Chapter 4: The Price of Memories

"Some memories are better left buried… but can you live without knowing who you truly are?"

Kael's voice pierced the silence as they ran through the dense forest. Lyria could hear the tension in his words, but his pace never slowed. The night air was cool against her skin, yet the threat of danger seemed to wrap around them like a shroud, suffocating and heavy.

Branches snapped beneath their feet as they moved deeper into the heart of the woods. Lyria's thoughts raced along with her heartbeat, her mind still reeling from the truth Kael had revealed.

They had been bound by the heavens. Their fates twisted together long before this life. But why had she been made to forget?

The sanctuary Kael mentioned was still some distance away, but Lyria could sense something—or someone—following them. The eerie silence of the forest was unnatural, and every rustle of leaves put her on edge.

"Stop," she whispered, pulling Kael's arm to halt him.

Kael turned to face her, his eyes searching her face, but before he could speak, the sound of footsteps emerged from behind them, accompanied by the low hum of dark energy crackling in the air.

"They've found us," Kael growled, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword. His instincts kicked in as he stepped protectively in front of her.

But Lyria wasn't about to be shielded this time. She moved beside him, her hand steady on her own blade.

"No, Kael. I'm not sitting this out. Not anymore." Her voice was firm, determined.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a hooded assassin, more deadly and silent than the ones before. But this time, Lyria could feel the force of magic pulsing from their presence. This assassin was no ordinary mortal.

Kael's jaw tightened. "They've sent a shadow-weaver."

The assassin moved swiftly, flicking their wrist and sending dark tendrils of energy shooting through the air toward them. The black magic slithered like snakes, wrapping around Kael's arms, binding him in place before he could strike.

Lyria gasped. "Kael!"

With a flick of the assassin's fingers, Kael was thrown backward, crashing into a nearby tree. The force knocked the air from his lungs as he struggled against the dark bindings. His wings, which had been hidden, suddenly burst from his back, flaring out with raw, fiery energy, but even his dragon form couldn't free him from the dark magic's grip.

The assassin turned their attention toward Lyria, eyes gleaming beneath the hood.

Lyria's pulse quickened as she raised her sword. She knew she couldn't let them reach Kael. Not when he was vulnerable like this.

"Lyria… run!" Kael's voice was strangled, his eyes glowing with fury as he fought to free himself. But she didn't listen.

Instead, Lyria stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the assassin's movements. She could sense the patterns of their dark magic, could see the faint flicker of light where the binding was weakest.

Without a second thought, she raised her sword and charged. The assassin flicked their wrist again, sending more dark energy surging toward her, but Lyria was ready. She ducked low, spinning around the black tendrils as they snapped at her, her sword flashing in the moonlight.

With one swift strike, she sliced through the tendrils that bound Kael, freeing him from their hold. The assassin hissed in frustration, but Lyria didn't stop there. She pressed the attack, her blade moving faster than the eye could follow. With each strike, she pushed the assassin back, keeping them away from Kael.

Just as she went for the final blow, the assassin vanished in a swirl of dark smoke, retreating into the shadows. But Lyria knew they would be back.

Kael staggered to his feet, his breath heavy as he sheathed his sword. His dark wings slowly retracted, disappearing as his power subsided. He looked at Lyria, a mix of disbelief and admiration in his eyes.

"You saved me," he said quietly, as if the realization had only just hit him.

Lyria shrugged, though her heart was still pounding in her chest. "It was my turn."

Kael chuckled softly, but there was an edge to it, like he wasn't sure whether to be impressed or concerned. "You've always been reckless, haven't you?"

"Maybe," she replied, her gaze flicking toward the spot where the assassin had disappeared. "But I wasn't going to leave you to face that thing alone."

Kael stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "I suppose I should be grateful."

Lyria rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. "A 'thank you' would suffice."

Before Kael could respond, the air around them seemed to shift, the darkness growing heavier, denser. Lyria's hand tightened around her sword as she scanned the trees, her instincts on high alert.

"They're not done with us," Kael muttered, his voice low. "The shadow-weavers won't stop until they've captured me. Or killed me."

Lyria's stomach twisted. The Celestial Court's assassins weren't just after Kael—they wanted to erase him, to sever whatever ties he had to the heavens. But why? What had Kael done to provoke such wrath from the gods?

As if sensing her thoughts, Kael spoke again. "You want to know why they're hunting me."

Lyria hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. I want to know everything."

Kael's gaze darkened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer. But then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair as he looked away.

"There's a prophecy," he began, his voice strained. "One that speaks of a great rebellion against the Celestial Court. It foretells that a fallen star will rise again, challenging the heavens and upsetting the balance of power."

Lyria's brow furrowed. "And they think you're that fallen star?"

Kael gave a bitter laugh. "No. They know I am."

The weight of his words hung between them, heavy and foreboding. Lyria felt a chill run down her spine. If the Celestial Court believed Kael to be the star from the prophecy, it meant they would stop at nothing to destroy him. To prevent the rebellion.

"But what does that have to do with me?" she asked, her voice soft.

Kael's eyes met hers, and there was something raw, something unspoken, in his gaze. "Because, Lyria… you're the reason I fell."

Lyria's breath caught in her throat. "What?"

Kael stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was my love for you that led me to defy the heavens. And when I chose you over them, they cast me out. Stripped me of my wings, my power… my memories."

The ground seemed to shift beneath Lyria's feet. She stared at him, her heart racing as the full weight of his confession sank in.

"You loved me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Kael's expression softened, and for the first time since they had reunited, Lyria saw a glimpse of the man he had been before the curse. "I still do."

Before Lyria could respond, a sudden rush of energy surged through the air, snapping them both to attention. The forest around them began to shimmer, the trees warping and twisting as a blinding light engulfed the space.

Lyria's breath hitched as she realized what was happening. The sanctuary was revealing itself.

Kael grabbed her arm, pulling her close as the light intensified. "Stay close," he murmured. "We're not safe yet."

As the forest around them faded into the sanctuary's ethereal glow, Lyria couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The beginning of a battle that would test everything they thought they knew about each other, about themselves, and about the heavens.

"I may have fallen for you once," Kael whispered as they stepped into the sanctuary. "But this time, it'll be different."