Chapter 38

Thornak stood at the center of the chamber, the stone cold beneath his feet. Sweat clung to his bare chest despite the chill in the air. Kael waited silently by the door, watching.

Ninzu stepped back, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Speak to the Guardian. Through blood and bond, she will hear you."

He nodded, eyes steady.

"What do I do?" he asked, his voice low.

"Call her," Ninzu said simply. "Repeat the words I taught you."

He looked down at the silver sand in his hand, it felt warm. Thornak knelt down. His voice was low at first, unsure.

"Thal'en varra… Sarieth mora… Thal'en varra... Sarieth mora..."

The chamber remained unchanged, silent.

"Thal'en varra… Sarieth mora…"

Each repetition rang louder, more resolute. On the seventh, the air stirred, though no doors had moved. The air thickened. Something was coming.

The charm in his palm pulsed once, then again. Suddenly Light surged from his palm, the silver sand dissolving into radiant threads that raced up his arms, lacing through his body like veins of moonlight.

The room went still.

A figure took shape in front of Thornak. The same person he saw in the shared vision with Lara. The Guardian. She stepped forward, her voice like wind through silver trees.

"She is here," the Guardian said softly.

Thornak's breath caught. "Where?"

The Guardian's gaze flickered, as if seeing through realms. "She lies within the temple ruins. But her time grows short."

At her feet, a symbol ignited, etched into the stone in light, pulsing with pale lunar fire.

"You must reach her," she whispered. "The sorcerer comes."

Then, without another word, she vanished, leaving only the glowing mark behind.

Kael lingered in the doorway, eyes narrowing. The air still shimmered faintly from the unseen storm that had passed. Ninzu stood motionless, her robes untouched by the stir of magic that had just rippled through the chamber.

Then Ninzu's brow furrowed. "What did you see?" she asked, voice tight.

Thornak rose slowly, breath uneven, the final flicker of moonlight fading from his skin. His eyes searched theirs.

"You didn't see her?" he rasped.

Ninzu and Kael exchanged a glance. Kael shook his head. "No. Nothing."

Thornak's gaze dropped to the glowing rune etched into the stone. It pulsed, steady and alive. He pointed.

"She was here. The Guardian. She spoke to me." His jaw clenched. "She said Lara's in the ruins. Alive. But the sorcerer is going to her."

Kael's expression darkened instantly. "Then what are we waiting for?" He turned toward the doors, voice firm. "We leave now."

But before they could move, the chamber trembled. The rune flared with sudden brilliance, light leaping upward in a spiral of mist and silver fire.

Kael stumbled back. "Thorn, what the hell is that?"

The air twisted, rippling like water under moonlight. The rune split open with a deep, resonant hum. A tear in the world bloomed above the floor, light bending inward, folding space like parchment.

Even Ninzu's breath hitched. "That's a doorway," she whispered.

Kael stared. "Where does it go?"

"She's through there. Narielle. I feel her. "

Without hesitation, he stepped toward the light. The moment he crossed the threshold, the portal flared wide, silver fire licking the edges and the sound that followed was like wind being drawn from the world.

Then he was gone.

Lara lay on the cold stone floor. She couldn't move. Her body was weak, her chest tight. Around her neck was a collar which glowed faint red. Its magic gnawing at her strength. Nymeria whimpered inside her, weak. She could barely feel her anymore. Just a faint, tired echo inside her.

Orla paced the room, wringing her hands, her steps quick and shallow. She kept glancing at the door, at the collar, at Lara then back again. Her nerves were cracking.

Lara tried to speak. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Her throat hurt. Her vision was fuzzy.

Then something changed. The room shook. A strange wind swept through the air, cold and sharp. The runes on the walls flickered. The ground itself seemed to hum.

Orla froze. "What was that?"

A deep howl echoed through the chamber. Then he appeared.

The air behind Orla tore open, like something had ripped through the world. Light poured in. A tall figure stepped out of the tear.

Thornak.

His chest rose and fell. His eyes cold and furious, took in everything. He saw the Lara and the collar. And then, he saw Orla

Orla stood still, her voice shaky. "Your Majesty..."

But she was too late.

Thornak shifted. His beast, Jax, burst forward in a blur of black fur and golden eyes, claws gleaming with fury.

He roared and lunged.

His hand slammed into Orla's chest. Bone cracked. Blood sprayed. She screamed.

Then, with a single, savage motion, Thornak ripped her heart out, still pulsing in his palm.

