chapter 9

The Queen in the Flame

The night was heavy.

Not with sleep.

But with something older.

Deeper.

Lyra's eyes shut near the ashes of the dying fire — and the world fell away.

---

She opened her eyes…

In a palace of fire and starlight.

Marble as white as moonbone.

Banners of gold.

And a crown — her crown — resting on the throne she once ruled.

She wasn't dreaming.

She was remembering.

---

Voices echoed:

> "Queen Lyra of Elarion, Flame of the Moonfire Lineage, Ruler of the Twin Kingdoms!"

She stood on the steps of her coronation, wearing a dress that glowed like liquid starlight. Her heart raced, just as it did now — in the present.

And at the bottom of the steps…

Caelum, proud in silver armor, swore his loyalty.

Malric, in black and crimson, offered her the crown with both hands, eyes filled with something unspoken.

She smiled at both.

But her eyes lingered on Malric… too long.

---

> "This moment," her dream-self whispered, "this is where it all began."

Suddenly—

The skies cracked.

The palace trembled.

And from the shattered sky, a third moon bled through.

Not silver.

Not gold.

But black — as if carved from void.

> "It's too soon," a voice screamed.

"She's not ready!"

---

The dream twisted.

Now Lyra stood in the Chamber of the Oracle.

The hooded seer, face obscured, whispered:

> "You must choose one to betray.

One heart to break.

One kingdom to doom."

Lyra's hands trembled.

Behind her, Caelum and Malric stood.

Waiting. Watching.

> "You made your choice," the Oracle said.

"And paid the price with your life."

Suddenly—

The dagger was in her hand.

Her blood spilled across the marble.

Malric screamed.

---

And then—

She awoke.

Gasping.

Caelum jolted up. Malric reached for her.

But she pushed them both away.

> "I saw it," she whispered.

"I saw everything.

I was the one who lit the war."

They stared at her.

> "I trusted the Oracle. I thought the third moon was evil—

But it was a seal.

A lock on something worse."

Malric's face went pale.

> "If the third moon rises again…"

Caelum finished the sentence.

> "Then the real enemy returns."

---

Suddenly, from the edge of the forest—

A horn echoed.

Not a beast. Not a soldier.

But something ancient.

And far across the horizon, in the skies above the ruined temple—

The third moon blinked.

---

To be continued…

---