Eclipse

by Ballad-Eternal

In 9030 BCE, a Goa'uld is born without arrogance—but not without ambition. As Nabu rises through cunning, empathy, and dangerous vision, he dares to challenge the gods themselves. A slow-burn political epic of power, loss, and the cost of becoming more than divine. Based loosely on Empress in the Shadows.

14. Chapter 14: Lunar Eclipse

Welcome back everyone! Looks like I'm back in the groove, not sure for how long though as I'm being forced to think a lot more about how these chapters are going to go as the story progresses and deepens. Before we get into the story I would like to lay out a few things.

First is a special thanks to all of you who comment on the chapters!

samy. mhenni .junio: My first ever, commentor

Hi-Fionn: A long time fan, always catching my mistakes when I post a chapter of gibberish

Maverick123214685: A frequent commentor whose words got me through many a rough period of writers block and gave me the strength to continue

AdventWolf: Your longer comments gave me much to think about and your thoughts on the story have helped steer the ship towards something greater as it forced me to think more about what I was writing in terms of overall impact in universe and how Nabu's actions affect how others interact with him

And last but not least, our newest frequent commentor qelah22: I've been busy with work and distracted but I peak around the fic when I get a chance and seeing that comment of yours on chapter 12 was what kicked off this whole arc. Thank you.

Thank you all of your for your kind words, for the criticism and for your honest opinions. Nothing brings me more joy than to see people interact with the story in a meaningful way that forces me to think more. Part of why I write is to draw out emotion in others. I wish to hear your thoughts and your opinions; good and bad. Whether you're a casual reader, picking up Eclipse for the first time or if you've been here from the start and eagerly await each installment. I value all of you above all else. I will never be able to articulate just how grateful I am to have an audience such as you. From the bottom of my heart and from the cast of Eclipse; Thank You.

Trigger Warnings for Chapter 14: Graphic Depictions of Torture and Violence, Mentions of Suicidal Ideation, Suggested Suicide, Psychological Manipulation and Emotional Degradation, Themes of Identity Loss.

Reader Discretion is Advised.

Now with all of you wondering just what this chapter may hold, let's get started with Chapter 14 if you are ready for it. Today we watch a Lunar Eclipse.

Chapter 14

Timeskip - 8990 B.C.E.

Why wasn't it working?

After all of my carefully laid plans…why was I still sitting with less than a third of the worlds I had deemed my own?

My eyes scoured the holographic display which detailed my crushing losses in all too clear a fashion.

Of the 13 worlds I had set out to annex so that Marduk might leave me be, I only had 3 to my name. Meaningless worlds, won through sheer force, but not without loss.

5 advanced Ha'tak along with 4 repaired regular Ha'tak were at my beck and call at the start of my campaign with dozens of Al'kesh, but now? Now I held 5 total Ha'tak and hardly enough Al'kesh for a squadron. I had lost track of the true amount between the constant rotation of repairs but there were at least 8 currently available.

Barely the fleet of an Underlord, let alone the fleet of the Lieutenant of a System Lord.

I could feel the scathing remarks of an unimpressed Marduk practically itching to tear into me for my blatant failure at a task most basic.

'Let's consolidate my Lord…'

There it was again, the voice, faint but still present. Abdul, still trying to turn me off my path to glory. I shook my head.

'No, there is no turning back now. I've come too far to go back now. There will be no weakness among my people or myself. I will not allow it.'

I could feel Abdul return to the recesses of our mind but there was a subtle warmth that surrounded me. His faith.

It had taken all these years to hear his voice. Years after the death of Hamza, years after Qift fell in line. A sigh of nostalgia left my lips as I realized just how lonely one could be…even when surrounded by people.

I have not regretted a single decision I have made as regret has no place in the heart of a God, however, the death of Hamza was a tragedy that I hoped never had to be repeated. The silence that followed, I doubt even the Supreme System Lord could compare.

'Very well my Lord…'

Dropping the subject, I turned towards the display once more. The last of the worlds that were within the hyperspace range of my fleet while also remaining close to the borders of my small piece of the galaxy. My final chance at redemption. I would not fail again. Not this time.

Twisting on my heel, I began my journey through the various halls of the station I had taken residence in for the duration of this campaign.

It housed the best and brightest from among my people and the only reason that we had taken the worlds we had. The systems closest to us were easy to absorb into our ranks however the further away we ventured from our borders, the harder it became to salvage our wounded ships. The longer it took to rescue the wounded. The longer we had to wait for reinforcements.

