Dark obsession: chapter 12
792 Words
The Rescue Mission
A cold silence settled over Moonhaven after Lucien revealed the truth.
"Captain Rylan betrayed us because his daughter was taken."
Lyra could hardly believe it.
"So... he isn't evil?" she asked quietly.
Lucien shook his head.
"No. He's a father who was forced into an impossible choice."
Kael folded his arms, his expression grim.
"If the Shadow King truly has the girl, he'll keep using her to control Rylan."
Seraphina nodded.
"Which means every moment we wait gives our enemy more power."
Lyra stepped forward.
"Then we have to rescue Mira."
The room fell silent.
Damon looked at her in surprise.
"That could be a trap."
"It probably is," Kael agreed.
"But if we do nothing, the Shadow King gains another loyal servant."
Lucien pointed to the map spread across the council table.
"Our scouts found tracks leading to the Whispering Marsh."
"The Ravens use the abandoned ruins there as a meeting point."
Kael looked at Lyra.
"I'm going."
She met his eyes.
"So am I."
"No."
"I'm not leaving innocent people behind."
Kael sighed.
"I can't lose you."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"You don't get to decide that for me."
For a second, Kael almost smiled.
Her courage reminded him of the stories he'd heard about her mother.
Finally, he nodded.
"Then we go together."
Before sunrise, a small team left Moonhaven.
Kael.
Lyra.
Lucien.
Damon.
And six of Blackthorn's finest warriors.
The journey to Whispering Marsh was quiet.
A thick fog covered the ground, making it difficult to see more than a few steps ahead.
"The fog feels... strange," Lyra whispered.
Lucien nodded.
"It isn't natural."
"The Ravens use enchanted mist to confuse their enemies."
As if on cue, a low whistle echoed through the marsh.
Then another.
Damon drew his sword.
"We're being watched."
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
A volley of arrows shot from the trees.
"Down!" Kael shouted.
Everyone dove for cover.
The arrows struck the ground where they had been standing only moments before.
Figures dressed in black cloaks emerged from the fog.
Ravens.
"There they are!" one assassin shouted.
"Take the Shadow Princess alive!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Kael shifted into his massive black wolf, crashing into the first wave of attackers.
Lyra spun her mother's silver staff, blocking an incoming blade before knocking an assassin backward with a burst of Shadow Light.
Lucien and Damon fought side by side, protecting the warriors from attacks coming through the mist.
The Ravens were skilled...
But this time, Lyra was no longer helpless.
During the battle, one frightened assassin turned and fled deeper into the swamp.
"He's escaping!" Damon yelled.
Kael looked at Lyra.
"Stay here."
Without waiting for an answer, he chased after the fleeing assassin.
The pursuit led him to the ruins of an ancient watchtower hidden among the trees.
The assassin disappeared inside.
Kael followed.
The tower was empty.
Or so it seemed.
A faint crying sound echoed from below.
A child.
Kael searched the floor until he found a hidden trapdoor.
He forced it open.
A narrow staircase led underground.
At the bottom sat a small prison cell.
Inside was a frightened little girl with dark brown hair.
She looked no older than eight.
When she saw Kael, she stepped back in fear.
"Please..."
"I'm not one of them."
Kael knelt.
"Are you Mira?"
The little girl nodded slowly.
"They said Daddy betrayed everyone because of me."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry..."
Kael's heart tightened.
"You've done nothing wrong."
He broke the lock with one powerful strike.
"Come on."
"We're taking you home."
Outside, the battle was nearly over.
The remaining Ravens had retreated into the fog.
Lyra stood breathing heavily, leaning on her staff.
Just then, Kael emerged from the ruins carrying Mira in his arms.
"Kael!" Lyra exclaimed.
The little girl looked weak but unharmed.
Lyra smiled warmly.
"You're safe now."
Mira looked at her with frightened eyes.
"They're coming."
Lucien frowned.
"Who?"
"The man with the red eyes."
Everyone froze.
"The Shadow King?" Damon whispered.
Mira shook her head.
"No..."
"It wasn't him."
"It was someone else."
"He said..."
She began to tremble.
"...he was the Shadow King's son."
A stunned silence swept over the group.
Kael exchanged a worried glance with Lucien.
"The Shadow King has an heir?"
Lucien's face turned pale.
"I hoped those stories weren't true."
Before anyone could speak again, the swamp began to shake.
Dark mist rose from the ground.
A deep voice echoed through the marsh.
"You have taken what belongs to me."
A tall figure stepped out of the fog.
His face was hidden beneath a black hood.
Only his glowing crimson eyes were visible.
He slowly drew a long black sword.
"Now..."
"Pay the price."
End of Chapter Twelve
- Writer
