Chapter 8- Lyraea

Chapter 8: Shadows of the Past

The glow of the crystal projection filled the safehouse, illuminating the tension etched on every face. Elyndra's image hovered in the magical mist, her sharp, calculating eyes narrowing as she addressed the room. Amira stood at her side, arms crossed, her expression a constant blend of disdain and superiority. Dane's projection flickered slightly, his voice crackling as if the battlefield itself was interfering with the connection.

After my encounter with Kaelion near my squad's safehouse, I had the feeling he would Scour the nearby area in search of me and by Vaelthar's name, I was right.

I made the quick call to gather the weavers and they put in place several complex wards to ensure that whoever came in, would see no one. But of course, it was rushed so they could only hide so much, hence not covering our tracks entirely, but I suppose enough to work. However I knew that something that complex would only be temporary so of course we had to leave as soon as we possibly could. So I rallied all four of the cells in my squad cell by cell en route to Leo- another squad captain's camp which is in a border town with Calythorne the other side of the mainland.

Leo paced restlessly in front of me, the scuff of his boots filling the brief pauses in conversation. The unease in the room was tangible, and I could feel every judgmental gaze aimed in my direction.

"You swore an oath, Lyraea," Dane snapped, his voice like a whip crack. His spectral figure gestured sharply toward me, his frustration palpable even through the magical haze. "You pledged to follow protocol. To consult command before risking your squad, let alone someone else's!"

I held my ground, my voice steady but firm. "If I hadn't moved, my squad would be dead."

"Dead because of you!" Amira shot back, venom dripping from her tone. "You're the reason we're in this mess. If you hadn't gone on that rogue mission —without clearance, might I add—the King wouldn't even be hunting us this hard. You brought this on yourself and on everyone else."

The words stung, but I refused to flinch. "You know that's not true," I retorted, stepping closer to the projection. My voice rose as I pointed at her. "The Kingdom's been closing in for months. Mara's squad? Most of them are dead because we waited too fucking long to act. You call that keeping things under control?"

The room went silent, everyone's gaze flicking nervously to Elyndra's projection. Even Amira didn't respond, though her lips pressed into a thin line.

I continued, my voice hard as steel. "I had to do something. And I don't give a damn if it was a trap because at least it sent a goddamned message."

Leo stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing as he turned to me. I could see the worry etched into his face, but he said nothing.

Elyndra raised her hand, silencing the room. "Enough," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "The damage is done. What matters now is how we move forward." She turned her attention to Dane. "Mara's remaining squad is to move to Leo's location as soon as it's safe. Tonight itself, if possible. I want them there before dawn that you might move and act as one unit."

Dane nodded, though his expression was grim. "And the rest of us?"

"You'll consolidate forces," Elyndra continued. "We're moving everyone to Ravaryn."

Leo's head snapped up, his jaw tightening. "That's a mistake," he said, his tone low but firm. "Putting all our people in one place is risky as hell. If the Kingdom catches wind—"

"Ravaryn is Aevorian enemy territory," Elyndra interrupted, her tone sharp enough to silence him. "The sanctions in place ensure that no Aevorian forces can set foot there. It's why Ravaryn is the rebellion's headquarters—it's the safest place we have."

Leo's mouth opened to argue, but Amira cut him off with a condescending laugh. "Oh, please, Leo. Do enlighten us with your vast strategic wisdom."

He glared at her but said nothing, his frustration evident.

Elyndra continued as though she hadn't noticed the exchange. "There's another reason for the move. Ravaryn hosts the largest gathering of our forces. We've lost too many people already, and consolidating there strengthens our position. The Kingdom's hold is tightening, and I have reason to believe the King is planning something big. We can't afford to be caught off guard."

"What about border control?" Dane asked, his brow furrowing. "Even if Ravaryn is safe, the journey there isn't."

"I'll have it handled by the time you arrive," Elyndra replied coolly. "You leave in five days. Every delay risks exposure."

Her gaze swept across the room. "Coordinate your movements carefully. No unnecessary risks. And Lyraea?"

I straightened instinctively. "Yes?"

"Stay in line," she said, her voice sharp. "We can't afford any more mistakes."

The meeting ended with Elyndra's image fading into the mist, leaving the room darker and heavier. Leo leaned against the wall, exhaling sharply.

"This is a bad idea," he muttered, his voice low.

"I know," I replied quietly, though I couldn't bring myself to argue.

---

The safehouse was unnervingly quiet- much quieter than usual. I take it most are gripped with anxiety because of the journey we are to take in a few hours, the uncertainty of our survival. I'd be lying if I said that I'm completely unaffected but as squad leader this is something I can never admit to anyone. It was hard enough to earn my speak as a woman, let alone one who looks different.

What can a blue black girl offer the rebellion.

The words I had to overcome ringing lounder in my head tangled in incredible amounts of frustration and anger. Words I had to overcome by busting my ass hundred times more than anybody here and continuing to do so for half the recognition. I know for a fact that if Leo had made the call I had concerning the kingdom, he would have been awarded for his bravery and initiative, but me? because my skin is dark and I'm a woman, I get reprimanded for being reckless and agressive, words I've had to bear with my whole fucking life but its funny how, no matter how many times I've had to hear it or face biases like this, the sting never really ebbs.

When I heard of the rebellion, I saw it as a place of opportunity, of equality. I suppose it was much to assume that people fighting for a seat at the table would be fighting for all to have a seat at the table.

I place all these thoughts in a neat little box in the corner of my mind as I force myself to catch some sleep. However, in spite the exhaustion tugging at my body, my thoughts fail to be silenced. Sleep came reluctantly, dragging me into the depths of my past.

I was eleven again, running through the dense forest. My legs ached, my lungs burned, but I didn't dare stop. Behind me, the sound of barking dogs grew louder, their snarls cutting through the air like knives.

"Taghlyraea!"

The voice was cold and commanding—my father's voice.

I stumbled over a root, hitting the ground hard. The taste of blood filled my mouth as I bit my lip, but I didn't cry out. The dogs were close now, their growls vibrating in my chest.

And then they were there, bursting through the trees, their teeth bared.

I screamed, throwing my hands up instinctively.

The world froze. The dogs hung mid-leap, their bodies suspended like marionettes on invisible strings. My hands glowed faintly, an unnatural light pulsating from my palms.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "No, no, no."

My father stepped into the clearing, his eyes cold as steel. "So, it's true," he said, his voice dripping with disgust. "You're one of them."

The scene shifted. The forest was on fire now, flames licking at the trees as smoke choked the air. The screams were louder—mine, or someone else's, I couldn't tell.

The ground gave way beneath me, and I was falling into darkness.

I woke with a gasp, my body drenched in sweat. Around me, the safehouse buzzed with quiet activity. The others were already up, preparing for the journey ahead.

The nightmare lingered, its shadows clinging to me as I swung my legs off the cot. I ran a hand through my hair, steadying myself.

There was no time for fear. We had to move.