The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

Lyra, the Goddess of Dreams 38, Part 168

Alric, still gripping the Shadow Soul tightly, felt its dark energy thrumming beneath his fingers, but he pushed aside the corrupting whispers that clawed at his mind. He raced toward the shimmering portal, its edges flickering with the vibrant hues of their world—the promise of safety, hope, and Lyra.

"Come on!" he shouted back to Colin. "We have to hurry before he regains control!"

Behind them, Odin roared in fury, shadows swirling like a tempest around him. "You will regret this betrayal, daughter! I will reclaim what is mine!"

But Colin stood resolute, her staff glowing with radiant light as she turned to face her former father. "You've lost your way, Father! This isn't who you are! I refuse to let you drag me into your darkness!"

With a fierce incantation, Colin unleashed a wave of purifying energy that radiated outward, pushing back against the encroaching shadows and momentarily staggering Odin. But the dark king only laughed, his twisted form surging forward as he called forth more shadowy minions—nightmarish creatures born from his rage.

"Foolish child!" he bellowed. "You think you can defy me? I am the Shadow King! You are nothing before my power!"

As Alric reached the portal's edge, he felt a surge of desperation welling up within him. "Colin! We need to go—now!"

But just then, a shadowy tendril shot forward from Odin's outstretched hand, snaking toward Alric with unnatural speed. In an instant, it coiled around his arm, yanking him backward and threatening to drag him into the abyss.

"No!" Colin screamed. Fueled by love and urgency, she raised her staff high and unleashed another brilliant wave of light that sliced through the tendril. Light exploded where they intersected, illuminating the chamber once more and revealing the true horror of Odin's form—the remnants of the father she once knew slowly being consumed by darkness.

"Let him go!" she shouted defiantly.

With renewed determination coursing through her veins, Colin stepped toward her father again. "You can fight this! We can save you!"

But Odin only glared at her with eyes swirling with dark fury. "You are too late! The shadows have claimed me; there is no turning back!"

In that moment of distraction—a moment where despair threatened to take root—Alric seized his chance. Summoning every ounce of strength left within him, he ripped free from fallen shadows and sprinted through the portal's shimmering veil.

"Lyra!" he called out as he crossed the threshold. The very air shimmered around him as reality folded in on itself; warmth flooded over him like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

And there she was—a golden aura surrounding her fragile form as if holding back the encroaching darkness from consuming her completely. "Alric!" Lyra's voice rang out like a beautiful melody amidst chaos.

"Hold on!" he cried out desperately as he reached for her hand; warmth surged between them as their fingers brushed against each other—a beacon of hope in the cold grips of despair. „Please don't go," he almost cried when he realized she was just a vision.

"No! You will not escape!" Odin bellowed. Shadows swirled like a tempest around him as he stepped forward, eyes glowing with a feral intensity. "You cannot thwart my will! I will reclaim what is mine!"

The darkness hissed behind Alric, tendrils reaching out in a desperate attempt to pull him back—but he would not be ensnared.

"Alric! Catch!" Colin cried, throwing a radiant orb of light toward him—a fragment of the power she had gathered. He caught it instinctively, drawing strength from its brilliance as he pressed forward.

Roku moved beside him, his bow drawn tight. "We have to escape!" he shouted, loosing an arrow that flared with light and struck toward Odin, creating a momentary distraction. The Dark King roared in outrage as it burst against his form, scattering shadows but failing to halt his advance.

"Don't hold back!" Alric yelled over his shoulder. "We have to save Lyra!"

Odin's voice boomed across the chamber, filled with fury and malice. "You will regret this betrayal, Colin! You are nothing without my power!"

But Colin stood tall, her staff glowing fiercely in her hands, channeling every ounce of love she felt for Alric and their friends. "You underestimate me! I am not your pawn anymore!"

With that declaration echoing in the air, she unleashed another wave of radiant energy towards Odin and Moira—bright enough to pierce through the miasma of despair that cloaked them. The light struck true, illuminating the dark chamber with fierce brilliance and forcing back the shadows that swirled around Odin's twisted form.

In that moment of distraction, Alric stepped into the portal's edge—a swirling rift beckoning him home—his heart racing at the thought of Lyra trapped within Tartarus's torment.

"Roku, Colin! Now!" he urged.

Roku released the last arrow at the nearest shadow and jumped towards the portal.

„Colin ,hurry up , "he shouted .

Colin took a step back toward him while maintaining focus on her mother and father. "I won't leave you behind!" she cried defiantly.

"We don't have time, love!" Roku shouted urgently. "If we don't go now—"

"I can hold them off!" she insisted passionately, determination set upon her face.

The ground shook violently as shadows lashed out for revenge; even now they sought to reclaim their dark master. Alric could feel the pull of despair tugging at him too—the need to stay and help Colin was almost overwhelming.

But then he thought of Lyra—of her bright smile and laughter—trapped in darkness because of Tartarus's wickedness. He knew what he had to do.

With a heavy heart, Alric turned away from Colin but called back, "We will come back for you! "

"That's a promise!" , cried Roku, wiping tears from his eyes. 

He plunged into the portal just as shadows erupted around Colin—Odin's enraged howl ringing through his ears like thunder.

"NO! YOU CANNOT ESCAPE ME!" ...

Time seemed to freeze as Odin's furious screams echoed throughout Tartarus—a cacophony swallowed by blinding light as everything began to dissolve around them.

"A curse upon you!" Odin bellowed amid swirling shadows as they were enveloped by the darkness.

.Alric felt a surge of warmth wash over him as they crossed through the rift together, an embodiment of their collective resolve.

The world around them blurred and twisted as they hurtled through the portal. For a moment, it felt like being pulled apart at the seams—light and darkness dancing madly around them until suddenly, they tumbled onto solid ground...