The Lost Mage's Journey

Chapter 47: Shadows of Vengeance

Scene 1: Mira's Recovery

It had been a few days since Mira woke up from her coma, and her strength was slowly returning. Lyka never left her side during the recovery, but there was still a tension lingering beneath the surface—an unspoken darkness that Lyka couldn't shake. Every time she thought of her uncle Marcellus, anger boiled inside her.

Mira, despite her weakness, had noticed the change in Lyka. As they sat in the infirmary, Mira tried to lighten the mood with a soft smile.

Mira (gently teasing):
"Hey, you need to stop staring at me like I'm going to disappear, little mage. I'm tougher than I look, you know."

Lyka (smiling softly, but her voice strained):
"I know... but I just... I should've protected you."

Mira reached out weakly, taking Lyka's hand. Her grip was light, but her presence, as always, grounded Lyka.

Mira (reassuring):
"You did protect me. I'm here because of you. Don't carry this alone, Lyka."

Lyka nodded, though her mind was still clouded with guilt and anger. She couldn't forget what Marcellus had done. He had betrayed her, manipulated her, and nearly taken Mira away from her. And even now, he was still out there, plotting. She could feel it.

As Mira rested, Elara, Auron, and Darius entered the infirmary. Their presence was a welcome distraction, and they immediately started chatting with Mira, trying to lift the spirits of the room.

Elara (grinning):
"Look at you, Mira, back to your usual self. You'll be running circles around us in no time."

Auron (teasing):
"And probably bossing us all around again."

Mira chuckled softly, though the weakness in her voice was still apparent.

Mira (smirking weakly):
"Well, someone's gotta keep you guys in line."

Despite the light-hearted conversation, Lyka felt a familiar darkness creeping into her thoughts. Her senses sharpened, and suddenly, she felt it—a presence she knew too well. A dark magic that made her skin crawl.

Her heart pounded as she realized who it was.

Lyka (whispering, voice tense):
"He's here..."

Her friends turned to her, confused by the sudden shift in her tone. But Lyka was already on her feet, her body tense with rage. The thought of facing Marcellus again sent a wave of fury through her, and without another word, she left the infirmary.

Elara (concerned, calling after her):
"Lyka, wait! What's going on?"

But Lyka was already gone, storming down the academy's corridors with determination blazing in her eyes.

Scene 2: Confronting Shadows

Lyka didn't stop as she raced through the halls of the Royal Magic Academy, her mind focused solely on one thing—Marcellus. She could feel his presence nearby, and every step she took brought her closer to confronting him.

Her heart hammered in her chest, the weight of everything he had done crashing down on her like a tidal wave. The manipulation, the lies, the betrayal. He had used her, hurt the people she loved, and now he was here again.