CHAPTER 12: Bound by the Blast
579 Words
Alexander’s words were like a vow in Lyra’s heart: "I love you, Lyra." It was the final word that healed seven years of pain. The moment Lyra gripped his hand tighter, Umbralis's attack blew the bunker door inward.
The door flew off its hinges, crumpled and bent. Into the void where Lyra and Alexander stood, there was no visible figure, only a dark, cold vacuum. Umbralis was less like a concrete wolf and more like fear and emptiness itself. The silver tattoo on Lyra’s neck began to shine with pain.
"Damn it!" Alexander pulled Lyra behind him. "He is trying to absorb you. Guard your power, Moon Whisper!"
Lyra’s breath constricted. The presence of the ancient foe was draining Lyra's strength, leaving her depleted and desperate. Seconds before Lyra could lose consciousness, a cold, purple energy that melted the bunker walls shot toward Alexander from the dark figure.
Alexander did not hesitate. He shoved Lyra forward and threw himself into the path of the blast. The cold energy struck Alexander’s chest. Alexander flew through the air, crashing against the stone wall of the bunker. Alexander’s roar reached Lyra’s soul through the walls.
"Alexander!" Lyra ran toward Alexander. Umbralis's darkness stretched toward Lyra. Lyra fought back against the ancient entity consuming her power. Only Alexander mattered in Lyra's mind. The love that replaced Lyra's hatred gave the Moon Whisper new strength.
Lyra knelt beside the fallen Alexander. He was barely breathing. The burn on his chest was a sickly purple and black.
"Listen to me, Lyra," Alexander hissed, his eyes half-closed. "Don't try to control it. You will be too weak against Umbralis. Unleash your power!"
Lyra pressed her hands onto Alexander's wound. Lyra's Moon Whisper, this time, pulled energy from Alexander's life force to heal. The silver light cleansed the purple from Alexander's chest, and Lyra’s mind again witnessed the memory that Alexander had sealed with his own will: The rejection of Lyra was a scream cast out to keep her away from Umbralis forever.
Lyra finished the healing. Alexander was still weak, but alive. Lyra rose to her feet. Her eyes were silver, the full power of the Moon resided in Lyra’s body. Lyra thrust her palms toward Umbralis's darkness. Lyra didn't care about controlling the power; she simply obeyed Alexander's command.
"Take your curse, Umbralis!" Lyra roared.
The silver wave of energy that erupted from Lyra’s body was a raw, uncontrolled explosion. The blast slammed against the bunker walls, vaporizing stone. The purple darkness shattered under Lyra’s assault. Umbralis's shriek was the cry of millennia of agony. Lyra’s attack had temporarily driven the ancient entity back.
But Lyra’s uncontrolled power had fractured the bunker ceiling. A heavy stone beam began to fall directly onto Lyra. Lyra could not shield herself; her power was fully spent.
Alexander, despite his healing, lunged for Lyra with his last ounce of strength. He shoved Lyra aside; the beam crashed down onto Alexander’s back. He crumpled to the floor.
Lyra crawled to Alexander's side. Lyra's legs were trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsing bunker. Lyra heard Alexander’s ragged breathing.
"I cursed you... but I always loved you," Alexander whispered, his eyes fixed on Lyra. "You did the right thing... Moon Whisper."
Alexander’s hand reached up to Lyra’s cheek, and his fingers froze on Lyra’s face. They were trapped. Alexander was motionless.
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