Chapter 7: Shadows of the Past

"Not everything in the dark is meant to stay hidden, Lyria. Sometimes, shadows are meant to reveal the truth."

Lyria paused, catching her breath, her eyes scanning the dense forest as Kael's voice echoed in her ears. The shadows around them felt alive, shifting and murmuring as if whispering secrets that only they could hear. Her mind was still reeling from the revelations in the sanctuary, but there was no time to dwell on it now. They had to keep moving.

The weight of the pendant against her chest was a constant reminder of what they were after—the truth of her past, the key to her power, and the reason the Celestial Court hunted her relentlessly. But the truth had a way of unraveling everything, and she wasn't sure how much more she could bear to discover.

Kael's presence beside her was both reassuring and unnerving. He had been a part of her past life—one of her most trusted advisors. But what had happened to them then? Why had she fallen, and why had he allowed it? The memory of his distant, unreadable gaze from the vision haunted her.

"Do you remember what happened?" Lyria asked, breaking the silence. "Do you know why I was betrayed?"

Kael's expression was grim, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "I remember pieces," he admitted. "Enough to know that what we're facing now is bigger than either of us. You weren't just a queen, Lyria. You were a threat to the balance of power, both in the mortal and celestial realms."

Lyria frowned, her mind racing. "A threat? To whom?"

Kael's lips pressed into a thin line. "To everyone."

They continued in silence for a moment, the weight of his words settling over them like a heavy fog. Lyria's heart pounded in her chest, her pulse quickening as memories she couldn't quite grasp fluttered at the edges of her consciousness.

Before she could press Kael for more, a sharp sound cut through the air—a rustling in the bushes ahead. Kael's hand went to his sword in an instant, his body tensing as he stepped in front of her.

"Stay behind me," he commanded, his voice low and steady.

Lyria's fingers tightened around the pendant, her senses on high alert. She could feel something in the air—a presence, familiar and yet foreign, like the memory of a dream long forgotten.

The rustling grew louder, and then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged.

A woman.

Her pale skin seemed to glow in the dim light of the forest, her long, dark hair flowing like a river of midnight behind her. She was draped in robes of black and silver, her eyes a piercing shade of violet that glowed with an unnatural light. Lyria's breath caught in her throat as recognition struck her like a bolt of lightning.

It was her. The woman from her visions.

The one who had betrayed her.

The one who had cast her down.

"Lyria," the woman's voice was a soft purr, her lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It's been a long time."

Kael's grip on his sword tightened, but he didn't move. His gaze flickered between Lyria and the woman, tension crackling in the air like a storm waiting to break.

"Who are you?" Lyria demanded, her voice shaking despite her best efforts to sound strong. "What do you want?"

The woman laughed softly, a sound that sent chills down Lyria's spine. "You don't remember me, do you? How typical of you, to forget the ones who stood by your side—until you cast them aside."

Lyria's mind whirled, fragments of memories flickering in and out of focus. She knew this woman, but the details were just out of reach, like trying to grasp smoke with her fingers.

"I don't know you," Lyria said, though the words felt like a lie.

The woman's smile widened, her violet eyes glowing brighter. "Oh, but you do. You and I were once… very close."

Lyria recoiled at the woman's insinuation, but she forced herself to stand tall. "I don't care what happened in the past," she said firmly. "I'm not that person anymore."

The woman's gaze sharpened, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes. "You may not remember, but your enemies do. And they haven't forgotten what you're capable of, Lyria. The Celestial Court fears you because they know that if you reclaim your power, you'll be unstoppable."

Lyria's heart raced. Unstoppable? What had she been in her past life? What kind of power had she wielded that made even the gods fear her?

Kael stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light. "Enough. If you're here to threaten her, you'll have to go through me first."

The woman's gaze flicked to Kael, her expression amused. "Ah, Kael. Ever the loyal protector. But tell me, how long will your loyalty last when she discovers the truth?"

Kael's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond. Lyria glanced between them, her suspicion growing. What truth? What was this woman talking about?

"I don't have time for your games," Lyria said, her voice cold. "Tell me what you want."

The woman's smile faded, and her eyes narrowed. "What I want is simple. I want what's rightfully mine. You stole it from me, Lyria, and now it's time for you to pay the price."

Lyria's heart skipped a beat. Stole? What had she taken from this woman?

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lyria said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But if you think you can intimidate me, you're mistaken."

The woman's gaze hardened, and for a moment, the air around them seemed to thrum with dark energy. Lyria could feel the power radiating from her, a cold, suffocating force that pressed against her chest.

But then, just as quickly as it had come, the tension broke. The woman stepped back, her expression cool and detached once more.

"Very well," she said softly. "We'll meet again, soon enough. And when we do, I hope you're prepared for what's coming."

With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Lyria and Kael alone in the clearing.

Lyria exhaled, the tension in her body slowly ebbing away. But her mind was still racing, questions and doubts swirling like a storm.

Kael sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. "Are you all right?"

Lyria nodded, though her thoughts were far from calm. "Who was she?"

Kael's gaze flickered with something she couldn't quite read. "An enemy from your past. One of many."

Lyria frowned, frustration gnawing at her. "You're still not telling me everything, Kael. What did she mean about the truth? What haven't you told me?"

Kael's expression hardened, his eyes dark. "It's not something you need to worry about right now."

Lyria's chest tightened with anger. "You keep saying that, but I'm starting to think you're hiding something from me. Something important."

Kael didn't respond, his gaze shifting to the path ahead. "We should keep moving."

Lyria clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. But before she could press him further, a soft breeze stirred the trees around them, carrying with it a faint, distant sound—like a whisper on the wind.

She turned, her heart skipping a beat as the shadows seemed to shift once more.

"The truth will find you, Lyria," the woman's voice echoed in her mind. "And when it does, there will be no escaping it."

"Whatever she's hiding, I'll find out," Lyria said firmly, her gaze steely. "No matter the cost."