chapter 15

Echoes of the Forgotten

The fire crackled softly inside the abandoned watchtower.

Astrael slept, wrapped in furs, breath even but uneasy.

His dreams danced in starlight — filled with ruins, blood, and whispers.

Lyra watched him from across the room.

She hadn't slept.

How could she?

He was changing.

And something ancient was watching them both.

---

Malrik and Calem whispered nearby.

> "We can't keep protecting him," Calem said.

"What if he's a threat?"

> "He is a threat," Malrik replied. "But so are we. Every chosen one is."

Calem clenched his jaw.

> "He burned three scrolls just by breathing near them."

Malrik sighed.

> "You didn't see what Lyra saw.

He's more than power. He's purpose."

---

The wind outside howled like it carried names long forgotten.

And somewhere between the pine trees…

someone was watching them.

A cloaked figure stepped between shadows,

his face hidden by a mask made of carved moonstone.

His eyes burned with golden flame.

> "So… the Moonborne lives."

He raised a hand — and the snow itself shivered.

---

Inside the tower…

Astrael jolted awake, gasping.

His eyes were different now — one silver, one deep violet.

Something had changed.

> "He's coming," he whispered.

> "Who?" Lyra asked, standing.

> "The one who called me back."

Before she could question him further—

The door blew open.

Snow and shadow spilled in.

And with them, the masked man.

---

> "You are not supposed to exist," the figure said coldly.

"And yet… here you are."

Astrael rose, fists clenched, voice trembling.

> "Who are you?"

> "I am Vaelorin, Keeper of the Lunar Chains.

And you, child… are the moon's mistake."

---

Without warning, Vaelorin raised both hands.

Chains of light burst from thin air — pure moonsteel — and lashed toward Astrael.

Lyra stepped in front of him—

> "Don't!"

The chains struck her shield, flaring bright.

She screamed, thrown backward by the force.

Astrael's eyes burned brighter.

---

The ground cracked.

Everything—paused.

Time slowed.

Even the fire flickered in stillness.

Astrael stepped forward.

His voice was not his own.

> "You dare bind me again, Vaelorin?"

Vaelorin stumbled.

> "No… it can't be. That voice…"

Astrael's body radiated power now.

The Second Moon outside pulsed in sync with his breath.

> "You made me to hold the moon's memory," the voice said.

"But memories… do not forget.

And we do not forgive."

---

Lyra crawled to her feet.

> "Astrael—don't let it control you!"

His eyes flicked toward her.

Just for a second.

And in that second… he chose.

The power dimmed.

His voice returned to normal.

> "I'm not your weapon," he told Vaelorin.

"Not anymore."

Vaelorin lowered his chains slowly.

> "Then the world is truly doomed."

He vanished into silver mist.

---

Silence returned.

Calem helped Lyra up.

Malrik stared at Astrael like he'd seen the end of time.

> "What… are you?" he asked.

Astrael looked at his hands, glowing faintly.

> "Something that shouldn't be alive.

And something that can't die."

---

Outside, in the distance…

The Second Moon trembled.

And cracked.

A thin fracture—barely visible—streaked across its face.

---

To be continued…

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