Chapter 77: A Glimpse of Darkness

Lysandra continued to practice for hours, pushing herself to summon the light repeatedly, each time striving to hold it longer and channel it with more precision. Her muscles ached, and sweat dripped down her brow, but she refused to stop. The light had started to obey her more easily, the glow appearing in her hands and spreading up her arms with a consistency that gave her a sense of accomplishment.

Zephyrion watched her closely, his arms crossed as he observed her progress. He could see the toll the training was taking on her, but there was also a spark of pride in his eyes. "You're getting better," he noted. "But you still need to learn how to use it as a weapon. The Abyss won't give you the luxury of time to prepare."

As Lysandra tried once more to summon the light, a sharp pain shot through her chest, causing her to stagger backward. The glow flickered, then vanished altogether, leaving her gasping for breath. For a moment, she felt a dark presence looming at the edges of her consciousness, a cold and familiar sensation that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Lysandra!" Althara called out, rushing to her side. "Are you all right?"

Lysandra nodded, though her pulse quickened with an unease she couldn't shake. "I'm fine," she said, her voice steady despite the lingering chill that clung to her. "It's just… I felt something. It wasn't the light. It was dark, cold."

Zephyrion's expression turned serious, his brow furrowing. "The Abyss," he murmured. "It may be trying to reach you through the connection you share. The more you use the light, the more it might be able to sense you."

Lysandra's heart sank at his words. "Then… should I stop using it?" she asked hesitantly, a mix of fear and uncertainty in her tone.

"No," Zephyrion replied firmly. "If anything, you need to strengthen your bond with the light. It's the only way to protect yourself from the Abyss's influence. You can't afford to let fear hold you back."

Althara placed a reassuring hand on Lysandra's shoulder. "He's right," she agreed. "The light is your shield as well as your weapon. If the darkness is reaching for you, then you must push back even harder."

Taking a deep breath, Lysandra steadied herself. She could still feel the faint, icy residue of the dark presence lingering in her mind, but she shoved it away with all her will. The light was her power, her strength, and she would not allow the Abyss to turn it against her.

"Let's continue," she said, determination hardening her voice. "I need to learn how to fight with this power, not just call upon it."

Zephyrion gave a curt nod of approval, stepping back to give her space. "Then we'll move on to combat training," he said. "You need to learn how to integrate the light into your movements, to strike with it as though it were an extension of your body."

As Lysandra prepared for the next phase of her training, she pushed aside the fear that still clung to her thoughts. She would not be deterred by the dark presence. If the Abyss thought it could weaken her resolve, it was sorely mistaken.

She tightened her grip on the light, her heart burning with the same determination that had carried her through every struggle before. If the darkness was coming for her, she would be ready to meet it head-on. She would not be taken by surprise again.

To be continued…