He stared at it, then tossed it aside like trash. Orla fell, lifeless.

The room went still.

Thornak turned to Lara. His beast slowly faded, but his breathing was rough, his hands shaking as he came to her side.

He dropped to his knees. Gently, he lifted her head. His voice was low and raw.

"My love… what have they done to you?"

Lara tried to answer, but only a tear slipped down her cheek. He held her close. His voice cracked.

"I'm here now."

Thornak lifted Lara into his arms. Her head rested against his chest. Her breathing was soft and slow.

He held her close, his jaw tight, his heart breaking.

Behind them, the tear in the air still glowed with silver light. It flickered like a flame, quiet but strong.

Without looking back, Thornak stepped into the light.

The world around them shifted. The cold stone chamber vanished. The air grew warmer, softer and the silver light faded.

They appeared inside Ninzu's room.

Kael had already left and Ninzu was reciting a prayer.

Ninzu turned and froze. For a moment, even she had no words.

"Lay her down," she said, hurrying toward the bed. Her voice was sharp, but full of concern. "That collar, goddess help us, it's draining her powers."

Thornak didn't speak. His eyes stayed on Lara. Carefully, he placed her on the bed, brushing her hair back with trembling fingers.

Ninzu was already searching through her satchel, and brought out a carved wooden box She opened it with great care. Inside was a small clay jar, sealed with a woven charm.

She broke the seal and lifted the lid.

"Stay back," she warned gently. "Let me work."

But Thornak didn't move far. He stayed close, eyes never leaving Lara. His hands curled into fists, then loosened again. Rage swelled in his chest, hot and wild.

This happened under his own roof.

He would not forget that.

From the jar, Ninzu took a small pinch of fine black ash and sprinkled it gently onto the collar.

Thornak stepped closer, watching. "What is that?"

She didn't look up. "Ash from the Temple of the Moon. From the roots of the flame tree that once burned for seven days and nights during the last cleansing."

The collar hissed where the ash touched it. The red glow flared, pulsing, then began to flicker. Suddenly, the collar split and fell to the floor.

Lara's breath came in weak, uneven bursts, but she was breathing.

Ninzu placed a steadying hand on her chest. "She is resting now," she said softly. "The worst has passed."

Thornak exhaled, the weight in his chest easing just slightly. He nodded once.

"Kael, Dain, Ruvan my office. Now."

His voice rang sharp and clear through the mind-link.

Then he turned to Ninzu. "Stay with her. Don't let anyone else near."

"I'll guard her with my life," Ninzu replied.

Without another word, Thornak strode to the door. At the threshold, he paused only long enough to signal the guards.

"The five of you," he said coldly. "No one in. No one out."

Five elite warriors took their place instantly, their eyes hard and alert.

Only then did Thornak disappear down the hall, fury burning just beneath his skin.

Back in Thornak's office chamber, Dain stood rigid by the table, the flickering torchlight casting sharp shadows across his face.

"Chamberlain Ysara said she didn't know the full extent of the plan."He said. She claims she told Orla not to involve herself in any schemes. She even threatened to report her. But Orla... she didn't care."

Thornak turned, eyes gleaming like molten metal. "Then who gave the order?"

Dain's jaw tightened. "She doesn't know. And I believe her. She was terrified, and there was truth in her scent. What she does know is that someone paid Orla. Someone powerful and influential enough that Orla believed she could defy you and survive."

"Why do I see Maravelle written all over this." Thornak growled, face grim.

"I don't think even the Queen is capable of this." Ruvan said shaking his head.

"She made a pact with the moonguard prince a long time ago, before any of this," Thornak's voice dropped to a snarl. "She is capable of much more than you think."

Surprise was clearly on everyone's face.

"What are you saying brother." Kael stilled. "You never told me that."

"Because I hoped it was nothing," Thornak said. "An old sin buried in dust. But it's not. It's rotting beneath our feet."

A cold silence wrapped the room. The implications hung like smoke, thick, suffocating.

"What do you want us to do, brother?" Kael asked.

Thornak's eyes burned with controlled fury. "Nothing. Not yet."

Kael blinked. "Nothing?"

"We have no proof. Not enough to move against her. If we strike too early, she'll bury the truth deeper, and we'll never find it." He looked to each of them. "But make no mistake, if she is still working with the moonguard prince, we will know."

His voice dropped to a low growl.

"And when that time comes, I will see the crown melt on her head before I let her be a threat again."