CHAPTER 40

Alden's Wrath (Alden's Perspective – Rage, Heartbreak, and Desperate Pursuit) The Moment of Betrayal (Alden's Heart Breaks, and Fury Awakens)

The world stopped the moment Alden saw Lyra holding Eryx's hand.

A sharp, twisting pain stabbed through his chest, worse than any wound he had ever suffered in battle.

Lyra—his Lyra—stood beside their enemy.

His fingers clenched so tightly around his sword that his knuckles turned white.

Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came.

Alden didn't need to hear them.

He had seen enough.

"You lied to me," he whispered, his voice hollow.

Lyra flinched.

Eryx smirked, his silver eyes glinting. "Oh, Alden… it seems you miscalculated."

Alden's entire body burned with fury.

The woman he had fought for, bled for, nearly died for—had chosen their enemy.

Or had she?

For the briefest moment, doubt flickered inside him.

But before he could say another word, Eryx whispered a spell.

Darkness exploded outward.

The force slammed into Alden, sending him crashing against the wall. The moment he regained his senses, Lyra and Eryx were gone.

Alden's roar of fury shook the chamber.

(Unrelenting Rage and Desperate Determination)

Alden stormed out of the fortress, his heartbeat a war drum in his ears. His mind screamed for clarity, but all he felt was betrayal and rage.

Kael and Selene were already waiting outside, their weapons drawn.

"Where's Lyra?" Kael demanded.

Alden's jaw tightened. "She's with Eryx."

Selene's face paled. "What?"

"She chose him." The words tasted like poison on Alden's tongue.

Kael's eyes darkened. "No. That's impossible."

Alden barely heard him. His entire body was shaking.

He had promised to protect Lyra.

He had sworn it.

And now, she was in the hands of a monster.

"Where would he take her?" Alden's voice was low, deadly.

Selene hesitated. "If he wants to complete the prophecy, there's only one place he would go—the Celestial Ruins."

Alden didn't waste another second. He mounted his horse, his grip tight on the reins.

Kael grabbed his arm. "Alden, think. If she truly betrayed us, running in blind will get you killed."

Alden's eyes burned. "Then I'll die getting her back."

He kicked his horse forward, riding into the night.

His only thought was Lyra.

And what he would do to Eryx when he found them.

(Alden's Emotions Spiral Out of Control)

The wind howled around him as Alden rode through the darkened forest. The trees twisted like grasping fingers, but he didn't slow down.

Memories assaulted him.

Lyra's laughter under the stars.

The way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't watching.

The silent promise he had made to always be by her side.

And now?

Now, she had left him.

Had she ever truly cared?

Alden shook his head violently. No. Something was wrong.

Lyra wouldn't betray him.

She couldn't.

But then why had she taken Eryx's hand?

Why hadn't she fought back?

Doubt and fury warred within him, threatening to consume him whole.

If he was wrong—if she had chosen Eryx willingly—

Then he would kill them both.

(Alden Gets a Lead—And His Rage Turns Deadly)

The morning mist clung to the earth like a ghostly veil as Alden crouched low behind the brush, his breath controlled, heart thundering.

Down by the river, a lone scout from Eryx's faction watered his horse, completely unaware that death lurked nearby.

Alden's grip on his dagger tightened.

One strike. A swift interrogation. And then—vengeance.

He moved like a shadow, swift and silent. Before the scout could react, Alden's arm locked around his throat, dagger pressing against his pulse.

The man gasped, struggling, but Alden shoved him down into the damp earth, knee digging into his back.

"Speak," Alden hissed, his voice razor-sharp. "Where is Eryx?"

The man choked, hands clawing at the dirt. "I—I don't—"

Alden tightened his grip. The blade pressed deeper into flesh, drawing a thin line of blood.

"Try again."

The scout whimpered. "The Celestial Ruins! He—he's taking the girl there!"

Alden's blood turned to fire.

He had them.

He yanked the man up, slamming him against a tree. His grip was iron, his fury barely contained.

"One more thing." His voice was low, dangerous.

The scout trembled. "W-what?"

Alden's eyes burned like embers.

"Did she go willingly?"

A flicker of hesitation.

Alden's fist slammed into the man's stomach, forcing a pained grunt. "Answer me."

