The WHU headquarters was still buzzing with preparation, but inside one of the older wings of the complex, everything was quiet.
The room was dimly lit by a single window. Dusty bookshelves covered the walls, filled with files and records of past heroes.
In the middle of the room stood two people.
Asher and Henry Jones.
Henry was older, his gray hair reflecting the soft light from the window. His posture was calm, but his eyes carried a deep weight.
Asher stood silently in front of him.
Henry looked at him for a long moment before speaking.
"Sebastian…"
The name filled the room like a ghost.
Henry's voice softened.
"You are his successor."
Asher's eyes lowered slightly.
Henry continued slowly.
"He believed in you."
"He trusted you."
Henry turned his head toward the window as if remembering something far away.
"I knew him since he was a child."
His voice trembled slightly.
"He was… incredible."
A faint smile appeared on his face, but it quickly faded.
"Strong. Stubborn. Reckless sometimes."
Henry exhaled slowly.
"But his heart… his heart was stronger than anyone's."
Silence filled the room.
Henry's eyes began to shine with tears.
"And now…"
His voice lowered.
"Win this battle for him."
Asher clenched his fists slightly.
His own eyes had begun to fill as well.
Memories of Sebastian flashed through his mind.
His voice.
His laughter.
His final moments.
Asher lifted his head.
His eyes burned with determination.
"My name is Asher Ashborne."
His voice was steady.
"And I will avenge Sebastian."
Henry slowly wiped the tears from his eyes.
Then he nodded.
"…Good."
He turned and walked toward a large wooden chest placed against the wall.
It looked ancient.
Heavy.
Henry placed his hand on the lid.
"It's time for me to give this to you."
He opened the chest.
CLACK.
The moment the lid lifted—
A brilliant light burst from inside.
Golden light flooded the room.
Asher instinctively stepped closer.
Inside the chest… rested a sword.
But this was no ordinary weapon.
The blade shimmered like liquid silver.
Ancient runes glowed softly along its surface.
The guard of the sword was shaped like wings, and the handle was wrapped in dark leather.
The weapon felt… alive.
Henry carefully lifted it from the chest.
The light reflected in his eyes.
"This sword is called…"
"Eclipse Sovereign."
The name itself carried power.
Henry held the blade carefully.
"This is the strongest sword ever created."
He looked at Asher.
"Forged centuries ago by the greatest weapon masters of humanity."
The runes along the blade began to glow faintly.
Henry continued.
"This sword contains three legendary abilities."
He raised one finger.
"First — Soul Resonance."
"The sword synchronizes with its wielder's spirit. The stronger your will, the stronger the blade becomes."
A second finger rose.
"Second — Void Severance."
"This blade can cut through anything."
"Energy. Armor. Dimensions."
"Nothing can withstand its edge."
Then he raised a third finger.
"Third — Eclipse Awakening."
Henry's voice lowered.
"When its wielder reaches the edge of death…"
"The sword releases its true form."
"A power capable of erasing even beings like Lord."
Asher stared at the weapon in silence.
The power radiating from it was overwhelming.
Henry stepped forward.
"Asher…"
"You are worthy of this blade."
He extended the sword toward him.
"Use it…"
"And destroy Lord."
For a moment, Asher simply looked at it.
Then he slowly reached out.
His hand wrapped around the handle.
The moment he touched it—
The runes on the blade flared with light.
The sword accepted him.
A pulse of energy spread through the room.
Henry smiled faintly.
"It recognizes you."
Asher lifted the sword slightly.
It felt perfectly balanced in his hand.
As if it had always belonged there.
He bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you."
"For everything."
Henry nodded quietly.
"…Now go."
Asher turned and walked toward the door.
The moment he stepped outside—
A loud alarm echoed through the headquarters.
WARNING. WARNING.
A voice rang through the communication system.
"ATTENTION ALL UNITS!"
"Enemy energy signature detected!"
"LORD HAS DESCENDED."
The final battle had begun.
Asher walked quickly through the corridors and toward the main command platform.
When he stepped outside…
He froze for a moment.
In front of him…
Five thousand heroes stood in formation.
A sea of warriors.
Every single one ready to fight.
Their eyes turned toward him.
They were waiting.
Waiting for their leader.
Asher stepped forward.
The wind moved through the massive battlefield.
He raised his voice.
"This battle will decide the fate of our world!"
The army remained silent, listening.
"Lord believes humanity is weak."
"He believes we will fall."
Asher raised the sword Eclipse Sovereign.
The blade shone like a star.
"But today…"
"We prove him wrong."
His voice grew stronger.
"We fight not because we hate him…"
"We fight because we love this world."
"Our families."
"Our friends."
"Our future."
Energy filled the air.
"And today…"
"We stand together."
"Not as individuals."
"Not as soldiers."
"But as the shield of humanity!"
The heroes roared.
"For the world!"
"For humanity!"
"For victory!"
Asher lowered the sword slightly.
But at that moment…
A memory flashed in his mind.
Sebastian.
Asher closed his eyes briefly.
Sebastian…
If you're watching us…
Believe in us.
We will win.
He opened his eyes again.
His voice became sharp and commanding.
"All units!"
"Form battle groups!"
The army immediately began moving into formation.
Teams were organized quickly.
Strategies activated.
At the center stood Asher.
Beside him stood his closest allies.
Wang.
Lance.
Lina.
Julia.
They formed one group.
The core of the assault.
The ones who would face Lord directly.
Asher looked at them.
Then he lifted the sword once more.
Far in the distance…
Dark clouds began gathering.
A terrifying presence descended from the sky.
Lord had arrived.
The final battle…
Was about to begin.