CHAPTER 43

The Final Reckoning Begins

 The Gathering Storm

The winds howled through the ruins of the Celestial Temple as Lyra stood at the edge of the crumbling staircase, her heart pounding. Below, the battlefield stretched out before her—Eldoris's forces lined up against the armies of the Shadow born. The war she had fought so hard to prevent was now inevitable.

Alden approached, his gaze firm but laced with concern. "The scouts report movement on the western front. Eryx's forces are waiting for our next move."

Lyra clenched her fists. "Then we don't give them the satisfaction of waiting. We strike first."

Kael, standing beside them, sighed. "Are you sure? A direct assault could cost us too much."

Selene stepped forward, her dark cloak billowing. "It's now or never. If we delay, they'll grow stronger. The celestial energy is shifting."

Lyra took a deep breath, her celestial mark glowing faintly. "Then let's end this."

As Lyra and her forces advanced through the battlefield, a strange stillness settled over them. The eerie silence sent a shiver down her spine.

Alden rode beside her. "Something isn't right."

Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the air. The ground beneath them trembled, and dark tendrils shot out from the earth, wrapping around soldiers and horses alike. Screams rang out as warriors were pulled into the shadows.

Lyra's pulse spiked. "It's a trap!"

Eryx's voice echoed through the battlefield, smooth and taunting. "Oh, Lyra… did you really think I would make this easy for you?"

From the darkness, his form materialized, cloaked in the swirling power of the Forgotten Court. His silver eyes gleamed with amusement.

"You should have stayed away," he whispered.

Lyra's celestial mark burned as she met his gaze. "I'm here to end this, Eryx."

The Breaking Point

A surge of dark energy exploded from Eryx's outstretched hand, slamming into Lyra with the force of a raging storm. She barely had time to react before she was hurled backward, her body colliding against the crumbling stone ruins behind her. A sharp pain seared through her side, but she gritted her teeth, pushing herself up.

The battlefield had transformed into chaos—warriors clashed, magic scorched the earth, and cries of pain filled the air. The very ground trembled beneath the sheer power being unleashed.

Alden charged toward Eryx, his sword glowing with celestial energy. "You won't win this war!" he roared, swinging his blade in a deadly arc.

Eryx smirked and, with a flick of his wrist, conjured a shield of shadows. The force of Alden's attack met the dark barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

"Your strength is impressive," Eryx mused, "but it pales in comparison to the power of the Forgotten Court."

He thrust his palm forward, and tendrils of dark energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around Alden's limbs, constricting him in place. Alden struggled, muscles straining, but the darkness tightened its grip.

Lyra's breath caught in her throat. "Alden!"

She summoned the celestial energy within her, her mark glowing brighter, and unleashed a blast of light. The tendrils disintegrated, freeing Alden just in time for him to roll away from another of Eryx's attacks.

Kael appeared at Lyra's side, breathing heavily. "We need to end this now, or we'll be fighting a losing battle."

Selene, standing just behind them, reached into her satchel and pulled out the celestial shard. It pulsed with raw power, almost humming in Lyra's presence.

"The Celestial Binding…" Lyra whispered.

Selene nodded. "It's the only way to sever his connection to the Forgotten Court."

Lyra hesitated for only a moment before grasping the shard. As soon as her fingers curled around it, a searing heat shot up her arm. Her celestial mark blazed with golden light, resonating with the shard's magic.

Eryx's eyes flickered toward her. For the first time, his smirk faltered. "You wouldn't dare."

Lyra met his gaze, her resolve hardening. "Watch me."

Lyra surged forward, the shard clutched tightly in her hand. The celestial energy within it pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, each step bringing her closer to sealing Eryx's fate.

But just as she prepared to strike—

A voice cut through the chaos.

"Lyra, wait!"

Her blood ran cold.

She spun around, her heart lurching in her chest. Kael stood a few feet away, his sword dripping with blood.

And in front of him, staggering back with wide, pain-filled eyes, was Alden.

"No…" Lyra's breath hitched. Her mind refused to process what she was seeing.

Alden's hand pressed against his chest, where a deep wound gushed crimson. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto his knees, his face twisted in shock and betrayal.

Kael's grip on his sword tightened. His knuckles were white. His jaw clenched. But his eyes—they were filled with something far more devastating than anger. Regret.

Lyra's body trembled. "Tell me it's not true."

Kael's lips parted, but no words came.

Eryx chuckled darkly, stepping closer. "Oh, Lyra… did you really think he was ever truly on your side?"

Lyra's breathing turned ragged. "Kael… you… you fought beside me. You swore to protect Eldoris."

Kael's shoulders trembled. "I—" He faltered, his voice breaking. "I had no choice."

Tears stung Lyra's eyes. "You always had a choice."

Alden coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. "Lyra… don't let him… win…" His body slumped forward.

Rage, grief, and betrayal crashed over Lyra like a tidal wave.

Her fingers tightened around the celestial shard.

And then, without thinking—she lunged.

The sky split apart.

A blinding light burst from Lyra's celestial mark as she drove the shard toward Eryx's chest. The raw power behind it sent shockwaves through the battlefield, knocking back warriors on both sides.

Eryx barely had time to react before the shard's energy connected with him. He let out a strangled cry as celestial light poured through his veins, burning through the dark magic he wielded.

"No!" Eryx's silver eyes widened in horror. "This isn't—this can't be—"

The ground beneath them cracked, ancient power surging from the depths.

Lyra pressed forward, her heart pounding, her body screaming from the sheer force of the magic colliding between them.

"You have no power over me," she snarled.

With one final surge of strength, she plunged the shard deeper into his core.

Eryx let out a piercing scream. His body convulsed, shadows writhing around him. The tendrils of dark magic that had bound his army to him snapped like broken chains.

And then—silence.

Eryx's form began to disintegrate, pieces of him unraveling into nothingness. His eyes locked onto Lyra's one final time. "You think you've won," he whispered.

Lyra's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Eryx's lips curled into a weak smile.

Then—he was gone.

The battlefield stood still.

The Shadow born forces, now leaderless, hesitated. Some collapsed as the magic binding them dissipated. Others fled into the darkness.

Lyra staggered, exhaustion weighing on her. The war—the battle that had loomed over Eldoris for so long—was finally shifting in their favor.

But at what cost?

She turned, her heart clenching as she ran to Alden's side. His breathing was ragged, his skin pale.

"Stay with me," she pleaded, pressing her hands over his wound. Celestial magic flickered from her palms, but even she knew it wouldn't be enough.

Alden's hand reached up, brushing against her cheek. His touch was weak. "You did it," he murmured.

Lyra shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "Not without you. Please… don't leave me."

Alden smiled faintly. "I never could."

And then—his body went still.

A sharp, shattering pain erupted in Lyra's chest.

"No." Her voice was barely a whisper.

A scream tore from her throat, raw and broken. The sky trembled above her.

This wasn't over.

Not yet.

Because Eryx's final words haunted her.

"You think you've won."

Something was coming.

Something worse.

And she was going to be ready.