Chapter 15: The Guardian
1026 Words
“Come home.”
Lyra couldn't move.
The creature remained at the edge of the opening, its golden eyes fixed on her.
It wasn't attacking.
Somehow, that frightened her even more.
Kael stepped in front of her.
“Stay back.”
The creature's gaze shifted to him.
“You are not the one I called.”
Kael's jaw tightened.
“Then stop looking at her.”
Lyra reached for his arm.
“Kael.”
He glanced back.
“What?”
“Move.”
His expression hardened.
“No.”
“I need to know what it wants.”
“You don't know what that thing is.”
“Neither do you.”
Kael held her gaze for a moment before slowly stepping aside.
The creature didn't move.
Lyra took one cautious step forward.
Maya caught her hand.
“Lyra, are you sure?”
“No.”
She swallowed.
“But I need answers.”
Elara watched her carefully.
“Don't get too close.”
Lyra looked at her.
“You said it was a guardian.”
“It is.”
“Guardian of what?”
Elara hesitated.
“The old kingdom.”
Lyra looked back at the creature.
“Why is it calling me home?”
“Because it recognizes your blood.”
The creature lowered its head.
“You carry the king's blood.”
Lyra's heart pounded.
“Who was my father?”
The creature didn't answer.
Instead, its eyes moved to the mark on her wrist.
“The blood remembers.”
Lyra frowned.
“I don't understand.”
“You will.”
The creature turned toward the darkness.
Then it stepped back.
A narrow stone path appeared behind it.
Lyra stared.
“Where does that lead?”
“Home.”
She took another step.
Kael caught her wrist.
“Wait.”
Lyra looked at him.
“What?”
“We don't know what's down there.”
“We don't know anything.”
“That doesn't mean you walk into a hole because something with glowing eyes tells you to.”
Despite herself, Lyra almost smiled.
“You're worried about me.”
Kael looked at her.
“Of course I am.”
The answer came so quickly that neither of them spoke for a moment.
Something warm moved through Lyra's chest.
The bond.
She felt it again, stronger this time.
Kael seemed to feel it too.
He slowly released her wrist.
“I'm coming with you.”
Lyra nodded.
Maya stepped forward.
“So am I.”
Kael shook his head.
“No.”
Maya frowned.
“You can't keep telling everyone to stay behind.”
“This isn't safe.”
“Neither is letting Lyra go alone.”
Kael looked at Lyra.
She gave him a pointed look.
He sighed.
“Fine.”
They followed the creature down the stone path.
The passage was narrow.
No one spoke.
Lyra could hear their footsteps echoing against the walls.
After several minutes, the corridor opened into a large underground chamber.
Lyra stopped.
Stone pillars surrounded the room.
Old symbols covered the walls.
At the center stood a circular platform.
And on that platform was a throne.
Lyra stared at it.
She didn't know why, but something inside her tightened.
The creature walked toward the throne.
“Your father sat there.”
Lyra's breath caught.
“My father?”
The creature nodded.
“He ruled before the kingdom fell.”
Lyra slowly approached.
She reached out.
Her fingers brushed the cold stone.
A sudden rush of warmth traveled through her hand.
She gasped.
The chamber disappeared.
She was standing in the same hall she'd seen before.
But this time, she could see clearly.
Her father stood beside the throne.
Her mother was holding a small child.
Lyra.
She was laughing.
Her father smiled at them.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
Then the doors burst open.
Men in black armor stormed into the hall.
Her father pushed her mother behind him.
“Take her.”
Her mother shook her head.
“I'm not leaving you.”
“You have to.”
“She's our daughter.”
“I know.”
He looked toward the child.
His expression softened.
“That's why you have to take her.”
The vision shifted.
Her mother was running through a forest, holding Lyra tightly.
Someone was chasing her.
Then her mother stopped.
She turned around.
A man stood among the trees.
His face was hidden.
“You can't hide her forever.”
Her mother pulled Lyra closer.
“Watch me.”
The vision broke.
Lyra stumbled backward.
Kael caught her.
“Lyra.”
She looked up at him.
Tears filled her eyes.
“I saw my mother.”
“What happened?”
“She was running.”
Kael held her steady.
“With you?”
Lyra nodded.
“She was trying to save me.”
Elara closed her eyes.
“She kept her promise.”
Lyra looked at her.
“What promise?”
“To keep you alive.”
Lyra wiped her cheeks.
“Who was chasing her?”
Elara didn't answer.
The guardian spoke instead.
“The ones who killed the king.”
The chamber went silent.
Lyra's heart sank.
“They killed my father?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
The creature looked toward the dark passage behind them.
“They are still searching.”
A cold feeling spread through Lyra.
“For me?”
“For the King's blood.”
Kael stepped closer.
“Then they know she's alive.”
The guardian turned its golden eyes toward him.
“They have always known.”
A distant howl echoed through the chamber.
Everyone froze.
Another howl followed.
Much closer.
Kael's expression changed.
“They're here.”
Lyra looked toward the passage.
“Who?”
Kael reached for her hand.
“We need to go.”
The guardian shook its head.
“No.”
Kael frowned.
“What do you mean, no?”
The creature looked at Lyra.
“They have already entered the pack.”
Lyra's blood ran cold.
Maya whispered,
“How?”
The guardian's eyes glowed brighter.
“Because someone opened the gates for them.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD