I stood there staring at Morgana as Elias stood by my side, his hand brushing against mine as if to ground me. She was on the other side of a strange–looking bench, its wood dark and twisted, almost alive, and perched on top of it was what looked like a crystal ball, or something far older, glowing faintly as though it held secrets waiting to be revealed.


    “I guess it’s just us now.” I said.


    “That’s not thest you’ve heard from Arthur.” She said.


    “I know. But he’s not here. You’re going to tell me everything that you know or we will rip you to shreds.” I said.


    “I’m on your side Lyra.” She said.


    “Prove it.” I said.


    “You don’t need Arthur. You don’t even need Elias. You can do this on your own.” She said.


    “I’m not leaving Elias. You should know that by now.” I growled.


    “I can help you. Please don’t think I am your enemy because I’m not.” She said.


    “Then what are you? Because you’re definitely not a friend. Not after everything that’s going on around here.” I said.


    “I didn’t think you would believe the whole story while you were with Arthur. He thinks the only way to get the heart is to kill you and merge your energy with the ck witch. But he doesn’t realize that you’ve already got her energy inside of you. He doesn’t need to kill you.” Morgana exined.


    “Arthur doesn’t have any power. If any. How the hell would he harness it is body can’t handle it.” I said.


    “I know. He’s going to die, no matter what. It’s just a matter of time. If he tried to steal your energy, your power, he was as good as dead. And now he’s going to die because he messed with your wolves. Even I knew that was a bullshit move.” Morgana said.


    “You’re not answering any questions.” Elias snapped.


    “That’s because I can’t answer them in words. I need to show you.” Morgana said.


    “Show me what?” I asked.


    “What this world could be like.<i>” </i>She said.


    < CHAPTER 110


    “Oh. Is that what the crystal ball is for?” Elias scoffed.


    “No. It’s just a prop. Lyra knows what I’m talking about.” Morgana said.


    +25 Points


    Elias turned to look at me and he saw me tense up as I raised my arm to grab a tight grip of


    his arm.


    Morgana lunged at me and I didn’t stop her. But once her hands made contact with the either side of my head I started screaming.


    “What the f**k? Let go of her.” Elias yelled.


    “Rx. She’s fine.” Morgana assured him.


    I saw myself. I was standing on the top of a lush mountain top, the wind brushing through my hair as sunlight poured across thend. The realm had beenpletely restored, brighter and more vibrant than I had ever imagined. Dragons soared majestically above me, their wings cutting through the sky as I looked around in awe. Below, all manners of people and creatures rushed joyfully about, theirughter and voices filling the air. The forests had returned to their natural splendor, and the viges thrived with life and harmony. As I descended, people bowed deeply to me with reverence, their eyes shining with gratitude and devotion.


    The wind picks up and the white dress that I am wearing is flowing in the wind. Making me seem more like a Goddess.


    That’s what I am. I’m the Goddess of the realm. Not just the ruler. I control everything.


    I see the ruins of the volcano in the distance. The ckened ground beneath it so I reach my hand out and create a new forest to be enjoyed instead of an area that people need to avoid.


    “Hello Lyra.” Someone behind me said. So I turned around to see a woman standing there. She was wearing a gold dress that moved much in the same way that mine did, but she had ck hair instead of blonde.


    “Hello Syltherra.” I smiled.


    “You know me<i>.” </i>She said.


    “Thest known Goddess of this realm. Of course I do.” I said.


    “Well, you know about this ce. You know what it can do. And you know what it needs.<i>” </i>She said.


    CHA


    +25 Points


    I turned to look down the mountain at children ying and animals roaming around without being afraid.


    “I’ve already done that.” I said.


    “No. Not yet. Morgana doesn’t even know that I’m here. She’s just trying to show you what you can be.” Slytherra said.


    “You snuck in.” I smirked.


    “I had to. Before it was toote.” She said.


    “Toote for what?” I asked, curiously.


    “King Arthur is selfish. The heart is never going to choose him. Once a ruler takes over then they can’t leave. If they absorb the energy of the heart, then they are the ruler and they are bound to this realm for the rest of their lives.” She exined.


    “I already know that.” I said.


    “You don’t know everything<i>.</i><i>” </i>She said.


    “What aren’t they telling me?” I asked.


    “I have been watching over this realm for many years. And I’ve never seen anyone that is a true ruler. Not until you came here.” She said.


    “That was an ident. Celestra brought me here.” I said.


    “I know. And you defeated her. Something that no one had been able to do in several different


    realms that she terrorized.”


    “I am not leaving my home to be the ruler of this realm. I can’t do it.” I said.


    “I know. You’ve got a life there. You’ve got a baby. I can understand that. But I had to bring you back somehow<i>.</i><i>” </i>She said.


    “What are you talking about?” I asked.


    “I had to do this to the realm because I knew that you woulde back to save it.” She said.


    “You did this? You destroyed the realm?” I asked.


    “It’s only temporary. I just need you to know one more thing.” She said.


    “And what’s that?” I asked.


    “The heart needs just as much love as it does domination. Remember that. And the heart


    CHAP


    chooses. No one else. No matter how much power they have.” She said.


    I looked at her strangely. I didn’t know what she meant by that. It needs love. How the hell are you meant to give love to a ball of freaking energy. <fn3e7a> The rightful source is </fn3e7a>


    I jolted awake, the cold stone pressing against my back. My vision swam before it steadied on Elias hovering over me, panic etched in his eyes. Morgana sat close by, her expression


    unreadable.


    “Baby–are you alright?” Elias’s voice cracked with worry.


    “I’m fine.” I muttered, though my chest still heaved.


    “That’s never happened before.” Morgana said sharply. “The trance is only meant to show you what you need to know.”


    “Well, it did.” I snapped, pushing myself upright despite the dizzy spin in my head.


    “Easy.” Elias warned, reaching for me.


    But I shoved to my feet anyway. The air in the chamber felt heavier than before, pressing down on me like the walls themselves were listening. My weaponsy scattered on the floor. I snatched them up, the cold steel steadying my shaking hands. Then I turned to Elias, my jaw set.


    “Let’s go.”


    His brow furrowed. “Go where?”


    “To find our warriors. We’re getting the hell out of here.” My voice was low, firm, leaving no


    room for doubt.


    “You can’t.” Morgana’s voice cut through the air, sharp as a de. “We can’t leave this realm like this.”


    I


    spun on her, fury burning hot in my chest. “I didn’t do this. And it’s not my realm to save. So deal with it yourself.”


    Without waiting for her reply, I stormed out, my boots striking hard against the stone floor. Elias fell in step behind me, silent, not daring to question. He didn’t need to–I knew he could feel it too. The rage. The defiance. And the dangerous fire that wasn’t going to burn out anytime soon.