and twisted in ways they shouldn’t, as if responding to his presence. When he focused on them, he could feel the same chaotic energy that had surged through him during the fight. It was unsettling, but also exhilarating. For the first time in his life, he felt powerful. Not just strong, but dangerous.

He reached the outskirts of the next town, a small settlement that had managed to survive the Eclipses thanks to its proximity to a fortified city. The people here were wary of outsiders, but they tolerated scavengers like Kai as long as they didn’t cause trouble. He kept his head down as he entered the town, his AR glasses masking his identity. The last thing he needed was someone recognizing him and asking questions.

The town’s market was bustling, despite the recent Eclipse. Vendors hawked their wares—salvaged tech, rations, and the occasional Eclipse Core scavenged from fallen Beasts. Kai made his way to a stall run by an old man with a grizzled beard and a patch over one eye. The man nodded as Kai approached, recognizing him as a regular.

“What’ve you got for me today, kid?” the man asked, his voice rough but not unkind.

Kai set his backpack on the counter and pulled out the coins he’d found in the car. The old man inspected them, then handed over a few credits in exchange. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to buy a hot meal and a place to sleep for the night.

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As Kai pocketed the credits, his AR glasses flickered. A new message appeared:

"Void Market Accessible. Would you like to enter?"

Kai hesitated. He didn’t know what the Void Market was, but the system had mentioned it earlier. Curiosity got the better of him, and he selected Yes.

The world around him seemed to blur, the sounds of the market fading into a distant hum. His vision darkened, and for a moment, he felt like he was falling. Then, he found himself standing in a strange, otherworldly space. The ground beneath him was black and reflective, like obsidian, and the air was thick with the scent of ozone. Above him, a swirling vortex of shadows pulsed with energy.

In front of him was a stall, its shelves lined with items that glowed faintly with void energy. Behind the stall stood a figure cloaked in shadows, their face obscured by a hood. The figure spoke, their voice echoing unnaturally.

"Welcome, Sovereign. What do you seek?"

Kai’s heart raced. This was the Void Market? He stepped closer, his eyes scanning the items on display. There were strange crystals, weapons that seemed to be made of shadow, and scrolls covered in ancient symbols. Each item had a price listed in Void Points.

One item caught his eye: a small, black crystal labeled "Void Shard: Purification." The description read: "Reduces Corruption Meter by 10%. Cost: 100 Void Points."

Kai didn’t hesitate. He selected the crystal, and the figure nodded. "Transaction complete. Your Corruption Meter has been reduced."

The crystal appeared in his hand, its surface cool to the touch. As he held it, he felt a wave of relief, like a weight had been lifted from his chest. His AR glasses updated:

"Corruption Meter: 8%. Void Points: 100."

Before he could browse further, the figure spoke again. "Your time here is limited, Sovereign. Choose wisely."

Kai’s eyes fell on another item: a scroll labeled "Void Step: Advanced." The description read: "Enhances Void Step ability, allowing for greater distance and precision. Cost: 150 Void Points."

He didn’t have enough points, but he made a mental note to come back. The Void Market was clearly a valuable resource, but it came with risks. He could feel the shadows pressing in on him, their presence growing heavier the longer he stayed.

"Time’s up," the figure said, their voice fading as the market dissolved around him.

Kai blinked, and he was back in the town market, the sounds and smells of the real world rushing back to him. He glanced around, but no one seemed to have noticed his absence. To them, it must have looked like he’d just zoned out for a moment.

He pocketed the Void Shard and made his way to a nearby inn. He needed rest, but more than that, he needed to think. The Void Eclipse System was changing everything, and he still didn’t fully understand it. What did it mean to be a Sovereign? Why had it chosen him? And what was he supposed to do now?

As he lay in bed that night, the shadows swirling around him, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was no longer his own. The Void had claimed him, and there was no going back.