While walking through the castle corridors toward the Round Table—a chamber where all the knights gathered for discussions and meetings—Eclipse slowed his pace and initiated a conversation with Althea.

"General Althea... Did you know that if you cross the Ocean of Storms to the west, you’ll reach another continent?" Eclipse said with a small smile.

Althea's eyes widened in shock, her gaze snapping to General Eclipse’s masked face. "Another continent beyond the Ocean of Storms?" she repeated, disbelief and intrigue in her voice. "I’ve never heard such rumors before. Are you certain?"

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "If this is true, it could change everything—trade, politics, even warfare. The implications are massive."

Her mind raced with possibilities, already considering the strategic advantages. "Tell me, General—what proof do you have? How did you discover this?"

"Fufu... Don’t overthink it," Eclipse said with a knowing smile. "As you know, crossing the Ocean of Storms is impossible. Everyone believes our land is the entire world, but it isn’t. While searching through my family’s grand library, I found ancient history books preserved for thousands of years. They revealed that this world has 3,000 continents, separated by vast, impassable oceans.

"For us, it’s the Ocean of Storms. Others face an ocean filled with gigantic monsters. Some have an ocean with a crater so massive it stretches to the horizon. No matter the form, these oceans exist to prevent travel between continents. Normal means simply won’t work."

Althea’s jaw dropped as General Eclipse unveiled the truth. Her mind struggled to grasp the sheer magnitude of it all—an entire world far larger than she had ever imagined. The very foundation of their understanding had just crumbled.

"Three thousand... continents," she murmured, her voice barely louder than the thundering of her heartbeat. "Each with its own unique challenges. The sheer scale of it is... beyond comprehension."

She turned to the horizon, squinting against the moon's glare. In her mind, she pictured the uncharted vastness of the Ocean of Storms, an impenetrable barrier that had cut them off from the rest of the world for generations.

"But why hide this knowledge?" she asked, her voice tinged with a deep sense of betrayal.

"It would only cause confusion and fear," Eclipse said. "Besides, the books also mention the 'Abyssline'—that dark line stretching into the sky on the distant horizon. Beyond it lie the other 1,500 continents. This is just a theory, but those lands may be far more than we can handle." He smiled knowingly.

Eclipse then turned to Althea. "Do you remember how I disappeared for a month three years ago, when I was still 14?"

Althea’s brow furrowed as old memories surfaced—memories of Eclipse’s sudden and unexplained absence.

"Yes, I remember. You vanished without a trace, your household said you were in some secret expedition or investigation. When you returned, you were... different. More reserved. More focused. And somehow more powerful." Her eyes narrowed as she pieced together the fragments of a shocking realization. "You went beyond the Abyssline, didn’t you? You explored one of those fabled continents during that month."

Awe and unease swelled within her. The thought of what Eclipse had seen—what she had experienced—felt almost too vast to comprehend. "What can you tell me about those lands?" she asked, her voice laced with both curiosity and apprehension. "Were they as terrifying as the legends say? Did you uncover anything of significance?"

Eclipse giggled before shaking her head. "No, silly. I didn’t go beyond the Abyssline." She smirked. "You see, the book I found also contained a strange crystal. Somehow, it transported me to the western continent beyond the Ocean of Storms. That’s where I found my weapon—'Celestial Radiance.'

"I’ve shown it before during training, haven’t I? It’s called a 'Spirit Weapon.' It exists within me and manifests at my command." Eclipse smiled, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and nostalgia.

Althea listened in awe, her mind racing with questions and disbelief. Spirit weapons, traversing vast oceans, uncovering ancient secrets—Eclipse’s words painted a vivid picture of a world far beyond what they had ever known.

"Celestial Radiance..." Althea repeated in hushed reverence. "I remember now—during that training session, I couldn’t tell where the glow was coming from. It just seemed to respond to your every move. No wonder your skill and agility are unmatched." She gazed at Eclipse with newfound respect, fully recognizing the extraordinary nature of her abilities and experiences. "Your story is nothing short of incredible, General. To wield such a powerful artifact and to have journeyed to a land that most wouldn’t even dare dream of..." Her voice trailed off as the sheer possibilities of such knowledge settled in. The world they knew was only a fraction of something much greater. "Tell me, General, how does this Spirit Weapon work within you?" Althea finally asked.

Eclipse’s expression softened. "Well, it complements my abilities—specifically, my Lunar Eye’s power. Celestial Radiance harnesses the energy of the moon itself. It governs the elements of Gravity and Ice... Also..." She hesitated, wondering if she should tell Althea about the three mysterious people she met in the western continent.

As General Eclipse paused, seemingly debating whether to reveal more, a flicker of intrigue passed between them. The unspoken promise of forbidden knowledge hung heavy in the air, teasing the fragile boundaries of trust between the two high-ranking officials.

"I sense there’s more you wish to share," Althea murmured softly, her eyes searching beyond Eclipse’s guarded expression. "In confidence, tell me—what else did you uncover on the western continent?"

A delicate tension built between them as Eclipse weighed the pros and cons of revealing further secrets. Althea waited with bated breath, her patience evident in her composed demeanor, ready to listen and support her friend as she unraveled more of their world’s hidden truths.

After a moment of silence, Eclipse finally spoke, her voice steady and serious. "Althea, tell me—have you ever met anyone who could match me in swordsmanship? Or even best me in it?"

She let the question linger before continuing. "In my opinion, not even the Flame Emperor himself could stand against me after I obtained Celestial Radiance..."

Althea knew Eclipse was unmatched. She was not only the strongest warrior but also the most renowned, a descendant of the Moon Goddess. With her Spirit Weapon in hand, she had become unstoppable—one of the greatest forces that ensured no enemy dared to invade the kingdom of Aetherlight.