The story begins with the sound of a message notification.

  Msg from Abir:

  "Bro, the results are out…I got A+ ??What about you? ??"

  But there is no reply from the other side.The boy simply looks at the message.Then he searches for something on his phone.This is the first time we see him.His face shows no emotion.Silence surrounds him.A light breeze begins to blow.It is midday.The sun stands directly above his head.At this time of day, the bridge is usually almost empty.Even though there are two markets on both sides of it, an unusual silence always settles here during this hour.The few vehicles passing by seem to slow down for a moment.And then—The boy jumps off the bridge.As he falls toward the river below,

  we finally learn his name.

  Roni.

  Roni's Thoughts"They say before death…people remember the most beautiful moments of their lives."

  "But…"

  "I don't want to die right now."

  Suddenly—His memories glitch.

  A blurry scene.

  The shadow of a girl.Then suddenly—Her body shatters like dust.And in the background—Screams."Roni… Roni… please save me…""This pain is unbearable…""It feels like every nerve in my body is exploding…"

  "Helpppp meeeee!"

  Roni closes his eyes.And the next moment—His body crashes against the pillar beneath the bridge.

  Roni's Last Thought

  "This guilt…it never let me live peacefully."

  "And now this bastard…"

  "won’t even let me die in peace."

  "…How pathetic."

  Nearby, his phone floats on the river water.The screen still shows—SSC ResultGolden A+

  Fishermen near the river start shouting and running toward him.But the current is strong.It takes them time to reach the spot.

  Within moments,

  the bridge fills with people.Shouts.Chaos.Panic everywhere.

  And then—Our perspective suddenly changes.We begin seeing everything through someone else's eyes.

  Unnatural Entity :

  "Hmm…""Looks like I arrived a little late.""Well…"" something is better than nothing.""Good thing he’s not dead yet.""Some fractures… but those can be repaired."

  The strange entity flies down from the sky—And enters directly into Roni’s body.

  We never see the entity.We only see through its eyes.

  Inside Roni's Body

  Within the darkness, the entity begins merging with Roni’s body and mind.But after a moment—It becomes surprised.

  Roni’s Roots Energy. (Note : its a main source of power of this unknown entity)

  Abnormal.

  Vast.

  Limitless.

  OutsideSuddenly—The sky turns dark.A violent wind begins to blow.Lightning flashes across the sky.Then heavy rain begins to pour.People quickly leave the bridge.

  Within minutes—The bridge becomes empty again.

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  But below—Roni’s body slowly begins to heal.

  And then—Lightning flashes across the sky.

  And in that brief light—Several figures appear on the bridge.

  They seem to have appeared out of nowhere.Some stand on light poles.Some on railings.Some float in midair.

  They are—Arkenians.

  Team ARKEN.

  Their PositionsStanding at the center of the bridge is Usman. From Pakistan.Serious expression.Light trimmed beard.Both arms crossed over his chest.A Naginata rests on his back.Below him, sitting on a pole in a ninja-like stance, is Hibiki.From Japan.Holding dual guns.Watching everything silently.Floating in midair beside them is a dark-skinned young man.Flames burn beneath his feet.Fire flows from his hands.His name is—Arcias.On another pole hangs Eris.Her scarf flutters wildly in the wind.Excitement shines in her eyes.Sitting on the bridge railing is Faria.Her long black hair flows in the wind.A foldable staff rests in her hand.Floating casually nearby is Hemal.He calmly drinks juice from a can.Wind swirls around him.And at the far end of the bridge—Standing on the railing—A massive figure.Body like carved stone.Sharp upright hair.He is—Robin.Silent.Watching.ConversationEris grins:“What do you think…”“Will he be able to claim that guy?”Arcias smirks:“Who cares.”“He’s the weakest among us.”“His spare breaks first in every fight.”Hemal sighs :“That doesn't really suit you.”“Your spare lasts just as long.”Roots Energy begins spreading everywhere..Hemal pulls a whip from his waist.“Looks like this candle needs to be blown out.”Arcias laughs :“Someone who can’t control his own energy…”“wants to extinguish my flame?”Did you forget your place, Hemal?”In an instant—Both of them shoot into the sky and grab each other's collars.Fire and wind explode violently.Fire.Wind.Power

  Robin watches :“Hmm.”“Noise.”

  Hibiki (to Usman)“Boss…”“The show is about to start.”Usman :“Faria.”“How much time?”Faria :“Looks like…”“Three to four minutes.”Eris :“Will he make it here before the show ends?”Before she can finish—A blade flies through the air.Hemal catches it with his whip.Then spins it and throws it toward arcias.But the blade actually pierces the Shadow Beast behind him.HemalLaughs. :“How was that, Mr. True Talent?”Arcias gets angry.Flames erupt from his hands.Arcias raised his hand.

