CHAPTER 15

The Throne of Shadows A Kingdom Fractured

The coronation hall descended into chaos. The light of the celestial throne flickered like a dying star as the council erupted in shouts and accusations. Guards drew their weapons, torn between their sworn duty to Lyra and their hidden loyalties to the High Council.

Lyra's heart pounded. The celestial mark on her arm burned hotter than ever, reacting to the treachery unfolding around her.

Alden stepped protectively in front of her, his sword gleaming under the golden chandeliers. "Anyone who moves against the queen will answer to me."

Kael appeared from the shadows; his hood pulled low over his face. "This was never about a simple coronation, was it?" His voice was calm, but his hands crackled with dark energy.

Selene took a slow step forward, her expression unreadable. "You don't understand, Lyra. I never wanted this. But you left us no choice."

Lyra clenched her fists, swallowing the ache of betrayal in her chest. "You plotted with my enemies. You tried to have me killed."

Selene's eyes darkened. "To protect Eldoris. To protect you."

"Lies."

Selene sighed, lifting a small crystal orb from the folds of her cloak. The moment she crushed it between her fingers, a wave of shadow swept through the hall.

The torches flickered and died.

The throne room grew cold.

And then—the Shadow born arrived.

The Arrival of the Forgotten

The moment the darkness touched the marble floor, they emerged. Figures cloaked in living shadows, their eyes burning like dying embers.

Whispers filled the air, words Lyra didn't understand but felt in her very bones.

We have returned.

The nobles screamed, scrambling away from the monstrous entities now surrounding them.

Kael took an instinctive step back. "You called them here?" His voice was sharp, betrayed.

Selene stood firm. "It was the only way."

Alden lunged toward her, but before his blade could strike, a shadowed figure blocked his path, its elongated fingers wrapping around his wrist. The darkness sizzled against his skin.

Alden groaned, dropping his sword.

Lyra acted without thinking. She extended her hand toward Alden, channeling a surge of celestial magic. A brilliant light shot from her palm, striking the creature and blasting it into the far wall.

Selene's expression did not waver. "You have power, Lyra. But power is nothing without control."

The throne rumbled beneath them, as if reacting to the shift in balance. The celestial mark on Lyra's arm pulsed violently, sending waves of light clashing against the growing darkness.

She could feel the throne calling to her.

It was time to choose.

The Choice That Would Shape a Kingdom

Eryx stepped forward; his silver eyes unreadable as he watched the scene unfold. "This is what I warned you about, princess. The throne is more than just a seat. It is a seal."

Selene lifted her chin. "And it's failing."

Lyra's breath caught in her throat.

If the throne's magic was crumbling, then the prison that held the ancient darkness—the one her ancestors fought to create—was breaking apart.

The kingdom wasn't just in danger.

It was on the verge of annihilation.

Selene turned to Lyra, her voice urgent. "You can still stop this. Join me."

Lyra's hands trembled at her sides. The mark on her arm burned, urging her to make a decision.

If she fought Selene, she might win—but she also might lose everything.

If she accepted Selene's offer, she could gain the knowledge to control the darkness—but risk falling into it herself.

The whispers of the Shadow born grew louder. Choose, Queen of Light. Choose, or be consumed.

Lyra took a deep breath—and made her choice.

The Fall of the Palace

The moment Lyra spoke her decision, the throne's magic reacted violently. A shockwave of celestial energy burst outward, shattering the stained-glass windows of the hall.

The Shadowborn howled in fury, their forms flickering under the celestial light.

Selene's eyes widened, as if she hadn't expected Lyra to choose so quickly.

A crack formed along the golden engravings of the throne, splitting it in half.

And then—the palace walls began to collapse.

The nobles screamed, scrambling toward the exits. Alden grabbed Lyra's wrist, trying to pull her away from the breaking throne. "We have to go!"

But Lyra couldn't move.

The celestial magic wasn't done with her yet.

The moment her hands touched the crumbling throne, a final vision struck her like lightning.

A future where she stood alone.

A future where the celestial light was gone.

A future where Eldoris no longer existed.

Lyra's breath hitched.

And then—everything went dark.