moonlight shadows

The fall

Lyra fell to the ground, her surroundings going black, and she felt sick to her stomach, as if she were floating weightless. She thrashed and kicked her arms and legs, but she could find nothing to hold onto as she fell further.

She fell farther and farther into the shadows, and it seemed like time was drawing on. Kael, Ryker's treachery, and the artifact's power were all that raced through her mind.

The fall came to an abrupt end just as quickly as it had started. Lyra struck the icy, hard ground with a sudden thump.

Her head spinning, she groaned and sat up. Inside, she found herself in a cramped, damp room with polished, coarse stone walls. There was a soft glow coming from the walls, creating unsettling shadows on the floor.

Experiencing physical pain from the fall, Lyra scrambled upright. Seeking to orient herself, she cast a glance around. However, neither Ryker nor Kael could be found.

Trapped in the dark, she was by herself.

And then, she heard it. A faint whisper in her ear. "Welcome, Lyra. You will not ever get out of here."

Lyra pivoted, attempting to pinpoint the origin of the murmur. But there was no one in sight. The voice sounded as though it were resonating off the walls all around her.

"What is your name?" With her voice quivering a little, Lyra demanded. "What do you want from me?"

There was no answer. As opposed to that, the whisper seemed to get louder and more urgent. "You should not have come here, Lyra. You will never leave."

Abruptly, she felt the chamber's walls closing in around her. Lyra was trapped in a small, cramped space as the stone slabs slid together with an unbearable crash.

Her body was interred alive.

And then, everything went black.

Lyra's world went dark, her breath caught in her throat. She was confined, breathing heavily in a small, airless room.

However, a dim light suddenly came to life in front of her. There was a tiny, luminous crystal that seemed to be floating in space.

A voice resounded in her head as the crystal spoke to her. "Lyra, do not panic. I am here to help you."

Lyra stared at the crystal, her mind racing. Who was this mysterious voice? And how could it help her escape?

The dim area around her was illuminated by the crystal as it started to glow brighter. It occurred to Lyra that she was in a tiny, completely dark room with no doors or windows allowing in any outside light.

But then, the crystal spoke again. "Look closely, Lyra. The walls are not what they seem."

Lyra's eyes widened as she cast a quick glance over the stone slabs. A small crack in the wall that is hardly perceptible.

The crystal spoke again. "Use the artifact's power, Lyra. Break free."

Naturally, Lyra's hand gravitated toward the artifact, which she continued to hold tightly. Her own body was filled with its power, pushing her to take action.

Lyra lifted the artifact and aimed it towards the wall crack with a renewed sense of determination. The tiny aperture was illuminated as the glow from the crystal grew stronger.

The crack grew wider as Lyra directed the artifact's energy, the stone slabs sliding apart with a grinding creak. A tiny gap opened up, just wide enough for Lyra to fit through.

The crystal spoke once more. "Well done, Lyra. Now, go!"

Lyra took a quick decision. She shoved her way through the aperture and came out into a long, poorly lit corridor. The air was thick with dust, and the walls were lined with tapestries that were covered in cobwebs—quite the sight.

But Lyra didn't care. She was free, and she knew she had to keep moving. She could be in danger of being approached by Ryker's goons at any time.

Lyra started to run with the artifact still clenched in her hand, her footsteps resonating against the stone walls.

Though she was unsure of her destination, she was aware that she needed to continue moving forward. It was essential to her survival.

The hallway appeared to go on forever as Lyra dashed along it. With each passing second, she could hear the sound of footsteps growing closer to her.

The hallway abruptly came to an end, and Lyra was inside a sizable, poorly lit room. Arranged along the walls were rows of old, dusty bookshelves, and the ceiling vanished into the night.

Lyra's gaze darted around the space, looking for a way out. But there was none. She was trapped.

And then, she saw him. With his eyes fixed on hers, Kael stood in the shadows.

"Lyra," he uttered in a barely audible whisper. "Yes, I am present. I've been waiting for you."

As Lyra ran in his direction, her heart raced. "Kael! Oh, thank the gods!"

However, she saw something that chilled her blood as soon as she got to him. His lips were forming a tiny, betrayed smile.

"Kael, what is happening?" With a trembling voice, Lyra demanded. "What is the reason behind your smile?"

Subsequently, he uttered words that radiated hatred. I have been playing you since the beginning, Lyra, which is why.

Lyra felt as though Kael had punched her in the stomach when her eyes widened with shock. With suspicion whirling through her mind, she stammered. "Explain yourself," she enquired.

Kael's smile got bigger as he stepped in her direction. With a tone full of dishonesty, he said, "I mean that I have been working with Ryker all along." Lyra, we have been having fun with a game. Moreover, you are only a pawn.

It seemed as though Lyra's heart had stopped. She was hearing things that she could not believe. Kael, her friend, her ally, was a traitor?

However, something inside of her gave way. The power of the artifact came back to her, and she knew she had to use it.

Lyra cried out in pain as she lifted the relic and aimed it at Kael. A dazzling light flooded the room as the energy of the artifact surged forward.

As the light dimmed, Kael vanished. Lyra knew, though, that she had to keep going. Before Ryker's goons discovered her, she had to leave.

Lyra fled the chamber with the artifact still clenched in her hand, determined to find the truth and hold Ryker accountable.

Even so, as she ran, she knew she was seriously in danger. She was alone herself and did not know what lay ahead of her.

Lyra ran as fast as she could, heart pounding in her chest the whole time. From behind, she heard footsteps getting closer and more insistent.

Then she noticed a flash of light in front of her. A door. She crashed through it and slammed it shut.

Drawing in breath, she leaned close to the door. She had escaped. For now.

However, as she looked around, she realized she was in a dimly lit, strange room. And she was not alone.

She was being observed by a shadowy figure.

The figure spoke in a low, ominous voice, "Welcome, Lyra." I was anticipating your arrival.

"The room turned completely dark after that.