Chapter 41: True essence of darkness

Raiden didn't think twice. With a sharp crackle, lightning surged from his palms as he charged straight toward Lyra. The force of his attack lit up the dark cave in brief flashes, revealing Lyra's cold, amused expression.

"Raiden, wait!" Astrid shouted, but it was too late.

The bolt of lightning struck Lyra directly, but instead of flinching, she stood firm. The energy dissipated against her body like waves crashing against a rock. She didn't even blink.

"Is that all?" Lyra's voice was calm, almost mocking. She raised her hand, and an orb of dark magic swirled into existence. "You'll need more than mere sparks to hurt me."

Before Raiden could react, she flicked her wrist, and the orb shot forward. It slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward into the cave wall. He collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain as smoke rose from his torn shirt.

"You idiot!" Ash barked, staggering to his feet. "How are you going to fight magic with lightning? You're just embarrassing yourself!"

Raiden coughed, his body aching from the impact, but he refused to stay down. He pushed himself up slowly, his eyes locked on Lyra. "I don't care what you are. I'm not just going to stand here and let you hurt Astrid!"

Lyra tilted her head, her white hair glowing faintly in the dark cave. "Hurt her? Oh no, child. I gave her power—power she refuses to embrace. That's her weakness, not mine."

Astrid clenched her fists, stepping forward. "You ruined my life!" she yelled, her voice shaking with anger. "You cursed me, you took everything from me, and now you act like you did me a favor? I'll never forgive you!"

Lyra smiled, her expression as cold as the shadows that surrounded her. "Then show me your anger, child. Let me see if you're worthy of the darkness you carry."

Astrid's breathing quickened. She extended her hands, and dark energy began to gather around her fingers. It was raw, unrefined, but powerful—a force that seemed to vibrate with her emotions.

"Fine!" Astrid shouted, her voice breaking. "If you want to see what you've done to me, I'll show you!"

With a cry, she unleashed a wave of dark magic that surged toward Lyra like a tidal wave. The force of it shook the cave, sending dust and small rocks tumbling from the ceiling.

But Lyra didn't move. With a casual flick of her hand, she conjured a barrier of shadows that absorbed Astrid's attack completely.

"You'll need to do better than that," Lyra said, her tone dripping with disappointment. "Power without control is meaningless."

Astrid screamed in frustration, casting spell after spell, each one more desperate than the last. Bolts of dark energy, swirling vortexes, and sharp blasts of wind filled the air, but Lyra countered them all with ease. Her movements were fluid, almost lazy, as if she were toying with Astrid.

Raiden watched, helpless, his fists clenched. He could see the toll the fight was taking on Astrid. Her breathing was labored, her legs trembling with exhaustion. Yet she kept going, driven by a mix of rage and despair.

Lyra finally decided she'd had enough. She raised both hands, and the cave seemed to darken further as shadows coiled around her like living things. "Let me show you what true magic looks like," she said softly.

With a snap of her fingers, the shadows shot forward, forming dozens of sharp tendrils that lashed out at Astrid. She tried to dodge, but they were too fast. One wrapped around her wrist, another around her ankle, and soon she was suspended in the air, completely at Lyra's mercy.

"No!" Raiden yelled, charging forward again. He launched another lightning bolt, this one aimed at the tendrils holding Astrid.

Lyra sighed, almost bored. She waved her hand, and a wall of shadows rose to intercept Raiden's attack. The lightning fizzled out harmlessly, and before Raiden could react, another tendril shot out and slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He fell to his knees, clutching his side.

"You're persistent," Lyra said, stepping closer to Raiden. "But persistence without power is just foolishness."

Ash, still weak from his injuries, tried to stand, but his legs gave out. He could only watch as Lyra toyed with his friends, his frustration growing with every passing second.

"You... monster," Astrid spat, struggling against the tendrils that held her. "You think this makes you strong? Hurting people who can't fight back?"

Lyra's expression darkened. "You think I enjoy this? No, child. This is a lesson. A lesson you clearly haven't learned."

She raised her hand, and the shadows tightened around Astrid, drawing a gasp of pain from her. Raiden, still on his knees, grit his teeth, his mind racing. He had to do something, anything, to stop this.

But before he could act, Lyra snapped her fingers, and the shadows released Astrid, dropping her unceremoniously to the ground.

"You're not worth killing," Lyra said coldly. "Not yet. But if you want to keep coming after me, I'll be happy to end your miserable little rebellion. Now, crawl back to whatever hole you came from, and pray I don't change my mind."

Astrid struggled to her feet, her body shaking. "This... isn't over," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lyra turned her back on them, walking toward the deeper part of the cave. "It is for now," she said, her voice echoing. "But don't worry, child. I'll be waiting."

The three of them were left in silence, the weight of their defeat heavy. Raiden clenched his fists, anger and frustration boiling inside him.

"We are not going anywhere ," Raiden shouted as he stood holding his hand out firmly.