What If? The Abyss

Authority's end

Lord Asriel was still clinging tight but weakening fast, as the golden monkey entwined it's fingers  into Metatron's hair. However suddenly its own hair stood up on end and unexplained shivers rippled through Mrs Coulter like a tornado. Still clinging tightly to the angels wings, she slowly turned her head around and what met her was her worst fear.

Lyra was peeking around a massive rock, quiet as a mouse so as not to be seen. She had broken away from the protection of Will's father and she and Pan had escaped once again. Unbeknownst to Asriel, Lyra and Pan had followed him up there out of curiosity.

Mrs Coulter's expression was that of horror, shock, guilt, anger and fear all at once and she froze staring, almost open mouthed at Lyra. 

"Lyra, I don't think we're supposed to be here at all." Pan, a silky white ferret, whispered into Lyra's neck (they hadn't parted since Lyra found him again). Unnerved by her mother's panic stricken expression, Lyra started to retreat.

However, at that moment, Metatron caught sight of the girl.

Mustering all of his strength, he flattened Asriel and as his only defence was Stelmaria he flattened them both, leaving Ozymandias clinging on. It happened quicker than the cut of the blade at Bolvanger...

Mrs Coulter, glared at the Tyrannical figure of Metatron, smirking as if to show he's accomplished his goal. But impulsively with a new found strength fuelled  by love and compassion, Mrs Coulter shoved at Metatron so hard that the angel was taken aback and he stumbled towards the edge. She reached for Asriel's hand, but her intention was not to save him. But to go down with him. But he refused to take it and as they stumbled off the edge the only thing he could say to her was  "I love you". 

Then they were gone.

Almost as if it were taking her brain a moment to compute, she stood there gaping for a few seconds until she suddenly sunk to her knees. Her whole body was shaking violently, corrupted by sobs that even she couldn't contain. Through the mask of tears that enveloped her face she blubbered "I love you". 

She was no longer, Marisa Coulter experimental theologian. She was just a young woman, who had lost her lover. Again. And it was her fault.

Lyra, concerned and anguished rushed to her mother's side burying any past anger she harboured towards her. The woman was inconsolable and didn't even seem to care that her daughter the person she wanted most in the world was by her side.

Lyra's stomach was in knots. She feared for the woman who was still crying and screaming uncontrollably. Why did she care for her now, when she had been angry at her mother for so long? Lyra didn't know the answer to that question.

As Lyra and Pan shared a look (pan was now a leopard, almost cradling the shaken monkey in his paws) Lyra preceded to yell,

" Iorek! Iorek Byrnison!"

She couldn't hope to drag her mother out alone, she needed help to save her.

However what met Lyra was not Iorek but Will. He was clearly out of breath and was covered in sweat. Both he and Kirjava looked exhausted.

Looking up, confused at his expression Lyra contemplated what he was going to do next.