[Into the Fire]

I sat in the corner of the safe house, the flickering firelight casting long shadows on the walls. The quiet had settled over the room, but I couldn't shake the sense that something was wrong.

Lyra had stepped out a while ago, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I could still feel the power of the Abyss, simmering beneath my skin, waiting for me to tap into it again. But I didn't want to. Not yet. The last time had been a mistake. That place with the dark trees, the fog—it felt like I'd been pulled into another world.

How was I supposed to control this?

I rubbed my temples, trying to focus. Every time the Abyss pulsed inside me, I felt like I was drowning in something ancient and uncontrollable. I couldn't let it take me.

I tried to push the thoughts away, but the power was relentless. It felt like it was always there, lurking.

I looked around the room. The only sound was the crackling of the fire, but even that felt like a distant hum in my ears. The shadows grew long, stretching across the stone walls, warping into strange shapes.

Suddenly, I stood, without thinking.

The pull of the Abyss was too strong.

I reached out, and the world around me blurred.

For a split second, the stone walls of the safe house disappeared, and I was standing somewhere else—a forest, dense with trees, heavy fog swirling at my feet.

I gasped, my heart racing. Not again.

I had done it again.

But this time, I didn't panic. I couldn't afford to. I had to figure this out.

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. Focus. I needed to understand what was happening.

The Abyss wasn't just pulling me somewhere; it was showing me things, places I couldn't explain. Maybe it was a warning, or maybe it was a guide. Either way, I wasn't going to let it control me.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the fog, the cold, the pressing weight of the unknown. My thoughts swirled as I focused, pushing the energy of the Abyss away from me.

The darkness inside me quieted. The world around me wavered.

And then, everything snapped back into place.

I opened my eyes.

I was back in the safe house, still staring at the fire. My hands were shaking.

I breathed a sigh of relief. It was like the Abyss had let me go this time. But it didn't mean I had control.

Lyra's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Making friends with the shadows again?"

I jumped, turning to find her standing in the doorway.

"I wasn't trying to," I said, standing up quickly. "It just happened again."

She didn't seem surprised. "You've got to learn to control it. And you don't have much time."

"Control it? How?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. "You think I've got a manual or something?"

Her gaze softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "I don't know. But you have to figure it out. The Holy Order's still out there, and they won't stop hunting you."

I swallowed. The reality of it hit me hard. The Order was relentless. If they found me, it would all be over.

"But how do I control it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm losing myself every time I… do that."

Lyra took a step toward me, her eyes steady. "The Abyss isn't something you can just ignore. It's part of you now, whether you like it or not. You have to learn how to wield it. Or it'll wield you."

I clenched my fists. "I can't be controlled by this. Not again."

Her lips twitched, like she almost wanted to smile. "I'm not saying you need to become a weapon. But if you don't learn how to use your powers, they'll use you. Trust me. I've seen it happen before."

I stood still, her words sinking in. It wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about control—not only over the Abyss, but over my own fate.

I exhaled slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'll figure it out. I have to."

Lyra nodded. "Good. We leave in the morning. You're not safe here, and I don't trust that safe house anymore."

"What now?" I asked.

She gave me a look that I couldn't quite read. "Now, we run."

The next morning, we set out early. The road was quiet as we made our way through the dense forest surrounding Elaris, the towering trees blocking out the weak morning sun.

Lyra led the way, her pace quick and sure. I followed closely behind, trying to keep up, but my thoughts were all over the place.

We hadn't spoken much since last night. I didn't know if it was because she didn't trust me, or because she had no more answers to give. Maybe both.

I couldn't blame her.

The forest felt different today, like the shadows were watching us. The air was heavy, and I could hear the rustling of the trees above us as if they were whispering secrets to one another.

I felt the Abyss stir again, a quiet hum in the back of my mind. It wasn't as intense as before, but it was there, tugging at me like it always did.

"Lyra," I said, my voice low, "what exactly are we doing here?"

She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing. "You're asking too many questions, Kieran."

"I'm not stupid," I shot back. "I know you're hiding something. I want to know what it is."

Her pace slowed for just a second, and I could see the tension in her shoulders. "I'm trying to keep you alive. That's all. But if you don't trust me, this won't work."

I clenched my jaw. "Trust is earned, not given."

She didn't say anything, just turned away and picked up the pace again. I didn't have much choice but to follow.

The farther we traveled, the more unsettled I became. The air grew colder, and the trees grew thicker, casting dark shadows over the path. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched.

But by who?

As we reached a clearing, Lyra stopped. She motioned for me to be quiet, her hand held out like a warning.

The moment I stopped moving, I felt it.

A chill ran down my spine.

There were figures in the distance. Shadows.

And they were closing in on us.