Chapter 20: The Fire Within

The clash of steel and shadow sent echoes through the ruined temple. Shira's golden fire flared with every strike, meeting Lyra's relentless darkness. Their battle raged like a storm, a collision of light and abyss, their energies carving deep scars into the ancient stone.

Lyra moved with eerie grace, her body shifting like liquid shadow. Every time Shira's sword came close to striking flesh, the darkness swirled, absorbing the impact. Lyra was no longer human—Darkwind's corruption had transformed her into something beyond mortal limits.

Shira's muscles burned with exertion, her breath coming in harsh gasps. The Dragonlord's power pulsed within her, demanding release. She could feel it clawing at her control, the raw fury of her lineage begging to consume her.

Elias fought at her side, his sword a silver blur. "We have to end this now!" he shouted, narrowly dodging a tendril of darkness.

Shira knew he was right. Every second that passed, Lyra's power grew. Shadows twisted unnaturally, extending from her body like a living abyss, threatening to devour everything in their path.

A cold laugh escaped Lyra's lips. "You fight so desperately, Shira. But tell me—how much longer can you resist?"

Shira gritted her teeth, ignoring the voice slithering into her mind. She surged forward, feinting left before bringing her sword down in an overhead arc. Lyra's hand shot up, catching the blade mid-swing. Darkness crackled against golden flames as the two forces clashed.

Pain lanced through Shira's arm as shadows seeped into her skin. A searing cold spread through her veins, threatening to choke the fire within. She gasped, trying to pull away, but Lyra's grip was unbreakable.

"You see?" Lyra whispered, eyes alight with cruel amusement. "Your flames aren't enough. You hold back because you're afraid. Afraid of what you'll become."

Shira's vision blurred. The memories of Darin's death, the horror of what she had done—what she had unleashed—swarmed her mind. The power had felt intoxicating, limitless, but at what cost?

Lyra leaned in closer, her breath cold against Shira's cheek. "You know you want to let go. To burn everything. Why fight it?"

A flicker of doubt wormed its way into Shira's heart. The weight of it was suffocating.

And then she heard him.

Shira.

Elias' voice, steady and grounding. Not filled with fear, not with doubt—only unwavering belief.

She latched onto it, clenching her jaw. "No," she whispered, her grip tightening on the sword.

Golden fire roared to life around her, surging with newfound purpose. The darkness recoiled, and Lyra's grip faltered just long enough.

With a cry, Shira tore free, pivoting as she swung her sword in a blinding arc. The blade cut through shadow and flesh alike, Lyra's scream piercing the air as golden fire exploded outward.

For a moment, the temple was bathed in pure light. The darkness shattered, and Lyra's form crumpled to the ground, her body convulsing as the abyss within her shrieked in protest.

Elias rushed to Shira's side, steadying her as she swayed. "You did it," he murmured.

Shira's eyes remained locked on Lyra's trembling form. The battle was over—but the war had just begun.

Darkwind was still out there.

Waiting.

Suddenly, a deep, rumbling voice filled the chamber. The air grew heavy, thick with unseen malice. The remaining shadows on the walls convulsed and merged, forming a vortex of writhing darkness. From its depths, a clawed hand emerged, followed by a figure draped in an abyssal cloak—Darkwind.

Shira's blood ran cold. She had never seen him before, but she knew. This was the entity that had taken Darin. That had twisted Lyra into a monster. The being that had orchestrated all of this.

Elias stepped in front of her, sword raised. "Stay back," he warned, though his voice wavered.

Darkwind chuckled, the sound reverberating through the temple like distant thunder. "Foolish boy. You cannot stop what has already begun."

Tendrils of darkness shot toward them. Shira ignited her flames, but before she could react, one coiled around Elias' waist, wrenching him into the air. He struggled, slashing at it, but the shadows absorbed his strikes like water swallowing a stone.

"No!" Shira lunged forward, but another tendril struck her, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Darkwind's hollow gaze locked onto her. "You are strong, little Dragonlord. But not strong enough." He turned his attention to Elias, his grip tightening. "I will enjoy breaking him."

Elias gasped as the darkness constricted, his face contorted in pain. "Shira… don't…"

She clawed at the ground, fire surging through her veins. "Let him go!" she screamed, golden flames exploding outward.

But Darkwind only laughed. And in an instant, he and Elias vanished into the abyss, leaving nothing but the echo of Elias' cry.

Shira collapsed to her knees, her breath ragged. The silence that followed was deafening.

Elias was gone.