A day had passed since then. Several footsteps echoed through the hallway as they headed toward the training ground.
"Oh man, I can't wait to start!" Rye said, moving with uncontained enthusiasm.
"It's surely an opportunity we don't wanna miss," Bart replied.
Demurc had informed them only yesterday that he would be training them for a full week and it will begin today.
"But where's the captain, though? I didn't see him anywhere," Bart asked.
"He's already at the training ground. He wanted to go there early to do his daily routine," Rye answered.
Bart and Rye's voices slowly dissolved into the background as Adam walked beside them in silence.
Inside the Warden's chamber, Demurc sat behind his desk. Across from him sat Alice.
"We've deployed multiple squads all over Zekil City, yet there's been no movement detected, nothing aside from Devils roaming the streets," Alice reported.
"I think they might be laying low for now," she added.
"It's only been a day. Keep watching for now, they won't be making any movements soon but keep them out their for surveillance, better to be safe." Demurc ordered.
"Understood."
"All right, if that is all, you may leave. Good work," Demurc said.
Alice stood and turned to leave the Warden's chamber. A few moments later, Demurc followed, headed to the training ground.
At the training ground, the Eclipse Squad waited patiently, sitting comfortably on the mats as they chatted with one another.
Karo yawned as he lay on his side, one arm propped up with his head resting on his palm.
"I shouldn't have come here so early."
"Don't you do this every day when you're off duty? You seem more tired today," Rye said.
"I woke up earlier than usual, and since I didn't want to just lie around in bed, I figured it'd be better to finish my exercises instead."
Just then, the door to the training ground slid open and Demurc stepped inside. The Eclipse Squad immediately stood at attention.
They saluted once, then lowered their hands as Demurc gave a small gesture.
"Good morning," Demurc greeted.
"Have you all warmed up already? If so, then let's start immediately," he added.
Demurc walked toward the center of the mat and came to a steady stop, his posture relaxed.
"Grab your weapons," he said calmly. "Then come at me. All at once."
He raised one hand slightly then a faint crack split the air.
A spectral orb burst into existence above his palm, its surface swirling like liquid light. From it, a single chain unfurled and snapped outward, moving like a serpent ready to strike.
The Eclipse Squad froze for a moment but grabbed their preferred weapons despite what Demurc will use.
"This isn't going to be easy for us," Karo said, letting out a low, awkward chuckle.
"Get ready. We'll try and surround him," he added.
The squad spread out, forming a loose ring around Demurc. Bart positioned himself directly in front, while the rest took the flanks, watching for any opening they could exploit.
Bart glanced at his teammates, exhaled sharply, then lowered his stance. With all his strength gathered in his legs, he launched forward.
"Ha!" he breathed out, raising his fist high before driving it down the moment he entered Demurc's reach.
Demurc flicked his wrist.
The chain snapped downward, striking the mat with a metallic thud. The force propelled Demurc backward in a smooth glide, Bart's punch tearing through empty space as Demurc slipped out of his range.
As Demurc gained distance from Bart, the rest of the squad moved to flank him.
Adam dashed toward Demurc's side, while Rye approached from the opposite.
In a flash, Demurc's chain shot toward Adam. He rolled instinctively, but the chain followed, striking him sharply in the side. The force sent him flying several meters.
'What? It doesn't hurt at all… is the Warden controlling his power?!' Adam thought, stunned.
Back at the center, Rye lunged, thrusting his practice knife at Demurc's face. With a casual lean of his head, Demurc dodged effortlessly.
He raised his arms and struck Rye's extended arm with controlled force, his elbow connecting precisely. Before Rye could recover, Demurc twisted, following up with a sharp kick.
Rye stumbled back several steps, scrambling to regain his balance.
Demurc dashed forward, closing in on Rye as if to finish him off, but Bart and Karo stepped up to intercept.
Bart charged again, his large fist aimed straight at Demurc, while Karo raised his knife, preparing to strike from behind.
Demurc lifted both arms, meeting Bart's powerful strike head on. He didn't budge an inch, his stance unshakable.
'Unbelievable… he took my punch head-on,'
The chains whipped around his back, intercepting Karo's flurry of slashes. Each strike met a metallic clang, the knife failed to land a single hit on Demurc's back.
Bart raised his fist once again, aiming at Demurc, who now seemed cornered between him and Karo.
Just as his knuckles were about to connect with Demurc's blocking arm, Demurc sidestepped with a fluid motion, letting Bart's punch sail past harmlessly.
The force carried Bart's fist forward, now heading straight for Karo, who was behind Demurc.
But Karo didn't panic. He rolled to the side with precise timing, letting Bart's punch miss by inches and dissipate harmlessly into the air.
"That was close. You would've knocked me out if I hadn't dodged," Karo said, letting out a nervous laugh.
"I apologize," Bart replied.
For a moment, they all stood still, catching their breath as the four of them slowly regrouped.
"What should we do now?" Rye asked.
"What else? Let's just go all out at once," Karo said, charging forward with all his strength.
The rest of the squad followed immediately, a wave of coordinated energy aimed at Demurc.
He smirked, letting them come.
Hours later, the Eclipse Squad lay sprawled across the mats, utterly exhausted, their breathing ragged and heavy. The training ground was silent, Demurc had already left.
"That was absurd… he's ridiculously strong," Karo muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
"He even took my punch and didn't even move an inch," Bart said, laughing loudly. "Anyone else wouldn't be able to face my fist unscathed."