Chapter 34 — The Shard of Two
The clearing felt different after Kai nearly fell into the shadow chasm. The air crackled with magic, thick and restless, as though the forest itself knew something monumental had just shifted.
Kai kept his arm wrapped around Lyra's waist even after they both stood again.
He didn't realize he was still holding her until Lyra whispered:
"Kai… you're gripping me like the forest might eat me."
He didn't let go.
"Not taking any chances," he said quietly.
Lyra reached up and brushed her thumb across his cheek, making his breath catch.
"You weren't the only one scared," she whispered.
Thorne exhaled dramatically. "Can you two flirt later? The relic is still sitting there glowing like the world's most ominous night-light."
Kai and Lyra stepped apart—barely—but their fingers stayed linked.
They approached the pedestal together.
The crystal shard pulsed with twin colors:
violet shadow and white light, swirling as if alive.
Lyra tilted her head. "It feels… familiar."
Kai nodded slowly. "Like something inside me recognizes it."
Thorne squinted. "Or like it's calling to one of you. Or both."
Lyra reached out instinctively—but the shard reacted first.
It shot a beam of light straight at her chest.
Kai cried out, pulling her back—
—but a second beam shot into him too.
Both Kai and Lyra gasped and fell to their knees, clutching their chests as the crystal split into two halves—one glowing white, one glowing dark—and each half embedded itself into them.
Lyra's eyes widened in shock as her heartbeat accelerated.
Kai clenched his teeth as energy surged through him like a storm.
Thorne stepped back. "Okay. That's new. And terrifying."
Kai groaned. "Lyra—are you—"
She looked up at him, eyes glowing faintly.
"I'm okay," she whispered. "I think… it's giving us something."
Kai reached toward her at the same time she reached for him.
Their hands met—
And both their eyes blazed with light.
The world vanished.
The Vision Realm
Kai and Lyra stood in a place made of swirling mist and drifting stars—half in shadow, half in light. Their hands were still together; in this strange realm, their fingers glowed where they touched.
Lyra shivered. "Where are we?"
Kai scanned the air. "Inside the shard's consciousness… maybe?"
A soft voice echoed around them—female, gentle but powerful.
"Children of the intertwined fates… hear me."
Lyra's breath stopped. "That voice—"
A woman stepped out of the light.
Tall, ethereal, made of shimmering strands of magic. Her face was hidden by a veil of starlight, but her presence radiated authority.
"I am the Spirit of the Crown of Two."
Kai whispered, "The artifact that governs the twin realms."
The spirit nodded.
"You were chosen because your hearts are aligned. Your bond strengthens the Crown's power."
Lyra felt her heart pound. "Our… bond?"
The spirit glided closer.
"Your fates are woven together. Your hearts beat in harmony. Your love makes the Crown stronger."
Kai froze. Lyra's eyes widened.
"Kai…" she whispered softly.
He stared back at her, stunned. "So it's not just us feeling this—it's fate?"
The spirit raised a hand, and their surroundings shimmered, revealing visions:
• Kai holding Lyra in the Shadow Wilds
• Lyra crying over him when he nearly died
• Their kisses by the fire
• The way their magic glowed when they touched
The spirit's voice softened.
"You are each other's strength. Together, your power multiplies. Separate… and the Crown cannot awaken."
Lyra stepped closer to Kai, drawn to him in the vision.
"Kai… we're meant to fight this together."
He cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek.
"Lyra… I don't care if fate decided this or not."
His voice grew low, intense.
"I choose you."
Her breath trembled. "And I choose you."
The vision realm pulsed with warmth.
The spirit's voice echoed one last time.
"When the realms shatter, only your united hearts can restore them."
Light swallowed them.
Back in the Grove
They gasped back into reality at the same moment, collapsing into each other's arms. Their foreheads pressed together, breathing hard, gripping one another like lifelines.
Kai whispered, "Lyra… did that—did all of that really happen?"
Lyra nodded, still shaking. "We're connected now. Our powers… our hearts… everything."
Kai pulled her closer, his forehead leaning against hers.
"Then I guess you're stuck with me."
Lyra laughed breathlessly. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
Kai kissed her again—slow, warm, deep—his hands sliding to her waist as if he couldn't stand a moment of distance.
Lyra wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer.
The world faded until there was only heat, magic, breath, and the thundering promise between them.
Thorne cleared his throat loudly.
"Okay, lovebirds. Wonderful moment. Really. But the shard awakened something else too."
Kai and Lyra reluctantly separated—only by inches—still holding hands.
"What do you mean?" Lyra asked.
Thorne pointed toward the treeline.
Shadows were gathering.
And eyes—dozens—were glowing in the dark.
Kai stepped in front of Lyra instinctively.
Lyra stepped forward beside him instead, shoulder to shoulder.
Their hands intertwined.
And their combined shards began to glow—one white, one dark, merging into swirling silver.
Kai looked at her, eyes blazing with confidence and love.
"You ready?"
Lyra squeezed his hand. "With you? Always."
A New Power
The creatures burst from the trees—twisted beasts made of corrupted magic.
Kai raised his hand—and dark fire exploded outward.
Lyra thrust her staff—and white light shot through the air.
When their magic collided, it fused into a spiraling beam of silver energy that blasted through the enemy ranks like a divine storm.
Kai's eyes widened. "Our powers—"
Lyra finished his sentence. "They combine."
She turned to him, breathless but smiling. "This is incredible."
Kai touched her cheek softly. "You're incredible."
Then he kissed her—quick, fierce—before turning back to the battle.
Lyra's cheeks were flushed, heart pounding. "Focus, Kai!"
"I am focusing," he teased. "Just… on two things."
She nudged him with her shoulder, smiling despite the danger.
Together, they launched a second wave of joined magic, tearing through the night with blinding brilliance.
Thorne watched from behind them, stunned.
"Oh yes," he muttered to himself, "they're terrifying now."
After the Battle
The last creature fell, dissolving into harmless shadow dust.
Kai and Lyra, glowing faintly from the shard's power, stood chest to chest, breathing in sync.
Lyra brushed his hair back gently.
"We did it."
Kai pressed his forehead to hers, voice low and full of warmth.
"Together."
Their lips nearly touched again, burning with the tension of everything they'd just shared—
When a cold, familiar voice drifted through the trees.
"How touching."
Lyra froze.
Kai's grip tightened.
A tall figure stepped into the clearing, dressed in jagged silver armor, eyes glowing with ancient malice.
The Hollow Queen.
Lyra's mother.
Her voice echoed across the Grove.
"My daughter… how beautifully you've grown."
Lyra's blood ran cold.
Kai's eyes blazed with fury.
And the Queen smiled.