Chapter 11: Return to Eclipsara

The skies above Eclipsara were painted with shadow of twilight as Lysandra, arrived with the wyvern she had subdued, soared through the clouds. Lyra, her demi Human companion, accompanied her in this triumphant return to the kingdom they had safeguarded. The wind whispered tales of victory, but the shadows of impending conflicts lingered.

Upon landing in the grand courtyard of Eclipsara's castle, Lysandra dismounted with the grace of a war maiden, Lyra at her side. The wyvern, now a symbol of their conquest, roared triumphantly before dispersing into a cascade of shadows.

Lysandra, adorned in battle-worn armor, marched into the throne room to report to King Aric and Queen Crysanthe. The air hung heavy with the scent of politics and hollow praise. The king's words, praising her achievements, echoed with a hollowness that did not escape Lysandra's keen perception.

With a curt nod, King Aric acknowledged her success, but the frigid demeanor of the queen betrayed the absence of maternal warmth. A storm of resentment churned within Lysandra, a tempest that had long brewed in her heart of parental neglect.

"I have secured victory for Eclipsara, as you commanded," Lysandra spoke, her voice edged with both exhaustion and defiance.

King Aric, seemingly indifferent to the emotional tempest brewing within his daughter, glanced at Lyra with a quizzical expression. "And who is this demi-human?"

Lysandra's gaze met her father's with unwavering determination. "This is Lyra, a formidable ally and my choice to become a personal knight. She fought valiantly by my side."

The king, considering her words, nodded in agreement. "Very well. Let her prove her loyalty."

As the conversation shifted, the king, seemingly oblivious to the toll the recent battles had taken on Lysandra, issued a new decree. "Prepare for war. We cannot afford to be complacent. The enemies may be silent for now, but a true ruler remains vigilant."

Lysandra, her body still recovering from the recent trials, bit back of resentment smoldered within her. In her thoughts, she feel intense hatred for a father who cared not for the well-being of his daughter but only for the expansion of his kingdom.

"The king shows no concern for my condition," Lysandra mused silently. "His words of praise are empty, and his expectations weigh on me like a crown of thorns. I fight not for his approval, but for the sake of Eclipsara and for my own vindication."

Thus, the war maiden, cloaked in shadows both physical and metaphorical, navigated the halls of Eclipsara's castle. Her resolve, fueled by a burning hatred, cast a dark veil over the triumphant return, as the impending war loomed, and family bonds remained shrouded and broken.