The scout coughed, gasping. "She looked… conflicted. She wasn't fighting, but she didn't look like she wanted to go either."

Alden's chest tightened.

So there was still hope.

Eryx must have manipulated her. Forced her. Used magic, perhaps.

Alden's grip tightened. "You never saw me."

The scout barely nodded before Alden's dagger flashed—knocking him unconscious.

He mounted his horse, fury coursing through his veins.

He was coming for her.

And he would burn anyone who stood in his way.

(A Trap is Set, and Alden is Hunted)

The Celestial Ruins were two days' ride away. But Alden was not alone on this path.

As the sun began to set, an unnatural silence overtook the forest. The usual sounds—rustling leaves, chirping crickets—vanished.

Alden's grip tightened on his sword.

Something was wrong.

Then—

A whisper.

Low, eerie, almost too faint to hear.

"You are not welcome here."

Alden's horse reared violently, nearly throwing him. The moment he steadied himself, he saw them.

Figures. Dozens of cloaked figures, slipping between the trees like shadows.

Eryx's men.

Alden's eyes narrowed. "Cowards."

The first attacker lunged from the darkness.

Alden dodged, spinning, his blade flashing. The steel met flesh. A gurgled scream. Blood splattered against the forest floor.

Then—chaos erupted.

More shadows descended upon him, their swords gleaming in the moonlight. Alden fought like a demon, his strikes precise and deadly.

But they just kept coming.

A dagger sliced his shoulder. He grunted but didn't slow down. His world narrowed to survival.

One after another, the bodies fell. But Alden's movements slowed. Blood dripped from his wounds. His vision blurred.

Then—pain exploded through his head.

A hard blow struck his skull. The world tilted as darkness closed in.

And then—nothing.

 (Alden Awakens in Captivity, and the Truth is Revealed)

Pain.

That was the first thing Alden felt when consciousness dragged him back.

His body was bound, arms chained above his head in a dark, damp chamber. His wrists burned where the metal dug into his skin.

A shadow moved.

Then another.

Then—laughter.

Slow, mocking.

Alden's teeth clenched.

From the darkness, a familiar voice slithered toward him.

"You are quite the fighter, Prince Alden."

Eryx.

Alden's fury ignited instantly. His muscles tensed against the restraints. "Where is she?"

Eryx stepped into the dim light, smirking. "Ah, so predictable. Always asking about Lyra."

Alden's chest heaved. "If you've hurt her—"

"Hurt her?" Eryx chuckled. "No, no, my dear prince. I have given her clarity. She is beginning to understand the truth."

Alden's breath hitched. "You're lying."

Eryx stepped closer, his silver eyes glinting. "Aren't I?"

Then—Eryx lifted his hand, and a flicker of magic pulsed in the air.

And suddenly—Alden saw Lyra.

She stood in another chamber, her golden mark glowing faintly, her eyes stormy with conflict.

She wasn't bound.

She wasn't fighting.

She was waiting.

"Why isn't she trying to escape?" Alden whispered, his heart twisting.

Eryx leaned in. "Because she finally sees what I see."

Alden's stomach plummeted.

"No," he growled, shaking his head. "You've twisted her mind."

Eryx only smiled. "Believe what you wish. But when the time comes, she will make her choice."

Alden's hands shook with fury.

Lyra would never choose Eryx.

She couldn't.

But then—why did doubt crawl up his spine?

 (Alden's Desperate Breakout—And a Heartbreaking Realization)

The moment Eryx left the chamber, Alden's mind raced.

He had to get out. He had to reach Lyra.

Straining against his chains, Alden focused. The chains were reinforced with magic. But there was always a weakness.

His eyes searched.

And then—he found it.

A single, rusted bolt near the hinge.

Shifting his weight, Alden forced all his strength into one motion—

Snap!

The bolt gave way.

Alden twisted, breaking free. His body screamed with exhaustion, but his mind only had one thought—

Find Lyra.

He moved swiftly through the corridors, his steps silent.

Then—he heard voices.

Pausing near the chamber entrance, Alden's heart stopped.

Lyra.

And she wasn't alone.

Eryx's voice was smooth. "You know what you must do."

Silence.

Then—Lyra's voice, soft, breaking.

"I… don't know anymore."

Alden's stomach dropped.

Had he already lost her?