Chapter 19

DORIAN'S GAMBLE

Amara stumbled from the labyrinth, clutching the fragment of the ancient tablet. The oppressive weight of the Forbidden Realm pressed down on her shoulders, but she forced herself to move forward, the locket's faint glow guiding her steps.

Lysander appeared from the mist, his chains dragging behind him. Relief washed over her, and she ran to him, embracing him tightly.

"You shouldn't have come back for me," Lysander said, his voice rough.

"Stop saying that," she snapped. "We're getting out of here—together."

Before he could argue, the air shifted. A cold wind swept through the realm, and the shadows coalesced into a figure: Dorian, the celestial being who had warned Amara of her destiny.

"You've survived the labyrinth. Impressive," Dorian said, his voice smooth and calculating.

Lysander tensed, stepping in front of Amara. "You have no business here, celestial."

Dorian smirked. "On the contrary, I'm here because of her." He turned his piercing gaze to Amara. "You've proven your strength, but you lack control. I can teach you to harness your powers—to master them before they destroy you."

Amara narrowed her eyes. "And what's the price?"

Dorian's smile widened. "Only your trust, my dear. Nothing more."

Amara hesitated, torn between distrust and desperation. Lysander's hand found hers, grounding her.

"Don't listen to him," Lysander warned. "He's not here to help you."

"And you are?" Dorian countered. "Tell me, shadowed one, how many times have you failed to protect her? How many lives has she lost because of your curse?"

Lysander's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Amara stepped forward, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her. "If you can help me control my powers, then prove it."

Dorian's eyes gleamed with triumph. "Very well. A demonstration."

He extended his hand, and the air shimmered. A portal opened, revealing a desolate battlefield where shadowy creatures writhed and screeched.

"These are your powers, unrestrained," Dorian said. "A reflection of what will happen if you don't learn control. Chaos, destruction, death. I can help you stop it, but only if you let me."

Amara's heart pounded as she stared at the horrifying vision. "What do I have to do?"

Dorian gestured, and the portal vanished. "Your power is tied to your emotions. To master it, you must confront the source of your fear—the pain that feeds the shadows within you."

He waved his hand, and the scenery shifted. Amara and Lysander were now standing in a memory from her childhood: a small house engulfed in flames.

"No," Amara whispered, backing away.

"You must face it," Dorian said, his tone merciless. "This moment shaped you. It is the key to your power."

Amara's younger self appeared, screaming for her parents as the flames consumed their home. The shadows swirled around the child, feeding on her fear.

Lysander reached for Amara, but Dorian blocked him with a wall of light. "This is her trial, shadowed one. You cannot interfere."

Amara stepped closer to the burning house, tears streaming down her face. She could feel the heat, hear the crackling of the flames, and smell the smoke. The shadows whispered to her, urging her to give in to despair.

"No!" she shouted, clenching her fists. The locket flared, and a wave of light extinguished the fire, dispelling the shadows.

Dorian nodded approvingly. "You're stronger than I expected. But strength alone won't be enough."

After the trial, Amara collapsed, exhausted. Lysander caught her, glaring at Dorian. "What are you really after?"

Dorian smiled faintly. "The same thing as you: to break the curse."

Lysander's eyes narrowed. "You lie."

"Believe what you wish," Dorian said, his tone cold. "But without my guidance, she won't survive the trials to come."

Amara looked up at Dorian, her voice weak but determined. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because your fate is tied to more than just your curse," Dorian replied. "You're a Catalyst. Your power has the potential to reshape the balance between light and shadow. But only if you survive long enough to wield it."

His words hung in the air like a challenge.

Dorian opened another portal, this one leading out of the Forbidden Realm.

"I'll give you time to decide," he said. "But know this: the longer you resist your destiny, the closer the shadows come to consuming you."

With that, he vanished, leaving Amara and Lysander alone.

As they stepped through the portal, the oppressive weight of the Forbidden Realm lifted, replaced by the cool night air of the mortal world.

Lysander pulled Amara close, his voice low and urgent. "Don't trust him. Whatever he's planning, it's not for your benefit."

Amara nodded, though doubt lingered in her mind. Dorian's warning had shaken her, and the memory of the burning house still burned in her mind.

But one thing was clear: if she wanted to survive—and save Lysander—she couldn't afford to ignore her powers any longer.