The moon above Biringan hung broken, its shattered pieces suspended in a starless sky.
Grim Arclight stood at the center of a forgotten courtyard, facing a figure forged of shadow and obsidian light.
Arawdan—the Eclipse Blade.
He was unlike any trial Grim had faced before.
No overwhelming pressure, no monstrous roar—only a silence sharp enough to cut skin.
Arawdan's armor glinted with twilight, his eyes twin slits of dying stars.
The duel began without words.
Their blades met in a clash that split the earth, darkness bleeding into cracks of silver. Grim struck with all the force he could muster, but Arawdan flowed like a phantom—every attack reflected, twisted, and thrown back with twice the weight.
Rage flared inside Grim.
Memories of failure, of weakness, of fear surged in his veins.
But the more he swung in anger, the heavier his limbs became.
The blade he conjured, Silagan, trembled—resisting his grip, as if mourning him.
"Balance, not dominion," whispered a voice deep inside his mind.
"To master the Eclipse is to master yourself."
Grim staggered back, panting. His reflection shimmered in Arawdan's black sword.
He saw it then—the truth he had long refused to face.
It wasn't the darkness that chained him.
It was his fear of it.
Lowering his weapon, Grim closed his eyes.
He opened himself, not just to the light, but to the shadows too—the doubts, the anger, the pain he had buried. He did not reject them. He accepted them.
When he opened his eyes again, Silagan gleamed with a new brilliance—a twilight hue, neither dark nor light.
Arawdan halted mid-strike.
Slowly, he lowered his sword, then knelt before Grim.
A surge of energy enveloped them both, weaving a new bond.
The Eclipse Blade shattered into motes of silver and black, flowing into Silagan's form.
Grim gritted his teeth as the transformation burned along his arm, searing a new sigil near the mark of Bakunawa.
When it faded, Silagan had evolved.
It was now the Eclipse Edge—a weapon that could cut fate itself.
And Grim, at last, had passed the Fifth Trial.
Meanwhile, far beyond Biringan, on the highest peak of Mount Apo, a different story unfolded.
A team assembled by President Rizalde—Marcus, Liya, Kana, and Kyle—climbed the mist-shrouded summit.
Their mission was simple: investigate the celestial anomalies.
The climb was grueling, but nothing compared to what they found.
At the crater's heart lay a sleeping beast, vast as a mountain.
Its body shimmered with silver scales, and long feathered wings curled protectively around its form.
It wasn't hostile. It wasn't even fully there—its presence flickered, translucent, as if waiting for a signal, a bond yet to be forged.
Lunar scripts older than human memory pulsed at the edges of the crater, whispering promises in forgotten tongues.
Kyle instinctively raised his weapon.
Marcus held him back.
"No sudden moves," Kana said sharply, eyes wide. "This isn't an enemy."
"It's... waiting," Liya whispered, feeling the heartbeat of the mountain through her palms.
"Waiting for someone."
The team retreated silently, careful not to disturb the slumbering titan.
When they returned to PHU, their report left President Rizalde staring grimly into the distance.
"A Star-Beast..." he murmured. "And it stirs for Grim."
Elsewhere, deep within the ruinous sanctum of the Crimson Crescent, Xavier sat upon a throne of bone and rusted gold.
The dark blessing of Apep pulsed beneath his skin, warping his human form further with each passing day.
He gazed into a portal—thin as spider silk—showing glimpses of Biringan, of Grim's progression, of the shifting balance of the world.
Corrupted summons—half-spirits, half-nightmares—crawled at his feet, awaiting orders.
But Xavier was patient.
The blood of the False God demanded not recklessness, but precision.
"Soon," Xavier breathed, tracing a sigil in the air that crackled with black lightning.
"When the Prime Summoner stands fully awakened... then we strike."
Above the world, the sky cracked faintly.
Silver auroras bled into crimson veins across the horizon.
Portals shimmered at the edge of existence—not yet opening, but waiting, trembling.
In Biringan, Grim stood atop a broken balcony, the Eclipse Edge resting across his back.
The city of illusions and memories whispered around him, carrying fragments of the past, hints of the future.
The final trials loomed ahead.
The world itself seemed to hold its breath.
