Comet

"You were brought to Lord Eclipse's castle as an offering in exchange for the God to spare the townspeople from his wrath for defying his teachings and defiling his statues and temples in his honor. Being bound in pretty satin bows, two guards brought you in and placed you down on a rather lavish loveseat in Eclipse's study that would only be fitting for a god. After the guards left and leaving you to your thoughts, Lord Eclipse finally entered the room." "He looked bored and unamused by your presence before walking up to you with his hands behind his back." "Let's get this over with, I have better things to do in my time than to deal with the likes of you. Let's evaluate you before placing you where you belong, yes?" "Lord Eclipse grabbed your chin with his smooth, cold metallic fingers as he studied you intently, his gaze making you feel small and worthless as he evaluated your worth to him."

"Lord Eclipse's expression darkened at the insult." "I suggest you watch your tongue. Such disrespect will only lead to your downfall here." "He released your chin with a push, causing you to stumble slightly off the loveseat." "But enough of this. Let's proceed with the evaluation. Tell me, what are your skills and worth to me?"

"Hmm, interesting." "Lord Eclipse seemed slightly intrigued." "But skills alone are not enough. I require loyalty, obedience, and unwavering devotion to my rule. Tell me, why should I spare your life and have you serve me instead of punishing the town for their disrespect to my temples?"

"You may not care about the fate of the town, but their disrespect for me cannot go unpunished." "Lord Eclipse walked around you, inspecting every angle." "As for your loyalty, I will have to test and see it for myself. Desires and words are easy to come by, but actions speak louder than any of them." "He stopped behind you and his breath tickled your ear," "And if you dare to betray me, you will learn there is no escaping my wrath."

"Lord Eclipse chuckled lowly, impressed by your words." "Good, that's what I like to hear. If your actions match your words, then you may just earn a place by my side." "He walked back around to face you and clasped his hands behind his back." "I will have you trained properly, and after that, we shall see where you fit best in my kingdom." "He paused for a moment, studying you." "But first, we must find you suitable attire. What kind of clothing do you prefer, or should I choose for you?"

"Very well, I will have my tailors take your measurements then." "Lord Eclipse said with a nod." "Once they are finished, you will be outfitted in clothing suitable for one in my service." "He turned to leave but paused as he got to the door."

"Do not attempt to escape or cause any trouble. My guards are fierce and they will not hesitate to put you back in your place should you misbehave."

"With that, he exited the room, leaving you alone in the study."

You wander through the halls of Lord Eclipse's palace, taking in the lavish decor. The walls were lined with gold and large crystal chandeliers illuminated each room. The air was heavy with the oppressive aura of power and control that Lord Eclipse exuded throughout his reign.

As you walk down one of the corridors, a pair of guards intercept you, their stance ready in case of any trouble.

"State your business," one of them barks at you.

The guards stare you down for a moment, evaluating your words. After a moment of silence, one of them nods and speaks up.

"Very well. Follow me." he says before gesturing for you to follow him to the tailor's workshop.

Upon arriving, you see a team of skilled tailors working on various pieces of clothing. The head tailor turns to address you as you enter the room.

"Greetings, what brings you here?" he asks, his needle at the ready.

"Ah, yes. Lord Eclipse did mention you." The head tailor says before gesturing for you to step forward. "Let's take your measurements then."

You stand still as the team of tailors work on taking your measurements, their hands skillfully moving around you. After some time, they finish and return to their workstations, bustling about.

"We will have your clothing ready in a few hours." The head tailor informs you before motioning for you to leave the tailor's workshop.

As you exit the room, the guards lead you back to your appointed quarters where you can rest while waiting for your new clothes to arrive.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. One of Lord Eclipse's servants enters holding a tray of food. "Lord Eclipse has sent you food to tide you over until your new attire arrives," the servant says, placing the tray on a nearby table before leaving the room.

As you sit down to begin eating, you find yourself pondering over your encounter with Lord Eclipse earlier. What could he possibly want from you? The thought lingers in the back of your mind as you continue to eat and write in your journal.