  Flames gathered in his palm.

  “INFINITE FLAAAAAME!”

  A pillar of fire erupted into the sky.

  The surrounding Shadow Beasts screamed as their bodies began to melt into ash.

  Faria :“Looks like we won’t even need to do anything.”Hemal & arcias :“Boss…”“Looks like this show is about to get bigger.”Suddenly—A Shadow Beast jumps from behind toward Usman.But in a single motion—Usman slices it in half with his Naginata.Usman :“Guys…”“Let’s hunt.”Everyone turns around.And sees—A massive army of Shadow Beasts.Hibiki raises his guns.Faria prepares her staff.Eris spreads her threads.In an instant—Her threads spread like a spider web.And slice through the Shadow Beasts.Eris :“Didn’t think it would be this easy.”“Sorry boys…”“Better luck next time.”

  But suddenly—A strange shadow wraps around Usman.Hibiki shouts.“Boss!”Too late.The shadow drags him into the river.Then—She appears.The Shadow Beast Leader.A girl.Smiling strangely. Leader :“Ara ara…”“Will such a short movie even earn its ticket price?”

  No one responds.More Shadow Beasts appear.Leader :“My jokes were never good…”“I won’t try again next time.”Suddenly—Arcias attacks her.But she easily grabs him and pins him to the railing.Leader :“Did the candle burn out already?”“Ha ha…”“Who will be next?”Hemal :“ROARRRR!”“You touched the wrong candle!”“Only I get to extinguish it!”He wraps her with his whip.Arcias stands again and attacks—But suddenly—She becomes transparent.The attack hits—Hemal.Blood spills from his mouth.Hemal :“You…”“are actually very strong…”He collapses.Arcias screams.But the Leader cuts off his arm.Hibiki :“We’re in serious trouble…”“Boss is gone…”“Three are knocked…”“Eris is exhausted…”“Faria isn’t strong in direct combat…”“What do I do now…”

  Robin was buried under a mountain of Shadow Beasts.

  The Leader laughs.Creating multiple copies of herself.Leader :“I…”“am everywhere…”“How will you kill someone…”“who doesn’t even have a body?”One of them suddenly appears in front of Erisand in a single hit she knocked her.After that she moved for hibiki & faria

  But—An immense aura spreads everywhere.Low-grade beasts turn into smoke.Everyone freezes.Hibiki whispers :“Boss…?”But it wasn't Usman.Lightning flashes.The Leader’s head separates from her body.Roni AppearsRoni sits on a bridge pole.In one hand—Her head.In the other—Her heart.Roni speaks calmly:“Everyone here was real.”“But only your heart was functioning.”“It was easy to figure out.”“And stealing women’s hearts…”“is an old habit of mine.”In the next momentHe crushes the heart in his hand.The Leader screams.

  All Shadow Beasts turn to dust.The ObserverFar away—On the rooftop of a tall building—Someone watches everything.Hidden in darkness.The mysterious figure sighs :“How pathetic…”“Kids like this…”“And they call themselves Arkenians. That girl and team and team arkan both are bullshits,, total wast”

  Everyone slowly regains consciousness.Faria begins healing arcias.Hibiki :“Why isn’t Boss waking up yet?”Hemal :“Boss actually…”In the river water—Usman floats calmly.Hibiki :“BOOOOOSSSSS!”Faria (to Roni)“Thank you.”“And congratulations on your new spare, Ray.”Roni looks at her.Cold eyes.Roni :“Who’s Ray?”“I’m not one of you.”Suddenly—He attacks Faria.But Usman appears and stops him.Usman :“Looks like…”“he’s gotten himself into serious trouble.”Roni looks at arcias.Roni :“Hey… extinguished candle.”“I challenge you to a death duel.”Silence.Everyone freezes.

  The observer suddenly leans forward:“…Wait.”“That wasn't in the script.”The figure watches carefully.“Looks like…”“something interesting is about to happen.”Hibiki :“Sh*t…”“Looks like Ray got lost in the maze.”Arcias slowly stands up.Flames burning in his eyes.

  Final SceneRain fallsharder.Lightning cracks across the sky.On the bridge—Roni and Arcias stand face to face.Killing intent fills the air.And somewhere in the darkness—Someone keeps watching.Silently.Unknown.Unseen.The battle…was never supposed to happen.Roni vs ArciasLightning.Rain.Silence.Chapter 1 End

  Author Note:

  Thank you for reading Chapter 1 of Eclipse of Roots!

  This is the beginning of a much larger story filled with mysteries, hidden wars, and powerful characters.

  If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving a rating, comment, or follow the story. It really helps!

  Chapter 2 coming soon.