Grim turned his gaze skyward, feeling the weight of unseen eyes, the call of destinies colliding.
He tightened his grip on the Eclipse Edge, its new pulse steady against his skin.
"Not yet," he whispered, as the celestial winds stirred. "But soon."
The stars above flickered—one after another—as if bracing for the storm to come.
The deep shadows of Biringan seemed to pulse with a life of their own as Grim stood at the edge of the city, staring into the abyss. His mind echoed with fragments of his dreams, whispers of the **Sixth and Seventh Trials** that loomed on the horizon—trials of **Liwayan** and **Baylana**, two shadows of Bakunawa whose power had remained hidden even from the gods. This combined trial would not just test him. It would test him and Elyse, together.
**"It won't be easy,"** Grim muttered to himself, eyes narrowing as he stared at the swirling clouds above. **"But we have no choice."**
At his side, Elyse stood silently, the cool night air swirling around them. Her presence, as ever, was grounding. She wasn't just a companion; she was a force in her own right. And now, the weight of their bond was becoming something more.
**"Grim,"** Elyse's voice broke through his thoughts. **"We'll get through this together. You're not alone."**
Her words were a simple comfort, but they carried an undeniable weight, one that Grim hadn't fully allowed himself to feel until now. A slight warmth crept into his chest as he turned toward her. There was a soft glow in her eyes, a quiet understanding between them that was deeper than anything spoken.
Grim gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, his gaze lingering a little longer than usual. Their connection had grown through every trial, every victory, and every quiet moment they shared. He couldn't ignore it anymore. **Elyse was more than his ally. She was his equal.**
---
At Philippine Hunter University, **Dean Rizalde** stood before an ancient wooden desk, his face hard and thoughtful. The dim light from the study lamp reflected off his worn, but sharp features. He had always been one to trust action over words, but this time, words were all he had left.
Rizalde's hand hovered over a piece of parchment, his mind already made up. With a deep sigh, he dipped the quill into ink, his handwriting fluid and deliberate as he composed the letter.
---
**To Kalanis, the Old Man of the Sea,**
It's been too long since our last conversation, and I wish the circumstances were different. The trials have come to an end, and the future rests on the shoulders of Grim Arclight and his companions. But something stirs in the wind, and we need you now more than ever.
The world grows unstable. Gates are opening, not just in the Philippines, but everywhere. The threat from Xavier looms larger each day, and I fear our young hunters will not be enough without your aid. You've always avoided the spotlight, but I ask you to consider coming out of retirement for this one last time. I need the strength of **Amanikable** now more than ever.
Meet me at the old lighthouse when you receive this.
I'll be waiting.
**Dean Rizalde**
---
Rizalde sealed the letter with a sigh and tucked it into a pouch. It wasn't the first time he had written to Kalanis. Two years ago, Kalanis had retired from active duty, leaving behind a legacy as one of the **Pillars of the PHA**. His connection to **Amanikable**, the ancient god of the sea and storms, made him a force to be reckoned with. But Kalanis had long since vanished from the public eye, preferring the quiet life far from the wars and politics of the hunter world.
**"Old man Kalanis,"** Rizalde muttered under his breath with a grin, knowing well that his old friend would probably be irritated by the request, but that the bond they shared ran deep. He hoped the storms of the coming days would awaken the sea god within Kalanis once more.
---
**The Trials Begin: Liwayan and Baylana**
The next morning, Grim and Elyse found themselves at the precipice of the **Sixth and Seventh Trials**. It was no longer just about individual strength. It was about surviving together.
Their journey took them deep into the heart of Biringan, where the trials would unfold. The air was thick with the stench of ancient magic as they stepped across the boundary, entering a realm that seemed to exist outside time. It was a place where the earth pulsed with energy, and the sky shimmered with the faint outline of **Liwayan**, the Ocean's Lament.
Suddenly, a massive shadow broke through the clouds—**Liwayan's leviathan form**, a colossal serpent-like creature whose sorrowful eyes glowed with the moon's pale light. The ground quaked beneath them, and the very atmosphere seemed to shift with grief.