All of it only served to irritate me more. Like the claws of inevitability beneath my skin. But how could that be? It seemed planned out, not that I had time to dwell on such things, however, it all seems impossibly manufactured and that thought carried a weight I simply could not ignore.

"Lishtir-" My First Prime was by my side in a moment. Kneeling before his Lord. "Prepare my flagship. I will attend this final campaign personally."

There was a moment—a fraction of a second—where I could see his hesitation. He hid it well, but I had learned to read the shifts in his posture, the tension behind his salute. It made me begin to wonder whether I was following the right path.

"We are happy you wish to join us at last. We are honored, Sire." With a final bow, he turned and strode down the corridor, his steps steady, but I could not unsee that moment of doubt.

I let out a slow breath, closing my eyes. Then forced the smile onto my lips.

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

And at the end of this battle, I would be the victor…

…or I would die trying.

From the pel'tak of my flagship the system seemed ill defended for a former territory of Osiris. Busiris. What was once the former capital of Osiris' grand empire and the pillar of his power.

Nothing about this felt right.

Not the 5 Ha'tak that sat in the gravity well of the planet.

Not the lack of communications.

Nothing.

These minimal forces weren't the defence of a capital world. This wasn't a battlefield—it was a slaughterhouse.

I had to shake my head—those thoughts would only serve to shift my focus to frivolous matters. For now, I needed to focus on the path ahead of me—not the doubts that would cloud my judgement. There was no room for hesitation on the battlefield.

"My Lord, we detect they are powering their weapons." The several Jaffa that lined the bridge of my flagship already knew their orders. Today we would be using the strategy that took down Min.

With our minimal forces we stood an even chance of success. If I played my cards right we would win and with this victory all of the loss. All of the sacrifice…

…it might just have been worth it.

2 Ha'tak took to the right with the other 2 to the left. My flagship pushed ever forward while the weapons powered up and we approached effective range.

Sensors flared to life with subtle defiance as the attack began. Only moments in and the defence was down a Ha'tak. It was almost too easy.

We were making good time.

Another Ha'tak. Minimal losses. Our forces were finally on the cusp of victory. What a fool I had been.

The trap was set and we barely recognized it.

It only took a few seconds for us to go from inevitable victory to absolute catastrophe. It began with our left flank being taken by surprise as several Ha'tak exited hyperspace with weapons already hammering into us. Half my fleet—gone. Reduced to burning slag in Busiris' upper atmosphere, all in the span of seconds.

With focused fire the right flank was removed from the board in a strategic sweep that only had one source.

"They have a God leading them!"

My mind flashed, Lishtir had been in command of one of those ships. The scanners showed escape pods… but no confirmation. I couldn't even guarantee he was alive. That uncertainty—that helplessness—made my blood boil.

I slammed my hand into the console under my arms—shattering it. Sparks flew. Jaffa flinched. Then. The true attack came.

Blasts of plasma pelted our shields with force I hadn't known since I witnessed my fleet in action against an enemy of Marduks.

"Shields at 80%" A Jaffa called out the status in a panic as I pondered my choices. His voice reflected my own racing mind.

Should I make the call? Should we flee?

No, look at how far we've come!

"75%"
Damnit, why did it have to be here?! Right when I was about to achieve victory!

Sirens blared. Jaffa barked orders. The Ha'tak—my flagship—shook with each impact.

And yet. I couldn't bring myself to do anything. Did any of it even matter? Was this all a test?

"65%"

'You should flee my Lord.' Abdul…

'Even now, even after all I've done. You still care…' I could feel the warmth of his consciousness slowly embrace me. 'Why?'

That simple question. If I were to die today, I had to know the answer.

"55%"

'Of course I do my Lord…no, I would never deny you humanity Nabu.'

I was stunned into momentary silence.

'You said my name-' I felt him mentally silence me, my inner face contorting in shocked indignation.

'You are more human than you allow yourself the credit of being. You care but don't want to. Your love for your people supersedes your desire to conform. You make mistakes. You feel regret. Now tell me Nabu, what part of that isn't human?'

I couldn't respond with a single coherent thought. When I thought about it, maybe Abdul had rubbed off on me more than I would have liked to admit.

'Perhaps you are right.'

'I know I am.'

'Then how shall we proceed?'

"35%"

'Save your people lord. It is as you told me once before. "Do what must be done."'

I could only smirk outwardly as I finally realized what he was saying.

'You're okay with this?' I could feel his gentle smile.

'I wouldn't have it any other way.'

"25%! Systems critical, my Lord!"

I rose from the command console as all eyes shifted to me.

"All of you redirect power to shields and the hyperdrive! Go now. I'll distract them while you make your escape!"

