The cavern didn't stay silent for long.
It never did.
The broken Core fragments began to dissolve into darkness.
Not fading.
Being erased.
Kael noticed first.
"…Something is arriving."
Riven groaned.
"…Of course it is. Can we ever just win and leave?"
A slow sound echoed through the cavern.
Clap.
…Clap.
…Clap.
Not random.
Not applause.
Controlled.
Measured.
From the darkness ahead—
a figure walked forward.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Like the entire space belonged to him.
Black armor.
Eclipse insignia layered across his chest like authority itself.
His presence didn't just fill the room—
it dominated it.
He stopped.
Looked at them.
And smiled faintly.
"…So this is Kael."
His eyes shifted slightly.
"…And this is the loud one."
Riven blinked.
"…I already don't like your face."
The man smirked.
"…Expected. People like you always react emotionally before thinking."
He took one step forward.
The air itself tightened.
Kael didn't move.
But his voice dropped.
"…Identify yourself."
The man tilted his head slightly.
"…Commander Veyron of Eclipse Execution Division."
A pause.
"…Sent to correct what the Core failed to eliminate."
Riven muttered.
"…Oh great. Management showed up."
Veyron's gaze shifted to him instantly.
Cold.
Sharp.
"…You are Riven."
Riven crossed his arms.
"…Unfortunately, yes."
Veyron stepped closer.
Just slightly.
Enough to pressure the air.
"…You talk too much for someone with no significance."
Riven blinked.
Then smiled.
Not friendly.
"…And you talk too much for someone I didn't ask to exist."
A silence hit.
Heavy.
Kael glanced slightly at Riven.
"…Don't provoke him."
Riven whispered back.
"…I wasn't planning to. He started it."
Veyron exhaled slowly.
Almost amused.
"…Kael," he said.
"…You really chose this kind of companion after leaving Eclipse?"
Kael didn't answer.
Veyron's gaze sharpened.
"…How disappointing."
Then—
he looked at Riven again.
"…Tell me, boy."
"…Do you understand what you're standing in front of?"
Riven shrugged.
"…A guy with armor and insecurity issues?"
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
"…Riven."
But Veyron laughed.
Low.
Cold.
"…No."
He stepped forward again.
"…You are standing in front of the authority that decides who is allowed to exist."
The air cracked slightly.
Pressure rising.
Riven's smile faded a bit.
"…Okay… that one was slightly dramatic."
Veyron tilted his head.
"…And yet you still speak."
"…Interesting."
His gaze sharpened.
"…Kael. This one will die first if you continue protecting him."
Riven immediately pointed.
"…Hey! That's rude even for villain standards."
Kael finally moved.
One step forward.
"…Touch him, and you lose your hand."
Silence.
Veyron stared at Kael.
Then smiled wider.
"…There it is."
"…That old Eclipse instinct."
He raised one hand slightly.
Dark energy gathered around his palm.
"…Let's see if you still deserve the name Eclipse."
Riven exhaled.
"…Okay. I'm officially involved now, right?"
Kael didn't look back.
"…Yes."
Riven cracked his knuckles.
"…Finally."
Veyron's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Then show me."
The cavern exploded into pressure.
Not sound.
Not light.
Authority versus deviation.
Eclipse Commander versus broken legacy.
And Riven—
for the first time—
stopped joking completely.
"…Alright," he said quietly.
"…Now I'm annoyed."