Chapter 8: A Desperate Escape

Lyra's heart was pounding as she sprinted down the palace corridors. She knew she had to escape with Gram before it was too late. The thought of leaving everything she had known behind was daunting, but she couldn't afford to hesitate. Just as she reached the end of the hall, she saw her personal attendant, Cyna, waving frantically at her.

Lyra rushed towards her, and Cyna pressed a bracelet into her hand. It was unlike any Lyra had ever seen, with strange engravings etched into its surface. Cyna's eyes were wide with urgency as she spoke.

"No matter what happens, your mother is looking out for you. Make it to the Qeahan Empire, north of the Alderyan Kingdom. You'll be safe there."

Lyra nodded, still confused about the bracelet but trusting Cyna's words. However, before she could ask any more questions, the sound of shattering glass and shouting reached their ears. The Royal Assassins had somehow phased through the walls and were closing in on them.

Lyra's heart sank as she realized that her stepmother, the queen, had sent them after her. She clutched Gram tightly, preparing for a fight, but Cyna stepped forward, holding out her hands to unleash a blast of magic. Lyra watched in horror as Cyna's magic core exploded, buying her time to escape. She couldn't bear to leave her friend behind, but she knew she had to keep moving.

With tears in her eyes, Lyra dashed down the corridor. The sounds of pursuit echoed behind her, and she knew she was in grave danger. Her heart racing, she clutched Gram tightly in her hand. She could hear the sword's dark whispers echoing in her mind, tempting her with its power.

"You're weak, Lyra," Gram taunted. "You can't even protect yourself from those assassins. You'll never survive on your own."

Lyra gritted her teeth, trying to push the sword's words out of her mind. She knew that Gram was evil, but she couldn't help feeling a twinge of doubt.

"Shut up, Gram," she spat. "I won't let you control me."

"You can't deny the truth, Lyra," Gram continued. "You're nothing without me. You need my power to survive."

Lyra took a deep breath, steeling herself against Gram's taunts. She knew that she had to prove the sword wrong, that she was stronger than it gave her credit for.

"I'll show you, Gram," she growled.

As she ran towards the city gates, Lyra's mind was filled with questions. What did the strange engravings on the bracelet mean? How had her mother known she would need it?

Lyra knew she would have to find answers to this question if she had any hope of surviving. But for now, all she could do was run, hoping that somehow, she would make it out of the palace alive.