Chapter 104: A Haunting Presence

Lysandra and Kael hurriedly left the archives, their footsteps echoing in the dark corridor. The sense of urgency grew heavier with each passing moment, fueled by the vision Lysandra had seen. They needed to find Elara and that mysterious crystal before it was too late.

As they navigated the winding hallways of the castle, the eerie feeling of being watched began to creep over Lysandra. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was nothing—only the dim flicker of torches lining the walls. Yet, the sensation persisted, sending shivers down her spine.

"Do you feel that?" Lysandra whispered to Kael, her voice laced with unease.

Kael paused, his eyes narrowing. "Feel what?"

"Like... we're not alone," she said, her gaze scanning the darkness. "Something—or someone—is following us."

Before Kael could respond, a cold breeze swept through the hallway, extinguishing the nearby torches and plunging them into darkness. Lysandra's heart raced as she fumbled to draw a small orb of light from her palm, illuminating their surroundings just enough to reveal the outline of a shadowy figure at the end of the hall.

The figure stepped forward, revealing a face that was both familiar and foreign. It was a young woman, her features eerily similar to Lysandra's, yet twisted with malice. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and her lips curved into a wicked smile.

"Lysandra," the figure said in a voice that was both sweet and menacing. "I've been waiting for this moment."

Lysandra's pulse quickened. "Who are you?" she demanded, stepping back.

The woman chuckled softly, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "You don't recognize me, dear sister?" she said mockingly. "I suppose it's been too long. But you cannot escape your past, no matter how hard you try."

Kael tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay back," he warned, stepping protectively in front of Lysandra.

But the woman's eyes never left Lysandra, a look of twisted longing crossing her face. "Elara never told you about me, did she? How convenient." She took another step closer. "You see, I am the darkness that was cast away from you... the part of your soul that was never meant to exist. But now, I've come back to claim what was always rightfully mine."

Lysandra's blood ran cold. "That's impossible," she said, her voice trembling. "You're lying."

The figure's grin widened, revealing teeth that were far too sharp. "Am I? Why don't you ask Elara, if you ever see her again?" With that, the woman's form began to dissolve into shadows, her laughter fading into the darkness.

Lysandra's knees weakened, and she reached for the wall to steady herself. "What... what just happened?" she breathed.

Kael turned to her, his face pale but resolute. "We need to find Elara," he said urgently. "If what she said is true, then we've been fighting this war without knowing the real stakes."

As they continued down the corridor, the weight of the woman's words pressed heavily on Lysandra's mind. If she truly was part of Lysandra, then Elara had kept a secret that could change everything. But whether the sorceress was an enemy or the only one who held the answers, only time would tell.

To be continued...