As I looked upon the eyes of my Jaffa, my loyal subjects and battle hardened allies. As I gazed into each of their eyes, what I saw brought me more joy and admiration than I wanted to admit.

No hint of confusion or regret. Simply tempered respect and acknowledgement. All of them understood what I was doing and not a single objection was raised. Good.

"Now, go!" The Jaffa immediately shifted focus to accomplish their mission. Now it was time to accomplish mine.

Swiftly activating the ring teleporter, I was transported to the hanger through the beam of light. Scanning the various craft around me, my gaze landed on a marked death glider. My death glider.

The sleek design of the craft was more focused, the staff-cannons twice as powerful. The hull thicker and instead of an additional pilot spot, it contained a secondary generator which powered a rudimentary shield. Still in testing but what better time than now for a field test.

'Still thinking like a scientist at a time like this?' I glowered.

'I am just calling it as it is, Sire.' For some reason the banter only made me feel more alive as I boarded the craft and activated the launch sequence. Able to feel the ship's hyperdrive powering up, I had to leave quickly.

Exiting the ship into the vast void of space, I was reminded of the situation. Several Ha'tak bombarding my remaining Ha'tak with concentrated blasts of plasma. The attack bathed my ship and cast my face in its orange light.

Kicking the engines into full gear I flew forward and, as intended, drew the enemy Ha'tak's attention towards me.

'So they know where you are?'

'Indeed, you ready to face death Abdul?'

I could feel his smile in the back of my mind.

'No place for 'human sentimentality' on the battlefield.' I couldn't keep the grin off my face as I flew towards the lead Ha'tak, my speed steadily increasing.

'Abdul, thank you…'

The world narrowed as my vision focused on the bridge of the Ha'tak that I was quickly approaching. Plasma blasts narrowly missed my wings. This was it. This would be my victory.

Time slowed down around me as I was seconds away from reaching the plexy-glass window that revealed the enemy bridge. A smile plastered on my face, even as the plasma bolts finally reached their target and removed a wing.

'Thank you for showing me the strength in being human.'

At that moment my death glider made contact with the bridge and everything went black.

When I awoke, the world was dark. My only comfort being the subtle humming of power around me.

'Where are we?' I felt for the presence of Abdul. He was alive, but unconscious. It seemed the crash had a larger effect on him than it did me. Not that I had anticipated surviving in the first place. I guess the shields took the brunt of the impact and someone salvaged our body.

Most likely the Goa'uld that was in charge of the vessel. That attack was too planned to be anything but a rival out to secure the same territory.

Reaching out blindly, I found a wall. Pulling myself up to it, I allowed myself a moment of rest.

Without any way to pass the time while the shock wore off, I thought of whose custody I was in.

Prime suspects were Balor, Ishtar, or Pelops. Those would be some of the few that would allow me to live. Nirrti would have happily dissected me after surviving that stunt. Ra or his ilk would have had me before them instead of in a cell.

That's what I knew of at least. Between the cold grip of steel around my throat and the stone floor, I had to have been in a prison of some kind.

Sokar wouldn't have let me go long without torment for facing him in combat.

Come to think of it, Ishtar would have made me her personal pet by now so that was out of the question. I had to chuckle to myself at the thought. She would've had me by her side and already gloated to Sarpanitum at her victory so she was left out.

'Ugh.'

Abdul.

'We survived.'

'I figured that much, my Lord. The question is; why?' I shook my head as our vision began to return.

'I do not know. Expect torment in our future.'

'Who-'

'Balor or Pelops.'

'Must've hit our head harder than you thought. Pelops operates well outside this domain.'

'True.'

He paid attention. Maybe it was unwise for me to deny him his merit.

'Know a way out?'

I could see the walls of the cell now, we were still on the Ha'tak. I could see the burns from the crash on our arms and legs. Could feel the torn muscle beneath our skin now that my senses were slowly returning. Smell the burnt flesh.

'Working on it.' Content with the answer, Abdul rested. I could feel the strain on his mind. 'Rest while you can.'

I could feel his question but a few memories showed him what was waiting for us when the owner of the Ha'tak called for us.

Pain. Immense, world shattering, pain.
Methods that would drive even the most stoic to insanity, not that most of my race wasn't already well on the brink.

Footsteps echoed through the halls outside my cell as my vision cleared enough to see the barred door preventing my escape shift to the side as a Jaffa bearing the symbol of a crow entered the chamber.

"Morrigan will see you now."

'Oh fuck' Abdul and I spoke in mental unison.

