[** Back to Eclipse – the present **]

Eclipse squirmed, but it was no use. The soldier held him tightly. They entered a big space. It must have been the core of the Colony and there he was. Eclipse felt shivers running down his spine. Black Doom was scaring him. He never saw him up-close before and he sure wasn't dying with desire to change that.

"Lord Black Doom," called him the Darkling while he knelt and bowed. His sis did the same but remained silent. "I and my sister have successfully caught the runaway herm. My sister provided---"

"Silence!" he was abruptly cut. "Spare me the talk!"

All of them shivered and his Darklings shrunk even more once he stepped between them as he approached Eclipse. He caught his cheeks, digging sharp fingers into them. "So it's you..."

Eclipse would normally has a spicy answer, but this time he remained quiet. He was afraid what this monster may do.

"How did you elude me? How did you hide your herm transformation? Answer me!"

Eclipse only clenched his teeth. Doom's third eye looked at his stomach and prisoner's face turned pale. Black Doom let him go and he dug his claws into Eclipse's stomach. "Have you been fertilized?"

The thief yelped in a pain, fighting even more. The dark lord let him go, leaving thin streams of blood behind. He thankfully only pierced the skin. It felt he will fly into a range, but strangely he remained calm. "That's good," he gestured with the finger and the soldier lowered Eclipse to the ground, but he still held him.

"You!" he pointed at the male Darkling.

"Yes, my lord?" his voice was shivering.

"Drag that filthy fetus out and kill it!" he turned, walking away few steps before turning back. He waited for his order to be fulfilled.

"No!" shouted Eclipse. "I'll do anything! Just spare the child!" he was crying.

"Silence!! It shall ease my job to put you to absolute obedience, saving me the time to kill our first child."

Eclipse's eyes shrunk... Did he just say he kills herm's firstborn child to break them?! The small body was filled with a rage, hatred and a fear.

"Blurk..." whispered his sis and he slowly stood up.

His arm was covered by the thick blue skin. Blurk felt his lord's gaze on his back. He felt terrible. His stomach was swirling and he thought he may start puking any minute. He stared at the slightly swollen stomach, hardly hearing Eclipse's pleas. He lifted his fist, ready to cause miscarriage. His body was shivering.

"What?" barked the dark lord when he saw his soldier was cut into pieces by black tentacles. One hit Blurk, but he protected his face with the armored arm, but it still left a mark. From the shadow emerged Crystallian.

"Run!" he shouted and an ax appeared in his hand and he widely slashed it, releasing his energy in a form of purple wind blades. Black Doom was hit by them and pushed back. From the affected spots was coming a smoke, but he wasn't seriously injured. The three-eyed creature smirked, flying farther to the core.

Eclipse got on his elbows and before he could call Mephiles' name, he was gone. He could feel his rage. He slowly stood up. 'I have to help him!' His hand was grabbed by Blurk's sister, who was dragging him away from the huge room. The thief was surprised by her strength and her body was shivering. She was scared.

"Rhygenta, what are you doing?!" shouted her brother, following them.

Eclipse slowed down, making Rhygenta stop as well. Blurk halted his steps in front of them, confused by his reaction. Wasn't he on the run? So why stopping?

"Brother!" her eyes were full of tears. "I want to leave! I hate this place!"

"What?! This is... our home!" He might say that, but he agreed.

"This one..." she pressed his arm even more.

"Eclipse," he quickly added.

"Eclipse here... he has found a home outside! Let's go there!"

"B-But!"

"You both can come!" ensured him Eclipse. "My family will accept you! Don't worry! I'll teach you everything I know!" From behind approached them a soldier.

"Stop!" shouted Blurk and the soldier stopped. He looked at Eclipse. "You mean it?" He was clenching his fists.

The thief nodded. "Yes! Absolutely! Living there may not be easy, but it's still a wonderful place."

"Alright," he gave in. "I'll show you a way out."

"Sis! Bro!" shouted familiar voice and from the air and Cregal with Cyzer holding his leg landed. Cyzer quickly dragged Blurk behind them. He prepared his electricity shooting arms.

"Let her go!" growled Cregal, giving him the feeling he is the oldest among them.

"Big bro, I want to leave this place!" shouted Rhygenta back.

It surprised him. "What are you talking about?"

"Let's go together!"

He shook his head. "No, our best chance is here! We can't survive outside!" He reached for her, but she only hid behind Eclipse. He growled at him.