chapter 10
The Temple of the Third Moon
They walked in silence.
The night was now thick as ink,
and high above,
the Third Moon trembled in a dim, silver glow.
Beneath it…
a door had opened.
Made of stone and covered in wild vines,
it looked long forgotten.
But as Lyra stepped closer,
the vines pulled away — as if recognizing her.
---
Malrik whispered,
> "The temple only opens with blood… and your blood is the key."
Calem:
> "Why are we even here, Lyra? If this is the place where you locked him—"
Lyra:
> "Then it's the only place that can stop him again."
---
As they stepped through the threshold,
the heavy stone door sealed itself behind them with a loud rumble.
Inside, there was no light.
Only a soft hum…
of ancient magic.
Symbols on the walls began to burn in blue fire,
each glowing rune
seeming to know Lyra's name.
---
Then, the temple spoke.
A voice —
deep, cold, not quite human:
> "Three have entered.
One who was left behind.
One who hides his heart.
And one who fears the future.
Tell me…
Who will sacrifice,
and who will unlock the truth?"
They looked at one another, the silence heavy.
Calem:
> "I trusted once. I won't back down again."
Malrik:
> "I chose you before, Lyra. Even if death waits, I'll choose you again."
Lyra (softly):
> "And I lost both of you once. I won't lose you again."
---
Suddenly,
a gate of fire split the air —
Beyond it, a chamber.
At its center stood the Black Star Icon —
the very heart of the Third Moon's power.
But in front of it…
stood a figure.
Tall, cloaked in shadow,
and eyes —
black as the void.
> "Finally," it spoke.
"You've returned to me, my Queen."
---
Calem drew his sword.
> "Who the hell are you?"
Malrik whispered,
> "I've never seen it before… yet I feel like it knows us."
Lyra's face had gone pale.
> "That… that's the one.
The being we sealed inside the Third Moon.
And it's free."
---
It laughed.
> "Another cycle begins.
Will you make the same mistake again?
Or will you sacrifice yourself this time?"
---
Suddenly, the temple shook.
Cracks split open the ground.
Flames erupted from below.
And on Lyra's forehead,
the Mark of the Third Moon began to burn.
---
Malrik shouted:
> "We're trapped!"
Calem:
> "You have to do something, Lyra!"
Lyra closed her eyes.
She slowly lifted into the air,
hair rising, power gathering around her.
The air sparked.
Lightning danced above.
> "This time…"
"I write the ending myself."
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To be continued…
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