While I had expected my attempt to protect my dignity to be ignored. I hadn't expected a chain to be attached to the collar and to be pulled, metaphorically and physically, to the established throne room of Morrigan.

A sharp blow to the back of my knee from a Ma'tok Staff sent me down hard — no warning, no room for dignity.

'This is humiliating.'

'In this together, my Lord.'

'I know.'

I, however, would not lower my head before her. Morrigan. The Goa'uld who's mercy I was at and one above all with little mercy to spare.

I kneeled defiantly before her. Draped in silk black as her soul, her fiery red hair, styled in elegant curls. An intimidating sight but not one that would frighten me after dealing with an Eden full of snakes just like her.

"You carry yourself with pride, even while on your knees?" I hated that smirk. Her legs folded over each other.

"Consider it an honor Lady Morrigan. Most bow because they wish to curry favor. I consider it professional courtesy."

I smirked.

Her smile didn't falter — but the air shifted. A flick of her fingers, and the Jaffa beside me struck again, this time across the back. The impact of the end of the Ma'tok felt like a board of nails as I collapsed onto the floor. Her Jaffa gripping my hair, yanking me up and into a kneeling position once more as I spit blood, staining her otherwise spotless floor.

'Hit a nerve.'

'Intentionally.'

"Awfully high spirits for one bound in chains." I nod my head, my smirk never having left my face. A small chuckle from her made my stomach twist.

Rising from her throne, she stepped down, her heels clicking as she sauntered closer than either Abdul or I were comfortable with as she began to circle me. Her fingers tapping my shoulder, and sifting through my hair before yanking my head back roughly.

"I would not be so confident with how your stunt left your fleet." I narrowed my eyes imperceptibly as I was forced to look up at her. She was enjoying this.

"You'd be wise not to speak of what you don't understand, Morrigan—" Before I could finish my face twisted with the back of her hand.

"I know more than you might think. I wonder how many Jaffa you lost when I wiped your fleet from my sight. From what I was told of your ships, they felt rather weak." She looked so matter of fact I almost believed her.

'Don't let her goad you…'

'I am aware.' Her words stung but that was her aim. To get a rise out of me. It was the same with them all. Judgement and reactions. That's all those who failed to understand my greatness could respond with.

'She fears you?'

'She fears the potential. The trap working was my fault.'

'Our's.' I shook my head internally.

'Mine. You were right and I failed to listen. I am the reason we are here.' There was a pause. I was not going to just sit and wallow though. That was what got me here. No. I would have to think about getting us out of here. Alive.

'I will also be the reason we survive.' Looking internally, the warmth of his presence filled my soul.

'Well spoken, my Lord.' I had to steel my resolve. We were in deep but not without the chance of survival.

"Your failure to adequately grasp the situation baffles me Morrigan." Her brow twitched upward.

"I hope you're not referring to the death of your fleet and your kneeling before me, Nabu." I shake my head

"No, I mean the fact you seem confident that my fleet only consisted of 5 Ha'tak."

She called my bluff.

"Then where are they? If your fleet was more than the 5 Ha'tak then you would not have created such a daring move as to crash your own glider into the bridge of my Ha'tak. While unexpected it was quite" She paused "ineffective."

Something about the look in her eyes as she leaned forward. Those orbs of deep of crimson that seemed to stare into my very soul.

'Disturbing.'

'Perhaps, but we have larger things to worry about.'

Then came pain. Unimaginable pain. Like blazing hot pins and needles ripping through my flesh as my mouth opened to scream, even as the very concept of sound evaded me. My throat clamped shut as my eyes felt like melting.

Morrigan leaned forward, her breath hot on my ears.

"You should have stayed aboard your vessel and allowed yourself the death of a coward. Where I am taking you, even Ra himself would not dare to venture."

Thus began my life of torment.

Days.

Weeks.

Months.

The concept of time slowly became foreign to me as my world became a living nightmare. It was as if I was trapped in my own, specially made, corner of hell.

After she revived me in the sarcophagus the first time I knew she hardly needed the information she was questioning me for. It wasn't about the information, it was never about the information. It was about how long I could last. How long I could entertain her.

"I wonder what their last words were? I wonder which God they begged to save them?" Her words rang through my skull like a mantra.

"You call yourself a God and yet…you make a far superior test subject."

"I wonder just how much your regeneration can keep up?"

It was all I could think about any more. Overlapping and intertwining. I could hardly remember the original comments after a month.

After two months I began to hallucinate. It was small at first. Memories or voices that were never real.

The disapproving voice of Marduk "What a waste of effort."

I looked around the room, seeking the source of the bastard's voice as rage flowed freely through my veins.