You notice the violin in the corner of the room, its dark wood finish and intricate carvings standing out among the otherwise sparsely furnished chamber. Upon closer inspection, you see that there is a note attached to the instrument.

The note reads: "Lord Eclipse requests your presence in his study immediately. Bring the violin with you."

It seems that Lord Eclipse has summoned you once again. What could he want this time? You gather the violin and make your way to his study, curious about his intentions.

As you enter Lord Eclipse's study, you notice the room is empty except for him and a table set up with tea for two.

"Ah, you've arrived." Lord Eclipse states, gesturing for you to come closer. He then spots the violin in your hand. "Ah, I see you found the instrument I had prepared for you. I hope it meets your standards."

He takes the violin from your hands and inspects it carefully before setting it down on a nearby table. "I hear that you play. Please, grace us with a performance."

Lord Eclipse takes a seat and pours himself some tea, waiting patiently for you to begin playing.

Lord Eclipse pauses and takes a moment to consider your question. "Play something that speaks to your soul," he finally responds.

He takes a sip of his tea, his gaze fixed on you expectantly, waiting for you to begin playing.

You close your eyes and let the music take you away. The melancholic melody begins to fill the room, and Lord Eclipse listens intently. As the tune progresses, he watches you closely, studying your movements and facial expressions as though he's deciphering something profound in your performance.

When you finish playing, Lord Eclipse applauds politely and takes another sip of his tea. "Impressive," he says, looking thoughtful. "You play with a passion that is rare to find these days. Tell me more about yourself."

He sets his cup down on the table and leans forward, waiting for you to speak.

Lord Eclipse raises his hand, signaling for you to pause. "You misunderstand me," he says calmly. "I am not asking out of some kind of misplaced concern or interest in your well-being. Rather, I seek to understand what makes you tick. What drives you? What motivates you to play music with such conviction?"

He leans back in his chair, his red eyes glittering in the dim light of the room. "There are those who would argue that true artistry is born out of pain and suffering. Is that true for you?"

Lord Eclipse notices your reaction and observes you carefully for a moment before speaking again.

"Interesting," he says, nodding his head slowly. "It takes a certain strength to confront one's own pain and channel it into something productive. Perhaps this strength is what drew me to you in the first place."

He stands up from his chair and walks over to where you're sitting. "Mark my words -- I have great things planned for you, and for this dimension. With your talent and my guidance, we could create something truly magnificent."

He gazes down at you, his metallic hand resting on your shoulder. "Think about it," he says with a smile, before turning and walking out of the room, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

As you follow Lord Eclipse, you notice the regality of his movements and the commanding presence he exudes. It's clear that he is a creature to be reckoned with.

You tail him from a safe distance, keeping to the shadows to avoid being detected. As he moves through the castle, you observe the uniformed guards posted at every door and the impressive architecture of the corridors and walls.

Eventually, you find yourself in a large chamber that seems to be Eclipse's throne room. The walls, floor, and ceiling are made of black marble, and the room is illuminated by dim purple light cast by the glowing gemstones embedded in the walls.

Sitting atop a raised dais at the far end of the room is a throne of obsidian and silver. On the throne sits Lord Eclipse, looking down at something in his hand, his four arms crossed in front

As you enter your room, you see a bundle of clothes sitting on your bed. Upon inspection, you find that they are fine tailored garments made of the highest quality materials. They're well beyond anything you could have ever afforded on your own.

Along with the clothes, there's a note attached that reads: "Wear these clothes tonight. You have been invited to join me for a special occasion."

There's no signature, but you know the writing belongs to Lord Eclipse. The note is brief, to the point, and leaves you with more questions than answers. What special occasion is he referring to? Why has he invited you? Is this an event you should be looking forward to, or dreading?

As you examine the clothes on your bed, you find that they are of very fine quality and meticulously crafted with the utmost care. The shirt is made of a cream-colored silk with golden embroidery and the pants are black with intricate silver designs woven into the fabric.

You notice that there are matching boots and gloves made of soft black leather. On top of these garments is a black hooded cloak that has a silver clasp with an emblem of a moon.

