15. The First Gate

Chapter 15: The First Gate

The towering stone archway loomed ahead, its surface covered in glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. Lyra stepped forward cautiously, the heat from her phoenix mark intensifying as she neared the structure. The barren wasteland around them was eerily silent, save for the faint hum emanating from the gate.

Kael walked beside her, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “What is this place?”

Arden studied the runes, his brow furrowed. “A gate of trials. It’s said that the path to the Ashen Forge is guarded by challenges meant to test one’s resolve and worth.”

Lyra touched the edge of the archway, her fingers brushing the ancient runes. A surge of energy coursed through her, and the air around them shimmered.

“It’s reacting to you,” Arden said, his voice tinged with both awe and concern.

Before Lyra could respond, the gate began to glow brighter, and a low rumble shook the ground. A voice echoed from the archway, deep and resonant.

“To proceed, you must face the truth you hide and the fear you bury. Speak the key, or be forever lost.”

Lyra’s pulse quickened. “Speak the key? What does that mean?”

Arden stepped closer, his staff glowing faintly. “It’s a test of the soul. The key is likely something tied to your deepest truth. But be careful—these trials are known to twist the mind.”

Kael frowned. “And if we fail?”

“The gate doesn’t open,” Arden replied grimly.

The ground beneath the archway shifted, revealing a swirling portal of light. Lyra’s mark burned brighter, and she felt an invisible force pulling her forward.

“I’ll go first,” she said, her voice steady.

Kael grabbed her arm. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Yes, I do,” she said, meeting his gaze. “It’s my curse. My burden. I have to face it.”

Kael hesitated but released her. “Be careful.”

Lyra stepped through the portal, the light enveloping her completely.

The world around her dissolved into darkness, and for a moment, there was only silence. Then, a faint glow appeared, and she found herself standing in a familiar place—the garden of her childhood home.

The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the soft hum of a lullaby drifted through the air. Lyra turned to see a woman sitting on a stone bench, her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders.

“Mother?” Lyra whispered, her voice trembling.

Her mother looked up, her eyes warm but filled with sorrow. “Lyra, my sweet girl. You’ve grown so much.”

Tears welled in Lyra’s eyes. “You’re not real. This is the gate’s test.”

Her mother smiled sadly. “Does it matter? I am here, and so are you.”

Lyra’s heart ached as she approached the bench. “Why are you here? What do you want from me?”

“I want you to let go,” her mother said gently.

“Let go of what?”

“Your guilt. Your anger. You’ve carried them for so long, Lyra, but they will only weigh you down. To unlock the gate, you must accept the truth of who you are and forgive yourself.”

Lyra shook her head, her voice breaking. “I can’t. I wasn’t strong enough to save you. I wasn’t strong enough to stop Father from leaving. It’s my fault.”

Her mother rose, placing a hand on Lyra’s cheek. “You were a child, Lyra. None of it was your fault. You have the strength to carry this burden, but only if you stop letting it consume you.”

Lyra’s phoenix mark flared, the heat radiating through her entire body. Her mother’s image began to blur, her voice echoing one last time.

“Let go, my love. And rise.”

Lyra opened her eyes to find herself back at the gate, her body trembling but her resolve unshaken. The runes on the archway shifted, forming a single word:

“Acceptance.”

The gate’s portal began to glow, and the ground steadied beneath her feet. Kael and Arden rushed to her side.

“Are you all right?” Kael asked, his golden eyes scanning her for injuries.

Lyra nodded, her voice steady. “I’m fine. And the gate… it’s open.”

Arden’s expression was one of amazement. “You faced the trial and passed. The path to the Ashen Forge is clear—for now.”

Lyra turned to the glowing portal, determination in her eyes. “Then we move forward. The truth is waiting.”

To Be Continued

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