Descent into Darkness

Two weeks into her training, Lyraeth had made remarkable progress, yet she knew she was still far from perfect. Under the master’s watchful eye, she honed her skills day after day, striving to regain the strength she had lost while waiting for news of her husband.

“It’s time,” the master said one morning, his voice calm yet authoritative.

“Time for what?” Lyraeth inquired, her heart racing with anticipation.

“To test you,” he replied, his gaze steady.

“Test? I don't feel ready,” she said, insecure.

“Yes. I know you are ready. Meet me here five days later,” he instructed, turning away.

Filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety, Lyraeth nodded. “I will be there.”

As she made her way back to the palace, her thoughts drifted to the upcoming test. However, her focus shifted abruptly when she caught sight of the baron’s spy—the bald man with a scarred face—hurrying down a narrow alley. Something about his demeanor struck her as suspicious, prompting her to follow discreetly.

She watched from the shadows as the spy met with a shadowy figure, a merchant by the looks of it. Their exchange was tense, but Lyraeth strained to hear the details.

“Tomorrow after sundown, I’ll deliver the orders by the tunnel next to the royal palace,” the merchant said before disappearing into the gloom. The spy soon followed, retreating to the baron.

Wasting no time, Lyraeth hurried to inform Princess Elara of what she had witnessed. “I don’t know what they’re planning, but I’ll find out during the delivery,” she promised, determination in her voice.

The next evening, as twilight cloaked the city in shadows, Lyraeth hid in the tunnel, her heart pounding with anticipation. She could see the merchant approaching, a cart, and behind him, the spy lurked, his intentions ominous. As the exchange occurred, she realized the gravity of the situation. Just as the merchant got his money and started counting, the spy struck with deadly precision, eliminating the merchant before he could raise the alarm.

Panic surged through Lyraeth. She rushed to report back to Elara. “Weapons were exchanged in the tunnel! I don’t know where they'll use it,” she exclaimed.

“We must act immediately!” Elara declared, her eyes alight with urgency. Without waiting for further discussion, she dashed toward the palace’s lower levels, her courage unwavering.

“Princess! Come back! It’s too dangerous!” Lyraeth shouted, chasing after her. “You need to call for help!” But Elara was already moving too quickly, driven by a fierce resolve.

As they raced through the dimly lit corridors, Lyraeth noticed the bald spy hot on their trail. In their haste, she didn't bother concealing herself properly and they spotted each other, yet neither faltered in pursuit of Elara. When they reached the underground tunnel, the baron’s spy turned on Lyraeth, blocking her way.

“You stop here!” he growled, lunging at her. A fierce battle ensued. Thanks to her training, Lyraeth held her own against the assailant even without her magic, but just as she gained the upper hand, a sudden pain shot through her as another of the baron’s men, she didn't notice before, attacked from behind, plunging a blade into her side.

Gasping from the pain, Lyraeth’s mind blurred, and a wave of desperation surged over her. Was this the end? She had come so far… lost so much… The face of Edric flickered in her memory, a fleeting glimpse of the strength she once wielded, the magic she’d lost. But there was still a purpose left to fulfill. For Elara. For Edric. Lyraeth forced herself to keep fighting, though her body screamed with every move.

The first spy struck hard, knocking her blade from her grasp, and the second thrust his dagger deep into her abdomen. Collapsing to the ground, she struggled to remain conscious, torn between her instinct to survive and her duty to protect the princess.

“Run, Princess!” she gasped, her voice hoarse with pain. “Get help!”

For a heartbeat, the princess met her gaze—fear, loyalty, and gratitude passing between them before she vanished down the tunnel, leaving Lyraeth alone in the shadowed corridor.

Just as despair threatened to consume her, a distant rumble reached her ears—a heartbeat? No, louder. Footsteps. And then, a roar.

A massive bear charged through the tunnel, its eyes burning with primal ferocity as it barreled toward the spies and a man with a bow right behind it. Lyraeth’s breath caught, her heart lifting as she realized her husband had come for her.

“Darling! What have they done to you?” Edric’s voice trembled as he knelt beside her, his hands steady but his gaze haunted. “How did you get here?”

“I missed you so much,” she sobbed, tears mingling with blood on her cheeks. “But now… we have to save the princess.”

Summoning every ounce of strength, Lyraeth clambered onto the bear’s back, the pain momentarily forgotten as her resolve solidified. She charged through the tunnel, where Elara was cornered by the remaining spies, leaving Edric behind stunned and worried.

As she approached, her fierce shout rang out, startling the spies. The bear lunged at one of them, creating an opening, while Lyraeth leaped off, tackling another. She felt a searing pain as the spy thrust his dagger into her again, but she was fueled by sheer will, determined to protect Elara.

“Run!” she yelled to the princess. “Get help!”

As Elara fled, Lyraeth was overpowered again by her opponent, as the pain was overwhelming. Just as she began to falter, Edric rounded the corner, bow drawn, and shot down the assailant who had nearly claimed Lyraeth’s life.

“Lyraeth!” he rushed to her side, cradling her as she fell to the ground, her vision dimming. “Please don’t leave me. I thought I lost you once before. I can’t lose you again!” His voice was choked with emotion as he pressed his hands against her wounds, weaving low-level healing magic to staunch the bleeding.

“Edric… I’m so tired,” she whispered, her strength fading.

“No! You can’t leave me! Stay with me, my love!” he begged, tears streaming down his cheeks. As he worked to heal her, distant footsteps echoed through the tunnel—the remaining spies were returning. They needed to escape.

With a sudden burst of energy, Edric dismissed the summoned bear and scooped Lyraeth into his arms, escaping the tunnel just as the guards arrived. Outside, the cool night air filled Lyraeth’s lungs, but the fight was far from over. They raced through the city, Edric carrying her until they reached a hidden cabin deep in the woods.

As they collapsed inside, Edric continued to heal her wounds, while Lyraeth fought against unconsciousness. The chilling reality of the night hung heavy in the air.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Elara rushed to inform her father of the attack. “Father! There was an ambush! The baron’s men were plotting to attack the palace. They’re after us!” she cried, her voice filled with desperation.

The king’s expression darkened with worry. “What happened? Where are they now? We must act swiftly!”

Elara shook her head, tears in her eyes. “They were in the tunnels. Now they could be anywhere! We must find them! We need to save Lyraeth! She saved me.”

The king’s heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. The fate of his family—and the kingdom—hung in the balance. They needed to confront Baron Merrick and unravel the conspiracy before it was too late. But Baron Lucius Merrick was influential and cunning, if he acted rashly and without good evidence, it could backfire.

As Lyraeth's eyes drifted shut, her last thought was of Edric’s hand in hers. Just a little more, she told herself, clinging to the warmth of his presence as the darkness claimed her.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***