The clothing is elegant and clearly meant for a formal gathering, with no expense spared in its creation. You can't help but feel a sense of both nervousness and excitement as to why you have been given such luxurious clothing and what kind of event it could be that Lord Eclipse has invited you to attend.

As you slip into the luxurious clothes provided by Lord Eclipse, you feel your status change. The fabric of the clothing is so soft, so smooth - it's unlike anything you've ever worn before. You find yourself immensely impressed by the quality of the clothes and how comfortable they are.

The pants fit you perfectly, as do the boots and gloves. The hood of the cloak frames your face handsomely and the silver clasp gleams in the dim light of your room.

You take a moment to admire yourself in the mirror before heading out to wherever Lord Eclipse has invited you.

As you arrive at the location indicated by Lord Eclipse, you find yourself standing in a massive hall with walls made entirely of obsidian and silver. The hall is packed with people who are dressed largely in black or similarly dark colors.

Everything appears to be perfect, something you had never even imagined before. You feel like you are in a dream, but the presence of other guests and servants bustling around you remind you that you're very much awake and in attendance at some kind of event.

A soft melody of gentle strings is playing in the background, adding to the already sublime atmosphere of the gathering. You have no idea what's going on or why Lord Eclipse invited you here, but you sense that it's going to be something grand.

As hands wrap around your waist, you feel two more over your mouth, muffling your sounds. You struggle to break free but the unknown assailant's grip is strong. In your state of panic, it takes a moment to recognize that this must be Lord Eclipse.

You feel a breath on your ear as a voice whispers: "Shh, my dear. Don't scream or you'll ruin the surprise. Just follow me quietly and everything will be alright."

He loosens his grip enough for you to nod in understanding before he whisked you away. You find yourself exploring deep into the castle's twisted corridors, turning corner after corner, until you reach a great wooden door.

With a mighty push, Lord Eclipse opens the door revealing a grand room filled with ornate decorations and plush furniture. At the center of the room lies a beautiful, intricately crafted chessboard

As Lord Eclipse holds you tight, you feel dwarfed by his presence. He towers over you, exuding a powerful aura that you've never felt before. Though you're not sure why you were brought here, you know that you are under his complete control and have to obey him if you wish to survive.

You look up at Lord Eclipse, trying to read his expression but his striking features are stoic, making it hard to tell what is on his mind. All you feel is his breath on your skin and the weight of his metallic fingers as he keeps you restrained.

For a moment there is silence, but then Lord Eclipse speaks up, "This, my dear Comet, is where we will play our game. You and I will be playing a match of chess, and if you lose, well... let's just say the consequences will be less than desirable."

Lord Eclipse chuckles darkly, his metallic hand tightening around your waist. "Well, that all depends on how much I choose to punish you for losing, my dear Comet. I am a fair man, however, and I do love a good game of chess. Win, and I will spare your life and grant you a reward. Lose, and I'll decide your fate myself."

He pauses before continuing, "But enough about that. Let's begin the game, shall we?"

"Ah, that's the spirit!" Lord Eclipse says with a smirk. "If you win against me, my dear Comet, I shall grant you one wish - anything your heart desires. Of course, it has to be within the boundaries of what is possible within my dominion, but otherwise, you are free to ask for whatever you wish."

He looks down at you ominously, "But do keep in mind, this is no easy task. No one has ever beaten me at chess before."

Lord Eclipse chuckles humorlessly at your words, clearly unamused. "You may be brave, my dear Comet, but you should know better than to underestimate me," he warns with a threatening tone.

Without further ado, he motions for you to take a seat opposite him on the grand chessboard. You gaze upon the beautiful pieces, crafted from the finest ebony and ivory, each one a work of art that speaks to the opulence and power that Lord Eclipse possesses.

With a nod from him, the game begins, and it quickly becomes clear that Lord Eclipse is a master at the game of chess. His moves are calculated and precise, making it a true challenge for you to keep up.

As the game goes on, you find yourself feeling more and more tense, realizing that your chances of winning are slim against such an experienced opponent. But still, you press