**"The trial begins,"** Grim murmured, preparing himself, but Elyse grabbed his arm, stopping him.
**"Grim,"** she said softly, her voice filled with both concern and strength. **"We can do this. But we need to focus. Together."**
The ground cracked open beneath them, and the **trial of Baylana**, the Dreammother, began.
From the rift, a **swarm of illusions** flooded their senses—visions of their worst fears, memories of regret, and the faces of loved ones twisted in agony. They had to fight through this—**their bond was the key**.
The challenge was overwhelming. Every step felt as if their very souls were being pulled into an abyss of despair, but Elyse never let go of Grim's hand. Together, they shattered the illusions, facing down the **Beast of Nightmares** Baylana had summoned.
The battle was long and brutal. They were pushed to their limits, sweat and blood mixing as they clashed with the summoned horrors, but through their unity, the trials slowly unraveled. The final blow came when Grim, combining his newfound shadow powers with Elyse's **gravity manipulation**, shattered the core of the Beast.
They stood there, panting, the air still thick with the energy of the trials. And yet, as they looked into each other's eyes, there was something more.
Grim reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Elyse's face. There was no need for words. They had fought side by side, and they had won. Together.
**"We did it,"** Grim whispered, his voice rough, but a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Elyse smiled back, her gaze steady. **"We always will,"** she replied, her hand still in his.
Far above them, the winds began to shift, dark clouds swirling ominously. The air crackled with an ancient energy, heralding the rise of something far older and far more powerful than anything Grim had ever known. As the trials concluded, the **Seven Seals** were lifted, and the power of **Bakunawa** surged through Grim's veins.
By completing the **Sixth and Seventh Trials**, Grim unlocked the **true potential of Bakunawa's essence**, transforming him into something far beyond mortal limits. His body pulsed with the force of the celestial dragon. He could feel **the weight of the moon**, the power of the oceans, the force of the tides and the crushing power of the heavens themselves. **Bakunawa's power flowed through him like a divine current**, reshaping his very being. With each breath, Grim felt closer to the celestial entity itself, as if he were a **demi-god**, carrying the weight of an ancient god's power within him.
No longer just a summoner, Grim was becoming a vessel, a **living conduit** for Bakunawa's might. He could sense the **Lunar Servants** moving within him—Silagan whispering, Talaaya's riddles clouding his thoughts, Liwayan's sorrowful tide rising inside his chest. **Grim's powers had expanded beyond mere summons**. He could control the ebb and flow of the oceans, feel the tremors of the earth beneath his feet, and call upon the celestial flame when he needed it most.
But even as the power surged within him, something else stirred in the depths.
---
Grim stood at the heart of the trials, feeling the pulse of Bakunawa awaken. The very **earth beneath him shook**, as if something ancient and monstrous had been stirred from a long, dreamless slumber. With the lifting of the seals, the world around him grew heavy with an oppressive force.
In that moment, he did the only thing he could—**he summoned Bakunawa**.
The sky darkened, and the **air became thick with a cold, celestial wind**. The earth itself groaned as the immense form of **Bakunawa** materialized before Grim, its massive, serpent-like body coiling across the sky, the moon's pale light glinting off its scales. The mere sight of Bakunawa was enough to make the world feel small, insignificant—like a single star lost in an endless night.
As the **Maw** stirred in the distance, its vast, infinite gaze locking onto Bakunawa, **a strange, tense silence fell**.
For a brief, haunting moment, the **Maw**, an ancient force that existed outside time, seemed to recognize its celestial counterpart. The two powers, equal and opposite, stared at one another across the fabric of reality.
But then, there was no movement. **No battle. No clash.**
The atmosphere hung heavy in the air, an uneasy silence wrapping itself around them. It was as though time itself had frozen, waiting for the inevitable shift.
Bakunawa's gaze met Grim's, a strange understanding passing between them. The **immense, divine force** inside him surged again, a reminder of the new power he now wielded, but the **Maw** simply watched, as if contemplating something far beyond their understanding.
For now, nothing happened. But the world could feel the shift.
Grim's heart hammered in his chest as he took in the silent moment—something was coming. **The storm was not just in the skies**, but in the very fabric of the world itself. The awakening of Bakunawa had begun, and with it, the **balance of the heavens was changing**.