"To think I spoke highly of you among peers. Pitiful that you never amounted to anything more than a slight amusement.'

I saw red, my vision blurred, my thoughts disjointed and chaotic.

'my lor…'

I had to find him.

'My Lord…'

Ring his neck!

'My Lord!'

AND KILL HIM!

'MY LORD' I snapped out of it. ', he is not here.'

'Abdul?'

'It was a vision.'

'Thank you…'

After being brought back from the doors of death the 10th time, Abdul had left me. His mind shattered through the various forms of torture that Morrigan used to break us. She refused to kill outright, we would have gotten used to that. No. She found new ways to weaken us over time and let our bodies give out each time.

Total organ failure, radiation poisoning, suffocation. Deadly toxins found in only the furthest reaches of the known galaxy. Each one unique, more painful than the last. It was expected he would fade first, now curled up and unconscious in a corner of our mind.

After the fifteenth revival the hallucinations returned. This time it was more vivid.

I was among the System Lords. They were assessing my eligibility to join their ranks. Each gazing upon my broken body with disdain and pity. Whispers as to the continued reputation of Marduk or Sarpanitum echoing throughout the halls of the Summit.

My patrons themselves looked ashamed. Their scorn needed no words to describe. I had failed them in the worst way.

Ra was the worst of all. Even when presented with a boy like me, he just couldn't help but be amused, that amusement hurt more than all the pity in the world.

Then it faded and I was back, this time hanging upside down. Blood rushed towards my head as it pounded with each beat of my heart.

I would have screamed, but I had forgotten how.

Not long after, my mind went blank. I am unsure of just how much time I had lost but each death and revival seemed to blend together in a menagerie of mind numbing agony. I could barely feel it at this point.

In a rare moment of clarity I found myself, not in my cell or in some twisted game of Morrigan's, but in an empty space. No light, no sound. Just, space.

It took me a moment to realize I wasn't dead. Or was I? Was this what true death felt like? I wasn't sure at this point if this was even real but something about it felt real.

I had to take a moment to look around and take in the emptiness of it all.

"You are lost." I twisted around to find the voice. It echoed, even in a space this fast.

"Abdul?" I hardly remembered the sound of his voice but something told me, a gut instinct, that it was.

"The stone does not ask why the river shapes it. It becomes the mountain by learning to endure." I twisted around as the words seemed to ring around me.

"What does that mean?" For the first time, in what felt like an eternity, I was conscious. I could finally focus and yet nothing made sense.

"The bird that learns to sing from others calls, never finds its own voice."

None of it made any sense.
"Who are you?!"
Silence.

Again, I was left with nothing but my thoughts. Yet, there was much to think about.

Then I was back, at the feet of Morrigan. Her smirk, ever present. However, something was different. The amusement had vanished. The light in her eyes that seemed to never dim as she tormented me with utter delight, had diminished.

I faced her. Bloody. Broken. A husk of my former self.

"You have done well for yourself Nabu. Survived far longer than most. It is…commendable. But you have served your purpose and now I must dispose of you."

This was it. This was how I was going to die. And stay dead. To think that I had considered begging for this on several occasions was laughable. And yet. The one time I had no desire to die. That was when she allowed me the simple luxury.

I was hooked up to the wall, a hole allowing access to the base of my neck. I would have struggled but I just couldn't bring myself to fight any longer.

I was resigned to my fate.

I felt a sharp sting. A cold, electric feeling flowed through my body. Then pain. Intense, world-shattering pain.

I screamed, my body spasming as it rejected the feeling. My throat hoarse as I screamed until my vocal cords tore to ribbons. Then, for the first time since my birth. I heard my scream. Not the sound of Abduls voice as my own. But my genuine scream, the scream of my true form.

I no longer saw through the eyes of my host, Abdul, but through the eyes on my naked body. I could see him, limply hanging from the device that I had been strung to. My form writhing against the hand that gripped me.

It only took a moment for my host to be removed from view as I was placed in a spacious vat. Sniping at the hand as it retreated out of the water that was to be my home.

The last thing I could hear was the sound of Abdul's hoarse, broken voice before the lid was placed on the vat and my world shrunk considerably.

"Even in death, I will always believe in you…"

Thank you all for reading the ending of Season 1 of Eclipse, from this point forward the story has shifted. What awaits you is up for debate as only I and my non-existent Beta-Reader know of the outcome. I hope you enjoyed and now I must bid you farewell for an unknown amount of time and let this ending stew for a bit.

Feel free to reach out to me personally on Discord mariposa_de_medianoche and through FF . net PM's.

What a time to be alive.