Chapter 7 — The Invisible Bond
873 Words
Here is the English translation of your chapter:
Dawn had just touched the highest tower of Aetheloria when Lyra was already standing in the training chamber.
The morning air was cold, yet her body was filled with tension. The large magic circle on the floor glowed faintly, ancient symbols shimmering as if waiting to be awakened.
Archmage Kaelen stood before her, his staff lightly planted on the ground.
"Starting today," he said without preamble, "you will not only learn to control your power."
Lyra swallowed.
"But to face what is trying to control it."
Those words made her heart pound faster.
Alaric stood at the side of the room, leaning against a stone pillar, his gaze never leaving Lyra.
"If this is too dangerous—" he began.
"It is already dangerous," the Archmage cut in firmly. "Delaying will only make it worse."
Lyra took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
The Archmage raised his staff.
The magic circle flared brightly.
"Step in."
Lyra walked into the center.
The moment her feet touched the core of the circle, the air shifted. An invisible pressure pressed against her shoulders, making it harder to breathe.
"Close your eyes," the Archmage ordered.
Lyra obeyed.
"Feel your energy… and feel something else."
At first, there was only silence.
Then—
A vibration.
Subtle, but real.
The blue energy within her began to move, like a current following an unseen path.
But beneath it—
There was something else.
Colder.
Heavier.
Darker.
Lyra flinched.
"I feel it…" she whispered.
"Do not retreat," said the Archmage. "Face it."
Lyra tried to focus, but the sensation grew stronger.
Suddenly—
She was no longer in the training room.
She stood somewhere else.
Thick mist surrounded her.
The ground beneath her feet was cracked and dark, as if something alive lurked beneath it.
"This… isn't the palace…" she murmured.
Footsteps echoed.
Slow.
Measured.
From the mist, the figure emerged.
A black cloak moved like living shadow. His face was hidden, but his glowing red eyes were unmistakable.
"You arrived sooner than I expected," he said.
His voice was deep.
Calm.
Terrifying.
Lyra stepped back. "Who are you?!"
The figure smiled faintly.
"The wrong question."
He stepped closer.
"You should be asking… who you truly are."
Lyra clenched her jaw. "I'm not connected to you."
"Are you sure?" he replied softly.
Suddenly, the ground shifted.
Blue energy burst from Lyra's hand—
And at the same time—
Dark energy rose from his.
They resonated.
Vibrated.
Connected.
Lyra froze.
"No… that's impossible…"
The figure raised his hand.
"The Core of Magic… is not just your power."
He stepped closer, his voice lowering.
"It is a door."
Lyra felt her head throb.
"A door… to what?"
The figure's smile widened.
"To me."
"LYRA!"
The voice shattered everything.
The mist-world collapsed.
Lyra opened her eyes—
Back in the training room.
Her body trembled violently.
Blue energy surged wildly around her, striking walls and floor.
Alaric rushed toward her. "Lyra!"
"Don't come closer!" the Archmage shouted.
He raised his staff, forming a magical barrier around the circle.
"She's not fully back yet!"
Lyra dropped to her knees, clutching her head.
"I saw him…" she whispered.
"We know," said the Archmage.
"He… he said the Core of Magic is a door…"
The room fell silent.
Too silent.
The Archmage slowly lowered his staff.
His expression changed.
For the first time—
There was… worry.
"That is worse than I feared."
Alaric looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
The Archmage didn't answer immediately.
He studied Lyra for a long moment.
"If what he said is true…" he said quietly, "then Lyra's power is not only something to control."
He paused.
"But something that could… open what should remain closed."
A few hours later, Lyra sat in the inner palace garden.
Her hands still trembled, though less than before.
Alaric sat beside her, quieter than usual.
"Do you want to tell me again?" he asked softly.
Lyra shook her head. "I'm still trying to understand it myself."
She looked at the pond.
"He didn't feel like a normal being…"
"Because he isn't," Alaric replied.
Lyra turned to him. "You know something?"
Alaric hesitated.
"Before I became commander… I heard a story."
"A story?"
"A legend," he said. "About someone who tried to control the Core of Magic… and failed."
Lyra's heart pounded.
"What happened to him?"
Alaric stared into the distance.
"He didn't die."
He turned to her.
"He disappeared."
Elsewhere—
Deep beneath the earth, in forgotten ruins—
The mysterious figure opened his eyes again.
The magic circle beneath him glowed brighter.
Cracks spread along the walls.
"Closer…" he murmured.
He slowly stood.
Dark energy flowed around him, forming living shadows.
"She has seen me."
His smile widened.
"And now… she cannot ignore me."
He raised his hand.
Ancient symbols appeared in the air.
The same symbols—
That appeared around Lyra.
"Soon, Heir…"
His voice echoed in the darkness.
"The gate will open."
Back at the palace—
Lyra closed her eyes.
This time—
She saw nothing.
Only darkness.
But deep within—
She knew.
Something had changed.
And whatever awaited her ahead…
Could no longer be avoided.
[End of Chapter 7]
- Writer
