Dark obsessions: chapter15
808 Words
The Road to Black Hollow
The messenger's words hung heavily in the air.
"Tell the Shadow Princess that every village she refuses to surrender will suffer the same fate."
No one spoke.
The courtyard, once filled with the sounds of training and laughter, had fallen into complete silence.
Lyra lowered her eyes.
"Innocent people are dying because of me."
Kael immediately stepped beside her.
"No."
She looked at him.
"He wants you to believe that."
"But if I surrender—"
Kael's voice became firm.
"If you surrender, he will still destroy every pack. The Shadow King doesn't want peace. He wants complete control."
Seraphina nodded.
"Your parents once faced the same choice."
"They refused to hand you over."
"And because of that... hope survived."
Lyra took a deep breath.
"I won't surrender."
Her voice was calm but determined.
"If he wants me..."
She tightened her grip on her mother's silver staff.
"...he'll have to face me."
That afternoon, Moonhaven's council gathered in the Hall of Ancestors.
A large map of the werewolf kingdoms lay across the stone table.
Lucien pointed toward Black Hollow Mountain.
"The Shadow King is gathering his forces here."
Damon frowned.
"If we attack the mountain now, we could be walking into a trap."
"We would," Lucien admitted.
"But we don't have another choice."
Seraphina stepped forward carrying an old leather journal.
"I found this among Queen Selene's belongings."
She carefully opened it.
Inside was a faded map.
Hidden deep within the Crystal Forest was a glowing symbol.
"The Heart Crystal," she whispered.
Kael looked at the map.
"So that's where it's been hidden."
Seraphina nodded.
"If we reach it before Malrik..."
"We may still be able to repair the seal."
Lyra looked at the map with determination.
"Then that's where we're going."
By sunrise the next morning, Kael led a small group out of Moonhaven.
The team included Lyra, Lucien, Damon, Captain Rylan, and six experienced warriors.
The Crystal Forest lay two days away.
The journey was peaceful at first.
Tall silver trees stretched toward the sky, and streams of clear water flowed beside the narrow trails.
For the first time in days, Lyra allowed herself to smile.
"It's beautiful."
Kael walked beside her.
"My mother used to bring me here when I was young."
"You came here often?"
He nodded.
"Whenever I became angry."
Lyra smiled softly.
"Did it help?"
Kael laughed.
"Not always."
She laughed too.
The sound surprised both of them.
For a brief moment, it felt as though the darkness surrounding them had disappeared.
Late that evening, the group stopped to make camp.
The warriors built a fire while Damon prepared the evening meal.
Lyra sat beneath an ancient oak tree, staring up at the stars.
Kael quietly joined her.
"You've been quiet."
"I've been thinking."
"About what?"
"My parents."
She looked down at the pendant around her neck.
"I wonder what they would think if they could see me now."
Kael answered without hesitation.
"They'd be proud."
She looked at him.
"You don't know that."
"I do."
He smiled gently.
"They gave everything to protect you."
"They believed you were worth saving."
Silence settled between them.
Finally, Lyra spoke again.
"Do you ever wish you could change the past?"
Kael's golden eyes reflected the firelight.
"Every day."
"I can't erase what I did."
"But I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right."
Lyra didn't answer.
But for the first time...
She didn't walk away.
Suddenly—
Crack!
A branch snapped in the darkness.
Every warrior jumped to their feet.
Kael's voice rang through the camp.
"Defensive positions!"
The forest became unnaturally quiet.
Then glowing red eyes appeared between the trees.
Not dozens.
Hundreds.
Damon's face paled.
"We're surrounded."
A deep laugh echoed through the forest.
Malrik stepped into the firelight, dressed in black armor.
He wasn't alone.
Behind him stood an army of shadow soldiers and monstrous wolves.
"My father sends his greetings," Malrik said with a smile.
Kael drew his sword.
"You'll leave here with nothing."
Malrik shook his head.
"Oh, I already have what I came for."
He raised one hand.
A dark arrow shot through the air.
It wasn't aimed at Kael.
It wasn't aimed at Lyra.
It struck Captain Rylan in the chest.
"Rylan!" Damon shouted.
The captain collapsed to the ground.
Mira's father gasped in pain as black veins spread across his skin.
Lucien knelt beside him.
His expression turned grim.
"This isn't an ordinary wound."
Lyra hurried over.
"Can you save him?"
Lucien looked up slowly.
"It's Shadow Poison."
"If we don't find the Heart Crystal soon..."
He swallowed hard.
"...Captain Rylan won't survive until sunrise."
As Malrik and his army disappeared back into the darkness, his laughter echoed through the forest.
The race for the Heart Crystal had become more urgent than ever.
End of Chapter Fifteen
- Writer
